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Home , James McGill, Scottish diaspora, Thomas McKay, Type locality (geology)

THE SCOTS CANADIAN Issue XXXVI Newsletter of the Scottish Studies Society: ISSN No. 1491-2759 Spring 2013 Lewis MacKinnon, Poet Laureate of , named Scot of the Year

We are delighted to announce that on more than two centuries Wednesday April 10, Lewis MacKinnon, since his people left Moidart Poet Laureate of Scotland will be presented and the Isle of Muck on with our annual Scot of the Year Award at Scotland’s rugged west our Dinner event to be held in coast. Toronto's historic Arts & Letters Club, which “I guess the people Lewis MacKinnon wearing ceremonial robe and crown for more than a century has been an involved with The Mòd important presence in 's cultural found something in my Gaelic poems that dying we could carry on a pretty good scene. spoke to them,” says MacKinnon. “Nova conversation.” Of course, one might expect the poet Scotia is the last living Gaelic community As a performer, he has sung in English, laureate of Scotland to be a Scot, but in outside Scotland. It is the same language, and Irish, performing in 2011, for the first time in the 122-year just more than 200 years removed.” coffee shops, pubs, convention centres, history of the Royal National Mòd, In 2008, MacKinnon published a volume theatres and concert halls in every Atlantic Scotland’s annual Gaelic cultural festival, of poetry entitled Famhair: dain ghaidhlig Canadian province, Ontario as well as in poet Lewis MacKinnon was eile or in English, Giant and Other Gaelic Scotland and . given the honour. Poems. It is a collection of almost 100 In the fall of 2007 he was a featured The poet laureate position, as the poems printed on facing pages in Gaelic and performer at the Féile Ámhranaíochta (The organizers of the international festival English. The title piece portrays the Gaelic Irish Song Festival in Belfast) and also in the describe, is “bestowed on an individual who language as a sleeping but restless giant, internationally acclaimed Celtic Colours has contributed significantly to the Gaelic stretched out beneath the province. Festival, Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia. literary world and it carries an ambassadorial “The Gaelic language went to sleep in this In 2008 his performances included the Blas role for the language and culture.” province, it went to sleep in times past, living Festival in Scotland and the Celtic Colours He expects his poet laureate role to under the earth, like a great giant, stretched Festival again. provide a tremendous learning and growth out,” MacKinnon wrote, suggesting the His all-Gaelic CD entitled A’ Seo - Here experience, including more about the Mòd language, while infrequently spoken, earned him an East Coast Music Award and its events. remained intrinsic. nomination and the song Ailein Duinn a “It will be great to work and learn with “This giant went to bed when our province traditional Gaelic song was selected to be others in terms of Gaelic development,” was young, but now wishes to rise up, to included in the Celtic Colours Festival’s MacKinnon noted. prove that he isn’t so frightful, that he is of 2007 compilation CD. He said his appointment also “recognizes use, for those who now tread upon him.” MacKinnon is a vocal artist who combines the efforts that have been going on in Nova MacKinnon’s father, Joe, acquired Gaelic passion and perspective along with powerful Scotia in terms of Gaelic language and as a child growing up in the town of baritone vocals in his songs. His most recent culture development over the last couple of Inverness on Nova Scotia’s Cape Breton effort offers interpretations of traditional decades. Island, but MacKinnon learned his Gaelic material to inspire present and future “We do have a living language and culture first from a great-uncle who spent the last 15 of learners, singers and that can make meaningful contributions to years of his life with the MacKinnons. Well composers. the whole discussion around Gaelic today.” beyond teaching the mechanics of the We do hope you will be able to join us on MacKinnon is better known as the language, Dougald MacDougall managed to April 10 for a memorable evening, so please executive director of Gaelic Affairs for the instill a great passion for the Gaelic. keep your eye on our website Province of Nova Scotia, though some still “He loved his language and one day I (www.scottishstudies.com) as we get closer know him as the young fellow from asked him to teach it to me. We started with to that date for up-to-date information. Or Antigonish County’s Dunmore Road who simple, everyday phrases like “close the feel free to call David Hunter at 416-699- speaks the Gaelic and sings it, too. door” and “open the window.” It was 9942 ([email protected]) for When he was crowned last fall in something special between my father and my more information. We look forward to Scotland’s western isles he was introduced as great-uncle. It appealed to me, so little by seeing as many of our supporters as possible the festival’s first-ever transatlantic bard. He little, I learned. By the time Dougald was at the event. is not exactly a stranger to Scotland, but it is

