OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE SCOTTISH ST. ANDREW SOCIETY OF GREATER ST. LOUIS winter 2013 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE ANNOUNCEMENTS Don Withrow, President

NEW MEMBERS JOINING The Burns Committee led by Denise Duffy once again At the February Board Meeting we will begin planning THIS PAST YEAR outdid themselves by organizing and staging an out- for this year’s activities as well as the 2014 Burns Din- standing Burns Dinner on January 26th. It is my un- ner. This year will also be significant as we must select Charles and Irene Alexander derstanding that attendance exceeded last year’s Dinner a new slate of officers and board to be installed at the Lindsay Barth and there were many favorable comments on the venue fall AGM. If you are interested in serving on the board Virginia Bohner Harry Charles at the Chase. Out-of-town guests at my table said the or as an officer please contact Diane McCullough who Darryl and Lisa Coan pageantry and execution displayed at our Dinner were will chair the Nomination Committee. Jim Dallas far superior to those they had experienced at Burns Gavin Duffy Dinners in other parts of the country. There was some Best regards, Mary Anne Finnemore and trepidation on the part of some of my guests at eating Don Withrow Eric Good haggis, but all were won over by the excellent prepara- Teresa Hays tion provided by the Sisters of the Haggis. Melissa Hutchinson Bryan Landis st Kathleen Leach-Ross 41 ANNUAL BURNS DINNER William Lindsay Steve Nichols, Editor. Photos by Janey Brewen. Robert and Mary MacKenzie Sandy and Judith MacLean The large, languid January ‘Old Moon’ hung low in the St. Andrew Society’s 41st celebration of Robert Burns Stephan and Alicia McAllister eastern sky, promising revelers an evening full of fun, birth. Congenial emcee Brock Moss took over and intro- Richard and Gloria McBeth food, fellowship, and celebration. As we gathered for duced the Scottish American Military Society color guard Rev. Michael and Susan cocktails in the Zodiac Room on the 11th floor of the from local Post 1821: Stephen Butler, Colonel Donald McIntyre Chase-Park Plaza Hotel in mid-town St. Louis the gor- Clement, Mike Gibbens, and Allyn Hinton. Graham Parle Steve and Nancy Rapp geous, pastel western sky heightened our expectations Alastair Sutherland for a wonderful, event filled evening. Denise Duffy, Once our flags were proudly displayed before us, we Diane Waldron Karen Kraft, and all others responsible for planning the were led in toasts and singing of national anthems; to Walter and Joy Ward festivities did not disappoint. the President, by Melissa Hutchinson; and to the Queen, Trudi and Michael Ziegler by Stephen Butler. Then Grace Teall presented her toast After meeting old friends and making new acquain- to and we all joined in singing the paean “The VOLUNTEER TO STAFF OUR tances, we adjourned to the Starlight Room and found Flower of Scotland’. Pam Davis tried to keep our sing- BOOTH AT MO DAYS our assigned tables. Liz Belcastro introduced President ing on key, accompanied by Diane McCullough on the Don Withrow who formally opened program for our piano. Then Chaplain Rev. Millie Slack calmed the rau- Although Missouri Tartan Days is two months away, please check your calendar and consider helping at our booth. It’s fun to meet the public and learn their interest in Scotland. We’ll staff the booth Saturday, Apr. 6th and Sunday, Apr. 7th from 9 am to about 6 pm. If we have enough volunteers, we can staff the booth in shifts, allowing you the morning or afternoon to visit the other booths, shop the vendors, and indulge in good food and drink. Contact Liz Belcastro at: [email protected] or (314) 832-7105 OR Steve Nichols at: [email protected] or (314) 983-0389 The “Young Warriors”

