The Clan MacLeod Society of Australia (NSW) Inc. Newsletter June 2011 Chief: Hugh MacLeod of MacLeod Chief of Lewes: Torquil Donald Macleod of Lewes Chief of : Roderick John Macleod of Raasay President: Peter Macleod, 19 Viewpoint Drive, Toukley 2263. Phone (02) 4397 3161 Email: peter.@exemail.com.au Secretary: Mrs Wendy Macleod, 19 Viewpoint Drive, Toukley 2263. Phone (02) 4397 3161 Treasurer: Mr Rod McLeod, 62 Menzies Rd, Eastwood 2122. Ph (02) 9869 2659 email: [email protected] Annual Subscription $28 ($10 for each additional person in Important Dates the one home receiving one Clan Magazine & Newsletter, Sat 2 July Aberdeen Highland Gathering see last Newsletter. i.e. One person $28, Two people $38, Three people $48, Sat. 27 Aug. Toukley Gathering of the Clans - see inside. etc.). Subscriptions are due on 30th June each year. Sat. 3rd Sept. - Luncheon and AGM - see below. Dear Clansfolk, Banner bearers for the Kirkin’ It’s AGM and Membership renewal time. AGM details are below and a Membership Renewal enclosed. At the risk of being repetitious, in order to pass the Constitutional changes we need a good turnout at the AGM this year. Peter AGM Saturday 3rd Sept. Venue is Forestville RSL Club, Melwood Ave, Forestville. We will reserve tables in the Bistro for lunch from 12 noon. You can attend the lunch or the meeting, or both. Bistro prices are reasonable and Charles Cooke & Peter Macleod afternoon timing means no night travelling. We would like to know approximate numbers, so if you are coming could Glen Innes Celtic Festival 29th Apr to 1st May you please phone one of the office bearers at the head of Again our Clan was well represented at this popular and well this page. This year we need to pass a special resolu- patronised Festival. Wendy and I made the big drive up from tion to bring our rules into line with current legislation. Toukley on Friday 29th arriving about 3.20pm. Book in and Please take this as a special appeal for attendance of unloading are first then up to the Standing Stones to erect as many members as possible to ensure acceptance. our stand. We are now doing this on the Friday instead of NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING AND NO- Saturday to save scarce Saturday time and experience has TICE OF SPECIAL RESOLUTION. shown there is often a degree of official disorganisation on The Annual General meeting of The Clan MacLeod Society Saturday with so many things going on. of Australia (NSW) Incorporated is to be held at Forestville Our stand is soon up and at 6pm we are off to the Services RSL Club at 1.30pm on Saturday 3rd September 2011. Club for tonight’s concert and meal. In comes the Haggis Ordinary Business: lead by a piper then the Address as written by Robbie Burns. ● To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting; Our meal is followed by entertainment featuring ‘The High- ● To receive from the committee reports of the activities of landers’, a really good, modern Celtic band. the association during the financial year ending 30th June Saturday morning sees us assemble for the street parade. 2011; The , with 10 or 12, are not the biggest clan ● To elect office bearers of the association and ordinary marching but everyone had a banner or flag making us the committee members; most colourful and I’m sure we received the biggest cheers. ● To appoint an honorary auditor; and As soon as the parade finishes we have a mad rush to the ● To receive and to consider the financial statement and Standing Stone site to complete our stand and open for busi- report of the treasurer for the financial year ending 30th ness. Initially, we are rushed off our feet and it takes until June 2011. noon before the last of our decorations is in place. For us Special Business: it was a successful event, we signed up a couple of new ● To consider and if thought fit, pass the following resolution members, sold quite a few Clan books and handed out many as a special resolution: information packs to interested people. “That the existing rules (constitution) of the association be Saturday evening we dine at our Hotel, and following our rescinded and that the constitution as tabled at this meet- meal there is always excellent entertainment by one of the ing be adopted by the association.” Festival bands. This year it’s a five piece group, ‘Wheelers and Dealers’ lead by Christine Wheeler and with a National Fiddle Champion, Mike Kerin, to the fore. Although the Festival is a two day event we only put up our stand on Saturday. Most enquiries come that day and Sun- day off gives us a chance to look around. Sunday is also the Kirkin’ of the Tartan Day and we make sure the MacLeod Banner is duly Kirked. The Kirkin’ takes place in the centre of the Standing Stone