Clan MacLeod Society USA Fitchburg, MA 01420 Summer 31 Street DonaldDr. A. MacLeod,VP NewEngland Region ClanMacLeod USA New England Regional Newsletter

Greetings from the Regional VP

inviteyou tovisit our website, athttp://www.macl Yourfellow New England clansfolk Welcome to all new CMS members!

I wish all of our members a great holiday season, and look forward to seeing you in person in the new year.

Dr. Donald MacLeod VP for the New England Region Clan MacLeod USA In this issue: New England St. Andrews Societies ...... 2

(shownhere atthe “tentless tent”at Loon Mountain CMS at New Hampshire Highland Games ...... 3 National Tartan Day Petition ...... 4 MacLeod news from around New England ...... 5 Recent Scottish Events ...... 6 Celtic Colours ...... 6

eodnewengland.org! Royal Scottish Country Dance Society Annual Concert ...... 7 Clan MacLeod Parliament 2010 ...... 7 Other Upcoming Local/USA events ...... 10 Strathspey and Reel Society of New Hampshire ...... 10 Christmas Walk and CMS Meeting, Alexandria VA ...... 10 How I Came to Parliament ...... 11 Patterns for Fabric Hose ...... 16 From your Newsletter volunteers ...... 19

If your year-end charitable giving plans have room for MacLeod considerations, please check our web page for some suggestions http://www.macleodnewengland.org/macleodcharities.html .

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From your Newsletter volunteers Our aim is to publish the newsletter twice a year. In each issue, we’ll include items of regional and general interest. We are very interested in your feedback on the purpose, content, and format of the newsletter. It would also be great if you’d volunteer to help with any of the activities mentioned. Welcome to our new members We’ve had some GREAT help with the newsletter this year! HUGE th Clan MacLeod Society New England thanks to Scott MacLeod for the lovely piece on his parents’ 50 wedding anniversary in the last issue, and this time we have an article from Audrey

Name City and State MacLeod Pfeiffer. You too are invited to share what you know of your DORI L DEAN NORTHAMPTON, MA heritage and the MacLeod “family” today. Articles on family history, JAMES E FOSTER NORTHAMPTON, MA memorable relatives, travels, or Scottish events are all welcome. TUCKER MACLEOD PRINCETON, MA Remember that weddings, graduations, and other life milestones, especially CAROLINE MACLEOD SAWYER FOXBORO, MA with pictures, are of interest to fellow clansfolk. Let us know! We’d also MARILYN CHRISTINE PRATT E BRIDGEWATER, MA like to dedicate a bit of free space to who want to give away or RORY MACLEOD WAKEFIELD, RI sell personal property that is of interest to clansfolk, in a “MacLeod to ROBERT J. HOAGLAND BARRINGTON, RI MacLeod Marketplace”. REBECCA L. GIFFORD BARRINGTON, RI NEIL H THOMPSON BRISTOL, RI Please keep in mind that there is no funding for the newsletter, just a JOYCE ANN MACLEOD WARWICK, RI handful of us who feel strongly about it chipping in to make it happen; but BRUCE RIDER No. PROVIDENCE, RI we can't do this indefinitely. To save on postage, paper and production ROBERT B. THOMPSON JR No. PROVIDENCE. RI costs, we'd much rather send the NL by e-mail, but we have only a small percentage of e-mail addresses for CMS members in the New England New England St. Andrews Societies region. So please send your email address to To augment Audrey MacLeod Pfeiffer’s mention [email protected] . In the meantime, we will send of St. Andrews’ Societies on page 5, here’s a list of hard copies to members for whom we do not have email addresses. societies in New England. Each one has its own Email is the quickest, easiest, and most efficient way to distribute the website, and is a good source of information for newsletter. If you’re receiving this newsletter by snail mail but can use events such as Burns dinners, which will happen in email, please send us your email address right away (so you don't forget). January, or Tartan Day activities in April: Otherwise, we will send a hard copy as long as we can but it will be hard to Maine http://www.mainehighlandgames.org keep the newsletter going. Thanks for your interest, cooperation and Massachusetts http://www.st -andrews -of -mass.org support, from your newsletter volunteers: New Hamp shire http://www.standrewsocietynh.org Sarah Piepgrass Veronica McClure 1824 Washington Street 116 Beltran St Rhode Island http://www.standrewsri.org (might be offline) Canton, MA 02021 Malden, MA 02148 Vermont http://www.standrewssocietyofvermont.org (781) 828-3930 (781) 321-0675 Connecticut http:// www.sasct.org (CMS USA Northeast region) [email protected] [email protected]

