Clan Scott - An Informal Blog

Clan Scott Association of Australasia

2011-10-19T16:12:00.004-03:00

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

2011-03-05T13:37:00.004-04:00

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

2011-03-05T09:59:00.002-04:00

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

2011-02-08T09:22:00.002-04:00

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

2010-05-15T23:00:00.005-03:00

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)

2010-04-19T15:46:00.016-03:00

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

2010-03-18T11:51:00.006-03:00

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.

'This is probably the single most important planning application in the history of Galashiels

2010-02-21T23:09:00.002-04:00

As published by Border Telegraph Thursday, 18th February, 2010
by Ally McGilvray

FEARS have been voiced that a supermarket could be built next to the historic home of Sir Walter Scott - if plans for a new visitor centre on a neighbouring site are approved.

Drew Tulley, former leader of Scottish Borders Council, spoke out at a meeting of Galashiels and Langlee Community Council after members were shown plans to develop Abbotsford House, near Galashiels, into a world-class tourist attraction.

He pointed out a number of planning applications for the site earmarked for the visitor centre car park had been rejected to protect the area from overdevelopment.

The former planning convener revealed that before the first house was built in Tweedbank it was agreed there would be no building in the field between the village and the A-listing building.

Speaking from the public gallery, MrTulley said: "I am a great supporter of Abbotsford but my fear is if these plans are approved it could open the way for commercial development in that field.

"We could of had a supermarket or non-food outlet there already had we not turned them down because there has been a lot of interest shown in that field in the past, and any development would weaken the case for future planning applications on what has been green belt land up until now."

The Abbotsford Trust argued it proposed to build the car park within a line of trees bordering the field and the Border Abbeys Way and revealed Scottish Borders Council and Historic Scotland were supportive of their plans.

Last month, the Border Telegraph revealed it has applied to Scottish Borders Council for planning permission to build a new visitor centre and cafe within the grounds, upgrade the main building and create a new large car park on adjacent farmland.

It also wants to create self-catering visitor accommodation in the Hope Scott Wing to cater for up to 12 people, as well as new interpretation facilties to conserve the collections inside - and a playpark inspired by characters from Sir Walter Scott's books.

The Trust has already secured much of the £10million required to upgrade the 200 baronial mansion with grants from various public bodies.

However, it has warned if it doesn't win enough support for the plans, Abbotsford - which is already losing £100,000 a year - will be forced to close within three years.

Tony Taylor, from The Abbotsford Trust, said: "This is an exceptionally important project which aims to create a legacy for one of the region's most important sons and through this, to help to attract more visitors to the area.

"It's an enterprise in which all Borders residents have a stake so we want to get as much feedback as possible before putting our final plans forward to Scottish Borders Council.

"Abbotsford needs to develop into a financially viable, world-class visitor attraction which is why these plans are so important.

"Visitor requirements are changing and there is immense competition from other regions so we need to create something very special that will make Abbotsford and Sir Walter Scott relevant to today's audiences and encourage as many people as possible to come here.

"In Scott and Abbotsford, we have a globally famous asset here in the Borders and we believe it's time to capitalise on that and establish Abbotsford as a heritage tourism focal point for the region from which we can all benefit."

But he added: "The support of the Borders public is crucial and we look forward to hearing their views."

Pre-planning consultations are underway with Community Councils in Selkirk, Melrose, Tweedbank and Galashiels in advance of an eventual planning submission to Scottish Borders Council. A larger public consultation event is also being planned for the coming weeks.

The consultations will inform those attending about the overall aims of the project and how it has progressed to date and will give them the chance to comment about the outline plans that have been developed for the house, visitor access and parking and a new visitor reception building.

All plans for the development of Abbotsford will depend on the Trust raising the necessary funds to take them forward. Fundraising efforts are currently underway and a final application for grant of over £4m from the Heritage Lottery Fund will be submitted later this month with a decision expected in May.

However, if the plans are approved and all funds raised, work could start on building the new visitor centre in September 2010 and be open in June 2011 and the project be completed by 2013.

Following a presentation on the plans at Galashiels and Langlee Community Council last week, community councillor Peter Roden said: "This is probably the single most important planning application in the history of Galashiels."

And community councillor Murray Dickson, President of the Old Gala Club, added: "From the historical society's point of view we fully support any development that attracts more visitors to Abbotsford and keeps the memory of Sir Walter Scott alive."

Rob Roy and Ivanhoe to get a modern £10m home in the Borders

2010-02-11T23:15:00.002-04:00

As published by The Scotsman
10 February 2010

By BRIAN FERGUSON

TRUSTEES spearheading a £10 million campaign to transform the Borders home of one of Scotland's most celebrated writers have unveiled the first images of a new visitor centre to be built beside it.

The planned visitor centre at Abbotsford House, complete with café and shop, has been designed to fit in with the landscape, trustees say

They have also revealed that work is due to begin this year on a long-awaited restoration of Abbotsford, built by Sir Walter Scott near Melrose in the early 19th century.

The enduring legacy of the creator of the Waverley novels, Rob Roy and Ivanhoe will be explored in the striking new complex, to be built in a woodland area about 500 metres away from the existing baronial mansion.

The new building – which will also house a shop, café and reception area – will chart the changing face of Abbotsford estate, which had only a cottage and a farm steading when Scott arrived there in 1812.

The house was opened to the public in 1833, just five months after the writer's death, and was cared for by his direct descendants until the death of his great-great-great granddaughter in 2004.

However, it had been allowed to fall into decline and the number of visitors had slipped away due to its run-down state.

A group of trustees, headed by the Duke of Buccleuch, launched a campaign to save Abbotsford for the nation four years ago and won a pledge of £4.5m from the Heritage Lottery Fund last year.

With Scottish Borders Council committing a £1.5m grant just before Christmas, the trustees announced yesterday that they were in a position to press ahead with the project later this year, subject to planning approval.

Historic Scotland has also been asked to support the project.

Community groups in the area are being given the chance to comment on the new building and the full-scale restoration and repair programme for the house over the next few weeks.

The entire project is expected to take about three years.

It will include the creation of six rooms of self-catering accommodation in the mansion, as well as new conservation and interpretation facilities and an education suite for school groups.

The visitor centre was designed by the same architects behind the restoration of Edinburgh's Festival Theatre and Usher Hall.

Trustee Tony Taylor said: "The site of the new building is a fair bit away from the house, in an area of woodland in the estate, and it has been very carefully designed to fit in with the landscape.

"It should make a huge difference to our understanding of Scott and his work.

"We don't yet know whether work will start first on the new building or the restoration but we're hoping to plan the work to ensure that Abbotsford remains open as normal every year from March to October."

David Parker, leader of Scottish Borders Council, said: "Our vision is for Abbotsford to be a world-class heritage centre and tourism attraction for the Borders.

"Abbotsford has been an underused asset for the area for a long time now, and this project should make a huge difference to our understanding of the life and work of Sir Walter Scott."

Historic Clan Scott Sites - Aikwood Tower - Scotts of Harden

2009-10-07T21:06:00.006-03:00

The lands of Aikwood were granted, in 1517, on behalf of the infant King James V, to Maister Michael Scott, namesake of the thirteenth century scholar on whom the legends of wizardry are founded. Previously, Aikwood had been one of the forest steadings in the Royal Forest of Ettrick: the outright grant may indicate that Michael Scott had performed some special service.

