SCHEDULE - 2010
Saturday, May 8th
The Gathering of the Scots Whisky Pairing Dinner !
Friday, May 28th
(Tentative)
Kilted Golf Tournament
Junior Heavyweight Athletics Workshop
Scottish Heavyweight Athletics Workshop
Scottish Social
Saturday, May 29th
(Tentative)
Highander's Breakfast
Amateur Scottish Heavyweights
Open/Pro Scottish Heavyweights
Official Opening Ceremonies
Official Closing Cermonies
Scottish Ceilidh
Sunday, May 30th
TBA
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Thursday, March 18, 2010
The Menu- Finally
Whiskey Pairings Dinnner Tickets - On sale March 12th! To reserve you seat at the table in 2010 contact Rod MacIntosh by phoning (506) 391- 6512 (cell) or 273-6710 home).
The Dinner is on May 8th at the Perth's Elk Lodge starting at 5:30. The cost is $60 per person.
This year's menu:
Introduction - A cheese inspired dish with grapes (the dish will be either mini cheese ball or chevre cheesecake).
Salad- mixed greens, cashews, dried cranberries, sliced red onions, crumbled feta and homemade vinaigrette.
Appetizer- smoked salmon on corn cakes with capers.
Main course- Southern Chicken Breasts, in a delicious sauce, lightly flavoured with orange, Dijon, green onion and curry, whole snap beans, roasted mini-potatoes.
Dessert- Scottish crème, topped with blueberries and strawberries with a chocolate-ganache brownie.
Each course accompanied by one of this year's Whiskies
The Macallan Cask Strength,
Strathisla 12,
Aberlour A'bunadh Cask Strength,
Glenfiddich 15
Solera Reserve,
Highland Park 18.
The Dinner is on May 8th at the Perth's Elk Lodge starting at 5:30. The cost is $60 per person.
This year's menu:
Introduction - A cheese inspired dish with grapes (the dish will be either mini cheese ball or chevre cheesecake).
Salad- mixed greens, cashews, dried cranberries, sliced red onions, crumbled feta and homemade vinaigrette.
Appetizer- smoked salmon on corn cakes with capers.
Main course- Southern Chicken Breasts, in a delicious sauce, lightly flavoured with orange, Dijon, green onion and curry, whole snap beans, roasted mini-potatoes.
Dessert- Scottish crème, topped with blueberries and strawberries with a chocolate-ganache brownie.
Each course accompanied by one of this year's Whiskies
The Macallan Cask Strength,
Strathisla 12,
Aberlour A'bunadh Cask Strength,
Glenfiddich 15
Solera Reserve,
Highland Park 18.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Whisky Pairing Dinner
This year's Gathering of the Scots Whisky Pairing Dinner will be held on Saturday 8 May at the Perth Elks Lodge at 5:30pm There are 64 seats available at a cost of $60 each.
The third annual Whisky Pairing Dinner will again feature a five course meal with each course especially chosen to be a companion to one of the whiskies mentioned below.
At this time, the menu is a closely guarded secret.
More to come.
P.S. I've tasted the Strathisla 12 year old. It's every thing John says it is.
The third annual Whisky Pairing Dinner will again feature a five course meal with each course especially chosen to be a companion to one of the whiskies mentioned below.
At this time, the menu is a closely guarded secret.
More to come.
P.S. I've tasted the Strathisla 12 year old. It's every thing John says it is.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Some of John's Notes
John Lang has put together some notes on the Whiskies we are tasting.
Descriptions of the 5 Single Malts by Jim Murray in his
Whisky Bible, 2008
1.) The Macallan Cask Strength $70.29
Earned a mark of 94% as follows-
Nose- 22 / 25- cranked-up, sweet, clean sherry.
Taste- 24 / 25- absolutely spot-on delivery, with grape concentrate, thickened by intense barley, wonderful spices arrive on cue.
Finish- 24 / 25- long, with the taste buds storm-lashed by juicy sherry and spices.
