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CHAIRMAN, MR ROBERT MacINTYRE

Welcome to the 30th anniversary of the Rosneath Peninsula Highland Gathering. It is a great honour to be serving as Chairman this year. Way back in 1978 my wife, Mari, and I, along with John R McColl, Dave Kinsman and Fred Garden, were members of the inaugurate committee that saw the first Games become a reality in 1979. The event has gone from strength to strength, due mainly to the continued support of the Local Community Council and local businesses, and I want to thank all of our Sponsors for their support this year.

The Games have attained an international reputation with visitors and competitors coming from all over the world, including World Class Heavy Weights Bill and Grant Anderson, Geoff Capes, Hamish Davidson, Brian Robin, Douglas Edmonds and the late Jon Pall Sigmarsson, to name but a few. Cyclists and runners of all ages have also taken on the challenge in the track events which continue to attract a competitive field today.
The Rosneath Solo Piping Competition celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. Piping Convener, Helen Campbell, has worked hard to achieve an international event which has grown from just three competitors to over 200, putting it on a par with Cowal, Oban and Inveraray Highland Games. Entries this year come from the UK, New Zealand, Australia, Sweden, France, Canada and the USA. I hope you will enjoy the Marches, Strathspey and Reels, which are just a few of the tunes to listen out for.
The Gathering is also rightly famous for its Highland Dancing competitions. Dance Convener, Mrs Margaret Maclnnes, had Spanish and Canadian Music and Dance Troupes taking part last year, which were a great success and we hope to attract more of these groups in the future.
The Highland Dancing and Solo Piping competitions start in the morning and at a noon I will escort our Clan Chieftain for 2009, Councillor James Robb, in the Grand Parade which will make its way through the village to the Howie Park. It will be led by Rosneath's own Argyll Peninsula Pipe Band made up of musicians as young as 8 years old, with the wonderful Central Scotland Police Pipes and Drums and the Highland Dancers. Councillor James Robb will then officially open the Gathering.
There is much to do and see with stalls to browse, entertainments, refreshents to be enjoyed and the challenge of the St Modan’s Manhood Stone lift! Rosneath Gathering really is a fun day out for all the family, regardless of age!
The Committee extends a warm welcome to you all. Haste ye back!

CLAN CHIEFTAIN 2009 – COUNCILLOR JAMES ROBB “As Chieftain in this year of Homecoming it is my great pleasure to extend an invitation to residents and visitors from home and abroad to the 30th Rosneath Highland Gathering. This year’s Gathering will be bigger and better because of Homecoming but also because of the increased effort and commitment by the Committee, volunteers and the community. It is a unique opportunity for your support to secure a permanent legacy for the village and the surrounding area. It is a great honour to be offered this part in the proceedings which I am re-assured requires no participation in the heavy events. I look forward to enjoying the wide range of sporting and cultural activities on the day. I hope you all have a great day and will be inspired to return again.”Councillor James Robb is Chair of the Helensburgh & Lomond Area Committee of Argyll & Bute Council. He has been particularly keen to ensure the success of local events through partnership working between community groups and the council.

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