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NEWSLETTER OF THE SCOTTISH SOCIETY OF TIDEWATER Tidewater Scots Volume 20, Issue 5 Sep-Oct 2004
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| A Few Words from the President | ||||
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Greetings Members, Fall has arrived and the Society has been active. First was the society picnic at my house. The weather did not cooperate but around 20 members attended our indoor picnic. The food was great. Thanks to Debbie Clark for coordinating the picnic and thanks to all that attended. Next was the Williamsburg Scottish Festival. Randy Dedrickson coordinated the manning of the Society tent. Thanks to all that assisted Randy and thank you Randy for your help. October is upon us and that means it is time to think about the elections next spring. I have activated the Nomination Committee, and Larry McCauley will serve as chair. All officers are up for election, as are three director positions. Serving on the board requires only a few hours a month. I encourage anyone interested in serving the society in this capacity to step forward. December is approaching and that means our Christmas Ceilidh and Silent Auction. This year will include entertainment in the auditorium of the library, as well as our usual meeting room. Scheduled to perform are the Churchland High School Children’s Choir, directed by Susan Cocke, and the musicians of Leigheas. You may recall both groups performed at Tartan Day 2004. Rita Hamilton will play the harp and may also perform with the band. Rob Lockwood has agreed to play a few pipe tunes, and Lynnette Fitch will teach some Scottish dancing and call the dances. The silent auction is one of the major means of funding the Baird scholarship. I am soliciting a volunteer to be in charge of the silent auction. Contact me if you are interested. At the October meeting both the board and the membership voted to support the Williamsburg Scottish Festival, in partnership with the St. Andrews Society of Tidewater, the St. Andrews Society of Williamsburg, and the St. Andrew’s Society of Richmond, by lending manpower to help plan and execute this annual event. Had we failed to provide this support the festival would have ceased operation altogether. The event will again be held at the Jamestown Campground. No SST funds will be expended toward the event, as WSF has the needed start-up money in hand. Six SST members have volunteered to serve on the board for the WSF: Randy Bruce, Al Cowan, Russell Darden, Randy Dedrickson, Marcey Hunter and Larry McCauley. Two other members have stepped forward and offered to serve on the board if the need arises. Our own Tartan Day may need to be scaled back because of the work needed to put on the WSF. The board will meet to discuss the feasibility of operating both events. Stay tuned. I regretfully received a letter from our Membership Chair Nancy Miller resigning as the chair. Nancy has long served this society in numerous positions and is going to be missed as membership chair. I am looking for a volunteer to take Nancy’s place. Nancy will transfer all software and society membership records to the new chair in February. Again, thank you Nancy for the service and support you have provided to the society throughout the years. I would like to thank all of my committee chairs for the hard work they have done this year. Without your help and assistance our year would not have been anywhere near as successful as it has been. Yours Aye,
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| Williamsburg Scottish Festival 2004 A Huge Success | ||||
| by Marcey Hunter | ||||
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The Jamestown Beach Campsite was a perfect venue-lots of parking, lots of open space (no mud pits or sand traps!), and convenient to travelers on both sides of the water. There were plenty of campsites for the hardier festival goer, and both Rampant Lion and clan crest flags hung proudly from several tents. The weather was perfect-sunny and warm, but not sweltering. This was a welcome change from the nasty weather that plagued the festival in recent years. Attendees enjoyed a good sampling of vendors, from jewelry to leather work. The food vendors, though, were a bit sparse - a situation that organizers plan to address next year.
The SST booth enjoyed a steady stream of "customers" all day. We signed up several new members on the spot. Of course, it helped to have Randy Dedrickson’s awesome Celtic-themed Harley Davidson parked right next to the SST tent! It is truly amazing, complete with Celtic knot work, Scottish folklore symbols and even Randy’s clan crest. Hope we get to see it again in the Ocean View St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Randy! If you’re a fan of Celtic rock then the band Hunting MacLeod is definitely worth checking out. They played at both the festival and at the Saturday night Ceilidh, and received rousing ovations at both shows.
