CLAN DONALD NOVA SCOTIA - clandonaldcanada.ca · Page 1 Clan Donald Nova Scotia Spring/Summer 2012...
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Page 1 Clan Donald Nova Scotia Spring/Summer 2012 CLAN DONALD NOVA SCOTIA Spring/Summer 2012 "Ni h-eibhneas gan Chlainn Domhnaill …" (It is no joy without Clan Donald ....) Clan Donald Honoured at “Kirkin’ of the Tartan” Service The 16 th Annual “Kirkin of the Tartan” service, organized by the Annapolis Valley Branch of Clan Donald, was held on Sunday June 10 th 2012 at the historic old Covenanter Church in Grand Pre, Nova Scotia. The service was led by Rev. Robyn Brown-Hewitt of the Wolfville Pastoral Charge of the United Church of Canada. This year the Covenanter Church celebrates its 208 th anniversary on Sunday, July 8 th . A turnout of approximately 100 attended the Kirkin’ Service and many had a piece of their clan tartan to be blessed. The honoured clan this year, for the first time, was Clan Donald. Jack MacDonald, Past Provincial Commissioner, spoke on the history of the Clan. The guest speaker was Rev. Douglas Porter, a retired minister now living in West LaHave, who spoke on passing down a heritage of faith to the next generation. A Gaelic choir, under the direction of Annapolis Valley member, Maggie Keppie, lead the music. Our piper this year was Ed Coleman who added much to the service with his playing. Following the service, everyone gathered at the Wolfville United Church Hall for a time of fellowship and refreshments. Sam Churchill, six-year old grandson of Barry and Florence MacDonald, at the Kirkin’ of the Tartan Service in Grand Pre, Nova Scotia. Sam carried the pulpit bible into the Covenanter Church during the processional. (Picture and write-up submitted by Barry MacDonald, Finlaggan Councillor and High Commissioner Emeritus of Clan Donald Canada)
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Page 1 Clan Donald Nova Scotia Spring/Summer 2012
CLAN DONALD NOVA SCOTIA
Spring/Summer 2012
"Ni h-eibhneas gan Chlainn Domhnaill…"
(It is no joy without Clan Donald ....)
Clan Donald Honoured at “Kirkin’ of the Tartan” Service
The 16th Annual “Kirkin of the Tartan” service, organized by the Annapolis Valley Branch
of Clan Donald, was held on Sunday June 10th
2012 at the historic old Covenanter Church in
Grand Pre, Nova Scotia. The service was led by
Rev. Robyn Brown-Hewitt of the Wolfville
Pastoral Charge of the United Church of Canada.
This year the Covenanter Church celebrates its
208th anniversary on Sunday, July 8
th. A turnout
of approximately 100 attended the Kirkin’
Service and many had a piece of their clan tartan
to be blessed. The honoured clan this year, for
the first time, was Clan Donald. Jack
MacDonald, Past Provincial Commissioner,
spoke on the history of the Clan. The guest
speaker was Rev. Douglas Porter, a retired
minister now living in West LaHave, who spoke
on passing down a heritage of faith to the next
generation. A Gaelic choir, under the direction of
Annapolis Valley member, Maggie Keppie, lead
the music. Our piper this year was Ed Coleman
who added much to the service with his playing.
Following the service, everyone gathered at the
Wolfville United Church Hall for a time of
fellowship and refreshments.
Sam Churchill, six-year old grandson of
Barry and Florence MacDonald, at the
Kirkin’ of the Tartan Service in Grand
Pre, Nova Scotia. Sam carried the pulpit
bible into the Covenanter Church during
the processional.
