TheScorrybreac Journal of Clan MacNicol of North America
Sandestin, Florida 2012 NORTH AMERICAN RICHARD S. CLAN GATHERING 6 “DICK” NICOLL Stalwart Clan Society THE MCNICOLLS Officer and Director OF QUEBEC 8 13
Scottish Dancing 10 By Ella Nicolson
The Nicholson family and the USS Nicholson 18
HISTORY OF SKYE – NEW EDITION 20
A H obbit THE CLAN MACNICOL FEDERATION in the 14 Clan! WEB PORTAL 4
May 2012 VOLUME 28 NUMBER 1 www.ClanMacNicol.org US $10.00
The Clan web modernization effort involves making the web COMING SOON As the Western States portal part of the Clan business website is retired, recall the Clan process through the use of a content THE CLAN MACNICOL FEDERATION Motto, “Meminisse sed Providere” management system. The site will (Remember but Look Forward), and handle secure ecommerce transactions believe me when I say that we have with an ability to pay dues online, much to look forward to. In October make donations to the Scorrybreac 2010 the North American Board of Fund or the Clan Scholarship fund Directors met for its annual business through a secure online system. This meeting, which was attended by Clan capability will greatly improve Clan Chief John MacNeacail. The Board business practices and allow for direct discussed numerous locations on the BY CLIFF WOLF solicitation of funds from site visitors. Internet which provide information In March 2012, the Clan entered Director, Clan MacNicol Society NA on the Clan, to include websites in Co-WebMaster into an arrangement with The Beracha, Australia, North America, Québec, Foundation (www.beracha.org), a Facebook, and several other websites web design and hosting company not under official Clan control. The out of Cincinnati, Ohio. Beracha common thread throughout the specializes in providing ecommerce, discussion was the inaccuracy of donor management and content many Internet sites with regard to management systems to churches and the history of the Clan, information other non-profit organizations, and is on tartans, clan badges and other better known by its association with common material. Although the its commercial sister company, TQI existing regional Clan web sites Net (www.tqinet.com), which provides do a great job providing this basic sites for companies such as General information to the public, Scorrybreac Electric Aircraft Engines. Beracha has This past month, the believes general information on the been given the initial requirements Western States Clan Clan would be more consistent, and for the new portal and will provide MacNicol website the Federation better served under a the Clan with three or four proposed was officially retired consolidated site. This proposal does designs. Once reviewed by the North after many years of not mean that regional Clan societies American and Australian directors service to the organization. would have no outlet for events or and approved by Scorrybreac, the According to Ken Lawrence, photo galleries, but rather a more current North American website the site was overcome by costly enhanced standardized capability for will shut down and the site address changes that rendered the site each region to display their unique will be transferred for use on the obsolete. Our thanks goes out to content through a single portal, Clan MacNicol Federation Portal. Ken who spent a great amount of time available in English and French. Regional web masters will have the caring for this web site as well as the Clan Requirements were put forward ability to add local content and game MacNicol Society of North America website for a professionally designed Clan commissioners will be able to update (www.clanmacnicol.org) which is still in service. MacNicol Federation Portal with the the regional calendars and photo ability to support all Clan societies. galleries. North American webmasters were Our Clan will undoubtedly asked to investigate information on “...BELIEVE ME WHEN I SAY THAT WE HAVE have one of the best Clan websites cost and design and provide that on the Internet once this project information back to the directors and MUCH TO LOOK FORWARD TO” completes. I look forward to the day Scorrybreac. we unveil the new site!
4 Scorrybreac May 2012 Scorrybreac VOLUME 28 NUMBER 1 5 2012 NORTH AMERICAN Jenn Nicolson-Church, Songs of Sorrow CLAN GATHERING Celtic Harp and Song, Nov. 12, 2011
Jenn’s show was amazing. Her voice was as always wonderful. Performing with a live band (Jenn Nicolson- Sandestin, Florida Church, Wayne Schmidt, Scott Archibald, Mark Fabricius and Roger Saltel) was a fun way to watch her perform. Her music worked well with the highland dancers. Her show included Friday to Monday a drum solo to the highland sword dance, and a ribbon highland dance to her harp music. She played both her small November 30 to December 3 and large harps. The special lighting and photos of Scotland added to the performance. It was a grand night for sure.
Your Clan MacNicol Society announces with great pleasure that it will at the rate of US$109 per night plus 7% tax If anyone wants to order her CD, they can just send me a hold its 2012 North American Gathering along with the Annual Di- and a daily resort fee of US$4.50 per room. check or money order for $15 each (anywhere in Canada) or rectors’ Meeting in Sandestin, Florida, U.S.A. from Friday, November These special rates can be extended to 3 days $22 each (outside of Canada but in Canadian funds only) 30 to Monday, December 3 (the first weekend in December). before the event (November 27 to 29) and 3 with the shipping address. Price includes taxes & shipping. days afterwards (December 3 to 5), subject to All members, families and friends are cordially room availability. Upgrades are also available Bonnie Fabricius invited to join the Society’s Officers and Directors for an at higher rates. #6 - 11490 232nd Street extended weekend of leisure activities, sightseeing, socialising, Gathering participants must make Maple Ridge BC V2X 3P1 entertainment, information sharing and dining. their own reservations as soon as possible, Sandestin, one of the premier seaside resorts on but absolutely no later than September 30, Florida’s beautiful Northwest Gulf Coast, offers a host 2012. Please contact the Hilton Sandestin of leisure activities. Cliff and Claudia Wolf have kindly Beach Reservations Department directly by volunteered to set up a full program for the weekend. phone at 800-367-1271. Callers must mention Victoria, British Columbia Projected events currently include: the our group name Clan MacNicol to ensure that they receive the appropriate rate and are Vancouver Island Games included in the guest room block attendance. Commissioner, Deb Nicol, held a “Mini-Gathering” U.S members should note the fall gathering for Clan members Friday Evening Informal dinner proximity of Sandestin to several neighboring and guests Nov. 12, 2011 in Victoria. Saturday Directors’ meeting, group leisure activities southern states. Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, The afternoon began with a tour and evening Ceilidh Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, of Craigdarroch Castle, completed and Tennessee are all within a day’s driving in 1890 for coal baron Robert and Sunday Clan information meeting, group leisure distance. Destin can be also reached by air via Joan Dunsmuir. The Dunsmuirs activities and informal farewell dinner three airports: Northwest Florida Regional were from Ayrshire and Airport/Fort Walton Beach (Code: VPS - 25 immigrated to Vancouver Island minutes drive), Northwest Florida Beaches in 1850, where Robert amassed his International Airport/Panama City (Code: fortune in coal mining. The castle is Members should check the North American Clan Website ECP - 50 minutes drive), and Pensacola now a designated National Historic www.clanmacnicol.org during the months ahead for further Regional Airport (Code: PNS - 70 minutes site. details on activities. drive). Following the tour we Our most recent North American Gathering were held To register your interest and enjoyed a “not so wee tea” at the in Park City, Utah (2011), Vancouver, British Columbia (2010), participation, please return your completed White Heather Tea Room. Clan and Hilton Head Island, South Carolina (2009) with great attendance form enclosed in this issue by members included Mary Lou success and enthusiastic attendance. July 16. Nicolson Klimek (2nd from the left), The principal venue for the 2012 Gathering will be Deb Nicol (at the rear) and Brenda the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa at 4000 South For further information about the Nicolson (back right). Sandestin Boulevard, Destin, Florida 32550, U.S.A. Gathering, e-mail Cliff at [email protected] And the weather was Cliff has reserved a block of non-smoking rooms or phone him at 850-240-6128. beautifully Scottish. (either single or double) at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Resort 6 Scorrybreac May 2012 Scorrybreac VOLUME 28 NUMBER 1 7 Le samedi 14 avril 2012, j’ai eu l’honneur de recevoir le prix THE MCNICOLLS OF « Gordon Atkinson award for military research ». Cette Chers membres du bourse est décernée par le conseil national du chardon pour QUEBEC la promotion de la culture écossaise au Québec. Notre livre horrible, no wood, meat or vege- Clan McNicoll du « L’Odyssée de notre ADN, des Highlands à La Malbaie » a Bonjour! tables. A large part of