BNFT April 2011 Section A.P65
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Vol. IV No. 11 Beth’s Newfangled Family Tree Section A April 2011 Robert the Bruce Heritage Centre now a reality in Renton, Scotland Deborah Bruce Gottlieb, FSA Scot – Roswell, Georgia Operations Officer – Family of Bruce International, Inc., www.familyofbruce.org & [email protected] Southeast Commissioner of the name of Bruce “Strathleven Artizans are a group of volunteers, the name and family of Bruce is their Patron. passionate about Scottish history, who seek to pro- On March 27, 2010, the 704th anniversary of mote the history of Renton village and in particular it’s the enthronement of King Robert I, their dream was most famous resident King Robert Bruce who was realized when the Robert the Bruce Heritage Centre King of Scots from 1306 to was opened at Renton Vil- 1329. Other than lage. Present at the cer- Bannockburn (June 1314), emony was Lord and Lady the place most associated Elgin, Charles, Lord with the warrior king was Bruce, and Benedict Bruce indeed Renton.”… son of Lord Bruce and www.strathlevenartizans.com. Grandson of the Earl and Renton Village in West Countess. Dumbartonshire, Scotland The opening cer- is the geographical location emony was preceded by a of ancient Cardross where march and leading the pro- King Robert lived and died. cession were the A dream of the Strathleven Artizans in the Strathleven Artizans was to build a heritage centre in form of King Robert the Bruce and his Queen fol- Renton to honor Robert the Bruce, his generals, and lowed by generals, soldiers, dignitaries, and the the many people who supported the quest for a free Dumbarton District Pipe Band. The Centre is a con- Scotland. Lord Elgin, the 11th Earl of Elgin and 15th verted ScotRail station which was adopted and trans- Earl of Kincardine, Knight of the Thistle, and Chief of Continued on page 5 Beth’s Newfangled Family Tree Section A April 2011 Page 1 Please tell everyone about Beth’s Editor, photographer, etc. Newfangled Beth Gay-Freeman, LOK, FSA Scot <[email protected]> 102 Lakeside Drive Walhalla, SC 29691 Family Tree! Webmaster No postage, no subscriptions, Alastair McIntyre, KTJ, FSA Scot no strings at all...just read, <http://www.electricscotland.com> maybe print...and enjoy! Masthead Designer New issues the first of Tom Freeman, KR, FSA Scot each month at <[email protected]> this site! Your Scottish and Be notified when a new BNFT issue is ready! Free! Just visit Genealogical news http://www.electricscotland.com/maillist.net is always welcomed! Send to [email protected] Our new issues are always “up” about the first of each month. Visit: http://www.electricscotland.com/bnft Miss Narra, The Wonder Cat, is ready for April Showers...and for fun in the rain with her new friend, Mr. Rubber Duckie. Page 2 Beth’s Newfangled Family Tree Section A April 2011 A letter from your editor.... Are volunteers important? Elsewhere in this publication you’ll read a little talk to the grass and sky. blurb about a couple of Highland games which will not “Paid staff” also means take place this year. I can think of half a dozen others that the event has to be held that used to be wonderful, magical events...but which not for the purpose of a will never be again. scholarship or to benefit The saddest thing about all of these is that, one someone working on Scot- at a time, I’ve read that the main reason the games will tish projects or any of a long be no more is that no responsible, hard working vol- list of worthwhile endeavors, unteers could be found. but simply to pay the event company people. I’m sure all of you know that if it “takes a village I’ve read of a few Scottish games who were put to raise a child” it takes a “great big city to put on a on by individuals who were doing the games as a “for Highland games.” From volunteering to pick up trash profit” event. I’ve never ever heard of a for profit on games day to working on the myriad details of ac- Highland games that was even moderately successful. quiring judges and competitors for any of the sanc- All of those are now gone, so far as I know. tioned competitions or planning, staffing and running Volunteers are the lifeblood of a Highland Games. the sponsor’s tent...to taking bags of ice around to the If you live within a decent distance of the site of a games, clan tents and a (not exaggerating) million other details please think about your favorite event at a Highland - the event obviously cannot take place without these games - be it the Highland Dancing or the Heavy Ath- people we call volunteers. letics. If you don’t know enough about the event to feel I do know of an