The tower and farm - the last of the Harden properties in Ettrick - were sold to the Duke of Buccleuch during the post-WW II period. In 1989, Sir David Steel (now Lord Steel of Aikwood) along with Lady Steel bought the tower, and adjacent garden ground and restored it as their home. It had been 200 years since the tower had been lived in.

Articles on this transformation include pictures of the house.
Article 1
Article 2

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Historic Clan Scott Sites - Newark Castle, Scotts of Buccleuch

2009-10-07T20:12:00.007-03:00

Situated on the grounds of Bowhill, home of the Chief of Clan Scott, Newark Castle has one of the longest histories of all the Scott peel towers that dot the Borders region between Scotland and England.

In 1473 Newark was given to Margaret of Denmark, wife of James III of Scotland. The royal arms are visible on the west gable. Newark was unsuccessfully besieged by an English army in 1547, but was burnt the following year. In 1645, during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms, 100 royalist followers of the Marquis of Montrose were shot in the barmkin of Newark after the Battle of Philiphaugh.

The castle was altered for Anna Scott, Duchess of Monmouth and Buccleuch at the end of the 17th century. Today it is a standing ruin and recognized as a Category A listed building.

Wikipedia provides a fuller background on Newark Castle.

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Historic Clan Scott Sites - Dryhope Tower - Scotts of Dryhope

2009-10-07T19:57:00.005-03:00

One of the Clan Scott historic sites near Selkirk, Scotland is Dryhope Tower.

Mary Scott a member of the Scotts of Dryhope, was known as the "Flower of Yarrow" and was given in marriage to Wat Scott of Kirkhope, a notorious Border Reiver. The property passed to Wat Scott's family, the Scotts of Harden, and Scott took possession of Dryhope following his marriage. However, in 1592, Wat Scott fell out of favour with King James VI due to his association with Francis Stewart, 1st Earl of Bothwell. King James levied an army and proceeded through the forest and slighted many houses of his opponents. Wat Scott did not get off lightly and Dryhope was amongst Scott of Harden's fortalices that were slighted. The tower seems to have been rebuilt by 1613. The castle fell into terminal decay in the latter part of the 17th century and was acquired by the senior branch of the Scotts, the Dukes of Buccleuch.

Dryhope Tower today belongs to the Philiphaugh Estate, and has recently been undergoing stabilisation work.

The history of Dryhome Tower is well covered in Wikipedia.

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Historic Clan Scott Sites - Kirkhope Tower

2009-10-07T14:18:00.006-03:00

Kirkhope Tower is west of the village of Ettrickbridge (near the town of Selkirk, Scotland). It was used as a residence of the eldest sons of the Scotts of Harden and Young Wat Scott brought his bride and cousin Mary Scott of Dryhope, known as the "Flower of Yarrow" back to Kirkhope prior to the death of his father William.

Wat Scott was later to be a supporter of Francis Stewart, 1st Earl of Bothwell, an unsuccessful warrant for his arrest was made in 1592 by James VI. Wat Scott, although the subject of many Border ballads is perhaps best remembered by his wife's reaction to empty stores, presenting him with his spurs on a platter for dinner; a signal to ready his men for a raid.

Kirkhope came into the possession of Anne Scott, 1st Duchess of Buccleuch, widow of the Duke of Monmouth in the early eighteenth century and from mid-nineteenth century it fell into a state of decay.

Background on the site at Wikipedia gives a good history of this important Clan Scott site.

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Historic Clan Scott Sites - Smailholm Tower

2009-10-07T13:49:00.005-03:00

Smailholm Tower is a well preserved peel tower near Kelso, Scotland. Peel towers are small fortified keeps or tower houses, built along the English and Scottish Borders in the Scottish Marches and North of England. Located at Sandyknowe Farm, where Sir Walter Scott spent formative years as a young boy visiting his grandfather and grandmother this tower is credited with triggering Sir Walter's interest in history and the development of his imagination as a writer.

The Wikipdia entry on Smailholm Tower provides a good background as does the entry by Historic Scotland who operate the site, which is open to the public.

Clan Scott Gathering - Program of Events

2009-09-08T21:00:00.003-03:00

The schedule has been updated -- Check it out

Clan Scott Reunion - SOON

2009-09-08T20:23:00.003-03:00

September is here and the Clan Scott Gathering is set to start on the 26th. Hosted at Bowhill the family seat of the Chief of Clan Scott - Richard, the 10th Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry, KBE, the event will be the first international gathering of Clan Scott held in the traditional home region of the clan.

We are headed there soon as part of a family group of 5 meeting up at the site and are very much looking forward to this exciting event.

Check out the Bowhill site for details.

Sir Walter Scott -- Clan Scott Celebrates His Birthday

2009-08-15T11:30:00.002-03:00

Every August 15, Clan Scott celebrates the birthday of one of the more illustrious members, Sir Walter Scott (1771-1832). Widely recognized today at having created the historical novel as a literary genre - in his own day he was widely regarded for all forms of literature that he created: poetry, biography, criticism, and history.

An active lawyer who held important judicial positions in Scottish society it appears that there was a concern that his day job should not be overshadowed by his growing fame as a novelist and thus he wrote with a pen name as "the author of Waverley" despite wide public knowledge of the true identity of the author.

He achieved a worldwide readership at a time that this was rare, and was knighted as a baronet in 1819.

Our doors are open to to all Scotts, says Duke of Buccleuch | STV Video

2009-07-28T22:41:00.001-03:00

A video including the Chief of Clan Scott, the Duke of Buccleuch along with a clansman from another era - "Sir Walter Scott" - send a grand greeting to all Scotts worldwide.

Check it out
http://video.stv.tv/bc/scotland-gathering-20090725-clan-scott/

Clan Scott Society Gathering 2009

2009-03-08T21:06:00.001-03:00

Check out the new site at Homecoming Scotland 2009 specifically for
Clan Scott Society Gathering 2009

Jock of Hazeldean by Sir Walter Scott

2009-02-18T21:36:00.003-04:00

Check out this latest Wordle of the poem by Sir Walter Scott, Jock of Hazeldean

Marmion (a portion) by Sir Walter Scott as a word cloud

2009-02-17T20:57:00.003-04:00

Heap on more wood! the wind is chill;
But let it whistle as it will,
We'll keep our Christmas merry still.
Each age has deem'd the new-born year
The fittest time for festal cheer:
Even, heathen yet, the savage Dane
At Iol more deep the mead did drain;
High on the beach his galleys drew,
And feasted all his pirate crew;
Then in his low and pine-built hall
Where shields and axes deck'd the wall
They gorged upon the half-dress'd steer;
Caroused in seas of sable beer;
While round, in brutal jest, were thrown
The half-gnaw'd rib, and marrow-bone:
Or listen?d all, in grim delight,
While Scalds yell'd out the joys of fight.
Then forth, in frenzy, would they hie,
While wildly loose their red locks fly,
And dancing round the blazing pile,
They make such barbarous mirth the while,
As best might to the mind recall
The boisterous joys of Odin's hall.