have organized some great talks recently at Digitizing Scotland the Centre. Dr Kevin James spoke on Victorian Travellers on their Tour By Dr. Graeme Morton and Katie McCullough analyzed the London Chair of Scottish Studies branch of the Highland Society of Scotland University of Guelph in the eighteenth century. The highlight for me, and I'm sure for many, was Mr. Jack Ross who gave us the benefit of 50 years of e have all come across some research into the characters in Burns's classic wonderful things when we start to "Tam O' Shanter." Reciting an illustrated version of the poem, Jack then gave a tour de W search the internet. It's truly March 29, 2013. A student rate of $10 is force performance on all the details in amazing what some people put out there, available. As always, lunch and coffee Burns's life that worked their way into the although thankfully most of it (but not all!) is breaks are included. characters and settings for what for many the "good stuff". Our students are certainly As in the past, the Scottish Studies people is their favourite piece of Burns. lost without the digital world around them. Foundation’s Annual Meeting will take place Thanks Jack, it was a performance to My colleagues and I in the Centre for during the lunch break (from 12 to 1:30 pm) remember and it will be a tall act to follow. Scottish Studies at the University of Guelph and it is important to note that a change in But still do please join us for forthcoming get the picture now: if its not available after a the law governing registered charitable talks by Kate Zubczyk on "Laurence Bruce: couple of searches on Google, then our organizations requires them to transition to Scottish Tyrant or Shetland hero" (March students are going to lose interest pretty the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act 11th, 3pm, room 132 Mackinnon, U of G) quickly. Thankfully, though, we can still (NFP Act). and Alec Follett, "Outlaws, Heroes and entice most of them to visit the archives Registered charities that are currently Fathers: Scottish Chapbook Masculinities" when they know they are going to see incorporated under Part II of the Canada (March 16th, 3pm, room 132 Mackinnon, U something unique. Textbooks they want on Corporations Act (such as the Scottish of G). Coffee and cake are always on offer their iPads, but primary documents are Studies Foundation and the Scottish Studies and entry is free. Further details from our allowed to be old and musty, although Society) must apply for a certificate of website, Facebook and Twitter feed (my that preferably the handwriting is something they continuance to transition to the NFP Act by sounds modern!): can read. October 17, 2014.

Not everyone can get to our world-class The Canada Not-for-profit Corporations http://www.uoguelph.ca/scottish/ archives, however, so increasingly we have Act (NFP Act) - which came into force on https://www.facebook.com/scottishstudies begun to digitize our treasures to make them October 17, 2011 - is the law that governs the https://twitter.com/ScottishStudies available at the end of a few clicks. Thanks internal affairs of federal not-for-profit to the generosity of the Scottish Studies corporations. Note that Part II of the Canada Also, the 2013 Scottish Studies Spring Foundation and its donation of $10,000 to the Corporations Act (CCA Part II) will continue Colloquium will be held on 6 April 2012 at project, we have been able to get yet more of to govern federal not-for-profit corporations Knox College, University of Toronto, from our collection scanned and available to read - until they make the transition to the NFP Act. 10:30 am to 3 pm (registration opens at 10 free of charge - from the Internet Archive. Such transitions must be completed by am). We have some great talks to present to The first 66 Scottish studies books of this October 17, 2014. you, plus a brand new documentary directed latest project are now available to read, and The transition process involves replacing by Dr Michael Newton on teaching Gaelic in more are on their way in the next few weeks. the corporation's letters patent, Canada. Here are the details - and I look There are some real gems, and you are supplementary letters patent (if any) and by- forward to welcoming you there: encouraged to give them a browse at our own laws with new charter documents. All by- section of the Internet Archive: laws, by-law amendments and repeals of by-  Dr. Kevin James (University of Guelph, http://archive.org/details/guelphscottishstudies laws must be filed with Corporations Canada History), "The McAutocrat of the Victorian U of G Information Resources Librarian within one year after the members have Highland Inn" Helen Salmon has been in charge of the approved them. project, aided by Scottish Studies graduate In accordance with this, we have prepared  Dr. J. Andrew Ross (University of Guelph, student Emily Pauw. Helen writes: "We have a new set of by-laws, which comply with the History) and Melissa McAfee (University of created a 'sub-collection' for the University NFP Act, and these have been mailed to Guelph, Archives & Special Collections), of Guelph, so that this collection can be members for approval and must be returned "Digitizing Guelph's Scottish Chapbook searched and identified separately from other for receipt at the SSF office by March 15, Collection" things that Guelph has contributed to the 2013. To complete the process, these by-

Internet Archive. In addition to the 300 or so laws must be approved by a two-thirds  Rachel Redshaw (Independent Scholar), books that we will be scanning as part of the majority of voting members. So if you have "The Virtual Voice of the Past: The Use of current project, I have requested that all of not already done so, please mail your Online Oral Accounts for a Holistic the U of G Scottish books digitized a few response in order for the Foundation’s Understanding of History" years ago be moved into this new sub- charitable status to be maintained. More collection. Hopefully, having a recognizable information is available on the Foundation’s  Movie Screening: Singing Against the sub-collection will help to make these website: www.scottishstudies.com. Silence (2012) Directed by Dr. Michael materials and Guelph's Scottish Studies To register for the Spring Colloquium, Newton (St. Francis Xavier) curriculum and research more visible." This please email us at [email protected]. is a wonderful development thanks to the Payment can be made at the door or mailed Registration is $25 for Scottish Studies Scottish Studies Foundation so please check to: Foundation members and for early-bird out the website, and enjoy. Centre for Scottish Studies registrants on or before March 29, 2013; the In addition to the digitization project and University of Guelph price increases to $30 for registrants after the day-to-day activities at the university we Guelph, ON N1G 2W1

