Direct
weekly Flights - Ottawa Glasgow
Direct flights from Glasgow to Ottawa are available from a new airline - Zoom Air: the weekly flights start in May 2004. These flights originate in Toronto and touch down in Ottawa on the way to and from Glasgow.
Some sample fares: May $209 one way; during the peak period (July-August) range from $239 to $329 one way - all prices are before taxes. The web site is: http://www.flyzoom.com/ Further information - Kurt Dolinki via email at kurt.dolinki@flyzoom.com - 1-866-359-9666
Aeronautical
Centenary missed by the press
Preston Watson, born in Dundee in 1880, was fascinated with the idea of flight; as a youth he mentioned to a friend, who was also looking out from the Dundee Esplanade. "Some day, we are going to fly, like those gulls". A few years later, with a cash advance from his father, and with fluid dynamics studies under his belt from a Professor Keunen, he teamed up, along with his brother James, with Bob Melville - a farming friend from Errol, Perthshire.
In July 1903, Preston's first powered aeroplane flew, albeit short distances, over the Carse of Gowrie, Perthshire, from a field in the Errol farm. Unfortunately stored photographs of the event were later destroyed, but his brother James, who lived in the area for many years, witnessed the flights and remembers them. Another local lad, James Urquhart, described how a couple of 56lb weights, with a pulley system, were used to add extra catapult power for the aircraft launching. Harry Baird also saw Preston Watson make the powered flight; the makeshift runway he used is today the site of an RAF aerodrome. In 1955, Harry, then 77, remembered the event; he insisted it was definitely 1903 because he had just returned from the Boer War. After Preston's death in 1915, his widow Beatrice did not wish to be reminded of her husband's aeronautical experiments, and destroyed all the papers, but patent, 23,533, taken out in 1907, remains as a permanent record.
-- from articles in the newspaper Scottish Daily Record, 4 Sep 2003 & the monthly Scots Magazine, Dec 2003
Beverly
MacDonald
As many Society members know, Beverley McDonald, a member of our Executive Committee, passed away on 22nd December, after an extended illness. A funeral service was held at St. Mark's Anglican Church, Fisher Ave, on 29th December, and many of our members attended. Our condolences are extended to Bruce and the McDonald family at this time.
Tartan
Day proclaimed in Quebec
First adopted in Nova Scotia in the late 1980's, after a strong campaign from Jean Watson, the Tartan Day movement spread to many of Canada's other provincial and territorial jurisdictions in the early 1990's. Then followed the United States, by Act of Congress in 1998, and more recently Australia and New Zealand.Finally the Proclamation of Tartan Day in Quebec, Bill 394, was given Royal Assent on 18th of December 2003 - the final province to do so.
- reported by Lou Dawson, Tartan Day Recognition Committee, Quebec see also www.electricscotland.com/canada/tartan_day.htm
The
Scottish Empire - a book by by
Michael Fry
This book describes the involvement of the Scots in the British Empire, from its earliest days to the current time. It is a story of craggy characters and dramatic extremes, encompassing a variety of topics - from education, evangelism and philanthropy - to spying, swindles and drug running. But importantly, it describes how the British Empire came to be both dominated and run by the Scots - effectively a Scottish Empire. Tuckwell Press/ Birlinn 2001ISBN 1 84158 259 X - 670 pp indexed.
A
new Local novel - Murder in the Glen
Author Bob Leroux was kind enough to make a charitable donation for our 2003 Gala; you may have seen this book promoted there, on our membership table. Available from Leishman Books. A brief description:
In the 1970s, Charlie Belisle ran away - leaving his home, his marriage and his Glengarry connections - or so he thought. His cousin is murdered and he finds out that the police seem indifferent - so his aunt reports. Charlie intends not to interfere, as his military police background wouldn't help; but his ex-wife calls long-distance, and Charlie finds himself agreeing to return, if only to pay his respects . . . .
A
new Book - How the Scots created Canada
- this book was mentioned by Bill Blaikie at our Nov 2003 Gala
A book by Matthew Shaw released in November 2003 is titled Great Scots. The book chronicles how penniless but enterprising Scottish émigrés came to dominate many enterprises in early Canada - they created much of the country we know today. Through the fur trade, Scots formed the backbone of North America's first continent-wide industry more than two hundred years ago. Fully illustrated with archival photographs and paintings - 224 pp.
- taken from a press
release
Archaeological
digs - recent finds in Skye
In the Trotternish peninsular, in north-east Skye, dinasour footprints have been found. The large ones are from an adult, and a series of 25 smaller ones are no doubt from various offspring of the large one - presumed female. They were found in sandstone sea cliffs. Dougall Ross, curator of the small Staffin Museum advised Glasgow University of the find.
Dr Clark, Curator of the Hunterian Museum, Glasgow said, Dinosaur remains are very rare in Scotland and every attempt should be made to protect them. Sadly, these footprints were found on a beach that is battered by winter storms. It is important that we have a permanent record of these footprints in our museums before either tidal erosion destroys them or sand engulfs them. The prints are the first dinosaur remains to be found that are still held in the rocks in which they were formed: all other dinosaur remains found on Skye are from loose beach boulders. Cathie Booth of the Glen View Inn, Culnacnoc, Skye discovered the first footprint on a loose block of sandstone. Original casts of the footprints are being kept at Staffin Museum, Skye; copies are in the Hunterian Museum, Glasgow and the National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh. Scotland boasts some of the rarest and most scientifically important fossils in the world - spanning at least 800 million years - http://www.hunterian.gla.ac.uk/news/archive/footprints/footprints.shtml
-
from the web and from The Scottish Banner, January
2004
Scots
cooking sessions - in a display kitchen
The Society is repeating the succesful cooking workshop held last year. It will be held in the demonstration kitchen, ground floor, Loblaws Superstore, Merivale just south of Baseline, on Sunday 21st March - 1.30 for 2 pm to 4.30 pm. Arrangements with the demonstration cooks have to be firmed up, but recipies planned include Armadale Meat Pie, rock scones with lemon curd and clootie dumpling. Registration, open to men as well as women, is $15 for members, $20 for non-members, and is limited to 20 persons; priority to members until 28 February. Last year it was quite a social event, with teacup fill-ups and samples being tasted all afternoon.