And well our Christian sires of old
Loved when the year its course had roll'd,
And brought blithe Christmas back again,
With all his hospitable train.
Domestic and religious rite
Gave honour to the holy night;
On Christmas Eve the bells were rung;
On Christmas Eve the mass was sung:
That only night in all the year,
Saw the stoled priest the chalice rear.
The damsel donn'd her kirtle sheen;
The hall was dress'd with holly green;
Forth to the wood did merry-men go,
To gather in the mistletoe.
Then open'd wide the Baron's hall
To vassal, tenant, serf and all;
Power laid his rod of rule aside
And Ceremony doff'd his pride.
The heir, with roses in his shoes,
That night might village partner choose;
The Lord, underogating, share
The vulgar game of "post and pair".
All hail'd, with uncontroll'd delight,
And general voice, the happy night,
That to the cottage, as the crown,
Brought tidings of salvation down.

The fire, with well-dried logs supplied,
Went roaring up the chimney wide;
The huge hall-table's oaken face,
Scrubb'd till it shone, the day to grace,
Bore then upon its massive board
No mark to part the squire and lord.
Then was brought in the lusty brawn,
By old blue-coated serving-man;
Then the grim boar's head frown'd on high,
Crested with bays and rosemary.
Well can the green-garb'd ranger tell,
How, when, and where, the monster fell;
What dogs before his death to tore,
And all the baiting of the boar.
The wassel round, in good brown bowls,
Garnish'd with ribbons, blithely trowls.
There the huge sirloin reek'd; hard by
Plum-porridge stood, and Christmas pie;
Nor fail'd old Scotland to produce,
At such high tide, her savoury goose.
Then came the merry makers in,
And carols roar'd with blithesome din;
If unmelodious was the song,
It was a hearty note, and strong.
Who lists may in their mumming see
Traces of ancient mystery;
White shirts supplied the masquerade,
And smutted cheeks the visors made;
But, O! what maskers, richly dight,
Can boast of bosoms half so light!
England was merry England, when
Old Christmas brought his sports again.
'Twas Christmas broach'd the mightiest ale;
'Twas Christmas told the merriest tale;
A Christmas gambol oft could cheer
The poor man's heart through half the year.

Sir Walter Scott -- Border Ballad as Word Clouds

2009-02-17T20:53:00.004-04:00

March, march, Ettrick and Teviotdale,
Why the deil dinna ye march forward in order!
March, march, Eskdale and Liddesdale,
All the Blue Bonnets are bound for the Border.
Many a banner spread,
Flutters above your head,
Many a crest that is famous in story.
Mount and make ready then,
Sons of the mountain glen,
Fight for the Queen and our old Scottish glory.

Come from the hills where your hirsels are grazing,
Come from the glen of the buck and the roe;
Come to the crag where the beacon is blazing,
Come with the buckler, the lance, and the bow.
Trumpets are sounding,
War-steeds are bounding,
Stand to your arms, then, and march in good order;
England shall many a day
Tell of the bloody fray,
When the Blue Bonnets came over the Border.

Clan Scott Society Gathering - 2009 - Bowhill - Scotland

2009-01-14T14:02:00.003-04:00

New items were recently added to the schedule of events.

The following item is now showing in the calendar of events:

Sunday 27 Sept 2009 11.30
Open Air Ecumenical Service - admission free (collection)
Above St Marys Loch

as well details regarding an event the same afternoon is now more complete

Sun 27 Sept 2009 1pm Walks round Estate,
display of Buccleuch Fox Hounds, Ox roast BBQ to bid farewell to the Scotts.
- £10 location - Bowhill Courtyard

Booking for this event can be made through the booking site
http://www.thebooth.co.uk/

Ticket Booking Update

2009-01-14T13:19:00.004-04:00

The ticket booking system for Clan Scott Gathering being held at Bowhill House and Country Estate in September 2009 is now working well. Instructions on the Bowhill site provide directions to type in the term Clan Scott in the search box at the top of the page above the map of Scotland at the ticket site.
http://www.thebooth.co.uk/

This will produce the full list of events. This method is much easier to access than the method I had listed (below) last evening. Some of these events are free to overseas members of Clan Scott Society and they are listed among the ticketed items so be sure to check out the way to register for the free events, by email if you qualify. The events and email address is listed in the blog entry below.

Booking of Clan Scott Events Has Begun

2009-01-13T22:57:00.010-04:00

The registration for the various limited enrollment events at the Clan Scott Gathering in Scotland this Sept has begun. For more information get the full list of events at the Bowhill site
http://www.bowhill.org/public/news/homecoming20091

Actual booking of the events is through a private ticket selling site that has other Scottish events listed. Using Clan Scott in the search box at the top above the map of Scotland will sort the events involved. If you don't sort them you need to know the name of the venue for each event to find each of the Clan Scott events. Each venue is listed in the drop down menu. Most of the events are listed under Bowhill House - Bowhill Estate or Bowhill Theatre, but other events are listed under three other venues called

Marketplace, Selkirk Events;
Victoria Hall, Selkirk Events and
Abbotsford House, Melrose, Borders

Just do the search for Clan Scott on the registration site and everything will nicely sort as a list of events.

One item requires no registration. A free will offering will be received at the service.

Sun Sept 27, 2009 11.30 am Open Air Ecumenical Service - Above St Marys Loch

As well some events are free to overseas Clan Scott members but are listed with a price on the ticket site. Rather than buying a ticket for those events you should request a free ticket if you are an overseas member of the Clan Scott Society. For these free events you can contact the organizers with your Clan Scott Society membership number at the email address below.

Wednesday September 23, 2009 7:30 pm
Welcome with traditional music and light supper for overseas guests - location: County Hotel, Selkirk
Free to overseas Clan Scott members on application to bht@buccleuch.com
Tickets limited to 50 people

Saturday September 26, 2009 10 am - 4 pm
Tented Village: local crafts, Genealogy, Clan Parade, Storytelling, Re-enactment of Carterhaugh Ba’ Game and much more
£10 per car, Free for overseas Clan Scott members on application to to bht@buccleuch.com
- location Bowhill Gardens and Estate

Other events that require advance tickets are handled through
https://www.thebooth.co.uk/
They are listed by venue but most will sort in a list type Clan Scott in the search box at the top of page above the map of Scotland. This is an easy route to see all the events Otherwise if can't find an event try looking under each venue. The actual venue title is listed below in red. These include:

Thursday September 24, 2009 10am-5pm
Bus Tour of Scott Country - visits to Abbotsford, Melrose, Aikwood Tower and Dryburg
£10, including light lunch of local produce.
- location: Around the Scottish Borders
Is listed under Marketplace, Selkirk Events

Thursday September 24, 2009 7:30 pm - also on other evenings as well.
Theatre Performance The Ragged Lion presented by Rowan Tree Theatre Company
£10 (numbers limited to 70)
- location: Bowhill Theatre
listed under Bowhill Theatre, Selkirk, Borders
Friday September 25, 2009 2-5 pm

Tours of Bowhill House - Bowhill House and tea with 10th Duke of Buccleuch. 4 tours with tickets limited to 20 per tour.
£15 (80 tickets in total) Timed Tickets
- location: Bowhill House
listed under Bowhill House, Selkirk Events
called Bowhill House Tour

Friday September 25 1:30-4:30
Ranger led tours of Bowhill Woodlands. 3 tours with tickets limited to 40 per tour
£5 (120 tickets in total) Timed Tickets
- location: Bowhill Country Estate
listed under Bowhill House, Selkirk, Borders
event is called Ranger led tours of Bowhill Grounds & Gardens

Friday September 25 7 pm
Reception Dinner at Abbotsford for overseas guests
£50 Limited to 40
Abbotsford House, Melrose. Transport provided to and from Selkirk
listed under Abbotsford House, Melrose, Borders

Friday September 25 7:30 pm
Concert and Ceilidh Dancing, singing, entertainment.
£25
- location: Victoria Hall, Selkirk
listed under Victoria Hall, Selkirk Events
event is called Scottish Concert and Ceilidh

Saturday September 26, 2009 10 am - 4 pm
Tented Village: local crafts, Genealogy, Clan Parade, Storytelling, Re-enactment of Carterhaugh Ba’ Game and much more
£10 per car, Free for overseas Clan Scott members on application to to bht@buccleuch.com
- location Bowhill Gardens and Estate
listed under Bowhill Estate, Selkirk Events
called Tented Village
Note- as mentioned above, this is listed as a ticketed event on the ticket agency site but is free for overseas members of Clan Scott Society so request tickets directly by email, if this applies to you.