the popula- su attirer l’attention du comité de nomination et du comité tion didn’t survive. And they had Québec, de sélection. Nous rejoignons par cet honneur de grands While the international Clan MacNicol is to deal with the fact that they chercheurs et historiens canadiens. La réception s’est present on three continents and in the fol- lived in a region where there was J’ai le plaisir de vous annoncer que nous déroulée au mess des officiers du régiment Blackwatch à lowing countries—United Kingdom, Canada, not contact with other parts of rejoignons la grande famille du Clan Montréal. United States, Australia, and New Zealand Quebec from October to April be- MacNicol international. Il ne manquait plus Pour un premier livre, c’est un très bon début. —there is one particularly intriguing aspect cause of snow and ice on the river. que nous pour compléter cette belle mosaïque Lors de cette même soirée, nous avons vu un autre de nos which needs to be brought to the fore for the They established close links with de langues et de cultures. Nous sommes tous compatriotes se mériter le prix du meilleur « piper ». Je picture to be complete, the “French side of the the local French population since présents maintenant. félicite monsieur Alan Stairs du 78th Fraser Highlander, Clan MacNicol”. Scots and French had the same Nous nous joignons à un groupement régiment St-Andrew pour cet honneur. common enemy, England. But the qui se trouve sur plus de trois continents. Hey! Hey! I can hear you from here! Is it pos- most important fact, I think, is De l’Écosse, terre natale de nos ancêtres, sible that some MacNicols never had to speak that Duncan and Kathrine never en passant par le Canada, les États-Unis English? How could it be possible? Well, let spoke English, they were speakers d’Amérique, l’Australie et la Nouvelle- me tell you our secret: of “Gaelic”—or “Erse”, if you Zélande, il ne manquait plus à cette belle prefer. The five Scottish soldiers famille que l’élément différent qui nous nce upon a time in Scotland… My who came to La Malbaie became caractérise le plus, notre langue et le fait story begins in 1756, in the Scot- a part of that community. français. Otish city of Inveraray, Argyllshire. J’ai l’intention d’écrire dans cette Our heroes were a single couple, Duncan This is why we never had to speak English, because our revue, deux chroniques différentes. Ceci and Kathrine McNicol, both of them were ancestors were speaking “Gaelic”. You now know our secret! permettra à ceux qui sont bilingues d’en McNicols, though from different families. More than a thousand McNicolls have lived in the province savoir plus et d’intéresser les autres membres They were poor, hungry and dominated by the of Quebec, Canada and many of them became famous and du Clan MacNicol à nous découvrir. Nous English, they and all Scots were forbidden to important in many regions. Almost all McNicolls from our sommes différents et c’est ce qui fait notre wear the kilt, carry arms, speak Gaelic or use province descend from that single couple. particularité et notre charme. the bagpipes (remember Culloden, 1746). But the most important fact is that they had “no Now, we can say that the Clan MacNicol international repre- Alors, n’hésitez surtout pas à me contacter future”. So, this is why they decided to join sent all the different cultures and languages of all MacNicols pour que je puisse vous faire connaître: the enemy, the English army, to be sent to an on this planet. We are proud to join the family and we invited Des nouvelles de nous maintenant. Notre site web unknown destination. They were looking for a you to visit our website: [email protected] est toujours occupé et en fait nous sommes classés parmi les new beginning and the unknown destination www.clanmcnicollduquebec.com premiers pour le moteur de recherche « google ». Par contre, was the “Nouvelle-France” (New France) nous devrons retravailler tous les textes, car suite in Canada. They were integrated in the 78th Finally I would like to present à un changement de plateforme informatique, Fraser Highlanders regiment, commanded by our flag. You can see in the plusieurs caractères ne sont plus compatibles Scottish officers from the “Protestant French background the Scottish and avec l’ancien système. De plus, je voudrais Brigade”. Major General James Wolfe, the Quebec flags. That means remettre « au goût du jour » plusieurs des textes commander of the English forces in Canada, “From Scotland to Quebec”, qui sont maintenant obsolètes. Beaucoup de pain once remarked that “the best Scotsman I met and in the centre is the Clan’s sur la planche comme vous pouvez le constater: was a dead one!” This explains why the 78th crest. We also placed on our nous ne vous demandons que du temps. Fraser Highlanders was always on the front flag the “fleur de lys” to under- En terminant cette première chronique, line and at the centre during the battles. Los- score our French roots and j’aimerais vous inviter à visiter le site web du ing a Scot was not a big concern! association. Clan MacNicol international et de vous joindre à nous si cela vous intéresse, car maintenant, il y a At the end of the “Seven Years War” in 1763, In my next chronicle, I will tell you how we became: un peu de vous ici. Duncan and Kathrine had three children and she was pregnant again (can you imagine “Lords of Murray Bay” www.clanmacnicol.org that?). So they decided to stay in Canada and À bientôt settle with their Colonel, John Nairne, at La Amitiés Malbaie, Charlevoix on the north bank of the Guy Mc Nicoll Guy Mc Nicoll Saint Lawrence River. The first winter was Co-founder of the Clan McNicoll du Québec 8 Scorrybreac May 2012 Scorrybreac VOLUME 28 NUMBER 1 9 is simple and plain, varying in tempo but keeping the same basic steps and ideas. A Strathspey Ella is the grand- is slow and powerful, coming from the lower body and surging on the first count. Primarily in daughter of your editor, 6/8 time, it is characterized by a “Scotch snap”-- a sixteenth note followed by a dotted eighth. and wrote this article Both styles share the same, basic steps. The first is the traveling step, done on slightly raised heels. One should not be on a ballet dancer’s relevé, but on a relaxed rise. For the Strathspey for a school assignment. travelling step, the right foot starts by stepping out and then the left foot is brought behind to We thought it was a touch the right. The right foot is extended again and is then hopped on while the left foot is good description of brought through to begin the next step. Simply said it is: step-together-step-lift, step-together- Scottish Dancing step-lift. The other basic step is a setting step. Called so because when using it a person stays in what dancing means place and acknowledges his/her partner, it is basically a travel step without forward motion. In By Ella Nicolson to someone of Scottish terms of feet it simply goes: right, left, right, hop, left, right left, hop... Or: one-and-two-hop-one- Dance 1A, 6° descent….. and-two-hop. In reel time a dancer strikes out his/her unoccupied foot during the hop, called a jeté. There are also basic handholds such as the promenade and figures like the reel of four (basically a figure eight) which make learning new dances simple. One thing that makes Scottish dancing easy in social situations is that in an informal atmosphere the directions for the dance are usually read first. It might be confusing for a new person hearing: “This is a set for four couples, danced until all couple have repeated the figures. There is a small country in the north-western part of Europe. The land there ranges In the first eight bars the first couple turns by the right hand and then the left. Then the first from rocky crags to low, green plains to lovely forests. Its people are fierce and loyal. It has been lady turns the second man left, turns with her partner right, casts off two places, turns her called Caledonia, Alba, and Pryten, but we who claim to be descendants of her people called it partner right, and then sets to her partner... etc.” (Brockbank). Generally there are four or five Scotland. Much like its cousin, Ireland, Scotland is rich with strong tradition, traditions which sets of directions, simple and precise. They include what hand to reach out and who one should are carried elsewhere in the world when people leave. Among these traditions is the dancing. reach out to, as well as direction and timing. The common jargon of Scottish dancing is easy to Wild dancing, subdued dancing, dancing which even now is one of the most important aspects pick up on; words and phrases such as “cast off”, “poussette”, “corners”, “double triangles”, and of the culture. For those of us removed a generation of two from the culture, it is great if we can “down the middle and up” become a second language. It takes practice to learn how to keep name our clan and tartan, but we can’t call ourselves true Scots if we cannot dance. time and use the traveling step to complete the oft time weaving maneuvers, but with practice My education in Scottish dancing began when I was seven or so and my nana gave comes an ease which allows the assimilation of any particular dance. me my first kilt. A kilt is like a wrap-around skirt, secured by a couple buckles, and the tartan One more select and certainly more difficult branch of Scottish dancing is the Highland (colored