Balance- 24 / 25- it’s like surfing a massive wave of barley-sweetened sherry. Go for the ride. 58.6 % alcohol by volume.
2.) Strathisla 12 $46.29
Earned a mark of 87% as follows-
Nose- 21 / 25- a dab of distant peat adds more weight to what is already malt-heavy.
Taste- 22 / 25- pleasant, sultana-fruity with a very rich malt follow through.
Finish- 22 / 25- some oak breaks into the rich maltiness, hints of cocoa and smoke elongate the finish.
Balance- 22 / 25- the heavily weighted, full-bodied malt engages the taste buds from first to last, with a complexity and richness of genuine class.
43% alcohol by volume.
3.) Aberlour A’bunadh Cask Strength $85.29
Earned a mark of 88% as follows-
Nose- 22 / 25- thick oloroso sherry offset by the distant rumble of spice, raisins, cloves, oranges, ginger , like thunder in the air.
Taste- 23 / 25- almost immediately, the storm clouds break and spices rain down in torrents on the taste buds while the sherry continues the clean hot intensity of a summer storm.
Finish- 21 / 25- grape lingering with some late toffee apple, amazingly smooth, long, elegant, spicy and warming.
Balance- 22 / 25- a “monster” sherry whisky, a powerful malt to make mortals tremble, perfect for wine and sherry lovers, becomes more complex with water- hints of herbs, thyme, rosemary, sage, bay leaves.
59.8% alcohol by volume.
4.) Glenfiddich 15 Solera Reserve $54.49
Earned a mark of 93% as follows-
Nose- 24 / 25- a marriage of citrus notes (especially oranges), subtle spices and oak.
Taste- 23 / 25- Honey leads the way with balancing spices and oak, the malt is refreshing.
Finish – 23 / 25- medium to long, with soft sherry and gently building cocoa.
Balance- 23 / 25- one of Jim Murray’s regular drams, a brilliant Speyside malt of awesome complexity.
40 % alcohol by volume.
5.) Highland Park 18 $85.29
Earned a mark of 95% as follows-
Nose- 24 / 25- an empty honey jar which once held peaty embers, enormous nose of excellent consistency, with salty butter and burnt honeycomb always present.
Taste- 23 / 25- beautifully sweet, even sweeter than the 12 year old, thanks to manuka honey, balanced by drier oaky tones and rumbling peat at the back of the palate, chewy, a touch oily and wholly substantial.
Finish- 24 /25- some citrus, heathery notes, controlled oak, outstanding cocoa and peat, long and rewarding.
Balance- 24 / 25- consistently enormous weight and complexity, breathtakingly brilliant, the “ace” in the Highland Park pack.
43% alcohol by volume.
Descriptions of the 5 Single Malts by Jim Murray in his
Whisky Bible, 2008
1.) The Macallan Cask Strength $70.29
Earned a mark of 94% as follows-
Nose- 22 / 25- cranked-up, sweet, clean sherry.
Taste- 24 / 25- absolutely spot-on delivery, with grape concentrate, thickened by intense barley, wonderful spices arrive on cue.
Finish- 24 / 25- long, with the taste buds storm-lashed by juicy sherry and spices.
Balance- 24 / 25- it’s like surfing a massive wave of barley-sweetened sherry. Go for the ride. 58.6 % alcohol by volume.
2.) Strathisla 12 $46.29
Earned a mark of 87% as follows-
Nose- 21 / 25- a dab of distant peat adds more weight to what is already malt-heavy.
Taste- 22 / 25- pleasant, sultana-fruity with a very rich malt follow through.
Finish- 22 / 25- some oak breaks into the rich maltiness, hints of cocoa and smoke elongate the finish.
Balance- 22 / 25- the heavily weighted, full-bodied malt engages the taste buds from first to last, with a complexity and richness of genuine class.
43% alcohol by volume.
3.) Aberlour A’bunadh Cask Strength $85.29
Earned a mark of 88% as follows-
Nose- 22 / 25- thick oloroso sherry offset by the distant rumble of spice, raisins, cloves, oranges, ginger , like thunder in the air.
