Muirhead Clan Society Newsletter June 17th, 2001

From the President: A wee bit about my trip to

Answering the call of the Scottish bagpipes has been a dream come true for me. My journey to my ancestral homeland Scotland has now found a home in my heart and forever more it will be.

With my interest in family history and over 35 years of research into my family's past, I expected to be impressed with Scotland, home of my ancestors but what I found in truth was something I never expected. Scotland did not impress me; it swept me off my feet. Scotland first touches your heart then charges your spirit with the wild passion that imprints its spirit on your heart forever more.

Of Caledonia, the ancient name for Scotland, Sir Walter Scott wrote; "To you as to your sires of yore, belong the targe and claymore! I give you shelter in my breast, your own good blade must win the rest…" From sea to sea , Highlands to Lowlands, and islands, the beauty of Scotland's landscape is breathtaking to see. Lush wooded glens, windswept moors, lochs, that beckon you to walk and explore their shores. Over craggy mountain or down through stony brae, and even through emerald glens, you're inspired to journey on. Weather bathed in warmth of sun or shrouded in the mist of wooded glen and yes, even as mysterious as the famed brooding skies that can leave you wet from head to toe but can not dissuade your spirit to go. I think that when God made Scotland, he copied all the best from all the rest and put it down on this wee place to rest. For you do not need to be the biggest to be the best, you only have to experience it to know its better than all the rest.

I had long heard of the Scottish hospitality but now having experienced it first hand. I would have to say that there was not one place in Scotland that I was not treated like royal family. Some may view Scotland as a small place but the grand hearts of the Scottish people would be hard to match. Heaven may be better than Scotland, but they'd need to see it to believe it, so I was told one day.

You can come to know the Majesty of the Highlands and splendor of the Lowlands through books, pictures and words written by others yet until you experience it first hand you can never know the mysterious hold it will have on your heart forever more. Though I may travel far and call another land the place I live, I will always remember that in my heart Scotland is where my spirit is still wild with wonder. I will forever hear the pipes calling to me from over the sea where I journeyed to ancestral lands and where I must return one day for there is still much yet to learn and see.

I would like to make a point to thank member and Time Line Historian, John Staley, for putting up with me for three weeks, in close quarters and surviving and doing the nerve racking job of all the driving while we were in Scotland.

I had five appointments that were a must keep while in Scotland. The first was on the evening of the11th which was an invitation to a dinner hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Blair C. Macnaughton, Chairman of the Scottish Authority, at the Royal Hotel in Pirth. I had an excellent meal and conversation. Blair and his wife were most gracious hosts. John and I had a good time with all in attendance.

The second was the next day again Pirth, attending the Authority AGM, which included a fine lecture and demonstration of custom swords by The World Famous Yendall Swords from The Claymore Armoury Kilmarnock . wwwbusinessbites.co.uk/featured/claymore.html All in all a good day and most interesting was the talk of the new Tartan Museum. Chairman Macnaughton introduced me to the membership and requested that I leave him some color photo copies of the Muirhead Tartan and history which I was more than happy to do. Perhaps one day they will be part of a display in the New Tartan Authority Museum. I will have posted the web address to the Scottish Tartan Authority membership is open to all.

Third appointment on the 14th, far less formal but important to us all directly was a meeting with James Muirhead of Muirhead Buchanan Solicitors & Estate Agents, we had a good conversation about the Muirheads and James became our First Member in Scotland, paying dues on the spot. He also sent with me some of his Family history and genealogy to add to our data base and I shared ours with him. James will be a good contact for us in Stirling. I thank him for his donation to our society and help by sharing his information with us all as well as driving John and I around Bannackburn pointing out Muirhead Farm Sites and taking us to the cemetery where several of the Muirheads are interned.

Fourth appointment was with Andrew Muirhead of Alva 18:00 hrs on the 18th. We arrived at his house and had the opportunity to meet and visit with his family as well as see some of his father's collection of Muirhead History and family Genealogy which he said he would make copies and send when he could. Many of his collection were copies of sourced documents and very well done by his father a historian and University Professor. It is my hope that Andrew's collection of his fathers work will be a great addition to our data base when received at a later date.