Historical re-enactors set up camp on the festival grounds, including the Revolutionary War re-enactors the 76th McDonald Highland Regiment of Foot, which includes SST members James Taylor and Skip Hunter. The Society of Creative Anachronisms (SCA) was also there, performing fencing jousts throughout the afternoon. As usual, the whisky tasting tent was quite busy. Members of the Newport News Pipe band served as "gillies," or "helpers." Thanks guys!
Clan row was wonderfully full, with over 40 clans and societies in attendance. It was a wonderful sight. The Saturday night Ceilidh was well attended, with lots of merry-making among the SST contingent. Of course, it being Williamsburg, only Budweiser products were available, but we muddled through.
Here’s hoping that we can enjoy this festival for a long time to come! |
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| “The Gaelic Corner” | ||||
| Prince Charles Joins Fight to Save Scots Gaelic | ||||
| Adapted from Grampian TV, Oct. 2, 2004 | ||||
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Prince Charles is the Patron of Sabhal Mor Ostaig and if he needed evidence of the Gaelic's upsurge it was no more visible in the warm welcome he received, especially from the children of nearby Sleat Primary School. This year no fewer than 47 pupils on the school roll of 77 are being taught through the medium of Gaelic. The College here is playing a pivotal role in helping to keep the language and culture alive at a time when Scotland is facing many new responsibilities as well as opportunities. The Royal visitor told staff and student representatives if the appropriate climate exists they can achieve great results. Prince Charles, himself an antiquarian bookseller, found common ground in the College Library. Here, he perused one of the finest collection of Antiquarian Gaelic and Highland-related books in existence. Prince Charles took time out to sample Gaelic music and song at its best, but reflected that without the living language, it risks becoming no more than an empty shell. "There are few responsibilities more absolute than those which flow from custodianship of a language and culture," he said, "In my view, the Scottish identity as a whole is immeasurably enriched by its Gaelic dimension. The language simply must prevail." Meanwhile, ministers have published new legislation aimed at securing the future of Gaelic. The Gaelic Language Bill, launched last year at the National Mod, contains plans to give it official recognition. The law will also require all public bodies to carry Gaelic language signs. |
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| Welcome to our Newest Members | ||||
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David & Maria Luz Campbell - Clan: Campbell
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| Member News | ||||
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| Society Members Tie the Knot-Scottish Style! | ||||
| by Dr. Edward J. Brash | ||||
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Any of you who know Skip and Marcey know that they are both intensely committed to preserving the Celtic heritage and culture - through language, history, and music. And for those of us who had the honor of witnessing their wedding, we were immersed in an afternoon and evening of Scottish culture, family heritage, and Celtic traditions. The wedding was held in the backyard of the Colonial Place home of Elaine and Andrew Gordon. It is truly an amazing place. One feels as if one has been transported back in time - to the era of the ancient Celts, who worshiped the natural world in their sacred groves - the land, the trees, the plants, and the flowers. Elaine and Andrew clearly have a passion for horticulture, and it is difficult to imagine a more intimate and romantic setting for an outdoor wedding. The collection of attire at this affair was spectacular. Tartan abounded - the Hunter and Chisholm family tartans were everywhere, and many of the guests added their own tartans into the mix. Skip looked dashing in his high-necked doublet and traditional neck scarf, together with custom Argyll kilt hose, red-tasseled cord garters, and matching bonnet. However, of course, it was the bride's day to shine, and Marcey looked absolutely radiant in a medieval-inspired gown, with square neckline, fitted bodice, multi-tiered floor length skirt, deeply belled sleeves, and matching ivory slippers. Marcey carried a sheaf of autumn-hued flowers and foliage, bound up with straw, as a seasonal nod to the Celtic harvest time. She had a matching headband of the same gold, orange, red, and rust colored flowers, which complemented her beautiful red hair perfectly.
The altar itself was elegant in its simplicity, yet was deeply meaningful. On the bride's side, a rosary set on Chisholm tartan, on the groom's, an oak branch atop the Hunter tartan, and in the center, the grandest of cuaichs, whose true function that day would soon become apparent.