The Scottish St. Andrew Society of Greater St. Louis | 636.577.1696 | www.stlstandrews.org BURNS DINNER (continued) Afton Water Steve Nichols, Editor. Photos by Janey Brewen. by Robert Burns cous crowd with her gracious invocation, soothing our would pay off with such dividend. I hope indeed that I hearts and souls so we could participate in Burns’ Sel- inspired you all to read more about Burns, and certainly Flow gently, sweet Afton, among thy green braes, kirk grace. keep enjoying his verse and song. Flow gently, I’ll sing thee a song in thy praise; Brock Moss stepped up to the podium again to an- Finally, the pièce de résistance: the skirl of the pipes My Mary’s asleep by thy nounce the piping in of the haggis by Matt Pantaleoni. announced the entrance of the St. Louis Caledonian murmuring stream, Chef du hôtel Nils Carlstedt, resplendent in , set the Pipe Band. The troupe, crisply led by pipe major John Flow gently, sweet Afton, groaning trencher of haggis before our own Helen Leslie Haack and drum sergeant Charles Cablish, captivated disturb not her dream. Jack. Helen regaled us with aplomb, her flawless reci- our hearts with their stirring music. The singular sound tation of ‘Address to a Haggis’ interpreted with clarity, of the pipes, variably upbeat and cheerful or transcen- Thou stock-dove, whose echo firmness, and yet respectful dignity for the about to be dental and mournful, demanded our attention. Not to resounds thro’ the glen, consumed ‘puddin’. After Helen’s toast, the hotel staff be out done by their windy brothers and sisters, the Ye wild whistling blackbirds presented each table with a plate of the esteemed vict- drummers entranced us, wielding their drumsticks with in yon thorny den, ual, lovingly prepared by the Ladies of the Haggis who flourish. And in a drum only arrangement, the staccato Thou green-crested lapwing, work so hard on our tasty treat, ensuring it ‘doesn’t taste punch of the snare drummers mesmerized us with their thy screaming forbear, I charge you disturb not my like liver!’ alternating crescendo and decrescendo. slumbering fair. After a delicious full-course dinner, Brock Moss once And not to let us down with too much of a thud, the How lofty, sweet Afton, thy more ascended the podium to marshal the evening’s band delighted the crowd with Burns’ venerable Auld neighbouring hills, events. First off was Dance Caledonia under the capa- Land Syne. All of us, Scots or nae, flooded the dance Far mark’d with the courses ble direction of Sandy Brown. Her lassies delighted us floor, joined arms, and sang: of clear winding rills; with old and familiar, and new and charming Highland There daily I wander as noon dances, pleasingly presented in precise style and execu- And there’s a hand my trusty friend! rises high, tion, honed by strict tutelage under Sandy’s discerning And give us a hand o’ thine! My flocks and my Mary’s eye. As I’ve followed these lovely, young ladies over the And we’ll take a right good-will draught, sweet cot in my eye. years, it’s been endearing to observe them mature and to For auld lang syne. grow in their dedication to this Scottish tradition, and How pleasant thy banks and green valleys below, also to see new younger lassies join the group. For the fi- Special thanks to Janey Brewen for the pictures. You can Where wild in the woodlands nale we were treated to a brand new twist from Madame see all 456 at http://scottisheventsstl.shutterfly.com/. the primroses blow; Brown--an old ritual with a new staging--the age-old There oft, as mild Ev’ning sword dance performed by two proud young warriors. sweeps over the lea, The laddies won the hearts of the crowd with their smart The sweet-scented birk footwork stepping over the shining blades. shades my Mary and me. And who will forget the adroit ‘Toast to the Lassies’ by Thy crystal stream, Afton, Charles Hoskins, and the sharp-witted repartee by his how lovely it glides, wife Jessica Hoskins? Their nimble lines were not only And winds by the cot where deft and insightful, but delivered in rhyme! This savvy my Mary resides, duo made us laugh with their clever doggerel. No doubt How wanton thy waters her the handsome couple labored long together, likely snowy feet lave, As gathering sweet flowrets spurred on to greater creativity by a glass of wine, or she stems thy clear wave. perhaps a dram of malt?

Flow gently, sweet Afton, Then it was my turn. When I was tapped last year to among thy green braes, deliver the Immortal Memory, I accepted thinking it was Flow gently, sweet river, the going to be my turn sooner or later, and why not agree theme of my lays; now. As my thoughts on what to say began to churn My Mary’s asleep by thy last fall, I realized what a formidable task this is. Aware murmuring stream, of the deep love of Scots for their Bard, I didn’t want Flow gently, sweet Afton, to turn out some bland, formulaic piece. Drilling down disturb not her dream. deep into my memory bank, I recalled a bit of my own learning long ago in a freshman English course at Van- derbilt University. During the years I’ve tried to apply ‘close reading’ of a poem when I sit down with a book of verse. Such application to a Burns poem magnifies e the richness of his expression wrought in his worldly experience. I was pleased to confirm this concept while reading a book on Burns I had acquired three years ago in Scotland. Never did I think this two pound purchase Steve Nichols delivering the Immortal Memory