Taste- 23 / 25- almost immediately, the storm clouds break and spices rain down in torrents on the taste buds while the sherry continues the clean hot intensity of a summer storm.
Finish- 21 / 25- grape lingering with some late toffee apple, amazingly smooth, long, elegant, spicy and warming.
Balance- 22 / 25- a “monster” sherry whisky, a powerful malt to make mortals tremble, perfect for wine and sherry lovers, becomes more complex with water- hints of herbs, thyme, rosemary, sage, bay leaves.
59.8% alcohol by volume.
4.) Glenfiddich 15 Solera Reserve $54.49
Earned a mark of 93% as follows-
Nose- 24 / 25- a marriage of citrus notes (especially oranges), subtle spices and oak.
Taste- 23 / 25- Honey leads the way with balancing spices and oak, the malt is refreshing.
Finish – 23 / 25- medium to long, with soft sherry and gently building cocoa.
Balance- 23 / 25- one of Jim Murray’s regular drams, a brilliant Speyside malt of awesome complexity.
40 % alcohol by volume.
5.) Highland Park 18 $85.29
Earned a mark of 95% as follows-
Nose- 24 / 25- an empty honey jar which once held peaty embers, enormous nose of excellent consistency, with salty butter and burnt honeycomb always present.
Taste- 23 / 25- beautifully sweet, even sweeter than the 12 year old, thanks to manuka honey, balanced by drier oaky tones and rumbling peat at the back of the palate, chewy, a touch oily and wholly substantial.
Finish- 24 /25- some citrus, heathery notes, controlled oak, outstanding cocoa and peat, long and rewarding.
Balance- 24 / 25- consistently enormous weight and complexity, breathtakingly brilliant, the “ace” in the Highland Park pack.
43% alcohol by volume.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Third Annual Whisky Pairings Dinner
G'day folks,
The Organizing committee met and the date is close to being set for the now Annual Whisky Pairings Dinner. It looks like either May 1st or 15th.
John Lang is consulting with his experts and has an interesting selection of whiskys almost finalized and ready to order.
Gathering of the Scots Resident Chef Dirk Bishop is ready to prepare the food.
John and Dirk have already planned a meeting to taste the various whiskys and decide on the pairings.
The Organizing committee met and the date is close to being set for the now Annual Whisky Pairings Dinner. It looks like either May 1st or 15th.
John Lang is consulting with his experts and has an interesting selection of whiskys almost finalized and ready to order.
Gathering of the Scots Resident Chef Dirk Bishop is ready to prepare the food.
John and Dirk have already planned a meeting to taste the various whiskys and decide on the pairings.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
It's a go!!
The grounds are set, the good weather has been ordered from Environment Canada and all we need is people!
Here is a picture just to whet your enthusiasm!
The festival has taken a big growth spirt this year. The field of Athletes is huge and we have more displays than last year!
There will be something for everyone! ... and don't forget to drop by the Tea Tent for a morsel of haggis! I suspect it's the only place in N.B. with a reasonable supply!!
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Some Changes on the Grounds
The Gathering of the Scots is changing the location of the information booth and creating a separate souvenir booth.
The Information booth will be located just as you walk onto the grounds and highly visible and the souvenir booth will be in or near the vendor alley.
Amanda has been scouring the catalogues to find the perfect souvenirs, and Carrie and Christie who will be running the booth, are hoping that you will stop by and pick up a few of the great things they will have on sale so you too can celebrate your Scottish heritage or celebrate being Scottish for a day.
The Information booth will be located just as you walk onto the grounds and highly visible and the souvenir booth will be in or near the vendor alley.
Amanda has been scouring the catalogues to find the perfect souvenirs, and Carrie and Christie who will be running the booth, are hoping that you will stop by and pick up a few of the great things they will have on sale so you too can celebrate your Scottish heritage or celebrate being Scottish for a day.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Pipes and Drums Scotland the Brave
A Hugh part of the festival is the sound of the Great Highland Pipes. This year we have four bands: Fredericton Junior Pipe Band Oromocto Legion Pipe Band Fredericton District Pipe Band and our very own Southern Victoria Pipe Band.