Fifth was when John and I were picked up by Robert Hunter, C/O for Madame Hunter for our visit to Hunterston. The Clan Hunter Chief's grand Scottish hospitality May 19th, 2001 was most memorable. Madame Pauline Hunter of Hunterston and that ilk, Clan Chief and 30th Laird, is a grand lady whose invitation to us to visit Hunterston was, for me, the highlight of my stay in Scotland. Hunterston Castle is a precious jewel in the crown of all the places we visited in Scotland. The Hunter Clan members are most fortunate to have a Chief that cares so much about the preservation of Hunterston. It was and is an honor to have met Madame Hunterston and let me say that I think Robert, her C/O, is an outstanding officer. I now proudly call him a good friend. I also saw in him the same caring and love for history and Hunterston. We were met by Madame Hunterston at the Hunterston estate mansion where we first had tea, and visited. I then presented Madame Hunter with a handcrafted, scrimshawed powder horn as well as one for Robert from myself and the Muirhead Clan Society. I will post a picture when available. The powder horn gifted to Madame Hunter and Clan Hunter will find a home with honor in the Hunterston Museum.

We then were escorted to the Castle where we were told we were the first to see it since the restoration work had been completed. Sadly, Hunterston Castle is not open to the public tours, open only for Clan Hunter members. I was honored to be invited to a private tour of this wee but grand castle by Madame Hunter personally. We then were invited to dine with Madame Hunter at a very nice local restaurant, where we had an excellent meal and continued our conversation on a wide range of topics. We later returned to the mansion where we said our goodbye and Robert drove us back to our B&B. I must say also that Robert Hunter went out of his way to see we had a good time and impressed me with his historical knowledge, not just of Hunterston but Scotland's history as well.

During our stay at the second B&B, Carseview Guesthouse...Cambuskenneth by Stirling. The old abbey there had a small cemetery, where I found the King James III, and his lady wife's burial plots. In the adjacent cemetery, there was a memorial stone dedicated to a Muirhead and a Hunter, married couple. This was brought to the attention to Robert Hunter, who was not aware of this existing. This gives us more meaning to our relationship with the Hunter Clan, having fought and died in the same battles, and marriages within the clans.

I did have several objectives set for myself but they are not listed here in order that they were attempted. One was to try and find an answer to the missing link in my own family tree but that was soon to be set aside not long after I got to Scotland for several reasons. Trying to research the records if they exist is near to impossible for anyone who can not decipher the old hand written records. Many records are in such a poor state that even an expert has problems. At seventeen pounds a day plus the parking problem one must decide if it is worth the expense. I opted to put this objective in the hands of a professional at a later date.

My second objective was to verify the 1742 edition of Alexander Nisbet's A System of Of the Family of the Muirheads of Lachop and obtain a official copy held in the Scottish National Library. This was a success, and a copy will be sent directly from this Library.

I revised my first objective to gathering as much information on the Muirhead/Morehead families as I could and the sources. Most of what I collected may be information we have but I would I thought at least confirm the existence and source. For example on our web page is a photo of Provands Lordship the oldest house in Glasgow built by Bishop Andrew Muirhead which does indeed stand opposite the great Glasgow Cathedral, but finding information on Bishop Muirhead was another story. Glasgow Cathedral had a list of all the Bishops but no Muirhead. The answer would come later to this puzzle, that he did exist but was not or very seldom referred to as Bishop Muirhead but as Andrew of Durrisdere, or Bishop Andrew. Back to the Glasgow Cathedral on a later date I did find listed Bishop of Durrisdere 1455- 1473. So the question now is why? Often in all things of this type when you look for an answer you may find one that just leads to more questions, sound familiar.

As many cemeteries we visited, one would think we were a wee bit morbid, but most yielded a chance to take photos of Muirhead Stones. I will if the photo's turn out share the info with Susan so our database can be updated where needed, as well as any historical info I found. More details on this at a latter date.

I do not think I will write much more on the subject for now but I will add only that everywhere I went, I was leaving cards and letting them know of our Muirhead Clan Society. At many of the Tartan and shops I made sure to leave a card and let them know that there was a Muirhead Tartan and where and how to get it. Should any of the members wish to ask any questions about my trip, please email me directly. [email protected]

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From the Clan Genealogist:

The updated Clan Database is now available for download from the Clan Muirhead web site for members. Many duplicates and glaring errors have been corrected. It has been a larger undertaking than I ever imagined with over 13,000 individuals in the database. I remember being so excited when we hit 4000!