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Clan MacLeod Society USA Clan MacLeod Society USA New England Regional Newsletter New England Regional Newsletter pictures, go to http://www.flamingokilts.biz/gallery.html ; also visit the “Kilt Hose Cuffs” link for details and more pictures. These are 80% acrylic/ 20% CMS at New Hampshire Highland Games, wool and the gauge looks a bit large to me but maybe that’s necessary to Loon Mountain, 2009 be seen from a distance. However, the idea of separate cuffs to mix and By Veronica McClure match with your hose does tickle my fancy. The New Hampshire Highland Games proved to be quite an adventure Knitting patterns for fancy hose this year. A last-minute occurrence prevented our usually indefatigable RVP Dr. Don MacLeod from going to Loon Mountain, and of course he’s the Designs for Knitting Kilt Hose and Knickerbocker one with the actual tent, tables and chairs, tartan cloths, banners and flags, Stockings by Veronica Gainford is not for the faint- books, magazines, pamphlets, membership leaflets, sale items, etc. – all the hearted, but according to one customer review on things usually found at clan tents at Highland Games. Amazon, “this is one book I’d buy if my house burned down.” See http://www.amazon.com/Designs-Knitting- Your editor Sarah sent an urgent email asking for help and many of you Kilt-Veronica-Gainford/dp/0942018079. rallied to the cause! Dr. Don’s son Don Jr. was able to bring the tent and its contents to Loon, though he was not able to staff the tent, so Friday we at AND NOW – The pièce de résistance least had a physical presence. On Saturday, my intrepid Scottish Country Dance pals Joan Bannerman and Liz Olson, who've come with me to games Scrumptious Hose – Eye-Candy Hose – Knit before, and I made the trek to New Hampshire -- only to discover that there to Order Hose, , no pale legs here! Skye had been a very strong wind the night before (some said mini-tornado) that Highland Outfitters is an American firm run by destroyed the MacLeod tent and several others. Don Jr had cleaned up the Joshua Brown, a MacDonald with roots on Skye, mess already but I asked him to bring back anything in useable condition -- whose daughter is named Skye. The web site which he did: two boxes of miscellaneous items and tartan fabrics. has picture after picture of hose and all sorts of highland attire - casual, formal, military, band - all in good taste with great Our neighbors in the next tent, Clan Chattan, color and variety. How about a family or group chipping in for custom- took us under their wing, lent us a big heavy bench made, custom colored hose for a really special gift? that we used as a table, and each of the three of us http://www.skyehighlandoutfitters.com/Skye_Kilt_Hose.html . had a camp chair. We spread the Raasay tartan fabric over the big bench and one of my dance

The hose are not cheap, Castellated hose sashes like a table runner on top and that but they are glorious. The are particularly brightened things up immediately! We put out the few display items from prices simply reflect that rare nowadays, the boxes, including the MacLeod tartan booklet which was a big draw. they are hand-made to but here they 55 people (wow!) are represented by the signatures on the sign-in order. are! sheets, plus there were some who didn’t sign in but stopped by. There were conversations on many topics, and a lot of curiosity about why we This article grew out of my own interest in colorful legs as in the old were sitting in the sun. We began saying “we’re a tentless tent!” which pictures, and was propelled by Ruari’s workshop and wardrobe. I haven’t broke the ice nicely and made people smile. personally used all of the patterns, but they are inspiring. If you have some interesting hose, know of another source or supplier you’d like to share, or Several MacLeods were extremely helpful. Bob MacLeod from Lincoln, just have comments, please send the editors a note and/or photos. NH, the first to respond to the plea for help, stayed at the “tent” for a while with me and made it possible for several of us to leave the tent for a while.

