Clan Gunn Society of Nova Scotia

For those who are interested in attending the ClAN GUNN SOCIETY 17TH INTERNATIONAL GATHERING 2012, the following is the schedule of events and tours the society has planned.The gathering this year is to be based in ORKNEY and CAITHNESS. If you wish booking details,please feel free to contact me at isgnn@yahoo.ca and I will email you the information.

Clan Gunn Society – 17^th International Gathering 2012 Itinerary

The 2012 Clan Gunn Gathering will be based in Orkney & Caithness

Saturday 21^st July

This year’s Gathering will commemorate the 200^th anniversary of the Clearances of the Clan Gunn from Sutherland. The first part of the Gathering is based in Orkney from which our Norse ancestors come.

Registration will take place in the foyer of the Ayre Hotel, Kirkwall, Orkney from 5.00pm onwards. We have block-booked the 4.00pm ferry from John O’Groats over to Burwick where we will be met by coaches for the 45 minute drive through some of the beautiful southern Orkney islands to Kirkwall, the capital. There are alternative means of transport available including direct flights to Kirkwall from Aberdeen, Inverness, Glasgow and Edinburgh as well as car ferries from both Gill’s Bay and Scrabster.

In the evening there will be a buffet supper at the Ayre Hotel followed by an illustrated talk on the Orkney Islands and their relevance to Clan Gunn.

Sunday 22^nd July

The Clan will meet for a church service at St Magnus Cathedral in the heart of Kirkwall at 11.15am. St Magnus is the only cathedral in the Orkney Isles and is known as the ‘Light in the North’. It was founded in 1137 by the Viking, Earl Rognvald, in memory of his uncle, St Magnus.  Clan Gunn claim descent from Earl Rognvald. There will be an opportunity to visit the St Magnus Centre at the cathedral which provides a short account of his life and martyrdom.

Lunch is not organised and the Clan will be free to explore the many eating establishments that Kirkwall has to offer.

In the afternoon there will be a coach tour of the Mainland leaving from the Ayre Hotel at 2.00pm. The trip will include visits to Skara Brae, the magnificent prehistoric village which is wonderfully preserved and dates back to 2000 BC and to the Stromness Museum which gives an excellent account of the emigration from Kildonan to Canada through the Hudson Bay Company.

The coaches will return to Kirkwall at about 6.00pm for a quick turnaround before an Orkney Evening at the Girnal by Kirkwall’s harbour and a short walk from the Ayre Hotel. This will include a buffet supper, stories and poems about Orkney and some traditional Orkney dancing. Don’t worry, there will be a “caller” so you will know what to do, but remember to bring your dancing shoes.

Monday 23^rd July

Today there will be an all-day boat trip to one of the inner Isles, Wyre, followed by a trip to Birsay (tides permitting), a small tidal island accessible by foot at low tide which was the ancient seat of the Norse Earls, on the way back to Kirkwall. The coaches will leave the Ayre Hotel promptly at 07.45am as we need to catch a scheduled ferry – so please don’t be late. It should be noted that this trip will involve a fair bit of walking so it may not be appropriate for Clan members who have difficulty in this regard.

Wyre is the home of many interesting sites including Cubbie Roo’s Castle, a thick-walled fortress, built in 1150 by the Viking Kolbein Hruga, which was a stronghold of Snaekoll Gunnison (an early chief of Clan Gunn). It is one of the best preserved castles in Scotland for its age. A hearty lunch will be provided in the community centre on Wyre.

The coaches should return to Kirkwall at about 6.00pm and there is a Free Evening for Clan members to recover and do their own thing.

Tuesday 24^th July

Coaches will leave from the Ayre Hotel at 9.00am for the return ferry trip to Caithness. Again, please be prompt as we are catching a scheduled ferry. We will be met by coaches at John O’ Groats which will take the Clan to the Castle Arms at Mey for a light lunch followed by a trip to the Castle of Mey, the Scottish home of the late Queen Mother and now regularly visited by Prince Charles.

The coaches will arrive in Thurso at around 4.00pm and there will be another chance for Clan members who are joining the Gathering at this stage to register at the Weigh Inn Hotel from 4.00-5.00pm.

There will be a buffet supper at the Weigh Inn followed by a talk on the Clearances in Caithness and Sutherland and how these affected Clan Gunn.

Wednesday 25^th July

There will be a coach trip to Caithness Horizons, the Clan Gunn Museum and the Laidhay Croft Museum. Coaches will leave from the Weigh Inn and Pentland Hotels at 9.00am and will return to Thurso at around 4.00pm. A light lunch will be provided at the Bay Owl restaurant in Dunbeath.

In the evening there will be a dinner dance at Mackay’s Hotel in Wick and coaches will leave from the Weigh Inn and Pentland hotels at 6.30pm returning to Thurso by midnight. There will be a traditional Scottish dance band and there will again be help with calling on some of the Scottish reels.