Saturday September 26, 2009 7:30 pm
Evening Concert with SCOCHA – traditional Scottish folk rock band
£10
- location Bowhill Gardens
listed under Bowhill Estate, Selkirk, Borders

Sunday September 27, 2009 1 pm
Walks round Estate, display of Buccleuch Fox Hounds, Ox roast BBQ to bid farewell to the Scotts. For Scott Clan members.
£10
- location Bowhill Courtyard
listed under - Bowhill House, Selkirk Events
called Barbeque to say farewell to the Scotts

Provisional Programme for Clan Scott Gathering—Wed 23rd—Sun 27th September

2008-12-26T14:53:00.004-04:00

NOTE :
On-line booking of tickets will be available from 9th January, 2009 through the Bowhill website.

There has been an addition to the Bowhill House and Country Estate site. Including a Provisional Programme that may be of interest to those planning a trip to the Clan Scott Gathering in Scotland between the 24th and 27th September 2009.

The Bowhill House & Country Estate site now has the details in pdf format through the following link.
The details have been copied (without the original formatting) below

Bowhill House and Country Estate
www.bowhill.org

Provisional Programme for Scott Clan Gathering at Bowhill

24 – 27 September 2009

Wednesday September 23, 2009
Evening Welcome with traditional music and light supper for overseas guests - location: County Hotel, Selkirk
Free to overseas Clan Scott members on application to bht@buccleuch.com
Tickets limited to 50 people

Thursday September 24, 2009 10am-5pm
Bus Tour of Scott Country - visits to Abbotsford, Melrose, Aikwood Tower and Dryburg
£10, including light lunch of local produce.
- location: Around the Scottish Borders

Thursday September 24, 2009 7:30 pm
Theatre Performance The Ragged Lion presented by Rowan Tree Theatre Company
£10 (numbers limited to 70)
- location: Bowhill Theatre

Friday September 25, 2009 2-5 pm
Tours of Bowhill House - Bowhill House and tea with 10th Duke of Buccleuch. 4 tours with tickets limited to 20 per tour.
£15 80 tickets in total Timed Tickets
- location: Bowhill House

Friday September 25 1:30-4:30
Ranger led tours of Bowhill Woodlands. 3 tours with tickets limited to 40 per tour
£5 120 tickets in total Timed Tickets
- location: Bowhill Country Estate

Friday September 25 7 pm
Reception Dinner at Abbotsford for overseas guests
£40 Limited to 40
Abbotsford House, Melrose. Transport provided to and from Selkirk

Friday September 25 7:30 pm
Theatre Performance The Ragged Lion presented by Rowan Tree Theatre Company
£10 (numbers limited to 70)
- location: Bowhill Theatre

Friday September 25 7:30 pm
Concert and Ceilidh Dancing, singing, entertainment.
£10
- location: Victoria Hall, Selkirk

Saturday September 26, 2009 10 am - 4 pm
Tented Village: local crafts, Genealogy, Clan Parade, Storytelling, Re-enactment of Carterhaugh Ba’ Game and much more
£10 per car, Free for overseas Clan Scott members on application to to bht@buccleuch.com
- location Bowhill Gardens and Estate

Saturday September 26, 2009 7:30 pm
Evening Concert with SCOCHA – traditional Scottish folk rock band
£10
- location Bowhill Gardens

Saturday September 26, 2009 7:30 pm
Theatre Performance The Ragged Lion presented by Rowan Tree Theatre Company
£10 (numbers limited to 70)
- location: Bowhill Theatre

Sunday September 27, 2009 1 pm
Walks round Estate, display of Buccleuch Fox Hounds, Ox roast BBQ to bid farewell to the Scotts. For Scott Clan members.
Free to overseas Clan Scott members on application to bht@buccleuch.com
- location Bowhill Courtyard

Local Accommodation Providers - near Bowhill Country House & Estate

2008-12-26T14:40:00.005-04:00

There has been an addition to the Bowhill House and Country Estate site. Including a listing of local accommodation providers that may be of interest to those planning a trip to the Clan Scott Gathering in Scotland between the 24th and 27th September 2009.

Selkirk Area (Approx 2.8 miles)

Hotels

The Glen Hotel http://www.glenhotel.co.uk/ Tel. 01750 20259

B&B’s/Guesthouses

Cross Keys Inn http://www.cross-keys-inn.co.uk Tel. 01750 52224
Ivy Bank B&B http://www.ivy-bank-bed-and-breakfast.co.uk/ Tel. 01750 21270

Galashiels Area (Approx 10 miles)

B&B’s/Guesthouses

Craigielea Guest House http://www.craigieleaborders.co.uk Tel. 01896 753838
Sunnybrae B&B http://www.sunnybrae.co.uk/ Tel. 01896 758042

Melrose Area (Approx 10 miles)

Hotels

Burts Hotel http://www.burtshotel.co.uk Tel. 01896 822285
The Townhouse http://www.thetownhousemelrose.co.uk Tel. 01896 822645

B&B’s/Guesthouses

Braidwood B&B http://www.braidwoodmelrose.co.uk/ Tel. 01896 822488
Fiorlin B&B http://www.melroseaccommodation.co.uk
Fauhope House http://www.fauhopehouse.com Tel. 01896 823184

Hawick Area (Approx 14 miles)

B&B’s/Guesthouses

Hizzy’s Guest House http://www.hizzys.co.uk/ Tel. 01450 372101

Additional information on Clan Scott Gathering in Scotland

2008-12-25T22:51:00.005-04:00

There has been an addition to the Bowhill House and Country Estate site. Including a revision to the

As well the date on which registration will begin has been announced, on-line booking of tickets will be available from 9th January 2009

Scott Country - Kelso: The River Tweed and Abbey Ruins

2008-11-02T22:30:00.002-04:00

Watercolour illustrations from The Scott Country completed by Ernest William Haslehust (1866-1949).

Scott Country - Dryburgh Abbey

2008-11-02T22:27:00.003-04:00

Dryburgh Abbey

The abbey is said to have been founded in 1150 by the White Friars. Edward II burned it in 1322, and Robert the Bruce partly restored it. Sir Walter Scott is buried in the south aisle.

Watercolour illustrations from The Scott Country completed by Ernest William Haslehust (1866-1949).