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Robert Hoagland from Rhode Island stopped by and helped with the other patterns to see hose and clothes from other times and places. greeting and meeting. The family of the late N. Douglas MacLeod and the Reconstructing History patterns generally have historical notes and Cape Cod folks talked about events down their way as well as helped at the suggestions for period-appropriate fabrics, threads, etc. However, you can tent; Audrey MacLeod Pfeiffer (former RVP Herbie Macleod’s daughter, see be period perfect or experimental. You might try the hose with a less her article in this Newsletter) was also very helpful. In fact, everyone who expensive solid color cloth, and then with plaid or tartan cloth. stopped by made the day in the sun worthwhile. Kanniks Korner Unfortunately, there was no systematic lining up for the clan parade this KANNIKS KORNER offers Historic Costume Patterns, Books and Cross time (a Loon problem), and we almost didn’t make it into the lineup. Stitch Kits. See pattern KK-6001 – Stockings, pockets, and mitts at Despite this, we had a good group with more folks in the seats primed to http://www.kannikskorner.com/pataccess.htm call out “Hold Fast” with those of us in the ring. I have the nagging worry that we may have lost one or more MacLeods along the way to the parade. Pockets used to be separate items, tailored bags on a band tied about If so, please know it was only the confusion caused by the lack of the waist. I never understood the nursery rhyme about the little girl who coordination in setting up the parade. lost her pocket until I got interested in clothing history. When Joan, Liz and I stepped off the I believe there are more sources for patterns for fabric hose, but these shuttle bus to our car and the drive home, two are a good start. we saw two vapor trails crossing each Cotton hose other in the dark blue sky. This elated us I am not going to include information about readily available kilt hose, greatly. We immediately decided it was a but here are two vendors of cotton hose for those who are allergic or who St. Andrews Cross and were happy to take may prefer a lighter weight for warm climates or seasons. I haven’t worn it as a sign of victory over difficult them, but re-enactors wear them while running, jumping, climbing, pulling circumstances. cannon, etc. which indicates to me that they are serious hose. Alas, no one was able to staff the tent site on the Sunday, so there was Sutlers (merchants to Revolutionary and Civil War re-enactors) have no MacLeod presence that day. But given the last-minute nature of the socks and stockings that one doesn’t easily find elsewhere, including cotton emergency, compounded by the wind destroying the tent, we MacLeods kilt hose. A New England sutler who stocks cotton kilt hose is Steve Pano , pulled off a great day on Saturday. PO Box 4004, Shrewsbury , MA 01545 -7004, 508-852-5527. He visits many Here’s to all the MacLeods who indeed Held Fast at the New events in New England and sets up shop. Contact him to find out more Hampshire Highland Games, Loon Mountain, 2009 ! about his hose and get a schedule of events. National Tartan Day Petition Smoke & Fire , a company in Ohio, has a variety of socks and hose, including cotton. Go to http://www.smoke-fire.com/hats-and-stockings- Speaking of Tartan Day… Feel free to look at the National Tartan Day 2.asp for a look. While most of them are solid colors, you don’t have to buy Petition (http://www.petitiononline.com/Sep2009/petition.html) and take only white. Sadly, I suspect the vertical stripes might not work with a kilt, a few minutes to read it. There is a grassroots movement to get Tartan Day but if anyone tries it, please send pictures !! added to the official USA national calendar, and at the same time have the National Tartan Day Proclamation made in perpetuity. If you’d like to Hose cuffs - Flamingo Kilts support this movement, information here will tell you how. (Please note Honestly, I got this idea by all by myself -- but then Joshua Brown (see that this is not an endorsement from CMS.) last item) told me that others beat me to it, including Flamingo Kilts. For

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Clan MacLeod Society USA Clan MacLeod Society USA New England Regional Newsletter New England Regional Newsletter

MacLeod news from around New England by Audrey MacLeod Pfeiffer

Fall greetings to all MacLeods. I hope that despite the rainy and humid summer weather you all experienced a pleasurable summer and had the opportunity to connect with friends and family via vacations or attending Celtic events. My husband Donald and I traveled to the Canadian Maritimes (Cape