The final stage of the ceremony was the removal of Marcey's Chisholm sash, and the donning of the tartan sash of her new clan, the Hunters. This was a very moving event, as this new tartan sash was placed on the bride by the groom’s grandmother, Dr. Nadine Hunter, the matriarch of the Hunter clan. Following the ceremony, the guests were treated to another special event - the passing of the cuiach. Without having seen it, it will be difficult for you to imagine the size of the cuaich that was used that day - it’s large enough to hold three bottles of single malt whisky at one time!
Of special note was the words offered by ODU Professor Iain Tweed, a native Scot, as well as a fluent speaker and teacher of Gaelic to many of us. He delivered a wonderful toast, in Gaelic of course! My fiancée, Lynnette Fitch, really enjoyed meeting Iain’s wonderful wife, Thelma. She is also a native Scot and is a former championship highland dancer who won gold medals at the Cowal Games in Scotland! For me, though, I must say that the highlight of this ceremony occurred when Skip's grandmother welcomed Marcey to the family in a toast, and then sampled the spirits quite generously herself! I should also mention that later on in the evening, I had a wonderful opportunity to learn from Skip's grandmother some of the stories of her fascinating life. She is truly an amazing lady.
I want to personally thank Skip and Marcey for their dedication to the preservation of our common Celtic culture and heritage. We are blessed to have them as active members of our community, and I wish them all the health and happiness possible in their life together. Slainte Mhor !!! |
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| Rare Art Donated To Bruce International North America | ||||
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| Don't Miss The Bus! | ||||
| SST Bus Trip To | ||||
| Alexandria Christmas Walk | ||||
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SST to Co-Sponsor Williamsburg Scottish Festival in ‘05 |
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The Scottish Society of Tidewater will serve as a co-sponsor of the Williamsburg Scottish Festival in September, 2005. Other sponsors will be the St. Andrew’s Society of Williamsburg, St. Andrew’s Society of Tidewater, and the St. Andrew’s Society of Richmond. St. Andrews Society of Williamsburg member Wil Phillips appealed to the Board and general membership of both the SST in September for assistance with the WSF. Phillips made it clear that, without the additional help, this year’s festival would be the last. While the WSF was very successful this year, the manpower needed to pull off the event was more than the five-member WSF Board of Directors could handle. "We are simply burnt out," said Phillips. The Board and general membership then voted overwhelmingly in favor of the sponsorship. Each society will provide at least five volunteers to serve on the WSF Board. Planning meetings should start up in December. |
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| The Scottish Society Wants You! | ||||
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Want be more engaged in the SST? Want to make a difference in the direction of our organization? Want to meet new people? Then now is the time to GET INVOLVED! It’s almost election time for the SST. In March we will have elections for officers and board of directors. If you would like to run for President, Vice President, Treasurer or Secretary, or for a position on the Board of Directors, please contact Larry McCauley, the SST Nominating Committee Chair. You can reach Larry at lmccaule@bellatlantic.net OCH! JUST DO IT! |
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| 76th McDonald Highland Regiment | ||||
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The 76th McDonald Highland Regiment of Foot increased its ranks recently at the Williamsburg Scottish Festival by enlisting a few good, albeit wee, men.