The individual bands perform at various time through out the day but the highlight happens at noon and 5:30 pm, when they join together and perform as a MASSED BAND. Seventy-five pipes and drums marching and playing in unison stirs the blood and gets your foot tapping.
Fly Casting Competition
Clifford Young has been working hard the last couple of years to introduce a new-to-our-games but a standard part of traditional Scottish Festivals -- Fly Casting Competition. Salmon fishing is a noble highland sport enjoyed by kings and poachers!
Prince Phillip and Prince Charles of the British Royal family are passionate fly fishermen when they are at Balmoral Castle in the Scottish Highlands.
So... come and try your luck er.. I mean skill.
This year, it's free to compete and no equipment is needed. We provide it all, except the skill part!
There are competitions for casting for accuracy and casting for distance.
Winners to recieve new rods and/or reels or other fishing related equipment.(well maybe slightly used in the competition) These prizes are first rate equipment.
Prince Phillip and Prince Charles of the British Royal family are passionate fly fishermen when they are at Balmoral Castle in the Scottish Highlands.
So... come and try your luck er.. I mean skill.
This year, it's free to compete and no equipment is needed. We provide it all, except the skill part!
There are competitions for casting for accuracy and casting for distance.
Winners to recieve new rods and/or reels or other fishing related equipment.(well maybe slightly used in the competition) These prizes are first rate equipment.
Monday, May 11, 2009
PARTY AT THE CEILIDH Tickets Available now
What's a Ceilidh? A big Kitchen Party!
How do you say it? (Kay-Lee no stress on either syllable)
When? Saturday night, May 30th at the Perth-Andover Legion (9PM-1AM)
Who? Shanneyganock Plus Mason's Tender, the Gaelach Breacan Dancers and lots of pipes and drums.
How Much? Only $12 per person, Get your ticket either at the information booth at the Games or at Boardwalk Video or the Bogan Restaurant and Lounge.
I went to Headliner ShaneyGanock's website and was blown away by the energy and down to earth sound. This is going to be the best PARTY band ever, a great mix of Celtic root and Newfoundland fun. http://www.shanneyganock.ca/
I can't say enough about Mason's Tender. As a Celtic music fan, working at the Whisky Pairing Dinner, I found myself stopping what I was doing and listening to the music. They do lot's of old favourites and range from slow and melancholy to fast and rowdy!
This is definitely a Not-to-be-missed event! $12/person... This would be $50/person anywhere but at the Gathering of the Scots Highland Games and Festival! See you there!
How do you say it? (Kay-Lee no stress on either syllable)
When? Saturday night, May 30th at the Perth-Andover Legion (9PM-1AM)
Who? Shanneyganock Plus Mason's Tender, the Gaelach Breacan Dancers and lots of pipes and drums.
How Much? Only $12 per person, Get your ticket either at the information booth at the Games or at Boardwalk Video or the Bogan Restaurant and Lounge.
I went to Headliner ShaneyGanock's website and was blown away by the energy and down to earth sound. This is going to be the best PARTY band ever, a great mix of Celtic root and Newfoundland fun. http://www.shanneyganock.ca/
I can't say enough about Mason's Tender. As a Celtic music fan, working at the Whisky Pairing Dinner, I found myself stopping what I was doing and listening to the music. They do lot's of old favourites and range from slow and melancholy to fast and rowdy!
This is definitely a Not-to-be-missed event! $12/person... This would be $50/person anywhere but at the Gathering of the Scots Highland Games and Festival! See you there!
Saturday, May 9, 2009
CAMPING AT THE FESTIVAL
Now that you've decided to participate in the Gathering of the Scots Highland Games and Festival, where will you stay? Most of the local motels have rooms available, but if you like to camp, Baird's Memorial Campground is right next to festival grounds. They have modern trailer hook ups and excellent tenting sites over looking the majestic Saint John River (the Rhine of North America)
With your day pass to the grounds you can come and go as you please.