Scott Country - Roxburgh Castle

2008-11-02T22:24:00.004-04:00

Roxburgh Castle
Watercolour illustrations from The Scott Country completed by Ernest William Haslehust (1866-1949).

Scott Country - Bemerside Hill

2008-11-02T22:18:00.004-04:00

Bemerside Hill

“This Bemerside Hill is a ‘Mount of vision’ from which all the chief shrines and high places of the Scott Country can be surveyed, at least with the mind’s eye. Abbortsford itself, if not in actual view, can be mapped into the scene by direction and position Out of sight, directly under the brow of the hill, is the ancient square fortalice, with later buildings attached, and grounds stretching down towards the Tweed, where Haigs have been resident for seven centuries. They were benefactors of Melrose when Alexander III was king, and when Thomas the Rhymer was their neighbour and wellwisher, and uttered the prophecy that has so mightiliy helped its own fulfilment:

“Betyde, betyde, whate’er betyde,
Haig shall be Haig of Bemersyde.”

Sir Walter Scott was a later friend of the family, and was often a guest in the beautiful rose-garden below the mansion. A grateful nation bestowed the house and manor on the late Field-Marshal Earl Haig, who now lies at rest close by Sir Walter at Dryburgh.” The Scott Country (pp. 32, 33)

Watercolour illustrations from The Scott Country completed by Ernest William Haslehust (1866-1949).

The Scott Country -- Branxholm Tower

2008-11-02T22:14:00.003-04:00

Branxholm Tower

“It was from Branxholm, on the Teviot above Hawick, that another Scott of the name – generation after generation were Walters – rode forth to rescue ‘Kinmount Willie’ from prison in Carlisle. The Minstrel’s tale, in the Lay, opens at and returns again to Branxholm Ha’; it was at the Tower Inn, at Hawick, where the Duchess Anne of Buccleuch and Monmouth held her receptions, and that the greatest of all the Sir Walters parted from his guests the Wordsworths.” The Scott Country (p. 21)

Watercolour illustrations from The Scott Country completed by Ernest William Haslehust (1866-1949).

The Scott Country -- images

2008-11-02T22:05:00.005-04:00

Smailholm-Tower

Smailholm is a well preserved and restored border tower house dating from the 15th century. Situated on Sandyknowe Farm, it is visible for miles around. Formerly home to the Pringles of Smailholm and later the Scotts of Harden, it was well known to Sir Walter Scott who came to Sandyknowe regularly to visit his grandfather.

Watercolour illustration from The Scott Country completed by Ernest William Haslehust R.I., R.B.A. (1866-1949)

The Scott Country

2008-11-01T23:22:00.005-03:00

A series of watercolour illustrations for The Scott Country were completed by Ernest William Haslehust R.I., R.B.A. (1866-1949). Born at Walthamstow in Essex, the eldest son of William Henry Haselhust, of Lee, Kent, he studied at the Slade School. Besides his life as an artist he was a keen gardener and nature lover he had a interest in scientific instruments.

His legacy to the illustrators craft remains the hundreds of illustrations completed for the series Beautiful Scotland, Beautiful England and Beautiful Ireland. Bublished by Blackie & Son Ltd. no indication of date or any claim of copyright is made in the documents. Most were published in the 1920's. The images are considered to be stock image royalty-free for non-commercial uses only, and usage credit is requested by the website making these available to the public for download at http://www.fromoldbooks.org/

Newark Tower

Name Profiling - A New Tool in Tracking Scotts

2008-10-24T22:20:00.015-03:00

Name profiling is a form of research that allows one to follow migration patterns - as family names become established in new locations. Both telephone and electoral data are used to determine how prevalent both surnames and given names are in various areas.

Research on the surname Scott has been done by a team of geographers from University College, London, using data from electoral rolls and telephone directories as part of an effort to map the distribution of 10.8 million distinct surnames.

The information, covering a billion people in 26 countries, shows concentrations of individual surnames which is used to help show where different names originated and where families with those surnames are currently living around the world - revealing the ongoing impact of migration.

The online maps, at www.publicprofiler.org/worldnames, lists the top regions and cities for the presence of each last name.

The highest prevalence of Scotts in Scottish districts shows a concentration in the counties north and south of Edinburgh. This includes the current districts of Angus, Perth and Kinross, Midlothian, East Lothian, City of Edinburgh, Dumfries and Galloway, Northumberland, and the Scottish Borders. As well the Orkney Islands are equal in having the highest frequency of the surname in the UK.

Scotland is clearly recognized as the source of the surname, a fact borne out by a continuing presence measured by frequency per million (FPM) of 5492.02. Despite being the source, it is closely followed by both New Zealand at 3031.03 and Australia at 2409.68, which place second and third internationally.

Perhaps it is no surprise given the waves of Scottish immigration to North America that Canada is the fourth highest country for Scotts at 1990.45 and the US is fifth at 1582.32.

With the high frequency of Scotts in New Zealand, one could logically expect that some of the top ten Scott areas in the world might be located there. The top international districts include:

Scotland - 5492.02
Northern UK - 5201.8
Otago Region, NZ - 4727.51
Marlborough Region, NZ - 4345.43
Nelson Region, NZ - 4345.43
Tasman Region, NZ - 4345.43
Gisborne Region, NZ - 3661.09
Northern Ireland, UK - 3608.02
Western Australia, Australia - 3572.36
Canterbury Region, NZ - 3558.98

The research also lists the top five Scott cities worldwide with the majority of those being in Scotland. They include:

Newcastle upon Tyne, England, UK
Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
Glasgow, Scotland, UK
Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
Aberdeen, Scotland, UK

The website provides a unique mapping tool which allows one to type in a surname and then click on the maps to drill down from world maps to a district level.

Clan Scott Society Gathering - 2009 - Bowhill - Scotland

2008-10-23T11:32:00.007-03:00

As part of Homecoming Scotland 2009, Bowhill is hosting a Clan Scott Society Gathering between the 24th and 27th of September 2009. Details are now available on the various events.

The Bowhill House & Country Estate site now has the details in pdf format through the following link.
The details have been copied (without the original formatting) below

Bowhill House and Country Estate
www.bowhill.org

Provisional Programme for Scott Clan Gathering at Bowhill

24 – 27 September 2009

Wednesday September 23, 2009
Evening Welcome with traditional music and supper - location County Hotel, Selkirk

Thursday September 24, 2009
All Day Bus Tour of Scott Country - Around the Scottish Borders (preference given to Scott Clan members)

Thursday September 24, 2009
Evening Theatre Performance Bowhill Theatre (numbers limited to 72)

Friday September 25, 2009
Afternoon Tours of Bowhill House - Bowhill House and tea with 10 Duke of Buccleuch (tickets limited)

Friday September 25
Afternoon Ranger led tours of Bowhill Country Estate - Bowhill Woodlands

Friday September 25
Evening Reception Dinner at Abbotsford (Scott Clan only)

or Traditional Music Supper in Selkirk - location County Hotel, Selkirk

Saturday September 26, 2009
All Day Tented Village: local crafts, Genealogy, Clan Parade, Storytelling, Re-enactment of Carterhaugh Ba’ Game
(open to all) - location Bowhill Gardens and Estate

Saturday September 26, 2009
Evening Concert with SCOCHA – traditional Scottish folk rock band (open to all) - location Bowhill Gardens

Sunday September 27, 2009
All day Walks round Estate, display of Buccleuch Fox Hounds, Ox roast BBQ to bid farewell to the Scotts
(open to all) - location Bowhill Gardens and Estate

(Pricing and further details to follow)

Bowhill - site of Clan Scott 2009 Gathering

2008-09-11T20:58:00.008-03:00

The choice of Bowhill House & Country Estate as the location of the Clan Scott 2009 Gathering is most appropriate for a clan with strong roots in the Borders.