(Picture and write-up submitted by Barry MacDonald,
Finlaggan Councillor and High Commissioner Emeritus
of Clan Donald Canada)
Page 2 Clan Donald Nova Scotia Spring/Summer 2012
He Came From Cape Breton (This article first appeared in the 2003 edition of the
Clan Donald -Halifax Region Newsletter)
Every song tells a story, and sometimes there’s a
story behind the song. This one begins in 1882,
when Alexander MacDonald of Dunvegan emigrated from Cape Breton to Australia,
following the death of his wife, and the loss of the
family farm to debt. He remarried, and worked as a
shipwright until his accidental death in 1905. Meanwhile, much later, his youngest sister,
Christena, told her grandchildren, one of whom
was Hughena Kennedy, stories of her childhood and about her brother who had left for Australia. In
1958, Alexander’s grandson, Grahame MacDonald,
acting on scant particulars from his father, who was
ten at the time of Alexander’s death, wrote to the Halifax Herald, seeking information about the
family. By chance, beyond coincidence, Hughena
came across the newspaper, and recognized the names mentioned in the Australian’s letter.
Hughena’s mother, Katie Florence, was then able
to connect Grahame with widespread cousins in Canada and the U.S.
Grahame wrote the following poem, which came
to me through my brother, John Spyder, who was
contacted by Grahame regarding John’s CD, By Sea, By Land. I subsequently composed a reel to fit
the lyrics, and with brothers John and Bob, have
recorded a version to send to Grahame. In correspondence with him, he added: “Hughena is a
mutual second cousin of mine, Annie Mae Skinner
and Albert MacDonald. In Allister MacGillivray's The Cape Breton Song Collection, Annie Mae is on
page 58. Albert is on page 116 and Francis
MacDonald, a distant cousin, is on page 112.
Francis composed a fiddle tune, which he named Grahame MacDonald of Clan Donald. It was
transcribed for bagpipe by Jim McConnell,
Commissioner for Clan Donald in New South Wales. It is now the signature tune of the Noosa
(Queensland) Pipe Band, whose Pipe Major is
Michael MacDonald. They wear MacDonald
tartan.” The Highland bard will out!
Grahame MacDonald founded the Clan Donald Society of Queensland in 1958. In 1961 Lord
Macdonald appointed him High Commissioner for
Clan Donald in Australia. He held the post for 28
years and is now the Honorary High
Commissioner. In 1966 he established a Clan Donald Society in Sydney, New South Wales,
followed by Tasmania, Victoria and Western
Australia. He is a life member of the Clan Donald
Societies of Edinburgh, New South Wales and Queensland.
Alastair D. Macdonald
[Alastair is currently (2012) Commissioner of the
Halifax Region Branch and CDNS Secretary.]
‘He Came From Cape Breton‘
Lyrics by Grahame MacDonald
My Grandpa came from far Cape Breton,
that lovely island o’er the sea
He left his friends and all his kinsmen at Broad Cove Marsh and Margaree
The family farm, they took it from him,
because of debts he could not pay And so he came out to Australia,
from all he loved, he sailed away
He built ships and he built bridges
at Bermagui and the Hawkesbury
He wed a lass at Central Tilba
and there they raised a family
But he was sad and he was lonely,
the Gaelic tongue he heard no more He missed his home on MacDonald’s Mountain,
which overlooked the Broad Cove shore
He worked hard at the local shipyard,
but he died young and he died poor
And now he lies in a lonely churchyard,
so far away from the Atlantic roar
His descendants now are true Australians,
and they are numbered by the score They know he came here from Cape Breton
and he was Highland to the core
My Grandpa came from far Cape Breton,
that lovely island o’er the sea
He left his friends and all his kinsmen
at Broad Cove Marsh and Margaree.
Page 3 Clan Donald Nova Scotia Spring/Summer 2012
Grahame MacDonald was recently appointed to the Finlaggan Council, holding the chair of Dunscaith
Castle, on the Isle of Skye. Our congratulations go out to Grahame on receiving this honour and our
thanks to Judy Macdonald, Editor of the Queensland, Australia Newsletter for the news of the
appointment and the photo below of Grahame receiving his Certificate of Appointment.
Malcolm McDonald, Toiseach, Finlaggan Council, presenting
Grahame with his Certificate of Appointment)
Rob MacDonald Parker Retires
Rob MacDonald Parker, Chamberlain to the
High Council of Clan Donald Chiefs for the
past eleven years, has officially retired as of
June 30th
. Rob has worked tirelessly for Clan
Donald for many years, being Director of the
Clan Donald Lands Trust in Skye, where he
developed the Clan Donald Centre in
Armadale into a major tourism attraction.