"I’m ready to be my own man in the King’s Army!" proclaimed the new young redcoat. "My scourge upon the cursed colonial rebels! And Juicy Juice and Goldfish crackers? Nope: I’m happy to trade them for my ration of whisky and hard tack." (Though later, in a candid moment, he revealed that he would indeed miss baloney and sugar sammiches, and Shrek-flavored slurpees.) After swearing his allegiance to the King and vowing that he was untroubled by nervous fits or parasites, the young recruit bade a hasty farewell to his mother, and was escorted to his new quarters-a straw-hewn canvas lean-to shared with five other wee Highlanders. Hanging from the tent was a hand-painted sign: "No Girls Allowed." |
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| Ancient Celtic Holidays: Samhain | ||||
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Samhain (Scots Gaelic: Samhuinn-pronounced ‘Sow-in’) literally means "summer's end." Samhain marks one of the two great doorways of the Celtic year, for the Celts divided the year into two seasons: the light and the dark, at Beltane on May 1st and Samhain on November 1st. Some believe that Samhain was the more important festival, marking the beginning of a whole new cycle, just as the Celtic day began at night. For it was understood that in dark silence comes whisperings of new beginnings, the stirring of the seed below the ground. Whereas Beltane welcomes in the summer with joyous celebrations at dawn, the most magically potent time of this festival is November Eve, the night of October 31st, known today of course, as Halloween. In Scotland and Ireland, Halloween is known as Oíche Shamhna, while in Wales it is Nos Calan Gaeaf, the eve of the winter's calend, or first. With the rise of Christianity, Samhain was changed to Hallowmas, or All Saints' Day, to commemorate the souls of the blessed dead who had been canonized that year, so the night before became popularly known as Halloween, All Hallows Eve, or Hollantide. November 2nd became All Souls Day, when prayers were to be offered to the souls of all who the departed and those who were waiting in Purgatory for entry into Heaven. Throughout the centuries, pagan and Christian beliefs intertwine in celebrations from Oct 31st through November 5th, all of which appear both to challenge the ascendancy of the dark and to revel in its mystery. In the country year, Samhain marked the first day of winter, when the herders led the cattle and sheep down from their summer hillside pastures to the shelter of stable and byre. The hay that would feed them during the winter must be stored in sturdy thatched ricks, tied down securely against storms. Those destined for the table were slaughtered, after being ritually devoted to the gods in pagan times. All the harvest must be gathered in -- barley, oats, wheat, turnips, and apples -- for come November, the faeries would blast every growing plant with their breath, blighting any nuts and berries remaining on the hedgerows. Peat and wood for winter fires were stacked high by the hearth. It was a joyous time of family reunion, when all members of the household worked together baking, salting meat, and making preserves for the winter feasts to come. The endless horizons of summer gave way to a warm, dim and often smoky room; the symphony of summer sounds was replaced by a counterpoint of voices, young and old, human and animal. |
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| Scottish Humor | ||||
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A Scotsman was arguing with the conductor as to whether the fare was 25 or 50 cents. Finally the disgusted conductor picked up the Scotsman's suitcase and tossed it off the train, just as they passed over a bridge. It landed with a splash. "Man, " screamed the Scot, "isn't enough to try to overcharge me, but now you try to drown my little boy, too!" |
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| Taste of Whisky | ||||
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Cuideagh O' Corn O' Uisghe Beatha "Tasters of the Waters of Life" |
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| by Marcey Hunter, Scribe | ||||
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Glenkinchie - Lowland Single Malt
The Glenkinchie Distillery, home of the "Edinburgh Malt," is located in the rolling farmland of East Lothian. Typically, Lowland whiskies reflect the tranquility of the surrounding farmlands - sheltered, green slopes and soft, sweet water, and many whisky connoisseurs will argue that southeast Scotland is the ideal place to set up a distillery, as the fine Lowland agricultural soil produces some of the best barley in Scotland. Founded in 1837 by the Rate brothers, Glenkinchie distillery is sited near the village of Pencaitland in the Lammermuir Hills. Glenkinchie is a Lalland (Lowland Dialect) corruption of 'de Quincy', a family that owned tracts of East Lothian - the 'Garden of Scotland' - in the 14th century. The Rate brothers were originally farmers who grew and malted their own barley on the premises to produce a high quality Lowland whisky. The brothers relied on the reservoir waters of the nearby Lammermuir Hills for the production of their whisky. And with Edinburgh situated conveniently nearby, the brothers were able to take advantage of the market for the fine whisky in that area. In 1853 the Rate brothers were bankrupted and the buildings of the distillery lay empty, being primarily used as a cowshed. In the 1880s Glenkinchie was bought by a consortium of whisky merchants and blenders from Edinburgh and Leith, which re-established production after rebuilding the distillery and maltings.
Glenkinchie has not been widely available in the past as a single Malt. In fact it was only recently been made available as a single malt (1988/89), as part of United Distillers' Classic Malts range. This rarity makesthe discovery of its character even more enjoyable. The Glenkinchie 10-year-old possesses arguably the most interesting character of all the Lowland Malts. A pre-dinner malt, it has a light delicate nose, clean aroma and pale colour. The taste is smooth and pleasing with a hint of dryness, and well as a wee taste of ginger in the finish. |
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This year’s Williamsburg Scottish Festival will no doubt be hailed by many as the most successful, and enjoyable, in many years.
