Greetings, fellow members of The Saint Andrew’s Society of Tidewater. I wish you and all others a happy and prosperous New Year.

2007 was a good year for local Scots, with many events, picnics, dinners, and much good fellowship.

2008 brings on new challenges in our world - with the economy, elections, the war, etc. As always, the Scots/American community will be there to deal with the problems.

We had an excellent Saint Andrew’s Dinner in November. It was well attended and no one left complaining about the food! In a short while we will be having out annual Burns Nicht Supper. It should be a great dinner, so I hope to see many of you there.

I wish to thank Ed Brash and the Scottish Society of Tidewater for their cooperation and inclusion with us on several events during the past year. This trend will continue in 2008, with both societies being kept abreast of the others activities.

At this time I would like to personally thank the Board Members of our society for their work, help, and support during 2007. They are largely responsible for the success of our society. An extra thanks goes out to the Hamilton’s for hosting our monthly board meetings.

Go raibh maith agat:

Rob Lockwood ,for all the record keeping, remembering, mentoring, and communicating. Sandy MacGregor, for handling the finances and keeping us in good fiscal shape. Rita Hamilton for her assistance and support. John Wallace, Nianza Wallace, and Charlie Stewart for their activity, input and support. We will be trying some new things in 2008, and will deal with changes as they come. The Scots have always been good at adapting.

I am looking forward to an active and rewarding year as your president.

Yours Aye,
     Stacy Elliott Apelt, FSA,Scot

Located North-West of England…..Scotland lies.
From the Irish Sea to the North Sea;
from the Solway Firth to the Tweed;
from Newcastleton to Berwick ...
Welcome to The Borders !

Stacy Elliott Apelt, FSA, Scot

Always an area of the Hawk, and never of the Dove, The Borders have been in strife for all of recorded history.

In AD117, the area was inhabited by Celtic tribes called the Selgovae and the Novantae. The Romans had great difficulty with these "Barbarians", and could neither subdue or subjugate them. After an horrendous defeat in 122, the Romans resorted to building a wall - Hadrians Wall - to hold the tribes back. It extended across Northern England from Newcastle to Carlisle …and did little to control the locals.

When the Romans pulled their troops back from the region, it was invaded by tribes of Angles from the East. This area between what is today Scotland and England continued in dispute from the 3rd century until the 8th century. By the beginning of the 9th century, Norsemen were invading from the Solway Firth. By the 12th century, under Malcolm, a clearer division of English and Scottish kingdoms began to appear.

At the twilight of the 13th century, in 1291, Edward I attempted to turn Scotland into an English vassal state. The hatred that developed during this time continues to this day, although time has mellowed it somewhat.

During these centuries, The Borders were not an enviable place to live, with many battles and raids, and little permanence or peace.

The local Clans and tribes that controlled The Borders knew the territory better than anyone, and with their quick, light horses they were beyond the reach of small armies from England, or the armies of Scotland. Both courts were at odds with these lawless reivers, who became collectively known by the broad term - "The Borderers".

The bulk of these families lived in the Middle March. The west March is a small area from the Solway to Liddesdale. It was never clear exactly where the borders of this area were. The East march is a difficult area to access, the North Sea being the only practical way to enter it, thus eliminating the need to guard the east march border.

The term “march” comes from a Norse word - mark - which means a bordered region. We all know this word in the name for the area of the Danes - Danmark ( called Denmark today). A mark is called a march in English and a marque in French. The ruler of this area is a Marquis (Fr.) or Marquess (Eng.).

The Middle March was a land crossing of hills, valleys, swamps, and twisting paths. The short stocky locals, mounted on their light weight and wide hoofed border ponies were the masters of the region. They kept small herds of cattle, horses, and tended small farms. They had little to agree upon with their local neighbors except the common dislike of the English and control of the Scottish lords. Reiving became a way of life for these rugged people. Sometimes it was just something sporting to do, other times it was to provide food for their families. The unification of the Crown created a big problem, both for the governments of Scotland and England, and for the reiving clans.