The demonstration kitchen is equipped with professional appliances and a large display bench and mirror, so attendees can see what is going on. If time and space permits, there will be opportunities for close-in inspection of some of the preparation activities.
Registration is by mailing a cheque, payable to the St. Andrew's Society of Ottawa, to Frances Reekie, 164 Bayswater Ave, Ottawa ON, K1Y 2G3. It is expected that this event will be oversubscribed, so you can book ahead, by phone or email 728-5343 or h.reekie@ieee.org. Further details will be known by mid-February; an email announcement will be sent out soon after - or telephone 728-5343.
Monday
evening pub suppers - and a lecture
There have been informal pub suppers on the second Monday of the month - at various locations. The most recent was at The Tartan Pub 4025 Innes Road, 12th January.
The next event will be at the Urban Pub on Laurier Ave, (formerly the Dunvegan Pub - it was The Oxhead for a short time) on 9th February. The library at the rear now has casual seating and has been reserved for an after-supper lecture entitled Trades, Travels and Trysts by Hugh Reekie. This informal presentation, 8pm free admission, gives exmples of Scots social history and is similar to a presentation he gave in September 2003 at the Annual UK Family History Conference at the National Archives.
The illustrated talk will cover topics such as droving, agricultural fairs and the associated practice of fee-ing, together with in-service ocupations (common in Victorian times) and specialist occupations such as fishing, saddlery and the clergy. The library holds 15 people, so reservations are appreciated. The optional supper, Italian syle, in the Urban Pub is at 6.30 for 7 pm.
On 8th March the supper will be at The Glen Scottish Pub & Restaurant, Hazeldean Road, Glencairn, Kanata. Arrive about 6.30 for a 7 pm supper (select from the menu) with informal discussions afterwards.
On 12th April we will be at The Highlander on Rideau Street - near Dalhousie. You can decide to come, or cancel - even at the last minute, but reservations are appreciated - Hugh Reekie 728-5343. h.reekie@ieee.org.
Tartan
Day Dinner and Annual Meeting
In order to celebrate both Tartan Day, and the signing of the Declaration of Arbroath, a dinner will be held on Sunday 18th April at Britannia Yacht Club. The event will similar to previous years - pre registration with Lynn Paul, and select from the dinner menu - in the $22- $25 range.
It is expected that the Annual General Meeting will be held at the same time. If you wish to serve on the Society's Executive Committee, please contact one of its members. Your executive is: Hugh Reekie, President; George Kerr, 1st Vice-President; Ross McLellan 2nd Vice-President; Frances Reekie; Treasurer. Anna Foster Secretary; Members-at-large Lynn Paul, Pat & John Shaver, Bruce MacDonald, Bob Bhan, Stuart Jardine, Ian & Barbara Fraser and Greville & Avril Price. Further details will appear in the next newsletter.
Informal
Ceilidh Dances
As in previous years, there are informal monthly tea dances on Sunday afternoons, at the Pinecrest Community Complex, Torquay off Cobden, east of Pinecrest. They will be held on Sundays 18th January and 15th February, 2- 4.30 pm; these events attract people of all ages, including some grannies who bring along their teenage grand- children! Some who attend bring a "surprise" item for the tea-table - shortbread for example. All welcome. $4, $2 for children. For March, there will a Saturday evening Ceilidh at Maki House on March 13th, 7.30 - 10.30 pm. With similar arrangements to our annual informal St Andrew's Day Ceilidhs held at the same location, there will be join-in dancing and singing. Iain Phillips, the harper who missed in November last year, has said he will come along; he was very popular two years ago. Tickets are $10 for members, $12 for guests if paid for by 6th March; tickets will be issued. $15 at the door. More information - Hugh or Frances Reekie 728-5343. The Catering Committee for these events comprises Barbara Fraser, Frances Reekie and Anna Foster.
Burns
Supper 2004
Blocks of tickets were issued to most members of the Executive Committee before Christmas, and we're pretty well sold out. This year the MC will be Alex Mackie, and the Toast to the Immortal Memory will be given by Ian Deans. All the usual speeches and toasts, and some songs and recitations, too. Tickets are $35; order your own wine for your table at the bar. Ceilidh dancing at the end if time permits. Saturday 24th January, 6.30 for 7 pm supper. Finish 10.30pm.
Annual
Dinner & Gala - 2003
Numbers were down a little this year for our Annual Dinner and Gala on Saturday 15th November 2003 in the International Ballroom of the Crowne Plaza. Bill Blaikie, our Guest of Honour, was in fine form and was pleased wih the framed family scroll presented to him; the Blaikies are part of the Lamont family. Charlie Inglis attracted a good crowd of both dancers and admirers for his Ceilidh and Scottish dancing sessions; at times the main ballroom was a little bare.
Winner of the Scot of the Year Award, Frances MacDonnell was accompanied by her brother James. The head table was honoured with the presence of the new British High Commissioner David Reddaway and his wife Roshan. Thanks to all who helped. Make a note of the date for next years' event - Saturday 13th November 2004.
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