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CURRENT NEWS
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INTERNATIONAL VICE CHAIRMAN'S REPORT
Bill
Robertson
This is my last annual report as Clan Donnachaidh's
International Vice Chairman. I resigned last fall but delayed the
effective date in order to attend the January, 2008 Central Florida
Scottish Highland Games, at which the Florida Branch of Clan Donnachaidh
was named the "Honored Clan" of Florida. Under the leadership of Terry
Robertson, President, and Christy Lange, Secretary, the Florida Branch
has demonstrated a record level of Donnachaidh branch activities,
including the recruitment of new members and sponsoring more than 100 of
the total 369 Honorary Youth Memberships.
We will treasure the friendships we have made over
the years visiting Donnachaidh branches around the world and, in fact,
will probably retrace our routs from time to time to keep those
friendships alive and well.
Undoubtedly the most important project created
during the past few years is the Clan Donnachaidh DNA Surname Project.
Everyone at some time or another has wondered about his or her origins,
but until recently family history research relied on oral tradition and
written records, both usually in short supply. Now, however, the new
and rapidly expanding science of genetic genealogy has created an
explosion of Mitochondrial and Y-DNA testing. The Clan Donnachaidh DNA
project, administered by Family Tree DNA of Houston, Texas, presently
numbers nearly 400 participants, and many have identified other
participants with whom they share a Most Recent Common Ancestor (MRCA).
The program includes an estimate, based on test results, of how many
generations ago the MRCA probably lived. For more, open the DNA section
of this site.
The Donnachaidh Honorary Youth Membership program,
implemented three years ago, has resulted in nearly 400 enthusiastic
young members to date. Designed to educate children under the age of 21
about the role of Clan Donnachaidh in Scotland's history, the program is
free. Each new Clan Donnachaidh Honorary Youth Member receives a
beautiful certificate, suitable for framing and signed by the Chief. The
certificate design is actually borrowed from the original 1893 Clan
Donnachaidh membership certificate.
The history of our great clan is a story worth
telling and retelling, as was the custom under the old clan system.
However, we live in a different, faster world today and if future
generations are to hear the Donnachaidh story it will be our children
and our grandchildren, the historians of tomorrow, who will tell them.
We must teach those children today.
Enrolling your children is as simple as going to
our "Youth Membership" page , completing the form there and mailing or
emailing it to us at the address shown. Cheryl and I will continue to
administer the program for the time being.
We look forward to seeing many of you at the AGM in
Pitlochry, Scotland, during the week of 13 September. This week was
chosen to coincide with the annual Pitlochry Games. These games are very
popular and very well attended. Early travel plans are recommended.
Also, for those planning to attend the 2009
International Gathering in Edinburgh are advised to begin planning
sooner rather than later. The committee in Edinburgh advises: "With just
8,500 places to be filled by millions of Scots from all over the world,
tickets to this magnificent event are sure to be in great demand. So to
ensure that you don't miss out on a guaranteed place in the Clan March,
a place at the Clan Pageant...and, indeed, a place in history...visit
www.thegathering2009.com .
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This booklet is a "must have" for all members of Clan Donnachaidh and
for everyone interested in
Highland Perthshire.
click here for more information
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Click here for the Minutes of the 2007 AGM in
Scotland on the
6th of October
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CULLODEN STONE AND WALK PATHWAY
On 16th
April 1746, Government forces led by the Duke of Cumberland defeated the
army of Prince Charles Edward Stuart and ended hopes of restoring the
Jacobite Stuarts to the British throne. The battle staged on open
moorland, saw a decisive victory for the 9000 strong Government army.
Within one hour, the 5000 hungry and exhausted Jacobite soldiers were
defeated and the rebellion crushed.
Culloden
represents a turning point in Scottish history. In the years following
the battle, many Highlanders sought to begin new lives around the world,
free from the oppression they faced in their homeland.
The
National Trust for Scotland is now the custodian of this internationally
significant site. As part of the 2007 Year of Highland Culture, the
Trust will open a brand new Visitor Centre explaining a complex story in
a balanced way, allowing visitors to draw their own conclusions about
the rising, the battle and its consequences.
The Clan
Donnachaidh Council, at their April meeting, decided to become part of
The Culloden Walk, by taking up the opportunity to Sponsor a Stone at
Culloden Battlefield. The Crest and Name of Clan Donnachaidh will be
engraved on an Insignia Stone. The “Culloden Stones” are made from
finest quality Caithness stone, quarried from the north of Scotland.
They are individually engraved and hand finished. They will last for
many years and create a strong bond with one of the most significant
battlefield sites in history.
We have
therefore ordered and paid for an Insignia Stone, to commemorate those
Clan members who fought and died there. Our stone will be laid in the
Culloden Walk pathway alongside those of others from around the world.
The Walk will be located in the approach to the Visitor Centre, a
lasting reminder of those who have contributed to such a symbolic
heritage site.
The cost is
quite heavy: £1,500 or US$ 3,000. We are therefore appealing to branch
secretaries and individuals who might like to contribute to this cost to
contact us with offers to reimburse the Society. We would be most
grateful. Look at their website
www.cullodenwalk.org.uk for more details.
