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Electric Scotland News
Theory of Family Relativity™ Update
Theory of Family Relativity™ is a powerful feature for genetic genealogy that helps to streamline your research by explaining how you and your DNA Matches might be related. It utilizes MyHeritage’s huge database of 46 million family trees and 19.8 billion historical records to offer plausible theories about how you are related to your DNA Matches.
Read more at: http://tinyurl.com/f2xer58s
----------
I celebrated my 73rd birthday with haggis neeps and tatties and got a surprise visit from my friend Nola who brought me a bread and butter pudding made by her son-in-law, the chef, and very good it was too. My thanks to those from around the world that wished me a Happy Birthday.
Scottish News from this weeks newspapers
I am partly doing this to build an archive of modern news from and about Scotland and world news stories that can affect Scotland and as all the newsletters are archived and also indexed on search engines it becomes a good resource. I might also add that in a number of newspapers you will find many comments which can be just as interesting as the news story itself and of course you can also add your own comments if you wish which I do myself from time to time.
Here is what caught my eye this week...
Reform UK now just seven points behind the Tories as they explode forwards in polls
Richard Tice says his party is making further progress while the Tories' backing falls off a cliff.
Read more at:
https://www.express.co.uk/news/polit...es-record-high
UK halts trade negotiations with Canada over hormones in beef ban
Canada has been pushing for the UK to relax a ban on hormone-treated beef, which its producers say in effect shuts them out of the British market. Meanwhile, the UK has concerns about Canada putting import taxes of up to 245% on British cheese products.
Read more at:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-68098177
The Knowledge We Need
Shifting to a more knowledge-based curriculum is the only way Scottish schools can recover from the decline in standards, writes Lindsay Paterson.
Read more at:
https://ourscottishfuture.org/the-knowledge-we-need/
The NHS in Scotland is far from being in good health
After nearly 17 years of SNP Government, Scotland’s NHS is in dire straits. Health secretary after health secretary has come and gone including both of Scotland’s most recent First Ministers and each has left our NHS is a worse state than they found it.
Read more at:
https://www.alloaadvertiser.com/opin...r-good-health/
Depopulation in Scotland's Highlands and threat of new Clearances
Reversing population decline in the Scottish Highlands and Islands will require governing bodies to move heaven and earth, according to one business leader who lives in Sutherland - an area at the sharp end of the crisis.
Read more at:
https://archive.is/ZtA4U#selection-1751.3-1755.73
Conrad Black: Jordan Peterson and Mark Steyn Canada's warriors for freedom
These two outstanding Canadians deserve the support of all of us
Read more at:
https://archive.is/DNZEc
Kate Forbes criticises Nicola Sturgeon government conduct during covid pandemic
The former finance secretary said corporate memory was critical as the Scottish Government faces mounting pressure over why some details on covid decision-making were not kept.
Read more at:
https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/p...rgeon-32001058
SNP Lies Outed By Kate Forbes. Nicola Sturgeon & Humza Yousaf Lied about a Policy That Didn't Exist
Today at the Covid 19 UK Inquiry SNP MSP Kate Forbes swore under oath that no Government policy exists that demands WhatsApp messages are deleted. This is in total contrast to many, including Nicola Sturgeon & Humza Yousaf, claiming they deleted Whatsapps as it was "Government Polcy"
Watch this at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mF82-E7paA
Ukraine support package worth €50bn agreed by EU leaders
All 27 EU leaders have agreed a €50bn aid package for Ukraine after Hungary had previously blocked the deal.
