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NEWS
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.
Welcome To New Life
Members!
A belated welcome to Colin Renwick Ferguson our DNA sleuth and
genealogist in USA who joined some time ago. Sorry this has
taken so long Colin! As previously mentioned we also welcome
David John Powell in Germany and David Grorge Rowley in USA.
Thank you all for the support
The Society have reserved
accommodation in the Stirling University Management Centre from 22nd
July until the morning of 30th July. ( View
www.smc.stir.ac.uk )This is a commercial arm of the University
and has just completed an upgrade with victualling facilities,
meeting rooms, and around 200 bedrooms. Patrons are free to use the
campus for leisure activities such as swimming.
Cost quoted at £35 for bed
and breakfast per day, but there may be a small percentage increase
by next July. Deposits are required now of 10%, which amounts to £25
for the full week.
Overseas deposits will be accepted as
Bankers' Drafts in sterling made payable to Clan Fergus(s)on
Society, and forwarded to the Treasurer Mrs Madge Caution, 4
Buchan Road, Perth, PH1 1NH, Scotland, UK. Group activities
will be arranged by the Society, transport organised, and these
transport costs will be shared. All involved are invited to our AGM
whether members in UK or not.
For the weekend of the
Gathering in Edinburgh we have reserved tented accommodation in the
tented village (bring your shooting stick, only a few chairs), but
it is the responsibility of individuals to acquire passports which
cover all activities, or other individual tickets e.g. Highland
Games, as necessary. Keep a check on the web site and it is
advantageous to register as an interested party to receive updates.
(View
www.clangathering.org ).
To all members of the
Society and to all who wish to join us, I urge them to make plans
now and please let me know what they are. This also includes all
residing in UK.
.PROGRAMME
July 22nd
Arrive Stirling Management Centre after 12 noon
July 23rd
Civic Reception by
Stirling City Council - evening time 5 p.m.
Fit in local
visits to Stirling Castle/Wallace Monument
July 24th
Visit Burn's cottage
Ayr/ move on to Kilkerran House home of our Chief Sir
Charles Fergusson. In the evening at our Stirling residence
he will receive members and guests at 7 pm followed by
dinner and a ceilidh (Scottish social evening).
July 25th/26th
The
Gathering Edinburgh - tents ordered - see Gathering web site
and worth registering as an interested party for up to date
info. Also consider passports - a personal choice.
July 27th
Sail on Loch Katrine (Sir Walter Scott's Lady of the Lake) during
day
July 28th
Killiekrankie Day trip including Moulin Kirk Heritage Centre &
Edradour Distillery
July 29th
Bannockburn
(scene of Robert the
Bruce's Battle)/ Falkirk Wheel (modern canal lock)
AGM in evening
More details of times and outings will be available in
Centre on Clan Noticeboard when in residence and with travel
details.
Each person will be responsible for their own residential
accounts including food and beverages, a share of the costs
incurred in group travel and hire of function rooms
(excluding AGM), and incidentals such as newspapers. The
sports facilities are available to the residents e.g.
swimming.
Please access on internet
www.smc.stir.ac.uk to obtain details. Please liaise with
me if clarification required on any matter. (dochie_doh@yahoo.co.uk)
July 30th
For Auld Land Syne -
Departure by 10 a.m
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Falkirk Wheel |
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Stirling Castle |
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Wallace Monument |
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Robert the Bruce |
July 30th Auld Lang Syne!
Departure by 10 a.m.
The Clan Fergus(s)on Society
Report of ANNUAL GATHERING in Swallow Fisher's
Hotel,
PITLOCHRY, on Saturday 24th May '08
REPORT:
"GUID GEAR GAES INTO SMA' BULK"
And so it was when 25 loyal CLAN members met at this venue, with
quality rather than quantity to the fore. An informal Friday evening
was pleasantly passed catching up with each other on the
gossip front with the odd libation thrown in. Although the Hotel was
being upgraded and refurbishment taking place, we were immune
from this apart from entering via a temporary wooden door!
The AGM on the Saturday morning, chaired by Stan, went smoothly and
thanks to all present, and to all who contributed in their own
way to the meeting. It would not be invidious to mention new members
who were present, namely Anne Guild, Maralyn Donnelly, and Neil
Ferguson from a' the airts, - Essex, St.
