In a heartwarming display of canine camaraderie, Guisachan House in the Scottish Highlands has become the gathering place for hundreds of golden retrievers and their devoted owners. The historic site holds great significance as the birthplace of the first golden retriever puppies, which came into the world 155 years ago. Bred by the visionary aristocrat Sir Dudley Marjoribanks, also known as Lord Tweedmouth, these dogs were carefully crafted to be exceptional gun dogs ideally suited for the rugged Scottish Highland landscape.
Enthusiastic owners from all corners of the globe, including the United Kingdom, continental Europe, North America, Australia, and Japan, have flocked to the ruins of Guisachan House. Over the course of this week, a series of captivating events, such as enlightening talks, immersive workshops, captivating demonstrations, and a mesmerizing night-time procession, have taken place at the site near Tomich, just south of Inverness, and the nearby village of Cannich.
Thursday marked a momentous occasion as one of the largest gatherings of golden retrievers in the world, with hundreds of dogs and their adoring owners assembling beneath the grandeur of Guisachan House’s crumbling walls.
Carol Henry, secretary of the Golden Retriever Club of Scotland, emphasized the gathering’s vital purpose of preserving the breed’s knowledge and heritage. Established breeders are acutely aware of the importance of safeguarding the dogs’ distinctive qualities and temperament. Mrs. Henry expressed concern over the impact of irresponsible breeding during the Covid pandemic lockdowns, which has endangered these cherished traits. Thus, the gathering serves as a testament to upholding the golden retriever’s unwavering confidence, biddability, companionship, and loyalty—the very essence on which the breed was built.
Owners from over 12 countries, including Canada, the United States, New Zealand, Germany, the Netherlands, Romania, the Czech Republic, Italy, Croatia, and Estonia, have united at Guisachan. On Tuesday, a captivating procession unfolded, commencing at 22:00 and involving a mile-long walk to the ruins of the house. The dogs and their owners were met with the enchanting sound of bagpipes, heightening the magical ambiance of the occasion.
Despite the forecasted thunderstorms not materializing, the gathering faced an unwelcome adversary in the form of Highland midges, known for their pesky bites. Nonetheless, the night concluded on a joyous note with a heartfelt rendition of The Proclaimers’ hit song “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” and more melodic bagpipe tunes. These gatherings, occurring every five years and often coinciding with significant anniversaries, serve as a testament to the enduring legacy of the golden retriever breed.
In 1868, the first litter of golden retrievers was born—a result of crossing a Tweed water spaniel, an extinct breed, with a yellow wavy-coated retriever. The litter, which included Primrose, Cowslip, and Crocus (some accounts mention a fourth pup), marked the inception of the golden retriever’s remarkable lineage. Over 40 years later, in 1913, The Kennel Club officially recognized the breed, cementing its status as a beloved and treasured member of the canine community.
While Guisachan House may have succumbed to ruins during the 1960s, its rich history and profound impact on the golden retriever breed continue to be celebrated through these remarkable gatherings, bringing together dogs and their adoring owners from around the world.