circle and attracts a huge audience. The weekend weather did not look promising. At home we had showery days for weeks before. The drive up saw show- ers and heavier rain all the way to Scone. But then it cleared and for the rest of Friday and Saturday it was mostly bright MacLeods on Parade, Glen Innes and sunny. Sunday was magnificent with clear blue skies. Norse Origin of The Flag By Weedon Nichols Yaroslav the Wise, Grand Duke of Kiev & Prince of Russia. of Clan MacLeod USA - , our first chief, was (always Olaf the Stout took refuge with Yaroslav in Kiev after Olaf arguably) grandson of Olaf the Black, last chief of the Norse was deposed and before he attempted his comeback. The Kingdom of Man and the Isles, a subordinate kingdom to the wounded Harold made his way to Kiev, where he was given King of Norway. The Norse Kingdom of Man and the Isles refuge in the court of Yaroslav. He recovered from his wounds included, the Isle of Man and the . It was headquar- and grew to full manhood. Harold served Yaroslav well as a tered on the Isle of Man. There were periods when this king- leader in military campaign after military campaign. dom was pretty much independent, and periods when it was No doubt, Harold had reached manhood and military lead- brought closely under the control of the King of Norway. The ership status when he communicated to Yaroslav that he end of the Norse Kingdom of Man and the Isles came when wished the hand of Princess Ellisef. There are no portraits, King Magnus of Norway ceded the Western Isles to Alexan- of which I know, of Ellisef (or of any of the principals of this der III of Scotland in 1266 in the Treaty of Perth. We have story), but you may be sure she was a beauty. In addition, mixed reports on the kingship of Black Olaf, but it cannot be her pedigree through Yaroslav went back to Rurik and the denied that the end of the kingdom was on his watch. Olaf original Swedish rulers of Russia, and to the Emperors of the Black was the son of Olaf the Red, in my opinion one Byzantium. Ellisef’s mother was Princess Ingegard of the of the shrewdest and most capable of our purported Mac- then royal family of Sweden (and sister-in-law of the now Leod forebears. Olaf the Red was known and respected deceased St. Olaf). No one knows Yaroslav’s exact words to everywhere as a king of good judgment and clear vision, Harold, but probably they were something like, “Harold, my who was a more than competent campaigner on land or sea, boy, I’m sure you would make a very fine son-in-law, but you but who avoided unnecessary conflict. He maintained his don’t have enough (any) gold.” authority, at the same time reinforcing the traditional Viking Harold obtained an appointment as an officer of the Verang- democracy and avoiding the taint of any hint of despotism. ian (Viking) Guard of the Byzantine Empire. It might surprise The great half-Celtic, half-Norse conqueror Somerled made you to know that the Verangians, or , had frequented peace with Olaf the Red, even marrying the daughter of Olaf that part of the world for a very long time. Vikings were a the Red, waiting until the death of Olaf to enlarge his own bit of a pain-in-the-neck to the Byzantines. They were dirty, sphere of influence. The “Banner of Red Olaf” mentioned in irreverent, and disrespectful, and they fought among them- the poem of Duncan MacIain may have been another ban- selves when there was no one else to fight. However, the ner we know well. We shall return to that. Olaf the Red was Verangians owned no property in the Byzantine Empire and the son of Godred Crovan Haroldson, King of Man and the had no political agenda. These factors, plus the Vikings’ Isles (himself son of Harold the Black, King of Islay) and one skills as warriors, their fierceness, and their love of fighting Maria Haroldsdotter, daughter of the most successful Viking made them much more valuable to the Emperors of Byzan- of all time. I’m speaking of Harald Sigurdson (also known as tium (in particular, Zoe, Empress of Byzantium, during Ha- Harold Hardraade, Harold The Ruthless, King Harold III of rold’s tenure), than local troops. Between what Harold was Norway and The Thunderbolt of the North). paid, what he took in booty from the Seljuk Turks, and what In the year AD1030, Olaf the Stout (formerly King Olaf II of he was able (probably) to embezzle, Harold is reputed to Norway, and later to be known as St. Olaf) went into battle have accumulated more gold than any other Viking, before against the forces of Canute, King of Denmark, who also or since. Harold is said to have departed Byzantium without controlled Norway at the time, in an effort to re-establish permission, but is said to have been successful in taking himself as king. In the history