Read more at:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-68165971
Electric Canadian
A Short History of Kelowna and its Surroundings
In the Province of British Columbia, Dominion of Canada by the Agriculture and Trades Association of Okanagan Mission Valley (1898) (pdf)
You can read this account at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/history/bc/kamloops.htm
Frontier Days in Alberta
Sunfire Publications Limited (1992) (pdf)
You can read this at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/hist...in-Alberta.pdf
History of Brant, Ontario
Containing a History of the County; its townships, cities, towns, schools, churches, etc.; general and local statistics, portraits of early settlers and prominent men; history of the six nation Indians and Captain Joseph Brant (Thayendanegea); history of the Dominion of Canada miscellaneous matters, etc. (1883) (pdf)
You can read this at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/hist...00unknuoft.pdf
Thoughts on a Sunday Morning - the 28th day of January 2024
By the Rev. Nola Crewe
You can watch this at:
http://www.electricscotland.org/foru...f-january-2024
OAC Review
June 1927 Colonization and Immigration By W. J. Black, and other articles (pdf)
You can read this at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/tran...vol39iss10.pdf
Sourdough Beginners Guide
By Second Spring (pdf)
You can read this guide at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/life...rter-Guide.pdf
Electric Scotland
Young Scots leading the way as Scotch Whisky embraces sustainability issues
Young Scots are enjoying the "Water of Life" contributing to Scotch Whisky record annual sales globally totalling over several billion euros but the tipplers, aged up to and around their mid-20s, are embracing the amber nectar very much on their own terms by Bill Magee
You can read this article at:
https://electricscotland.com/magee/article004.htm
Descriptions of the Sheriffdoms of Lanark and Renfrew
Compiled about 1710 by William Hamilton (1840) (pdf)
You can read this book at:
https://electricscotland.com/history...ofsh00hami.pdf
Cleland Cousins
A Genealogy and Biographical Album of Cleland and the Allied Families of Baker, Blair, Collins, Fisher, Gowdey, Haylett, Hume, Moody, Oliver, Richards, Ross, Wells, etc. Being the Story of Samuel and Jane (Martin) Cleland and their Descendants in America with the Lineage of Samuel Cleland through 200 years in County Down, Ireland and a review of his ancestors of Lanarkshire, Scotland to the 13th century Compiled by Glenn and Rebekah (Deal) Oliver (1962) (pdf)
You can read this at:
https://electricscotland.com/history...nsge00oliv.pdf
A Record of the Descendants of John Alexander of Lanarkshire, Scotland
And his wife, Margaret Glasson, who emigrated from County Armagh, Ireland to Chester County, Pennsylvania A. D. 1736 by the Rev. John E. Alexander (1878) (pdf)
You can read this at:
https://electricscotland.com/history...e-Scotland.pdf
Enumeration of the Inhabitants of the City of Glasgow and County of Lanark
For the Government Census of 1831 with Population and Statistical Tables relative to England and Scotland, classified and arranged by James Cleland, LL.D.,. second edition (1832) (pdf)
You can read this book at:
https://electricscotland.com/history...finh00clel.pdf
Drummeldale
Lights and Shadows from the Border Hills, Sketches and Poems by C. M. Thomson (1899) (pdf)
You can read this book at:
https://electricscotland.com/poetry/drummedale.pdf
Scottish Society of Indianapolis
Got in their Jan/Feb 2024 newsletter which you can read at:
https://electricscotland.com/familyt...olis/index.htm
The publications below have been added to our Lanarkshire page in our Gazetteer.
Lanarkshire
By Frederick Mort, M.A., B.Sc., F.G.S., Fellow of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society Late Lecturer in Geology, Glasgow University (1910) (pdf)
You can read this book at:
https://electricscotland.com/history...00mortuoft.pdf
The Lanarkshire Miners
A social history of their trade unions, 1775-1974, by Alan B Campbell (1979)
You can read this on the Internet Archive at:
https://archive.org/details/lanarksh...ge/n5/mode/2up
The Upper Ward of Lanarkshire Described and Delineated
The Archeological and Historical Section by George Vere Irving, FSAScot., Vice-President of the British Archaeological Association. The Statistical and Topographical Section by Alexander Murray in three volumes (1864)
You can read these volumes through our link to them at the foot of our Gazetteer page at:
https://electricscotland.com/history...ol4page456.htm
Story
Two Sketches of Scots, one in Scotland and one in the USA
Taken from the Celtic Monthly magazine of 1905
Lord Tullibardine
THE most important event of the year to Highlanders, the Gaelic Mod, which was held at Greenock on the 21st and 22nd September 1904, proved the most successful gathering which has been held by An Oomunn Gaidhealach since its inauguration at Oban thirteen years ago. The competitions attracted many interested visitors, while the immense audience of 3000 Jolsons who attended the evening concert was emphatic evidence that Gaelic song and music still affords a charm, not only to those of Highland birth or descent, but to all capable of appreciating the finest lyrical melody in the world.