pattern) identifies which clan a person belongs to. I had already taken a couple of Dance. Traditionally Scotland is divided into the rolling hills of the Lowlands and the craggy ballet classes, and I was surprised to learn that the basics were the same. I took lessons with hills of the Highlands. The Highlanders are supposed to be more wild, more in tune with the my dad for a couple years before quitting, and only recently have I danced with others. Visiting rough kind of men who fit more in the form of legends and history. Their kind of dancing my grandparents over the summer, they dragged me to a laid-back Scottish dancing group in reflects that. Highland dancing is filled with reckless abandon, higher jumps, spins that require Massachusetts. It was surprising to learn how easy it was to pick up again. Then again, Scottish partners holding on for dear life. My dad once described such a dance to me. He said, “We dancing is very simple in theory. There are only two traveling steps and a few handholds. didn’t just hold one hand when we turned like we do normally. Oh no. We grabbed both hands The directions are generally given at the beginning of each dance and the people are usually and spun really, really fast. It was scary!” The setting for Highland dancing also tends to be overjoyed when helping someone else. There is slow dancing and fast dancing, Highland more complex, filled with variations. Partners nowadays can use such free setting techniques dancing versus lowland dancing, and thousands of variations of the dances, and I love every to show off. There is also more of a tradition of solo dancing in Highland dancing. It is now second of it. famous for the “Sword Dance” and the “Highland fling” (Buckland). Highland dancing is now a It is hard to say how Scottish dancing was born, but when I asked my Grandpa he competitive sport with rules and regulations, some of which dancers complain about for being replied, “Well, the Scots were always fighting! And no one wants fighting, so they taught them too constricted. Highland dancing takes experience and confidence and should definitely not be to dance!” Whether or not that’s true, the style is very similar to English country dancing, and tried by someone new to the form. they most likely have common roots. Influenced by the high European courts, Scottish dancing On thing about Scottish dancing that is unique is its tradition of live music. Most places became popular on its own because it was simple and easy to follow. The English and higher of a sizable crowd have at least one fiddler and maybe a piano or accordion. Occasionally there court version, though, tended to be slower and more subdued and constrained than the type of might even be a piper, or some other simple instrument. Fiddle music is very free and allows dancing practice on the streets. During the Industrial Revolution, Scottish dancing lost much of for variations and improvisation, which is good because it is very likely that a fiddler will have its popularity as festivals ceased to be held, and a day of rest was best put to sleeping or extra to play the same basic tune quite a few times before a set ends. The musicians are responsible work (Buckland). However, the dance stayed alive and has been passed down from generation for giving the bow cue for starting the dance well as counting the bars and ending the music. If to generation. Today it is quite popular as a fun social dance, and is actually very much practiced the musicians keep playing then the dance must go on. Also, the musicians don’t usually know here in San Francisco. Formal balls reminiscent of Regency England are held for those who who they will be working with or what dances must be chosen, they must be able to sightread know the dances well enough to not need instruction. For those still learning, fun informal and go on without ever stopping. Fiddlers certainly have their work cut out for them! classes are held where the basic steps and dances are taught. “It’s nay a skirt, laddy; it’s a kilt!” Yes, that famous garment that allows men to wear Scottish dancing consists of reels in two styles, one a fast spritely dance usually in 4/4 or skirts without fear of a backlash. It is called Scottish dancing and therefore it follows that the 2/4 time, and the other the Strathspey, a unique kind of tune and very distinctive. A regular reel general dress code follows the customs of Scotland. Most men who take the time to enjoy
10 Scorrybreac May 2012 Scorrybreac VOLUME 28 NUMBER 1 11 Scottish dancing wear a kilt, generally also with a sporran (it is a wallet worn as a belt and hanging on the front; oft times it is furred and is very heavy). Aside from the kilt and sporran, Dick is known to many Clan members the next most important things are the socks. They must be pulled up to the calves and folded worldwide from his attendance at almost beneath the knee. Tucked into that sock a man will put his skean dhu (dagger). This derives all of our international gatherings, and for from an ancient precaution always to keep a small weapon handy, but in these days is merely a looking after our Clan tents at many highland formality! games in the northeast US and adjoining For the women the standard of dress is a little different. Though women today are Canadian provinces. Dick serves as Vice allowed to wear a kilt if they wish, most choose to wear loose and flowing dresses that reach at President of the North American Society, a least to the knee. If a woman wishes to be very formal she wears the traditional white dress with Counsellor to the Chief, a Trustee of Urras a tartan shoulder sash. The white dress may be of any style and have its own decorations, but Clan MhicNeacail on Skye, and has been the traditionally the dress is kept simple because the attention grabber is supposed to be the tartan. Society’s dedicated Treasurer for 20 years. He Fundamental to the art of Scottish dancing are the shoes. Called gillies, they resemble is the second longest serving director and the shoes worn by Irish dancers. Like slippers or ballet shoes, they have no heel, a soft sole, and officer after Murray. A true native resident of lace-up the calves. They can be found in different colors and are the traditional footwear for the Boston area – he was born in Cambridge, Scottish dancing for both men and women. has lived in Arlington and Lexington and now There are other nuances to clothing which depend on the kind of event. But instead of resides in the northern suburb of Billerica. the women having to deal with all these subtle intricacies, it is the men who have to be careful when choosing what to wear! For example, there is daytime wear and nighttime wear. During the daytime or an informal event, a man wears a tweed jacket over a nice shirt and a leather RICHARD S. “DICK” NICOLL: sporran. However, if it is a nighttime formal event, the man wears a black jacket and waistcoat over a fancier white shirt and a silver sporran. Men also wear bonnets. In today’s clans, if one Stalwart Clan Society has a high position in the clan, and has matriculated his own coat of arms, he may wear one feather in his bonnet. If the man is a chieftain, in charge of a division of the clan, he may wear Officer and Director two feathers. If he is a chief, ruler supreme of a clan, he wears three feathers. Only one person in the world, however, may wear four feathers. That person is the Queen of England, Wales, and He studied at Boston University and Scotland. (Nicolson). the University of New Hampshire, and was and Reading. Her interests in Scottish culture Scottish dancing is relaxed, sociable, and fun. It demands a loose body and a willingness originally a biology major, moving into marine began with her father who was born in Nova to make mistakes. The dancers are often encouraged to dance, whoop, and make conversation. biology and water research in hydrology. Like Scotia (clan MacIntosh). She is a graduate Some men might shy away from kilts, but as my Grandpa says, “It’s much better that they wear many engineers he worked in programming of Northeastern University with a degree in Medical Technology. She now enjoys her kilts than woad!” (Woad is blue paint/dye. When going to battle that was the only-- I repeat, and computer support for most of his career. retirement from lab management visiting only-- thing the Scots wore to battle.) Fed by tradition and a fierce love, Scottish dancing He has just retired – with much relief! survives today in the form of balls, classes, and the occasional festival. Dick began at Games in Wilmington, their six grandchildren, gardening, genealogy, Massachusetts in 1987 but had his first major photography and practicing Reiki. She loves challenge when he was in charge of our Clan to “meet and greet” with Dick at the Scottish tent in September 1991 at Loon Mountain, Games and delights in all the people, places and New Hampshire, where our own Clan Chief, experiences while being involved in the clan. Bibliography the late Iain Nicolson of Scorrybreac, was the Dick and Carol have three adult sons Chief of the whole Games. He is immortalized Ken, Jeff and Andrew. When Ken was still Brockbank, Ian. “Ceilidh Dance Instructions.” Grand Chain - the Scottish Dance Resource. Royal Scottish Country Dance on Plate 7 of the Clan History where he can a teenager in the early 1990s he produced Society. Web. 15 Nov. 2011.
