The Clan Morrison Gathering

It was a fantastic year for the Clan Morrison Association as they saw their first official gathering in July 2002. The ‘homecoming’ took place mainly in Ness on the Isle of Lewis, which is an old clan stronghold from centuries ago. The main event of the gathering was the opening of the bridge to Dun Eistean, an ancient hill fort, which is the ancestral home of the Clan Morrison. Prior to the gathering the site was excavated by archaeologists. Many artefacts of archaeological importance were found and a wall from the fort was exposed.

The gathering brought over 50 visitors with Morrison connections on a pilgrimage to the islands from places as far away as South Africa, Canada and Australia. From the moment the visitors stepped foot in the Hebrides they were assured the warmest of welcomes and a fantastic cultural experience. On Tuesday 23rd July, the visitors were piped off the plane and ferry as they arrived on their ancestral soil. Later that day the group were taken to an ancient homestead in Habost- Ness, where the Judges of the Morrisons lived for 500 years. They were shown the infamous ‘blood stone’ which is a large red rock said to be where the Morrisons once banged the heads of the Macaulays, their rivals, on.

On Wednesday the group had an informal gathering and lunch before preparing for the opening of the bridge to Dun Eistean. The bridge was opened at 2pm by Jeff Morrison (Chairman of the Clan Morrison Society of North America) who was accompanied by Dr. Iain Morrison (Clan Chief of the Morrisons). Over 95% of those in attendance had never been to the island, and an 87-year-old local resident made it across to Dun Eistean that day.

The group headed south on Thursday to Harris, another stronghold of the Morrisons. A boat trip to the beautiful islands of Pabbay and Taransay was arranged, where a branch of the clan once resided and many Morrison chiefs were buried. Once the group returned to the mainland, they were taken to see Rodel church and then onto the Tarbert Hotel for dinner and a ceilidh. Friday was a free day, with many of the group choosing to tour the islands and take in the sights. The group then departed the Island with great enthusiasm for the next Morrison Clan Gathering. Angus Morrison of Lewis has said that since the gathering they have been receiving around 40 emails a day from Morrisons all over the world. They are hoping to build a Morrison Centre in Ness, similar to the Macdonald centre of Skye and hope to continue the invaluable archaeological excavation, taking place at Dun Eistean and other related sites.

Dun Eistean is on a small tidal stack in Knockaird, Ness, which previously could only be reached at low tide in calm weather when the sea is out far enough to scramble up the cliffs to the site. Little is known about the Dun from historical sources. Its first mention was during the 16th century civil war in the islands between the clans when the Morrisons used Dun Eistean as a defensive fort, before the Macleods sacked it. The Morrisons of Lewis are regarded by history for their role as ‘brieves’ or hereditary judges; it is thought that they moved to Ness from the Sound of Harris around AD 1300-1350.

If you would like to find out more about the Clan Morrison Gathering please contact: Angus Morrison on telephone no. 44(0)1851 810 502.