The end of the gathering 2009

It is with great sadness that we have to inform you that despite months of hard work and negotiation, The Gathering 2009 is now in the hands of the liquidator. We eventually heard on the morning of Jan 26th that the City of Edinburgh was not going to help meet our commercial liabilities, and we have had no alternative but to declare the company insolvent. It is a bitter disappointment to our creditors, who were led to believe that payment would be forthcoming. However, The City, faced by major budgetary cuts and large scale redundancies, could not justify any further investment. What is particularly sad is the damage that has been done to the legacy of the event. As you will recall we had a lot of comments after the event about the possibility of holding another Gathering in the future. The general consensus was all for it, but not on an annual basis.

The main challenge for the liquidator is to find a buyer for the Intellectual Property of The Gathering, which is the only real asset of the company. Obviously, up and till now we have assumed that this would be taken over by the City, but that is now not the case and we are now looking for potential buyers who would like to see another Gathering take place. A new owner could then license the IP to a third party to organise the Second Gathering. Independent studies carried out to date have valued the IP at a minimum of £50000, which is a bargain when you realise that the event generated over £10 million into the Scottish economy. The real value, however, sits in the friendships made and the lessons learnt, and we would certainly look to play a key role in helping to put on the next one. One very important plus is the genuine support that the new organisation would get from the Scottish government and its agencies, which in turn would see a much greater level of investment from the private sector.

So we would be really keen to get your feedback as to who you think would be an interested party.

We are all devastated about this. It was more than just an event. We created a magical occasion, which brought people together from all over the world. We clearly recall the looks on their faces and their genuine enjoyment. Many of you were there and know that to be true. So let’s hope that one day we can all meet again.............hopefully, at the next Gathering!

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Tom Urquhart 02/01/2010 12:33 PM

It is really sad to end such a great occasion in time on this sad note, but yes Jamie, you are right, it was a once in a lifetime event that many thousands will never forget.
I personally hope that it doen't end up the 'property' of any one City - I would like to see it moving around Scotland. I wouldn't think what occured in Edinburgh could ever be truly replicated, it was such a unique event.
I am not sure how often it should be held, but I hope the reunions are timed so that it lands in Bannockburn during the anniversary year of that Great Battle - and it would be nice if it was dedicated in part to David R. Ross.

Dave McAllister 02/03/2010 12:42 PM

Sorry to read this, i find it hard to believe that something that seemed so successful would not be staged again in some form by someone. Just reading the comments here on Panalba immediately afterwards and seeing the pictures/videos confirmed what a spectacular occasion it was.

Marie MacAulay 02/05/2010 04:28 PM

Jamie, it was truly an awesome event. Once in a lifetime event for all of us from the USA especially. I, myself, had never been out of the country till this event and the friendships that started on Panalba, consumated in Edinburgh, have carried on to this day with many of us talking daily on the Facebook website. I am so sorry that this financial problem has developed but I hope that The Gathering 2009 can be purchased and that more events can be forthcoming. My husband, Worth MacAulay, has been unemployed for more than 18 months now. (We had paid for our Gathering trip before he lost his job for the 2nd time back in Feb. 2009) Being able to experience The Gathering 2009 was a lifesaver for him when he was going through a very depressing time. We would like to return in the future and have been saving all our change just for such an event. We will see you again if there is any possible to us to do so. Thank you, Jamie for your hard work to make this be sure a life changing event for us!!!

Carol Taylor 02/11/2010 08:38 PM

oh Jamie..this is not so good..you think the city would have taken notice of how it boosted the city coffers and so forth..it's an event that needs to be held again, not every year, but it does need to be held again..every three, five or more years apart, so as to allow time for interested parties to save and so it is special every time..every year would take the appeal out of it and it would die a horrible death..but to die this way after just one event..not good..

l am sorry that l from down under cannot help, but l do send my wishes that someone has the sense to take it on..someone who perhaps had been at the event and saw just how well it did..

good luck Jamie and team..Veronica Wilson and l Carol Taylor were very grateful for the opportunity to have met you at the event last year, and would like to make a repeat performance at the next..

from down under..Carol..

David Elliot 02/12/2010 06:53 AM

It seems to me that we live in a time where everything is measured by its apparent financial value. Until we realise that there is more to life than this I don't think we will advance much as human beings.

"The Gathering" was not, in my humble opinion, an "Intellectual Property" that can be bought and sold like a commodity by some bunch of bankers.

"The Gathering" was a feeling in the hearts and minds of people, who despite disparate backgrounds, ethnicity, colour or creed came together to celebrate a link with the past that bound them together through a shared and loved ancestry.

How can anyone put a value on kinship? Who would be crass enough to try? Actually the question is a rhetorical one, we all know who, we see them every day in our papers and on our television screens.

But those people have nothing to do with the spirit of “The Gathering”.

I have friends.

No; more than friends, I have kin and kindred spirits who mean more to me than any amount of money.

Many were in Edinburgh in body, others in spirit. They live in The USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Scotland, England and everywhere else in the World – people I care about and who I believe, care about me.

You know who you are I cannot mention anyone in particular for fear of missing one of the thousands who brighten my little corner of the World.

I am rich; a wealth that is not measured by bank balances or assets, but in kinship.

There will always be a “Gathering” somewhere and I hope always to be a small part of it.

So thanks to everyone for “The Gathering” and for allowing me, on a special day in 2009, to come home.

Harry Connors 02/12/2010 11:29 PM

I have been watching the Opening Ceremonies of the Vancouver Olympics. I doubt Vancouver will make a profit from the games. Most cities spend far more than they take in. But, that isn't what defines success or failure. Vancouver will think of this as a success even though tax dollars will need to support it. That's the way of this sort of event.

Bill Boath 02/18/2010 02:01 PM

There are many, many festivals, venues, whatever, that have not made a profit in the first year. For some it takes several years to turn things around. But, if it wasn't for a few individuals who could see the potential of an event and found ways to keep it going we wouldn't have half of the festivals that we do have around today. Did the Tattoo make a profit the first year, probably not. How about the Fringe? Probably not. The Olympics never make a profit yet time after time citys are willing to go to the verge of bankruptcy for the damn thing. And who is on the hook? The taxpayers. There has to be a solution to this. And, I hope it can be found.

John o Hara 02/18/2010 02:43 PM

Jamie, what about the Jubilee? Are you and your committe involved in any events? We would be interested in knowing
Slainte
john o hara

Joe Goldblatt 04/10/2010 02:07 AM

Dear Jamie,

Please give me a call to discuss a new opportunity.

Thanks,

Joe Goldblatt

Dave Kirk 04/11/2010 11:21 AM

Jamie - I will never, ever forget the Gathering. We had 19 family members come and all were enthralled. Whereas, I cannot pay the balance I will be in the presence of 500 bankers this next week. Ideas will be flowing. Again, thank you so much for being the planner and front man for the Gathering. Please know you have deeply moved many thousands of people. If you need any help on the Western Front (US) in planning the next, please allow me to help.

Angus Crabbie 04/20/2010 12:12 PM

Hi Jamie,

As you know there is massive support behind you in regards successful aspects of the event. Economic circumstances conspired against it, however, if it had been a 'public sector' run event it would be hailed as a HUGE success - drawing in £10 million into the Scottish economy at a crucial time.

Angus

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