If you do notice an error/omission, please contact me at either [email protected] or Susan Shaw, PO Box 5126, Lacey, WA 98509-5126 and I will make the corrections. If your family has not been included, they will be added. The database is huge and arrangements can be made for you to receive only the portion of the database you desire. Just contact me at either of the above addresses.

Hope that everyone is healthy and happy, enjoying a beautiful year!

Happy Researching, Susan Shaw

Added Note: We would like to thank Susan for her added work in compiling a 300 page index for us to have at the . Thank you for your continuing hard work and dedication to the Clan!

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Useful Links Compiled by Clan President during his trip:

Genealogy :

Mrs Margaret D. Anderson (Inquire for service fee) [email protected] 18 South Learmouth Gardens Edinburgh, EH4 1EZ

James Innes [ History and Genealogy Research] (Inquire for service fee) 88 Netherwood Tower Motherwell, Lanarkshire Scotland, ML1 2EQ 01698 253836

ROOTS CONSULTING SERVICES (Inquire for service fee) Family History & Genealogical Research 14 Croe Place Kilmarnock, Ayrshire KA1 3QW Ewan G.C. Steed 01563 374115 Email [email protected]

Tony Murray [Stirling Genealogy and History] (One individual name per separate request) C/O Cowane's Hospital 49 St John St Stirling, Scotland FK8 1ED [email protected] (No charge, services as time permits)

Mr.Gillian Strachan, Collections Management Assistant National Museums of Scotland/Scottish United Services Museum The Castle Edinburgh, Scotland EH1 2NG (May charge for copies and postage, inquire for service fee)

Kilt Maker :

D.C.Dalgleish Ltd. Dunsdale Mill Selkirk, TD7 5EB 01750 20781 (See also our website, Tartan page)

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Flodden Commemoration, September 8th, 2001:

The Commemoration hosted by Clan Hunter, will also include the Muirhead Clan participation. President Raymond Morehead, Esq. sent Clan Hunter a copy of "Farewell to Muirhead" and they will have their own Clan Piper play the tune. During Raymond's visit with Madame Hunter and Robert Hunter, the Clan Hunter Officer, they discussed how the Muirhead Clan could participate...and this is what was concluded. We are very honored to have this done in our Muirhead name. Auxilio Dei!

Muirhead Clan Gathering SCOTLAND COMES TO THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST The 55th Annual P.N.W. Scottish Highland Games and Clan Gathering Friday July 27th Opening of the games and Rising of the Clans & Flaming Saltire 7:30 pm Saturday July 28th 7:30 am to 7:00 pm Sunday July 29th 8:00 am to 5:30 pm Contact The President for all Inquiries [email protected]

The 2001 Pacific Northwest Highland Games are just around the corner and I have made it my goal this year now that I have the music score for "Farewell to Muirheads", by R. Wallace to have it piped by a lone piper during the games at our tent in honor of all Muirheads/Moreheads and related families who have lost family members over the last year and before. I will then make it my yearly goal to have it done every year from here on out if there are no objections from the membership.

I would like to make more Highland Games representing the Muirhead Clan other that just one a year but the cost is to great at this time so I am limited to just the closest one. The other alternative to our membership is for members themselves that are interested in having a Muirhead Clan tent represented at their local games is to volunteer to represent the clan.

Annual Raffle

This year I have donated a custom made Leather Kilt Sporran to be raffled of at the Highland Games. All money will go to the Clan Sporran in a attempt to raise money for the Clan. Tickets are on sale now for $1.00 each no limit. If you would like to see a picture please see the pictures on our website, Clan Store it will be one of the Rampant Lion Sporrans. Drawing to be held Sunday the 29th 4:00 pm.

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New Members:

James Muirhead of Muirhead Buchanan Solicitors & Estate Agents became our First Member in Scotland, paying dues on the spot. Welcome James Muirhead!

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A Grand Send Off Before My Trip:

On the afternoon of April 28, 2001, I was paid a visit by members Robert and Bonney Schueler of Bellevue. We had arranged to meet at my home in Bonney Lake so I could give Robert a few odds and ends of Bagpipe parts, several books and a tape.

When I was alerted to there arrival, I naturally went to the door to greet them. Robert had opened the truck door for his wife but she was not getting out of the truck. Robert was getting something from the back seat of his truck. When he turned around he threw up under his arm and to his shoulder a set of bagpipes and to my surprise and great joy commenced to play a tune right there in my drive way.

