Greetings  Members,

Summer is in full swing now and many of you are enjoying the Scottish festivals being held this season.

The Society is again going to have a tent at the Williamsburg Scottish Festival on 25 September, which will be held at a new location, Jamestown Campground. We expect this will be improvement over the Williamsburg Winery. There will be an additional charge besides the festival ticket price. The campground will charge $5 a car for parking unless you are a Balmoral sponsor. Individual sponsorships are $50 each, which includes an invitation to the Friday night reception, entrance to the festival, and free parking. I feel that this is a great package price for the weekend. Visit the website for more information.

The SST picnic will be 18 September at our house in Churchland. Last year everyone who attended had a great time. If you would like to help set up or assist in any way, please contact me. Also, as this will be a potluck picnic, please contact Genene Butler let her know what you would like to bring.

The Tartan Day Committee will be making some announcements about Tartan Day Festival 2005 soon. If you are interested in helping with this event, contact Bob or Jeanie Rider, co-chairs of the Tartan Day Festival

The Society is presently planning our Christmas Ceilidh and Silent Auction. We are planning on a larger event this year, which will include entertainment in the library auditorium. If you would like to perform at our Christmas Celidh, please contact me soon. I will be making out the schedule in the fall and will need to know if you would like to perform at our Christmas party. We have invited both the Churchland High School Choir and the Celtic folk group Leigheas to perform. Some of you may recall that both groups performed at Tartan Day last April.

Those that attended the Society brunch on 27 June at Pints and Pipes in Williamsburg had a great time. The food was great and the entertainment was a rather unexpected addition. We had a lot of the members of St. Andrews Society of Richmond join us, and they want to join us for our next gathering as well.

My personal thanks to Joyce Cowan for her fantastic work in making the memorial wreath that was sponsored jointly by the society and SAMS. Joyce is a wonderful floral arranger. The wreath came out extremely nice.

Yours Aye,
Mike

Back

Are you a lover of Scottish History, and can’t put down a good read? Or do you relish a juicy romance novel with a happy ending? Whichever your preference, you don’t have to look far to enjoy the literary talents of local authors Randy & Carolyn Bruce and Laurin Wittig.

Randy and Carolyn Bruce, members of both the Scottish Society of Tidewater and the St. Andrew’s Society of Tidewater, are the co-authors of two historical fiction books entitled Rebel King, detailing the life of Robert the Bruce. The first, subtitled Hammer of the Scots, deals with King Robert’s battles against Edward I of England, who usurped the Scottish throne. The second, a recent release, is subtitled The Har’ships, its action following within weeks of the first, as King Robert turns his genius for guerilla warfare against the majority of his countrymen, many of whom have pledged their lives and considerable fortunes to the task of killing him.

Both novels are based closely on historical fact.

"The Har’ships was a bit more of a challenge because the development of the characters was more accelerated and we had to rely on several expert advisors to ensure we weren’t just having our characters do some things baselessly," explained Randy. "But it was very interesting to see how real, flawed people might have solved the problems they had to deal with in that era."

Randy claims ancestry to Robert the Bruce. [Over the generations, Robert could have claimed over five million people as descendants, nearly ten times the population of Scotland in his lifetime}. Perhaps that link inspired him to "set the record straight" on The Bruce’s reputation by telling the factual happenings in a fictional, yet realistic manner.

"At one of the games last year (2003), Carolyn was chatting with a couple of Scots ladies who stopped to look at our book display," said Randy. "Carolyn mentioned that it was about the life of Robert the Bruce, and one of the Scottish natives said distastefully, ‘Oh, we know all about him! Didn’t you see Braveheart?!’"

"That reinforced our belief that the movie, in true Hollywood fashion, diminished Robert in order to elevate William Wallace as the hero. That was totally unnecessary, to my way of thinking, because Wallace was a great Scottish patriot and a true hero in life. But so was The Bruce!"

"It also gave us to realize that the Scots are not educated about their own history," added Carolyn. "Their history seems to be all written by the English."

"Our goal is to give the world a more accurate depiction of The Bruce than movies have yet created, but a movie reaches so many people! It’s almost impossible for our book to get that kind of attention."

What comes next? Rebel King, Bannock Burn, the third book in the tetralogy.

"We expect it to be out in about two years," said Randy. "In researching for our books, I have gained a great respect for Robert the Bruce and his followers. Imagine facing off against Europe’s most powerful kingdom when your "army" is only a handful of steadfast supporters! Many historians have said Robert was perhaps the greatest general of Medieval Europe."

Highland Romance

Laurin Wittig, member of the Scottish Society of Tidewater and the American Clan Gregor Society, is the author of Charming the Shrew, her second romance novel set in Scotland.

The story takes place in the Highlands, and interestingly, one of the main characters is a warrior in King Robert the Bruce's army. The two protagonists are "thrown together by circumstance, foul weather, and a plot against the king." There’s lots of mystery, politics and warfare, and of course good old-fashioned romance.

"I love setting my novels in Scotland," explains Laurin. "It’s the perfect background - passion, clan rivalries, ancient superstitions, tumultuous landscape - so much is going on. It’s a very rich environment."

