Young MacLeods Activity Week: 26-31 July 2026
Dunvegan Castle In July 2023
Young MacLeods – update: 12th May 2026
The Gathering and Parliament is preceded by the Young MacLeods Activity Week. Twelve Young MacLeods with four support workers will carry out environmental projects for Dunvegan Castle and Estate and the Dunvegan Community. Please note that no additional volunteers are being accepted. You cannot just turn up to help. The Young MacLeods will also assist with the running of the G&P.
The Young MacLeods will share two houses in the nearby village of Glendale for the two weeks of Activities, including the Gathering and Parliament. The ACMS provided mini-bus is also available for free transport from Glasgow to Skye (26 July) and return (8 Aug). ACMS will stock the houses with breakfast comestibles but the Young MacLeods (YMs) will be responsible for other meals such as lunches (packed) and dinners – cooked at home or dined out. ACMS will also provide work gloves and a hi-vis safety vest. YMs should bring sturdy footwear and outdoor clothes for the Week.
The twelve YMs will mostly work in two groups of six. One group to support the Castle and Estate and the other to support the Community. YMs will interchange so the work can be varied. Most days will be organised on a work morning and leisure afternoon basis. The exceptions being Tuesday which will be work all day and Wednesday which will be all day leisure. The work is all environmental. For the Estate, the task is eradicating invasive rhododendron around the Estate Office, working with Estate workers. This may be tiring work so all YMs will work on this job on Tuesday morning and on Community projects in the afternoon.
Community projects are vegetation control at Orbost House (now Community owned), Duirinish Manse, the Dunvegan Playpark, the Two Churches Walk, and possibly also roadside verges in the village.
For their recreation day, YMs will be taken to Raasay for a fast boat ride lasting 45 minutes. There will be two trips in the morning. Each boat takes seven. There will be a picnic lunch. In the afternoon we can explore the island. Probably a drive up to Calum’s Road for a hike to Eilean Fladda along Calum’s Path or a climb of Dun Caan, Raasay’s highest hill.
Other leisure afternoon activities will be decided by the YMs but there are many attractive hikes in and around the Dunvegan area.
See you on Skye in July!
Robin McLeod Ingram
ACMS Young MacLeods Coordinator
What is Activity Week? For the week prior to the Gathering and Parliament (G&P), an international group of Young MacLeods will work on projects chosen by Dunvegan Castle and the Dunvegan Community. This year the Castle project is the continued eradication of invasive rhododendron and planting native species. Community projects may include clean-up at the Duirinish Church among other environmental restoration projects. During G&P week from August 1st, you’ll also have a chance to help the G&P Coordinator and team in a variety of tasks to keep things running smoothly.
Why do we have Activity Week? If you read the short history of the North Room Group (NRG, & tab below), you would know that the late Chief Dame Flora MacLeod considered YOU the future of the clan and vitally important to the growth and continuity of our history, education, arts and language. These things must be continued to be passed down or they will disappear forever. As we will surely live up to our Hold Fast motto, I feel certain this will never happen.
What are the benefits of attending Activity Week? You will have the time of your life meeting fellow MacLeods from all over the world. You will make lasting international friendships, make connections, and network via many social media platforms. You will work on projects that will have a lasting benefit for the environment and the clean-up projects will help keep Dunvegan the beautiful community it is.
Is Activity Week all work?
NO! In addition to the projects you will be working on, you will also have the opportunity to visit landmarks on Skye which may include hiking The Old Man of Storr or the Quirang, the Fairy Glen, the Coral Beach, or a secret walk that tourists are not privy to! Or shopping, coffee, tea, pubs, all to be chosen by the group. And you will spend a day on the Isle of Raasay for a special day of boating and exploration.
See you in Dunvegan! Please reach out if you require more information.
Robin McLeod Ingram
ACMS Young MacLeods Coordinator
Email: youngmacleods@clanmacleod.org
Read more about the NRG and previous Young MacLeods Activity Weeks here