The British Isles Historic Society Heritage, History, Traditions & Customs 11-20 November Issue St. Andrew deeming himself unworthy to be crucified in the same manner as Jesus Christ. Instead, he was nailed St. Andrew has been celebrated upon an X-shaped cross on 30 November 60AD in in Scotland for over a thousand years, Greece, and thus the diagonal cross of the saltire with feasts being held in his honour as was adopted as his symbol, and the last day in far back as the year 1000 AD. November designated his saint day. However, it wasn’t until 1320, According to legend, Óengus II, king of Picts when Scotland’s independence was and Scots, led an army against the Angles, a declared with the signing of The Germanic people that invaded Britain. The Scots Declaration of Arbroath, that he officially became were heavily outnumbered, and Óengus prayed the Scotland’s patron saint. Since then St Andrew has night before battle, vowing to name St. Andrew the become tied up in so much of Scotland. The flag of patron saint of Scotland if they won. Scotland, the St. Andrew’s Cross, was chosen in honour of him. Also, the ancient town of St Andrews On the day of the battle, white clouds formed was named due to its claim of being the final resting an X in the sky. The clouds were thought to place of St. Andrew. represent the X-shaped cross where St. Andrew was crucified. The troops were inspired by the apparent According to Christian teachings, Saint Andrew divine intervention, and they came out victorious was one of Jesus Christ’s twelve disciples. He and his despite overwhelming odds. brother, Simon Peter (today venerated as the first Pope of the Roman Catholic Church) were fishermen True to his word, as the legend goes, Óengus in Galilee, now modern-day Israel, when they met named St. Andrew the patron saint of Scotland, and Jesus Christ and became his first disciples. Like Jesus, St. Andrew’s Day marked Scotland’s victory and new he was ultimately martyred for his beliefs, but nationhood. Scotland’s flag, Andrew is said to have refused a T-shape cross, Cont. page 2 …. ... … … a white cross over a blue background, is also The United Scottish Cultural Society likely the result of this legend and has been named encourages the fostering and preservation of St. Andrew’s Cross. Scottish Culture in any and all of its forms, including According to Orthodox tradition, the apostolic music, dance, and the Gaelic language. successor to Saint Andrew is the Patriarch of The Scottish Cultural Centre has been a Constantinople. It is thought to originate from the Vancouver institution since 1986 and is proud to be a reign of Malcolm III (1034–1093). It was thought that vibrant and multi-cultural space used by the ritual slaughter of animals associated with Samhain community and people from around the world. was moved to this date, so as to assure enough Founding animals were kept alive for winter. But it is only in Societies Still more recent times that 30 November has been given Active: Royal national holiday status. Scottish Country https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Andrew's_Day Dance Society – Vancouver Branch, B.C. Highland And so, wherever you are in the world, raise a Dance Association, B.C. Pipers Association, Gaelic glass this 30 November to good ol’ Saint Andrew, Society of Vancouver, Moray, Nairn & Banff and to the richness and generosity of Scottish culture Association, St. Andrew’s and Caledonian Society & everywhere. Sons of Scotland Benevolent Association The United Scottish Royal Scottish Cultural Society Country Dance Society was formed by the Vancouver Branch prominent Scottish societies of Scottish Country Dancing is an Vancouver more than 50 years activity that promotes fun, friendship and fitness. It ago in an effort to create an amalgamated group of is enjoyed by people of all ages and instruction is first- and second-generation Scots sharing a passion readily available. Whoever you are, wherever you for perpetuating Scottish culture in all its forms. are, you can share the fun of learning steps, From 1955 to 1985, these societies practicing dances, and thrilling to the music and congregated for ceilidhs and other social events in a excitement of socials, balls and workshops. Scottish former school they purchased at Fir Street and 12th country dancing is a great way to keep fit and to Avenue they renamed The Scottish Auditorium. In meet new people in a very social setting. 