Ruari brought samples to his Ottawa workshop, and although I knew Breton and Prince Edward Island) where my ancestors settled from about fabric hose, I had never met anyone who had made his own pattern Scotland before migrating to the "Boston States". It is a favorite vacation on his own legs and feet. Of course, that’s how patterns begin, but I hadn’t destination for us and my extended family as we have many relatives there; met anyone who did it, especially on him or herself. That’s quite a “feat” as also the numerous Celtic activities featured across the provinces such as pattern-making goes. The important fact is that the fabric is cut on the bias, concerts, ceilidhs and highland games make it a great place to visit. The the true diagonal across the weave. Bias allows fabric to adjust to contours, weather mimics the New England climate however nights tend to be a wee and thus makes excellent hose. Make them longer and footless and they bit cooler. become the true trews which were much more fitted than any trousers If you can't get away to the Maritimes and you are from southern New you’ll see today. England you are in luck as the Blackstone River Theatre (BRT) in But you don’t have to make your own pattern – they are readily Cumberland RI will be starting their musical season. Their program features available and marketed to persons who re-enact earlier times. Here are a variety of artists among whom are Celtic artists from Ireland, Scotland and some ideas together with samples and suppliers for ways to stem the tide Canada. BRT also sponsors an annual Celtic Festival (for 2010 it will be held of pale legs. I must emphasize that these are NOT endorsements as I in June) and they are currently looking for people or businesses to help haven’t tried them all myself. But it is a start in getting familiar with fabric sponsor this event. For more information about the BRT see their web site hose and other interesting goodies. at http://www.riverfolk.org . Another organization that hosts Scottish activities is Patterns for Fabric Hose the St. Andrews Society. There is a branch in most Reconstructing History states; in the southern New England area we have the St Andrew's Society of Massachusetts: http://st- See https://www.reconstructinghistory.com/ and search for: andrews-of-mass.org/ , as well as the SAS of Rhode • Pattern #RH001 is a basic hose pattern with variations in the hose and in Island. They will be having their annual St Andrew's Dinner in the fall and the garters. Burns Dinner in February. (The Burns Dinner usually has 400-500 th • Pattern #RH308 Quintfall Hill, (Scotland), late 17 century in attendance.) They also hold an annual Tartan Day, Whiskey tasting and th th • Pattern #RH 309 Arnish Moor, Isle of Lewis, late 17 /early 18 century Christmas Party just to name a few of their social events. For membership • 308 and 309 each have several articles of clothing as well as hose and information contact Cindy McDonald at [email protected]. are based on information from original clothing. Some of you may remember my father, Herbert "Herbie" MacLeod, as Hose were not limited to Scotland, so you might also enjoy browsing the he was your Regional VP for NE for nearly 20 years (too many for me to

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Clan MacLeod Society USA Clan MacLeod Society USA New England Regional Newsletter New England Regional Newsletter remember exactly). A beautiful waltz was written in his memory by the well cream, or pale tan – boring. known Scottish-Canadian composer, Jerry Holland from Cape Breton, who True such hose are economical, but kilt hose do come in other colors. we mentioned in connection with Celtic Colours (next page). Jerry Look at this picture of our late unfortunately surrendered to cancer in July, but one of his compositions Chief John MacLeod of MacLeod, was “In Memory of Herbie MacLeod,” I would like to end my note by with Ulrika, at left. suggesting that you fix yourself a cup of tea or a wee dram of scotch and But then look at these vintage look up Jerry Holland on http://www.youtube.com , highlight this pictures to the right. composition, and sit back and enjoy the song while you sip. So I was primed to be Hold Fast, fascinated when at last year’s Audrey Macleod-Pfeiffer North American Gathering (NAG) in Recent Scottish Events Ottawa, Ruari Halford-MacLeod, President of the Clan MacLeod Celtic Colours (now gone by – consider next year!) Society of Scotland and also Cape Breton, Nova Scotia October 2009 interested in clothing and tartan history, did a program Although summer is the highlighted season for the Maritimes there is an on tartan and fabric kilt hose with color and pattern. event in the fall, Celtic Colours in Cape Breton Nova Scotia, which has taken Note, Ruari is not only interested in these things, he place there since 1997. wears them! In fact, he makes many of them, including the kilt and jacket he’s wearing in the group photo, on Celtic Colours is an annual international music festival held in various the next page. (Ruari is at the far right.) communities throughout Cape Breton in the month of October. In 2009 it too place from October 9-17. It is the largest celebration of Celtic culture in Ruari’s jacket is his own design based on 18th-century North America. military jackets which had folded back center-front facings of a contrast color compared to the body of the For information related to events and lodging about Celtic Colours visit coat. In this case the facings and cuffs are blue. And http://www.celtic-colours.com . There is also a toll free phone number for then there are the terrific “diced” hose with purposefully tickets: 1 888 355 7744. Not only is the music outstanding but the Maritime noticeable garters. Today, flashes are the stylized foliage at this time of year is, too. Driving thru New Brunswick and Nova reminders of various tied garters used long ago; these Scotia provides breathtaking scenery of the leaves garters are in full glory – no hiding here. (Neil of Canada, changing colors accompanied by the rugged coast second from the left, is the only competition with his lines and highland lakes. You need to see it to Argyll hose in the yellow tartan colors, which look quite spiffy.) believe it! Below are the Presidents of various national Clan MacLeod Societies, This year, there was be a special tribute to the ACMS, and the late Chief John. Unfortunately the colors aren’t quite right late fiddler Jerry Holland. Born in Brockton MA of as the very blue kilts are actually the blue and green “Harris” kilts. The red Cape Breton parents, he moved back to CB in 1975, kilt is MacLeod of Raasay, and Ruari is wearing a sett shown in a portrait of and never looked back. A successful performer, John Norman MacLeod, 24th Chief, at . For more on the many composer and teacher, he touched countless lives with his music. For more MacLeod tartans, see the booklet “The Tartans of Clan MacLeod” available information, go to http://www.jerryholland.com/index.htm on the “Merchandising” page of the ACMS website.

