NEWS

 

 

ANNUAL PICNIC REPORT

 

 

This was held on Sunday 15th August at Kilkerran courtesy of Sir James and his family who kindly provided the "infrastructure" for the BBQ and the "staffing". Stan, our chairman, donated some bubbly from the Isle of Bute, and I can vouch that this travelled well. Sadly his good lady Helen was not fully fit to accompany him and we all wish her a continuing recovery. Elaine Venning and her daughter Cristobel travelled up from the South, Iain J. from nearby Northumberland ( well relatively near Iain!), and we were delighted to welcome Scott and Diana Ferguson who were on holiday from Colorado and thank them for fitting this in to their busy schedule. Although Lady Amanda was absent on equestrian duties, we enjoyed the presence of sons Joe, Adam and good lady wife Jenny, along with their lovely family Samantha, Lucy, and James who infected us all with their enthusiasm, smiles, and charm, and in James' case, athleticism on the trampoline.

The Society are grateful for the Kilkerran family open house policy on the day, and thank all involved most sincerely, and also to those who turned up to participate and enjoy the occasion.

Duncan

 

 

 

2010 AGM

 

The Annual General Meeting this year was held on Saturday 29th May at 2pm in the Stirling University Management Centre. 14 members attended and with most  participating in an enjoyable evening meal and overnight stay, the numbers did not allow our hoped for ceilidh evening.

 

 

THE GATHERING 2009

 

Thanks to all who came to stay in Stirling from all parts of the globe for this event and also to those who visited our Clan tent and signed our visitors book.

 

The Gathering 2009 Week at Stirling University Management Centre.

 

Our Clan Society extended The Gathering '09 weekend, part of The Homecoming Year, to seven July days and eight nights at the above venue in Bridge of Allan, near Stirling, Scotland. This was a central hub from which to radiate forth on our travels and explorations including the Edinburgh event of The Gathering '09 based in Holyrood Park on 25th & 26th July. The latter was a memorable experience with its clan tented village, merchandising outlets, promotions, entertainments, and a kaleidoscopic range of tartans, Scottish dress, and individual sartorial tastes. Headgear eagle feathers were much in attendance denoting the armigerous status of their bearer. Whilst our Chief was unable to be present, we were delighted to welcome our own armiger Ian M. Ferguson from Australia sporting one eagle feather, and flanked by his supportive and engaging lady wife.

Our tent was kept busy with enquiries from around the globe, a tear in their eye at times, and 114 signatures in our visitor's book. Our Clan Name Board even attracted Far Eastern Manchester United lady supporters. Yes! Sir Alex is an Honorary Member, so smiles all round.

The evening Parade up The Royal Mile to the Castle Esplanade stuttered at first as it milled around, but with banners flying eventually proceeded on its way to the skirl o' the pipes. Crowds lined the route cheering, applauding, and taking pictures. It was unbelievable.

Once seated in the Castle arena, time hung on our hands for about an hour, with the temperature dropping. Why didn't I take my jacket and/or my hip flask? The theme for The Pageant was geared towards the diaspora and titled "Aisling's Children; Tales of The Homecoming". Aisling means vision in Gaelic and over the next hour the narrator used her powers of second sight to take us on an allegorical trip through Scottish history, starting with the Declaration of Arbroath in 1320. As a home Scot I didn't quite feel the vibes experienced by the visitors. However the massed pipes and drums at the finale did the trick.

An official DVD and CD has been produced by The Gathering organisation.. Check the gathering web site, and by signing up for Panalba this may keep you further informed if and when the Gathering site is stood down.

Stirling itself is an historic city and the Society was thrilled and honoured by being invited to a civic reception, where a skilled young schoolboy piped members in to be received and welcomed by Provost Wood. The latter presented a quaich* to commemorate this event and in return he accepted a Clan Society plaque. Earlier in the day, 246 steps up the Wallace Monument provided a memorable view, historically and geographically, and this was complemented by a visit to the bulwark of Stirling Castle with its associated history. The weather at this point was rather damp and

dreich, and it must be said that the Clan "whipper-in" did find some stragglers hiding from the weather and slaking their thirst in the Nicky Tams Inn. Their penalty? A top up to the whipper-in of course! And can you remember what Nicky Tams are?