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2

MARINE CPL MCLOUD HAS A NEW HOUSE BAGPIPER AT A FUNERAL Steve Nichols, Editor, (Information excerpted from the St Louis Post-Dispatch, Dec 23, 2012) Back in the July 2011 issue of the Thistle Times I re- houses have: special shelving; lifts for the shower, tub As a bagpiper, I play many ported on Marine Cpl. Justin McLoud, from Arnold, and bed; wood floors; easy-to-reach electrical outlets gigs. Recently I was asked MO, who lost three limbs in an IED attack in Afghani- and light switches; etc. Missouri credit unions raised by a funeral director to play stan. Members of our St Andrew Society, Clan MacLeod $100,000 to help build McLoud’s house along with at a graveside service for USA, and a person- donations from lo- a homeless man. He had al friend of mine, cal businesses, but no family or friends, so the a former Marine so did a lot of sweat service was to be at a himself, added their equity from hun- pauper’s cemetery in the back country. As I was not support to a fund- dreds of volunteers. familiar with the Backwoods, raiser at the Ar- Visit http://www. I got lost and, being a typical nold VFW Post for homesforourtroops. man, I didn’t stop Cpl. McLoud. Ian org for more details. for directions. Good and I were I finally arrived an hour late able present our Ever grateful for and saw the funeral guy gift personally and his special house, had evidently gone and the meet Cpl. McLoud, McLoud stressed hearse was nowhere in sight. his wife Brandi, and the importance of There were only the diggers baby son Desmond. reaching out to and crew left and they were those troops cur- eating lunch. I felt badly and Now this brave ma- rently serving. Care apologized to the men for being late. I went to the side rine and his family packages and letters of the grave and looked down have their own brand new home, a four bedroom ranch meant the world to him and his men when they were and the vault lid in Ste. Genevieve County. The fully paid for house is deployed in Afghanistan. You can visit http://www. was already in the project of ‘Homes for Our Troops’, a nationwide military.com/spouse/military-life/military-resources/ place. I didn’t know what else organization that has provided 117 custom built how-to-support-our-troops.html and find many ways to do, so I started to play. homes for severely wounded troops since 2005. These to support our brave men and women in uniform. The workers put down their lunches and began to gather around. I played out my heart A RARE SCOTCH, BACK ON THE ROCKS and soul for this man with no Steve Nichols, Editor, (Excerpted from the Wall Street Journal) family and friends. I played like I’ve never played Here’s another follow-up. In the . 2010 issue of before for this homeless man. the Thistle Times I reported on a crate of Scotch whis- And as I played ‘Amazing ky recovered from the Antarctic hut of famed explorer Grace,’ the workers began Sir Ernest Shackleton whose Nimrod expedition vis- to weep. They wept, I wept, ited the icy continent in 1907. Found in this crate bur- we all wept together. When ied in the ice were eleven bottles of Mackinlay’s Scotch, I finished I packed up my wrapped in paper and straw as protection from the rig- bagpipes and started for orous sea voyage. The whisky was bottled in 1898 after my car. the blend had aged for fifteen years. Despite the minus Though my head hung 22℉ temperatures, the whiskey could be heard sloshing low, my heart was full. As I opened the door to my car, I around in the bottles. heard one of the workers say, The frozen crate was gently opened after careful warm- “I never seen nothin’ like that ing in Christchurch, New Zealand’s Canterbury Muse- before and I’ve been putting um. Three of the bottles were flown to Scotland where in septic tanks for twenty years.” a distiller was able to extract samples for analysis. The Apparently, I’m still lost... It’s bottles were recently returned to New Zealand, and a man thing. Prime minister John Key personally handed them over to officials of the Antarctic Heritage Trust at the Scott Base, NZ outpost on Ross Island. The whisky will soon be transferred to Shackleton’s original desolate hut on Cape Royds, and replaced beneath the floorboards to protect the legacy of the so-called heroic era of Antarc- tic exploration. By the way, Shackleton was not able to reach the South Pole, but did set a record at the time for reaching the farthest southern latitude.

No word yet on the results of the analysis. Stay tuned: perhaps in a few years we’ll be able to sample a wee dram of neo-Mackinlay malt.

