THE SCOTTISH BANNER

This month we offer a selection of some of the messages we have received from across the globe regarding the recent passing of SCOT POURRI Scottish Banner founder, publisher and editor-Valerie Cairney. The Scottish diaspora community has lost Dear Sean, Valerie’s legacy is quite something for us Remembering a giant with the passing of Valerie Cairney, We are so sorry to hear of your mother’s passing. to cherish. For many years the Scottish founder of the Scottish Banner. Though we A great lady with a great initiative and love of Banner was one of the only ways for Scots Valerie never met, Valerie was kind enough to agree Scottish heritage and culture. Our thoughts and to reach ex-pats and the fact it still is a to guest on my podcast, Under The Tartan prayers are with you and the family. leader in expat Scottish affairs is a credit Cairney Sky, in its first month of existence back in Malcolm Buchanan to Valerie, over four decades later. Valerie 2015. I was unknown to her, the podcast Scottish Australian Heritage Council was a trail blazer in many ways, especially Canberra, Australia was unknown then and had no audience to as a woman in publishing in the 1970’s speak of, but I think she sensed that I shared and making it so far. owes Val so a passion for Scotland, just as she did, and On behalf of the Chief, President, executive much for all she has done, and I hope she committee, affiliated and associate so was willing to help me get started. knows the impact she has had on so many. members of the Victorian Scottish Union, It is our passion for Scotland, whether Carol MacPherson I extend our deepest condolences to Sean by blood or heartfelt affinity, that unites all , Scotland and the Scottish Banner family on the loss of who read the Scottish Banner. As the USA’s Valerie, mother, colleague and dear friend. Global Ambassador for dotScot Registry, Jan Macdonald, Secretary Sorry to hear of Val’s passing. She did a the online domain for Scots around the Victorian Scottish Union story about my radio show (A Little Breath world, we are fortunate to have the paper Australia of Scotland) in the very first edition ofthe continue, under her son Sean’s guidance Scottish Banner. Had many happy times and as Valerie’s legacy. What a wonderful Rest in peace Valerie. Valerie and the Scottish broadcasting from the original British gift she has given us all. Banner had been very influential in my Show’s in Toronto. Glen Moyer personal Scottish heritage. I’m very grateful Denis Snowdon Producer/Host Under The Tartan Sky to her, and she will be dearly missed. Ontario, Canada USA Global Ambassador for dotScot Gary Henderson Niagara Falls, New York Registry/dotScot Domains Such sad news to hear about the passing USA USA of Val Cairney. I enjoyed her warmth Dear Sean, and passion for Scotland and this fine So sorry for your loss. On behalf of the With warm memories and sadness, I Our community has lost a devoted advocate. publication. I was not lucky enough to Scottish American Society of Dunedin read your editorial comments honouring RIP Valerie. have met Val but felt I knew her over the and my work with the Dunedin Highland your mother, Val Cairney. I had the good Clan Currie Society - Learned Kindred of Currie years as she shared her views and life Games, I offer our sincere condolences. USA with us. I am so sure she put in so much fortune of knowing Val for some 35 years. She leaves quite a legacy in Florida. I met her as “wannabe” contributor to Joan Brennan McHale hard work to keep the paper growing the Scottish Banner in 1985. I was already Great newspaper both here in Scotland Florida, USA and offering us, her readers, a little bit a fan of the Banner since its inception a and keeping overseas Scots well informed. of not only home but a great sense of community. I hope leaders of the Scottish decade earlier. However, being accepted Valerie was always pleasant and had time It is with great sadness that we learn of the and getting to know Val through my to chat when attending the Scotland Trade passing of Valerie Cairney, a great lady and community not only here in column and attending some Scottish Fair in Glasgow. mother of the Scottish Banner publisher but also across the ex-pat world give her and British events with her, I realized Coll Maclean and editor Sean Cairney. Valerie, along with the much deserved nod she has earned, as what a tour de force she was. Not only Scotland husband Jim, came up with the idea of a she has kept the Scottish fires burning in a successful business woman, but a Scottish publication in the 1970s. Under thousands of people and likely benefitted marketing ambassador for Scotland Valerie’s stewardship, and now that of son many Scottish organisations by doing so. Val Cairney and all things Scottish to a receptive Sean, the