Clan Scott Association of Australasia

The newly launched website for Clan Scott Association of Australasia brings us information on the organization that represents Clan Scott in both Australia and New Zealand. Scottish immigration in general to both Australia and New Zealand and more specifically immigration by Scotts, has been significant to the development of both countries. Great to see the new website and learn about their recent activities.

Clan Scott Association of Australasia

Homecoming Scotland 2014

The word is out - Homecoming Scotland 2009 was a spectacular success and now it's time to begin planning a similar set of events in 2014. The Government of Scotland announced recently that 2014 has been designated as the 2nd Homecoming Scotland year-long event to involve the broad Scottish Diaspora in events taking place in the homeland.

Homecoming 2014 will take place in the year that Scotland hosts the Commonwealth Games and the Ryder Cup and marks the 700th anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn.

More information is available at from the Scottish Government.

Clan Scott was a participant in Homecoming Scotland 2009.

Turner work donated to Walter Scott’s Abbotsford home

As published by BBC News

Two works by JMW Turner, painted during a visit to Sir Walter Scott's home in the Scottish Borders, are being donated to the property.

The postcard-sized watercolours, which feature Abbotsford and Newark Tower in Yarrow, were painted when the artist visited Scott at Abbotsford in 1831.

They were used to illustrate The Poetical Works of Scott in 1833.

A series of additional drawings by Turner are also thought to be beneath the mounts.

The paintings are being donated to The Abbotsford Trust and are due to go on display at the property in 2013.

They are being handed over by current owner Phoebe Barrow, who inherited them from her grandfather John Edward Allen.

The deal, made possible thanks to the Art Fund, is part of plans for a £13m redevelopment of Abbotsford, which will include the construction of a new visitor centre and the refurbishment of the house itself.

Lord Sanderson, chairman of the trust said: "We are obviously delighted that two such significant works have been donated to the trust and are extremely grateful to the Barrow family for this magnificent gift.

"The paintings have close links with Scott and the home that he loved so much, and also illustrate the links between two of the most important cultural figures in our history."

Stephen Deuchar, director of the Art Fund added: "These atmospheric watercolours capture the beauty of Abbotsford and echo the mystery and romance of Sit Walter Scott's writing.

"We're delighted to have helped facilitate Mrs Barrow's generous gift, which allows future generations to admire these precious works and appreciate their significance to this historic house."

Research Your Nova Scotia Family Tree

The Research Your Nova Scotia Family Tree site has an innovative approach to showing geographically the concentrations for surnames within the province (in orange) - with an overlay of the local historical organizations/museums (in blue) which helps researchers in locating resources that could be of assistance to the search.

The example shown is for the Scott family name.


Check it out at: Research Your Nova Scotia Family Tree

Frederick Scott is remembered

Friend, councillor and family man: Frederick Scott is remembered

As published by the Hants Journal on April 29th, 2010

Christy Marsters

“He was able to lace on skates well into his 80’s whenever ice formed on the lake at the family farm, as a younger man; he played hockey with the St. Croix Aces and the Hants County Farmers in The Windsor District League. An avid reader, he had great interest in political history and public affairs.” -- It was one segment of his obituary; yet, it seemed to well describe the ambitions of a long-time locally elected official.

Frederick Scott, a West Hants Municipal Councillor of 15 years and a founding member of the NDP, passed away on April 17; at the age of 98. On April 24, a memorial service was held in his honour at the St. Croix United Church.

Deputy Warden Gary Cochrane says Scott was a councillor before his time, yet he still knew him in later years through church and as an active member in the community.

“[Scott and his wife Leola] were really community orientated,” Cochrane said. “They’d both dedicated their whole lives to community ... and whenever you saw one you saw the other.”

“What I admire most about Scott was that he was a hard worker but he never liked to take the credit for it ... he just helped whenever he was called on,” Cochrane said. “I’m quite sure the community at large is going to miss him.”

“He worked off the land ... Fred was a good old-fashioned farmer,” Cochrane added. “I think his openness and being there; whenever he was needed to assist, was what this community really appreciated about him.”

In 1934, Scott began operating Elm Farm after attending the Nova Scotia Agricultural College in Truro.

Warden Richard Dauphinee said Scott offered extra parking at his field in St. Croix (in 1998) when the Canadian Senior Men’s Fastpitch Championships took place.

He just agreed to let everyone park there for free and it’s because he has always been such a community minded person, Dauphinee said. “He’ll always be missed.”

I think his openness and being there, whenever he was needed to assist, was what this community really appreciated about him." - Gary Cochrane

Fredrick’s Nephew Ian Scott said his uncle was a good neighbour; yet, he was not one to brag. “[He] knew it wasn’t special honours or personal gain that mattered most but the simple sense of accomplishment that came from putting ideas into action.”

He was a great source of encouragement for young people too, Ian said. “He wouldn’t skimp on praise when it came to teaching children. Even in his 90’s he would cheer in great pleasure to see simple things -- like a well split piece of wood go flying or a well swung axe make good kindling.”

In politics, Fredrick was deeply committed to his cause, Ian said. “Seeing the NDP gain support of Nova Scotians in 2009 was something he never thought he would live to see.”

Family roots nurtured his focus to make things better for others, through his political actions, Ian said. “As a municipal elected official ... and, as a member of the CCF who ran provincially.”

“I especially liked going to the barn at milking time with Fred,” Ian said. “It was a time we were alone to chat while we worked.

“I recall once, as a student, when Ecology was becoming a public issue and I thought I knew everything; we were talking about various cycles: nitrogen cycles; water cycles and energy cycles,” Ian added. “What profound discussion we had that day I don’t recall, yet, as we looked at the lively brook full with the promise of spring – his answer is one I will never forget.”