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Clan MacLeod Society USA Clan MacLeod Society USA New England Regional Newsletter New England Regional Newsletter sites on Lewis and Harris, I almost had a breakdown! Now I was really in Royal Scottish Country Dance Society Annual Concert hot water. Which to do??? By Sarah Piepgrass Push finally came to shove when Ken said ‘it’s now or never, are you The phenomenal guitarist Tony McManus was the principle guest artist Dancing in Scottish Castles or not?’ I read his new itinerary with Regency at this year's Royal Scottish Country Dance Society Boston Branch annual locations rather than Victorian, gave up my hoop-skirted ball gown for my November concert, held Saturday November 7th in Lexington MA. slim Regency dress, and said “Yes.” http://www.rscdsboston.org/events-november-concert.html . I had a wonderful time dancing in Scottish Castles. It was also a I was in a summer school class with him - wonderful introduction to Scotland and convinced me that I should WOW!!! He's an excellent teacher, an amazing somehow, someway go to Parliament the following year. musician, a very nice guy, and easy on the eye! In the end I did both trips, even though once I made up my mind to go Also featured were the talented and to Parliament it was late for finding accommodations for a single person successful fiddler Hanneke Cassel, pianist David sans car. After many, many inquiries led nowhere, a very nice B&B hostess Wiesler, as well as the RSCDS Demo Team and responded that although she couldn’t take me, she had a friend who other local dancers. It was a fabulous concert, sometimes took in persons for her, should she ask on my behalf? “Yes, followed by country dancing for all in the theater please”. So I stayed in a private home on the outskirts of Dunvegan village, lobby. Remember, this is an annual event, so be close enough to walk into town for all the events! sure to watch for it next November! Travelling to the Pre-Parliament tour went well because I now had Clan MacLeod Parliament 2010 experience and felt much more at ease travelling alone in Scotland. I made By Sarah Piepgrass my way to The Outer Hebrides, joined the MacLeod tour, and while I still We are now only months away from the 16th Clan MacLeod Parliament. don’t know exactly how it happened, for the opening dinner at Stornoway I As with the successful pre-Parliament trip to Harris and Lewis in 2006, this was assigned to Chief John and Ulrika’s table, me! – a total unknown, time there will be a pre-Parliament trip to visit MacLeod lands in Assynt: (on rubbing elbows with my Chief! the mainland), from Wednesday July 21 to Saturday 24 July. Then the The details are another story, maybe another time. The bottom line – ‘main’ Parliament will be held in Dunvegan, from Saturday July I’m so glad I was there, and I want to go back. If timid me can do this, so 24 to Saturday July 31, 2010. A preliminary program is available on the can you. Just don’t wait too long to book your accommodations – I learned Parliament section of the ACMS website, starting at that’s one thing you should not trust to luck and The ! http://www.clanmacleod.org/clan-parliament/clan-parliament-2010.html . P.S.: Ruari really is a terrific trip leader! You can sign up to receive an emailed Parliament newsletter where it says “add your name to the mailing list”. And be sure that you click all the WHERE HAVE ALL THE COLORFUL HOSE way to the specific Parliament 2010 page, (rather than the generic “Clan GONE? MacLeod Parliament” page) shown in the left-hand list. In which Veronica not only complains about pale legs but offers some In the last NL issue, we did “Parliament Then”, a brief history of the ideas to remedy the situation. MacLeod Parliament (still the envy of many a Clan Society!) In this issue, I’m fascinated by the great variety of hose shown in old pictures of men we’ll look at “Parliament Now”. Remember we said that the Clan MacLeod in kilts. Even the black and white pictures, whether drawings or Parliament is a world gathering of MacLeods, held every four years. photographs, show pattern and suggest color. Yet lately at Highland Games Parliament has evolved over time to become a combination of I’ve been seeing more and more of single color hose, and most often white,

