Kintail 41 Clan MacRae Society of Canada Spring 2018 KINTAIL The Newsletter of the Clan MacRae Society of Canada Volume 18 No. 2 Issue 41 Spring 2018 The 2017 / 2018 National Winners were announced at the National Final on 15th March at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre. In the category Historic Environment Scotland - Best Heritage Tourism Experience was Eilean Donan Castle. Scotland's tourism industry is the heart and soul of the country, employing over 200,000 passionate and committed individuals who between them help generate £11bn of income per annum. For over 20 years the Scottish Thistle Awards have been recognised as Scotland's tourism industry's Oscars. Baroness Miranda van Lynden (middle) holding the Thistle award! Page 1 Kintail 41 Clan MacRae Society of Canada Spring 2018 Dear MacRae Family & Septs, Donan Castle in Scotland having taken over for her mother “Marigold MacRae” who is What do you get when you combine the President of Clan MacRae in Scotland, UK. natural wonder of Niagara Falls, the rowdy and The Clan MacRae Society of Canada was good-hearted members of the MacRae Clan, formed in 2000 on a trip to Scotland, and and the excitement of the Fergus Highland since then, the Society has continued to foster Games? What the Clan MacRae Society of our huge MacRae family and its septs in Canada calls a “BONNIE” good time! If you’re Canada. Getting together each year gives us an interested in learning more about the Clan opportunity to share our love of family, obsess MacRae family history and making new friends, over all things Scottish/Celtic; and continue to we’d love to invite you and your family to our pass on the history of our ancestors to future Annual Social and AGM this August in Ontario. generations. We can share and answer some DNA questions, share genealogy with you, try to connect with extended family members, and discover your Scottish history and roots. Whether you’re simply curious or already a genealogy buff, we’d love to swap stories with you. On August 7th- 8th, you’ll kick off the festivities with us in Niagara Falls. You’ll have an opportunity to take a majestic cruise, a dinner and show, then the next day swing over to Peller Estates to wet your whistle as well as a tour of the wine estates. Then we’ll take our party to Guelph and Fergus from August 8th- 12th. Be prepared to make new MacRae friends and hear share-worthy stories about your family heritage. Catch the caber toss or pipes If you’re interested in having a great and drums as Honoured Clan guests at the time, or learning more and would like a copy Fergus Highland Games; spend a day learning of the 6 day events planned (information & about Lt. Col. John McCrea on our bus tour, costs of accommodations) please contact Barb including our special “Charters” lecture by Duff at [email protected] (make sure Elizabeth Ewan and “Migration to Canada” talk you put in a double “b” in the middle) or phone by Kevin James at the Scottish Archives at the 905-387-5541. Mark the dates on your Guelph University. calendar now. For more information about the On the Saturday evening, we will Clan MacRae Society of Canada, please visit celebrate in true Celtic style with a mouth- our website: www.clanmacraecanada.org watering Banquet and Ceilidh! You are invited to join us for all of the planned events - or Looking forward to seeing you there! pick and choose what you’d like to be a part of. We have a very special guest “Miranda Barb & John Duff van Lynden” current Constable of Eilean Page 2 Kintail 41 Clan MacRae Society of Canada Spring 2018 2018 Fergus Festival Chieftain and Honoured Clan Baroness Miranda van Lynden MacRae Head of the MacRaes of Conchra I am honored to be appointed Honorary Chieftain representing Clan MacRae Society of Canada at their Annual General Meeting and the Fergus Scottish Festival and Highland Games this year. I live in Argyll on the West Coast of Scotland, I have 5 children and 6 grandchildren. I have been involved with Clan MacRae most of my adult life and held the position of Treasurer for many years; and, now I am Chairman of the Society. I am also Trustee of Eilean Donan Castle, a post I have held for over 30 years. Being involved with Clan MacRae and Eilean Donan, I have been lucky enough to travel to countries like Canada to meet other MacRaes; and share in their events to preserve and promote Scottish traditions for future generations. In 1911, my great-grandfather John MacRae-Gilstrap proceeded to restore the castle to its former glory, re-opening