In 1605, James VI of Scotland became James I of England. He commanded both armies and the loyalty of the nobles in both countries. Mounting huge forces from both sides of the border, he began the "Pacification of the Borders". What was before permitted, or at least tolerated, was now unacceptable. What was once a simple way of life, a settling of grievances and feuds, or protecting national borders, became an affront to the Crown’s royal authority. Clans like the Elliots and Armstrongs had little or no standing in court. Their leaders were hung, the peel towers destroyed, lands appropriated, and the clansmen dispersed. A few clans, like the Scotts, had representation in court, and were forewarned of the coming pacification and clearances, and spared.

Whether by force, or by subjugation to the Crown, the clan system came to an end in The Borders by the close of the 17th century. From 1610 to the early 1900’s the only changes in The Borders were from crofting and a rural lifestyle, to sheep farming and working in the new textile industry. These changes came about quietly and gradually. Many people left The Borders to seek their fortune outside Scotland. This emigration was greatest during the 18th and 19th century, and virtually emptied The Borders. America and Australia were two beneficiaries of many of these rugged individualist and crafty people.

But what of the people who lived in The Borders? Elliot, Armstrong, Nixon, Crozier, Little, Bell, Scott, Graham, Douglas, Johnstone, … all names we know as border clans. They were not native to the area in the early days. Lets go back and see how they got to The Borders.

I’ll address the Elliot’s, my clan, but the story is similar for all of the border clans.

The Elliots, or Ellots as they were called then, came from the west coast, around the Ell river. They were strong supporters of Robert the Bruce in the battles for independence. After the war was won, The Bruce removed the Norman Barons from their lands and replaced them with groups he knew were loyal. William de Soulis was ousted and hung by The Bruce for treason. A group prosaically described as,” …12 great families, united under a Baron of renown...” , became the Elliot clan. Its first chieftain was purportedly an illegitimate son of The Bruce, and was named Robert Bruce Elliot. The next 27 chieftains were Robert Bruce Elliot II, III, IV, V, … XXVIII. As a lowland clan they were simple folk, and had little in common with the highlanders of legend. My grandmother once asked her grandfather about kilts. His reply was, “ We didn’t were kilts. We were poor, but not so poor we couldn’t afford pants!” The Elliot tartan, as were most border clan tartans, was not an ancient clan symbol. It was adopted in 1889 by Lady Elliott who was invited to a formal function by Queen Victoria. She picked the one she liked best from those offered by the local weaver.

In the 1500’s, Hermitage Castle was under the custodianship of the Elliots. It was taken away and assigned to the Armstromgs who were friendly with Queen Mary and her lover Bothwell. In a fierce battle with Bothwell and his troops, Little Jock Elliot was surrounded by Bothwell and his mounted soldiers. Astride on his small pony and armed with a short sword - he was outmanned and out armored. Instead of surrendering ( or retreating) he kicked his horse and charged straight into the group, dodging the mounted cavalry, and swung his small sword at a stunned Bothwell, nearly severing his arm. Bothwell was taken into hermitage castle to be treated, but the prospect was not good. Little Jock was taken to the dungeons to be held for hanging, the prospect of which was very good! Mary was in another region and received the news of her beloved’s state. She was ill and advised not to travel, especially to the cold and damp Hermitage. She went anyway. Bothwell languished, near death, but under Mary’s constant care slowly recovered after many months. Mary, weakened by exhaustion and already ill, developed pneumonia and nearly died herself. It is said that she was nursed back to life by an Elliot woman who cared for her around the clock.

Little Jock was supposedly taken to be hanged and, according to the popular legend, on the gallows sang this song and danced a jig:

"My castle is aye my ane,
An’ herried it never shall be,
For I maun fa’ ere its taen,
An Wha Daur Meddle Wi’ Me?
Wi’ my kute i’ the ribs o’ my naig,
My sword hingin’ doun to my knee,
Far a man I am never afrad,
For Wha Daur Meddle Wi’ Me?"

The phrase "Wha daur meddle wi’ me ?" is now used as the clan war cry.

While this made for great fireside stories, in actuality, Little Jock mysteriously escaped from the prison and died and old man many years later. This was probably in gratitude for the service of the Elliot nurse, and to avoid a continued battle with the clan. Seems "wink-wink, nudge-nudge" was alive and well in those days, too.

Today the borders are quiet ,……too quiet !! Industry is failing, the youth moving to the big cities looking for work, leaving mostly small family farms and a little tourism. There is a smattering of light industry, weaving of wool and tartan, and small flocks of sheep left.