Thursday 26^th July

We reckon you might need a lie in after a fairly late night so there is a free morning for the Clan to explore Thurso and do any washing etc. you might need to do.

In the afternoon, there will be a coach trip leaving from the Weigh Inn and Pentland Hotels at 2.00pm to Castle Sinclair & Girnigoe, the ancient seat of the Sinclair Earl’s of Caithness, and Castle Gunn. This will be followed by the Commander’s reception at Swiney House and a ceilidh at Clyth Hall. Coaches will return to Thurso by 11.00pm.

Friday 27^th July

Today is “Clearances Day” and there will be an all-day coach tour to Badbea (a clearance village), Timespan in Helmsdale (a museum focussing on the clearances), The Strath of Kildonan, “the Glen of the Gunn’s”, Strathnaver and the Strathnaver Museum at Farr. A light lunch will be provided at Timespan. Coaches will leave from the Weigh Inn and the Pentland Hotels at 9.30am and should return to Thurso around 5.30pm.

There is a Free Evening.

Saturday 28^th July

Coaches will leave the Weigh Inn and Pentland Hotels at 8.30am for a visit to Dirlot Castle, a small fortress associated with Clan Gunn. They will then bring the Clan to the Ross Institute at Halkirk for the Clan Gunn Society AGM at 10.30am.

Following this, members of the clan will be invited to march behind the pipe band to the Halkirk Games field for the formal opening of the games. The afternoon will be spent watching the highland games which for those who haven’t been before, showcases everything from the traditional heavyweight events (tossing the caber etc.) to Scottish dancing, bagpiping, clay pigeon shooting as well as some well recognised athletic events. A light lunch will be provided on the games field in the Women’s Institute (WI) tent and there will be hospitality provided in the Clan Gunn tent. Coaches will leave for Thurso from outside of the Ulbster Arms in Halkirk at 4.00pm.

In the Evening there will be a formal four course dinner at the Weigh Inn Hotel which will start with a reception at 7.00pm and includes wine and liqueurs.

Sunday 29^th July

Coaches will leave the Weigh Inn and Pentland Hotel at 9.30am for a trip down the Kildonan Strath to the Kildonan church for a closing service at 11.00am which marks the official closing of the 2012 Gathering. Coaches will return to Thurso afterwards arriving at around 1.30pm.

Here we are heading into the annual gathering time frame and a postal strike has appeared.Needless to say,it may throw a bit of a monkey wrench into everyone receiving the issue of GUNNSMOKE with all the information everyone needs to attend our annual event.So I hope all of you are regular visitors to this site as below,you will find the details for the event and who to contact about speaking for your meal.

The event this year is being held on Saturday July 9th at the BRULE COMMUNITY CENTRE in BRULE ,Nova Scotia.The directions to the community centre are as follows;

Civic number is 3971 RT. 6 Sunrise Trail. A large Brule Community sign is close to the highway. Car pooling is advised as parking is limited for a large number of cars.The Centre is about half way between River John and Tatamagouche. Coming from River John  the Centre is about a Kilometre from flashing light at end of Denmark road Rt.346 . Coming from Tatamagouche , approx. a kilometre from Brule Union Church . STAY on Rt. 6 either way.

The schedule of events for the day;

-12:30-1:30   registration and tea tasting presented by John Gunn. Presentation will include a history of the tea                                             industry in Scotland.

-1:30-2:15    Welcome and worship service

- 2:15-3:00   Annual General Meeting followed by board of directors meeting

-3:00-3:30    Scottish story telling

-3:30-4:15     Music with Bill Todd

-4:15-4:30    Genealogy chat

-4:30              Meal and socializing

The meal this year will be a hot surprise buffet ( no fish dishes) with Strawberry shortcake desert( if available) or cheese cake. Cost per meal is Adults  $12. 00 and children $6.00.

Please contact Ian Gunn at 506-386-5872(leave a message-we have voice mail) or via email at  isgnn@yahoo.ca. Send no money as we do have that postal strike on.

Remember,this is our annual gathering for everyone in our society as well as visiting Gunn’s and her septs.See you all there.

As I write this announcement,we’re in the middle of another major snow storm.Thinking of the 22 Annual Gathering of Clan Gunn on JULY 09-2011, at the Brule Community Centre, just outside Tatamagouche, I start to warm up.

This years event brings us back to our roots of holding events in community and church halls in a country setting.This years event schedule will be released as we approach the event time both in GUNNSMOKE and here on our web site.

This is a lovely setting with a golf course near by as well as local markets and great scenery.Come join us for a great day of family,celtic culture and socializing.

The following is the schedule for the 22nd Annual gathering of Clan Gunn NS, July 1th,2010.

