DECEMBER 2009 Through Ever Thickening Hazel and Beech Scrub, We Followed the Track to a Viewpoint, Where We Stopped to Catch Our Breath
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US $10.00 VOLUME 25 NUMBER 2 DecemberScorrybreac 2009 The Journal of Clan MacNicol of North America "WFSZ TPDJBCMFDMBO Members at this year’s annual meeting in Hilton Head Island, South ZCarolina CCCCCCCCCCCCCCC CCCCCCCCCCCCCCC TABLE OF CONTENTS VOLUME 25 NUMBER 2 Clan Events ANNUAL CLAN GATHERING - OCTOBER 2009 .................................................6 Hilton Head Island CLAN GATHERING - JULY 2009 ................................................................................8 Edinburgh page 9 Who’s Who in the Clan CLAN SOCIETY DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS .....................................................2 FROM THE PRESIDENT ..............................................................................................4 Jeremy Nicholson OBITUARY OF C.B. HARMAN NICHOLSON ......................................................10 AUTUMN 2009 MEMBERSHIP REPORT ................................................................11 Jeremy Nicholson page 4 Columns MCCOITER’S CAVE FOR OUTDOOR ACTIVITY PURSUITS ...........................5 THE ROLE OF THE CLAN CHIEF ............................................................................14 Speech by the MacLaren of MacLaren to the Clan Convention in the Scottish Parliament FRIENDS OF SCORRYBREAC LANDS 2009 .........................................................16 page 17 Announcements RENEWALS ....................................................................................................................11 2009 FINAL CHANCE Membership Renewal Invitation Scorrybreac VOLUME 25 NUMBER 2 3 FROM THE PRESIDENT S THE 2009 HOLIDAY SEASON rapidly approaches, I would like to express to each of you my thanks for your support of our North American Clan Society which has had a very busy year. AJeremy By now, you will have all learned of the Nicholson passing in late April 2009 of my uncle, Harman Nicholson of Balvenie. Starting in the mid-1980s, he became the greatest benefactor of the Clan worldwide. His crowning contri- bution for which he will be forever remem- The four living Presidents of the Clan MacNicol Society in Atlanta, Georgia: bered is his work as Editor and sponsor of the (from left to right): Jeremy Nicholson, Murray Nicolson, Bill Nicholson, and Bill G. Clan history book. Through his outstanding Nicol (April 2009) generosity every member of the Clan MacNicol worldwide has a copy of the history. Attentive readers while note from the front In his quiet and modest manner, Harman was cover that this issue of Scorrybreac is Volume the largest individual supporter of the opera- 25, Number 2. This means that our Clan tions of the Clan Societies in North America, newsletter has now been published continu- Australasia, and Scotland. His generosity ously for a quarter of a century, starting in continues even though he is gone. Through 1984. There have been five editors: Merry his estate, “The Nicholson of Balvenie Trust” Jayne McMichael (who passed away in August has been established to assist the three Clan 2007), Tom Nickerson, Bill G. Nicol, Jeremy Societies henceforth. All those who met Nicholson, and Murray Nicolson. This publi- Harman were captivated by his intelligence, cation started off with a 4-, 6- or 8-page black his wit and good humor, and his kindness and white format, with no picture, and in so many ways. We shall truly miss him, “printed” on plain paper by simple photocopy. though his memory shall remain ever-green The current format was created by Murray in our hearts. who has served repeatedly and variously as Editor, Joint Editor and Co-Editor, and whose An era has now passed. Murray Nicolson, the impetus and hard work has ensured the Chief’s High Commissioner for the publication through thick and thin. Each new Americas is the only remaining survivor of a issue is also available to Clan members on the trio of principal pioneers of the Clan Society, North American website, clanmacnicol.org. following Burke Nicholson’s death in 2007 and Harman’s this year. For newer members, The Clan was involved in three major it is worthwhile restating that Murray was gatherings this year: the Rassemblement of THE founder of the Clan Society. Without the Québec McNicolls at the Canyon-Sainte- Murray, there simply would have been no Anne in June, The Gathering of Clans in Clan organization in North America. Now, a Edinburgh, Scotland in July, and the North hale, hearty and healthy (early) septuagenar- American Society Annual Meeting in Hilton ian, Murray remains active and substantially Head Island, South Carolina in October. involved in the management of the Clan in North America and Scotland as well. He and Additionally, there were two regional his wife Barbara remained committed to the reunions: one at Panama City, Florida, and the Clan’s progress and enjoy participating at other at Stone Mountain, Georgia. Clan events worldwide. (FROM THE PRESIDENT - CONTINUES ON