BARRY'S PRIVATEERS HEADLINE TARTAN DAY BLAST!

They appear every St. Patrick's Day like a haunted Pirate ship emerging from the fog. Coming together from other bands they unite to form a driving force in Celtic music.

They are BARRY'S PRIVATEERS and they play Celtic music that you know and love in an up tempo, high energy manner that will have you singing and dancing with friends old and new. Whether it’s traditional ballads or new standards you will find yourself carried away by the guitars, mandeline, piano and bass.

Catch them before they disappear into the fog again . . .

At Perth-Andover's first "TARTAN DAY BLAST"!!

Mark your calendars now - SATURDAY EVENING, APRIL 5TH

AT THE BOGAN RESTAURANT & LOUNGE!!!!!!!!

THE GATHERING WELCOMES CHAD TETFORD

CHAD TETFORD is a songwriter/singer "making big waves" from Halifax, Nova Scotia.

His debut album "Between Us" features 12 original tracks written by Tetford and includes special guest quest appearances by many of his friends ( including The Cottars) that stopped by throughout the recording process to lend their talents.

Writing songs for as long as he can remember, Chad will definitely turn a lot of heads - and ears at this year's Gathering of the Scots festival! Catch him first at the Castle Inn on Friday evening and again Saturday at the games!

To preview Chad's amazing talent, visit him at http://www.myspace.com/

SCOTLAND'S ALAN TRAIN TO PERFORM IN 2008!!

Montreal-based ALAN TRAIN has been confirmed as one of the many great musicians to perform at the Gathering of the Scots in 2008!

Born in Lanarkshire, Scotland, and a graduate of Strathclyde University in 2000 with an honours degree in music, Alan has never been without a guitar since the age of 6. He grew up playing in bands from an early age and has been fortunate enough to earn his living through music over the past 7 years performing all over the UK, France Germany, the USA and Canada.

His efforts were recognized in 1999 winning the Danny Kyle Award at Celtic Connections.

Alan's guitar & saxophone playing has been influenced by many genres of music such as Blues, Rock, Jazz, Folk/Celtic, Funk/Disco and Country.

Don't "miss the Train" in 2008!
To preview, visit Alan at http://www.myspace.com/

KEVIN ROBINSON THROWS FOR 2008 GATHERING TITLE!

Perth-Andover, a center for Scottish Heavy Athletic development in New Brunswick, has produced many top competitors in recent years. Along with the accomplishments of reigning NB Champion Dirk Bishop, several other high-level titles have been held by local athletes including Lyndon Clark (2007 NB Junior Champion) and the husband & wife team of Kevin & Adena Robinson (2006 NB Open/Pro Champion and 2007 NB Female Champion respectively).

With the distinct honor of being a "3-time Canadian Championship Invitee" Kevin Robinson has been a strong competitor at the Gathering of the Scots with several "top-5" finishes to his credit.

A resident of Carlingford, NB, Robinson is an extremely focused competitor who has worked hard perfecting his skills and competing for top honors at many festivals across North America.

There will be no surprises here! We expect Kevin to arrive at the Gathering ready to take top honors in 2008 - something we think he is definitely ready for!

3-TIME WORLD MASTERS CHAMPION TO THROW AT GATHERING!

Fans will be pleased to know that "3-time World Masters Champion" Dirk Bishop will return to the Gathering of the Scots in 2008 to compete for top honors in the Scottish Heavy Athletics events! In addition to the amazing accomplishment of winning 3 World Masters titles (2005,2006,2007), Bishop presently holds the title of "Open/Pro New Brunswick Champion" as well.

Bishop, the pride and joy of Perth-Andover, has quickly become one of the top professionals in the sport of Scottish Heavy Athletics competing for top honors across Canada, the United States and even Europe!

Finishing a close second to Canadian Champion Greg Hadley in 2007, Bishop will be pushing hard for his first Gathering of the Scots title in 2008!

WOMEN'S ATHLETICS TO BE HIGHLIGHTED IN 2008!

Perth-Andover's Gathering of the Scots festival marked the first time that women have competed in the sport of Scottish Heavy Athletics in Eastern Canada (2007)! After such a successful start, organizers are pleased to announce that the "Lassies" will be back on the field again in 2008!

Seeing the women toss around the heavy implements proved to be a crowd favorite, and they will not disappoint this year! Two local athletes, Adena Robinson and Wendy McCrea, have been honing their skills and are ready to take on all comers! It is shaping up to be a great competition as more women have shown interest in being a part of this new event! So now it's your turn . . . simply contact our Athletic Coordinator at athletes@gatheringofthescots.com and sign up for the Skills Workshop Friday evening - you will never have a better opportunity to get involved!

CANADIAN CHAMPION RETURNS TO THE GATHERING!

Greg Hadley, 3 time Canadian Champion, is returning to the Gathering of the Scots festival in 2008. Hadley has won the Ancient Scottish Heavy Events title at the Gathering for the past 5 years and is gunning for his 6^th consecutive win. He owns most of the field records at our local games and it is a pleasure to watch him make this original extreme sport look easy!