Once you pass Kelso Abbey and Boxburgh Castle, there is little civilization until you reach the coast of the North sea. What you will see is some of the most beautiful and unspoiled country in Scotland. Open spaces, empty roads (often in poor condition I’m afraid), colorful skies, hills golden in rapeseed or colored with wildflowers. In the dales you’ll find bog myrtle, marsh mallow, and tiny violets. On the rock hills rowan, hawthorn, and beach grow. Ruins of ancient towers and churches are mixed with houses, out buildings, and standing churches (many nearly as ancient). Quaint towns and friendly people now populate this once turbulent countryside. And if you have a taste for the single malt….you’ll most likely have to go to the local pub…… The only distillery in the whole borders is Bladnoch.

This area hasn’t changed much in the past two centuries. Now the past is celebrated in festivals and border riding. Fishing and hiking are readily available to those who visit to enjoy the pastoral life ( bring insect repellant!).

The present is not a great time for The Borders. Hoof and Mouth disease, dwindling tourism, and failing industry have all taken their toll. The future is unclear, but there is hope in some governmental programs to draw in more light industry and tourism.

If possible, take a couple of days, or a week, and visit The Borders. It is a land rich in Scotland’s past and a full of the hopes for Scotland’s future.

Harry Neeson, 68, of Virginia Beach passed away Friday, April 13, 2007, at his residence.

He was born in Scotland. Mr. Neeson served in US Army and retired from Prudential Insurance Company. He was a member of the Writers Group of ODU in Virginia Beach, the Tidewater Striders and the Taconic Road Runners Club, NY.

He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Carol Neeson; three children, Juneann Maynard and her husband Richard of Hopewell Junction, NY, Douglas Martin Neeson and his wife Deborah of Putnam Valley, NY and Tommy Neeson and his wife Elaine of Virginia Beach; a brother, James Neeson and a sister Janie Gaer; grandchildren, Richard, Kristina, Kimberly and Cassandra Maynard, Caitlynn, Douglas, Courtney, and Kristen Neeson, Jake Ring and Shelby Neeson. A granddaughter Randi Neeson and his sister Grace More both passed away before him.

The family suggests in lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Friends of Karen, PO Box 190 Purdys, NY 10578.

The Saint Andrew’s Society of Tidewater sends our sympathy to the family of Harry Neeson.

by Jeanne Treat

Described as a seventeenth century tale from Scotland’s mystic shores, this book will give fans of Diana Gabaldon another book to enjoy. The writing is sensitive to the surroundings, allowing the reader to taste and smell as well as see the action. It is clearly obvious that a tremendous amount of research as well as creativity has gone into this book. I’m waiting for the next book from Ms Treat.

Rita Hamilton

Available from Ahead of the Hangmen Press (our own Randy & Carolyn Bruce)

The Pipes & Drums of the Brigade of Midshipmen has a history dating back to the 1950’s and were informally organized several times but were short lived. The present band started in the summer of 1995 when several Midshipmen gathered together to share their love and knowledge of traditional Scottish music. The group grew and within a year, their informal playing and teaching resulted in their being recognized in the Spring of 1999 as an official Music Activity of the Brigade of Midshipmen of the US Naval Academy.

The Academy Class of 1961 recognized the importance of an established Pipes and Drums Band officially sanctioned by the US Navy. The Class provided the essential financial support in the purchase of all necessary uniforms, instruments, and other equipment for the outfitting of the Band. Retired Rear Admiral Arlie Campbell, Class President from 2001-2006 (and active Saint Andrews Society member in the Washington DC area) took the lead for the Class of ’61 in coordinating with the Academy Pipes and Drums leadership. Ongoing operating expenses are funded through Midshipman dues, Academy budget, money raised by the band, and other contributions, including continued support from the Class of 1961.

There are only three officially sanctioned active duty pipe bands in the US Armed Forces. In addition to the Naval Academy, there are the Pipes and Drums of the Corps of Cadets at West Point, and the Air Force Reserve Pipe Band at Robins AFB in Warner Robins, GA.