2 The Scots Canadian applejack liquor. This Cosmic coincidence on process used barrels of cider left outside in winter the road to Glenelg to partially freeze. As the barrels iced up, they By Jonathan Amos would concentrate the apple-flavoured liquor. Likewise, cooling his is a tale of a wonderful magmas under pressure coincidence that ties together Mars, will crystallize and Tthe Canadian north-west, Scotland and concentrate residual fluids. "Jake" was a 100 years of . Bear with me because it takes a little while to pull all the threads consequence of those together, but it's worth it, I promise. residual fluids, eventually The rover landed in Gale Crater and started moving towards It starts with an object that had just been solidifying just inside a Glenelg. During the trek, on the 43rd Martian day of the investigated by Nasa's Curiosity rover and Martian volcano or in a lava mission, Curiosity came across the pyramidal rock. the object in question, now known as "Jake," flow. was a dark, pyramid-shaped 25cm-high Coming up with an exact Northwest Territories, but it has an even igneous rock sitting in a crater on the Red classification of the rock was not older lineage - one that goes back to a small Planet. When Curiosity first approached it, straightforward for although APXS and Highland settlement in Scotland. there was never really any expectation that it ChemCam will tell you which chemical This Scottish Glenelg is located on the would pique great excitement. It looked like elements are present, they don't tell you how western edge of the mainland, right by the just another dull piece of basalt, so much of precisely those atoms are arranged into the water channel separating the Isle of Skye which litters the Martian surface. But the crystalline structures that make up the rock, from the rest of Scotland. science team on Curiosity needed a target to and both this mineralogy and the chemical According to rover scientist and try out the first close-contact work using the composition are ideally needed to assign a petrologist Prof Ed Stolper, the 'type locality' rover's arm-held X-ray-spectrometer, APXS. rock name. So there's a bit of guesstimation for mugearite, i.e. the place the rock was first So the dark pyramid was chosen and going on here. From the chemical discovered, or at least defined as a distinctive informally given the name Jake Matijevic in composition, you have to work out the most rock type is Mugeary, which turns out to be honour of a recently deceased rover engineer. likely mineralogy. on Skye only 25 miles west of Glenelg. (See The results of the investigation by APXS, As mentioned, Jake has much higher map.) "The fellow who named the rock type and the rover's laser instrument, ChemCam, amounts of alkali elements, metals such as (in 1904) was Alfred Harker, the most revealed the rock to be anything but dull. sodium and potassium, than previously influential British petrographer/petrologist of The science team likened its chemistry to analyzed Martian rocks. And that has the the first third of the 20th Century. Given the some relatively rare but well-studied alkaline rest of the rover science team leaning (with a nearness of Mugeary and Glenelg, I consider rocks on Earth found on oceanic islands such lot of caveats) towards a classification that it to be a great cosmic coincidence that on its as Hawaii and the , and also in rift sits on a well-established sequence of way to Glenelg, the Curiosity rover found a zones like the Rio Grande. On Earth, such alkaline igneous rocks - one that goes by the rock that can legitimately be called a rocks typically form from relatively water- name "mugearite." mugearite!" rich magmas that have cooled slowly at And this is where we come to the great Life has a habit of throwing up such raised pressures. coincidence. remarkable connections. Glenelg was The Curiosity team compared their If you've been following the Curiosity identified and named on Mars four weeks formation to the fractionation that occurred rover story closely, you'll know that before Jake was even seen. in the old colonial method of making scientists on the mission have been using Curiosity only landed on the Red Planet names taken from last August but already it has returned some Canada's Northwest truly exciting science. And to think we have Territories to label the another couple of years at least to go on this places the rover is visiting. mission.  The Canadian north-west has some ancient rock formations, similar in age, we think, to those found in Gale Crater, Curiosity's landing site. The naming system makes it easy for everyone to understand what's being discussed when a particular location comes up in conversation. So, The rock known as Jake Matijevic: for example, the rover is Anything but dull currently making its way to a place everyone is referring to as Glenelg. This name is taken from a particular rock unit in the