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The next
Annual General Meeting will be held on the 13th of September, 2008.
For details
click here:
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WORLD FAMOUS PIPING AND DRUMMING EVENT TO
BE HELD IN
OSAKA, JAPAN IN 2008
by Brian Jacobi, Tokoroa, NZ
During the period 12th October , to
19th October 2008, the famous "
Pipefest " event, previously held in
Edinburgh,
Shanghai, and last year in Nova Scotia, will be held in Osaka.
This event attracts pipers,
drummers, and supporters of all
things Scottish from all parts of
the world, for a week of piping,
drumming, massed bands, and other
Celtic activities.
The festival commences on the 12th,
with all participants joining the
famous multi cultural "Mido Suji "
parade through the centre of Osaka, ending at the international BEER summit
meeting, with a further attendance
at this meeting in the early
afternoon.
During the remainder of the week,
there will be attendance's at
various festival events in the
Kansai region, including the ancient
cities of Nara
and
Kyoto.
Pipefest will conclude at the Kansai
Highland Games in Kobe on the 19th, with a party at the
completion of the games.
Pipefest is being organized , and
run by the Ramsay Pipeband from Osaka, with Lady, Maud Ramsay Nomiyama MBE at
the helm. These people are very
skilled at running such events, and
visitors are assured of a well
organized trouble free time.
The Japanese people are very warm
and friendly, with a great interest
in Scottish music and culture, so
everyone will be assured of an
interesting time as the various
unique cultures are displayed.
Further information can be obtained
from the official website
http://www2.gol.Com/users/ramsay/p_pipefest.htm
or directly to lady Ramsay
at
ramsay@gol.Com
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EMOTIONAL WEEKEND IN BRUAR
Emotions ran
high last October at the Clan Donnachaidh Centre in Bruar as veterans of
the 51st Highland Division
held their last ever commemorative event.
Veterans of
the regiment, most of whom went ashore on the beaches of Normandy on
D-Day and D-Day plus one during the Second World War, gathered in Bruar
with the families and friends of those who died in battle for a service
of dedication.
A monument,
consisting of an eight-foot piper standing on a 10 foot granite block
now stands in front of the Clan Centre
facing the A9, Scotland’s major north/south highway. The statue, based
on the famous Normandy figure sculpted by Scottish
artist Alan Herriot, was unveiled at 11:30 am on Saturday following a
band concert.
Dr. Tom
Renouf, secretary of the 51st Highland Division veterans’
association, said “the monument is in honor of the five
Highland regiments that are now disbanded. It will recognize the
achievement and sacrifice of these soldiers. This will bring
to an end our activities of annual pilgrimages and the grand reunions of
second world war veterans.”
Dr. Renouf paid tribute to Clan Donnachaidh, saying “our veterans are
greatly indebted to the Clan Donnachaidh Society for
the provision of an
excellent site. In order to acknowledge their generosity, the unveiling
of the monument takes place during
the annual clan gathering.”
Click here to see a few pictures of the ceremony.
Click on the button above to read Dr. Renouf's account of the last days
of World War II while serving with the 5th Battalion
Black Watch
of the 51st Highland Division.
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For The Ladies
Have you ever wondered how to wear a sash? Well, we've located
some suggestions from the
gentleman on the left. To
view what he has to say click the green button below.
Sir Thomas Innes of Learney, GCVO, WS (1893-1971) was Lord Lyon from
1945 to 1969, after
having been Carrick Pursuivant
and Albany Herald in the 1930s.
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GENEALOGY DATABASE ADDED TO THE DNA PROGRAM
We have finally incorporated a genealogy database to the DNA program.
For more information go to the DNA / Genealogy
page.
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Clan Donnachaidh Name Badges
Click on badge to enlarge
Click on badge to enlarge
Cheryl and I have designed personalized name badges for ourselves (see photo
above), and have arranged for them to be
available to other Clan members and/or
branches at our cost. The 1.25”x3.5” badge is .025” thick, has an antique brass
finish and is attached by a magnet powerful enough to hold securely through even
a heavy tweed jacket. Printing is
heat-pressed into the metal by a process
called “sublimation”. Pinned badges are available at no additional cost for
those
who cannot or do not wish to use magnetic devices.
The cost of each badge is $8.00 plus Maine state tax of five per cent. To
minimize shipping costs, we suggest that orders be
for multiple badges, perhaps
five or ten.
When ordering, please specify Clan Donnachaidh badge, and print or type your
information. The clan crest and “Clan
Donnachaidh” are permanently inscribed,
leaving a line for each member’s name plus, if desired, room for a title and
“Life Member” if applicable. For orders placed from the U.S., email your order
to:
Awards & Recognition, Inc.
494 Forest Avenue
Portland, ME 04101 U.S.
awards@maine.rr.com
Click on buttons for printable forms:.......
Forms will open in new windows.
Awards and Recognition, Inc. will then email back the total price including
shipping. If agreeable, you can email your
approval
plus your credit card
information.
For orders from outside the U.S. or those who would prefer, you can contact us
at either email address below
and we’ll
arrange for delivery and payment.
billrobertson@donnachaidhinternational.com
webmaster@donnachaidhinternational.com
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