Standfast - Spring/Summer 2020 - Issue MK55

Spring/Summer 2020 5 Standfast –- Spring/SummerAutumn/Winter 2020 2019 -– Issue Issue MK MK5455 SOCIETY COUNCIL MEMBERS

Patron Chairman Vice Chairman The Rt. Hon Sir James Grant of Fiona Grant, Don Grant, Grant, Monymusk, Milton Keynes, Lord Strathspey, Aberdeenshire Buckinghamshire of Nova Scotia, tel: 01467 651333 33rd Chief of Clan Grant, fiona@ monymusk.com Duthil, -shire

Treasurer Membership Secretary Standfast Editor Andrew G Grant, Kim Todd, Monymusk, Sir Archibald Grant, Belper, Derbyshire Aberdeenshire Monymusk, Aberdeenshire

Stand Organiser Tent Organiser Parade Marshal Olga Grant, Judy Lewis, Tim Atkinson, Daviot, Inverness-shire Duthil, Inverness-shire Factor at Ben Alder Estate, Dalwhinnie

2 Standfast -– Spring/Summer Autumn/Winter 2020 2019 -– Issue Issue MK MK5455

CONTENTS

In this edition of Standfast… Front Cover: DavidThe Chief, E Grant Standard with his Bearers, daughter Chieftains Susannah -and celebrating Clan Marching his 80th Birthdayto the Nethy at the Abernethy Games,Bridge pictured Games outside the Clan Grant tent. Back Cover: Piper to the Laird of Grant’ ‘Image © National Museums ’ Inside back cover; The ‘Champion to the Laird of Grant’ © Reidhaven Trust (Courtesy of GrantownRegulars Museum) Features 2. Society Council Members 6. Way in to Instagram Page 3.Regulars Message from the Chief Features 2. Society Council Members 12. Battle of Glenshiel Commemoration Ceremony 4. Letter from the Chairman 3. Message from the Chief 13. Archeological Treasures found at Glenshiel – P&J 4. Letter from the Chairman 14. A Galaxy of Grants at the Gathering, by David E Grant 5. Notes from the Vice Chairman 17. International Gathering 2020 – Updated Draft Programme Message6. Treasurer’s Reportfrom the Chief 19. The Trials and Tribulations, by Paul Grant 7. From the Tent Organiser’s Desk 21. Walking in Scotland with walkhighlands, by Kim Todd 7. The Membership Secretary Writes 22. International Gathering 1981 - Same Place, Another Time, 8. Flowers of the Forest Dear Kinsmenby James Grant 10. Membership News & Letters 23. Charlie and Trish Grant - 25th Anniversary Killin Games 13. Dates for your Diary 24. Society and Lordship in Early Medieval Strathspey, by Dr Thinking of Steve you allGoodall in these troubling times. We will be very sorry 26. YouTube Reels to Practise – from Sir Patrick to miss 27you. Anow Memorial that the for International Victoria Cross for Hero this Peter year Grant has had to be cancelled,29. but Fiddler we will of Strathspey look forward Festival to happier 2019 Reports times. 30. Wild and Majestic Exhibition, by David E Grant

Judy and I have been shielding at the Manse and we are both well. Message from the ChiefWe send our best wishes to you and your families and hope that you all are safe and well too. Dear Kinsmen,

TheYour year Kinsman is drawing and Chiefto a close and yet again one wonders where the time has gone. No doubt our hard working members on the International Gathering Committee are wishing it would slow downStrathspey a little. I am sure it will be a great success – and I look forward to welcoming old friends and making new ones from aroundStandfast the Craigellachie! world. Sir James Grant of Grant, Lord Strathspey. The Gathering this year was a little down in numbers – to be expected – but this was not at all noticeable as it appeared to be busy both during the day and in the evening. Those that attended were more than enthusiastic, I am pleased to relate.

With the festive season fast approaching, I would like to wish you all the merriest of Christmases and a happy, peaceful, and above all healthy New Year.