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Clan MacLeod Society USA Clan MacLeod Society USA New England Regional Newsletter New England Regional Newsletter business/clan meetings and of social/cultural events, centered in and dancing in about 2000 and shortly after my email exchange with Ruari, I around Dunvegan, on the Isle on Skye, bringing MacLeods together from all started hearing about these great trips to Scotland and other places that a over the world to talk about the Clan. dancer named Ken McFarland organized, with dancing, for dancers. It was too much when he announced “Dancing in Scottish Castles” for summer ’04 Parliament Now… – especially when he described a newly opened to the public Victorian Generally speaking, Parliament is a 6-day event. The castle – I wanted so much to dance there in my mid-19th century ball gown, format for Parliament has become the following: hoops and all! Saturday: MacLeods from all over the world arrive in Then the buts kicked in again. But you can’t afford this, but you’re not Dunvegan, find their B&B’s and get settled in, then meet an experienced traveler, but, but, but... but then again, what’s the harm of together in a central location (most recently the Village one email? Hall) where CMS England hosts a welcome wine-and- Still I hesitated, even as I drooled over the trip descriptions on Ken cheese gathering, where everybody greets everybody McFarland’s website. Finally I wrote. Ken responded promptly that the trip else, and begins catching up on news since the last Parliament. was so popular that it had sold out almost immediately. However, even Sunday, many people attend services in the local Duirnish Parish church though he does not usually repeat his itineraries right away, he was (you may remember that the Dunvegan Foundation of CMS USA supports considering repeating this one because it was so popular. He’d send me an their music program in memory of the fact that Dame Flora was very active email when he decided. in the parish and played the organ in the church). After church, we all Phew – saved again! Or so I thought, because then gather at Parliament Central for the formal opening of Parliament, the CMS Parliament publicity started in earnest, and that preceded by a lunch hosted by ACMS, and followed by the Stanley McLeod sounded like such an interesting trip – totally different memorial lecture, the group photograph, and an otherwise leisurely but just as interesting. I hemmed and I hawed. afternoon of catching up and de-jetlagging. Then an email came from Ken that he was going to do Monday through Friday follow a general structure: Parliament business another “Dancing in Scottish Castles” trip for summer ’05. meetings in the mornings (for example, reports from national societies, There were still many arrangements to settle, this was discussions on how to identify Clan needs, collect and spend money on just an early notice, but it was going to happen. My heart activities and locations of Clan interest, etc.); social activities in the Veronica McClure sank as I figured there was no way I could go to Scotland afternoons (including a pilgrimage to the MacCrimmon cairn at Borreraig, and Nicole twice, once in ‘05 for Dancing in Scottish Castles and again climbing at least one of MacLeod’s Tables, a trip to Raasay, and something Sammarco in ’06 for the Clan Parliament. which is centered around the village of Dunvegan); and social gatherings in But the ideas wouldn’t go away. Figuring one more email wouldn’t hurt, the evening (including a formal clan dance, an informal meal, and a fun final I sent Ken McFarland an inquiry as to how the second Castles trip was ceilidh). shaping up. He wrote back right away that it was already 2/3rds sold out Saturday, we have the option of attending the Dunvegan Show, the even though it was not yet officially announced! He suggested that I send community’s yearly agricultural fair. Afterwards everybody leaves Skye and in a pre-pretrip deposit if I was at all interested. I did, figuring I still had disperses from Dunvegan to their next destination – continuing their plenty of time to cancel. vacations elsewhere in Scotland or Europe, or heading south for the journey Almost immediately after sending in that deposit, more information home. (Nostalgically speaking, in the “good ole days” before the Skye came about both trips, but when it was announced that Ruari Halford- Bridge, most folks would head for the Kylakin to catch the ferry to the MacLeod was going to lead a Pre-Parliament tour to ancient and historic mainland, and it could only take about 20 at a time, cars would be backed

