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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Clan chiefs in historic gathering | Clan chiefs in historic gathering |
| (about 17 hours later) | |
| Thousands of people have gathered in Edinburgh for the world's largest clan meeting and Highland Games. | Thousands of people have gathered in Edinburgh for the world's largest clan meeting and Highland Games. |
| The Gathering formed the centrepiece of the Homecoming celebrations, to mark the 250th anniversary of the birth of national bard, Robert Burns. | |
| It culminated with a clan parade along the Royal Mile and a pageant on the esplanade at Edinburgh Castle. | |
| Organisers said demand for tickets had been "phenomenal", despite the event not selling out. | Organisers said demand for tickets had been "phenomenal", despite the event not selling out. |
| The convention saw 100 of Scotland's clan chiefs assembled together for the first time in recorded history. | |
| Hundreds of clan representatives from across the world are also in attendance. | Hundreds of clan representatives from across the world are also in attendance. |
| The first minister said the event has been a great success | The first minister said the event has been a great success |
| The Gathering got under way on Saturday, with more than 20,000 people watching the Highland Games in Holyrood Park. | The Gathering got under way on Saturday, with more than 20,000 people watching the Highland Games in Holyrood Park. |
| It was officially opened by the Duke of Rothesay, who said it was a unique event. | It was officially opened by the Duke of Rothesay, who said it was a unique event. |
| "It seems to me that today's event represents the stirring meeting of Scotland's history and its living heritage," he said. | "It seems to me that today's event represents the stirring meeting of Scotland's history and its living heritage," he said. |
| "Where else could you find a gathering of this scale? | "Where else could you find a gathering of this scale? |
| "To which other country would so many have come from all over, and how else would you expect it to be celebrated, other than in the context of a great Highland Games?" | "To which other country would so many have come from all over, and how else would you expect it to be celebrated, other than in the context of a great Highland Games?" |
| First Minister Alex Salmond said the event, which attracted people from 40 countries, was more than just a marketing tool for Scotland. | |
| "Obviously the Homecoming year has a visitor aspect to it," he said. | "Obviously the Homecoming year has a visitor aspect to it," he said. |
| "But all of these people are celebrating their heritage and roots. | "But all of these people are celebrating their heritage and roots. |
| "These are deep roots and affinities that stretch back centuries. To mobilise that wonderful diaspora to make a contribution to the future of our country is a massive thing." | "These are deep roots and affinities that stretch back centuries. To mobilise that wonderful diaspora to make a contribution to the future of our country is a massive thing." |
| The event, set up in 2007, has been given funding from EventScotland, Edinburgh City Council and Scottish Enterprise. | The event, set up in 2007, has been given funding from EventScotland, Edinburgh City Council and Scottish Enterprise. |