By JEANNIE CAMPBELL MBE
The first gathering was organised by the Braemar Highland Society and was held in 1832. There were four competitions, Throwing the Stone, Throwing the Hammer, Tossing the Caber and Running. Two prizes were awarded in each. In addition there was a prize for Length of Service. The prize money totalled £4.19. 4d.
In 1833 the events were the same and the prize money was £5. The first newspaper article was in 1833, when it was reported that the annual gathering had been held in unfavourable weather. After the prizes had been awarded the company had dinner at Braemar Castle with the young chief of the Farquharsons presiding in his usual happy manner. No results were given.
In 1836 papers reported that the anniversary meeting had been held at Braemar Castle on the 25th August. The day was rather unfavourable and cold for the season, but the turnout on the occasion was highly flattering to the natives.
By 1838 the prize money had increased to £6 and the events were as before. In 1841 the report listed various dignitaries who had attended to watch the customary customary sports.
In 1842 the report mentioned the distinguished company attending and went on: ‘The procession, games and races having taken place, the company adjourned to the Castle of Braemar to dinner where the hon General Sir Alexander Duff presided, supported by his Grace the Duke of Leeds, in full Highland costume, and General Sir Thomas Bradford.’
In 1843 there was a Royal visitor, Prince Alexander of the Netherlands, who was staying with the Duke of Leeds at Mar Lodge the Duke’s shooting lodge. For the first time the prize winners were listed for the various athletic events and for dancing.
In 1845 the gathering took place on 26th August with an unceasing torrent of rain from morning to night. Papers reported: ‘Lord Glenlyon and his far famed Highland guard made a night march from Athole, through Glen Tilt and Glen Dee, and encamped on the lawn of Mar Lodge on the morning of the Gathering, pursuant to an engagement with the Duke of Leeds, who had invited the men of Athole to shake hands with the men of Mar. The Clansmen of Athole, Duff, Farquharson and Dunblane, shortly after, assembled at the Old Castle of Braemar, in friendly array, where they were reviewed by General the Hon Sir Alexander Duff, who welcomed the gallant strangers to the Braes of Mar, in an eloquent address, which was appropriately replied to by Lord Glenlyon. The games then commenced, and notwithstanding the elements, were contested with even more than usual spirit and emulation.’ Afterwards the Duke of Leeds hosted a dinner in the Castle, followed by a dance. ‘The next morning the hardy chief of Athole and his trusty guard marched off to their native glens to the sound of the pibroch.’
In 1846, on a remarkably fine day, the Highlanders mustered in great force at an early hour. About ten o’clock the procession formed at the old castle of Braemar and to the sound of a whole band of bagpipes marched through Castleton and Auchendryne and back to the castle park where the games immediately commenced. In 1847 the games were held in much the same way.
1848 brought changes. Since first visiting Scotland in 1842 when she stayed at Taymouth Castle, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert had returned several times, staying at Blair Castle in 1844 and leasing Ardverikie in 1847. Balmoral Castle was leased by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert in 1848 and was purchased in 1852 from the Farquharson family. There was a small castle on the site and this was at first extended then a new castle was commissioned. The architect was William Smith of Aberdeen, and his designs were amended by Prince Albert who wanted a residence to resemble the typical schloss of his homeland.
The 1848 Gathering had been arranged for 31st August but was postponed for a fortnight in expectation of the Queen attending, but this was dependent on the weather being fine. The games were held on Thursday 14th September on the terraced lawn in front of Invercauld House. A carpeted footpath was laid from the carriageway to the seats set apart for the Royal party. About noon the pibrochs of the different clans were heard as Lord Ogilvie, Sir Alexander Duff, the Duke of Atholl, the Duke of Leeds, the Farquharsons and their men arrived at the scene. The carriage with the Queen, Prince Albert and their three oldest children, the Prince of Wales, the Princess Royal and Prince Alfred arrived at 2.45pm.
Various sports and dances were performed in front of the Royal party as an exhibition. The Royal party left shortly after 4pm and then the competitions commenced.
In 1849 the gathering was held in the park adjacent to the Castle of Mar, on a remarkably fine day. The clans on arriving were drawn up to farm an honorary guard, lining both sides of the Queen’s approach to the Castle, where seats had been placed on the terrace in front of the castle. The Queen and her family arrived about 3pm. As before some sports were performed then the party adjourned to the castle hall to witness a display of dancing. A sumptuous cold collation had been prepared in the adjoining room but the Queen declined so it was held back until after she left.
In 1850 the gathering was held on the lawn to the south of the old castle of Mar. At 3pm the Queen, Prince Albert, their children and other relatives arrived by carriage. As before, after watching some sports they went into the hall to see the dancing and left at 5pm. The results were reported and included Sword Dance: John McHardy. Strathspey: 1. Robert Stewart, 2. J Coutts, 3. Charles Gordon. Best Piper William A Marr.
In 1859 Victoria decided to have her own games at Balmoral. The Braemar Gathering had been held as usual in the Castle Park, on Thursday 1st September of that year, but the Queen was not present, having just returned from Osborne the previous day. The Braemar Committee were summoned to a meeting on 12th September, when they were invited to attend the Games at Balmoral and to take part in the arrangements. It was reported that the members although overwhelmed by the great and unexpected honour, rose nobly to the occasion and turned out en masse. Meeting outside William Duncan’s house at Tynabaich at 12 noon on the great day, they marched, led by pipers and the Society Colours to Balmoral, where they joined in a march round the arena at the start of the games.