Andrews, and Ayrshire respectively. It is not intended to post the
minutes here, but it must be mentioned that Meg Fergusson of Baledmund (just up the road) was presented with an arresting photo
sent by the Hon Ralph Ferguson from Canada, and taken at the Fergus
Highland Games whilst on a North American visit by the.Clan
Society from Scotland. An interesting snippet was that Neil
Ferguson's grandfather was the last postmaster on St Kilda, an
island still very much in the news despite its complete
depopulation. And lastly, but not least, subscription costs will be
up for discussion at the next AGM, and this before the recent gloomy
economic forecasts - so we are ahead of the game!!
The Saturday afternoon was free time and this was taken up by many
invitees of Viviennes' to visit the Moulin Church Heritage Centre in
the nearby village of Moulin. This display in a most attractive and
striking Church depicts historical aspects of the area, and where a
section is reserved for the Fergussons of Dunfallandy. Worth a visit
for anyone in the area, and with a nice cup of tea/coffee too!!
The Sat evening Reception, Dinner and Ceilidh went well, the latter
being augmented by a party of Swedish tourists who joined in the
dancing and succeeded in winning many of our raffle prizes -
but the Vikings were good at pillaging! However on this
occasion the ladies were left untouched, and they did buy the
tickets! Thank you to our overseas friends for their company.
As at previous Saturday Ceilidhs, the music was provided by Roger
Sharp who had travelled from Balquhidder Glen with "box" and
"pipes". As Rabbie Burns wrote in Tam o' Shanter:- "He screwed the
pipes tae mak them skirl, till roof and rafter a' did dirl". Because
of a family wedding we missed out on our Crawford Clan Highland
dancers. Next year girls? A few hardy souls finished the night off,
or should it be morning, with a few nightcaps. Good on them!
Sunday, a day of rest for some, was taken up by two car loads
visiting Culloden and the new Visitor Centre. The weather was
excellent, and we were delighted to see our Clan stone in the
Walkway. The centre was busy, an international flavour, but perhaps
a second visit is necessary to appreciate and take in all facets of
such an impressive building with displays, artefacts, and dining
facilities. The Battlefield has not changed, and the sense of
reverence, awe, and sadness still grip one.
Honorary Secretarys' Comments
I take on the mantle of this bunch of renegades
in my bar at home, in particular wearing different hats.
Firstly I put on my balmoral, with the
Clan Crest of course, to say thank you to all who have corresponded
with me, mostly by e-mail. To the new members I say welcome
and thank you for your support and to remind all involved that the
success of this Society is the sum of all the parts and the
collective input of the members.
Recruitment/Officebearers: I remove my
balmoral and put on my tin hat to fend off the bricks while
delivering this lecture! Recruitment, and particularly of the
younger variety, is necessary to stimulate and nurture the
organisation. It behoves all of us to encourage young blood, so
start by looking around your families first, and then further afield. The advert in the
Scots Magazine is continuing for another year asking interested
parties to access the web site and can be found under Ancestry
Research in small adverts section at the rear.
Society Gathering & AGM 2009:
This is
being held in conjunction with "The Gathering 2009" which is being
held in Edinburgh on the weekend of July 25/26 2009. Please see
separate report on this meeting.
Looking forward to meeting up with you, no
matter what hat you are wearing!
Duncan
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The Culloden Centre
Whilst wearing a busby in deference to the
outcome, the official opening was held on the 16th
April this year, the anniversary of the battle. The walkway will
include the Society granite stone, and despite an initial flurry of
grateful donations from members reaching a third of the cost, apathy
seems to have crept in. Donors need not be members of the Society,
they are referred to as friends on the inscription, so please "tap"
as many others as you can pointing out this is an unique situation
in Scottish history and a memorial in perpetuity. Our overseas fans
are especially welcome and we look forward to them firming up on
their verbal support. Treasurer's address inside front cover of
Newsletter. ( The phrase "I was theeerr" should be avoided!).
Check
www.cullodenwalk.org.uk |
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Photo of our Stone in situ |
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CANADIAN COUSINS
Six generations ago a 90 year old left the Comrie St Fillans
area in 1818 with his wife and 4 sons. Now this up to date photo
has arrived, so watch this space!
We were delighted to welcome Donna Mae Ferguson (see above) to
the Clan Picnic along with her husband Emmett Griffiths.
They were exploring their roots here with Donna particularly
interested in St Fillans.