The Scott surname in both the current century and historically is most prevalent within Scotland in the areas just north of the Firth of Forth (including County Angus) and throughout most of southern Scotland.

The Borders are the homeland of the clan in both legend and reality and Bowhill is one of the homes of Clan Chief, Richard Scott, the Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry. Described as the first international gathering of Clan Scott at Bowhill, it will also be an inaugural opportunity for the new chief since Duke Richard succeeded his late father John Scott, the 9th Duke of Buccleuch, in 2007, who had also served as clan chief.

Clan Scott -- The Gathering 2009

2008-09-11T20:47:00.003-03:00

Additional information on the international Clan Scott Gathering in Scotland is available both on the Official Homecoming Scotland site and on the Clan Scott Society's page dedicated to the 2009 Clan Scott Gathering

The dates have been set beginning on Thursday, September 24, it continues through Sunday, September 27, 2009.

Homecomingscotland2009.com

Clan Scott Society Gathering 2009

2008-06-23T23:01:00.005-03:00

As published by The Herald - June 17, 2008 in an article called Piping up for a welcome home

September 24-27

Clan Scott Society Gathering 2009

First international gathering of the Scott clan at its ancestral Borders home in Bowhill; includes historical re-enactment, archery displays and the performance of a play about Sir Walter Scott.

Pledge to launch clan gathering

2008-06-14T11:19:00.000-03:00

As published by BBC News Monday, 22 October 2007
The "biggest" clan gathering for almost 200 years is to take place in Edinburgh after receiving £300,000 in funding.

The Gathering, which is expected to attract 8,000 clan members and 30,000 spectators, is being planned for Holyrood Park in 2009.

Edinburgh City Council, Scottish Enterprise Edinburgh and Lothian, and EventScotland are helping to fund some of the £1.5m cost of the event.

The rest of the money will come from ticket sales and private enterprise.

As well as the traditional displays of piping, dancing, athletics and heavy events, the games will have a food and drink fair.

There will also be an exhibition allowing visitors to trace their ancestry, and a live music stage featuring leading contemporary and traditional bands.

The Gathering 2009 will focus the world's attention on Scotland's culture and as hosts we will be ready to make the most of this fantastic opportunity to promote Edinburgh
Steve Cardownie
Edinburgh City Council

The highlight of the clan programme will be a clan parade up the Royal Mile and historic pageant of the clans in the arena on the Castle Esplanade.

The organisers led by Lord Sempill, chief of the Name and Arms of Sempill and vice convenor of the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs, and Jenny Gilmour, expect to attract 30,000 local visitors to the event planned for 25 - 26 July 2009.

Already more than 60 clans have said they want to take part, including Clan Donald, the world's largest clan.

Many US-based clan organisations have already booked hotel rooms in Edinburgh, whilst VisitScotland and EventScotland have estimated that the overall economic impact of the event will be about £5m spread across Scotland.

Already over 60 clans have said they want to take part

Lord Sempill, said: "Not since Sir Walter Scott's Royal Pageant in 1822 have so many clans come together, so The Gathering 2009 will be a meaningful historic, as well as cultural, event.

"Our clan tradition and cultural identity are very closely linked and, at a time when Scots are coming to terms with their identity, The Gathering is a fantastic opportunity to reinforce a very important part of our heritage and to celebrate its existence."

EventScotland chief operating officer, Paul Bush, said: "As well as providing an enormous economic boost to Edinburgh and other parts of Scotland, The Gathering 2009 will create a fantastic spectacle along the Royal Mile and at Edinburgh Castle - images that will be conveyed to millions of people around the world."

Steve Cardownie, Edinburgh City Council festival and events leader, said: "The Gathering 2009 will focus the world?s attention on Scotland's culture and as hosts we will be ready to make the most of this fantastic opportunity to promote Edinburgh."

The Gathering 2009

2008-06-14T11:15:00.000-03:00

On the 25th and 26th July 2009 Edinburgh will witness one of the largest clan gatherings in history.

Holyrood Park will host a magnificent Highland Games over the two days, then on the Saturday evening Clan members will parade up the historic Royal Mile and take their seats on the castle esplanade for a spectacular Clan Pageant .

For your chance to be part of history get hold of one of our Passports.

The Gathering 2009 is delighted to be one of the signature events of Homecoming Scotland. For further details on the full Homecoming Scotland program, available in late May, visit the Homecoming webpage.

Buccleuch Memorial to be Restored

2008-06-14T11:00:00.000-03:00

as published by Edinburgh World Heritage

note - the Dukes of Buccleuch, serve as the Titular Chiefs of Clan Scott

Edinburgh World Heritage has announced that the memorial to the 5th Duke of Buccleuch in Parliament Square will be conserved, as part of the on-going programme of conservation of the city’s key statues and monuments.

The project will cost around £40,000, shared equally between Edinburgh World Heritage and the current Duke of Buccleuch. Works are expected to take around 4 weeks to complete, and will include treatments to the sandstone plinth and selective re-pointing in lime mortar, a light conservation cleaning of the bronze panels to reveal the original patina using a laser, and treatment of corrosion to arrest further deterioration.

The category A listed memorial commemorates the life of the distinguished politician Walter Francis Montague Douglas Scott, 5th Duke of Buccleuch and the 7th Duke of Queensbery (1806 - 1884), and was paid for entirely through public subscription. The statue of the Duke shows him in the robes of the Order of the Garter, while bronze panels depict incidents from the Buccleuch family history and scenes from the life of the 5th Duke himself.

The memorial is now regarded as hugely significant in art history terms because some of the most important names in Scottish sculpture and design worked on the statue and the bronze panels. Sir Joseph Boehm (who designed the head of Queen Victoria for coinage) was the sculptor for the statue, the plinth was designed by Sir Rowand Anderson (the architect for the Scottish National Portrait Gallery) and the bronze figures and panels were done by Clark Stanton, Birnie Rhind, Stuart Burnett and D.W. and W.G. Stevenson.

The Memorial was officially unveiled on the 7th February 1888, by the Earl of Stair. It had cost around £6,700 paid for through 1,200 public subscribers. It has been cared for by the City of Edinburgh Council ever since.

Walter Francis Montagu Douglas Scott, 5th Duke of Buccleuch was born 25th November 1806 and died 16th April 1884. Inheriting the Dukedom as a minor, one of his guardians was Sir Walter Scott who organised the visit of King George IV to Edinburgh in 1822, when the King stayed at the family’s Dalkeith House just outside the city. Buccleuch was a leading Tory, and served as Lord Privy Seal and Lord President in Sir Robert Peel’s government in the 1840’s. A great Scottish magnate, he took a progressive approach to the management of his estate businesses, most notably in the development of the harbour at Granton.

Sir Walter Scott wrote on 25 August 1826 that he "has grown up into a graceful and apparently strong young man... I think he will be well qualified to sustain his difficult and important task. The heart is excellent, so are the talents... With perfect good nature, he has a natural sense of his own situation, which will keep him from associating with unworthy companions."