The street on which I live echoed with the sweet sound of Highland pipe music. Robert commented that he just had to play a tune for the chief. I remarked that I was not a chief only the president but his surprise greeting was sure an honor and heart uplifting. He and his wife Bonnie came into my home where we had a great visit, sharing photos and talking about my upcoming trip to Scotland.

All to soon for me it was time for them to leave, and when they returned to the truck, Bonnie got in and Robert once again took out his pipes and played me another tune. When he had finished I expressed my thanks and joy in his personal gift to me and told him he did not have to leave so soon, he was welcome to stay and play on, for I dearly loved the pipe music. So with that said Robert went on to play one more. I recognized one of the tunes but could not put a name to it until I finally e-mailed him and asked the names of the tunes he played. The Skye Boat Song was the one I recognized but could not put a title to at the time the others were Going Home and Itchy Fingers.

Yet another day that I will long not forget. Robert and Bonnie, I thank you both for a wonderful afternoon and a most memorable greeting and good-bye, made even more so in new friendship with fellow members of the Muirhead Clan.

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From the President of The Muirhead Clan Society April 19, 2001

I, Raymond L. Morehead, President and Acclaimed Commander in Chief of the Muirhead Clan Society, do appoint Clan Elder Larry D. Smith as official Heraldry Consultant of the Clan Muirhead Society. His initiative and enthusiasm shown to date to help members as a consultant in the Art of Heraldry for the clan is an admirable and very helpful and should be a even greater asset to the Clan and my Staff.

Larry will take on the task of answering the clan members Heraldry Questions and when ready we will have A Heraldry page added to the website, a work already in progress for us both. A progress report will be posted in the next newsletter.

Clan Elder Larry D. Smith, Heraldry Consultant will be available to the membership. In regard to studying heraldry, Larry stated, "I have made a personal study of heraldry since about 1980. My collection of books on the subject include standard reference works by noted authorities on the subject, such as the 'bible' of heraldry: A.C. Fox-Davies' A Complete Guide To Heraldry; the very informative Heraldry: Sources, Symbols and Meaning by Ottfried Neubecker (a member of the Governing Board of the International Academy of Heraldry); and Heraldry & The by Rodney Dennys, Somerset of Arms and director of the Heralds Museum of . I also own a collection of over 200 antique books dating between the year 1502 and the late-1700s. One book that I particularly treasure is a 1679 volume, titled: A Display Of Heraldry by John Guillim, Late of Arms. (This volume, unfortunately, does not include an example of arms for any members of the Muirhead lineage.)"

"Please note that I am knowledgeable of the history of heraldry and fluent in the language and rules of heraldry. I have designed entire armorial achievements (the arms plus the associated supporting members, crests and banners, etc), but I haven't been as active with the visual arts for a while (having been writing local history books for the past ten years). I welcome any and all questions regarding heraldry, and can be contacted by e-mail at [email protected] or by regular postal mail at: Larry D. Smith RR #1, Box 704-A East Freedom, PA 16637-9770."

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"They Are Not Gone From Us, Those Who Are Remembered"

The Muirhead Clan wishes to send our condolences and sympathy to Clan Elder Larry Smith who's Father passed away 14, May 2001. He was nearly 82. Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Larry, and please know your loss is ours too, for no one should have to grieve alone.

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Hunterston Castle

How then should I describe the haunting beauty of Hunterston Castle to thee? Aye! grand stone and mortar aged with centuries shown,

Cold, hard and gray some would say.

Nay! I say, for each stone a craftsman laid with dedicated care, Enough to be of ancient past to last beyond even our day.

Still just old and cold gray stone some will say.

Nay! Step inside and feel the spirits of antiquity that is remembered within, A grand hearth to worm and take comfort in and remembered grand gatherings once held in.

Dark and gloom like a tomb some may say.

No my friend, I will say for if these walls could talk what a tale they could tell, For the spirits of Antiquity that once lived and touched this structured stone Has humbled me for one.

Just a dreamer some will say I am.

Aye! I must agree, but this castle built of stone is the thing that dreams were born from, Hunterston Castle stands because of the Hunter Clan that still dreams life back into it For all time to come.

To The Chief and all of the Hunter Clan I praise you all for your commitment and heart shown in the care of The grand castle of Hunters-stone

Raymond L. Morehead Esq. FSA Scot President of the Muirhead Clan Society

Here ends the Newsletter. Questions? Comments? Complaints? Send to [email protected] or [email protected]