14 Scorrybreac May 2012 Scorrybreac VOLUME 28 NUMBER 1 15 Jeremy Nicholson AS WE As we launch into this MAY JULY San Francisco Highland Games, year’s cycle of Highland games Smoky Mountain Highland Payson Scottish Festival, Utah Pleasanton, California and Scottish festivals, the Direc- Games, Maryville, Tennessee Ken and Tammy Lawrence Dale and Marilyn Nicoll tors and I would like to express Tom and Brenda Nicholson July 14 September 1-2 our deep appreciation to all state 2012 Pritchard with Doug and Robin and provincial Games Commis- Harrill The Highlands of Durham Games, GAMES & FESTIVALS Canmore Highland Games, sioners, along with their families May 19-20 Uxbridge, Ontario (tentative) Alberta and helpers, for their valuable and Stewart and Marie Nicholson WITH CLAN MACNICOL Mary Lou Nicolson Klimek with effective work on behalf of the Victoria Highland Games & Celtic July 28-29 Jean and Jenn Nicolson-Church Clan Society, both in the past and Festival, British Columbia REPRESENTATION September 2 for the future. Deborah Nicol Dufftown and District Games, May 19-20 Banffshire, Scotland Jeremy Nicholson as Honorary Festival Celtique de Québec, CALL FOR NEW GAMES Greater Greenville Scottish President Québec (tentative) COMMISSIONER Games & Highland Festival, South July 29 Jacques McNicoll VOLUNTEERS Carolina tentative September 10 Bill R. and Joan Nicol New Hampshire Highland Members in the U.S. and Canada May 25-26 Games, Loon Mountain, Lincoln who are interested in represent- Dick and Carol Nicoll ing our Clan MacNicol at events Alma Highlands Festival & AUGUST September 22-23 this year or next should contact Games, Michigan Glengarry Highland Games, me—Jeremy Nicholson—at their Bruce Goodburne Maxville, Ontario Jacques McNicoll Dandridge Scots-Irish Festival, earliest convenience to discuss Dale Nicoll May 26-27 Tennessee the responsibilities and benefits at his clan August 3-4 tent this Tom and Brenda Nicholson involved. My contact details are Spring at the Pritchard listed on page 2 of this and every Sacramento JUNE Montreal Highland Games, September 29 issue of the newsletter. Caledonian Utah Scottish Festival & Highland Quebec Club Games Games, Lehi Jacques McNicoll in Woodland, CA Ken and Tammy Lawrence August 5 June 8-9 Fergus Scottish Festival & REPRESENTATION AT JANUARY MARCH Illinois St. Andrew Society Highland Games, Ontario 2012 GAMES AND Central Florida Scottish Highland Arizona Scottish Gathering & Highland Games, Itasca Stewart and Marie Nicholson and OCTOBER FESTIVALS Games, Winter Springs Highland Games, Phoenix Jane Nicoll Stover Kim Nicolson-Simpson Stone Mountain Highland Games, Cliff and Claudia Wolf with Bruce McNichols June 15-16 August 11-12 Georgia Stewart and Marie Nicholson March 24-25 R. Burke and Kerri Nicholson January 14-15 Georgetown Highland Games, Maine Highland Games, Topsham with Jeremy Nicholson Hereafter follows a chronologi- Ontario Bill E. Nicholson October 20-21 cal list of all games and festivals Stewart and Marie Nicholson and August 18 where the Clan was or will be APRIL Kim Nicolson-Simpson represented at a tent or booth in Rural Hill Scottish Festival & Loch June 19 Bitterroot Scottish Irish Festival, 2012 including one in Scotland: FEBRUARY Norman Highland Games, Hamilton, Montana Sarasota Highland Games and Huntersville, North Carolina BC Highland Games, Coquitlam Tom and Mary Nichols Tom and Brenda Nicholson Celtic Festival (tentative) August 25-26 NOVEMBER Stewart and Marie Nicholson Pritchard with Anne Nicholson Kelly Nimmo and Jenn Nicolson- Tucson Celtic Festival & Scottish February 4 Crocker Church Highland Games, Arizona April 21-22 June 23 Bruce McNichols Northeast Florida Jacksonville SEPTEMBER November 20 Scottish Highland Games, Green Sacramento Valley Scottish Games Red Deer Highland Games, Calgary Highland Games, Alberta Cove Springs & Festival, Woodland, California Alberta (tentative) Mary Lou Nicolson Klimek with Cliff and Claudia Wolf Dale and Marilyn Nicoll Mary Lou Nicolson Klimek Jean and Jenn Nicolson-Church February 26 April 28-29 June 23 September 1
16 17 Scorrybreac May 2012 Scorrybreac VOLUME 28 NUMBER 1 Captain Samuel Nicholson (1743-1811) from the Luftwaffe. After five months in the USS NICHOLSON (DD442) first served under John Paul Jones on the BON Mediterranean she returned to the United HOMME RICHARD. Later, while in com- States for overhaul and preparation for Pa- mand of the DEAN he brilliantly captured cific deployment. When she reached New three British sloops-of-war. He assumed Guinea in February 1944, she was assigned duties as Superintendent of the construc- to escort LSTs in the Cape Gloucester tion of the USS CONSTITUTION (“OLD campaign, already under way. IRONSIDES”) and served onboard as her first Throughout the long New Guinea Commanding Officer. campaign, a matter of successive assaults Captain John Nicholson (1756-1844) on coastal points and nearby islands, was commissioned a Lieutenant in the Con- the Nicholson gave gunfire support to tinental Navy in October 1776 and the next troops ashore. She had similar duty in the month was promoted to Captain to command Admiralties; when, during the conquest of the sloop HORNET. After the war he was ac- Seeadler Harbor, she was assigned to draw tive in public affairs in the state of Maryland. fire from an enemy battery on Hauwei. Captain William C. Nicholson (1800- She was hit with a 4” shell which struck in 1872) entered the Navy as a Midshipman No.2 ammunition handling room, killing 3 in 1812. He served under Stephen Decatur and wounding 4. She wiped out the enemy during the War of 1812. and later commanded position. the steam frigate ROANOKE during the Civil In August 1944 the Nicholson War. joined the 3d Fleet in the Marshall Islands. Admiral James W.C. Nicholson (1821- She screened fast carriers in raids on the 1887) participated in Commodore Matthew G. Bonins, Formosa and the Philippines, Perry’s Japanese Expedition of 1853. During supporting the invasion of Palau and the the Civil War he commanded the ISSAAC neutralization of Yap. Returning to the SMITH, SHAMROCK, MANHATTAN and Philippines, her group assisted the 7th MORONGO. As an Admiral he commanded fleet during the invasion of Leyte and the a European Station from 1881 to 1883. During decisive Battle of Leyte Gulf, from which the British bombardment of Alexandria, Egypt she sailed for a Seattle overhaul. in 1882, he rescued the records of the Ameri- Returning in February 1945, the can Consulate and evacuated many American Nicholson escorted ships passing between and European officials. Guam and Ulithi and arrived off Okinawa The Nicholson name has been carried for its invasion late in March. Serving in the to sea in the service of the United States exposed radar picket line, the Nicholson Navy by the USS NICHOLSON (TB-29), came through untouched by kamikazes, Commissioned January 10, 1905, the USS but rescued survivors from the stricken NICHOLSON (DD52), Commissioned April destroyers Little and Morrison. 