Our principal guest speaker was Fraser Nelson, the editor of The Spectator magazine and one of Britain's most influential political journalists. It was to have been Jim Naughtie, the well-known broadcaster. At the last minute, however, he was prevented from attending by the BBC, which decided to schedule a recording of his Radio 4 Bookclub programme at the Ilkley Book Festival that afternoon. We were extremely grateful that Fraser Nelson agreed to step in and talk on the advertised subject of the Scottish referendum and its aftermath. Fraser was splendidly entertaining. He was born and educated in Scotland and had been the political editor of The Scotsman before becoming political editor of The Spectator in 2006 (becoming editor in 2009). He was therefore thoroughly well-informed about the Scottish political scene and provided fascinating and amusing insights into the recent Referendum campaign. He was a passionate defender of the Union and emphasised that, although the battle had been won, the war would continue and all supporters of the Union needed to continue making the Scots feel loved!

Clan Maclean had a stand in a tent in Clan Corner, along with the Stewart Society, the only other clan that attended. The Association was represented by the Vice-President, Nigel Alington, supported by his cousin Philippa Atkey, another Maclean of Ardgour (see photo).

The event was well attended in glorious weather and there was a small but steady stream of visitors to our stand, including some Macleans who had come especially to the Gathering in order to meet us. This has encouraged us to attend this event again next year, on 19th July.

We began the trip with a day-long visit to Saint-Germain-en-Laye, just outside Paris, the site of the Jacobite court in exile. James II of England (James VII of Scotland) lived there from 1688, following the "Glorious Revolution", until his death in 1701 and was buried in the parish church there with his wife and daughter. Sir John Maclean, 20th Chief, also lived there from 1692 until Queen Anne's accession to the English throne in 1702. The château where the court resided is now France's National Museum of Archaeology but the fabric of the building has been well preserved and one can still get a good picture of what it must have looked like 300 years ago. In the parish church there is a splendid funerary chapel commemorating James II which was restored by Queen Victoria in 1855.

Although there is no specific Maclean connection with Aubigny - which was actually given to the Stuarts in 1422 and owned by them, off and on, for the next 400 years - every July, around Bastille Day (14th July), the town holds a Fête Franco-Écossaise. This is a major festival that celebrates the Auld Alliance, the alliance between Scotland and France that dates back to 1295 and in whose history Macleans certainly played a prominent role. There are just two tartans hanging in the Château d'Aubigny, now the Town Hall - Stewart and Maclean.

Clan Maclean was one of five Scottish clans participating, the others being Clans Cameron, Hay, Mackenzie and Montgomery. We were given a row of tents in one of the main streets of the town and had a constant stream of visitors. Clan Maclean, as the most senior clan (of course!), was given the honour of leading the parade of clans and pipe bands through the streets of Aubigny. We were led by Alastair Maclean, as our piper, with his son, and they were followed by the three Presidents; Nigel Alington, President of the International Association; Alan Mclean, President of France; and Nicolas Maclean of Pennycross, President of England and Wales.

A member of Clan Mackenzie has produced a short video of the event, in which Macleans feature extensively! It can be seen on YouTube here.

The Fête was a terrifically enjoyable weekend. We were warmly welcomed by the locals. Aubigny itself is a wonderfully attractive town and there are lovely places to visit in the surrounding area. We visited the Château de la Verrerie, built by the Stewarts, and had a delicious lunch in Sancerre, home of the eponymous wine. It is hoped that CMA France will make this an annual event for the Clan.

We had an outstanding line-up of speakers. Patrick Watson addressed the haggis with great enthusiasm. Bobby Stewart of Blackhouse, until recently the President of The Stewart Society, proposed the Toast to the Immortal Memory, including a poem that he thought that Burns might have composed in response to this year's referendum in Scotland, splendidly delivered in an authentically thick Scottish accent that was impenetrable to eight and a half of the nine nationalities represented at the dinner.

The response from the lassies was a tour-de-force delivered with brilliant wit by Caitlin Egen, grand-daughter of the late Dr John McLean, who presented the irreverent view of the younger generation.

Sadly our piper, Rod McFadyen, had announced before the dinner that he was unable to continue piping due to arthritis. We are very grateful that Andrena Woodhams, the only female Pinstriped Highlander, agreed to step in as the piper on this occasion. Everyone much enjoyed her medley of traditional Scottish tunes. More music was provided by David Dunham on melodeon and James Arber on guitar.

The evening ended with all the guests joining in enthusiastic renditions of Ye Jacobites by Name, The Skye Boat Song, Loch Lomond and finally Auld Lang Syne.