The central figure at these gatherings was Lord Tullibardine, heir to the ancient Dukedom of Atholl, and one of the most popular of Highland soldiers. It was natural that he should be there, for the members of the Atholl family have for many years identified themselves with the Gaelic movement, an example which might well be copied by many of the nobility and gentry of the Highlands. With all their democratic proclivities, there is no doubt that the Gael are still deeply attached to the old chieftain and landed families, and the leading part which Lord Tullibardine has taken in the revival of Celtic feeling and language, in addition to the splendid reputation which he has earned on the field of battle, have secured for him the warmest regard of his countrymen. He has occupied the presidential chair at the two last Mods,and undoubtedly his presence and influence contributed in no small degree to their success.
Although still a young man, his Lordship has had an eventful career. On the battlefields of the Soudan and South Africa he has well maintained the martial reputation of his family. A. short reference to these incidents may prove interesting to our readers:—
John George Stewart-Murray, Lord Tullibardine, M.V.O., D.S.O., J.P. and D.L. for Perthshire, was born 15th December, 1871, and was educated at Eton College. He was a lieutenant in the 3rd Batt. Royal Highlanders, 1890-2, and afterwards in the Royal Horse Guards; served in the Soudan Campaign of 1898 under Sir Herbert Kitchener, with the rank of Bim-bashi, as Staff-Officer to Lieut.-Col. Broadwood, commanding the cavalry of the Egyptian Army, and was present at the cavalry reconnaisance of 4th April, and at the battles of Atbara and Khartoum (mentioned in despatches), and received the Distinguished Service Order, British Medal, and Khedive’s Medal with two clasps. He also took part in the South African War in 1899-02, attached to the Royal Dragoons, and served as Staff-Officer to Brigadier-General Burn Murdoch.
The raising of that gallant regiment, the Scottish Horse, by the Duke of Atholl and the Marquis of Tullibardine, and their splendid services to King and country, at a period of great national anxiety, will not be readily forgotten by the Scottish people. His Lordship was appointed Lieut.-Colonel of the two regiments. Previously, he was present at the battle of Colenso and the subsequent operations; and also took part in the Relief of Ladysmith, the actions at Vaal Krantz and Pieter’s Hill, and the operations on the Tugela Heights.
On the conclusion of the war, the military authorities were evidently so much impressed with the excellent class of soldiers who had been attracted to this regiment, and the equally famous Lovat Scouts, that Lord Tullibardine was commissioned to raise a new regiment of Scottish Horse in the central Highlands, including Perthshire, part of western Argyllshire and the adjacent islands, for home service, and a finer body of men than those which he has embodied is not to be found in the kingdom. Should their services ever be required to repel a hostile invasion, we have every confidence that they will prove worthy successors to the gallant Scots who fought so well on the South African veldt.
On the 20th July, 1899, his Lordship married Katharine Marjory, fourth daughter of Sir James Henry Ramsay of Banff, Baronet.
Hugh Fraser
Ex-President, St. Andrew’s Society, San Francisco, U.S.A.
THE populous city of San Francisco includes among its inhabitants a large and prosperous colony of Highlanders, whose ardent love for their mother-land is perhaps their most outstanding characteristic. Although loyal citizens of the land of their adoption, these Gaels evidently do not desire that their Scottish identity should be overshadowed by their American associations, and to give tangible form to their patriotic sentiments they have formed in their midst quite a number of flourishing Scottish and Celtic societies, which represent a very large membership, and exercise a considerable influence in the Golden City. Of the many notable Highlanders in San Francisco, whose correspondence we have valued for many years past, there is one whom we are pleased this month to introduce to our readers — Mr. Hugh Fraser, whose name is a household word in local Highland circles, and whose stalwart form, attired in the dress of his native land, is a picturesque feature of all Scottish festivals and out-door gatherings. A short account of his career will doubtless interest many of his countrymen at home and abroad.