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3 meet our new board member BOARD Steve Nichols, Editor MEMBERS Andrew McCluer, Member-at-Large, grew up in St. all across Europe. He’s a big soccer fan: his favorite Charles County and graduated from Francis Howell Scottish team is the Rangers out of Glasgow; south of High School. From there he went on to University the border, he likes the Tottenham Hotspur. PRESIDENT of Missouri, and graduated in 2011 with a BS in Don Withrow Personal Finance Management. He is now a financial Andrew looks forward to organizing Scottish events to advisor with Renaissance Financial. Its St. Louis help our St. Louis St. Andrew Society grow, especially VICE-PRESIDENT office is located at 5700 Oakland Avenue. Andrew among his peers. Please get to know our newest board Iona Baldwin loves to travel and during college studied in Dublin, member. We look forward to his enthusiastic input. Ireland. While there he had the opportunity to travel TREASURER Jeffrey Holtz Andrew, seated, second from left

RECORDING SECRETARY Karen Kraft

THISTLE TIMES EDITOR Steve Nichols

ATTORNEY Allan Stewart

HISTORIAN/WEBMASTER Dave Hill

MEMBERSHIP Denise Duffy

BURNS DINNER COORDINATOR Denise Duffy

ACTIVITIES CHAIR FLOWER OF THE FOREST Liz Belcastro (extracted from the St Louis Post-Dispatch obituary Oct. 31, 2012) Sandra Jane Brennan (nee Solis) attending their Student Reviews, or showing up in the MEMBER-AT-LARGE passed away Oct. 29, 2012 at her wee hours of the morning, when they were finishing Andrew McCluer home. She will be sorely missed projects, with words of encouragement, and also by her beloved family. In her hugs and brownies. Sandy was a proud member of CHAPLAIN 20+ year career at Washington the Daughters of the British Empire, and loved by her Rev. Millie Slack University, Sandy had many friends there and at Greentree Community Church. In roles, including assistant to the 2002 Sandy was predeceased by her loving husband IMMEDIATE dean of the Sam Fox School of of 42 years, Thomas who had served two stints as PAST PRESIDENT Design and Visual Arts. She was a surrogate Mom president of the St. Andrew Society--1982-1984 and David Brown to many, many students who remember Sandy for 1992-1994. CHAPLAIN’S MESSAGE Chaplain Millie Slack

It is great to live only a few blocks from the Missouri Our Celtic Christian ancestors paid very close attention Botanical Garden and to be able to walk there whenever to the natural world and found spiritual reality in all I wish. The beauty that exists there in every season of creation. As we enter Lent and look toward Easter, makes my daily walk an enjoyable experience as well as we reflect on our finiteness as human beings and our a way to try to stay healthy. At this time of year I look need for the saving love of Jesus Christ. We also have for the first flowers, the dainty snowdrops, which true opportunities to reflect upon God’s goodness visible in to their name poke their white blossoms through the the world around us and in the faces of the people we snow, if necessary. One day there was only one, and then meet on our journey through life. Moving through the there were many, telling me that there is indeed life in changing seasons, let us be open to God’s Spirit at work the seemingly barren ground of winter. in our world and in our lives.