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Clan MacLeod Society USA Clan MacLeod Society USA New England Regional Newsletter New England Regional Newsletter so engrossed I couldn’t wait to finish it. The last several pages were utterly up through the town waiting to get on the ferry. MacLeods would visit stunning in their simplicity. As the final confrontation was coming closer along the row of cars, lingering, chatting, sharing snacks, not wanting it be and closer, Dunnett described a fierce storm that came up over the over, not wanting to say the final goodbye… *sigh*.) Orkneys, delaying the ships trying to come to MacBeth’s aid. While reading For the first few Parliaments, meetings were held actually IN the the description of this storm, I realized I was holding my breath. drawing room and dining room of , but over time, more After recovering from the story, I found myself curious about Orkney and more MacLeods attended Parliament and Dunvegan Castle drew more and set sail on the internet. Almost immediately I found Skara Brae at and more tourists, so it was increasingly difficult to cope with the http://www.orkneyjar.com/history/skarabrae/ . The opening lines are: competing needs of the two different groups. It was decided to keep the In the winter of 1850, a great storm battered Orkney. There was meetings at Dunvegan Castle, but to move them to a big tent (marquee) nothing particularly unusual about that, but on this occasion, the erected in the gardens for that purpose (much to the distress of successive combination of wind and extremely high tides stripped the grass from estate gardeners), first in the Round Garden, then in the lochside field next a large mound, then known as to the Laundry Cottage, on a level spot which in Victorian times had been a "Skerrabra". tennis court! The big tent was rented from a company in Glasgow and required a day to drive the BIG truck with the actual tent and all its Since I’m also interested in really ancient accoutrements (poles, ropes, flooring, chairs) to Skye, a day to erect the history, AND there’s a Dorothy Dunnett-like tent, and a day to drive the empty rig back to Glasgow (all this to be storm right there on the Orkney home page, repeated/reversed after Parliament was over). The Clan couldn’t afford to this really got my attention and further pay for a driver AND crew, so we agreed to provide our own crew of browsing ensued. I stumbled across some volunteers who worked under the supervision of the tent company man. postings about travelling to Scotland, including a really enthusiastic Helping to erect the marquee was a fun and useful thing to do for endorsement of trips organized by someone named Ruari Halford- MacLeods who arrived early in Dunvegan; later it became one of the duties MacLeod. This web post mentioned especially how well he presented of the young MacLeods who were in Dunvegan as part of the NRG pre- ancient sites. The idea of seeing some of these places was becoming Parliament work week (more on that later). tempting; I had been to Europe twice, but it was many years before. The Marquee was the central point throughout the week for all daily As it happened, I was a new member of Clan MacLeod USA, having meetings and evening activities, and this carried on till 1998. That year, the recently joined when I found the MacLeod Clan tent at the Loon Mountain month of July had been a particularly wet one, still the Marquee was duly Highland Games. At the tent, I had noticed a clan publication with Ruari as erected in the Laundry Cottage field, and in the evening a damp but author. Here he was again, in a new setting, and highly recommended. The cheerful Wine and Cheese reception was held. But during the night a HUGE desire to see for myself began to bubble, but I kept saying “I can’t do this, I gale blew up, partially demolished the tent and flooded the part that was can’t afford this, I can’t go.” Nevertheless, I figured one email wouldn’t hurt still standing. Sunday morning, desperate but determined Parliament so I sent a message. The reply saved me - Ruari was cutting back on the Organizer Nancy Nicol galvanized into action, contacted various key people travel business but had planned a few more trips and would let me know in the village and arranged to move the daily morning meetings to the when they were ready. Duirnish Parish church, and the evening functions to the Dunvegan Village Phew – saved! But not for long ... Hall. Meanwhile, I’d been involved in various kinds of social dance for years, The central point for Parliament has become and seems likely to including vintage dance (recreating events of the 1860s, 1890s, and ragtime continue to be the Village Hall – which, compared to the marquee has the eras), and my 1860s ballgown is a brown plaid. I began Scottish country distinct advantage of having indoor plumbing! Plus, using the Hall has