Your Kinsman and Chief

Strathspey

Sir James Grant of Grant, Lord Strathspey. Standfast Craigellachie! November 2019

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Standfast –- Spring/SummerAutumn/Winter 20202019 -– Issue Issue MK MK5455 Letter from thethe ChairmanChairman –- JulyNovember 2020 2019

'DearDear FellowClan Grant Members Members, andCountry. Well IWishers am due to -p Greetingsay them a fromgrateful Monymusk if you could start letting visit in the new year. It looks very us know how many of you are Greetings to you all nice, has excellent facilities and planning to come to 2020, even if YouI had will hoped not needto be ableme toto telltell you Thisthey ishave the given reason us awhy very you have Iyou am have delighted already to booked tell you to thatstay at that all the details of the 2020 competitive price. Andy and Aultmore. We need to get names whatInternational challenging Gathering times we are notHeide heard (2020 from committee me for so long theand goodnumbers Sir Patrickof people is so working we can goingProgramme through are and all nowhow neatly 'the best in andmembers) I apologise have hiredfor this, coaches but to hardget a clearon plans idea forof what Duthil we andare place, however the ‘best-laid take us to/from Grantown and trying to cater for. I am afraid that laidschemes plans o’ o'mice mice an’ and men men gang gang aft someNethybridge things hadso there to be will shelved be no as whenwe will he have and to his make trustees cut off are dates aftagley awry'’ to (Thankquote Robert you Robbie Burns or in Iproblem am sure getting you will there understand. and back I ready– April you 2020 will seems be informed reasonable of to after a dram or two. us – as it will get more and more Burns).my case, As ‘things you know don’t weturn had out the have decided instead, to write what they propose. He is hoping way we originally planned them’. difficult to book anything in planned The important to have abits wonderful are sorted as thisMonarch Newsletter of the to Glen keep Tyouour all in toAugust make as Duthil this is anthe exemplar busiest time of Internationalyou will see from this the year Updated and we the2020 picture as a stopgap while we whatof year clan for visitorscentres incan Scotland. be. Draft Programme on p.17, but This is likely to be a very popular werethere getting are still to quite grips a lotwith of bitsthe and areouting, rethinking but I am what afraid we that can we do. It would also be REALLY helpful finerpieces details to get inin Marchplace. when will only have the maximum of 50 Timto know Atkinson, what you our are Parade interested places on offer. Tim and I are in, even if it is not on the Covid2020 19 Committee struck and everything Sadly,trying theto work Clan out Grant the fairest UK way Marshal,programme has as set yet up– particularly an if wentJudy, out Andy, of the Heide, window. Tim, PeggyLike Society'sof distributing Council these decided places toan d Instagramit is anything account to do with with water pictures and and me, duly met the day after the have not come up with a solution that does not mean the alcoholic most of us I am sure it was not cancel this year's International that should interest you all. You Games to look at where we had got quite yet, but we are working on brown variety! clearto so at far the with beginning the plans. what I had we been andit. in view of the uncertainty of can find it below. I believe couldto Aultmore or could just not before plan the for, Games air travel especially, we are not thatPayment some Cutof you Off have Date already weekend to see about plans for the Rest of 2020 Programme The 2020 Committee had quite a henceClan Dinner the delay and at Ceilidh. being ableThis to planningAs I said aboveto try Iand have postpone not been it founddiscussion