Thank you, Rob, from Clan Donald Nova
Scotia, for your devotion to Clan Donald
worldwide … you are one in a million! Our
good wishes and sincerest appreciation go out
to you and Marion for all you have
accomplished. Enjoy your retirement!!
Rob with Sheila D. MacDonald at the
Gathering in Edinburgh in 2009
Page 4 Clan Donald Nova Scotia Spring/Summer 2012
Judy Parks' Memories of the
2011 High Council Tour
In June of 2011, Judy Parks, a member of the
Annapolis Valley Branch of Clan Donald, along
with her daughter, Jen, travelled to Scotland to take
part in the High Council Clan Donald Tour. The
tour began and ended in Edinburgh and took in the Inner Hebridean islands of Islay, Mull, Staffa and
Iona.
Here are her impressions of the tour …
Each site visited had some particular significance for Clan Donald. On Islay, Finlaggan gave us an
insight of 12th to 14th century Clan life in this
village of 400 souls. It is a heritage site now,
administered by the Finlaggan Trust and it's fifteen councillors. Barry MacDonald of Clan Donald
Annapolis Valley is one of the councillors.
"Spiritual," "historic", "scenic", " inspiring" are adjectives that could describe Finlaggan for me.
Lord Godfrey and Lady Claire MacDonald joined
us for the trip to Finlaggan.
On Islay, known for it's whisky distilleries, the only ancient fortification, now in ruins, is
Dunyvaig. It was once the naval base for Clan
Donald. We were blessed with a fine day so many of the Clan climbed to the top for a spectacular
view.
After travelling over a very narrow road, not made for a fifty- seater bus, we toured the Kildalton cross
and church ruins. The Cross is 1200 years old and
in amazingly good condition.
Then it was off to Mull, Iona and Staffa. At Iona our "pilgrimage" made history as it was the first
time in 500 years Clan Donald has worshiped there
as a group. We had a specially arranged communion service in the smaller St. Michael's
chapel, outside of which we had our group picture
taken. It was an international group with Clan members from the USA, Canada, New Zealand,
Australia and Scotland. Finlaggan Councillor, Ian
Macdonnell, from Australia, gave us an historical
tour and talk on this very holy island. Clan Donald has figured prominently in Iona history.
Before leaving Mull, we visited Duart castle and
even got to meet Lord Maclean. Our Sunday afternoon in Tobermory was a treat also.
Most of the High Council Tour members have
travelled together for many years but they made us feel very welcome. Likely the next High Council
Tour will be for Scotland's 2014 Homecoming
Celebrations.
Lord Godfrey and Lady Claire
Group Photo at Iona
L-R: Judy’s daughter - Jennifer Blum, Lois
MacDonell of Glengarry, and Neil Macdonald
from Australia, atop the castle ruins
Page 5 Clan Donald Nova Scotia Spring/Summer 2012
Annual Awards Banquet The Clan Donald Nova Scotia Annual
Awards Banquet will be held on Saturday,
July 28, 2012 at the Arisaig Community
Hall (reception at 6:30 p.m., dinner at 7:00
p.m.)
An Achievement Award will be presented to
the Hon. Rodney MacDonald, CEO of the
Gaelic College at St. Ann’s, former Premier of
Nova Scotia, Educator, and Musician.
The Hall of Honour inductee will be the late
Alexander Lloyd MacDonald, a veteran of
World War II, who served two terms as MLA
for Pictou East, and was a very active member
of his church and community.
Tickets ($25) are available from all Branch
Commissioners and Treasurer, Wayne
MacDonald (see page 8); also from Mary and
Donald Barry, 902-863-4739
CDNS MEMORIAL SERVICE
Sunday, August 12
2:00 p.m. At the Clan Donald Monument
on grounds of the NS Visitors Centre Pictou, NS
CLAN DONALD CANADA
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
September 14-15
Glengarry Best Western, Truro, NS
CLAN DONALD NOVA SCOTIA
FALL MEETING
Saturday, October 20
12 Noon Antigonish Heritage Museum
2012 Highland Games and Gatherings …
THE SUMMER SOUNDS OF NOVA
SCOTIA … Decoste Centre, Pictou every Tues, Wed, and Thurs at 8 pm during the summer months featuring traditional singers, dancers, fiddlers and pipers.