10, 1915, the USS NICHOLSON (DD442), Rejoining the 3d fleet for the final Commissioned June 3, 1941 and the USS air operations against the Japanese home USS Nicholson NICHOLSON (DD982), Commissioned May islands, the Nicholson was off Honshu at Four Navy ships have been named for the five the senior Continental Navy Captain in the 13, 1979. the War’s end. She entered Sagami Wan 29 members of the Nicholson family renowned Revolutionary War. Prior to receiving his com- The third Nicholson (DD442) was August and Tokyo Bay 15 September. She in American naval history. The original three mission in the Continental Navy he served laid down at the Boston Shipyard and after then sailed and joined the Atlantic Reserve brothers, James, Samuel and John served in the Colonial Navy with the British and a shakedown cruise in the eastern Atlantic, Fleet and was assigned as a Naval Reserve with great distinction during the Revolution- was present during the assault on Havana in Nicholson escorted convoys through the Training ship in the 3d Naval District. She ary War. In the next generation John’s son 1762. During the Revolutionary War he com- U-boat-infested, storm-tossed North Atlantic, was decommissioned and transferred to the William, served during both the War of 1812 manded three ships of the line; DEFENSE, first from Boston to Iceland and then to Italian Navy 15 January 1951. Through 1969 and the Civil War and likewise in the third TURNBILL and VIRGINIA. Most notably, Scotland and England until fall 1942. She then she served Italy as the “Aviere.” generation Samuel’s grandson, James, served when his ship was blockaded at Baltimore, assisted in the consolidation of the beaches during the Civil War. Captain Nicholson took his men to join Gen- and patrol at Casablanca and then took part The Nicholson received 10 battle stars for eral George Washington at Trenton and aided in the Bizerte campaign and the initial as- World War II service. Captain James Nicholson (1737-1804) was in that victory. saults on Salerno, coming under heavy attack
18 Scorrybreac May 2012 Scorrybreac VOLUME 28 NUMBER 1 19 daughter of Donald MacLeod and Catherine School but other resources were limited: Alexander Nicolson - Stewart. These grandparents lived nearby at inspectors reported that the infant classes had a biographical note Balmeanach and my father, as he grew, was only 15 slates for 59 pupils and for the first two HISTORY OF SKYE – often with them. He always said that “the winters there was no fuel for heating, so the NEW EDITION brains came from the Stewarts”. I am sure that children had to bring peats with them to heat In the 19th century Clearances the his grandmother’s stories instigated his love the school. Nicolsons were evicted from Scorrybreac and of the history of Skye.” According to Alexander’s daughter The classic book about Skye is a “History of Skye”, written joined the displaced people crowded into The Ishabel, these were not the only problems: by Alexander Nicolson and first published in 1930 and long Braes, near Portree (see the attached map). The people of Braes may have been “the pupils knew no English and the teacher out of print. A new revised edition has just been produced, Writing in 1884, Groome described the area poor but they were fortunate in one respect: in knew no Gaelic” and, to make matters worse, edited by a good friend of our Clan, Cailean Maclean. The as ‘cold, unkindly and barren’, with a ‘pitiful’ 1831 Mr Donald MacDiarmid of South Caro- if the teacher was drunk (which was often) new edition has many additions, including a full bibliogra- proportion of arable land. He stated: lina established a fund of £2,050 to erect and he would send the children home. “However phy, new illustrations, a Gaelic grammar and a guidebook ‘The little that is under cultivation is in endow schools at Borve (in Snizort) and Braes. in spite of very inadequate schooling, he to Skye, and is highly recommended to anyone interested the hands of crofters, who have a hard strug- In 1884 the Braes school had an average at- pursued his own education avidly and, in the Isle of Skye. Details can be found at the publisher’s gle for life, and have generally to eke out their tendance of 32. It was located at the southern remarkably, became a pupil teacher, a difficult website, www.theislandsbooktrust.com. Cailean gave us scanty means of subsistence by taking part as end of Ollach and drew its pupils mainly from position I should think where there were permission to reprint the following biography of Alexander ‘hired-men’ in the east coast herring fishing. Balmeanach, Gedintailor and Peinnchorrain. so many siblings and cousins. At one point, Nicolson, whose love of the island is evident. The townships between Loch Sligachan and (Alexander’s mother Iseabail was brought up a young teacher came to the school for 6 Tianavaig Bay are known as The Braes, and the in Balmeanach and her mother was brought months. This teacher pointed to him resources inhabitants of them have, during the last three up in Peinnchorrain, so they may have been which would guide him to begin the path to years (1881-84), earned a somewhat unenvi- educated at the school.) university entrance. (As an example of the able notoriety for their lawless proceedings in In 1892 the MacDiarmid Endowed problems of self-education, he was prepared connection with alleged land grievances.’ School was replaced by a new Braes Public for translation from Latin to English but not The ‘lawless proceedings’ was a School, which was located at the north end of vice versa. He also began to learn French until reference to the crofters’ protests over rents Ollach, only a mile or so from Achnahanaid, a visitor scoffed at his pronunciation. One day and land rights which led to rent strikes and opening the possibility of education for the on Ben Lee, as he watched over the sheep, he the 1882 Battle of Braes. In 1884, the govern- young Nicolson children. The new school had realised the truth of Pythagoras’ Theorem.)” ment set up the Napier Commission to travel two teachers, two pupil teachers and a roll of The school records refer to ‘A the Highlands and investigate the crofters’ 170 children. It is possible that it may have Nicholson’ (sic) as one of two recipients of grievances. The Commissioners began their inherited some books from the Endowed ‘Merit Certificates’ in 1898-99 and state that he work by visiting Braes and the first witness to give evidence to them was Angus Stewart of Peinnchorrain. In 1881 Iseabail MacLeod, a niece of Angus Stewart, married Somhairle Mor Nicol- son in Portree and they set up home together in Achnahanaid in The Braes. The 1891 Census found them, their son Alexander, his elder sister and a younger sister and brother living in a house described as ‘1 room with 1 or more window’. By the time of the 1901 Census, they had moved to a house with ‘2 rooms with 1 or more windows’, the elder daughter had left Photograph taken by home and Iseabail had given birth to another Alexander Nicolson in daughter and five more sons. Achnahanaid, Braes about 1920, showing his brothers Calum Alexander’s daughter, Ishabel Beal, describes and James working his early years: in the field with their father, Somhairle Mor. The two little boys in “My father was born in 1884, in Achnahanaid, the background are his Braes. He was the second child and first son nephews Calum and Sorley MacLean; the in a family of ten. His father, Somhairle Mor, former later became a was a crofter fisherman, and thus often away noted folklorist and the Alexander Nicolson in Raasay from home. His mother Iseabail was the latter a celebrated poet.