of Christianity, many have with him about half his gold (one of his two shiploads of gold been named saints, not because of their holiness, but be- having gotten through before the great chain was raised). cause they “Christianised” the populations under their con- However much gold Harold presented to Yaroslav, it was trol. Many mass Christianisations were superficial, to say enough. Ellisef and Harold were married in AD1045. Harald the least. (One might say the same of most contemporary is said, in later life, to have referred to Ellisef (in his own po- “Christian” populations.) At the side of Olaf the Stout was etry – not your usual Viking stereotype) as his “gold-ringed his fifteen-year-old half-brother Harold (later to be known as goddess.” Canute the Great of Denmark had died, and Mag- Harold Hardraade, Harold the Ruthless, The Thunderbolt of nus, son of Olaf, had become king of Norway, uncontested the North, King Harald III of Norway, and other names). Harald had insisted on being allowed to fight as a war- by Harthacanute, son of Canute. Harold, accompanied by rior. Olaf was killed. One of the warriors who cut him down Ellisef, returned to Norway, allied himself with Svein, neph- ew of Canute, to terrorize both Denmark and Norway. He Viking claimed his own wounds were healed by Olaf’s brought sufficient pressure against his nephew Magnus to Long Boat become co-king with Magnus, assuming the role of king in blood, but that is another story. Such things are said when Magnus died. Besides Ellisef, perhaps the most im- Long Boat of saints. Harold was seri- portant thing brought by Harold from the Middle-East was Museum, ously wounded. “Landwaster” – a white battle flag that Harald flew from his Oslo, Not everyone knows this, masthead. Landwaster may have been a religious , per- Norway but in the known (to Eu- haps the shirt of a saint. It may have been a gift to Harold. ropeans) world of 1,000 More likely, though, he simply took it. years ago, there was just The uneasy alliance between Harold and Svein broke up as intricate and far reach- when Svein attempted to have Harold assassinated. Harold, ing a set of relationships more or less successfully, conducted a protracted and very among the royalty, nobil- expensive war against Svein and Denmark, with a view to- ity, and powerful of all ward ruling Denmark also (sort of like the disastrously ex- countries, as existed in the pensive arms race between the US and the USSR). Harold early modern era. A con- and Svein eventually called it a draw, and each left the other tender for champion of ex- to his own country. tended relationships was In AD1066 (a year well known to all of us for another reason) Harold, in partnership with Tostig, ex- forms, which can be found in almost any Clan MacLeod ref- iled Earl of Northumbria, invaded Eng- erence or brochure. I won’t tell them here). “The land, where King Harold Godwinson of MacLeod” (or its fragile remnant) hangs in a glass case in was in the process of establishing him- the central room of Castle, still occupied by the self as a new ruler. (Tostig was God- Chiefs of MacLeod. winson’s brother or half-brother.) Go- Scientists have determined that the weave and substance of dred Crovan, King of Man and the Isles the flag are of Middle-Eastern origin of a thousand years or and Harold Hardraade’s son-in-law, so ago. Historians surmise that it was once a religious relic, was a subordinate commander to Ha- perhaps the shirt of a saint. When the scholar presented rold. The invasion began at York, and it the findings to Dame Flora, 28th Chief of MacLeod, she re- went well at first. What defeated Tostig sponded that she knew the had presented the flag to and Harold, besides Harold Godwin- Clan MacLeod. The scholar diplomatically answered, “Dame The Fairy Flag son and his forces, were the ancient Flora, I bow to your superior knowledge.” (Dame Flora was Roman roads from to York. Godwinson’s rapid very aware of the unifying value of a group’s myths.) forced march up the Roman road caught Tostig and Ha- Sat. 27th August at rold unprepared. Harold fought exposed at the head of his Toukley Gathering of the Clans troops at the Battle of Stamford Bridge, and caught an ar- the same location, Harry Moore Oval in Crossingham St., row in the throat. Tostig also died. Godwinson was weak- Toukley. Entrance is FREE! A street parade from the Touk- ened enough by Harold and Tostig that he lost the king- ley CBD starts the festivities. We usually manage to get a dom to William of Normandy that same year at Hastings, small group of MacLeods together for the march but would but that is another story. I should mention, though, that all welcome some extras to make our clan more impressive. the leaders in the epic