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Clan MacLeod Society USA Clan MacLeod Society USA New England Regional Newsletter New England Regional Newsletter helped us develop a stronger partnership with the Village. The high point of the weekend is the Scottish Walk Parade on Saturday between 11 AM and 1 PM. This is an opportunity wear your MacLeod Other Upcoming Local/USA events finery and march with your kinsfolk through the lovely streets of Alexandria. A pipe band wearing MacLeod tartan marches with us. It is a Strathspey and Reel Society of New Hampshire fun event, whether you are in the parade or watching it from the sidelines. On Thanksgiving Sunday, we'll be going to the Strathspey and Reel Before and after the parade we gather at the home of a local MacLeod Society of NH’s Annual Gala Concert: http://www.srsnh.org/gala-concert family for brunching, munching, and toasting (food or liquid contributions It's a fabulous afternoon of music, dancing and fun. During Intermission welcome) - more opportunities to meet other MacLeods! Directions to the they have wonderful things to buy - GREAT for Christmas shopping! Note home will be available at the Hospitality Suite. For last minute MacLeod that the website has an article on Denise Houseman, an exercise parade and activity info, call Mid-Atlantic Regional VP Stephen MacLeod physiologist at Catholic Medical Center in Manchester, NH who recently (703) 360-2436. (There are no additional CMS group events planned for won the title of Women’s Masters World Champion at the Highland Games Saturday evening.) in Inverness, Scotland! We'd like to do a meet-up for lunch in Concord beforehand, but haven't picked a place yet - any suggestions? How I Came to Parliament (or, One Good Please do let us know if you can join us in Lexington and what time, and Trip Deserves Another) also if you have any ideas for Concord NH. By Veronica McClure I’ve always known that my surname was Scottish Christmas Walk and CMS Meeting, Alexandria VA and I’ve ALWAYS had a passing interest in things The winter CMS meeting purposefully coincides with the fabulous Scottish, but other than one instance in my early 20s Scottish Walk in Alexandria, Virginia held annually on the first weekend in when I learned that McClure is a sept of MacLeod December, beginning Thursday Dec. 4 with kids' activities, a lively Christmas (and then hogged the dining room table for several marketplace, & a Celtic concert. It is a city-wide, start-the-holidays event weeks, scared to cut into the tartan fabric to make a that brings together Scots from far and wide. MacLeod activities begin on MacClure/McClure skirt!), it was only several years before Parliament ’06 Friday at the Holiday Inn. The Dunvegan Foundation, the charitable arm of tartan that I really began to be interested. CMS USA, meets Friday morning & the CMS USA Management Council It’s like this… I enjoy historical novels, and several years ago, after meets that afternoon. CMS members are invited to observe these meetings reading a couple of stories set in Scotland, I struck up a conversation with a and learn about our ongoing projects and opportunities to volunteer. The colleague at work, who in turn told me how much she liked Dorothy MacLeod hospitality suite at the hotel opens at 4 PM in Room 340 for Dunnett’s novels. Bill Marshall, a respectful Dunnett fan, introduces her refreshments and camaraderie (contributions of both are encouraged), and this way: general information about the remainder of the weekend activities including Saturday's Scottish Walk will be available there. Please feel free Dorothy Dunnett is best known for her two superb series of historical to make the Hospitality Suite your hub for meeting other MacLeods. We fiction – The Lymond Chronicles and The House of Niccolo - set in the have "MacLeod" rates at the Holiday Inn, $119.00 + tax per night, effective 15th and 16th centuries and ranging all over Europe and the Wednesday Dec 3 thru Sunday Dec 7. The last day on which reservations Mediterranean while being anchored in Scotland; and for King can be made at this rate is November 14, 2008. Hereafter , the 11th century story of Earl Thorfinn of Orkney whom Dorothy believed was also King Macbeth The Hotel's number is (702) 548-6300, but feel free to stay wherever http://www.dorothydunnett.co.uk/ works for you. I got King Hereafter from the library. It was a slow at first, but then I got

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