History

In addition to The Gathering, clan meetings have been held by individual clans welcoming clan members from home and abroad. One such meeting happened at Dunollie Castle in Oban, the seat of Clan MacDougall with MacDougalls from far and wide returning to Dunollie for their Homecoming Week.

Dunollie Castle

John Anderson McDougall of Clan MacDougall outlines the clan's history and the role of the Clan MacDougall Society:

"The Clan MacDougall Society, embracing the United Kingdom, Eire and Europe was established in August 1998.

Earlier Clan MacDougall Societies had been formed in the 1880s and early 1900s. Circumstances at these times affected the sustainability of the Societies.

The present organisation was created in response to numerous inquiries seeking history, genealogy assistance, and tours of the clan area’s in Scotland and an interest in meeting fellow clans people.

Clan MacDougall Ceilidh

In 2004 the Society planned and implemented a major international four-day event at the Clan Seat in Oban. The success of this brought more clansfolk together and increased further interest in international clans people visiting Scotland.

Since 2004 the Society has developed more projects in the UK and Europe for clan members and made appearances throughout Scotland. Our 2010 plans embrace the Society going out to more regional areas to promote the clan and encourage people to visit the clan seat in Oban. In addition, the plans for next year include supporting initiatives to preserve the clan’s historic buildings.

The Clan held a successful weeklong, Homecoming Celebration at the clan seat, in Oban. The event included a theatre production, The Hidden Jewel, children's storytelling, tours, and a clan flag presentation for the historic Dunollie Castle.

Following the Oban event, our clan appeared at The Gathering in Holyrood Park, Edinburgh.

The MacDougall Clan at The Gathering

The Clan Chief’s son, Robyn was presented to the Patron of the Edinburgh Gathering, the Duke of Rothesay, Prince Charles. And the senior principal of the Clan MacDougall Society, John Anderson Mc Dougall attended and took part in the Clan Chief’s Convention.

The Clan Society is presently following up these successful events by circulating news to its international clan network as well as those members in the UK.
The Society’s plans for 2010 are well underway to continue the interest generated from Edinburgh and Scotland Homecoming Celebrations."

Dunollie Castle is now the subject of a £1.8m appeal launched at the clan's Homecoming Week by the Dunollie Preservation Trust. The Trust are hopeful that the castle can be restored and opened to the public for the first time in its history.