20 Scorrybreac MAY 2012 Scorrybreac VOLUME 28 NUMBER 1 21 served as a Pupil Teacher from 1901 until 1905. guest at one of the most celebrated inter-war When Portree Public School was recognised events at Glasgow University, in which he culture and language. Following his lecture as a Higher Grade Public School, A Nicolson had been an interim lecturer in Celtic, a on ‘The Coolins’ to the High School Ceilidh, was one of the first 12 candidates from Skye, role perhaps overshadowed by his better- one newspaper report observed that ‘To fol- Glenelg and North Uist who travelled there to known achievements as lecturer in Gaelic at lowers of shinty Mr Nicolson is well-known sit the national school-leaving certificate. Jordanhill College. On 20th June 1933, Albert as the goalkeeper for the famous Glasgow x In 1906 Nicolson took the Glasgow Einstein gave the first Gibson Lecture in Skye combination. In his lecture Mr Nicol- University entrance examination and travelled Mathematics, under the heading of “About the son revealed himself as something which is, to Glasgow to study for a Master of Arts. origins of the General Theory of Relativity”. perhaps, more rare than a first-class shinty However his financial support appears to have The lecture was delivered to an audience of goalkeeper, namely a scientist who is also a run out before he could complete his studies. 1,500 people in the Bute Hall. The following poet’. The reporter described the mountain In the summer of 1907 he spent a month as a day, the University Principal, Professor Robert views in the slide show as a ‘revelation’, teacher in Lochmaddy, North Uist, and from Sangster Rait, who himself had spent part commenting on ‘the lecturer’s prowess as 1909 onwards he taught full-time in pri- of his childhood on Skye and had attended a climber’ and regretting only that more mary schools in the Glasgow area to support school in Portree, held a luncheon in Einstein’s was not said about ‘the occasion when, mist himself, continuing his University studies on a honour in the Principal’s residence. Nicolson bound, he and some companions spent a A map showing the relative positions of Scorrybreac north of Portree (where we have our Clan lands now) and The Braes, where Alexander Nicolson was part-time basis. He finally graduated in 1913. was among the invited guests there also, and moonlit night on the spur of Bruaich-na- brought up. His daughter Ishabel says, “His Master of Arts attended along with his friend Professor Mag- Frith - “not daring to sleep”’. degree was widely-based and hard-won. As nus Maclean of Glendale, who had worked medallist in geology he was offered a job in closely with Lord Kelvin at the University His daughter Ishabel remembers: South Africa but the beginning of the First for many years and whose work in that role World War prevented that. His maths quali- had been known to Einstein. It is related that “My predominant memories of him fied him for his teaching career but his love of Rait, Maclean and Nicolson were drawn into are writing at the living room table, with a Gaelic and the history of his island prevailed”. earnest discussion by Einstein on the place spread of books and papers around him. University and the schools of Glasgow of the Gaelic peoples in Scotland and it fell When he acquired a camera, he recorded also brought him into contact with the world to Professor Maclean to respond to Einstein’s historically important sites in Skye and the of radical politics. Among others, he got questions about Bonnie Prince Charlie and life of its people. From these he compiled to know James Maxton, a teacher who had Flora Macdonald. On hearing what would, no lantern lectures which he delivered to x graduated from Glasgow University in 1909 doubt, be an erudite and learned exposition Highland and other societies. He promoted and later became leader of the Independent from the Glendale scientist, Einstein thought Gaelic by teaching in evening classes. He Labour Party. According to his nephew Sorley deeply and said to Maclean, who was by lectured in Gaelic to Highland students at MacLean, ‘The most intellectual of my rela- now seventy-five years of age, “Not only are Jordanhill and Notre Dame Colleges. During tions was a sceptic and a Socialist (my uncle you highly knowledgeable but you are also the Second World War he took the place in Jordanhill, Alex Nicolson). Apart from his a highly active Gael”! The exchange, and the of Angus Matheson as Celtic lecturer at dangerous opinions he appeared a better man approval for Maclean’s spontaneous scholar- Glasgow University. Thereafter he became than all my religious acquaintance’. MacLean ship, in the presence of Rait, former Histori- the first teacher of Gaelic in two Glasgow was particularly impressed by hints that his ographer Royal for Scotland, the world’s first schools until his retirement. uncle had come into contact with the great professor of Scottish History and knighted He loved the mountains. Sometimes, Scottish revolutionary socialist, John MacLean. that same year, gave Alexander Nicolson if the weather was good enough, he would This political involvement led Nicolson to the opportunity to challenge Maclean to spend 3 days and nights on the tops. This become a conscientious objector in the First prepare a paper on Flora Macdonald for the love of the lonely places and his knowledge World War and from 1916 to 1919 he was Gaelic Society of Glasgow of which he was of botany, geology and history he passed on imprisoned in ‘Princeton Work Centre’ (Dart- an office-bearer. The result was that Professor to his children. He was a polymath as well as x moor Prison). He later said that when locked Maclean delivered his final formal Lecture a Gaelic scholar.” in a narrow cell with a high small window he to the Society, of which he had himself been sometimes despaired but seeing the planet one of the founders, just four months later, on Venus through that small window kept him 31st October 1933, and Nicolson, always quick Alasdair Beal, with assistance sane. to spot a literary allusion, used his position from Ishabel Beal, Richard Beal as one of the editors of the Gaelic Society of and Cailean Maclean After the war was over, he returned to Glasgow’s fourth volume of papers, to publish teaching in Glasgow, where he met his wife, Maclean’s learned article on Flora Macdonald Janet Davidson. In the years that followed, and, echoing Einstein’s words, to name the they raised a family and he continued his volume, ‘The Active Gael’. studies and writing. He built a notable reputation for his Alexander Nicolson was an invited ‘lantern slide’ lectures on Skye and on Gaelic