it in 1932. He died in 1937 at Eilean Donan. His estate passed on to my grandfather Captain Duncan MacRae; and then to my father John Hervey MacRae and my mother Marigold. Eilean Donan opened to the public in 1955 and my father established the Conchra Charitable Trust in 1983 to oversee restoration and preservation of the castle. I am so pleased to have been invited to the Fergus Highland Games, and I look forward to meeting old friends and making new. https://fergusscottishfestival.com/about/chieftain/ Duties of the Honored Clan for Fergus Scottish Festival & Highland Games (Head or representative should be available for all these things) Thursday Evening: 7:30 pm. Pipes, Plaids & Pageantry Parade – Corner of Albert & David Streets in Fergus. It is our duty to be in this parade and should assemble about 6:30 pm. The Parade takes 30-40 minutes but might run a bit late due to getting everyone organized and lined up. Parade ends at the Legion hall on St. Andrews St. Friday Evening: 7:00 pm. Opening Ceremonies – Clan needs to attend. 8:50 pm. Gathering of the Clans – Lightin’ of the Hearth. Those participating should assemble at the Clans information tent no later than 8:30 pm. Honored Clan must participate. (Miranda or Owen will do the torch. Festival Co-Ordinator will advise.) Page 3 Kintail 41 Clan MacRae Society of Canada Spring 2018 Saturday: 9:00 am. Clan tents should be manned at all times during the day. 12:30 pm. the Clan Gathering is part of the Welcoming Ceremonies. Clans need to assemble at the Clans information tent no later than 11:50 am. and then onto the Castle Gate to march into the Main infield. As an Honored Clan we should all be in this Parade except those tending the Clan tent. Make sure to wear your Clan MacRae Tartan. This is where we need all of you to have practiced your Clan war cry. When the announcer calls out “Clan MacRae” as we parade pass in review you need to yell out our war cry “SGURR UARAN”. We must carry our MacRae flags, banners, signs, etc. so the announcer does not miss announcing our Clan as we leave the field. 2:30 pm. take part in judging & awarding of the “John K. Campbell Award” for best clan tent. Sunday: 9:00 am. time to showcase the Clans community, dress up in your tartans. This is our Family Day and always a very busy one. This is also a great day for talking to families and getting new members. Tent must be manned all day. P.S. Please check the Tent Schedule, if you can help with manning the tent for an hour or two let Barb Duff know [email protected] Bellwood Lake (519)843-2979 email: [email protected] 3 km. east of Fergus; if you have special needs, ask questions https://www.grandriver.ca/en/outdoor-recreation/Camping.aspx Highland Pines Campground 1-877-211-7044 or 1-519-843-2537 email [email protected] about 10 km east of Fergus; you will find this in the book “Camping in Ontario” http://highlandpines.com/ Fergus Scottish Festival & Highland Game site https://fergusscottishfestival.com/scottish-festival-highland- games/2018-online-camping-registration/ See also: https://www.campinginontario.ca/ Visitors Info - Niagara Falls, Fergus, Elora I want to urge anyone that plans on visiting Niagara Falls and who has not visited there before to really consider an extra day or two, or you may be sorry you didn’t. It is busy but enjoyable. There is a lot to see and do so plan accordingly. I also urge those visiting this tourist area to buy a “WEGO” bus pass. http://www.wegoniagarafalls.com/routes/ It is convenient and cheaper that taking your car. Parking is $5.00 for 30 mins in a lot of places where the WEGO bus will just drop you off at the sights and activities you wish to do. It will also save you time in trying to find a parking space. The 24 hr. WEGO 24 hr. pass is $8.00, children 6- 12 is $5.00, children 5 & under are free. WEGO bus passes are usually purchased at the hotels. If you have never visited the Wellington County area in Ontario before, do consider a couple of day trips to St. Jacobs (Mennonite country), Historic Elora, Historic Fergus, Stratford or just staying in the Guelph area. There is a lot going on in the summer with Theatre, Festivals & the Parks. – Barb Duff Page 4 Kintail 41 Clan MacRae Society of Canada Spring 2018 Information Bags – Itinerary, Maps and other information will be available both in Niagara Falls and in Guelph. See Barb Duff or Anne MacRae for yours Please note the following changes to original Schedule of Events: Tuesday, August 7, 2018 Dinner & Show Greg Frewin Theatre – time changed to 6:00 p.m.