Mr. Fraser was born in Inverness in 1833, and has been a resident in San Francisco for no less than forty-seven years. He was a supervisor of the City Government, and for a time acted as mayor, pro tem. He has taken a very active part in the work of the various Scottish organizations, two of which (the Thistle Club, and the Clan Fraser, No. 78 of the Order of Scottish Clans), owe their origin to his efforts. In these societies he has had the highest honours conferred upon him, being an Ex-Chief of the Clan Fraser, Caledonian Club, Scottish Thistle Club, and Ex-President of the St. Andrew’s Society. As a lecturer on national subjects he enjoys a high reputation, his recent oration to the Scottish Colony on “Robert Burns,” having attracted a large and demonstrative audience.
Last year Mr. Fraser celebrated his golden wedding, which auspicious event was made the occasion of an enthusiastic celebration by his large circle of friends. The ceremony was performed in the First United Presbyterian Church, San Francisco, on 20th July. Two hundred Scots, wearing plaids and bonnets, and led by four pipers, escorted the happy couple to the church, which was filled with an audience of over 1,500 persons, who gave them a rousing reception. They were also the recipients of many costly presents. Of the many speeches delivered that day we venture to think there was none finer than that uttered by the aged recipient of these tokens of personal affection from his Scottish friends. We will fittingly conclude this brief sketch by quoting a few sentences from Mr. Fraser’s eloquent reply to these congratulations.
“Dear Friends,—Long years ago I entered into a solemn covenant with one who was then, as now, worth her weight in gold. The journey then commenced in life’s morning now draws peacefully, gently into the twilight of the evening. That dear companion of my youth and early and strong manhood remains with me, close by my side—God bless her—faithful, tender, forgiving.
This is our golden wedding. We celebrate it in this Golden State which has been our chosen home for forty-five years—in this splendid city by the Golden Gate, whose growth I have watched with increasing pride and in the upbuilding of which I have played a small but earnest part. I have seen California, fifty years ago an unknown land, cut off from the Atlantic States, reached only by the Isthmus or the Horn or the hazardous plains, mature into a rich, happy, splendid commonwealth.
I have spoken of our adopted country, and such it is; for my wife was born in Ireland, I in Scotland, and to-day our hearts go back to our native lands across the sea, and we send our old, yet ardent love, to the friends of our youth.”
END
Weekend is almost here and hope it's a good one for you.
Alastair
Theory of Family Relativity™ Update
Theory of Family Relativity™ is a powerful feature for genetic genealogy that helps to streamline your research by explaining how you and your DNA Matches might be related. It utilizes MyHeritage’s huge database of 46 million family trees and 19.8 billion historical records to offer plausible theories about how you are related to your DNA Matches.
Read more at: http://tinyurl.com/f2xer58s
----------
I celebrated my 73rd birthday with haggis neeps and tatties and got a surprise visit from my friend Nola who brought me a bread and butter pudding made by her son-in-law, the chef, and very good it was too. My thanks to those from around the world that wished me a Happy Birthday.
Scottish News from this weeks newspapers
I am partly doing this to build an archive of modern news from and about Scotland and world news stories that can affect Scotland and as all the newsletters are archived and also indexed on search engines it becomes a good resource. I might also add that in a number of newspapers you will find many comments which can be just as interesting as the news story itself and of course you can also add your own comments if you wish which I do myself from time to time.
Here is what caught my eye this week...
Reform UK now just seven points behind the Tories as they explode forwards in polls
Richard Tice says his party is making further progress while the Tories' backing falls off a cliff.
Read more at:
https://www.express.co.uk/news/polit...es-record-high
UK halts trade negotiations with Canada over hormones in beef ban
Canada has been pushing for the UK to relax a ban on hormone-treated beef, which its producers say in effect shuts them out of the British market. Meanwhile, the UK has concerns about Canada putting import taxes of up to 245% on British cheese products.
Read more at:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-68098177
The Knowledge We Need
Shifting to a more knowledge-based curriculum is the only way Scottish schools can recover from the decline in standards, writes Lindsay Paterson.
Read more at:
https://ourscottishfuture.org/the-knowledge-we-need/
The NHS in Scotland is far from being in good health
After nearly 17 years of SNP Government, Scotland’s NHS is in dire straits. Health secretary after health secretary has come and gone including both of Scotland’s most recent First Ministers and each has left our NHS is a worse state than they found it.