In 1860 the arrangements at Braemar were much the same as before, with the Queen, members of her family and guests arriving at 3.30 in the afternoon, to sit on the terrace and watch some of the events before leaving at 5.30pm.
In 1869 the Queen did not attend but the Royal party was headed by the Prince of Wales. The results of the competition for bagpipe music was included in the report for the first time. There were five competitors. 1. Challenge Cup, William Leys, Croft; 2. Prize given by the Queen, William MacDonald, piper to HRH the Prince of Wales; 3. W S McNicol, Glenbucket; 4. Charles Munro, Aberarder.
In 1878 there were three competitors for the Bagpipe Cup. The winner was Charles Ewan, Glentanar, with James Brown, Coldstone, second.
In 1886 there were two events for piping and the results were, Marches and Strathspeys: 1. D Stewart, Braemar; 2. J McHardy, Corgarff; 3. C L Grant, piper to Colonel Farquharson. Bagpipe Cup, 5 entries: 1. Peter Smith, Mar Lodge; 2. J Thomson, Ballater.
In 1887 Canon Weldon described the very lively scenes to be witnessed at the Highland Gathering which he had attended when staying at Balmoral. He that a ‘more disgusting scene of revolting drunkenness he had never witnessed,’ and that it took place ‘almost’ in the presence of her Majesty. He went on to say that ‘Donnybrook Fair, with its very worst traditions, could not have equalled the disgusting scenes he saw there with his own eyes,’ and that, though Braemar cannot boast a public house, for ‘days after he could observe the effects of that dreadful gathering in the sodden looks, black eyes, and staggering gait of the men.’
He further administers, ‘with all becoming respect for her gracious Majesty,’ a reproof for sending her sons and sons-in-law up to the top of a mountain to drink raw whisky round a cairn, because it is not, to his mind, a proper way to commemorate the death of her good and great husband.’
John Davie from Chicago was in Scotland in 1894 and competed around the games. He won prizes at Dunecht, Ellon, Aberdeen, Drumlithie, Haddo House, Torphins, Newmachar, Buchan, Tomintoul, Ballater and Aboyne. At Braemar on 5th September 1894 There were four entries for Piobaireachd and five for the Marches, Strathspeys and Reels. Results were, Piobaireachd: 1. William Campbell, Balmoral, 2. A Brown, Lumphanan, 3. A Abercrombie, Invercauld. MSR: 1. John Davie, Chicago, 2. William Campbell, Balmoral.
There was another overseas visitor in 1911, Angus MacMillan Fraser who competed in piping and dancing during his visit. At Braemar he was judged the best-dressed gentleman in full Highland costume. At the Northern Meeting he won two dancing prizes, first for the Strathspey and Reel of Tulloch and first for the Highland Fling. Fraser was born in Montreal, Canada, but had forebears from the Isle of Lewis. He had played for the Old Canadian Kiltie Band of Toronto and was Pipe Major of the Highland Cadets of Montreal. In New York Fraser was the founder of the Lovat Pipe Band. He was the champion dancer of America. He died in New York in 1938 aged 65.
The Australian Ladies pipe band was touring Scotland in 1926 and was honoured by a Royal Command to play before the King and Queen at Braemar on 9th September where they marched past the Royal party. One paper reported this was the first time the King and Queen had heard a Ladies pipe band. Another paper reported that a splendid reception was accorded by great assemblage to an Australian ladies’ pipe band, and the King saluted them as they marched past the Royal Pavilion. The band did not feature in the photographs although DM Darwin who led the band was pictured with the King’s Piper.
In 1927 the piping results were:
Piobaireachd: 1. R B Nicol, Balmoral; 2. PM Reid, Glasgow; 3. PM McLennan, Aberdeen; 4. PM Ross, Edinburgh.
Marches: 1.PM Ross; 2. PM Reid; 3. PM McLennan; 4. R Brown.
Strathspey and Reel: 1. R Brown; 2. PM McLennan; 3. R B Nicol; 4. PM Ross.
Marches (boys under 21): 1. F Morrison; 2. D Lamont; 3. G Massie; 4. D Lowson.
Results in 1929 were:
Piobaireachd: 1. W. Ross; 2. R. Reid; 3. J.B. Robertson; 4. John Wilson.
March: 1. R. Reid; 2 W. Ross; 3. John Wilson; 4. J. Sutherland.
Strathspey & Reel: 1. W. Ross; 2. J. Sutherland; 3. R. Reid; 4. John Wilson.
In 1950 the Braemar Gathering held a composing competition and an unnamed tune composed by G S McLennan was submitted anonymously by D R MacLennan, half brother of the composer. Out of the 165 entries judged by R U Brown, R B Nicol and John MacDonald, Glasgow Police, the tune was announced as the winner. It was played for the first time in public and before the King and Queen, by the composer’s son George at the Gathering on 7th September 1950. George was reluctant to play but was pressured into playing by his uncle who told him ‘You owe it to your father’. George played brilliantly and told of sensing his father’s presence as he played. He felt, as soon as he blew up the pipes, an unseen hand graced the chanter.
The Braemar Gathering has continued until the present and the Royal visits have continued also. These still take the form established in the early days, with the Royal party driving in during the afternoon, sitting on the platform to watch the massed bands and a few events, then presenting a few prizes before driving away after a couple of hours.
Braemar is one of the most demanding of the gatherings, with eight tunes required for the Piobaireachd. The number of entries taken is now limited due to high demand, but it continues to be one of the most popular events.