The Scots Canadian 3 Spurred on by the gift, the RIAL became the Canadian-Scottish Studies governing body for McGill College, which was officially established in 1821. at McGill With this heritage in mind, the St. Andrew’s Society of and the A proud heritage, a vibrant future McEuen Scholarship Foundation are seeking philanthropic support to create a Chair in ames McGill, the man whose vision Canadian-Scottish Studies at McGill would lead to the creation of the University. J university that bears his name, was born This exciting initiative will ensure that the in , Scotland, on October 6, 1744, role of the Scots in Montreal, Quebec and the eldest son of an ironsmith. Canada will be a focus of academic work for During his studies at Glasgow University, years to come, and that the objectives of the McGill was shaped by the values of the St. Andrew’s Society to promote Scottish James McGill . Although he left traditions and identity and the McEuen university without completing a degree—a Scholarship Foundation’s objective to fact likely due to his family’s poor recognize Canada’s shared history with king,” said Peter McAuslan, President & fortunes—his education instilled in him a Scotland will be enhanced and secured. CEO of McAuslan Brewing and past lifelong love of new ideas, and a Some of the Chair’s key responsibilities president of the St. Andrew’s Society of commitment to give serious thought to the will be to enrich ties with Scottish academic Montreal. “Scotland itself was entering an beliefs and opinions of others, no matter how and cultural institutions. The Chair will intellectual renaissance that changed the at odds they were with his own worldview. undertake new research on Canadian-Scottish world. To understand the impact of the Scots Sometime before 1766, McGill heritage, history and culture, create outreach on Canada is to give insight into the nature of immigrated to and entered the activities that promote education and our past and perspective on our future.” rough-and-tumble world of the fur trade. His dialogue on the role of the Scots in Canada, This exciting initiative will adopt a hard work and French fluency served him and will train the next of uniquely broad and interdisciplinary well as he spent much of the following nine Canadian-Scottish scholars. approach to Canadian-Scottish studies, years in almost constant danger, navigating Most importantly, the Chair will help give bringing to bear expertise from a wide range the rivers and lakes of the Canadian-Scottish studies a new prominence of faculties, departments and scholarly frontier, wintering in unmapped wilderness in academia and beyond, and will provide a disciplines to illuminate the unique impact of and living off the land. valuable new avenue through which the St. the Scottish antecedent on Quebec and By 1775, McGill had established himself Andrew’s Society and the McEuen Canada from multiple perspectives. It will as a successful merchant, trading in furs, Scholarship Foundation can pursue their also be a unique opportunity for outreach, ammunition and general goods. He said missions and objectives. and one of the goals of the Chair will be to goodbye to bush life and used his fortune to To date, over $1,800,000 of the reach beyond small academic circles and settle in Montreal. There he married an $3,000,000 needed to fully endow the Chair engage the community by hosting visiting industrious francophone widow, Charlotte, has been raised and it is hoped that by April speakers and organizing events and and became stepfather to her young sons. 2013 the full amount will have been reached. conferences that will be open to the public. McGill's dedication to public service Just a short walk through Montreal’s Canadians, Quebecers and Montrealers, distinguished him from many of his fur- downtown core reveals the enduring role the enjoy a unique and enduring bond with trading contemporaries. A volunteer Colonel Scots have played in the growth and Scotland, encompassing both our rich history with the Montreal militia, he led the defence evolution of Montreal, Quebec and Canada. and our dynamic present. of Montreal during the War of 1812. He From national institutions like the Hudson’s McGill already enjoys a strong network of served as a city magistrate for many years, Bay Company, the Canadian Pacific collaborative ties with Scottish universities, making him part of a council that was the de Railway, the Royal of Canada, the including bilateral exchange, research and facto government of Montreal at the time. Bank of Montreal and the Black Watch, to internship agreements with the University of He was also a member of a committee that Montreal landmarks such as the Royal Glasgow, the University of , and reported on the need for a Legislative Montreal Golf Club and the Royal Montreal the University of St. Andrew’s. The Chair Assembly for the colony of , Curling Club, our history, culture and will allow us to expand and enrich those to which he would be elected three times. identity are inextricably linked to the vibrant partnerships, while creating new ties with Always a visionary, McGill was and diverse contributions of our Scottish institutions across Canada and around the determined to create a rigorous system of countrymen. world in a variety of complementary education for Lower Canada. During his The new Chair, which will be housed disciplines. time as a legislator, he participated in the within the world-renowned McGill Institute Your gift in support of the Chair in debates that would lead to the establishment for the Study of Canada and jointly Canadian-Scottish Studies will help ensure of the Royal Institute for the Advancement of appointed with the Department of History, that this bond is nurtured in perpetuity and Learning (RIAL), a body designed to will advance the Society and Foundation’s that Scottish-Canadian studies take their establish a formal educational system in the missions of celebrating and promoting rightful place at the heart of McGill, a colony. Canadian-Scottish history and culture, while University recognized for its world-class McGill took great care of the welfare of making an invaluable contribution to teaching, research and community others, including his stepchildren and the Canadian-Scottish studies at McGill. engagement. orphan daughter of a friend. This ecumenical “It is timely that a Canadian-Scottish chair and generous spirit manifested itself in his be created on the 190th anniversary of the To learn more, please contact Nicholas final will, which, after his death in 1813, founding of McGill, this most Scottish of Synnott at 514-398-5054 or by email at revealed a bequest to the RIAL for the institutions founded when Montreal was a [email protected] founding of a college. small Scottish bastion and the beaver was

4 The Scots Canadian French America stretched 3,000 miles and and for the first time John Law and the Mississippi from the mouth of the Mississippi River to members of the working class began Bubble: 1718-1720 Canada and included the present-day states investing whatever small sums they could that hug the river: Louisiana, Mississippi, scrape together. The creation of new

Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, millionaires was now commonplace. By Jon Moen, University of Mississippi Wisconsin, and Minnesota. Louisiana's In January 1719, the share price stood at