it and about it is whether very or not to formallyturned out let to you be allmore know complicated what toable next to getyear al lor the even exact the details year of entertaining.charge an administration fee for than I had hoped. It was made all the Programme in place as it the event and it was decided in the wasclear happening. to me that the maximum afterhas not for been the moment.possible yet We to hope tie end that if we did, it would number of people (including insteadpeople down that theto exact Nethy date Gamess etc, Wepenalise are also those thinking of you who of setting are not catering staff) was 150 which was a but the basic outline is in place – planning to join in all the events. Ourbit difficultwonderful to contemplate, Membership as we willthat go is weahead have next a Programme year anyway from upHowever, some virtual we did clanagree experiences that Secretarymay well haveand Standfastmore people Editor andFriday hope 7th to August be able, until with the your whichpayment would in full be for available everything to evening of Thursday 13th August, must be made by 31st May 2020. Kimcoming, Todd, and is theunfortunately last thing we on ideas and collaboration, to have members and which could be would want to do, is to turn so worry not. Rather than leaving furloughanyone away. at the moment so we somethingeverything untthatil fitsthe Sinummer with them. sentCommunity out to those Engagement of you who in are are Furthermore, not able to put the togethercosts of the our Thisedition would of Standfast mean that which if there would notStrathspey computer savvy! Such as marquee and the catering once all be too late – we plan to send you One of the things that has become usualthe add Standfastitional factors magazine came until into I werean update people in whothe S wouldpring. Thisbe able will makingvery clear a tovideo me, ofnot what just inyou my figureplace, outwas a astronomical different way and of we toonly come mean to thatthem, we that have we done could a bit mightrole as expectChairman to seeof Clan on a Grant visit for would be in the position of having of tweaking of the Programme UK, but also in my other role as doingto charge it. Furthermore, far more for the until evening a stillthat have I outlined a celebration in the first even place if it example.Vice Chair of the Association of weekthan orwe so think ago, would my husband be fair. We Sir wasand inwill a notmore affect minor the key.overall Highland Clans and Societies, is agreed that I would speedily look plan. This leads me on to a the importance of trying to engage Archiefor alternatives and I had which to radically I have don e. request which is: Wewith are any also local looking community at where change the way we do things on However, all is not gloom and fresheningclans have traditionally up our Clan been website Numbers Please based. In our case this is mainly theClan Estate, Dinner as we and brought Ceilidh his 92 doom and we are working on and Tim has been pointing me This will not take place at We have not asked you to book in Strathspey. yearAultmore old mother as we had up hereoriginally to someanything ideas yet, that but will given keep that the we in the direction of what some shieldplanned, her but from will the be virusat the plus spiritneed toof givethe Clanthe coach alive companies, and well otherAlthough clans many are ofdoing us do - notsome live in Macdonald Resort in who are driving us to the clan Scotland, I am sure we want to feel havingthe Peregrine to take Suiton ae lotbeneath of tasks the anddinner, in keeping the numbers with bythis April strange ofa sense which of look belonging well worth and kinship thatHill areof Craigellachie usually done – byso inothers. Grant new2020, world. Kim and I would be MOST copying.to where we came from, in

