EDINBURGH: The Gathering 2009 sponsored by Deuchars
Written by The Gathering 2009
Thursday, 24 July 2008
Edinburgh’s last remaining brewery will be rolling out the barrels at
one of the largest international events being held in Scotland next
year. The Gathering 2009 has secured a deal with the Caledonian Brewing
Company, which will see the brewer sponsor a major part of the Highland
Games in the capital’s Holyrood Park on 25 and 26 July 2009.
MEDIA RELEASE – EMBARGOED UNTIL THURSDAY 24 JULY, 1800 BST
24 July 2008
You’re due a Deuchars at The Gathering 2009
Edinburgh’s last remaining brewery will be rolling out the barrels at one of the largest international events being held in Scotland next year. The Gathering 2009 has secured a deal with the Caledonian Brewing Company, which will see the brewer sponsor a major part of the Highland Games in the capital’s Holyrood Park on 25 and 26 July 2009.
As part of the substantial five-figure deal, the award-winning brand, Deuchars IPA, will give its name to the Deuchars World Highland Games Heavy Events Championship as well as become the official beer of The Gathering 2009.
The Gathering 2009 is one of the key events of next year’s Homecoming Scotland programme and is expected to be the largest international clan gathering and Highland Games ever held in this country. Around 8000 clans people from around the world will take part in a parade along the Royal Mile and an anticipated 40,000 visitors will attend the Highland Games where the Heavy Events Championship will take place.
Speaking on the eve of the year-long countdown to the event, The Gathering 2009’s Co-Director, Lord Sempill, said: “We are delighted that such a well recognised Scottish brand is involved in The Gathering 2009. The Caledonian Brewery has played an important part in Edinburgh life for what will be 140 years in 2009, and it seems fitting that the capital’s one remaining brewery should join us to celebrate the culture and history of Scotland and the best our country produces in the 21st century.”
Stephen Crawley, Managing Director of Caledonian Brewing Company Ltd, said: “Caledonian Brewery and Deuchars IPA are delighted to be involved with such a dynamic celebration of Scotland's traditions and its place in the modern world. The Gathering 2009 is set to be one of Edinburgh's highlights next year and it is only right that Deuchars IPA, Edinburgh's favourite beer, will be there to support this historic celebration.”
Next year will be the 30th World Heavy Events Championship which has been organised by David Webster from Ayrshire since its inception in 1980. Scotland’s Grant Anderson won the inaugural title in Los Angeles and other notable winners include double Commonwealth gold medallist Geoff Capes, who was champion five years in a row between 1983 and 1987.
This year’s championship was won by American Sean Betz in West Virginia, and he will be defending his title next year at The Gathering 2009 in Edinburgh. Speaking at a photocall to mark the sponsorship announcement, he said:
“This is the most important games I have ever trained for, as they are part of a special event in what is an important year for Scotland. I am therefore really honoured to be competing in The Gathering 2009 in Edinburgh in Homecoming year. The World Championship has been supported well in recent times, but because next year’s event is part of a huge gathering, Deuchars’ sponsorship is essential in making sure this is the best supported games of all time.”
Please contact me if you wish high-res versions of the rights-free images attached.
The people in photo 07 are, left to right:
Lord Sempill, Co-director of The Gathering 2009,
Stephen Crawley, Managing Director of Caledonian Brewing Company Ltd
Sean Betz, World Highland Games Heavy Events Champion 2008
Larry Brock, runner-up in 2008 World Highland Games Heavy Events Championship
The Gathering 2009, which is a one-off event being held in Homecoming Scotland year, will celebrate the contribution made by the clans to the culture and history of Scotland.
The Gathering 2009 events are: a Historic Pageant on Edinburgh Castle’s esplanade which will be attended by those taking part in the Clan Parade on the Royal Mile on the evening of 25 July, and the Highland Games in Holyrood Park on 25 and 26 July.
The Highland Games include: the Deuchars World Highland Games Heavy Events Championship; Highland dancing competition; elite solo piping competition; hill race and kilted fun run; massed pipe bands, traditional and contemporary music; traditional storytelling and children’s area; the best Scottish food, drink, textiles, arts & crafts; a clan village and a genealogy research zone.
As at 24 July 2008, there will be 140 clans represented in the Clan Parade, and 110 of those will have a presence in the clan village in Holyrood Park.
His Royal Highness Prince Charles, The Duke of Rothesay, is the Patron of The Gathering 2009.
The Caledonian Brewery remains relatively unchanged since it opened in 1869 and is the last survivor of over 40 breweries that operated in Victorian Edinburgh. Ingredients are still weighed and added by hand and beers are brewed in the UK’s only direct-fired, open coppers.
Deuchars IPA has won more than 40 international awards since 1991, including the 2002 CAMRA Champion Beer of Britain and World Champion at the 2005 Brewing Industry International Awards. Approximately 11 million pints of Deuchars are brewed annually, and it is sold in over 70% of pubs in Edinburgh, as well as in bars throughout the UK.
Further information:
Please contact:
Iona Scott, Media/PR Manager, The Gathering 2009 on 0131 561 1328 or 07764 250268
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or
Marie Moser, Marketing Manager, Caledonian Brewing Co Ltd, on 0131 623 8084 or 07967 641289
Edinburgh’s last remaining brewery will be rolling out the barrels at
one of the largest international events being held in Scotland next
year. The Gathering 2009 has secured a deal with the Caledonian Brewing
Company, which will see the brewer sponsor a major part of the Highland
Games in the capital’s Holyrood Park on 25 and 26 July 2009.
Next year will be the 30th World Heavy Events Championship which has been organised by David Webster from Ayrshire since its inception in 1980. Scotland’s Grant Anderson won the inaugural title in Los Angeles and other notable winners include double Commonwealth gold medallist Geoff Capes, who was champion five years in a row between 1983 and 1987.
“This is the most important games I have ever trained for, as they are part of a special event in what is an important year for Scotland. I am therefore really honoured to be competing in The Gathering 2009 in Edinburgh in Homecoming year. The World Championship has been supported well in recent times, but because next year’s event is part of a huge gathering, Deuchars’ sponsorship is essential in making sure this is the best supported games of all time.”