Read more at:
https://www.alloaadvertiser.com/opin...r-good-health/
Depopulation in Scotland's Highlands and threat of new Clearances
Reversing population decline in the Scottish Highlands and Islands will require governing bodies to move heaven and earth, according to one business leader who lives in Sutherland - an area at the sharp end of the crisis.
Read more at:
https://archive.is/ZtA4U#selection-1751.3-1755.73
Conrad Black: Jordan Peterson and Mark Steyn Canada's warriors for freedom
These two outstanding Canadians deserve the support of all of us
Read more at:
https://archive.is/DNZEc
Kate Forbes criticises Nicola Sturgeon government conduct during covid pandemic
The former finance secretary said corporate memory was critical as the Scottish Government faces mounting pressure over why some details on covid decision-making were not kept.
Read more at:
https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/p...rgeon-32001058
SNP Lies Outed By Kate Forbes. Nicola Sturgeon & Humza Yousaf Lied about a Policy That Didn't Exist
Today at the Covid 19 UK Inquiry SNP MSP Kate Forbes swore under oath that no Government policy exists that demands WhatsApp messages are deleted. This is in total contrast to many, including Nicola Sturgeon & Humza Yousaf, claiming they deleted Whatsapps as it was "Government Polcy"
Watch this at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mF82-E7paA
Ukraine support package worth €50bn agreed by EU leaders
All 27 EU leaders have agreed a €50bn aid package for Ukraine after Hungary had previously blocked the deal.
Read more at:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-68165971
Electric Canadian
A Short History of Kelowna and its Surroundings
In the Province of British Columbia, Dominion of Canada by the Agriculture and Trades Association of Okanagan Mission Valley (1898) (pdf)
You can read this account at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/history/bc/kamloops.htm
Frontier Days in Alberta
Sunfire Publications Limited (1992) (pdf)
You can read this at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/hist...in-Alberta.pdf
History of Brant, Ontario
Containing a History of the County; its townships, cities, towns, schools, churches, etc.; general and local statistics, portraits of early settlers and prominent men; history of the six nation Indians and Captain Joseph Brant (Thayendanegea); history of the Dominion of Canada miscellaneous matters, etc. (1883) (pdf)
You can read this at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/hist...00unknuoft.pdf
Thoughts on a Sunday Morning - the 28th day of January 2024
By the Rev. Nola Crewe
You can watch this at:
http://www.electricscotland.org/foru...f-january-2024
OAC Review
June 1927 Colonization and Immigration By W. J. Black, and other articles (pdf)
You can read this at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/tran...vol39iss10.pdf
Sourdough Beginners Guide
By Second Spring (pdf)
You can read this guide at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/life...rter-Guide.pdf
Electric Scotland
Young Scots leading the way as Scotch Whisky embraces sustainability issues
Young Scots are enjoying the "Water of Life" contributing to Scotch Whisky record annual sales globally totalling over several billion euros but the tipplers, aged up to and around their mid-20s, are embracing the amber nectar very much on their own terms by Bill Magee
You can read this article at:
https://electricscotland.com/magee/article004.htm
Descriptions of the Sheriffdoms of Lanark and Renfrew
Compiled about 1710 by William Hamilton (1840) (pdf)
You can read this book at:
https://electricscotland.com/history...ofsh00hami.pdf
Cleland Cousins
A Genealogy and Biographical Album of Cleland and the Allied Families of Baker, Blair, Collins, Fisher, Gowdey, Haylett, Hume, Moody, Oliver, Richards, Ross, Wells, etc. Being the Story of Samuel and Jane (Martin) Cleland and their Descendants in America with the Lineage of Samuel Cleland through 200 years in County Down, Ireland and a review of his ancestors of Lanarkshire, Scotland to the 13th century Compiled by Glenn and Rebekah (Deal) Oliver (1962) (pdf)
You can read this at:
https://electricscotland.com/history...nsge00oliv.pdf
A Record of the Descendants of John Alexander of Lanarkshire, Scotland
And his wife, Margaret Glasson, who emigrated from County Armagh, Ireland to Chester County, Pennsylvania A. D. 1736 by the Rev. John E. Alexander (1878) (pdf)
You can read this at:
https://electricscotland.com/history...e-Scotland.pdf
Enumeration of the Inhabitants of the City of Glasgow and County of Lanark
For the Government Census of 1831 with Population and Statistical Tables relative to England and Scotland, classified and arranged by James Cleland, LL.D.,. second edition (1832) (pdf)
You can read this book at:
https://electricscotland.com/history...finh00clel.pdf
Drummeldale
Lights and Shadows from the Border Hills, Sketches and Poems by C. M. Thomson (1899) (pdf)
You can read this book at:
https://electricscotland.com/poetry/drummedale.pdf
Scottish Society of Indianapolis
Got in their Jan/Feb 2024 newsletter which you can read at:
https://electricscotland.com/familyt...olis/index.htm
The publications below have been added to our Lanarkshire page in our Gazetteer.
