Lots of of Golden Retrievers were brought back to their native homeland in the Scottish Highlands this week for what is claimed to be the breed’s biggest – and arguably most lovable – gathering in history.
Goldens from as far-off as Australia, Japan and North America, together with more local puppies from throughout Europe and the UK, made a pilgrimage with their owners to the ruins of Guisachan House in Glen Affric where 155 years ago the first puppies were born and bred by the aristocrat Sir Dudley Marjoribanks.
Speakers gave speeches, dogs performed tricks, but the highlight of the week was Thursday’s mile-long procession of Goldens led by a bagpipe-playing Scotsman, culminating in a performance of The Proclaimers’ song “500 Miles.”
An enormous horde of goldens sat panting in the mansion’s courtyard while their owners took pictures of what was surely the eighth wonder of the world for a number of short minutes.
The event was organized by the Golden Retriever Club of Scotland, which holds a gathering at the estate every five years.
This week’s event was even larger than the previous one, which marked the breed’s a hundred and fiftieth birthday in 2018
![Puppies swarm in the yard in front of the remains of the mansion where they were first bred](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/NYPICHPDPICT000014003127-edited.jpg)
![Three happy campers pay tribute to those who came before them in Scotland this week](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/NYPICHPDPICT000014003123-edited.jpg)
Marjoribanks first bred the dogs on his estate in an attempt to create the perfect hunting dog for the specifics of the mountainous terrain.
In 1868, he mated a golden Wavy Coated Retriever named Nous to a Tweed Water Spaniel named Belle, according to the American Kennel Club.
Their puppies – Crocus, Cowslip and Primsose – are considered the first Golden Retrievers, from which the breed today is descended.
Golden Retrievers were first recognized by the Kennel Club in 1913.
![Event organizers say it was possibly the largest golden retriever gathering in history, with hundreds of people in attendance](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/NYPICHPDPICT000014003128.jpg?w=1024)
![The owners are attempting to arrange the greatest group photo ever taken at this week's Guisachan House gathering](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/NYPICHPDPICT000014003129.jpg?w=1024)
Secretary of the Golden Retriever Club of Scotland, Carol Henry, he told the BBC The event was aimed toward promoting the history and tradition of golden breeding.
“We wish to maintain trust, compliance, companionship and loyalty – all the things golden retrievers are built on,” she said, explaining that standards amongst some breeders have collapsed during the pandemic.
She said the dogs got here from over 12 countries to attend the event.