22 Scorrybreac MAY 2012 Scorrybreac VOLUME 28 NUMBER 1 23 U.S.A. NEW MEMBERS Alabama MEMBERSHIP REPORT (November 2011 through April 2012) *#Jean Pitman Lisenby ...... Ozark (2011-12) MEMBERSHIP U.K. Arizona REPORT England *#Arlene and Thomas Sampson ...... Carefree (2011) MAY 2012 Jackie Nicholson ...... Carlisle, Cumbria MAY 2012 Scotland California Robin and Linda MacLennan ...... Dufftown, Banffshire *Priscilla Riess ...... Fullerton (2011) URING THE LAST SIX 2012 MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL INVITATION *#Walter William Nicholson ...... Long Beach (2011) months, your Clan Society has U.S.A. *#James and Judith Nicol ...... Newhall (2011) received with gratitude a total of Members who need to renew for 2012 California *#Robert Duncan Nicol ...... Napa (2011-2014) Paul and Pauline Flory ...... Santa Maria *#Edward & Valerie Nicolson San Francisco (2011-12) FoSL 10 new memberships: 8 from 6 are invited to complete the separate renewal Lynn and Bill Walton ...... Santa Cruz *Malcolm and Irene Willis ...... Westminster (2012) Jeremy Michelle D. McNichols ...... Vacaville U.S. States, and 2 from the U.K. form which has been inserted for everybody Colorado Nicholson (England and Scotland). in this issue. Please return it by July 16, 2012 Florida *#Karen and Blake Nicholson III ...... Estes Park (2011-12) John and Amber Nichol ...... Mt. Dora We welcome our new members and to the indicated address in the U.S. or Cana- Connecticut Dlook forward to many years of a mutually sat- da—as appropriate—with your check made Kentucky *Doris Nicol & Michael Marinaro .South Glastonbury (2011) Gary L. Nicol ...... Covington isfying and productive association. out to “Clan MacNicol Society, Inc.” Florida It is our further pleasure to report that If you have any question about your Michigan #George and Amelia Nicol ...... Cocoa Beach (2011) Susan and Nelson Duncan MacNicol ...... Trenton *#Jessica Lee Nichols ...... Homosassa (2011) over the same period 7 membership renew- membership status (especially if you find any *#Samuel and Karla Nicholson ...... Largo (2012) als have arrived from 5 provinces in Canada, error or omission), please contact me as soon Ohio *#Barbara J. Schulz ...... Oneco (2011) Shirley Nichols Rosinski ...... Cincinnati *#Linda and Dexter Beck Sr...... Rockledge (2011) FoSL 1 from Italy, 4 from Scotland, and 38 from 22 as possible by e-mail at clanmacnicol@bsn1. #John A. Baron ...... St. Augustine (2011) states in the U.S. totaling 50. net or by phone at 770-650-0905 and I will be Texas #Ed and Faye West ...... Tamarac (2011) Francine Nichols ...... Montgomery The following member purchased a happy to assist you. Georgia gift membership in 2012 for a relative: Ron *#James H. and Candace Nichols ...... Atlanta (2011) *#Jeremy D. Nicholson ...... Atlanta (2012) FoSL Nichols (Georgetown, KY) for his cousin Shir- 2012 MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY: *#Philip L. and Pansy Nichols ...... Hampton (2011) ley Nichols Rosinski (Cincinnati, OH). Thanks SIGN-UP TO BE LISTED – LAST CHANCE to Ron for his thoughtfulness and generosity! RENEWING MEMBERS Illinois (November 2011 through April 2012) *Kieran and Beth Nicholson ...... Burr Ridge (2011) Twelve members have earned a spe- In order to be listed in the forthcom- *Heather Nicholson and Clint Studebaker .....West Chicago cial mention of appreciation for their extra ing hard copy Directory of Clan MacNicol An asterisk * preceding your name means that you (2010-11) generously donated to the annual upkeep of the Clan Land effort in renewing for multiple years: Robert Members in North America, members who on Skye, and a crosshatch # in the same position denotes Indiana Duncan Nicol of Napa (CA) holds the record have not yet sent in a form will have a second that you made an extra gift to the Clan Society beyond *#Diane Kay Blaine ...... Fort Wayne (2011-2012) your annual dues. Furthermore, when the asterisk and/or for this period by having most generously re- and last chance to do so (see list of members the crosshatch is marked in red (*#), this recognizes your Iowa newed for four years. Anne Nicholson Crocker who have already sent their form to me - Jere- donating an extra amount beyond the basic $5, for which *Peter Scott Dunbar ...... Iowa City (2011) sincere thanks. of Concord (NC) and Michael and Beverly my Nicholson- and therefore will be included Those members who have gone the extra mile and Kentucky Nichols of Aloha (OR) being close runners-up and need not do anything further.) joined the Friends of Scorrybreac Lands with a five-year *Patricia K. Nicol ...... Frankfort (2011) commitment of support are gratefully identified by the *#Ron R. Nichols ...... Georgetown (2011-2012) with three years’ renewal each. Please return your completed form by designation FoSL at the end of their listing. Any other members who wish to re- July 16, 2012 to my regular address; P. O. Box Members will have the year of their renewal indicated Massachusetts in parentheses after their names, in particular those who *Pamela Nicoll ...... Billerica (2012) new for multiple years, please note the appro- 501166, Atlanta, GA 31150-1166, U.S.A. have renewed for two years or more, or a year (or years in advance, e.g., (2011-12), (2013), etc.. Michigan priate line in the renewal form and complete To summarize the instructions which *Bruce Nicholson Goodburne ...... Alpena (2011) it accordingly. are specified in the inserted form, here are the CANADA New Hampshire Thirty-three members significantly three most important conditions: British Columbia *David and Jean Nichols ...... Center Conway (2011) helped the Clan Society by contributing a *#Christina Nicol-Maddock...... Nanaimo (2011) *#Bruce and Brenda Nicholson ...... Nanaimo (2011) New York donation in addition their annual dues, with 1. Only currently paid-up members (as of *#Hugh and Bonnie Nicholson ...... Nanaimo (2011) *#Irene Nicoll Blankschen ...... Bayside (2011) ten exceeding the $5 level. Thank you so much 2012, if you haven’t sent in your form Nova Scotia North Carolina to each of you: these funds will greatly assist previously) will be listed. *#Peggy Nicholson ...... Halifax (2011-12) *#Brock and Colleen Nicholson ...... Clayton (2012) the Clan in its increased attendance at Scot- 2. Members who do not return their *#Anne Nicholson Crocker ...... Concord (2011-13) Ontario tish festivals and Highland games throughout completed form, or do not return it on time *#Stephanie and John David Alexander Nicolson .Hamilton Oregon North America! will not be listed. (2011-12) *#Michael and Beverly Nichols ...... Aloha (2011-2013)
Forty-seven members generously 3. Only the information which members Prince Edward Island Tennessee contributed to the Scorrybreac Fund for main- provide will be listed. *#Ronald R. and Jan Nicholson ...... Cornwall (2011) *#Tom and Brenda Nicholson Pritchard ..... Knoxville (2013)
tenance of the Clan lands on Skye, including Québec Texas eleven who exceeded the basic $5 level. Ben If you have any questions about the *#Françoise McNicoll ...... Montreal (2011) *#Lynn Nichols ...... Abilene (2011-12)
