| OUR HOMECOMING EVENTS In September 2009 the Duke of Buccleuch hosted the first ever international Clan Scott gathering at its ancestral home, Bowhill.
The event was held to celebrate and share the proud history and legacy of the Scotts in this Homecoming Year. It took place over the 24th-27th of September with various different events centred around Bowhill, Selkirk and the wider ‘Scott Country'.
The Gathering attracted over 90 overseas visitors from all over the world including Australia, South Africa, Germany and many states of the USA and Canada, and many locals too.
If you want to visit our area or find our information about your ancestors please click for local accommodation and tracing ancestors.
For more information on homecoming events visit www.homecomingscotland2009.com.
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| 23 September 2009 - TRADITIONAL MUSIC AND SUPPER FOR OUR OVERSEAS VISITORSThe week started with a Welcome Evening in the County Hotel in Selkirk.
At this informal evening guests were introduced to Scottish Borders hospitality, they enjoyed a dram of whisky, and local produce buffet with local harpist Jamie Bryson playing in the background.
This first event was a sell out and we had over 80 guests rekindling old acquaintances and making new friendships. |
| 24th September 2009 - BUS TOUR OF THE BORDERS: "IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE SCOTTS"After a relatively early start, visitors were whisked off onto two separate buses hosted by Bowhill House guides and by local historian Alistair Moffat on one bus and Regional Archaeologist, Chris Bowles on the other.
Highlights of the tour included visiting Abbotsford, home of Sir Walter Scott; Harden, home of Lord Polwarth one of the Scotts of Harden; Newark castle on Bowhill Estate; Dryhope Tower, another Scott property; and Locharron, a local woollen mill.
The bus tour also passed Bellandean, the mustering ground for the Scotts before a battle. A local buffet lunch was held in Cappercleuch hall with beautiful views overlooking St Marys Loch. |
| 24th September - ROWAN TREE THEATRE COMPANY: THE RAGGED LIONAfter a busy day, visitors had an opportunity to see the Scottish Borders theatre company, Rowan Tree, with an adaptation of the novel by local journalist and author Alan Massie, The Ragged Lion. The novel examines the life of Sir Walter Scott, prolific author and one time Sheriff of Selkirk, and shows how he is relevant to today. With strong acting and musical performances and performed in Border Scots, the show was very enjoyable and proved to have only minor language barriers! |
| 25th September 2009 - HOUSE TOUR AND TEA On the Friday, visitors were asked to come and enjoy Bowhill at its best. There were guided tours of the house, with a very special welcome from the Duke himself, and also ranger led tours of the grounds, exhibiting the beautiful landscaped surroundings. Through the day, there was also the opportunity to visit Bowhill’s small gift shop and enjoy the James Hogg Exhibition, Victorian Kitchen and Laurie Campbell photography exhibition. |
| 25th September 2009 - RANGER LED TOURS OF BOWHILL GROUNDS AND GARDENSOn the Friday, visitors were asked to come and enjoy Bowhill at its best. There were guided tours of the house, with a very special welcome from the Duke himself, and also ranger led tours of the grounds, exhibiting the beautiful landscaped surroundings.
Through the day, there was also the opportunity to visit Bowhill’s small gift shop and enjoy the James Hogg Exhibition, Victorian Kitchen and Laurie Campbell photography exhibition. |
| 25th September 2009 - RECEPTION DINNER AT ABBOTSFORDOn the Friday evening, two events took place – a Reception Dinner at Abbotsford and a Ceilidh in the Victoria Hall.
The Abbotsford Dinner was a special evening with a limited number of 50 tickets available. The three-course dinner was hosted by Abbotsford House, home of Sir Walter Scott. On this formal evening, Duke Richard and Lord Polwarth were both in attendance. |
| 25th September 2009 - SCOTTISH CONCERT AND CEILIDH
The Ceilidh was hosted in the Victoria Hall in Selkirk and was open to overseas guests and locals alike. The Ceilidh was provided by Ian Lothian who ensured all had a fun night. There was also the opportunity to see Selkirk Children’s Country Dancers and local young musicians the Riddle Fiddles. Volunteers from Scotts Selkirk also held a raffle in aid of their funds. |
| 26th September 2009 - THE MUSTERThe Muster was the main day of the Clan Scott Gathering. All Borders families and residents were invited and over 2500 attended. The weather was superb and there was a busy programme of events on all day.
In addition to the programmes below there was also three craft tents full of interesting and unique Scottish gifts, a genealogy tent where you could meet several border clans, laser clay pigeon shooting, a horse logger and chainsaw carver, sword fighting, archery, bouncy castles, face painting, airbrush tattooing and other children’s activities.
PROGRAMME OF EVENTS – Saturday, 26th September 2009
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| 26th September 2009 - CONCERT WITH SCOCHAScocha provided the finale to a fantastic day playing live in the Music Tent to over 200 overseas and local visitors. |
| 27th September 2009 - BARBEQUE TO SAY FAREWELL TO THE SCOTTSBowhill hosted the final event of the Scott Gathering, a Farewell BBQ.
This gave staff and visitors a final chance to get to know each other over a sizzling hog roast. |
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| Did you ever work here or do you know someone who has?
At Bowhill we want to bring together former workers to share stories, photos and help us to bring the past alive. If you would like to contact us please email us at bht@buccleuch.com |
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We would therefore like you to help us celebrate and would welcome any stories, memories or recollections you have of visits to the theatre over the past years, whether as audience members or performers, recently or long ago. Please email us, write or telephone – we would love to hear from you! |
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When Bowhill building was finished in 1877 it had 100 rooms and 97 offices and there was a clear demarcation between master and mistress, children, guests and servants |
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A new range of sporting experiences available to purchase online in a variety of monetary amounts for friends, family and corporate days. |
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| Find out what's been happening at Bowhill |
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