The tartan selected for the USNA Pipes and Drums was named after the American Polaris missile firing submarines and was designed for the officers and men of the United States Submarine base at the Holy Loch - making it the first ship’s weapon system in history to have its own tartan. Base Commanding Officer, Captain Walter F. Schlech, was the driving force behind the creation of the design of the tartan. It proved to be a great moral builder and a significant move toward establishing a strong bond with Scotland.

Midshipman Van Vorst wrote: "I was on the original committee establishing the USNA Pipes and Drums. When we were researching which tartan to use we discovered that although both Edzell and Polaris had attachments to the Navy, there is NO official tartan of the U.S. Navy as a whole. We chose Polaris over Edzell for a number of reasons, thus making Polaris the only tartan officially in use by an ACTIVE DUTY Navy unit. Although there is a pipe band made up of former and Reserve Naval personnel that uses the Edzell tartan."

The current band consists of 42 members, skills ranging from beginners to advanced: 1 Pipe Major, 16 Pipers, 2 Drum Majors, 8 Snare Drummers, 4 Tenor Drummers, 1 Bass Drummer and 10 Highland Dancers.

Charles Stewart, FSA Scot, KTJ

Since 1999 Clan Wallace has held International Gatherings of the Clan in various places throughout the World. Included in the venues have been Halifax, Nova Scotia; Reno, Nevada; Scotland; and most recently during 26 September through 1 October 2007 in Williamsburg, Virginia. This year’s host was local Saint Andrews Society of Tidewater Trustee Captain John R. Wallace, who is the immediate Past President of Clan Wallace Society Worldwide.

120 Clan Wallace Members and their families from 18 States of the Union (from 9 States West of the Mississippi and 9 States East of the Mississippi) and many from Canada met in the Williamsburg-Jamestown area for this event during the Jamestown-Williamsburg 400 Celebrations conducted this year to commemorate the early formation of our nation.

The Gathering schedule included receptions, dinners, seminars, local tourism, and a myriad of Williamsburg Highland Games and Celtic Celebration events. During this 30th Anniversary Year of this popular Scottish Festival and Games, Clan Wallace was the Honored Clan and present to represent the Clan Chief and take the honors were William J. Wallace, the current Clan Society President, and his wife, Norma, from Bend, Oregon.

In addition to celebrating the Jamestown-Williamsburg 400th and attending the Williamsburg Festival, Clan Wallace Society held its Annual Directors Meeting, drawing its Officers and Directors from all over the USA and Canada. During the Banquet held on Sunday, 29 September 2007, Awards were presented to 4 Clan Members for their outstanding contributions to the Clan and Society.

The next Gathering of Clan Wallace is a scheduled for Estes Park, Colorado in 2009, in conjunction with the local Scottish Games held there annually.

John Wallace

MURRAY MACLEOD

The continued success of Gaelic-medium education is providing organizers of the Royal National Mod with a welcome headache - how to cope with the huge number of children who are now being classed as fluent.

This year has witnessed a significant swelling in numbers in the junior native speakers' section, to such an extent that organizers have now been forced to extend some of the competitions beyond one day.

Tuesday of the Mod week has traditionally been reserved for pupils who have a strong grasp of the language, but some of these competitions have this year been moved to the Monday due to the high number of entries.

There have been a number of educational developments over recent years, such as the opening of dedicated Gaelic primaries in Glasgow and Inverness, and a further 103 Gaelic-medium units in primary schools throughout the country, supporting a total of 2,092 pupils.

John MacLeod, the president of the Mod organizer An Comunn Gaidhealach, said: "It is fair to say that the increase in fluent competitions is a direct result of the improvements in Gaelic-medium education. There are more and more kids coming through who are falling into the classification of fluent. That is highly encouraging and is something we welcome, but it is creating a problem for us."

For the first time this year we held some of the fluent competitions on the Monday.

"I don't know how we deal with it if it continues to expand, which we hope it will, other than continue to extend it over the one day and maybe into Wednesday."

An Comunn has decided to introduce a new element to this year's events which should provide the children's section with even greater recognition.

Led by a group of pipers, the competing children from Monday and yesterday will march through Fort William town centre to gather at a grassy knoll known as the Parade where they will collectively display their singing ability to an anticipated large crowd.

Murdo Morrison, the Mod promotions manager, said the organizers "just wanted to do something for the kids".