4 StandfastStandfast – - Autumn/WinterSpring/Summer 20192020 –- Issue MKMK5455

Onhowever a personal small a note way. - So,one with of the this topcontinued trophy tofor give the Fiddlerus support of in Duthilcompletely stuck if he was not in mind, the Society has been Strathspey Festival – see article Sir Patrick and the Trustees are thingsdoing its that best has to buildkept mebridges sane has onthis p.29 difficult. time. poweringable to do on this. – mainly Sir Patrick. beenbetween the us possibility and the local of finally He tells me that work is in community in Strathspey. The Ceilidh Band Monadh Ruadh progress, which it definitely is, but gettingChief and to the grips previous with getting Chairmen, my fromMerv Fèisand WendySpè Grant in heThe is notChief ready and to Judy say much for being more headSir Patrick around and Scottish Sir Archie, Gaelic. with AAustralia further pa andrt of Don our communityGrant in atthere the moment.and being The so Chief supportive however help from their assistants, involvement, is that this year we will be more than happy to show Whenestablished I was The eleven Gathering years atold the wereEngland very happywho gave to welcome me helpful again visitorsand who around send duringyou all the their week very if familyNethybridge moved as toa Clan Dublin Grant and the theadvice young and players counsel from in Fèis the Spè hegood has wishes.time. Gathering; this was not always the who are now a year older and that learning of Irish was beginning of all of this when I case. much more confident as musicians Mugs and Tote Bags compulsory We took part in in schools the Grantown there. As –could it was not lovely see to where see them this againwas all – AfterAnd sfinallyome miscalculations my apologies itonce ICentenary had more Celebrations or less finished in 2015 my theygoing. did a wonderful job. They seemagained if to you Andy have the recently Treasurer joined and and have made excellent links were accompanied by no less than me, that the most sensible way of primarywith Grantown education, and its I didmuseum. not Charlie McKerron the fiddler from managingClan Grant the and sale we of thesehave notis to have to do it and thought at the theSir famousPatrick's Gaelic wife Band, Lady Helen, encourageacknowledged any visitors it. As Ito mentioned buy In order to continue this process, I Capercaillie. This was a great them from the Grantown timeam delighted that this to was report great. that Mywe honourwho terrier and you like, will made be glad sure to that Museum,earlier my where administrative they are on salesystem, brothers,have donated being a new much computer younger, this hearwe we that able we tohave get booked back the the band andis not I will working keep a properlysmall stock and for we year to the museum. They have set for 2020, where I am sure they any overseas postal requests. didup a learn research Irish roomand on for that visitors basis willSociety's do us proud.funds and your will be in touch as soon as we havewith the a much help ofbetter our good friends, deposits that we had spent Socan. it just understandingDr Steve Goodall of and Gaelic, Dan which Logoin anticipation Competition of the coming remains for Cottam, the museum’s director. Sadly, we have had no response so me to wish isWe similar don’t have to Irish any picturesand a head of it farInternational in spite of our which best efforthad tos tobe youMy allvery the best wishes to you all startyet, but which I hope I have to rectify learned this toin engageabandoned. with local schools and bestand for hoping that you are keeping good time. young people’s groups such as Christmas regret! Sir Patrick is an Scouts and Guides, so it is unlikely andsafe New and Yearwell. excellentAnother thing Gaelic we speaker.have done On is tomy thatAndy we Grant, will succeed our Treasurer here, but whoyou from the Elves commission a very special trophy can’t win them all and we are who are still working their magic part,from ClanI have Grant long which been willfrustrated be a doinghas carried fine in onevery with other his way. duties forFiona 2020! Grant at not being able to understand regardless and who will have Chairman Clan Grant Society UK' or pronounce the language of been in touch with you if you Notesmy own country. from I hadthe a go Vice at Chairmahad booked a placen at Aultmore. finding something on Spotify After an enjoyable and pleasant involved a great deal of time and Reflecting on my own involvement whichtrip to thewas 2019 all right, Abernethy but Sir Games wTimork Atkinson,by the Council our membersParade in in the Clan and the Society, when Patrickand the Gathering,put me on toreturning Duolingo, Strathspey.Marshal, who Let’s set hope up thatthe the asked by people in the south about home to the usual domestic round plans come to fruition and attract my interest, there is usually a aof language tasks is somewhat teaching ofapp an you anti can- manyInstagram members, Account friends and and public quizzical raising of the eyebrows. getclimax! on your phone and which is totirelessly join in. searches for Generally, most questioners do free!! For the complete interesting things to put on it. not have a feeling of kinship, There was a good turnout of At the Sunday AGM, we were except with direct relatives. Mostly beginnermembers withlike mea sprinkling it is great of fun givenNot only a preview that, ofhe possible has is bursting there is no real understanding that andoverseas easy visitors to fit in to to add your fla vourday andto directionswith ideas in for which the thefuture. Society the clan system provides a both days. There was also a near might proceed. Again much work community. So at the next Irecord highly crowd recommend and the weatherit to get you and discussion must take place Gathering in 2020, we shall be startedgods smiled if you on fancy us. having a go. beforeMany athanks general to announcement Adrian Moar, able to celebrate our good fortune. can be made to the members. We I was cheered by the contents mustthe Web ensure Designer that what who is plannedcreated I wish you all a Happy Christmas Thisdescribing brings the me 2020 to a International place where I canthe beVisitors achieved. website As expected for us, thewho and a Good New Year and hope to Gathering Programme in the last main work load will fall on the see many clansfolk at the Games wouldedition likeof Standfast on our behalf and I look to thank shouldershas produced of those this in newsletter Strathspey and Gathering next year. thoseforward good to participating people who in have the andfor youthe remote as I would ones havesuch beenas events. I know that the timetable myself will help whenever Don Grant, Autumn 2019 is provisional for now and it has required. 5

Standfast - Spring/Summer 2020 - Issue MK 55 Clan Grant Instagram Page

Below are some of the images from our Clan Grant Instagram Page which can be accessed if you are viewing this Newsletter on a computer by clicking here - www.instagram.com/clangrantsocietyuk

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