Lanarkshire
By Frederick Mort, M.A., B.Sc., F.G.S., Fellow of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society Late Lecturer in Geology, Glasgow University (1910) (pdf)
You can read this book at:
https://electricscotland.com/history...00mortuoft.pdf
The Lanarkshire Miners
A social history of their trade unions, 1775-1974, by Alan B Campbell (1979)
You can read this on the Internet Archive at:
https://archive.org/details/lanarksh...ge/n5/mode/2up
The Upper Ward of Lanarkshire Described and Delineated
The Archeological and Historical Section by George Vere Irving, FSAScot., Vice-President of the British Archaeological Association. The Statistical and Topographical Section by Alexander Murray in three volumes (1864)
You can read these volumes through our link to them at the foot of our Gazetteer page at:
https://electricscotland.com/history...ol4page456.htm
Story
Two Sketches of Scots, one in Scotland and one in the USA
Taken from the Celtic Monthly magazine of 1905
Lord Tullibardine
THE most important event of the year to Highlanders, the Gaelic Mod, which was held at Greenock on the 21st and 22nd September 1904, proved the most successful gathering which has been held by An Oomunn Gaidhealach since its inauguration at Oban thirteen years ago. The competitions attracted many interested visitors, while the immense audience of 3000 Jolsons who attended the evening concert was emphatic evidence that Gaelic song and music still affords a charm, not only to those of Highland birth or descent, but to all capable of appreciating the finest lyrical melody in the world.
The central figure at these gatherings was Lord Tullibardine, heir to the ancient Dukedom of Atholl, and one of the most popular of Highland soldiers. It was natural that he should be there, for the members of the Atholl family have for many years identified themselves with the Gaelic movement, an example which might well be copied by many of the nobility and gentry of the Highlands. With all their democratic proclivities, there is no doubt that the Gael are still deeply attached to the old chieftain and landed families, and the leading part which Lord Tullibardine has taken in the revival of Celtic feeling and language, in addition to the splendid reputation which he has earned on the field of battle, have secured for him the warmest regard of his countrymen. He has occupied the presidential chair at the two last Mods,and undoubtedly his presence and influence contributed in no small degree to their success.
Although still a young man, his Lordship has had an eventful career. On the battlefields of the Soudan and South Africa he has well maintained the martial reputation of his family. A. short reference to these incidents may prove interesting to our readers:—
John George Stewart-Murray, Lord Tullibardine, M.V.O., D.S.O., J.P. and D.L. for Perthshire, was born 15th December, 1871, and was educated at Eton College. He was a lieutenant in the 3rd Batt. Royal Highlanders, 1890-2, and afterwards in the Royal Horse Guards; served in the Soudan Campaign of 1898 under Sir Herbert Kitchener, with the rank of Bim-bashi, as Staff-Officer to Lieut.-Col. Broadwood, commanding the cavalry of the Egyptian Army, and was present at the cavalry reconnaisance of 4th April, and at the battles of Atbara and Khartoum (mentioned in despatches), and received the Distinguished Service Order, British Medal, and Khedive’s Medal with two clasps. He also took part in the South African War in 1899-02, attached to the Royal Dragoons, and served as Staff-Officer to Brigadier-General Burn Murdoch.
The raising of that gallant regiment, the Scottish Horse, by the Duke of Atholl and the Marquis of Tullibardine, and their splendid services to King and country, at a period of great national anxiety, will not be readily forgotten by the Scottish people. His Lordship was appointed Lieut.-Colonel of the two regiments. Previously, he was present at the battle of Colenso and the subsequent operations; and also took part in the Relief of Ladysmith, the actions at Vaal Krantz and Pieter’s Hill, and the operations on the Tugela Heights.