www.decostecentre.ca
ANTIGONISH HIGHLAND GAMES
July 8-15, Columbus Field, Antigonish
www.antigonishhighlandgames.com
FESTIVAL OF THE TARTANS
July 19-22, New Glasgow, NS www.festivalofthetartans.ca
NEW BRUNSWICK HIGHLAND GAMES
July 27-29, Fredericton, NS
PIPERS PICNIC
August 4, Earltown, NS
PEI HIGHLAND GAMES AND
GATHERING
August 4-5, Lord Selkirk Park, Eldon
CELTIC COLOURS INT’L FESTIVAL
October 5-13 , Cape Breton, NS
www.celtic-colours.com
Page 6 Clan Donald Nova Scotia Spring/Summer 2012
The Ships of 1801
AA Ad A tribute concert to the Scottish settlers who came
to Nova Scotia in 1801 will be presented at the
Keating Centre, St. F.X. Campus on July 14th at
7:30 p.m. Check the Antigonish Highland Games
website for tickets. Adults:$26, Youth: $7
The compelling story of Scottish immigrants
aboard five ships; The Sarah, The Nora, The
Dove, The Good Intent and The Hope that left
Fort William, Scotland in 1801 and landed in
Pictou, Nova Scotia. This original production,
through poetry, music and song, will portray
the living conditions in Scotland, the reasons
for leaving, the personal experiences and the
hardships endured en route.
The production setting will be on board a
representative ship and follows a timeline of
departure from Fort William to arrival in
Pictou Harbour. The challenges of the voyage
were far from enjoyable with over 100 persons,
mainly children, succumbing to smallpox.
With the “Bard” weaving the story, the
“passengers” will tell their personal stories in
song and verse. Historical fiction, the songs,
narration and other materials closely reflect the
events of the late 18th century. Featuring 30
performers from Pictou, Antigonish and
Inverness Counties, some of whom are
descendants, the audience will be witnessing
original material written by the cast in this
premiere showing.
(Our own Alastair Macdonald and John
“Spyder” Macdonald are participants. Ed.)
~~~ Flowers of the Forest ~~~
John J. Gunn, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, long-
time member of Pictou County Branch. He
was predeceased by his wife, Jean, in 2009.
Dr. Ken Nilsen, April 13, 2012. Professor and
Chair of the Celtic Studies Department and
holder of the Sister Saint Veronica Chair of
Gaelic Studies at St. Francis Xavier University,
Antigonish, Dr. Nilsen had a masters degree
and PhD in Celtic Studies from Harvard
University. He taught courses in Scottish and
Irish Gaelic, Celtic literature and folklore. He
was well published in journals from Scotland,
Ireland, and North America.
Rev. Donald Sutherland, May 8, 2012, of
River John, NS. President Emeritus of
Federation of Scottish Clans in Nova Scotia
and Past President and Chaplain of Saint
Andrew’s Society of Pictou County. A proud
Scot and friend of Clan Donald.
If you have received this newsletter by
Canada Post and would prefer an email
version (in colour) please contact the editor
Visit the Clan Donald
Canada website www.clandonaldcanada.ca
Page 7 Clan Donald Nova Scotia Spring/Summer 2012
Clan Donald Canada 2012 AGM
Weekend Schedule … Friday, September 14 3:00 p.m. CDC Executive Meeting
6:00 – 7:00 p.m. Registration Kits available;
Silent Auction set up
(MacDonald Room)
7:00 – 9:00 p.m. Reception: Refreshments
and Cash Bar; Traditional
Highland dress and sword
demonstration by James
Finnie; Ceilidh led by
Alastair Macdonald, John
“Spyder” Macdonald, and
Gord Milne.
Saturday, September 15 9:00 a.m. Annual Business Meeting
1:30 p.m. Lunch at “Saltscapes”
Restaurant (order from
menu)
3:00 – 4:00 p.m. Guided tour of Glooscap
Heritage Centre
6:00 p.m. Reception
7:00 p.m. Dinner, (Guest Speaker: Lt.
