Grandfather Mountain Highland Gathering

On July 13, 2024 we convened our AGM on Grandfather Mountain. The 2024-2025 slate of Officers and appointees were approved as submitted. Of special note was the promotion of Donna Marie McDuffee of Massachusetts as an Officer of the Society as Vice President MacDuffee Clan Society of America. Donna demonstrated a great deal of engagement, genealogical research and invested personal time to work on behalf of our Society. She has convened Northern regional games in New England to share our story and to show off her impressive claymore, The MacDuffee, created by Vogie Forge in Scotland.

Vice President David McDuffie provided our financial report which continues to be strong. We ask that all members remain current with their dues based on their membership level.

Erin McKinney and her son, Django, joined our meeting and brought information re DUFFEE our Official MacDuffee Clan Society Highland Cow (see later special story about DUFFEE). Erin’s mother is Tom McDuffee’s first cousin.

The Society was provided an update regarding the process requirements for settling the Clan name and the need for all eligible Clan members to be sure to participate and submit their preference over during July, August and September.

We would like to note that both Mason and Gunner McDuffie received medals in wrestling. They represented our Society in the Highland Games.

  

Upcoming Events

We will convene our Annual General Meeting (AGM) Saturday July 12, 2025, 1:30-2:30 pm on Grandfather Mountain. We will meet in the Chieftain's Tent as we have the last few years and conduct our regular business including the election of officers for 2025-2026.

We will return to the Loon Mountain Games the third weekend of Sept 2025 in Lincoln, NH. The dates are September 19-21, 2025.

Both games have very professional websites at GMHG.ORG and NHSCOT.org where you can view videos about the games and review all the ticket options available for the times you would like to visit. Again please monitor our website for potential changes.

Possible Games For Your Consideration Include

Feb 1, 2025 Suncoast Scots, Manatee County Fairgrounds, 1402 14th Ave W, Palmetto, FL 34221 https://www.suncoastscots.com/

April 19-20, 2025 Loch Norman Highland Games, Rural Hill, 4431 Neck Rd, Huntersville, NC https://lochnorman.com/

July 10-13, 2025 Grandfather Mountain Highland Games, MacRae Meadows, Blowing Rock Hwy, Linville, NC 28646 gmhg.org

July 20, 2025 Glasgow Lands Scottish Festival, Look Park 300 North Main Street, Florence (Northampton), Massachusetts 01062 https://www.glasgowlands.org

Aug 9, 2025 The CNY Scottish Games & Celtic Festival, Long Branch Park, Long Branch Road, Liverpool, NY 13088 cnyscottishgames.org

Contact hotels early as the Games are held in smaller communities where lodging fills up quickly.

Dr Joseph John Morrow, The Right Honourable the Lord Lyon King of Arms (left) with Society President, Tom McDuffee (right) at Loon Mountain.