He added: "We have had high praise for moving some of the competitions from Tuesday to Monday. We moved some of the folk groups to Monday, the first time we've done that with the children's competitions, and it is simply because of pressure of numbers. There has been a very high standard and it's been as a result of the increase of fluent speakers coming through from the Gaelic medium."

Meanwhile, in the competitions, the isle of Lewis proved it was still top of the class when it comes to producing solo singers in the traditional mould, with both the female and male event for traditional singing won by youngsters from the island. They were 18-year-old Colin George Morrison from Barvas and 17-year-old Charlotte Campbell from Laxdale.

MOD RESULTS - TUESDAY
COMPETITION

Classifications and awards
(ages 5-6, 7-8, 9-10, 11-12, 13-15, 13-18, 16-18)

ORAL (FLUENT SPEAKERS)

Poetry Recitation (including the Rev Donald Stewart, Duntulm, Memorial Quaich ); Prose Reading; Conversation; Storytelling; Bible Reading; Folk Tale

CHORAL (FLUENT SPEAKERS)

Two-part Harmony: (Including the Oban Times Challenge Trophy, and the Mrs Ann Grant of Laggan Memorial Trophy) Port-a-Beul: (Belle Campbell Trophy and the Mrs Schroder Cup) Unison: (Mrs Campbell Blair Trophy), (Angus M. Ross Trophy for Gaelic) (Rev Archie M. Beaton Trophy) (Heather K Moore Cup for music) (Donald Morrison Memorial Award) (Aberfoyle and District Branch Trophy) (Donald Morrison Memorial Award)

VOCAL SOLOS (FLUENT SPEAKERS)

(Nancy Craik Memorial Trophy), Traditional: (Taylor Trophy), (Ann Kelly MacDonald Memorial Trophy)

VOCAL SOLOS (FLUENT and LEARNERS)

(Turriff Trophy for Gaelic), (Meryl Mae Stewart Memorial Trophy for Music), Presenting a Psalm: (Allan C. MacLeod Memorial Trophy ),Trophy

DUETS (FLUENT SPEAKERS)

MURRAY MACLEOD AT THE ROYAL NATIONAL MOD

Scotland’s Gaelic renaissance is being mirrored on the other side of the Atlantic in Canada.

Lewis MacKinnon, chief executive of the Office of Gaelic Affairs in the provincial government of Nova Scotia, while attending the Royal National Mod in Fort William, spoke of the need to ensure Scotland's native tongue is preserved in his own part of the world.

Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island have long had a strong association with Scotland for in those provinces that many of the emigrants from the Highland Clearances settled in the late-1700s and up to the mid-19th century. While there are now only a small number of fluent Gaelic speakers left in Nova Scotia, Mr MacKinnon said he was "optimistic" for the future of the language.

"The office of Gaelic affairs is focusing on working specifically with the Gaelic community and one of the main areas of activity is adult-immersion language courses and the office provides support to communities where programs are on-going," he said.

Mr MacKinnon revealed Gaelic was being taught for the first time at the local school in Antigosh County after a visit last year from a group of Gaelic-speaking parents from the Highlands who have direct experience of Gaelic-medium education.

JOHN ROSS

Scotland’s main Gaelic festival "bores the pants off everyone" and should be scrapped, according to a councillor in the Highlands.

Ken MacLeod, an Inverness-based solicitor, wants the Royal National Mod abolished and replaced by an international Celtic festival based in the city.

The Mod was first held in 1892 and is now regarded as the second-biggest festival in Scotland, behind Edinburgh, attracting entrants from around the world. Since 1912, there has been a royal connection with the Mod, whose parent body, An Comunn Gàidhealach (the Highland Association), has the Queen as its patron.

But MacLeod said it was outdated and its format did little for the survival of the Gaelic language.

He said as the Year of Highland Culture 2007 was drew to a close, Highland Council should look forward and what it could do to encourage the survival of the Gaelic language and culture.

He said: "We should look at setting up an international Celtic festival, which would unite people from Wales, Ireland, Cornwall, the Isle of Man and Brittany."

"I don't mean something like the National Mod, where 30 or 40 people sing the same song and bore the pants off everyone. The real Mod happens in the evenings when the competitions are over. We need something that celebrates the language of the Highlands and Islands and we should have a go at setting up an autumn international Celtic festival."