Col. Shawn Hale,
Commanding Officer 1st
Battalion N.S. Highlanders);
Silent Auction, and Musical
Entertainment by Duncan
and Maggie Keppie.
AGM Updates and Registration Form
available on CDC website
www.clandonaldcanada.ca
Please join us at the Best Western Glengarry,
Truro, NS. Reservations: toll free 1-800-567-
4276. $110.99 (one person), $120.99 (two
persons) per night.
From the Commissioner:
This year will represent
my third and final year as
Commissioner of Clan
Donald Nova Scotia. The
experience has allowed me
to explore with our present
Clan Donald members the
Scottish heritage that has
led our group to this day. My wife and I were
ushered into a world dedicated to the memory
of our Scottish ancestors. Through symbolic
services, Clan Donald strove to keep the torch
of Scottish values burning.
The Kirkin’ of the Tartan at the Covenanter
Church in Grand Pre brings alive the tension
and the torment our forefathers had to endure
after the battle of Culloden in 1746. The ship
Hector represents the unbelievable hardships
our people suffered in 1773 when they
accomplished the first direct crossing from
Scotland to Pictou, Nova Scotia. This was the
beginning of the great migration of Scots to the
Maritimes for the next 75 years or so. Clan
Donald attempts to pass on to the next
generation a knowledge of the massive
amounts of blood, sweat and tears shed on our
behalf by our new-world pioneer fathers. Each
Memorial Service reaches back into our past
and cherishes for posterity the pluck, the drive,
and the strong values our people displayed.
With tremendous cooperation from our four
chapters, Antigonish, Pictou, Halifax-
Dartmouth, and the Annapolis Valley as well
as Clan Donald Ontario, I hope I have added
some value to our cause.
Finally, I would like to thank my wife, Phyllis,
for her diligence and mastery of detail
throughout our term.
Sincerely,
Dennis
Dennis MacDonald, CDNS Commissioner
Page 8 Clan Donald Nova Scotia Spring/Summer 2012
Clan Donald Nova Scotia Executive
Commissioner:
Dennis MacDonald
15 Adele Court
Eastern Passage, NS B3G 1G9
Tel. 902-406-0285
E-mail: [email protected]
Deputy Commissioner:
Ron McConnell
109 Hawthorne Street, P.O. Box 1324
Antigonish, NS B2G 2L7
Tel. 902-863-2598
E-mail: [email protected]
Secretary:
Alastair Macdonald
587 Colby Drive
Dartmouth, NS B2V 1Y5
Tel. 902-462-1317
E-mail: [email protected]
Treasurer:
Wayne MacDonald
15 Acadia Drive
Kentville, NS B4N 5E1
Tel. 902-679-1915
E-mail: [email protected]
Federation of Scottish Culture in Nova Scotia
Representatives
Pat Christensen
RR3, Site 3, Box 11
New Glasgow, NS B2H 5C6
Tel. 902-695-2066
E-mail: [email protected]
Dennis MacDonald
15 Adele Court
Eastern Passage, NS B3G 1G9
Tel. 902-406-0285
E-mail: [email protected]
CDNS Historian
Ronald A. MacDonald
96 Pleasant Street
Antigonish, NS B2G 1W9
Tel. 902-863-2863
Branch Commissioners
Antigonish:
Ron McConnell
109 Hawthorne Street
P.O. Box 1324, Antigonish, NS B2G 2L7
Tel. 902-863-2598
E-mail: [email protected]
Annapolis Valley: Contact: Barry MacDonald
33 Dalhousie Avenue
Kentville, NS B4N 5E5
Tel. 902-678-7669
E-mail [email protected]
Halifax Region:
Alastair Macdonald
587 Colby Drive
Dartmouth, NS B2V 1Y5
Tel. 902-462-1317
E-mail: [email protected]
Pictou County:
Pat Christensen
RR3, Site 3, Box 11
New Glasgow, NS B2H 5C6
Tel. 902-695-2066
E-mail: [email protected]
Newsletter Editor
Sheila D. MacDonald
951 Montague Road
Montague Gold Mines, NS B2R 1V2
Tel. 902-435-4223
E-mail: [email protected]