battles of 1066 A.D. in England were Entertainment runs from 10.30am to 4pm including massed Vikings. Harold Hardraade was Norse Viking, as was his bands, individual band displays, Highland dancing, lots of son-in-law Godred Crovan. Harold of Wessex was half Dan- stalls - including the Clan MacLeod. In the evening there is a ish Viking, as was Tostig. William of Normandy was the g- ceilidh and on Sunday 28th, a Kirkin’ of the Tartan. g-grandson of Rolf the Walker (too big to be carried by a Canberra Highland Gathering - Sat. 8th October horse), who had been granted a buffer strip on the coast Includes ACT Pipe Band Championships. Some 30 years of France by Charles the Simple (the name says it all), to have passed since Canberra people have experienced a protect France from other Vikings. By William’s time, the local Highland Gathering. Venue is Kambah, on the ovals , or “Normans,” had a large chunk of France (Nor- opposite the Burns Club. Attractions include a FOUR grade mandy). William’s “Normans” were so new at being French Pipe Band Competition, Highland Dancing, Irish Dancing, that they had only recently adopted the French language. Tug O War, Vintage Display, Brass Bands plus clan and As I have mentioned, the Norse Kingdom of Man and the commercial stalls. At this stage we don’t plan a MacLeod Isles was a Viking kingdom loosely subordinate to Norway. stall. For further information contact Dave Fulton, mobile The King of Man and the Isles was Godred Crovan, husband 0434 075 062 or email on [email protected] of Harold’s daughter, Maria Haraldsdotter, and, therefore, son-in-law to Harold. Godred is understood to have been Like to Learn Our member Barbara one of Harold’s commanders in Harold’s invasion of York. Crighton is also secretary of Comunn Gaidhlig Astrailia (Scot- It is known that Harold’s battle flag “Landwaster” was not tish Gaelic Association) and advises they will be holding their brought ashore from Harold’s flagship, and it is known that annual Sgoil-Earraich Naiseanta (National Spring School) Godred Crovan survived and returned to the Isle of Man. this year in Canberra from Friday evening 2nd Sept. to Sun- We can only hypothesise the way “Landwaster” almost cer- day afternoon, 4th Sept. There will be classes for all levels tainly became “The Fairy Flag of MacLeod” was as follows: from beginners to advanced. Venue is to be the ANU with accommodation available at University House. A wonderful 1. After Harold’s death, the flag was taken back to the Isle opportunity to learn the language of your ancestors still spo- of Man by Godred, where it became a treasured item of the Kings of Man and the Isles. Remember “the Banner of Red ken in many MacLeod lands - Skye, Harris and Lewis. Ongo- Olaf?” I think it entirely probable that Landwaster/The Fairy ing information at: www.ozgaelic.org/whatson/index.htm Flag was that banner flown by Olaf the There is also an active Gaelic learners’ self help group in Red, son of Godred Crovan, grandson Canberra, the contact is Tom Charnock on 02 6251 5852 or of Harold the Ruthless, and great, great, email: [email protected] grandfather of Leod. A Standing Stone in Hervey Bay Queensland 2. Clan MacLeod became the heir of at member (and past National Co-Ordinator), Rob MacLeod least one strand of the Norse Kingdom celebrated his 70th birthday with the unveilling of a Stand- of Man and the Isles (the MacDonalds, ing Stone in his garden. Rob previously installed a Standing also descendants of Olaf the Red, were Stone at his Melbourne home and wished to carry on this tra- heirs to a larger strand of that kingdom). dition. A sunny Saturday, 19th March, greeted the dedication When a trusted retainer of MacLeod, party. Rob welcomed attendees and blessed the Stone in perhaps hundreds of years later, found Scottish Gaelic with a dram of the flag in its little storage casket in the MacLeod of MacLeod 15 year archives at Dunvegan, he must have old Scotch for good luck. Pip- asked, “What’s this?” It was obvious ing was by Duncan Birt, Pipe that the fragile white flag was a treas- Major of the Hervey Bay RSL ured object, so the fairy stories were Pipe Band. The stone is vol- born. (The fairy story takes two or three canic rock quarried locally and Dame Flora MacLeod of MacLeod, stands about 4 feet (1.2 me- 28th Chief. From a painting in 1970 tres) above the garden. 