North American Merrilees Gathering15-17th June 2018Chicago, USAGathering Update from Mike & Iain (organizers) - as at 26 March 2018We are changing venues from Westin Itasca Hotel to the Hyatt Hotel Itasca. The change has been made for convenience and expense in favor of our members. If you have made a reservation at the Westin Hotel you can keep it or cancel it. Sorry for the change but the amount of financial commitment the Westin wants is unreasonable. The Hyatt is a much closer walk to where the games are being held. And the cost of the meeting rooms and catering of dinner is a lot lower. |
North American Merrilees Gathering15-17th June 2018Chicago, USAThe next big Merrilees Gathering will be held on 15, 16, & 17th June, 2018 in Chicago during the Chicago Highland Games. We have renamed the international gathering to be a North American gathering, as there weren't enough attendees for an international gathering. All members, near & far, are still welcome! And the itinerary is still the same. The event organizers are Mike Mirrilees (Clan Chief) and Iain Mirrilees (Mid-Western USA Chieftain). Both reside in Chicago, so will be able to provide a lot of local knowledge. A hospitality suite will be made available throughout the gathering at The Westin Chicago Northwest Hotel in Itasca, Illinois. Itasca is a suburb to the west of Chicago which is easily accessible by train within 40 minutes. The Highland Games are also held on site at the Hamilton Lakes. The games will be entertaining for both adults and children. Chicago is also a fun city to visit for those that will come early or stay over. Museums, restaurants, micro breweries, and architectural tours on the Chicago River and Lake Michigan. |
August 2016 - New Clan ChiefDear Clan Members, It is a great honor and privilege to be selected by our Chieftains to continue Chief Bob Merrilees' term as Clan Chief. I look forward to working hard to promote the sharing of our history, genealogy and friendship between our members. We need to grow and increase involvement and you can help. Each of our Chieftains will be reaching out to known members in their respective geographies for contact information. We are also looking for members to write web site articles and to share ideas as to where our next International Gathering should be. Please be willing to share your family email contacts, ideas for who in your family could fit into a story column called "someone you should know" or be willing to share a story about their significant happenings. Don't forget to include yourself as a potential person of topic, life stories are very precious. We would also love to hear about where you would like to experience the next International Gathering to be in 2018 and what dates or time of year would be best. Please contact merrileesclan@gmail.com, your chieftain or me anytime that you wish to share your thoughts! We look forward to hearing from each of you. Good on Ya! Mike - michael.mirrilees@gmail.com |
May 2013 - Latest International GatheringThe 4th international gathering was a beautiful Alaskan cruise, attended by 50 MFA members from around the world. Glacier Bay was a highlight for most who attended. Click here for more details |
Places of Interest ...
Merrylees Cottages - ScotlandThis row of stone cottages is all that remains of the 12th century West Lothian estate of Henri de Merleis, as recorded in the Staffordshire Pipe Scrolls in 1170. They are situated between Linlithgow and Edinburgh on the corner of the A904 Bo'ness - Queensferry Road and the B9109 leading to Blackness and overlook rolling green fields stretching down to the Firth of Forth. The original name of the estate Myrge Laese - meaning 'pleasant pasture' in the Old English of the day - was a very apt description. Click here for more details
Stanley Park's Merilees Trail - CanadaWestern Canada Chieftain, Bill Merilees, says one of Vancouver's best known land marks, has a "Merilees Trail" named after his uncle, Harold Merilees, who was a dedicated and active participant in community affairs earning him the unofficial title "Mr. Vancouver". Click here for more details |