connection to the Mississippi River gave rise 500 livres; by December 1719 it soared to n the early 18th century the economy of to the company's more popular name, The 10,000 livres, an increase of 1900 percent in France was depressed with its Mississippi Company. just under a year government deeply in debt and taxes at I Law's company had exclusive trading Law's scheme was based on his an all-time high. In addition, since 1699, the privileges in the territory for 25 years and willingness to issue more and more bank French controlled the colony of Louisiana, a could appoint its own governor and officers notes to fund the purchase of shares but by vast settlement in the interior of North and make land grants to potential developers. January 1720, as investors sold shares to turn America, which included the Natchez district In turn, the company accepted the capital gains into gold coin, the share price and the area along the Mississippi Gulf Coast responsibility of transporting 6,000 settlers started to fall. in present-day Mississippi. and 3,000 slaves to the colony before In an attempt to stop the sell-off, Law Although much larger than France, the expiration of its charter. restricted any payment in gold to fewer than French knew very little about French To finance the initial operations of the 100 livres. The paper notes of the Bank America with few being able to pinpoint company, Law raised funds by selling shares Royale were then made legal tender, meaning where it was, many believed it to be rich in in the company for cash and, more that they could be used to pay taxes and silver and gold, the de facto currency of importantly, for state settle most debts. In France. bonds, which helped desperation, the And so it was that the depressed French French finances and company agreed to economic environment became fertile ground provided the company exchange notes for for the monetary and economic ideas of with a more secure cash shares in the company Scottish financier John Law, a gambler and a flow. The lure of gold at the going market brilliant mental calculator. He was known to and silver attracted many price of 10,000 livres. win card games by mentally calculating the eager investors. But the This resulted in a odds and originated economic ideas such as Mississippi Company was sudden doubling of the "The Scarcity Theory of Value" and the a small part of a much money supply in France "Real bills doctrine." Law’s views held that grander empire Law was and the resulting money creation would stimulate the about to create. In inflation reached a economy, that paper money was preferable to September 1718 the monthly rate of 23 metallic money, which should be banned, company acquired the percent in January 1720. and that shares were a superior form of monopoly in tobacco Law devalued shares money since they paid dividends. trading with Africa. in the company in When Law came to France in 1714, he In January 1719 Law's John Law (1671-1729) several stages during 1720, cultivated an acquaintance with the nephew Bank Generale was taken and by September that year of King Louis XIV, the Duke of Orleans who over by the French government and renamed the share price had fallen to 2,000 livres and had become regent of France after the king's the Bank Royale. However, Law remained in to 1,000 by December. death in 1715. The duke was impressed with charge and the crown continued to guarantee Law's enemies then proceeded to take Law's apparent financial expertise and sought the bank's issue of notes. In May that year he control of the company by confiscating his advice and assistance in an attempt to obtained control of the companies trading shares of investors who were unable to prove straighten out France's financial difficulties with China and the East Indies and renamed they had actually paid for their shares with left over from years of reckless spending his entire business interest the Compagnie real assets rather than credit. This reduced under Louis XIV. des Indes. As a result, Law now controlled investor shares, or shares outstanding, by It was this association with the Duke of all trade with France and the rest of the world two-thirds. By September 1721 share prices Orleans that would ensure Law's place in outside of Europe. had dropped to 500 livres, back to where history. The company next purchased the right to they had been at the start. In 1716 Law convinced the French mint new coins for France, and by October it The meteoric rise and fall of the government to let him open a bank, the Bank had purchased the right to collect most Mississippi Company laughingly became Generale, that could issue paper money in French taxes. In January 1720, Law became known as the “Mississippi Bubble” and, the form of bank notes. These would be the Controller General and Superintendent understandably, Law’s reputation never supported by the bank's assets of gold and General of Finance giving him control of recovered from his involvement in this total silver and would be circulated as a means of France's foreign trade and colonial financial disaster. Viewed as a scam-artist, exchange. Prior to this, paper money was a development and thereby of all of France's he was exiled from France and returned to new concept for the French; money to them finance and money creation. his gambling roots in mainland Europe to die meant silver and gold. Law believed that By holding much of the French in poverty. paper notes would increase the money in government's debt, not only had he secured a The story of John Law and the Mississippi circulation, which, in turn, would increase stable source of income for future business Company is as intriguing as any modern commerce and help revitalize and stabilize ventures, but had created Europe's most financial disaster. In the end, many of the the finances of the French government. successful conglomerate, all paid for by new millionaires were financially damaged In August 1717, he organized the issuing shares in his company. as was the French economy and it would be Compagnie d'Occident to which the French As Law's empire expanded, the eighty years before France would again risk government gave control of trade between Mississippi Company’s share price rose introducing paper money into its economy.  France and its Louisiana and Canadian dramatically, seducing investors from across colonies.