Notes from the Life of an Ordinary Mortal records that "his great position and vast estates made him something of a grand seigneur, though his habits were simple, and his appearance rather that of an Elder of the Kirk. He always wore a dark grey cutaway coat, shepherd's plaid trousers, and a cap with a large peak, and out of doors carried a plaid over his shoulder. His manner was brusque, and he was fond of a rough sort of chaff, but no one had a kinder heart."

Princess Elizabeth portrait found in Duke of Buccleuch (Chief of Clan Scott) Collection

2008-05-27T21:29:00.001-03:00

A rare portrait of Queen Elizabeth I as a young princess has been discovered in a private collection at a stately home in Northamptonshire. The portrait, dating from 1650 to 1680, was found in the Duke of Buccleuch’s collection at Boughton House.
It shows Elizabeth with siblings [later to be] Edward VI and Mary I, father Henry VIII and his jester, Will Somers.

Full story

Writer's portrait fetches £9,600

2008-03-02T21:49:00.000-04:00

As published by BBC News Wednesday, 21 November 2007
A previously unrecorded portrait of Sir Walter Scott has been sold by auctioneers Bonhams for £9,600.

The work by Richard Collins is believed to be the earliest known painting of the author and poet and captures him at the age of just four.

The portrait came to light at a valuation day held by the company in the Austrian capital Vienna.

The buyer's name has not been disclosed but auctioneers said they were pleased with the "absolutely terrific price".

"We are really delighted here at Bonhams that the first ever known picture of Sir Walter Scott has gone for so much," said a spokesperson.

"It just shows how much Scott still means to people today."

Famous works

The miniature can be dated to 1775, when Scott visited the artist in London.

He was en route to the spa town of Bath in the hope of curing his lame right leg - the result of contracting polio, aged just two.

Scott was born in Edinburgh in 1771 but spent much of his life in the Scottish Borders where his historic home, Abbotsford House, is to be found.

He was the author of numerous famous works including Waverley, Rob Roy and Ivanhoe.

Early portrait of Sir Walter Scott unearthed

2008-03-02T21:41:00.000-04:00

The portrait depicts Scott as a four-year-old boy

From BBC News Wednesday, 24 October 2007,

A previously unrecorded portrait of Sir Walter Scott has been unearthed in Austria by auctioneers Bonhams.

The work by Richard Collins is believed to be the earliest known painting of the author and poet and captures him at the age of just four.

The portrait came to light at a recent valuation day held by the company in the Austrian capital Vienna.

It is now to go up for auction next month when it is expected to fetch between £3,000 and £5,000.

The portrait shows Scott as a child wearing a pale green coat, double-breasted white waistcoat over a frilled chemise and a black hat decorated with a ribbon bow.

Measuring less than two inches high, the painting is signed with the initials RC, dated 1775 and set in a rectangular leather travelling case in the form of a book.

"The portrait has emerged from the shadows of a private collection in Austria." explained Bonhams' head of portrait miniatures, Camilla Seymour.

"It came to light on a recent valuation day in Vienna."

Polio treatment

The portrait's case carries a label attributing the work to Richard Cosway but it was in fact painted by his contemporary Richard Collins.

The miniature can be dated to 1775, when Scott visited Collins in London.

He was en route to the spa town of Bath in the hope of curing his lame right leg - the result of contracting polio, aged just two.

Scott was born in Edinburgh in 1771 but spent much of his life in the Scottish Borders where his historic home, Abbotsford House, is to be found.

He was the author of numerous famous works including Waverley, Rob Roy and Ivanhoe.

Clan Scott Australasia Inc.

2008-02-15T20:53:00.000-04:00

Although I haven't been able to locate an email address or website thought this information may be of value to those searching for a contact address in making connections, so am posting it here.

Also links to three of their newsletters from the 2000-2001 period

September 2000 Issue
December 2000 Issue
January 2001 Issue

Clan Scott Australasia

Member Society Name:	Clan Scott Australasia Inc.
*President*	Jim Scott 14 Toorak Avenue Baxter, Australia, 3911 Tel: 03 5971 1145
*Secretary*	Jean Scott-Deaner
Contact Details P.O.Box: Suburb: State: Country: Postcode	320 MacLean New South Wales Australia 2463 Tel: 02 6645 3486

Duke of Buccleuch (Chief of Clan Scott)

2007-09-09T21:29:00.000-03:00

From SCOTT Digest, Vol 2, Issue 80


A Special Update web page for information about the recent passing of the Duke of Buccleuch (Chief of Clan Scott) has been put together on the Clan Scott Society web site (www.ClanScottSociety.org).  The link to this new web page is prominently located below the scrolling marquee at the top of the home page.


The Special Update link takes you to a page which lists links to several online obituaries for the late Duke of Buccleuch.  Additionally, this page has links to announcements and news items relating to his funeral and memorial.  This page is

expected to be updated as new information becomes available.  (Please feel free to send web addresses of any updates you know about that are not listed.)


From this page, there is a link to a web form where you can send your condolences to the Duke's family.


Please feel free to pass the information about these new pages to anyone you believe might be interested.



David Scott

Surname List Administrator for the Clan Scott Society

Genealogy of the Chief

2007-09-06T22:33:00.000-03:00

The genealogy of the new Chief of Clan Scott - Sir Richard Walter John Montagu Douglas Scott, the Earl of Dalkeith, can be traced at the Peerage.com site

The line can be followed back through the Earls of Dalkeith and the Dukes of Queensberry to the family of Charles II and beyond.

Chief of Clan Scott - obituary from The Scotsman

2007-09-06T22:15:00.000-03:00

Duke of Buccleuch

DAVID TORRANCE

Landowner and politician

Born: 28 September, 1923.
Died: 4 September, 2007, at Bowhill, aged 83.

published by The Scotsman, Sept 6, 2007

An ardent fox hunter, he fell when his horse refused to take a drystone dyke near Hawick while he was out hunting with his father's hounds. The hunter fell on him, fracturing his spine and paralysing him from the chest down. Remarkably, he returned to the House of Commons just six months later, the first post-war MP to enter the chamber in a wheelchair. Unsurprisingly, this earned him respect on all sides of the House.

Self-pity was an alien concept. He began to rise at 5am instead of the usual 7am, as, he explained, the same amount of work now took him longer. He had another two years as a Tory backbencher before the death of his father on 4 October, 1973 saw him succeed to the peerage as the 9th Duke of Buccleuch and 11th Duke of Queensberry, one of only 24 non-royal dukes.

The Duke's political career was that of a typical, but by no means complacent, Tory aristocrat. He was a Roxburghshire county councillor from 1958, was narrowly defeated in East Edinburgh at the 1959 general election, and entered the Commons as a Unionist following a by-election in May 1960. The then Lord Advocate, William R Milligan, had been appointed to the bench and the Earl of Dalkeith held the seat comfortably.

In 1961 he was appointed parliamentary private secretary to William Grant, Milligan's successor as lord advocate, and the following year he served in the same capacity in support of Michael Noble, the ebullient secretary of state for Scotland. Dalkeith remained at the Scottish Office until the 1964 general election. His brother-in-law was Ian Gilmour, a fellow Tory MP and future cabinet minister.