Not content with writing mere love stories, Laurin works hard to make sure her novels are historically accurate.

"I am continually expanding my knowledge and understanding not only of the history of Scotland, but of the culture of the Highland clans," said Laurin. "I want my readers to come away with a good love story and an appreciation for the issues that have shaped Scotland for hundreds of years."

Laurin’s next book will be released in May, 2005. Daring the Highlander is again set in Scotland, and is the sequel to Charming the Shrew.

Both Randy and Laurin have been well received, both critically and commercially.

Many of the Bruces’ readers have taken the time to call, write letters, or email the pair to compliment their books and to ask when the next volumes will be published. Randy reported healthy sales at the recent Grandfather Mountain Highland Games.

Laurin has received the National Readers’ Choice Award for her first novel, The Devil of Kilmartin, and a “Perfect 10” from Romance Reviews Today for Charming the Shrew.

So if you’re looking for a good read for the beach this summer, or would just like to support our local literary stars, do yourself a favor and pick up one, or both, of these books.

For more information, please visit their websites:
www.rebelking.com/
www.Wittig.com/Laurin

John Wallace, President of Clan Wallace Society Worldwide, was recently invested as a Knight Grand Officer into the Imperial Ethiopian Order of St. Mary of Zion. The knighting ceremony was conducted by the Order’s Grand Master, His Imperial Highness Prince Phillip Makonnen of Ethiopia, at the assembly’s annual meeting in Park City, Utah.

Scott MacGregor recently became a grandfather for the first time. His daughter Darcie and her husband Aaron welcomed a new wee MacGregor into the world. William Edward-Scott Schauf was born June 29, and weighed a whopping 8lbs., 12 oz.

Scott reports that parents and baby are doing great. And grandpa is adjusting to his new role quite nicely!

Members of the Scottish American Military Society (SAMS) Col. Patrick Henry Post 76 participated in a Memorial Day Wreath Laying at the Tidewater Veterans Memorial in Virginia Beach.

The wreath was designed by SST member Joyce Cowan. SAMS Commander Larry McCauley wishes to thank Joyce for doing such a wonderful job. Thanks also to John Nugent for piping a stirring rendition of "Amazing Grace."

Other SAMS news: SAMS brunch is set for 1:00 p.m. on Aug. 29 at the Pints and Pipes in Williamsburg. Also, SAMS will present the colors at the Williamsburg Scottish Festival in September.

For more information, or to join SAMS, contact Larry at lmccaule@bellatlantic.net.

Two members of the Scottish Dance Theatre of Virginia, Carlyn Aasheim and Denise Erickson, are graduating high school seniors but are not going far from home.

Carlyn Aasheim, whose parents' Lynnette and Larry are SST members, will attend O.D.U. where she will study Music Education and continue her dance lessons with the aim of becoming a member of the British Association of Teachers of Dancing.

Denise Erickson, who has already passed her Associate Teacher’s exam with honors with the B.A.T.D., has been assisting Elizabeth Goodwin in the beginner dance class. She recently returned from Scotland, where she, her mother, sister and brother attended her cousin's wedding. Denise danced at the wedding reception while her uncle played the pipes - a real Scottish Ceilidh reception. Denise received a very nice scholarship to attend Mary Washington University in the Fall and will dance with their Pipe Band. She is excited about sharing her room with the Pipe Major of "Trad na Trad," Lauren McMillan, with whom she took dance classes earlier in life.

The dance company is very proud of our seniors this year. They were a huge part of the 2004 International Tattoo and were a great help to me as group leaders since we worked with a lot of new "highland dancers," very well trained ballet dancers to whom highland dance was a new art form. Denise’s youngest group of eight included only two highland dancers and, thanks to Denise, no one realized the others weren't also skilled highland dancers. Carlyn's music background and years in school band really paid off when it came time for us to do the "Tattoo." These girls are real professionals - they help make us look so good at Scope - they have danced in every Tattoo we have done. My hat is off to them.

The other dancers have competed minimally this Spring, although Abby Weisenburg and Alexis Gomez did well in the Novice competition at Western Maryland and Jim Moore, the only dancer of our group at Grandfather Mountain games this year, took straight second places in his group. There will be a few competing at Alexandria in July.

Don’t miss the social event of the SST Summer season! The annual SST picnic is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 18, at the home of Mike and Christine Lawler in Portsmouth.

Serving as picnic organizers this year are Genene Butler, Larry McCauley and Marcey Burton. If you want to attend, please let one of the organizers know. Also, please bring a dish to share.

So don’t miss it! And be sure to come hungry and/or thirsty...you won’t be disappointed!

A blaze at a historic luxury hotel forced dozens of wedding-goers to flee wearing only their bed clothes.

More than 70 guests at the Dalhousie Castle, ancestral castle for Clan Ramsay, were sent scrambling for safety after an electrical fire broke out around 7 a.m. on June 20.

The castle, which is located in Bonnyrigg, Midlothian, just south of Edinburgh, was immediately evacuated after staff members noticed smoke filling the building.

