Clan Donnachaidh Pacific Northwest Branch

06/08/2026

The Portland Highland Games and Scottish Festival is off to a fine start at its new home at the Washington County Fairgrounds in Hillsboro, Oregon. The occasional rain and wind did not discourage the large, enthusiastic crowds. A fun new feature was an impressive array of Old World motorbikes (mostly Triumphs). A special thanks to kinsman Graeme Reid, who drove up from Bend to help man our Clan Donnachaidh tent. We signed up 8 new Clan D members!

06/04/2026

An excellent day at the Eugene Scottish Festival and Highland Games. Special thanks to long-time Clan Donnachaidh member Nyla Jebousek who stood up for Clan D at our booth. Thanks also to our kinfolk at Clan MacPherson, who helped me with setting up Friday. My doctors advised against any heavy lifting as I was coming off cataract surgery the day before and Peggy Brewster and her folk provided much-needed assistance. Now it's on to the Portland Festival and Games for June 6th!

05/03/2026

Clan Donnachaidh has reserved a booth at the Eugene Festival, May 30 and we're signed up for the "new" Portland Highland Games June 6-7. For info on Clan D attendance at Idaho events, reach out to Krysti Slonaker at [email protected]. For updates on our activities in Montana, Eric Brown is your man -- he's at [email protected].

03/05/2026

To all our kinfolk throughout the Clan Donnachaidh Pacific Northwest Branch:

2026 will be an exciting year of growth and expansion for Clan Donnachaidh’s Pacific Northwest Branch. New leaders are stepping up to promote our shared Scottish heritage throughout the vast four-state Pac NW Branch region.

In Montana, Eric Brown is leading the representation of Clan Donnachaidh at Scottish Festivals and Highland Games in Helena, Hamilton and elsewhere, as well as attending St. Andrew’s Day Suppers, Burns Suppers and other events, as his busy outdoor adventure guide business allows. Like-minded supporters of all things Scottish should reach out to Eric at [email protected] if they want to help him promote Clan Donnachaidh throughout the Big Sky Country.

In Idaho, Krysti Slonaker is stepping up to represent Clan Donnachaidh throughout the Gem State. Based in Priest River, ID, Krysti is looking to advance Scots Gaelic language events and instruction, as well as a strong Clan Donnachaidh presence at Scottish Festivals and Highland Games. Those looking to work with Krysti to promote our shared heritage can reach her at [email protected].

Further west, in Washington and Oregon, ongoing efforts to represent Clan Donnachaidh continue through the work of Clyde Reid ([email protected]), Rob Robertson ([email protected]), Tim Duncan ([email protected]) and others as we attend events in Seattle, Tacoma, Portland, McMinnville, Roseburg and elsewhere. Like-minded Scots throughout our area should reach out to one another and together we can grow Clan Donnachaidh in the great Pacific Northwest.

All the best to all of you.

-- William Wallace Clyde Reid,
President, Clan Donnachaidh Pacific Northwest Branch

08/26/2025

Thanks to the Douglas County Celtic Society and Kris Biel for an outstanding Highland Games at the Melrose site outside Roseburg. And hats off to the amazing men and women athletes, who competed so strenuously in the 100+ degree heat! (And a personal thanks to the lovely lady with the splendid Clan Donnachaidh sash who marched with me in the Saturday Parade of Clans. I'm SO very sorry I missed the Clan Parade on Sunday; I was lost in some minutiae back at my tent -- basically a senior moment. I was able to scurry over the Clan call-out, but the parade is the main event and I'm sad I missed it. I'll do better next time, and hope you will join in again. We value your support!)

08/20/2025

Enjoyed a splendid weekend in Hamilton, Montana, at the outstanding Bitterroot Highland Games! Beyond the always-fun caber-turning and sheaf-toss, the magical drone of the pipe bands, the grandeur of the parade of the Clans and the spectacular backdrop of the Sawtooth Mountains, was my opportunity to meet Eric Brown in person. Eric is dedicated Scot and a devoted supporter of Clan Donnachaidh who will be leading the Clan D activities in Montana. Those interested in joining Eric's work in promoting our shared Scottish heritage in the Big Sky Country may reach out to him at [email protected]. Thx to Eric's leadership, the future of Clan Donnachaidh in Montana looks bright indeed!

08/17/2025

Eric and Clyde are having a good time at the Bitterroot festival in Hamilton, Montana

07/31/2024

Had a grand weekend at the Scottish Highland Games and Clan Gathering at the Expo Center in Enumclaw, Washington. The massed pipe bands were breath-taking, the caber-tossing was back-breaking and the visitors to our Clan tent who joined the Clan Donnachaidh Society were heart-warming as they showed off their nifty Clan D tee-shirts we give out as a "thank-you" gift to new members. Now it's on to Roseburg, Oregon, Aug. 24-25 for the Douglas County Highland Games!

07/24/2024

It was HOT (97F) at last weekend's Portland Highland Games. But getting together with long-standing members who came back to visit -- and enjoying new members posing with their nifty new Clan Donnachaidh tee-shirts -- was very COOL. Now, it's on to Enumclaw next weekend for the big Seattle Highland Games!

06/03/2024

Please join Clan Donnachaidh PNW at this year's McMinnville Scottish Festival. I am looking forward to meeting as many of you as possible.

Calling all athletes!! Registration for the Highland Games at the McMinnville Scottish Festival is now open! For more info and to register, visit https://celticheritage.org/athletics/