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4 clan strachan and its royal connection SCOTTISH OATY By Joan Strachan; edited by Steve Nichols VEGETABLE SOUP Crest: A demi stag springing great aunt was Isabella Mar, also a relative to King from yummly.com Or holding a thistle is this Robert. Furthermore, another sister of King Robert, mouth proper Mary, married Sir Alexander Fraser. Not only was This will warm the cockles Alexander Fraser the brother-in-law of King Robert, of your heart this winter. Motto: Non timeo sed caveo he was also the brother-in-law of the Earl of Mar. Prep time only 15 minutes; (I fear not but am cautious) Based on the familial ties, Margaret Strachan (nee Mar) total time is 1 ¼ hrs. Serves Slogan/Warcry: Clachnaben! 4. Got great reviews. You’re and her descendants had, from a genetic viewpoint, on your own converting the (a granite tor in the district as much of the original blood from King Robert as ingredient portions. overlooking a strategic road other descendants, including Queen Elizabeth II. through a pass) Examining the royal Bruce pedigree, one will find Ingredients Chief: None at present; last Adam de Strachan and Christina Bruce on the fourth 1 tablespoon olive oil chief Sir Robert Strachan, 6th line below King Robert. 1 medium carrot, chopped 1 medium turnip, chopped Baronet of Thornton, died in 1 medium onion, chopped 1828. Yet another link to the Scottish crown occurred 1 leek, trimmed and in 1424. Geoffrey de Strachan, along with Master chopped Strachan has its origins in . Alexander of Lindsay and Master Ingram of Lindsay, 30 g medium oatmeal Today’s eponymous district is about 100 square miles were granted safe conduct by the English to visit 570 ml meat stock or in the royal deeside Grampian Highland area, sharing Alexander of Lindsay, the Earl of Crawford. In the vegetable stock a boundary with the property of Balmoral Castle. days when the only people one could trust were family 400 ml milk It begins about 15 miles northeast of , members, it seems highly probable that Geoffrey was salt and pepper north of the Highland Boundary Fault, and therefore related to the Lindsays of Crawford. A hint of this chopped parsley is recognized properly as a Highland clan. Some relationship is that Geoffrey became ward of John regard Strachan as a Lowland clan, perhaps because Preparation of Lindsay on the death of his father Donald de one of its castles (Thornton Castle) is located in Strachan. Donald upon his marriage in 1343 to one 1. Add vegetables to olive oil , just south of the Highland Boundary Annabel was granted large estates by King David II. and ‘sweat’ them over a very Fault in Laurencekirk. The noble houses of Clan Annabel may have been a younger daughter or sister gentle heat, with the lid on, Strachan (Glenkindie, Thornton, Lenturk, Carmyllie, of the then Earl of Crawford, James of Lindsay who in for five minutes, until just and the Barony of Aberdeenshire) all originated 1351 stood as hostage for David II in England. When coated and softened. from the pre-feudal earldom (post-feudal barony) the ransom was finally paid and David reascended 2. Stir in the oatmeal and of Strachan--the Strachan district. Randolph de his throne in 1357, James of Lindsay was appointed cook for another minute or Strachan (son of Waldeve de Strachan) granted lands ambassador to England. so, stirring to near Fettercain (13 miles south of Strachan) to the prevent sticking. cathedral of Brechen in 1222. This suggests that the If indeed Donald de Strachan was the brother-in-law 3. Pour in the stock and Barony of Strachan was at one time much larger than of the Earl of Lindsay, then his son Geoffrey would stir well. the present district, and embraced the adjoining part of course have been the old Earl’s nephew and the 4. Bring to the boil, then of Kincardineshire to the south. new Earl’s cousin. As for the royal connection, the reduce the heat and simmer, new Earl’s wife was Margaret, daughter of Sir William covered, for 45 minutes. Baron Waldeve de Strachan, the earliest progenitor on Keith, the Earl Marshall of Scotland, and his wife 5. Add seasoning (if using) record to bear the name Strachan, was born toward Margaret Fraser (heiress of the barony of Strachan) and parsley. the end of the 12th century, sometime between 1160 was the grand-daughter of Mary Bruce, King Robert 6. Finally, add milk (if using), and 1180. About 1200 Waldeve granted a charter to I’s sister. Furthermore, Margaret Keith’s brother John reheat gently, and serve hot. the Prior of St. Andrews permitting him to hunt on had married Jean, a daughter of Robert II, the first his lands, to graze livestock on pastures between the Stuart king. Rivers Feugh and Dee, and to obtain timber from the Wood of Goach, which forms the northern part of the TO BE CONTINUED District of Strachan. In return, prayers were to be said for the souls of Waldeve and his ancestors and he was to be buried at the Priory. In 1244 Waldeve is listed as a juror along with such notables as Patrick, Earl of Atholl, the Earl of Strathearn, Baron Robert de Brus (father of King Robert the Bruce), David Marescal (the Earl Marshall of Scotland), and Baron John de Keith. Waldeve’s rank as the Baron de Strachan clearly established his place amongst the Scottish nobility.

In 1355 Thomas, Earl of Mar gave his daughter Margaret in marriage to Adam de Strachan. The grandparents of Thomas were Gartney, Earl of Mar and Christina Bruce, sister of King Robert. Thomas’ Clan Strachan Tartan

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5 STIRLING CASTLE TO BE RATED UK’S WHICH WOULD FAVORITE HERITAGE ATTRACTION YOU CHOOSE? Steve Nichols, Editor (extracted from Historic Scotland, 30 Aug 2012)