Scottish Banner has helped to bring Ron Bruce brought us so many audience of expats. First in Canada, together the global Scottish community with Wellington, New Zealand heartwarming then the U.S. and later Australasia. her love of Scottish heritage and culture. stories, recognition Clan Cameron in Australia wishes Sean Every month she brought so many Scots On behalf of the committee we would like of performances and and the family our sincere condolences. a “wee bit o’ hame”. I was pleased to to pass our sincere condolences to the people, and helped Clan Cameron in Australia have occasionally appeared with Val family of Valerie Cairney, founder, editor so many people at Highland Games she attended here and publisher of the Scottish Banner. with help finding their roots, their favorite Our condolences to all at in Canada. It was obvious that she had Valerie was a past Chieftain of our recipes, and making friends. Her work the Scottish Banner and her family. a natural ease with people whether gathering and will be sorely missed in the stands the test of time, and is a wonderful Cobourg Highland Games it was a having a wee “blether” with Scottish community. legacy of a woman who cared so much Cobourg, Ontario a subscriber or mingling with a clan Bundanoon Highland Gathering Inc. about her ancestry, and helped those of Canada chief, Scottish politician or a television Australia us in the Celtic community learn more. celebrity. She was open to anyone The Banner is her legacy, and her warmth Sincere Sympathies to all. I remember the or anything that promoted Scottish very first Scottish Banner and what a legacy Very sad news about the passing of a giant culture. Val kept Scotland alive for more shines right through. Val has left for many to enjoy. RIP. in the global Scottish cultural movement. than one generation and will be truly On a personal note, Val and her son Anne McDonald She was a great friend to the Federation. missed but not forgotten. I am glad to Sean have so very kindly supported the pipe band’s work and helped us share our Canada Deepest condolences to the Cairney family have known her and so very pleased to at this time. be able to have called her my friend. stories with their readership all over the I received the Federation for Scottish Culture in Nova Scotia Ron Dempsey Ontario, Canada world – and meeting her was like meeting a dear friend for the first time – and their latest edition of the Nova Scotia, Canada work will continue, and we will always Scottish Banner I am shocked to hear from you that Valerie remember Val, a lady who cared, and earlier today thank Sending love and light to Valerie’s family, had passed away. When I first joinedthe shared. She was just fabulous! you and, like many, I and to all who love her. She has built a Banner, I made a phone call and thought Bethany Bisaillion was very sad to learn solid legacy that will continue to have a that I was talking to a receptionist. I was Sons of Scotland Pipe Band of the passing of your mother, Valerie Cairney. ripple effect around the world for years to taken aback when I mentioned that I used Ottawa, Canada Knowing the impact that Valerie had on come. Xx to watch John Cairney, () on many such as myself who only met your Karen Piccirillo TV and the lady on the other end, said Wonderful lady who dubbed me “Mother mother in passing circumstances on one occasion, I can only express my deep “John is my brother -in- law. I am Valerie of Tartan Day” in her paper. We met in Right with you and your family, Sean! condolences to you and other members Cairney “ I was stunned. Here I am talking Toronto at Castle Loma when I received Your Mom was an amazing and inspiring of the family on the very sad news of the the ‘Top Gun’ of the Scottish Banner. my award. She was so nice and bouncy woman! What a massive legacy she has left death of your mother. I met your mother Needless to say, I am still a member. She personality. She’ll have the pipes playing in briefly during her visit for ‘Bundanoon is behind! was a lovely lady. Heaven that is for sure. Brigadoon’ in 2011. Tyler Fry Jack Melville Jean Watson Stewart Campbell Houston, Texas Winnipeg, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Canberra, Australia USA

Pose your questions on Scottish related topics to our knowledgeable readership who just may be able to help. Please keep letters under 300 words and we reserve the right to edit content and length. Letters can be emailed to [email protected] or online at www.scottishbanner.com/contact-us, alternatively you may post your letters to us (items posted to the Scottish Banner cannot be returned). Please ensure you include your full contact details should you require a reply. This page belongs to our readers so please feel free to take part!

The Scottish Banner • October 2020 • Page 5