Mr MacLeod added: "This would be a festival for Gaeldom and the language of the Gaels. That includes all the Celtic languages: Welsh, what is left of the language of the Isle of Man, Cornish, Irish Gaelic and Breton. That would give us a truly international festival of music, song and dance. It could follow on from the Edinburgh Festival. I'm sorry about the Mod, but it has remained in the same format since the 1890s and I'm afraid it's outlived its usefulness."

The idea of killing off the Mod was challenged by Murdo Morrison, the annual event's promotions manager. He said: "I hope Mr. MacLeod is expressing a personal view only. I have been to a number of pan-Celtic festivals in Ireland and there isn't much place given to Gaelic apart from artistes sent there from the Royal National Mod. If there was to be an international Celtic festival in Inverness, I would hope Gaelic would have a major part in it."

He said he was surprised to hear Mr. MacLeod's comments at the time the council had started consultation on its Gaelic plan.

"The Gaelic plan highlights the importance of the Mod to the language," he said, adding that the format of the Mod was under constant review.

ANNUAL GATHERING OF GAELIC COMMUNITY

AM MÒD Nàiseanta Rìoghail (the Royal National Mod) is seen as a yearly showcase of Gaelic music and culture. Last year's event was held in Dunoon, where 2,000 competitors took part in more than 200 competitions. This year's Mod was held in Lochaber in October.

The competition-based festival was first held in Oban in 1892 and attracts visitors and competitors from throughout the UK, Ireland, Australia, Canada and the United States.

It is said to generate millions of pounds to the host town and is credited with helping to keep the Gaelic community together while the number of people speaking the language has fallen.

MURRAY MACLEOD

Six public organizations in Scotland will be required to produce formal Gaelic policies within the next few months as part of an initiative to assist the language’s development, it was revealed at the Royal National Mod in Dunoon yesterday.

Bord na Gaidhlig, the national Gaelic development agency, has been instructed to identify which of the country’s 140 public agencies should be the first to develop a formal plan.

The Scottish Executive, the Scottish Parliament, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Highland Council, Argyll and Bute Council and the Western Isles Council will now have to detail how they will give a higher profile to the language in the day-to-day working of their organizations.

Once they are formulated, the attention will then move in the following year to a new group of 12 agencies, which include Scottish Arts Council, Caledonian MacBrayne and Scottish Natural Heritage. Further groups will then be identified.

The formal notification comes under the terms of the Gaelic Language Act 2005, which came into force in February this year. It also requires the Board to produce an over-arching national development.

Bord na Gaidhlig chief executive Allan Campbell said: "This is not about imposing Gaelic on organizations or people, it is about facilitation not coercion. It’s simply about creating opportunities for Gaelic speakers and those interested in Gaelic to use the language is as many situations as possible."

"Bord na Gaidhlig also recognizes that there are significant tourism and other business benefits to using Gaelic in signage and through other mediums. All of these six public bodies have already put much time, resources and energy into using the language throughout their organizations and we now expect to work with them to build on that previous activity and set further examples of good practice for other organizations."

Meanwhile, a major event to commemorate the life and work of Gaeldom's greatest bard, Sorley MacLean, will be held next year as part of the Highland Year of Culture 2007 celebrations.

The project will be driven forward by the National Centre of Excellence in Traditional Music in Plockton, the sixth-year high school where Mr. MacLean was once a rector and which is now providing some of Scotland's most talented young musicians with a specialist education in traditional music.

Details of the scheme were unveiled at the Royal National Mod in Dunoon. It will bring together some of the top names in Gaelic music to create new compositions for some of the bard's most influential pieces.

In addition, award-winning Gaelic poet Myles Campbell will team up with James Ross, one of the country's top young pianists, to create new poems and music to compliment the contribution of the musicians who will attempt to set the bard's words to music. They include Donald Shaw from Capercaillie and the renowned Skye musician Blair Douglas.

The entire project was conceived by the Sorley MacLean Trust after funding from a range of public agencies, including the Scottish Arts Council and the Gaelic Arts Agency.

Kenneth Thomson, one of the foremost Gaelic conductors and a former Gold Medal winner at the Mod, has been handed responsibility for coordinating the entire project.