Bowhill event has Scott the lot
SCOTTS from around the world joined proud families from the Borders and beyond to experience a highlight of Scotland's Year of Homecoming in the magnificent grounds of Bowhill House near Selkirk on Saturday.
In the glorious sunshine of late summer, the Borders seat of clan chief Richard Scott – the 10th Duke of Buccleuch – played host to around 3,000 people of all ages who had answered the call to muster for a unique gathering.
It was the inclusive and spectacular climax of five days of celebration for Scotts, their accents betraying the global extent of the clan’s diaspora.
“The Duke is now on holiday but he was absolutely delighted with the muster and that so many Borderers had come along to join in the gathering,” said Bowhill’s Helen Currie this week.
“The turnout was fantastic, given that this was a one-off event without precedent.”
For Harry Bowman, whose maternal grandfather was a Scott and who made the long journey from Ohio with his wife Diane, it was an unforgettable day.
“I cannot think of a superlative to describe the emotion, the camaraderie and the sheer joy of the gathering,” said Mr Bowman.
“I spoke to Scotts from the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Germany and they all felt the same. It was absolutely wonderful.”
In two display rings, the crowds were treated to a wealth of displays, from the Buccleuch Hunt gun dogs and hounds to the spectacular horsemanship of Quadrille: the Red Arrows of the equestrian world.
There were demonstrations of archery, dog agility and falconry, culminating in a Scott clan parade and Beating the Retreat.
Another feature was the re-enactment of the Cartherhaugh Ba’ Game, inspired by Sir Walter Scott in 1815 and originally played without rules by hundreds of men from the Borders.
On this occasion, the match was restricted to aspirant mini-rugby players and 75-a-side and, after an hour of eager endeavour, it was the members of the green team which defeated their purple rivals by two hails to one.
There was music aplenty, courstesy of the Galashiels and Melrose Pipe Bands, Selkirk Flute Band, the Riddell Fiddles and Selkirk skiffle band Bogie’s Close Stompers, although it was left to Hawick traditional rockers Scocha to play to a packed marquee in the evening.
The event was also a homage to Sir Walter Scott and large crowds flocked to the literary tent to see actor John Nichol play the Shirra in a courtroom drama.
Novellist and journalist Allan Massie, whose play The Ragged Lion is currently touring the Borders, spoke of Scott’s life, books and impact in a compelling interview with broadcaster and author Alistair Moffatt.
The winners of two special Homecoming Awards were announced, with David Brookshaw, a primary seven pupil at Yarrow, lifting the junior writing prize (see page 11) and Jennifer Payne of Selkirk collecting the senior award.
Illustrious Scotts attending the event included Kelly Scott Davis and Kenneth Scott, chieftain and international commissioner respectively, of the Clan Scott Society of which Mr Bowman is a founding member.
The week of gathering celebrations began with a musical supper in the County Hotel on Wednesday and continued with bus tours of the Borders on Thursday and guilded tours of Bowhill and its gardens on Friday.
The weekend wound down on Sunday with an ecumenical service in Selkirk Parish Church and a farewell barbecue at Bowhill.
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Weather for Selkirk
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 7 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: North east