PAGE 18) 4 Scorrybreac DECEMBER 2009 through ever thickening hazel and beech scrub, we followed the track to a viewpoint, where we stopped to catch our breath. From there we could see that our elevation was on target, and that our route should now head Highland Council Rangers along the contour of hill. We gained some assess McCoiter’s cave for open ground, before descending slightly to follow a precari- outdoor activity pursuits ous sheep track which eventually led to a ledge at the bottom of a crag, in sight of our destination… the mouth of McCoiter’s Cave. Sandy WE ARRIVED AT SCORRYBREAC AS A MacPhee party of four. Highland Council Rangers John McCoiter may have long since evacuated his Highland Phillips and Sandy MacPhee, George Reid, abode, but the current inhabitants were not Highland Council Outdoor Education Officer, shy in making themselves known! Our first Council and Sam Crymble, from the Adventure Activ- moves from the grassy ledge towards the en- Ranger ity Licensing Service. This was, you will gather, trance provoked a flurry of excitement as the a working party, embarking on a serious resident rock doves deserted their cave for the mission! We were, in fact, charged with risk safety of the open air. As they circled above assessing the route to and from the depths of our heads, we left the sunshine and entered... McCoiter’s Cave to ensure its safety and thus continued use by local school groups as an At first, despite the decidedly avian smell adventure outing for daring students. emanating from bewildered rock dove chicks abandoned so recently in their nests, the cave It was the last day of June. The sky was clear was pleasantly unchallenging. Formed as a blue, interrupted only occasionally by lumpy fissure in a great bulk of basalt, the passage- George Reid, Highland cumulus clouds sent scudding by a strong, way of the cave is narrow, and the roof high. Council Outdoor Education Officer, Sam summery breeze. In good spirits, we turned Shafts of sunlight penetrated the entrance, Crymble, from the Adventure Activity our backs to the picture perfect Portree har- and lit up the first 10 metres of our journey, Licensing Service and Highland Council bour, and the distant majesty of the Cuillins, allowing us to easily avoid the boulders Rangers Sandy MacPhee and John Phillips relax and began our ascent via a track to the rear strewn along the cave floor without the use of in the sunshine outside McCoiters Cave above of the Nicolson Clan Cairn. Pushing our way head-torches. As we confidently wound our way, the floor began to descend at a manageable gradient. With the light gone, and head-torches fully in use, however, we soon came upon our first hurdle. A fallen boulder had become wedged between the walls of the cave, and a narrow, steep drop in ground level. So a choice was offered. Do we go up, or down? Partially convinced by a helpful looking rope, we opted for the former, and made our way up a short, but tricky climb, only to immedi- ately encounter another, this time unavoid- able drop! Dare I say that nerves were failing some members of the party? Although there (MCCOITER’S CAVE - CONTINUES ON PAGE 19) Scorrybreac VOLUME 25 NUMBER 2 5 we ate together CLAN GATHERING most evenings, and in particular enjoyed a “Low Country Boil Dinner” on the Saturday evening. Bill organized a very interesting th th trip to the Honey 9 to 12 Horn Plantation. The old house on October 2009 the plantation was begun about the Hilton Head Island time of the Civil War, and the land UNDER THE ORGANIZATION OF CLAN MACNICOL became a hunt- Society Secretary Bill Nicol and his wife Joan we held Ken Lawrence of Clearfield, Utah and Mary Lou Nicolson ing preserve of this year’s annual Klimek of Cochrane, Alberta, Canada two wealthy Wall clan gathering near their Street tycoons in the 1930s. It is now preserved home on Hilton Head for conservation by the town of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. It and has some fine nature trails which a group was a welcome break for of us followed. Walking along the boardwalks, the clan members present we saw many egrets and herons and, for many who had come from Can- of us, our first osprey watching high in a tree. ada and the North-east to get a final taste of summer On the Sunday several people went on a trol- before the snows come. ley tour of the island, firstly to the north where Most of us stayed at the we saw the traditional small houses owned Holiday Inn right on the by people who had stayed the course while beach, and we could walk the plantation owners came and went. On the or cycle for miles along more developed parts of the island we were the perfect sand—I’m impressed by the careful landscaping and in- not sure if anyone braved conspicuous signs. We drove through the com- the water. The island has munity of Sea Pines admiring the famous golf many fine restaurants and courses and stopped briefly in the charming Ellen and John Nicholson, Ridgeway, South Carolina Harbor Town. One brave soul climbed to the top of the lighthouse while the others enjoyed the view and ate ice creams in the sunshine.