Chracaig will continue to flourish thanks to Directory, please contact me as soon as pos- ITALY Utah your donations. sible by e-mail at [email protected] or *Marilena Castenetto ...... Cassacco, Udine (2012) *#Michelle McNicol Brinkerhoff ...... Grantsville (2011) Many thanks again to all for your by phone at 770-650-0905 and I will be happy SCOTLAND Virginia support: your interest and generosity keep the to assist you. *Margaret Session ...... Dufftown, Banffshire (2012) *Daniel and Katherine Nickell ...... Vienna (2012) Clan Society going! *Andrew Nicoll ...... Dundee (2012) *Esther Bremner...... Huntly, Aberdeenshire (2012) Wisconsin *Lilian Macleman ...... Keith, Moray (2012) *#Sean D. Nicol ...... Grass Lake (2011) 24 Scorrybreac May 2012 Scorrybreac VOLUME 28 NUMBER 1 25 We’ve got lots of fine Nicols, Nicolsons and Mac- FLOWERS OF THE FOREST Nicols in the Clan MacNicol, but occasionally we get someone notorious. The award for sheer chutz- pah* must go to Harold Nicholson, a CIA officer who was arrested and pleaded guilty in 1997 to spying for the Russians and was given a long pris- on sentence. He admitted when he was arrested that he had received $300,000 in exchanges for the names, identities and missions of numerous CIA employees. However while he was in jail he felt that the Russians still owed him a kind of pension, EILEEN CECILIA so beginning in 2006 he had his son Nathan Nich- olson begin to pass messages from his prison cell NICHOLSON for the Russians in return for cash payments, and 11.10.1923 – 14.10.2011 CONVICTED SPY HIS SON Nathan collected another $47,000 before he too HAROLD NICHOLSON NATHAN NICHOLSON was arrested in 2009. Nathan, who lives in Oregon, eventually received a 5 year probation sentence —and no doubt his father had a few more years lan MacNicol South Island, New culminating in their taking up residence in St. tacked on to his 24-year sentence! Zealand, gathered in Dunedin on 14 Barnabas Home in Dunedin, where they were *For those not familiar with the term, “chutzpah” is a Yiddish October to farewell our co-founder, very happy together, and, as Eileen said, “very Nicholson word which translates as “incredible nerve or unbelievable gall C or shameless audacity”, perfect for the above situation. tireless worker and stalwart supporter, Eileen well looked after”. They both enjoyed the Nicholson. activities in the Home, and their visits from Chutzpah! Some 26 years ago, Eileen, together Clan friends. Right up until her death, Eileen with her husband, Jack, founded the Clan in remained interested in Clan happenings, took (FROM THE PRESIDENT - CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3) the South Island, following on from Jack being part in Clan functions, attended luncheons, appointed South Island Commissioner by the and continued to give her support and On the important subject of the rejuvenation Columbia, Ontario and Quebec; Arizona (one then Chief, Iain. Eileen immediately started encouragement. of our North American website at www. already held), California (one already held), canvassing for members by calling every Had it not been for Eileen and Jack’s clanmacnicol.org, the Clan Society has signed Florida (two already held), Georgia, Illinois, Nicholson in the phone books and inviting perseverance, Clan MacNicol South Island a three-year contract for technical services with Maine, Michigan, New Hampshire, North them to meetings. Since then the branch has would not have been established. It must have the Beracha Foundation in Maineville, Ohio to Carolina (one already held), South Carolina, slowly grown, due in no small way to their been so gratifying for them to see their years of launch a single worldwide access portal to all Tennessee (one already held), and Utah. Thanks boundless enthusiasm and inspiration. hard work being taken up by younger members Clan websites. This was the result of the hard to all our Games Commissioners whose hard Eileen was a very accomplished who are passionately dedicated to the Clan and work by Cliff Wolf and Ken Lawrence, our work and dedication will make all this possible. dressmaker, and in the early years of her to see it carry on to future generations. Co-Webmasters, who deserve much praise for marriage, often took in sewing, including the Jenny Maffey, the current President their efforts. As always, I invite any of you to contact me making of wedding gowns and mother of the of Clan MacNicol South Island, spoke on directly by phone, e-mail or letter about any bride outfits. Together with Jack, the interest the Clan’s behalf at Eileen’s funeral service, Ken also reports with regret that he has had Clan matter - check my masthead listing for in all things Scottish really took off when two bringing messages from Chief John and Jenni, to close the Western States Clan MacNicol ways to reach me. of their daughters began to learn Highland and from High Commissioner for the Clan website due to insurmountable technical Dancing. Jack later became President of the in the Americas, Dr Murray Nicolson and difficulties. Ken single-handedly founded this I look forward to many of you joining our Otago Centre of Piping and Dancing, a role he Barbara. A number of floral tributes from the website and maintained it during the past six Games Commissioners at Clan tents this held for some 16 years, followed by taking on Clan were displayed in the Chapel. years. His initiative was very successful and spring, summer and fall in Canada and the U.S. the Presidency of that organisation’s National In her eulogy, Jenny said that the Clan attracted a substantial audience Thankfully, he You are assured of a warm kinship welcome, Council. Eileen, as a member of the Otago motto, Meminisse sed providere, remember but will be able to transfer most of the information and a wonderful day of Scottish entertainment, Centre’s Ladies Committee, was very much in look ahead, “seemed to sum up our feelings to the North American website, which he will athletics and food. demand in making the dancing uniforms. today, as we remember Eileen with love and of course continue to expand. Many thanks, For many years, Eileen provided gratitude and as we look ahead to the future Ken, for all you’ve done and will do in the afternoon teas for the Clan meetings, baked of our Clan, which she and Jack have so future! the Christmas cake for the Christmas lunches, faithfully nurtured and supported. The Clan made the tam-o-shanter badges, and was in Dunedin will sorely miss you for your quick Finally, we are planning to staff Clan tents at Jeremy Nicholson always available for help and advice. mind, many stories, and wealth of knowledge. several Highland games and Scottish festivals In recent years, both Eileen and Rest peacefully, Eileen, after a life well lived in Canada and the U.S. this year. The provinces Jack experienced some severe health issues, and your work well done”. and states involved so far are: Alberta, British
26 Scorrybreac May 2012 Scorrybreac VOLUME 28 NUMBER 1 27 CLAN MACNICOL LAUNCESTON TASMANIA AUSTRALIA OCTOBER 12–14 2012 DO NOT MISS this opportunity to be a part of our Clan Macnicol Worldwide Gathering and to vist all the wonders of Launceston and Tasmania.
Make YOUR plans to be there in 2012. REGISTER NOW!! Plan at least an extra week either before or after the Gathering to explore and discover for yourself the beauty of Tasmania. It’s only 2-3 hours to anywhere from Launceston!
Launceston Show is 11th October. Two days of Clan Meetings, Tours, Friday Gala Dinner and Ceilidh, Saturday Main Clan Meeting & Casual BBQ, Sunday Kirkin and Picnic at Campbell Town–settlement town for the Chief and Nicolsons in the 1800s. Longford Country Show is October 21st. Tours available will include Historic Walking and Coach-Tram Tours, Tasmania Zoo (Devils), Boag’s Brewery, City Park and Museum.
Further details contact: Secretary PO Box 243, Gymea NSW 2227, Australia [email protected]
REGISTRATION Total Cost AUD $150 per person NAME Includes Friday and Saturday Meetings, Teas and Coffee, Dinner and Ceilidh, ADDRESS Clan Meeting and BBQ, Bus, Sunday Kirkin’ and Picnic (tours will be extra to pay on boarding) ALL ATTENDING: Please cut off this section and mail with payment by 8/31 to: EMAIL Clan MacNicol Aus Inc Treasurer ACCOMPANYING PERSON NAME 22 Bellevue Drive AUD $100 (Does not include meetings or tea & coffee) Carlingford NSW 2118 Payment is in Australian Dollars ONLY or AUD cheques to Clan MacNicol Aus Inc. No Credit Card facility is available! Overseas visitors may pay on Friday12th at the Welcome Desk & Registration.