The Scots Canadian 5 , and recognized in Scotland as a The Scottish novelist, is well known in Canada for planning the city of Guelph as a town based Tapestry on an agricultural settlement with generous space provided for a market. John Galt Day he team behind the magnificent Battle has been celebrated each August in Guelph of Prestonpans Tapestry is now since 2006 with the raising of the “John Galt Tplanning a new tapestry, to be created Flag”, a “Kirkin” ceremony, and other by volunteers in communities around the community activities. Scots were also globe. responsible for establishing the Ontario The project will involve communities Agricultural and Veterinary colleges in around the world in the celebration of Guelph. Scottish heritage and culture and will be Travelling on to , the team Work in progress assembled and displayed in Scotland as part discovered that the parliament buildings are of the 2014 Homecoming celebrations. sited on “The Hill”, the former position of Today it is the residence of the British High Scots have migrated all over the world and the fort known as Barrack Hill. , as Commissioner to Canada. have often had a profound impact on the Ottawa was originally known, was named in Bethany Basaillon, Executive Director of areas where they settled. This project will honour of Lieutenant-Colonel John By, the the Scottish Society of Ottawa and Director see 25 such communities documenting their man was responsible for the . of the Ottawa City Piping College arrived a Scottish connections on a series of In 1832 the canal was constructed as a secure little later and showed great enthusiasm for embroidered panels, their combined stories route between Montreal and the British naval the Tapestry project. Having just recently paying homage to the incredible base at Kingston which allowed shipping to been present at Piping Live 2012 in Glasgow, determination and courage of Scots over the avoid a stretch of the St Lawrence River she is a regular visitor to Scotland with her centuries. along the New York border which was Sons of Scotland Pipe Band (Camp Argyll Whilst the Tapestry is being launched in vulnerable to attack in the event of another Number 26) and promised to join us in 2014 Scotland, stitching continues apace in both war with the . It became a for the Scottish Diaspora Tapestry Gothenburg in and Barga in the major trading route, especially for the lumber Homecoming events. The Sons of Scotland Province of Lucca, . Both communities industry. Benevolent Society was set up in Canada in there have already completed the first of their Gillian and Yvonne were invited to enjoy 1876 to support Scottish immigrants. The panels, which were displayed at the launch of an iced lemon drink with Robin Etherington, Society continues today to celebrate Scottish the project in Edinburgh on June 28th. Executive Director of the , culture and heritage. A list of stitchers and Last October, two members of the during which they heard about the humid stories will no doubt follow from this Diaspora Tapestry team, Gillian Hart and conditions and the threat of cholera endured important connection! Yvonne Murphy returned from a whistle-stop by the early settlers of Bytown. Robin In search of ever more Diaspora stories, research trip to Canada, meeting with Scots highlighted the role of Scottish stonemasons the team found time for a boat ride up the and the descendants of Scots in Ontario, in the construction of the canal. under the Alexandra Bridge Quebec, Nova Scotia, Manitoba and British The Commissariat erected in 1827 as a and past the Rideau Falls, Earnscliffe House, Columbia. And wherever they went they storehouse and military depot during the and McKay’s , before found people, from taxi drivers to waiters construction of the Rideau Canal, houses the clambering aboard another greyhound bus and everything in between, who proudly museum and is situated a few steps away headed towards Quebec. proclaimed: “Oh you’re from Scotland? My from the canal, before it reaches the Ottawa They made their way to the Lachine grandmother/father etc. came from Scotland River. This stone building was designed by National Historic Park: although Lachine is a too!” Thomas McKay of McKay and Redpath, borough of Montreal today, it was a separate The team’s ambitious tour began in Architects. McKay and Redpath were both settlement in the days of the fur trade. Guelph, a city in Southwestern Ontario, trained stonemasons appointed by John By. Alongside the canal, the team visited a stone where they met with Graeme Morton, Chair McKay built his own settlement with thriving storage shed, built in 1803 by Scotsman of the Scottish Studies Foundation at Guelph industries, known as New Edinburgh, on the Alexander Gordon. Here trade goods and University (who hails from Haddington in eastern side of the Rideau Falls. Earnscliffe, furs were stored for the North West East Lothian). He described the story of a Victorian manor built by McKay, became Company, which was established by Scottish John Galt (1779-1839) born in Irvine, the official residence of John A MacDonald, fur merchants in 1779 with its headquarters the first in 1867. in Montreal. After 1804 the company amalgamated with its main rival, the Hudson Bay Company. The or “Square Mile” developed at the foot of Mount Royal in Montreal and was home to the industrialists and financiers of the second half of the 19th century - shipping, timber, mining, rail, fur and banking. The current President of the St. Andrew’s Society of Montreal kindly collected Gillian and Yvonne from Lachine, who were then treated to tea and an array of home-baking at the Montreal home of Moira Barclay-Fernie. Moira was keen to emphasize the sense of welfare and the importance of education which the Scots and the St Andrew’s Society A scene from the Prestonpans Tapestry

6 The Scots Canadian Gallant and Aggi-Rose Reddin also joined them and there was soon a clear sense of the Alice Munro Rules Scottish passion Maritime Scots have for their Scots Rugby heritage.

Captain John MacDonald of Glenaladale By Douglas Gibson transported Scottish immigrants in the brig

Alexander in the early 1770s and they Alice Munro is renowned around the world settled in the Tracadie Bay area. for her superb short stories, and she has the Protestant lowlanders settled in the prizes and the reviews to show why many Malpeque Bay area in the 1770s and the claim her as the world’s best. An American Earl of Selkirk brought 800 Highland Scots reviewer for The Atlantic magazine said to settle in the Belfast area in 1804. simply, “She is the living writer most likely Charlottetown is considered the to be read in a hundred years.” birthplace of Confederation after initial discussions were held here in 1864.