Firefighters were able to confine the blaze, but much of the converted 13th century castle suffered extensive smoke damage.

Said one witness, Mrs. Gray: "All of the lower rooms were filled with smoke. It’s such a beautiful building, it would have been terrible if the fire had taken hold."

The original structure of Dalhousie Castle was built in the 13^th century and the main parts of the present baronial mansion were constructed in 1450.

The Ramsays have retained possession of Dalhousie Castle longer than any family has retained possession of a castle in Scotland.

For more pictures of the brunch Click Here to visit our pictures page.

  David & Nancy Montgomery are the proud grandparents of two new grandsons: Callum King Johnson was born to Landon and Sarah Johnson in Bethesda, MD, and Benjamin Mitchell Baldwin was born to John and Heather Baldwin in Scottsdale, AZ. Great brawny bairns to add to the clan!

  Clan MacBean recently held their 2004 International Clan Gathering in Williamsburg in mid-July. Nancy Weller, who has been a member of Clan MacBean for 12 years, reports that it was well attended, and that the 22nd Hereditary Chief of the Clan MacBean Worldwide, James McBain of McBain, of Tucson, Arizona, was in attendance.

  The Clan Forsyth tent took 3rd place at the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games in North Carolina, reports Don Forsythe. This was no small accomplishment considering there were nearly 90 clans in attendance. Congratulations to Don and his Clan! Also, Don was honored to participate in the Parade of Clans, proudly carrying the Forsythe flag.

  Rob Lockwood and his mother June celebrated their July birthdays on July 17 at the home of Rob’s parents. Members of the TP&D managed to squeeze in a quick pre-BBQ practice, and dinner was followed by a scotch whisky tasting, officiated by Mike Lawler. A smashing time was had by all. Happy birthday, Rob & June! Many happy returns!

  Lynnette Fitch is enrolled in the Cape Breton Gaelic College of Celtic Arts, and will attend classes this August. She will study Scots Gaelic, Scottish Step Dancing, and Scottish Highland Dancing. Good luck, Lynnette!

  Marcey Burton and Skip Hunter, who will be married in October, will move into their new house in Ocean View on July 31. They plan to convert the finished room over the garage into a Scottish pub.

  Local dancer on the mend: Leah Bernick, a Premier Highland Dancer studying with Eleanor Unger, and granddaughter of Virginia Zaun, and Walt and Jane Brown, is recovering from leg surgery. She is side-lined for the summer, but will resume her dance lessons this fall. She is a rising senior at Kempsville High School. Get well, Leah!

  Arthur & Anne Korff recently returned from Scotland, having escorted a group of “songbirds” and their spouses. They went sightseeing and singing from one coast to the other and were well received. While in the Highlands, Buck, one of the Songbirds' husbands walked into the lounge to hear the entertainer, accompanied by five of the Songbird women. The entertainer inquired where the group was from. Buck answered "The USA." Without missing a beat, the entertainer said, "Must be from Utah because I see you brought all your wives!"

  Eleanor Unger was gone for the month of May visiting her sister in New Zealand and recruiting Highland dancers and Pipe Bands on behalf of the 2005 Virginia International Tattoo. Look for more bands and dancers from "Down Under" at next year's grand event.

Do you have some interesting news to share with the SST membership?

WE WANT TO SHARE YOUR NEWS!
Please contact Marcey at e-mail marcey9@cox.net

Glen Scotia

The Glen Scotia distillery, founded around 1832, is in a cottage-like building on a quiet street. It is said to be haunted by the ghost of a former proprietor, Duncan MacCallum, who in 1930 drowned himself in Campbeltown Loch after losing a fortune in a crooked business deal. (Campbeltown Loch was later made famous by Scots entertainer, Andy Stewart. The singer dreams that the loch is full of whisky, not water, and tries to drink it dry.)

After a period of closure in the mid-1980s the distillery reopened toward the end of that decade. Glen Scotia belongs currently to the Loch Lomond Distillery Company through its subsidiary company Glen Catrine Bonded.

The water used to distill Glen Scotia is drawn from the Crosshill Loch, a tributary of Campbeltown Loch, and the distillery’s own wells, which are 80 feet deep.

The color of Glen Scotia is gold with amber glints. The nose is light, fresh and pleasant with some hints of citrus, cereals, spices and iodine. It tastes light and has a sweet texture, the finish is short, salty and herbal.

While not nearly as smoky as an Islay, Glen Scotia does have a hint of smoke, and is a pleasantly light-tasting Scotch for sipping during the summer months.

Upcoming whisky tastings sponsored by the
Cuideagh O’ Corn O’ Uisghe Beatha

September 14, 2004
Commonwealth Cup Polo Match, South Ceres Farms, Oilville, VA. This an all-day event. There is a fee to attend the polo match, which annually draws a larger crowd than any other polo match in the US. Call 804-556-6565 for more information.

September 25, 2004
Williamsburg Scottish Festival, Jamestown Campground. Tastings will continue throughout the day.

October 23 & 24
Richmond Scottish Festival, Richmond Raceway Complex. Tastings will continue throughout both days of the festival.