CHIEFTAIN 2011 - CLAIRE DARROCH-THOMPSON

This year's Chieftain is Claire Darroch-Thompson, whose father, grandfather and grandmother were chieftains of Gourock Highland Games from the first event in 1956, and throughout the 60s, 70s, and 80s. Claire is the present head of the Clan Darroch and is titled Claire Darroch-Thompson, 8th of Gourock, Lady of the Barony of Gourock. Claire acquired the title recently when her father Captain Duncan Darroch sadly passed away after a long illness. Captain Darroch was Chieftain of Gourock Highland Games from 1963 until 1983.

Claire's great, great, great, great, great grandfather Duncan Darroch, acquired the Barony of Gourock from the Stewarts of Castlemilk in 1784.  He built Gourock House near the remains of Gourock Castle, which was demolished in 1747.    Gourock House itself has also been demolished, but the family eventually gifted the land to the people of Gourock as Darroch Park, later renamed Gourock Park by the local council.


The Darroch family has a memorial in Gourock Park.  In 2003, the family came back to Gourock for the internment of Claire's great aunt Kitty.    Claire is pictured here (far right), with her mother, father and sisters near Gourock Yacht Club.

Claire is excited about presiding over the Games this year.  "I am honoured to be invited to  preside over the Games this year, and am delighted to accept. I attended the Games many times as a child, and have very fond memories of the occasion and the wonderful welcome my sisters and I always received. I think the last time I attended must have been in about 1979, the year after my marriage.  Your invitation has been greeted with much enthusiasm by many members of the family and I think you can expect quite an invasion of Darrochs on 8th May!  It will certainly be a memorable occasion for us all. "