Contact Alfred or Charlene Baird at 273-3080
or email bairdc@nb.sympatico.ca
With your day pass to the grounds you can come and go as you please.
Contact Alfred or Charlene Baird at 273-3080
or email bairdc@nb.sympatico.ca
KILTED GOLF IN THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS
A great way to kick off the May 29th weekend is with a round of very light-hearted friendly golf. For some of us, it's the only time we play golf! And you don’t need a full set of clubs
It starts 4ish, just a few miles from Perth-Andover in the not so Ancient Scottish Highlands of Kintore at Mavor’s Golf & Sports Club, a challenging nine hole course designed by Pro/owner Dick Mavor.
It's a very unique golfing experience.
As you wander the hilly course searching for your ball or the green, you will be mesmerized as you hear the skirl of bagpipes echoing around you mixed in with the laughter and good-hearted teasing.
It’s all very reasonably priced at ONLY $10 each, everyone gets a prize and… there are cold beverages and light snacks for purchase.
For those needing a ride, there is a shuttle that will pick us at the Bogan and drop us off.
Scottish attire not mandatory but … there is a prize for best "Kilt-Kit"
It starts 4ish, just a few miles from Perth-Andover in the not so Ancient Scottish Highlands of Kintore at Mavor’s Golf & Sports Club, a challenging nine hole course designed by Pro/owner Dick Mavor.
It's a very unique golfing experience.
As you wander the hilly course searching for your ball or the green, you will be mesmerized as you hear the skirl of bagpipes echoing around you mixed in with the laughter and good-hearted teasing.
It’s all very reasonably priced at ONLY $10 each, everyone gets a prize and… there are cold beverages and light snacks for purchase.
For those needing a ride, there is a shuttle that will pick us at the Bogan and drop us off.
Scottish attire not mandatory but … there is a prize for best "Kilt-Kit"
See you there.
Someone snagged a caddy!
Someone snagged a caddy! Friday, May 8, 2009
Truncated schedule
GATES OPEN AT THE GROUNDS
Saturday, May 30th at festival Grounds (8:30 am)
Family (immediate) $20, Adult $7, Student $5 for a complete day of everything Scottish
Athletics get underway at 9:00 AM
Main stage entertainment starts at 10 AM
Middle School Rugby
Firemen's Tug-of-war Challenge
Food & retail
Genealogy and Information kiosks
Stop into the GOS Information tent for more information
Saturday, May 30th at festival Grounds (8:30 am)
Family (immediate) $20, Adult $7, Student $5 for a complete day of everything Scottish
Athletics get underway at 9:00 AM
Main stage entertainment starts at 10 AM
Middle School Rugby
Firemen's Tug-of-war Challenge
Food & retail
Genealogy and Information kiosks
Stop into the GOS Information tent for more information
Take one of our free shuttles to your car - ask at the information tent
Festival Chair Rod conducting a tour of the grounds!
MEDIEVAL MEMORIES FROM PERTH-ANDOVER'S VERY OWN CASTLE
It's getting closer to the final weekend in May and folks are starting to anticipate what many think of as the highlight of the year in Perth-Andover.
Many folks start their celebration on Saturday, but one of the best kept secrets of the Games is the Social on the Castle Inn on Friday evening. Like all things that weekend, it's a very informal, gathering of friends you know and friends you'll meet for the first time.
There will be folks in kilts and other folks; there will be lots of pipes and drums in the courtyard to start off and then it's clear the floor for the Gaelach Breacan Dancers from Rothesay, who have been festival regulars for many years. The musical entertainment will be Moncton's own - Mason's Tender who wowed the crowd at the Whisky Pairing Dinner. If you like Celtic music this is definitely a must hear.
This is a club experience that you only get in the big centres.
See you there
Many folks start their celebration on Saturday, but one of the best kept secrets of the Games is the Social on the Castle Inn on Friday evening. Like all things that weekend, it's a very informal, gathering of friends you know and friends you'll meet for the first time.