He was a ministerial bag-carrier during a period of turbulent decline for the governments of Harold Macmillan and Dalkeith's fellow Borders aristocrat Sir Alec Douglas-Home. He later gave a moving oration at Lord Home's memorial service in Edinburgh.

In opposition, Dalkeith chaired the Conservative Party's sub-committee on forestry - a lifelong interest, professionally and personally - from 1966, and served as president of the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland from 1969-70.

Walter Francis John Montagu-Douglas-Scott was the only son of the 8th Duke of Buccleuch and Mary Lascelles. While at Eton in 1940 he helped extinguish a German fire bomb which hit his boarding house, and two years later joined the Royal Navy as an ordinary seaman. He was commissioned the following year and saw action, including the sinking of several U-boats. He later admitted that living through "a grey, angry Atlantic 28 days at a time" fostered his great love of the countryside.

Following the war he studied agriculture and forestry at Christ Church, Oxford, chairing the university Conservative Association when a young Margaret Roberts, later Margaret Thatcher, was a fellow member. He worked briefly for a firm of City merchant bankers and an insurance company before his father arranged for him to work in a small coal port near Edinburgh owned by the family. Ultimately, however, he became a director of the Buccleuch Estates in 1949, and later chairman.

He socialised with Princess Margaret in his youth, but married Jane McNeill, a former model for Norman Hartnell, on 10 January, 1953, at a wedding attended by the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh, and most of the royal family at St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh. The couple set up home at Eildon Hall, Melrose, where he had been brought up, and their first son, Richard Walter John, was born in 1954. Two more sons followed: Lord William in 1957 and Lord Damian in 1970. A daughter, Lady Charlotte Anne, was born in 1966.

Two years after the birth of his last child, tragedy struck, yet Dalkeith's personal courage, vigour and humour despite his confinement to a wheelchair amazed his friends and parliamentary colleagues. He worked with various bodies to champion disabled causes, including the Central Council for the Disabled, the Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilitation and the Scottish National Institution for the War Blinded, the House of Lords providing a useful platform.

In 1978 he was appointed a Knight of the Order of the Thistle, the highest honour in Scotland, and in 1985 was invited by Deng Xiao Ping's son to China to advise the country on the establishment of disability organisations.

The Duke also retained his love of hunting, despite his paralysis. As a result, he was a zealous opponent of Scottish Parliament legislation to ban hunting with hounds, urging pro-hunting supporters to use every legal means to challenge the ban north of the Border.

He also opposed similar legislation in England, retaining, as he did, Broughton in Northamptonshire, often referred to as the "English Versailles". He restored its 18th-century gardens, only for the Labour MP Jack Straw to identify Broughton as a reason why voting rights should be abolished for hereditary peers. The Duke, he said, could not possible represent the common man.

In 2002, the Duke attacked proposals for land reform in Scotland, saying they would "penalise rural families as viciously as a foul disease", and it was as a respected and innovative landlord that he will long be remembered. An ardent supporter of countryside ways, he was a pioneer in opening private land to the public long before that right was secured by legislation. He was also the first Duke to open his homes to fee-paying visitors.

The Duke also oversaw a diversification of his estate business, the Buccleuch Estates, into the lucrative property market, and by 2005 he was believed to be the UK's biggest private landowner, with 280,000 acres, mostly in the Scottish Borders. He encouraged Lord Steel, the former Liberal leader, in the restoration and upkeep of Aikwood Tower, which lay within the Duke's Bowhill estate.

The Sunday Times Rich List estimated his wealth at £85 million, some of which was put to good use through the establishment of the Buccleuch Heritage Trust, which became a noted sponsor of the arts and education. He was also a private donor to the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, which he had served as an MP from 1960-73.

A keen bibliophile, "tormentor" of the French horn and art collector, the Duke always pointed out that if his collection, valued at £405 million, was ever sold, 80 per cent of the profits would go to the Treasury. In August 2003, two thieves posing as tourists at Drumlanrig Castle in Dumfriesshire stole the Duke's Leonardo da Vinci masterpiece, The Madonna with the Yardwinder, valued at around £50 million.

When the House of Lords was reformed in 1999 the Duke declined to stand as an elected hereditary peer, but remained interested in local, Scottish and national politics, remarking during one debate that he was "a Scottish nationalist at heart and a British nationalist in my head". Scotland's natural environment was an enduring passion - latterly the plight of Scotland's endangered red squirrel population.

The Duke had been in the Borders General Hospital with a short illness but he insisted on being taken home to Bowhill, where he passed away in the early hours of 4 September. He is survived by the Duchess and their children, Richard, now the 10th Duke of Buccleuch, William, Charlotte Anne and Damian.

The Chief of Clan Scott - Obituary by BBC

2007-09-06T21:58:00.001-03:00

from BBC NEWS: Sept 4, 2007

Landowner duke dies at age of 83

One of Scotland's biggest landowners, the Duke of Buccleuch, has died at the age of 83.

The former Conservative MP died after a short illness at his Bowhill House home in the Scottish Borders.

The duke, who used a wheelchair after a riding accident in the early 70s, was a strong supporter of country pursuits.

Lord Steel, the former Lib Dem leader and a near neighbour, said his family would be "immensely proud" of his "long and distinguished public life".

His Drumlanrig Estate in Dumfries and Galloway hit the headlines in 2003 when two men stole a Leonardo da Vinci painting, Madonna With The Yarnwinder.

His personal courage, vigour and humour after he was confined to a wheelchair was remarkable
Lord Steel

Police renewed their appeal for information about the theft earlier this year.

As recently as 2005, the duke was believed to be Britain's biggest private landowner, owning 270,000 acres, mostly in the Borders.

The Sunday Times Rich List estimated his wealth at £85m.

Born in 1923, the oldest son of the eighth duke - whom he succeeded in 1973 - Johnnie Buccleuch was educated at Eton and Oxford.

After the war he studied agriculture and forestry and became director of the Buccleuch Estates in 1949.

He married Jane McNeill in 1953 at a wedding attended by the Queen, Duke of Edinburgh and most of the Royal Family at St Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh.

He later became a Tory councillor in Roxburghshire and subsequently MP for North Edinburgh.

However, he fractured his spine when a horse somersaulted and his career as an MP was cut short when he succeeded to the dukedom.

The duke worked with various bodies on behalf of disabled people and also sat in the Lords, speaking on rural, disability and constitutional issues.

In 1978 he was appointed a Knight of the Order of the Thistle - the highest honour in Scotland.

After Lords reform in 1999 the duke declined to stand as an elected hereditary peer.

A statement from his company - the Buccleuch Group - paid tribute to its former chairman.

'Much-respected'

It said he had "lived a life of extraordinary richness and courage" and would be remembered for his "commitment to the countryside and inspirational leadership in rural affairs".

Lord Steel said he and Lady Steel were "deeply saddened" at the death of the duke.

He said he was "a highly public-spirited man, an effective Edinburgh MP" as well as "a much-respected and innovative landlord".

"His personal courage, vigour and humour after he was confined to a wheelchair was remarkable," he added.

The duke is survived by his wife and four children.

He is succeeded by his eldest son, the Earl of Dalkeith.

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/south_of_scotland/6978528.stm

Published: 2007/09/04 16:53:27 GMT

The Chief of Clan Scott - Obituary

2007-09-06T21:58:00.000-03:00