英伦广角 2009-07-26 苏格兰氏族重聚

The Canadian Massed Pipes and Drums provided the traditional soundtrack to the opening of the biggest ever gathering¹ of the clans³.  Prince Charles was there to represent the Royal Family.

This is the centerpiece of Homecoming Scotland, a year-long tourism initiative to celebrate the 250th anniversary of Robert Burns.

From Ottawa Canada to the USA.

That’s right, yes!

Thousands of clan² members came from around the world to meet up with old friends and to make new ones.

I heard about the homecoming; and they're coming together of the clans. I thought this is the one and only opportunity and I just had to be a part of it.

I came here to have fun and to meet more family, which I guess, I’m meeting all kinds of family over here from all over the world.

It was a chance for Scots to celebrate their roots.

As soon as we got off the plane we felt like we were home, so we had to come back.

Absolutely, it’s, it is like being home.

For years there's been a decline in Scotland and the popularity of Highland⁴ Games and clan activity; but for today at least, these traditions were very much alive and kicking.

Rona Dougall, Sky News, Edinburgh.
 

1 gathering   

n.集会，聚会，聚集

参考例句：

• He called on Mr. White to speak at the gathering.他请怀特先生在集会上讲话。
• He is on the wing gathering material for his novels.他正忙于为他的小说收集资料。

2 clan   

n.氏族，部落，宗族，家族，宗派

参考例句：

• She ranks as my junior in the clan.她的辈分比我小。
• The Chinese Christians,therefore,practically excommunicate themselves from their own clan.所以，中国的基督徒简直是被逐出了自己的家族了。

3 clans   

宗族( clan的名词复数 )； 氏族； 庞大的家族； 宗派

参考例句：

• There are many clans in European countries. 欧洲国家有很多党派。
• The women were the great power among the clans [gentes], as everywhere else. 妇女在克兰〈氏族〉里，乃至一般在任何地方，都有很大的势力。 来自英汉非文学 - 家庭、私有制和国家的起源

4 highland   

n.(pl.)高地，山地

参考例句：

• The highland game is part of Scotland's cultural heritage.苏格兰高地游戏是苏格兰文化遗产的一部分。
• The highland forests where few hunters venture have long been the bear's sanctuary.这片只有少数猎人涉险的高山森林，一直都是黑熊的避难所。