event or two that is run by paid as if you could be in charge of putting it on - think again! “event organizers.” None of the ones I have ever at- You will have plenty of direction and at the end of your tended have ever been “right.” There is just some- first year, you’ll know how to do that event perfectly. thing missing when people who know zilch about things To me, half of the fun of doing something you Scottish and who have never even attended a Scottish know nothing or not much about is learning more about Games are in charge. Most of those are gone. A few it. I promise, you’ll make wonderful new friends and of the event organized games still sort of limp along. become intimately aware of all the nuances of Scottish Event organized games staff sometimes do very fiddling or pipe bands or drummers, etc., etc., etc. strange things. The most bizarre thing I remember is a I’ve never lived close enough to a games to ac- games which had boxes and boxes of their games t-shirts tually volunteer myself. However, almost all by myself stacked at the t-shirt selling venue. The paid staff sat at the for about 16 years, I put on a Scottish event that was tent all day doing nothing - and never even unpacked the t- limited to 400 people - but which was an entire week- shirts so they could be sold. (This is absolutely true.) end of programs, a Ceilidh (I might say, the only real Another time, a very popular Scottish singer and Ceilidh I’ve ever seen or heard of.), two big dinners I were both booked to present programs at an event for 400, entertainment, prizes, etc., etc., etc. which was put on by an event planner company. The I do know the amount of detail that goes into the weather was not hot, it was HOT. Our venue was a planning of a Scottish event (Bottled water for ath- flatbed truck in the broiling sun with no provisions at letes and Scottish Country Dancers...an overhead pro- all for an audience closer than maybe 500 feet. Her jector for this program presenter, a music system or husband held an umbrella over her head as she sang slide projector for others...a coat rack with 7 coat to nobody. When it was time for my presentation, holders - not 6 nor 8, but SEVEN for another, etc., there was a group of Scottish Country Dancers using etc., etc.) I do know about figuring out venues for the truck to rehearse (They brought their own tarp everything and working with the caterer and florist and shade.)...so, I never even got a chance to present my Continued on page 19 Beth’s Newfangled Family Tree Section A April 2011 Page 3 Clan Macneil Association of America If you are a Macneil or any of the following “Sept” names, then you have found the clan that you are looking for. “Cuimhnich Air Na Daoine • Macneil • McNeill o’n D’thainig thu.” • • MacNeil Mcneal - Remember the men from • Macniel • McNeal whom you have come. • MacNiel • Mcneale • Macneill • McNeale • MacNeill • McNeilage President C. McNeill Baker, Jr. • MacNeillie • Mcneilage 6959 Almours Drive • Macneal • McNelly Jacksonville, FL 32117-2628 • MacNeal • Mcnelly clanmacneilua.us • Macneale • McNeally • MacNeale • Mcneally • Oneil • Macguigan • MacNeilage • Neil • Oneill • McGougan • Macneilage • Neal • Nelson • Mcgougan • MacNelly • Neall • Neilson • McGrail • Macnelly • Neale • Nielson • McGraill • MacNeally • Neill • MacGougan • Mcgrail • Macneally • Niel • Macgougan • Mcgraill • Mcneil • Niell • MacGrail • McGugan • McNeil • O’Neal • Macgrail • Macgugan • Mcniel • O’Neil • MacGugan • McGuigan • McNiel • O’Niel • Macgugan ...and • Mcneill • O’Neill • MacGuigan • Mcguigan Page 4 Beth’s Newfangled Family Tree Section A April 2011 Robert The Bruce Heritage Center, continued from page 1 formed by the organization into a remarkable exhibi- visit to the Robert the Bruce Heritage Centre. As we tion to honor Robert the Bruce and his supporters. arrived, we were warmly greeted by Duncan Thomson, The Artizans volunteer at the Centre to host visitors dressed for battle in his chainmail regalia. Duncan is and educate them about the life and times of our an- Chairman of the Strathleven Artizans and the inspira- cestors who dedicated their lives to free Scotland. The tion behind the Centre. It was obvious they had pre- members also spend much of their time visiting schools, pared and were looking forward to our visit as much festivals, and other events to teach and commemorate as we were looking forward to visiting them. We met the history of Robert the Bruce and his supporters. Jim Tannock, Treasurer, and his wife Lynn; Paul Hunter The focal point of the Centre is the Bannockburn who portrays King Robert I very effectively and his Ceiling by artist Duncan Brown.