60 Years a Pipe Major of the Same Band Urramach Medal by the Celtic Council of Australia in 2003 Saturday 14th May saw a celebration few Pipe Bands and and OAM by the Australian Government in 2006. Both Ron even fewer Clan Societies experience. Ron Clement was and Betty are Life Members of the Clan MacLeod Society of special guest to a Celebration Dinner to honour his 60 years NSW. Ron has now decided to hand over the reins as Pipe service as a Pipe Major. Major and Bruce Wheatley, a 30 year veteran with the Band, Ron was accompanied by has been elected the new Pipe Major. Ron has not retired his wife Betty, also hon- from piping and will still teach and perform with the Band, as oured because of her tire- he says, “as long as my bones permit”. less contribution in mak- Pipe Major Ron Clement pipes at ing and maintaining band in 1998 uniforms and equipment. Venue was The Epping Club. The 87 guests in- cluded past and present band members, Clan Mac- Betty & Ron Clement Leod Society and NSW Pipers’ Society representatives and immediate family of Ron and Betty. Ron has been President of the NSW Pipers’ Soci- ety for the last 20 years. People travelled from Papua New Guinea, Cairns, Perth, Brisbane and country NSW to be at this auspicious occasion. Shortly after Mosman Scottish Society was formed in the early 1940s their committee decided they would like to have their own pipe band. A small but youthful and enthusiastic group was formed in 1947 with Ron among them. Pipe Ma- jor Alec Cunningham of The Cunningham-Marrickville Pipe Band, an established Sydney pipe band undertook tutelage. Society Donates 100 trees to MacLeod Woodland Ron was keen and learnt faster than most, he entered his Orbost Estate Farm is to be the site of a new planted woodland first contest in early 1948. In late 1948 and early 1949 the on Skye. Lease of the estate is held by Rachel & Keith Jack- band started playing as a group and Ron was appointed the son. Rachel is an Australian whose MacLeod ancestry comes first Pipe Major. By Anzac Day in 1950 they were sufficiently via her grandmother, Peggy Staas (nee MacLeod). Rachel adept to take part in the Anzac Day March with 12 pipers and has a mention and photo in Scottish Exodus. Her original Skye 7 drummers, quite an achievement in such a short period. contact was as a member of the NRG when she accompanied The Clan MacLeod Society was formed in 1954 prior to the Peggy to a Clan Parliament. Rachel married Keith Jackson, first visit to Australia by Dame Flora MacLeod of MacLeod. a Scot, they settled on Skye and now have two children. You The Clan Society founder, the late Bruce D. MacLeod looked may have seen Rachel and Keith on the TV program Beach- around for a pipe band to welcome Dame Flora and provide comber Cottage. As well as farming the estate Rachel and entertainment at functions. He decided on the Mosman Pipe Keith are prominent local citizens in Dunvegan. Rachel has Band with Ron also being asked to be official piper to the cherished the idea of putting permanent reminders in place Clan. This was the start of Ron’s long association with the to show the connection between our great clan and the local Clan MacLeod. area. The MacLeod Woodland involves the planting of 3200 Television came to Australia in 1956 and this saw the slow trees, 2.5 Ha, of rowan and birch at the entrance to the estate. withering of many social groups, including Mosman Scottish The area has a remnant gorge woodland and will re-establish which folded around 1960 but the band was still vibrant. The a corridor for wildlife, in par- Clan MacLeod Society was still strong spurred on by a fur- ticular the hen harriers which ther visit by Dame Flora in 1957 and a coming one in 1964. live on the estate. Earthwork So a merger suited both, and Mosman Pipe Band became preparation and fencing the Clan MacLeod Pipe Band still with Ron as Pipe Major. started early this year and In a career so long there have been many memorable high- planting in March. Our So- lights. Performing for Dame Flora during her many visits, for ciety sponsorship is for 100 Chief John MacLeod of MacLeod when he visited in 1991 and trees at £3 each. 1999. Combining with the Bendigo Clan MacLeod Pipe Band Memorial Wall Still in during Chief John’s visits and on a number of other occa- the planning. Concept is to sions. The trip to Dunvegan Castle in 1998. Plus all the band create a wall utilising stones Cutting the cake engagements at Surf Car- brought from wherever Mac- nivals, Street Parades, Leods have settled. Clans- Balls, Festivals and per- folk can bring stones when forming for community attending Parliament or groups. visiting Skye. These can be Orbost, about 4 to 5kms South Ron has taught so many built into the wall as a me- of Dunvegan Village. Healaval Mor & Healaval Bheag pipers over such a long pe- morial to the clan diaspora. are MacLeod’s Tables riod that it is impossible to Very late news, The MacLeod Wood- even estimate a number. land planting is now complete! We He has been honoured by look forward to seeing it when we next The NSW Pipe Band As- visit Skye in 2014. sociation in 1992, Duine Peter