A lassie was conducting Stirling Castle has beaten attractions such as The Tower research in decision making of London, The Houses of Parliament and Hampton for her psychology degree. Court Palace to be rated the UK’s favorite heritage She asked an elderly gentleman: “At your ripe old attraction. In the survey of Which?, members rated age, if you had a choice, the castle - which was home to a young Mary, Queen what would you prefer to get– of Scots - as the UK’s top heritage attraction, citing areas Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s?” such as value for money, customer service and quality Without missing a beat of information. the old fellow answered: “Definitely Parkinson’s. The castle, which is run by Historic Scotland, re-opened Better to spill half an ounce its palace apartments to the public last June following of whisky, than to forget a £12 million restoration of its interiors to how they As well as the palace project, the castle also runs events where you keep the bottle.” may have looked in young Mary’s time. Years of research throughout the year which bring other aspects of the were carried out by archaeologists, historians and other castle’s checkered history to life. Stephen continues: scholars to ensure that every detail – from the furniture “We know that visitors are increasingly looking for to the heraldic decorations on the walls and ceilings – value for money and we want to ensure that we offer was as authentic as possible. Key highlights include a as competitive a proposition as possible. As well as set a replicas of the Stirling Heads – often referred to having costumed performers in the palace all year round as Scotland’s other crown jewels – which adorn the we also offer activities at the castle for all the family. ceiling of the Kings inner chamber. Many of the original These range from special children’s activities during surviving heads, which feature intricate carved images the October holidays to our annual Christmas program inspired by royalty, heraldry and mythology have been and themed events, and Historic Scotland members can brought back together in a special exhibition. benefit from free entry to the castle which includes all of the standalone events throughout the year. The castle Meanwhile, costumed performers from the court has witnessed some of most famous events in Scottish of a young Mary, Queen of Scots meet visitors to the history and we want it to be somewhere that visitors palace as they arrive, transporting them back in time to return again and again to create new memories.” the renaissance court of the 1540’s. Stephen Duncan, Director of Commercial and Tourism at Historic For all the latest on what is happening at Stirling Castle, Scotland said: “Stirling Castle was home to the Stewart visit our website at www.stirlingcastle.gov.uk and sign Kings and Queens, arguably the most famous dynasty in up for our free e-newsletter. Scottish history. At this time Stirling Castle and its palace JOIN US ON FACEBOOK were the height of renaissance grandeur and knights, Historic Scotland has 345 historic properties and sites nobles and foreign ambassadors would flock to the in its care. These include some of the leading tourism Click the “Like” button royal court to revel in its opulence. Through the palace attractions in the country, including Edinburgh, Stirling, above or search in project we wanted to recreate this experience for visitors and Urquhart Castles, Fort George, Linlithgow Palace, Facebook: by creating something entirely different to anything the Border Abbeys, and Skara Brae. For further details currently available in the Scottish market. It’s fantastic to visit: www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/places. Scottish St. Andrew see the response by visitors who have visited the castle Society of Greater in their hundreds of thousands since the reopening of Historic Scotland around the web: St. Louis the palace and to be recognized as the UK’s favorite www.twitter.com/welovehistory; heritage attraction is a huge honor and testament to the www.facebook.com/visithistoricscotland, hard work of all the team.” www.youtube.com/historicscotlandtv www.flickr.com/groups/makeyourownhistory