She knows her forbears left the area and sailed on the SS Curlew
to Canada in 1818
Emmett's family came from Thornhill Dumfriesshire
The Griffiths Family
Thank you Donna for the interesting and
fascinating pictorial story of your trip here in
Scotland. The DVD was expertly crafted and produced
and will be a poignant addition to our archives.
Held on Sunday 7th September
2008
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Thanks once more to the
Fergusson Family at Kilkerran for making us so
welcome with BBQ facilities, tea or coffee, and
a conducted tour of historical areas of the
house by Sir Charles. Unfortunately, Adam his
son was absent because of flying commitments,
but brother Joe was an able deputy. Thanks to
Emmet and Donna Griffiths from Canada for their
contribution to the picnic which included maple
syrup and tablet, Stan for his "bubbly", and
young Jamie for his hair raising acrobatics with
a remote controlled plane.
Lastly, thank you to all who supported this
event.
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The Culloden Walk
The National Trust for Scotland is now the custodian of this
internationally significant site. As part of the 2007 Year of
Highland Culture, the Trust will open a brand new Visitor
Centre. Funds need to be raised; hence the Culloden Walk.
Feed back is invited to this website from our Clan Society
members, and indeed any non member, concerning sponsorship of a
stone. Fergus(s)ons were present on both sides. Just like any
happy family! Full details at
www.cullodenwalk.org.uk
ATTENTION
At the last AGM it was agreed to support the Culloden Walkway by
sponsoring a stone. The original details of this Walkway are
available on the website link, and this is still so. The project
has recently been activated, and an Insignia Stone with the
inscription " Clan Fergus(s)on Society Members and Friends" will
be incorporated in the Walk, using Caithness granite.
Now we invite members of the Society, and indeed non members
(friends) to support this sponsorship and donate a sum of their
choice. The Clan Society will keep a list of donors in their
Records, publishing names, but not individual sums, of the
supporters.
Like so many Scottish Clans, Fergus(s)ons were involved on both
sides, and the motivation by the Society is not a "declaration
of intent" for either side, but to commemorate this uprising of
1745, and on 16th April 1746, the last major battle on British
soil, as an historical event. For those hazy about their
history, this was an attempt by the supporters of the deposed
Stuart Kings to re-establish their monarchy and reinstate Prince
Charles Edward Stuart ( Bonnie Prince Charlie) on the throne of
Great Britain. The ruling Monarch was George the Second, a
Hanoverian. It was his son, the Duke of Cumberland, who defeated
this Jacobite army at the battlefield of Culloden, just outside
Inverness.
Now we have a further opportunity to write our name in history
as a Scottish Clan and maintain and promote the bonds we have
with so many of our kith and kin throughout the world.
Please support our aims and send donations to our Treasurer, Mrs
Madge Caution (a Balquhidder Fergusson), at 4 Buchan Road,
PERTH, PH1 1NH
P.S. We have already received £300 towards our target of £1500,
and the fund has just been opened. 'Every mickel maks a muckle.'
Don't be too late. THANK YOU!
Digging up your Fergus(s)on Roots
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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
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Approval from the Lake of Menteith
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! |
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On 6th August
a small group
visited Robert Fergusson's grave in Canongate where a
wreath was laid.
Thank you
to those involved |
Date for your diary:
Visit to Robert Fergusson's grave
at Cannongate: 2009 date to be announced.
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New Zealand
Branch...
Alan!
Thanks for mail and News of Scottish Clan's Association Dinner. We
note that Guest of Honour was George Fergusson,
the
British High Commissioner in the country and his good lady wife. The
former is of Kilkerran stock.
Our best wishes to all Fergus(s)ons and related septs in the
country.
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
A Canadian Ferguson Wedding!
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Duncan & Betty Ferguson are delighted
to announce the marriage of their son Ian to Kendra |
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Family reunion for the wedding.
Duncan & Betty standing
to the right of the bride |
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 being presented
to the winning owner at Ayr Races in September 2005 by Jenny, the
wife of Sir Charles' son Adam. The Cup was again won in
2006 but for a race sponsored by Saga Radio. The history of this trophy
seems to be elusive in both Kilkerran and Ayr Race Course!
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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.
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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!
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CURRENT MEMBERSHIP SUBSCRIPTIONS:
Ordinary: £7.00; Family: £12.00; USA
$25.00; Life: £100.
Enquiries to interim Honorary Secretary :
dochie_doh@yahoo.co.uk
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