The honored clans were Clan Macaulay and Clan Skene, and the Chiefs of both clans were in attendance. Both Chiefs were treated to a special visit from the Cuideagh o’ Corn o’ Uisghe Beatha (the Whisky Tasting Society) and were warmly welcomed, Williamsburg style!
Also performing were Carl Peterson, a singer of traditional Scottish and Irish ballads, Rathkeltair, another powerhouse Celtic rock band, and Williamsburg’s own Poison Dwarf, which defies description!
Of course, what would a Scottish Festival be without heavy athletics, dancing and piping competitions. Tidewater Pipes and Drums took top honors. Well done!
All in all, it was a wonderful festival. Organizers reported that it was the most successful event in recent years.
Prince Charles has joined the fight to help save Gaelic. He told staff and students at Scotland's only Gaelic College, Sabhal Mor Ostaig, on the Isle of Skye, to take heart from the Welsh who've arrested the decline of their language.
Saturday, October 9th, 2004, was one of the most beautiful days that I can remember in Hampton Roads in a very long time. The sun shone brightly in the early afternoon, but the intense heat and humidity of the summer were nowhere to be found. The powers that be certainly did their best to make sure all of us would enjoy this day, as we watched our good friends, Marcella Burton and Josiah Wallace Hunter, Jr. (Skip and Marcey, to many of us) join together in marriage.
The wedding ceremony itself was steeped in Celtic tradition. Skip, together with his best man, Mark Hobbs, were led to the altar by the piping of Skip's uncle, Mel Hunter. Subsequently, our good friend Rob Lockwood, the bride's piper, announced the bride's matron of honor, Kathleen Meyer. The emotional arrival of Marcey, accompanied by her brother Robert Burton, completed the scene.
Marcey’s brother-in-law, Gordon Cameron, served as the officiant, adding to the celebration of family, and the best man eloquently delivered a beautiful Druidic blessing. The groom took his vows in Gaelic, and the bride responded in English. Their beautiful Celtic knotwork wedding bands, which sat in the cuaich on the altar during the ceremony, will serve as an everlasting symbol of their mutual love and respect for one another.
Our venerable president, Mike Lawler, who also is president of the Cuideagh o’ Corn o’ Uisghe Beathe, presided over this ceremony, which saw this truly enormous cuaich filled to almost overflowing with "a wee dram" of fine single malt whisky. Mike then proceeded to call on the members of the bridal party, both the families, and the close friends in attendance to in turn make toasts to the bride and groom, and as well to sample from the cuaich.
Of course, no wedding would be complete without food and drink. We were treated to a mouth-watering assortment of delicious items, with the highlight being an entire roasted pig, complete with the requisite cherries in the eyes and apple in the mouth! The White Horse Irregulars played traditional Celtic music all evening long, the bonfire raged until the wee hours, and a good time was definitely had by all!
Col. And Mrs. Telford Eggleston of Va. Beach recently donated an original rubbing from the brass plate covering the gravesite of Robert I, King of Scots, also known as Robert the Bruce. Col. Eggleston created the larger-than-life image from Bruce’s actual funerary plate. Col. and Mrs. Eggleston made their formal presentation to Bruce International North America at the Williamsburg Scottish Festival in September.
Strong and able-bodied males, of all ages, were solicited to put down the rebel uprising by enlisting in the Highland Regiment of the King’s Army. One hardy lad joined post-haste, siting conflict with his parents over naps and time-out issues.
In 1914 Scottish Malt Distillers was formed with a view to consolidating the interests and resources of Lowland distilleries in troubled times. Glenkinchie was bought and has remained in operation under the license of John Haig & Co. The distillery has always maintained its close associations with local agriculture, and its farm was for many years managed by the distillery manager W. J. Macpherson, who was nationally acclaimed for his championship herd of Aberdeen Angus Cattle.