Friday was a busy day with the visit to Burns country including the Tam o' Shanter experience, Burns cottage, a hosted visit to Kilkerran the home of our Chief, and our clan reception in the Management Centre by Sir Charles in the evening followed by dinner and ceilidh with 50 members and friends attending. This included the most senior North American Society member, Richard Ferguson Vice President of Region X1 and his wife Anna, accompanied by his cousin and his wife Rex and Jan Ferguson respectively, and Alan Ferguson representing New Zealand. A Canadian contingent of Fergusons and Elliotts, not forgetting Paul Mootz, chef extraordinaire, boosted our numbers, and other Americans viz; Mary Kennedy, Lori Hodges, Diana Shields, Roger Ferguson, and Andrew Meeks added to this. All were gratefully welcomed by our Chairman Stan on behalf of our own Society. Sir Charles was presented with an inscribed quaich to mark the occasion and the Stirling Council equivalent was accepted by Sir Charles for safe keeping on behalf of the Society.

Following the Gathering weekend, outings were a little more relaxed with the visit to the Trossachs and Loch Katrine incorporating a return sail on the S.S. Sir Walter Scott to Stronachlachar, this ship having plied these waters since 1900. This rekindled the bucolic image of Scotland's mountains, lochs, and glens, and of course reminds us that the 200th anniversary of the eponymous gentleman's poem The Lady of the Lake will be in 2010 - yes, next year! Come back for the celebrations! En route to our temporary home, a stop off for lunch at the Harbour Cafe on Loch Vennachar with such wonderful views, browsing the shops around Callander, then a return to base, closed the day's expedition. Of course a further period of social integration followed in the evening. The next day our trip took in Moulin Kirk heritage centre where a section is given over to the Dunfallandy Fergussons. Vivien Staplyton-Smith acted as hostess and guide and we are grateful to all in the Centre who supported her. Lunch was enjoyed in the Killiecrankie House Hotel, propietor Henrietta Fergusson, and supported by an Australian wine by the name of Fergusson. The Killiecrankie Visitor Centre was visited by some, with the spendthrifts opting for The House of Bruar an upmarket country shopping complex. The last full day was back to the Stirling catchment area with Bannockburn Heritage Centre for the historians - remember King Robert the Bruce defeated the Auld Enemy here in 1314 - and the Falkirk Wheel for the technocrats - these were the places of interest.

The last official engagement was the AGM for 2009. The minutes and a report will follow later but mention must be made that one of our group, a Mr. Billy Crawford from the Isle of Bute attained the ripe 'young' age of 70 years also on the day. His good wife Liz. put up a toast for us all to drink his health. Thank you from the group. In similar vein, our overseas visitors were presented with a mini-quaich "filled" with Talisker (Isle of Skye) malt whisky to commemorate their visit to the homeland. Needless to say all were drained before being packed away. Hic!

A big thank you to all who joined us from near and far and for such convivial and material support.

"And there's a hand, my trusty fere!

And gie's a hand o' thine!

And we'll tak' a richt guid willie waught,

For auld lang syne." (Burns)

Duncan

* Gaelic: cuach - a drinking cup

 

 

 

Is this tartan ancient,modern, bizarre, or bazaar?

 

 

Alan Ferguson looks home towards New Zealand from Wallace Monument

 

Provost Wood displays our clan crest at Civic reception in Stirling

 

Society visits Burns area and Kilkerran

 

Visit to the Trossachs

 
 
 

 

www.clangathering.org

 

 

 

High Heid Yins!