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TRAVEL: ‘THE YEAR OF NATURAL SCOTLAND’ EVENTS from Scotland.com With 2013 designated as the ‘Year of Natural Scotland’ and CNN declaring Scotland to be its top travel destination 14 choice for 2013, travelers who have considered visiting 2. this ruggedly beautiful country may want to make 2013 St Andrew the year to do so. The fact that the latest Bond movie, Society Social Skyfall, was filmed in Glencoe, certainly helped bring some of the spectacular scenery Scotland is known for (Every 2nd Thursday to the attention of a broader public, and with a host of of the month) special events and activities planned, visitors will be 6:30 –9:30 PM spoiled for choice. The Scottish Arms The first ever ‘John Muir Day’ will be celebrated on 21 10 S Sarah St April 2013 - the 175th anniversary of the Scottish-born St Louis, MO 63108 naturalist’s birth. Born in Dunbar, East Lothian, in 1838, John Muir’s family moved to the United States in 1849 where he became known as the ‘Father of the National 4.5-7 Parks’ due to his groundbreaking work in establishing including the West Highland Line – voted in 2009 as national parks, including the renowned Yosemite and the ‘Top Rail Journey in the World’ by the travel-savvy Missouri Tartan Days Sequoia National Parks. His love for nature began during readers of Wanderlust Magazine. The West Highland Frontier Park his boyhood years in Scotland and his contribution to Line links the ports of Oban and Mallaig on Scotland’s St. Charles, MO the concepts of conservation and preserving nature will west coast, to the city of Glasgow, passing through some be celebrated through a series of events, activities and of Scotland’s most breathtaking scenery. See website for walks in Scotland’s nature reserves and country parks. complete details: Young people will be encouraged to get in touch with Scotland already has a number of annual nature and nature during 2013, and Young Scot – the national outdoors related festivals and shows, such as The Royal www.motartanday.com youth information society – will be offering helpful Highland Show and the Scone Game Fair, and these advice and suggestions on how to get the most out of will fit in perfectly with the Year of Natural Scotland, outdoor activities. The whole family can absorb the encouraging visitors to embrace the simple pleasures beauty of natural Scotland on a scenic train journey, offered by nature in Scotland. 5.25-26 THE ROYAL COMMISSION ON THE ANCIENT Missouri River Irish Fest AND HISTORICAL MONUMENTS OF SCOTLAND Frontier Park (RCAHMS) St. Charles, MO Steve Nichols, Editor See website for The mission of RCAHMS is to help people to value and Also, see this website for some expansive views of complete details: enjoy their surroundings, to provide a world-class record beautiful Scotland. of the historic and built environment to local, national www.moriveririshfest.com and international audiences, as well as advancing http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/publication/?publicati understanding of the human influence on Scotland’s on=scotlandslandscapes YOUR ST. ANDREW places from earliest times to the present day. We achieve this through strategic field investigation, research and SOCIETY NEEDS YOU! our dynamic national collection, which together provide While the AGM seems far a unique, authoritative and internationally important away, Diane McCullough resource for the study and management of the historic is forming a Nominating and built environment. Committee. Please answer the call and This is achieved by identifying, surveying and analyzing consider joining the the historic and built environment of Scotland as well board and/or becoming as preserving, caring and adding to the information and an officer. Or, call one of items in its national collection. the board members. A healthy society has broad See the website http://www.rcahms.gov.uk for a wealth participation from its of information. There are many worthy publications. For membership. instance the aerial photography in Scotland’s Landscapes is exquisitely beautiful.

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PHOTOS FROM THE BURNS DINNER view more photos at http://scottisheventsstl.shutterfly.com/

Don Withrow St. Louis Caledonian Pipe Band

Dance Caledonia Helen Jack

The Hoskins Brock Moss Steve and Beth Nichols, daughter Julie O’Neal

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about the society will be answered. be will society the about and lore behind the whisky. the behind lore and

www.scotchstl.com where most questions questions most where at website about Scotland’s distilleries, and the science science the and distilleries, Scotland’s about

• To learn more about the society, please visit the club’s club’s the visit please society, the about more learn To

scotch, there’s also a multimedia presentation presentation multimedia a also there’s scotch,

been sampled. And along with tasting some fine fine some tasting with along And sampled. been

now for the 2012 season. 2012 the for now

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in Clayton, Missouri, and new tasting groups are forming forming are groups tasting new and Missouri, Clayton, in

styles and prices. During the society’s existence, existence, society’s the During prices. and styles

• The Society meets bimonthly at the Wine & Cheese Place Place Cheese & Wine the at bimonthly meets Society The

selection of single malts at every tasting, encompassing a variety of distilleries, distilleries, of variety a encompassing tasting, every at malts single of selection a

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•

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for sampling the many scotches available. There are far too many—and they are far far are they many—and too far are There available. scotches many the sampling for

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group might be added for the 2012 season. season. 2012 the for added be might group

enough interest in the club to suggest that a third tasting tasting third a that suggest to club the in interest enough Drummond MacDougall’s Single Malt Society. Malt Single MacDougall’s Drummond mind— in

to include two groups comprised of 63 members. There is is There members. 63 of comprised groups two include to

or just starting to explore them, there’s a club created with you you with created club a there’s them, explore to starting just or

group of approximately 17 members, and has now grown grown now has and members, 17 approximately of group

Whether you’re a long-time fan of single malt scotch whiskies, whiskies, scotch malt single of fan long-time a you’re Whether • The society was launched in November of 2009 with one one with 2009 of November in launched was society The

THE SCOTTISH ST. ANDREW SOCIETY OF GREATER ST. LOUIS P.O. Box 50306 St. Louis, MO 63105-9998

To foster and exchange cultural, educational and recreational pursuits between those of Scottish birth or descent and others in the St. Louis area.