On Troy MacCulloch’s recommendation The Barga Tapestry the team left the Hector Quay to visit the Dr. Thomas McCulloch House Museum. brought to Montreal, a legacy which According to the guide there, the house was continues today. built for the Presbyterian minister from stone Moira is an elder commissioner from the used as ballast in the ships sailing from Presbytery of Montreal and she pointed out Scotland. Dr McCulloch founded Pictou that the Presbyterian Church has always Academy in 1816, a non-sectarian college played an important role in Diaspora based on the . He was communities since the days of the first also an avid collector of birds and although a To my delight, Alice wrote the introduction settlers: the church introduced pastoral care display of mounted birds remains in the to my memoirs, Stories About Storytellers. for the settlers, with ministers travelling on house, the majority of the collection is kept In the book I talk proudly about our long horseback to the six or seven parishes in their at Dalhousie Museum in Halifax. association as author and editor, now care. The team left Moira’s house confident Back on the road, the journey to Cape amounting to fourteen story collections. I that there would be a group of keen stitchers Breton Island saw our researchers passing note that one of the happy coincidences that and storytellers in this community. along huge stretches of tree-lined roads. At brought us together was the fact that Alice It was soon time to head to Nova Scotia, intervals side roads disappear into the forest, grew up in Huron County, Ontario, which is beginning with a stop in Halifax. From many of them beginning with Mac/Mc. a landscape dominated by many branches of 1869-1871, Citadel Hill or Fort George was The team stayed the night in Baddeck at one river, the Maitland. Thanks to my home to the 78th (Highlanders) Regiment of The Telegraph House, once the home of mother, I bear that fairly uncommon family Foot and the 78th Highlanders (Halifax David A Dunlop and still owned by the title as my middle name, as in Douglas Citadel) Pipe Band. Halifax’s annual Royal family. Dunlop was responsible for laying Maitland Gibson. Nova Scotia International Tattoo was the first Atlantic telegraph cable from Alice’s own semi-fictional memoir, The established by Colonel Ian S Fraser in 1979 to Cape North. The View From Castle Rock, begins with the and marked the first International Gathering Telegraph Hotel opened its doors in 1861 to story of her own family, the Laidlaws, in the of the Clans outside Scotland. travellers and also served as the first . The earliest ancestor she Meeting the team at the Canadian Museum telegraph office, hence the name. Dr. found, Will Laidlaw, was born around 1700, of Immigration at Pier 21 was chief curator Alexander Graham Bell retired to Baddeck in and gained such local fame that his Tanya Bouchard and Carrie-Ann Smith, a house overlooking Baddeck Bay just a tombstone epitaph in Ettrick Kirkyard reads: Chief of Audience Engagement. They were short walk away from the hotel. The house is “Here lyeth William Laidlaw, the far-fam’d guided through the museum’s site, where now a Parks Canada Historic Site. The Will o’ Phaup, who for feats of frolic, agility from 1928 to 1971 immigration facilities following day, in dreich weather similar to and strength, had no equal in his day.” catered for immigrants, refugees and that back in Scotland, Gillian and Yvonne That epitaph was written by his prominent Canadian soldiers leaving for WWII. Of visited Rodney Chaisson, Director of the literary grandson, James Hogg. particular interest - but requiring further Highland Village Museum, and Rodney Yes, yes, you say. We know that Alice’s research - will be the stories relating to MacDonald, Chief Executive Officer of the wonderfully perceptive short stories may Scottish war brides and child evacuees. Gaelic College. The college was founded in range beyond her usual Huron County Eager to cover yet more miles, Gillian and 1938 by Rev A W R MacKenzie as a school settings, sometimes as far as , Yvonne hired a car and set off across Nova devoted to the study and preservation of the Albania, or even the world of a 19th century Scotia to Pictou, where in 1773 the Hector Gaelic language and Celtic arts and culture. Russian female mathematician, as in Too disembarked the first Scottish settlers at The Cabot Trail abounds with crafters, and Much Happiness. But what on earth does Brown’s Point, Pictou Harbour. A replica of with kilt-makers and weavers amongst the she have to do with the manly sporting world the vessel is moored alongside the Hector staff at the college there should be no of Scottish rugby in 2013? Quay where Troy MacCulloch, 2nd Vice shortage of stitchers and interesting stories Last week the Scottish national rugby team President of the Federation for Scottish from Scottish descendants. played their annual grudge match against the Culture in Nova Scotia and Deputy Mayor of English rugby team. They lost heavily. But New Glasgow, as well as Karla MacFarlane More information about this project can be every single Scottish point was scored by from the Hector Heritage Quay Society, met found at www.scottishdiasporatapestry.org three men. them to discuss the Tapestry project. Their names were Maitland, Laidlaw and Members of the Hogg! Scottish Settlers Historical Society, Mary