Hadley’s accomplishments are not limited to Canadian soil as this young man has been a World Professional competitor in Canada, Scotland and the USA.

With a strong commitment to the future development of the sport Heavy Athletics, Greg has kindly volunteered to be on site Friday evening for the Heavyweights Workshop and the Junior Competition as well. Here';s your chance to get involved with guidance provided by some of the top Professionals in North America!

Sign up now simply by contacting our Athletic Coordinator at athletes@gatheringofthescots.com.

MENU & LOCATION SET FOR 2008 WHISKY PAIRINGS!

The final menu and location are now set for the first Gathering of the Scots WHISKY PAIRINGS DINNER in Perth-Andover. An excellent assortment of highland malts have been "expertly paired" with an outstanding 5-course menu! With only 60 seats available, tickets for this one-of-a-kind event are going fast! Contact us today to reserve yours!!!

Date/Time: SAT., MAY 10th, 2008 6:00 PM
Location: PERTH ELKS LODGE #362
(East Riverside Drive, Perth-Andover)

Menu:
1. Introduction Cheese & Grapes Glenkinchie 10-yr.-old (Lowland Edinburgh Malt)
2. Salad Spinach & Strawberry Macallam 10-yr.-old (Speyside)
3. Appetizer Stuffed Mushroom Caps Talisker 10-yr.-old (Isle of Skye)
4. Entree Chicken Florentine Highland Park 12-yr.-old (Orkney)
Pan Fried Asparagus
Glazed Baby Carrots
Herb & Garlic Roasted Potatoes
5. Dessert Chocolate Raspberry Torte Dalwhinnie 15-yr.-old (Highland)

"TAXI CHAIN" HEADLINES CEILIDH IN 2008!

"Blues-rock with saxophones aren't especially rare . . . However, a blues-rock band that includes both Sax and Highlands Bagpipes is a different story altogether!

A Toronto-based quintet, Taxi Chain was founded in 1993 by onetime "Rare Air" piper Grier Coppins. Defying musical conventions, this 5-man band makes the pipes sound right at home amid Memphis-style horns and R&B - influenced vocals, while throwing in just enough world-beat grooves and country choruses to insure the listeners will never know what's coming next.

A total of five musicians make up Taxi Chain, with a whole lot more instruments! Besides possessing scruffy vocals, band founder Grier Coppins plays both guitar and bagpipes. Other instruments include guitars, saxophones, flutes, and, of course, bass and drums. Put them all together and you have a distinct musical groove!

A funkin' sawdust-rockin' bagpipe blues mixed with a country twist!
This is a Taxi that's definitely worth flagging down!!!

WHERE? Saturday evening CEILIDH (Perth-Andover Legion)
WHEN? Saturday, May 31, 2008 (9:00 PM)

Tickets for this one will definitely go fast!! Pick yours up early at the Gathering of the Scots Festival Information Tent to reserve your seat!!!!!!

TARTAN DAY BLAST @ THE BOGAN - SATURDAY APRIL 5th

To everyone across North America, TARTAN DAY (April 6th) celebrates the historical links between Scotland and Scottish descendants in North America. Each year in Canada, people gather together on, or near this date to celebrate their rich Scottish heritage by hosting teas, suppers, Celtic performances and . . . only in Perth-Andover, a Tartan Day Blast!!

With lots of plaid, Celtic music, and even a few bagpipes, THE BOGAN RESTAURANT & BAR will launch Perth-Andover's first "Tartan Day Blast" on the Evening of Saturday, April 5th, 2008.

Pin on that plaid, dust off those kilts and enjoy a fantastic evening of great food, drinks and entertainment as only the Baird Clan at the Bogan can offer!

WHISKY PAIRINGS DINNER COMES TO PERTH-ANDOVER!

From its earliest days, whisky has been known for its curative and creative properties. Charming Saints and tormenting sinners, Scotland’s national drink has evolved into a unique cultural icon of the people who savor it.

Now, for the first time in Atlantic Canada, a pilgrimage will be made to the small New Brunswick village of Perth-Andover on May 10th by those looking for the “ultimate whisky experience”!

Appealing to both the enthusiast and the novice alike, organizers have combined a celebration of excellent Scottish single malt whiskies expertly matched with a delicious five-course meal.

For only $45 per ticket ($35 for whisky-free attendance), come and savor the history, warmth and complexity of Scotland through its world renowned single malts - each paired with one of Chef Dirk Bishop’s masterful culinary creations.

Topping it all of with traditional Celtic entertainment and unique door prizes, visitors will enjoy a delicious, entertaining and educational experience of exceptional quality food “paired” with the ideal Scottish single malts.

With only 60 tickets available, don't delay! Contact us now to reserve your seat for a guided tour through this fantastic 5 course meal and the world of whisky!

E-mail: info2@thegatheringofthescots.com Call: Rod MacIntosh 506-273-6710