Hays in the Clan Procession to the Aboyne Games
Centred as usual on the Aboyne Highland Games near Clan Hay's Aberdeenshire heartland, our 2012 gathering offers a host of activities at different venues that will provide something for everyone.
Beginning at the Aboyne Highland Games on the morning of Saturday 4th August, the Hays will take their place among other Aberdeenshire clans in the Clan Village on the Games field from about 10.00 am. Other clans taking part will include Frasers, Gordons, Farquharsons, Leasks, Forbeses, Irvines and Burnetts. Hospitality will be dispensed at the Clan Hay tent throughout the day where we look forward to welcoming Hays from across the world as well as those from nearer home. The Games include athletics, piping and Highland dancing competitions, shops and stalls, sideshows and fairground attractions and much more, and will continue until about 4.00 pm.
Later that evening, Clan Hay will host a ceilidh in the nearby Crathes village hall, where we will be joined by several of the other local clans including the Leasks and the Burnetts. Beginning with a drinks reception at 7.00 pm (this will be a cash bar), dancing will start from 7.30 pm with old favourites such as the Dashing White Sergeant and the Reel of the 51st Division, dances associated with the Hays such as Neidpath Castle and a few demonstration dances. There will be a break for supper around 9.30 pm and dancing will then continue until midnight. The emphasis of this evening will be on relatively simple Scottish dances that anyone can enjoy and where no-one need feel intimidated about getting involved.
Delgatie Castle, the Clan Hay Centre
Meanwhile, at the other end of the country in Berwickshire, the Border Hays will be involved in a separate set of events based on the Berwickshire Show which is hosted by Alick and Aline Hay of Duns in the grounds of Duns Castle. The Continental Europe branch of Clan Hay will be supporting this event as a celebration of the first year of the twinning of Duns Castle with Belgium's Castle Ooidonk.
On Sunday 5th August, Clan Hay will gather at Delgatie Castle, Turriff, Aberdeenshire at 1.00 pm for our annual lunch at the Clan Hay Centre, when visitors will be able to explore the 16th century tower house and its extensive estate. Later that afternoon, at 4.00 pm, Hays will gather at the Aberdeenshire village of Collieston for a guided tour of the two castles of Slains, between them the seat of the Hays of Erroll for the last 700 years. We will also visit the Erroll Aisle in Slains churchyard, the only surviving part of the old parish church and the burial place of many Chiefs of Clan Hay.
All Hays are welcome to these events. Contact Pam Rotheroe-Hay on treasurer@clanhay.org for full details of how to take part.