1986, construction on the present venue had This organization was formed as a Society in completed, and a new chapter in the life of 1964 but organized Scottish Country Dancing had Vancouver’s Scots had begun. Today, the Scottish been enjoyed in Vancouver since the 1930s. This Cultural Centre extends beyond the reach of the Society is a member of a world-wide Association and Scottish community and welcomes individuals and that means members will be welcomed at other groups from a more divergent society than the one Branches all over the world. that existed when the Scottish Auditorium was in its www.rscdsvancouver.org heyday. www.scottishculturalcentre.com Traditional Scottish Guy Fawkes Cullen Skink Day Thursday, Ingredients: November 5, 2020 Festivities in Windsor Castle by Paul Sandby, c. 1776 2-3 Smoked Haddock Fillets Guy https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guy_Fawkes_Night 50g butter Fawkes Night, also known as Guy Fawkes Day, Bonfire 1 large onion (chopped) Night and Fireworks Night, is an annual ½ a leek (white section only, chopped) commemoration observed on 5 November, primarily 700g potatoes (chopped) in the United Kingdom. Its history begins with the events of 5 November 1605 O.S., when Guy Fawkes, 300ml milk a member of the Gunpowder Plot, was arrested Small carton single cream while guarding explosives the plotters had placed beneath the House of Lords. Celebrating the fact Method: that King James I had survived the attempt on his Melt the butter in a large pan and add the life, people lit bonfires around London; and months onion and leek, then add the potato taking care not later, the introduction of the Observance of 5th to let it stick to the base of the pan. November Act enforced an annual public day of Add the milk and bring to the boil, reduce to a thanksgiving for the plot's failure. simmer and cook slowly. Separate the fish into chunks and add to the Scottish Settlement soup, simmer until cooked and add the cream to of Canada serve. Scottish people have a long Serve with crusty bread and butter. history in Canada, dating back https://www.donaldrussell.com/cullen-skink.html several centuries. Many towns, rivers and mountains have been Gone but not forgotten! named in honour of Scottish Laidlaw’s Scottish Bakery explorers and traders such as Mackenzie Bay in the Jock Laidlaw Yukon (named for Sir Alexander Mackenzie), and others are named after locations in Scotland, such as The Highland Association Calgary (named after a Scottish beach), or Banff, Once one of the most active societies, staging ceilidhs and plays, Alberta named after Banff, Aberdeenshire. Most to preserve the fraternalism and notably, the Atlantic province of Nova Scotia is Latin rich heritage of for "New Scotland". the Scottish 17 November 1292: John Balliol is appointed King of Highlands and its people. Scotland by King Edward I of England. Remembrance Day Remembrance Day, Ireland In the Republic of Ireland, Armistice or Great Britain: Remembrance Day is not a public holiday. In July Remembrance Day, there is a National Day of Commemoration for Irish (Wednesday November 11th. 2020) which is the men and women who have died in war. anniversary of the end of hostilities in the First Nevertheless, Remembrance Sunday is marked by a World War, in 1918 at 1100hrs. The national ceremony in St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin, which the ceremony is held at the Cenotaph on Whitehall, President of Ireland attends. London. The unveiling of the stone structure on the Centre for Scottish Studies 11th November 1920 was combined with a ceremony to mark the passing of the body of the The Centre for Scottish Studies at Simon Fraser Unknown Warrior for re-burial in Westminster University was founded in 1998 as a joint venture Abbey. between faculty and individuals in the community. The first of the annual ceremonies of The Centre, located at SFU’s beautiful Burnaby remembrance took place at the Cenotaph on the campus, provides a focal point for faculty, students, same date the following year. The Household Cavalry and members of the general public who are and one of the Foot Guards Battalions provide a interested in exploring Scottish history and culture small dismounted marching contingent. The and the connections between Scotland and Canada Household Cavalry leads the three Services on to in the contemporary global landscape. parade. The Centre conducts and mobilizes research in Remembrance Day, Canada: the area of Scottish Studies. Our research activities include collaborative projects with Generations of Canadians have served our colleagues in Canada, the US and the UK; country and the world during times of war, military conferences and symposia; the “Scottish Voices from conflict, and peace. Through their courage and the West" Oral History project; an annual St sacrifice, these men and women have helped to Andrew's and Caledonian Society talk; and an annual ensure that we live in freedom and peace, while also Tartan Day event. www.sfu.ca/scottish fostering freedom and peace around the world. Canada’s involvement in the First and Second Sir Alexander Fleming (6 August World Wars, the Korean War, and Canada’s efforts 1881 – 11 March 1955) Born: Darvel, East during military operations and peace efforts has Ayrshire, Scotland always been fueled by a commitment to protect the Penicillin: The antibiotic was rights of others and to foster peace and freedom.