1:00- REGISTRATION-MEET AND GREET

2:00- ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

2:30-BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

- FIBER ARTS DEMONSTRATION

- CHILDREN PROGRAM

4:00- DINNER AND SOCIAL

AFTER DINNER,AN OPEN HOUSE WILL BE HELD AT ONE OF THE CABINS TO BE ANNOUNCED AT THAT TIME.

Clan Gunn Gathering

Please insure that you advise our treasurer,Sharon Gunn that you will be attending.This is necessary so that we may plan for the proper number of dinners to prepare.It would be appreciated that you notify her no later the evening of July 4th 2010.You may contact her by phone at 506-386-5872(we have voice messaging) or by email at  isgnn@yahoo.ca.

Clan Gunn social gathering

See you at the gathering at the Stonehame lodge and chalets.

Clan Gunn gathering social evening

Hello all,
Our 22nd annual gathering of Clan Gunn Nova Scotia will be held this year on July 10th at the Stonehame Lodge and Chalets,Nova Scotia. A special treat this year as we will be having a demonstration on wool carding.This is how you take the raw product and bring it to the point where you can make wool sweaters,mitts and things out of.This is something that is steeped in Scottish history and will be a delight to watch how it’s done.This will be presented after the annual general meeting.
The annual meeting itself this year is an important one with two major items needing to be addressed.There will be a proposal to reduce the size of the board of directors to six members as well as a reduction of term of office from three to two.A sub proposal will also be that instead of only two terms as a director,one my re offer for up to three terms before taking a break.
The other item for discussion will be a proposed change in the financial institution we currently have been using.Due to increasing administrative costs now being charged,it is being recommended that we may find it beneficial to move our business to a Credit Union.
So please be prepared to partake in a discussion and vote on these items at the gathering this year.We will attempt to keep the AGM as short as possible as the gathering is about the social side not the stuffy side.
A further update on the scheduling and such will follow in a few days.

Just a reminder or two about the upcoming 21st anual Clan Gunn Gathering.

The event this year is on  SATURDAY JULY 18th and not on sunday as in the past.

Second,we need to know how many are coming to the gathering so we ca order enough food for everyone.The deadline has now been moved to July 10th.

Please contact Sharon Gunn-treasurer- at 506-386-5872( we do have voice messanging) or by email at  isgnn@yahoo.ca.

See you there.

Hello everybody.

Our 21st annual gathering of  Clan Gunn Nova Scotia will be held on July 18th at the Stonehame lodge and chalets in Scottsburn Nova Scotia. Registration for the gathering will be at 1:00P.M. at the main lodge with the Annual General Meeting beginning at 1:30 P.M.. Following the meeting there will be a discussion group on the topics of Face book and Twittering as a way of staying in contact with and finding Gunn’s around the world.

The dinner this year will be a BBQ of a burger,hot dog,potato salad,desert of short cakes,tea,coffee and ice tea.Price will be $15.00.

Following a short break after the dinner,there will be an evening ceilidh with a house band at cabin seven.All are welcome to come.

So as to know how many meals to plan for,please contact the treasure and advise as to how many will be attending. the contact information is as follows;

SHARON GUNN

PHONE 506-386-5872 (leave a message if not home please)

email-  isgnn@yahoo.ca

snail mail-5 HENDERSON AVE,RIVERVIEW,NB, E1B 3P1

IMPORTANT- PLEASE ADVISE NO LATER THAN JULY 05,2009.

You can now access the last three issues of Gunnsmoke in PDF format from the links below:

Gunnsmoke No. 48

Gunnsmoke No. 49

Gunnsmoke No. 50

(Requires Adobe Reader to view)

Gunnsmoke issue 47 is available for download! Click here to download (pdf, must have Adobe Reader installed)

Note: We are experiencing some technical difficulties, and you may not be able to download the file. Please bear with us as we work out a few kinks!

As we all know,the 20t gathering and anniversary of Clan Gunn Nova Scotia,will be this summer The gathering will be July 26th and 27th.A social gathering is planned for Saturday evening in Cabin #7 at Stonehame Lodge and Chalets.Music has been arranged for and please feel free to drop in and it bring your own refreshments.Look for the Red Lion flag.

The annual meeting will be Sunday afternoon at 1:00PM in the lodge at Stonehame. A meal will be served,more details  to come.To help us know how many dinners to order,please email Sharon Gunn at  isgnn@yahoo.ca or phone at 506-386-5872. We have voice mail so leave a message and let us know how many are coming.Send no money.

Oh! The challenge! It’s time gentlemen and ladies to see more Gunn tartan at this our 20th year.To the ladies,if you have them,please wear skirts,sashes,mini sashes or shall’s.And lads,it’s time to wear the KILT. If you don’t have one,you may still have time to order one.If you have one now and haven’t worn it in years,it’s time. I know have mine and wore it officially for the first time at the recent Moncton Highland games.

Show your clan GUNN pride.Wear the KILT.

Ian Gunn

Clan Gunn NS