The Scots Canadian 7 Directors of the Scottish Roger Alexander Lindsay of Craighall Hon. Edwin A. Goodman Q.C., P.C., Douglas A. McWhirter Studies Foundation: FSA Scot O.C. Richard C. Meech Q.C. President: David A. Y. Campbell James M. Main William A. Goodfellow Mary Elizabeth Mick Vice President: David M. Hunter Dr. William Ross McEachern Alan P. Gordon Peter Montgomery Treasurer: David H. Thompson Joan and Don McGeachy James M. Grant, Clan Grant Society William & Audrey Montgomery Secretary: John B. McMillan Alan McKenzie of Canada Allan D. Morrison Directors at large: C. Douglas Reekie Mary Gregor Madelein Muntz Rev Nola Crewe T. Iain Ronald Jane Grier David and Una Murray Maggie McEwan Sir Neil Shaw James Haliburton Catherine O’May Douglas M. Gibson Donald A. Stewart M. Gen. (Ret) James E. Hanna Margaret Nightingale Dr Graeme Morton Alexander K. Stuart C.M. Hall of Names (Brampton) Orangeville Scottish Dancers Gordon G. Paterson The Toronto Gaelic Society Mrs. Jean Hedges Mr. Gordon Paterson J. Douglas Ross FSA Scot Dr. Cicely Watson Alex B. Henderson Ed & Anne Patrick Honorary Directors: Harry S. Richard Wernham Iain Hendry Darren B. Purse Ferguson, William Somerville Lynton “Red” Wilson, O.C. Gordon Hepburn Ms. Patricia Rae Staff: Patrons: David Hobbs Alastair G. Ramsay Catherine McKenzie Jansen, Margaret S. Adat Ms. Geraldine Howitt Sheldon Rankin Membership Secretary Olwen Anderson Maureen Hunt Hazel Rayner 580 Rebecca Street, Oakville, ON Robert Anderson David Hunter Mary Arvilla Read L6K 3N9 Dr. Gary Ashby James Lamont Hunter Sadie Reynolds Res: (905) 842-2106 Louis and Donalda Baldone Margaret Anne Hunter Rodger E.T. Ritchie [email protected] Mary G. Barnett John & Lorna Hutchinson Kim Ritchie Honorary Patrons: Peter Baxter Andrew MacAoidh Jergens Michael Paul Roberts Hugh Boyle William David Beaton Dr. & Mrs. Ted Kinnin Royal Scottish Geographical Society Robert Buchan Stephen Bennett Dr. Alison Kirk-Montgomery J. Douglas Ross FSA Scot John E. Cleghorn Ann Boden Barbara Klich Dr. Robert and Laura Saunders Professor E.J. Cowan John and Ruth Borthwick Captain Olof & Mrs. Sheila Kuipers Mr. & Mrs. Gary Seagrave Harry Ferguson Ian Buchanan Douglas Lackie Skara Brae Collections John Fraser G. Laurence Buchanan Susan E. Lahey Marie Scheffel Douglas Gibson Ruth and James Lillico Dr. David J. Scott Alastair W. Gillespie, P.C., O.C. Cairngorm Scottish Imports Loch Ness Celtic Jewellery Hudoneil Scott Col. the Hon. Henry N.R. Jackman, Driffield M. Cameron Elizabeth & Leonard Graham W. S. Scott Q.C. C.M., O.Ont., KSt.J. David Campbell MacLachlan Lain Helen B. Smith The Hon. Donald S. Macdonald, Donna Carmichael Marion F. Livingston Stanley & Margory Smith P.C., C.C. James H. Carnegie Ruth S. MacBeth Bill & April Somerville MGen. Lewis W. MacKenzie, MSC, Isabella Carnegie John H. Macdonald, FSAScot Capt. Stephen Spence O.Ont., C.D. John H. C. Clarry The Hon. Donald S. Macdonald, P.C., Jim & Kathy Spence Dr. Alistair MacLeod Nola Crewe C.C. Helen C. Stevens Kathie Macmillan Mrs. Elma Connor Miss Duncan MacDonald Dr. Roselynn M. W. Stevenson Michael I. M. MacMillan Dr. John H. Cooper The MacFie Clan Society Allan E. Stewart C.D Rt. Hon. Jack McConnell MSP Phyllis M. Corbett R. C. (Bob) MacFarlane (in David R. Stewart Alan McKenzie, FSAScot Kenneth L. Coupland memoriam) Helen Matthew Stewart Bill R. McNeil Nola Crewe & Harold Nelson Hugh K. N. Mackenzie John Mac Stewart Lloyd Robertson, O.C. Donald A. Crosbie Jim and Ann Mackenzie Ian G. Stewart T. Iain Ronald Antony A. Cunningham Margaret MacLeod Donald Campbell Sutherland Bill Somerville James Cuthill Dr. Kenneth and Mrs. Rhoda Mr. & Mrs. J.G.C. Templeton Donald Stewart Custom Scottish Imports MacRitchie Dr. Paul Thomson/Michelle Perrone Jean Watson William H. Davidson Gordon Main Janis Todd Richard Wernham Dr. Kirsty Duncan Wilson Markle J. James Wardlaw Lynton “Red” Wilson, O.C. Dorothy Dunlop Jack K. R. Martin Prof. David B. Waterhouse Corporate Sponsors Heather J. Elliot Gordon Menzies Dr. Cicely Watson The Harold E. Ballard Foundation Margaret Eastham William Irvine McArthur Joanne Watson Cairngorm Scottish Imports Gina Erichsen D.D.C. McGeachy Mitchell Watt Citibank Canada Prof. Elizabeth Ewan Ian A. McKay Robert Watt GE Canada Dr. & Mrs. G.T. Ewan M.R. MacLennan Ian White HBOS Canada Fergus Scottish Festival & Highland Margaret MacLeod Douglas Whitelaw Korn/Ferry Canada Inc. Games Hugh MacMillan, D. Litt. U. E. Directors of the Scottish Studies Walter Stewart and Associates Alice Ferguson Mary MacKay MacMillan FSA Scot Society: Benefactors: Mr. & Mrs. Harry S. Ferguson Robert W. McAllister President: Maggie McEwan Dr. Colin R. Blyth and Valerie Blyth Georgina Finlay Ms. Doris McArthur Vice President: Duncan H. Campbell John and Pattie Cleghorn Dr. Harry K. Fisher Dr. K. J. McBey Treasurer: David H. Thompson Richard Currie Ian Fisher Valerie McElroy Secretary: John B. McMillan Thomas L. Foulds Allan C. Fleming Murray McEwen Newsletter Editor: David M. Hunter Constance C. Gibson W. Neil & Marie Fraser Ian McFetters Directors at large: Alastair W. Gillespie, P.C., O.C. Dr. William & Mrs. Margaret Fraser Derek McGillivray David A. Y. Campbell Alan Gordon John MacKenzie Gammell Alistair McIntyre FSAScot William H. (Bill) Davidson Gordon and Shirley Grant Gendis Inc. & Associated Gail McIntyre Pearl Grieve-Nixon Jon K. Grant O.C. Corporations Margaret McGovern Edward Patrick Ian Craig Douglas M. Gibson Donald McKenzie Janice Richardson Marie Gregor John D. Gilchriese Capt. Duncan D. McMillan J. Douglas Ross FSA Scot Jane Grier Mr. & Mrs. Ian Gillespie John B. McMillan Mary Vigrow Nona Heaslip Stan Glass Mrs. Lois McRae Honorary Director: Dr. Hugh James N. Hepburn Catherine Goldie Douglas and Ilse McTaggart MacMillan Hal Jackman Malcolm M. Gollert Mr. Don McVicar

8 The Scots Canadian