On the conclusion of the war, the military authorities were evidently so much impressed with the excellent class of soldiers who had been attracted to this regiment, and the equally famous Lovat Scouts, that Lord Tullibardine was commissioned to raise a new regiment of Scottish Horse in the central Highlands, including Perthshire, part of western Argyllshire and the adjacent islands, for home service, and a finer body of men than those which he has embodied is not to be found in the kingdom. Should their services ever be required to repel a hostile invasion, we have every confidence that they will prove worthy successors to the gallant Scots who fought so well on the South African veldt.
On the 20th July, 1899, his Lordship married Katharine Marjory, fourth daughter of Sir James Henry Ramsay of Banff, Baronet.
Hugh Fraser
Ex-President, St. Andrew’s Society, San Francisco, U.S.A.
THE populous city of San Francisco includes among its inhabitants a large and prosperous colony of Highlanders, whose ardent love for their mother-land is perhaps their most outstanding characteristic. Although loyal citizens of the land of their adoption, these Gaels evidently do not desire that their Scottish identity should be overshadowed by their American associations, and to give tangible form to their patriotic sentiments they have formed in their midst quite a number of flourishing Scottish and Celtic societies, which represent a very large membership, and exercise a considerable influence in the Golden City. Of the many notable Highlanders in San Francisco, whose correspondence we have valued for many years past, there is one whom we are pleased this month to introduce to our readers — Mr. Hugh Fraser, whose name is a household word in local Highland circles, and whose stalwart form, attired in the dress of his native land, is a picturesque feature of all Scottish festivals and out-door gatherings. A short account of his career will doubtless interest many of his countrymen at home and abroad.
Mr. Fraser was born in Inverness in 1833, and has been a resident in San Francisco for no less than forty-seven years. He was a supervisor of the City Government, and for a time acted as mayor, pro tem. He has taken a very active part in the work of the various Scottish organizations, two of which (the Thistle Club, and the Clan Fraser, No. 78 of the Order of Scottish Clans), owe their origin to his efforts. In these societies he has had the highest honours conferred upon him, being an Ex-Chief of the Clan Fraser, Caledonian Club, Scottish Thistle Club, and Ex-President of the St. Andrew’s Society. As a lecturer on national subjects he enjoys a high reputation, his recent oration to the Scottish Colony on “Robert Burns,” having attracted a large and demonstrative audience.
Last year Mr. Fraser celebrated his golden wedding, which auspicious event was made the occasion of an enthusiastic celebration by his large circle of friends. The ceremony was performed in the First United Presbyterian Church, San Francisco, on 20th July. Two hundred Scots, wearing plaids and bonnets, and led by four pipers, escorted the happy couple to the church, which was filled with an audience of over 1,500 persons, who gave them a rousing reception. They were also the recipients of many costly presents. Of the many speeches delivered that day we venture to think there was none finer than that uttered by the aged recipient of these tokens of personal affection from his Scottish friends. We will fittingly conclude this brief sketch by quoting a few sentences from Mr. Fraser’s eloquent reply to these congratulations.
“Dear Friends,—Long years ago I entered into a solemn covenant with one who was then, as now, worth her weight in gold. The journey then commenced in life’s morning now draws peacefully, gently into the twilight of the evening. That dear companion of my youth and early and strong manhood remains with me, close by my side—God bless her—faithful, tender, forgiving.
This is our golden wedding. We celebrate it in this Golden State which has been our chosen home for forty-five years—in this splendid city by the Golden Gate, whose growth I have watched with increasing pride and in the upbuilding of which I have played a small but earnest part. I have seen California, fifty years ago an unknown land, cut off from the Atlantic States, reached only by the Isthmus or the Horn or the hazardous plains, mature into a rich, happy, splendid commonwealth.
I have spoken of our adopted country, and such it is; for my wife was born in Ireland, I in Scotland, and to-day our hearts go back to our native lands across the sea, and we send our old, yet ardent love, to the friends of our youth.”
END
Weekend is almost here and hope it's a good one for you.
Alastair