That is how life works – it all keeps going around and around,” Scott told his nephew.

Frederick Charles Gillmore Scott (1911-2010)

Fred Scott at age 98 was the last remaining member of his generation of Scotts - the 4th generation of a Scottish family from Forfar to live in Nova Scotia. Currently the family includes individuals who comprise the 5th to 10th generation across North America. As the last surviving member of a prior generation Fred Scott was an important link to the early years of settlement of the family in Nova Scotia, and is much missed by his family.

Frederick Charles Gillmore Scott

Passed away in: Ste. Croix, Nova Scotia, Canada
Passed away on: 17/04/2010

The memorial for Frederick Charles Gillmore Scott of Ste. Croix, Hants Co., Nova Scotia, as published by the Hants Journal on April 29th, 2010 is now available through the In Memoriam website.

Scott, Frederick Charles Gillmore - 98 of Ste. Croix, passed away on April 17, 2010. He served as an elected member of Hants Municipal Council for 15 years and ran provincially for the CCF. Committed to the principles of democratic socialism, he was a dedicated volunteer within the co-op and credit union movement and a founding member of the NDP. Ordained an elder in the United Church of Canada 72 years ago, he was an active member until his death.

After attending Nova Scotia Agricultural College in Truro he returned to Ste. Croix in 1934 to become the 4th generation to operate Elm Farm. A successful dairy farmer, in retirement he maintained his woodlot, a commercial rhubarb patch, and a beef herd for many years. He was an active gardener until his death.

Fred loved to walk, and for many people in Hants Co. he was known as 'the man who walks along the side of the road with a dog.'

He was able to lace on skates well into his 80's whenever ice formed on the lake at the family farm; as a younger man he played hockey with the Ste. Croix Aces and the Hants County Farmers in the Windsor District League. An avid reader he had a great interest in political history and public affairs. He enjoyed for many years singing bass with the Newport Men’s Choir.

Cherished by every member of his family, he is survived by sons Albert and John; grandson Robie; nieces and nephew Ruth Scott, Lillian Salmon (Winston), Ian Scott (Daphne); grand-nieces and nephews Tim Baxter; Denise, Susan and Karen Salmon; Rob, Andrew and Suzanne Scott. He was predeceased by his wife Leola Dexter Scott and son David; and his brother John (Jack) and sister-in-law Jean Scott.

Fred’s wish was to help advance medical education and scientific research and to that purpose he made provisions that his body would be donated to the medical school at Dalhousie University. His remains will be interred at a later date. His memorial service was held at Ste. Croix United Church on Saturday April 24, at 2 pm with reception that followed in the church hall.

Fred was a man who showed his appreciation and great affection for all those around him; he was highly regarded by those he met and when in hospitals had great regard for all staff, which was quickly reciprocated. Within the family circle he was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle and great uncle to his nephews and nieces.

Dedicated to the pastoral charge, he had special affection for the Ste. Croix church which was build on Scott land which his grandparents donated to the congregation. Fred and his father served as elders for over one century. Raised in the tradition of the Social Gospel where actions speak louder than words, he came by his concern for others, and the need to improve society, honestly; his namesake ancestor, Rev. George Gillmore of Ardoise was a pioneer Presbyterian minister in the district and his brother Rev. Jack Scott, served as a minister in Hants County as well as in four other provinces.

Fred was the son of Lillian Harvey and John Albert Scott; his father’s words written as a birthday greeting in 1929 still resound today.

“May your course through life be full of joy to yourself and others and when your own star shall set at life's close, may it set as the Morning Star that goeth not down behind the darkened West but melts away into the brightness of Heaven.
Lovingly,
Dad”

Sir Walter Scott's stolen Waterloo souvenir returned

The quaich was one of several items stolen from Abbotsford House in the 1990s. Picture by Paul Dodds

A stolen souvenir from the Battle of Waterloo has been returned to the Borders home of Sir Walter Scott.

The silver bowl, known as a quaich, was taken from Abbotsford House near Melrose in 1994.

However, it was spotted late last year in a French antiques market by silver expert Wynyard Wilkinson who identified it and arranged for its return.

The Waterloo Tree Quaich, one of many historic relics collected by Scott, will go on public display this weekend.

The piece is made from silver gilt and elm wood that was cut from a tree at the Waterloo battlefield.

Scott collected a fascinating array of objects during his lifetime Jacquie Wright Abbotsford Trust

The Duke of Wellington directed his troops from a position under the tree in 1815 and it subsequently became a target for souvenir hunters.

The timbers were used to make a number of prestigious pieces including Chippendale chairs for the Prince Regent in 1821, and a chair for the Duke of Wellington, which was presented to him in 1837.

The quaich dates from 1824 and was made by Joseph Angell of London.

It is engraved with Scott's motto, "Watch Well".

'Hugely grateful'

The quaich was one of a number of items stolen from Abbotsford when it was owned by his descendants, Dame Jean and Mrs Patricia Maxwell Scott.

Jacquie Wright, executive manager of the Abbotsford Trust, said it was "hugely grateful" to Mr Winyard for spotting and returning it.

"Scott collected a fascinating array of objects during his lifetime and we're delighted that the Waterloo Tree Quaich is back in the collection and can be seen and enjoyed by our visitors," she said.

The trust is currently trying to raise about £10m to secure the future of Scott's Borders home.

It is awaiting a decision from the Heritage Lottery Fund about a grant application for more than £4m and is also consulting with the public about its proposed plans for the attraction.