There will be folks in kilts and other folks; there will be lots of pipes and drums in the courtyard to start off and then it's clear the floor for the Gaelach Breacan Dancers from Rothesay, who have been festival regulars for many years. The musical entertainment will be Moncton's own - Mason's Tender who wowed the crowd at the Whisky Pairing Dinner. If you like Celtic music this is definitely a must hear.
This is a club experience that you only get in the big centres.
See you there
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Gathering of the Scots becomes truly international
I just got an email from Rod Mac.
"... Dirk just confirmed with Mike Zolkiewicz from Mass. He is one of the premier throwers in the US. Couple that with the guys coming from New Hampshire and Maine makes for a pretty good international event. Also it looks like we'll have competitors from Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, NB, and Nova Scotia. 5 provinces and 3 states...not bad for a small games in Perth...."
Don't forget that the World Master Dirk Bishop will be there as well as the Canadian Champion Greg Hadley will be front and centre AGAIN at this year's games.
"... Dirk just confirmed with Mike Zolkiewicz from Mass. He is one of the premier throwers in the US. Couple that with the guys coming from New Hampshire and Maine makes for a pretty good international event. Also it looks like we'll have competitors from Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, NB, and Nova Scotia. 5 provinces and 3 states...not bad for a small games in Perth...."
Don't forget that the World Master Dirk Bishop will be there as well as the Canadian Champion Greg Hadley will be front and centre AGAIN at this year's games.
It's almost here
Twenty-two Days left until the Gathering of the Scots Highland Games and Festival.
For all the latest specific information go to: www.gatheringofthescots.com
For all the latest specific information go to: www.gatheringofthescots.com
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Whisky Pairing dinner; What to wear?
With the Whisky Pairing dinner only 18 days away, I'm sure many of you are wondering: "... what to wear, what to wear? Well, it's a gala event and last year we had everything from Victoria County casual, to formal wear, with lots of plaid in evidence. Many of the volunteers were in kilts as were some of the guests. It's a great opportunity to strut your scottish heritage.
Don't have a kilt? Aren't sure about this whole kilt business? Well, there are entry level kilts that look just fine. To be honest a $150 kilt doesn't hang as well as an $800 kilt, but they ... look just fine.
You may have time to shop if you hurry!
Some online sources we've used and have been pleased with.
http://www.sportkilt.com/ Entry level kilt with prices starting at $49 USD.
http://www.stillwaterkilts.com/ Kilts starting at $80 USD
Tartan choices are limited, but prices have never been better.
Don't have a kilt? Aren't sure about this whole kilt business? Well, there are entry level kilts that look just fine. To be honest a $150 kilt doesn't hang as well as an $800 kilt, but they ... look just fine.
You may have time to shop if you hurry!
Some online sources we've used and have been pleased with.
http://www.sportkilt.com/ Entry level kilt with prices starting at $49 USD.
http://www.stillwaterkilts.com/ Kilts starting at $80 USD
Tartan choices are limited, but prices have never been better.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Whisky Pairing information
The Whisky Pairings page is up on the Gathering of the Scots web page. Wayland did a superb job.
BTW, tickets are going fast if not sold out already.
BTW, tickets are going fast if not sold out already.
Tickets go on sale Today
The information on the Pairing Dinner for the website went to the webmaster today.
Tickets go on sale today. $50 per person. info2@gatheringofthescots.com or Call Rod MacIntosh at 273-6710
Don't dottle or you may be dissapointed.
Tickets go on sale today. $50 per person. info2@gatheringofthescots.com or Call Rod MacIntosh at 273-6710
Don't dottle or you may be dissapointed.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Entertainment at the Whisky Pairing
Mason's Tender will provide the musical entertainment for the evening.
Here is their website
http://www.sonicbids.com/epk/epk.aspx?epk_id=143492
Here is their website
http://www.sonicbids.com/epk/epk.aspx?epk_id=143492
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