Scotland’s capital Edinburgh hosted a family meeting of a special kind this past weekend: the largest clan gathering ever held! About 50.000 Scots and people of Scottish heritage from all around the world (one participant came all the way from New Zealand, he has both Scottish and Maori roots) came to Edinburgh’s Holyrood Park to participate in the event, which was hosted by Prince Charles – known as the Duke of Rothesay when in Scotland.

The 2-day celebrations included the largest Highland Games ever held in Scotland, a parade parade along the Royal Mile from the Palace of Holyroodhouse to Edinburgh Castle Esplanade, and, of course, a whiskey tasting. Members of 125 clans (500 clans are registered) attended the event, and the meeting of 85 clan chiefs in Edinburgh remained peaceful – contrary to the clans’ clashes in the past, which were often very violent. Clans were banned by the parliament in 1745.

The gathering was part of a series of events to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the birth of the Scottish national poet, Robert Burns.

We could not resist the opportunity to include a stereotypical image of what Highlanders might look like!