Guisachan Gathering

On the weekend of 29/30 July 2006 many Golden Retriever enthusiasts travelled north to Inverness-shire to take part in an event organised by the Golden Retriever Club of Scotland as part of their 60th Anniversary Celebrations. It was a wonderful weekend, and will long be remebered by all fortunate enough to be a part of it.

On Saturday many were entered in the Highland Canine Club Open Show in Dingwall. Following this we made the journey to Guisachan Estate where there was 'Haggis Hurling', a scurry, and tug o' war competitions between various teams ranging from Scottish, English, American, and Rest Of The World. Many Golden Retriever enthusiasts from overseas, Australia, New Zealand, America, and many more from Europe, had made the trip to attend this event and will I am sure be very glad they did. Following this a photo was taken infront of Guisachan House of all of the Golden Retrievers, and then one including owners, some 185 Goldens were counted in a 'Grand Old Duke Of York'. It was a magnificent sight, although a little sad to see this wonderful house in such a state of ruin. Later that evening we gathered at the Tomich Hotel in a specially erected marquee for a dinner and disco, and a highland dancing display. All of the overseas guests stood up and introduced themselves and were then given a commemorative rosette and keyring.

On Sunday, again in the grounds of the Tomich Hotel the Golden Retriever Club of Scotland held its Open Show, judged by Mr Mervyn Philpott of Westley and Standerwick affixes. This was very well attended, and the weather glorious, although a little too hot for the dogs at times, but making for a lovely atmosphere with lots of chance to enjoy the judging and catch up with friends.

Following this, the long journey home for us - although many were lucky enough to be spending more time in the area - tired but having had a wonderful weekend, and wishing we could rewind and it was all still to come!!

The Images
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