North Room Group
Dunvegan Castle In July 2023
The North Room Group
At the fourth Clan Parliament in 1965 Chief Flora raised a proposal from Canada and the USA to hold a Young Peoples Clan Parliament. This bore fruit when eighteen young MacLeods representing six countries met in the North Room of the Castle. This group initially used the name of its meeting place, hence “North Room Group”. Later, they used the initials ‘NRG’ as their title but over time the group became known as ‘Energy’.
Dame Flora gave her particular attention to these young people, for she regarded them as future leaders of the clan. ‘I believe the clan has started a movement,’ she wrote, ‘which will mean something to the world’.
In the years since 1965 there have been Parliaments every three or four years and at almost all of them there has been an NRG programme encouraging the participation of young MacLeods. What each NRG did within Dunvegan Castle and Estate and the Dunvegan Community depended on the needs at the time and can be explored more below, together with testimonials of those who took part. However, a common denominator is that over the years, life-long friendships were formed by young MacLeods from all over the world and many remain strong today.
Times have changed and so has the group’s name. At the 2018 Parliament, a more modern name for the 18-30 age group was adopted and they were rebranded as Young MacLeods. However, when the group from 8 countries meets next July on the Isle of Skye, they will carry a proud heritage and a tradition based on the NRG.
Read some testimonials from past NRGers
More information about the NRG can be found in “Tell Your Children about the Stones: a short history of the Clan MacLeod Society”, by Nancy MacLeod Nicol.
Young MacLeods at Previous Parliaments
In 2018 the North Room Group (NRG) volunteer project was at Dunvegan Castle, working on re-paving the old pier. Ironically, the task involved digging up the old concrete surface laid by an NRG volunteer week some decades ago! Some of the 2018 group also got to do a shadow shift with staff inside the Castle. It was great for the team to work at the Castle and with the Castle staff. Accommodation for both the volunteer week and Parliament was on the Castle estate at the Cottage. The Young MacLeods would like to pass on their profuse thanks to the Chief and his team for their support. Activities enjoyed outside of the Castle and Parliament included visiting the Fairy Pools (with a splash!) and climbing the MacLeod’s Tables.
In 2014 the NRG volunteer week was a select gathering of three! The service project was with the curator at the Castle, working with items donated to the Chief over the decades. Young MacLeods said how honoured they were at the task, how interesting it had been, and that they had felt genuinely useful. Young MacLeods were on the guncourt when Princess Anne visited during Parliament, and were introduced to her.
Young MacLeods on the North Room Group volunteer week in Assynt in 2010
Parliament 2010 was held in Dunvegan, beginning on Saturday 24 July and ending on Saturday 31 July. There was an additional pre-Parliament trip planned so that MacLeod clansfolk could visit Assynt, an area of stunning natural beauty and formidable MacLeod history. The North Room Group volunteer project was held in Assynt as well, from Saturday 17 July to Saturday 24 July. A number of community groups worked together to select the NRG volunteer project. Moving rocks was one memorable task! During the week in Assynt, the Young MacLeods stayed in the Achmelvich Hostel, in a magical location with “some of the most enticing beach scenery in northern Scotland (and there’s plenty of competition)”. At the end of the service week, the Young MacLeods were transported down to Dunvegan. During Parliament week in Dunvegan, Young MacLeods stayed with their family and friends.
In 2006, the Young MacLeods met from 22 July to 5 August. Young MacLeods made their own way to the Hebrides, but local accommodation and transportation was provided by the ACMS. Cooking and chores were communal tasks and all NRGers were expected to pull their weight. The 2006 NRG volunteer project was performed on the Isle of Harris in the Outer Hebrides. The project was directed by the North Harris Trust. Accommodation was at the Scaladale Outdoor Centre near Ardvourlie, Harris. Young MacLeods arrived on Harris on Saturday 22 July. One major task for the group was building a path in the nearby countryside. It was often back-breaking work, but satisfying to see a job well done. There was lots of time to travel in the local area, and to socialise. At the end of the service week on Harris, Young MacLeods were transported down to Dunvegan on Skye for Parliament week. During Parliament week in Dunvegan, Young MacLeods took part in Clan activities and assisted with running Parliament. Accommodation was at the hostel/bunk rooms at the Dunvegan Hotel, with additional housing available in the Dunvegan area. A highlight of the week was the Young MacLeods’ party piece at the ceilidh, retelling the story of the Fairy Flag.
Megan & Tess McLeod join NRG at 2006 Jubilee Parliament
Read about Megan and Tess McLeod’s journey from South Australia to take part in the 2006 Jubilee parliament on the Isle of Skye here
In 2002, the Young MacLeods met again alongside the 14th Clan MacLeod Parliament. The Clan MacLeod Estate made accommodations available for a group of 16, in the Keeper’s Cottage overlooking Loch Dunvegan. It was pretty crowded! But a whole lot of fun. The service project was on the Castle Estate, building paths under the expert tutalage of “Red” Rory, former Young MacLeod and Youth Membership Coordinator. As well as building paths for visitors, the Young MacLeods cleared the path from the Castle grounds to the Keeper’s Cottage. There were a lot of rocks involved, and the moving of them.