Gathering's unravelling as big-name acts pull out

Published on Wednesday 15 July 2009 10:09

ORGANISERS of the world's biggest clan gathering have been dealt another blow after two of the headline acts pulled out.

Singer-songwriter Jim Diamond and indie band the Noisettes will no longer perform at the Gathering, the centrepiece of Scotland's Homecoming celebrations later this month.

It is the latest setback for those behind the event after they were forced to slash ticket prices in a bid to avoid hundreds of empty seats at an event at Edinburgh Castle.

Lucy-Rose Walker, co-ordinator of the Gathering, said: "It's an unfortunate coincidence but both Jim Diamond and the Noisettes have made late changes to their schedules which mean they are no longer able to perform.

"Obviously we're disappointed but we're speaking with several other exciting bands to fill these two slots who will keep the fun and calibre of music at the event just as high as previously scheduled."

The blow comes just days after organisers were forced to slash ticket prices to try and boost sales for the events on 25 and 26 July.

They launched a major publicity drive to promote the newly-priced 55 ticket, which is exactly half the cost of a top-package ticket for the Gathering.

Organisers had been hoping to sell 8,000 "passports" giving access to the Gathering area at Holyrood Park over two days, a place in a huge parade up the Royal Mile on the Saturday night and a seat on the Castle esplanade for a one-off theatrical event called Aisling's Children; Tales of the Homecoming.

But after selling just over 7,000 passports – priced at 88, 95 and 110 – organisers decided to launch a new deal, rather than risk empty seats at the castle event.

Tory MSP David McLetchie said: "It's very disappointing when acts pull out, especially for people who have already bought tickets for the event.

"A lot of it has been hyped up by the Scottish Government and a lot of people think it's a PR stunt for Alex Salmond.

"It was appropriate to have special events to mark the 250th anniversary of Robert Burns, and these events were fine on Burns' Day, but the ticket sales suggest that the public at home and abroad aren't so enamoured with turning it into a year-long celebration."

Among the highlights in Holyrood Park are the World Highland Games Championships, a huge food and drink showcase and an arena dedicated to family history research.

A clan village will also be created behind Holyrood Palace, featuring 125 clans, each with their own marquee, and many with their clan chief in attendance.

Three stages will showcase at least ten pipe bands while more than 400 dancing competitors will perform, as well as bands who bring a modern touch to Scottish culture such as the Red Hot Chilli Pipers.

Visitors from Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, America, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Sweden and Switzerland, among other countries, will attend the cultural event.