Stan, our chairman, welcomes the Chief of our Clan Sir Charles and accompanied by Lady Fergusson along with their son Adam and his wife Jenny to his Ardmaleish boatyard on the Isle of Bute. Adam is the President of the Clan Society.

 

 

 

 

 

The Culloden Centre

The Clan Ferguson's stone on the walkway

 www.cullodenwalk.org.uk

 

 
Photo of our Stone in situ  
 
   
 
   
 
   
 

 

 

   

 

Digging up your Fergus(s)on Roots

Is this near the bone? Of course, but the 'funny bone', so please access information on Historical Section if you are interested in your ancestry. Thank you!

 

Douce France!

It is a well known fact that Scotts are all over the world... And some not so far away at all:

'Alliance France-Ecosse' : www.alliance-france-ecosse.com

 

Curling - A Scottish Game

The Lake of Menteith in reflective mood

The Lake is where winter curling is carried out, including a Grand match between

the North and South of Scotland when the ice is thick enough!

conditions were set fair earlier this month when the ice was 7 inches thick (17-18 cms). Sadly Health & Safety put paid to this although many visited, skated, and curled. The picture below reflects the void such official action has brought to this event, and it would seem its death knell.

 

     
 

Robert Fergusson's statue (Poet) in Canongate

A friend of Rabbie, trust you were able to celebrate the 25th January, Burns birth date in 1759, by attending a Burns Supper or perhaps at home with some haggis, neeps, and tatties - and a little gravy, namely Scots whisky

Rabbie Burns

 

 

 

Clan Society in Australia

 

Duncan & Kathleen were delighted to have a visit from Mrs Carole Bancroft & her husband Graham,

President and Secretary respectively of the Clan Society in Australia whilst touring in Scotland.

Thank you for calling and best wishes to all members Down Under

 

 

 

 

 

From Holland... with Love!

A memorial to a Ferguson family, discovered in Cowal, with thanks to the Dutch lady who uncovered it and provided these two pictures:

 

Els' message: This is the  stone on the hill near Melldalloch,  between Kames and Kilfinnan.On the stone is the name of  Derrick Ronald Haddon Ferguson, Ceylon 1910 – Scotland 1992 and his wife Betsy Annis Ferguson  born Eustace 1911   England 2001

 Els 't Hooft

 

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Kilkerran Cup

This picture shows the Kilkerran Cup donated by the Fergussons of Kilkerran. The cup is competed annually.

 

Know Your DNA!

Colin Ferguson is searching away... Please take a moment to visit this site.

http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~colin/Ferguson/DNA/

 

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Seamus Stra-Chur

Picture courtesy of the late Mrs Highgate whose father W. Pettigrew Ferguson 

was treasurer of the Clan Society during its first formation.

 

MERCHANDISE

CLAN STICK PIN £2.50
SCARF £7.50
CAP £15.00
TIE WITH TARTAN £6.00
TIE WITH CLAN CREST £11.00
SWEAT SHIRTS WITH CLAN CREST £24.00
CREST BADGE £9.00
KEY RING £1.50 & £9.00 (art pewter)
PENS £1.00 for two
POST CARDS £0.20 each
TARTAN TO ORDER
For further details please contact: Mrs Elizabeth Crawford, Merchandising Officer, Stuck Farm, North Bute, Isle Of Bute PA20, Scotland   -   Tel: 01700 503 743 Fax: 01700 502 257

NB: Prices include VAT but not Post & Packing

 

CLAN CENTRE

Our Clan Centre at Stronvar, Balquhidder, has had to be mothballed*! The Society is having difficulty locating another

 home and are open to ideas and suggestions. 

Nevertheless, the Society is still keen to collect memorabilia and associated material.

*This means that the centre is closed!

 

          

CURRENT MEMBERSHIP SUBSCRIPTIONS:

Ordinary: £10.00; Family: £15.00; USA $30.00; Life: £150.00

Enquiries to interim Honorary Secretary : dochie_doh@yahoo.co.uk

 

 

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