Comunn Chlann Dhòmhnaill na Gàidhealtachd ìs nan Eilean

Calling all MacDonalds and MacDonells and those of Clan Donald descent!

Saturday, 1st May, 2010 at 2:30 p.m.

The Clan Donald Society of the Highlands and Islands Inaugural Meeting at Killearnan Church Hall, Redcastle, Muir-of-Ord, IV6 7SG. 

You are invited to attend and to bring as many others with you as possible who are by birth or by marriage of Clan Donald. Ideas will be most welcome as to what form the Society should take and what activities you would like to see the Society carry out. A raffle - with prizes including a copy of Neil Oliver’s “A History of Scotland“, from the BBC series, and a paperback copy of “From Dogfight to Diplomacy” by Donald MacDonell, the 22nd Chief of Glengarry - will be held to defray the meeting costs.

If you are unable to attend but wish to join, please send your contact details to: 

Graham Evan MacDonell

CDSH&I - Membership

Suite 324 - 24 Station Square

Inverness IV1 1LD

graham_macdonell@yahoo.co.uk

Tel: 077 992 70210

For those of you who have an interest in the MacIans/MacIains of Ardnamurchan, there is a Diary kept about the small village of Kilchoan, in that part of Ardnamurchan which was the seat of the Clan. It includes, amongst other things, entries about Mingary Castle, the seat of the chiefs of Clan MacIain on Ardnamurchan, and information about the history of the Clan. You will find out more at http://kilchoan.blogspot.com/

Further Reading from Ely MacDonald

Mingary Castle is situated a mile south-east of the small village of Kilchoan in Lochaber Scotland. Nestled on ridge of rock overlooking the sea, it was considered a strategically important site in terms of communication with overseas areas and as an entranceway to the Sound of Mull. The Castle fell into ruin about 600 years after its construction in the 13th century; the majority of the building, however, dates from much later than this, from the 17th century onwards.

Originally built for the Clan MacDonald of Ardnamurchan (also known as MacIain of Ardnamurchan), the castle has had many different occupants. King James IV of Scotland used it as a stronghold for fighting off Clan Donald in the late 15th century.

In 1515 the castle was besieged by the Clan MacDonald of Lochalsh and again two years later when they finally took the castle.

In 1588 the chief of the Clan MacLean of Duart Castle resided there after capturing the chief of the Clan MacIain of Ardnamurchan. Other occupants over the years included the Clan Campbell, the Earls of Argyll (in 1612), and Alasdair Colkitto MacDonald who fought the English Parliamentarians of Oliver Cromwell in 1644.

Compere Jim McColl kept the atmosphere very Jovial with his Pawky wit and professional timing makes him the envy of many professional stand up comedians.

The Finale of  “Scotland The Brave” - was spectacular including Orchestra, Pipers, Drummers and Dancers.

“ A Superb Night Had by All”   ….Well worth the journey

Next Performance April 24th, Aberdeen Music Hall 

Ely MacDonald

Clan Donald Stone, Culloden Battlefield, Inverness.

The Battle of Culloden by William Topaz McGonagall;

The Highland army was drawn up in three lines in grand array,
All eager for the fray in April the 16th day,
Consisting of the Athole Brigade, who made a grand display
On the field of Culloden on that ever-memorable day.

Likewise the Camerons, Stewarts, and Macintoshes, Maclachlans and Macleans,
And John Roy Stewart’s regiment, united into one, these are their names;
Besides the Macleods, Chisholms, Macdonalds of Clanranald and Glengarry,
Also the noble chieftain Keppoch, all eager the English to harry.

Once again we are approaching the time of year of the Battle of Culloden Commemoration , where the Gaelic Society of Inverness will hold its annual service at the Memorial Cairn - on the Culloden Battlefield, at approx 11:00am Saturday 17^th April 2010.

Clan Members, Septs and Associates will gather around the Memorial Cairn some having travelled from far and wide to take part in this Annual Reconciliation Service. 

After the Service the individual Clan Groups will march behind their clan banners to the where their ancestors fell on that fateful day the 16^th April 1746. The headstones that bear the names of  their clans and marking the battle dead; amounting to over 1000, and who were buried by the local people some of whom were known to them. They were identified by their clan badge,  or a plant sprig worn in their bonnet. 

The Clan Donald group will gather behind the banners and follow their piper, to lay wreaths at The Keppoch and Clan Donald Stones. It is also planned to lay wreaths for Clanranald, Glengarry and Glencoe on the low- lying stone near to the Keppoch Stone. This has the words “Clan Donald” carved into it and is an exciting recent discovery for Clan Donald.

The National Trust for Scotland has plans to construct a path from the Main Cairn to The Clan Donald Stones within the next few years but in the meantime the Clan Donald group will be obliged to walk down the Hanoverian Line in order to reach the Stones.  

Clan Donald Society of Edinburgh, 8 Ethel Terrace, Edinburgh, EH10 5NB

Culloden Battlefield visitor centre, Culloden Moor, Inverness, IV2 5EU.

Report 25/12/2009 Destination Nigeria Voyage Complete! 

After having problems with the satellite and not being able to send emails for over thirty six hours I can confirm we are now berthed and discharging; but slowly, the North Equatorial Current was very strong and did help us along and  on our way.

The sun is up everyone is running around and the jungle is alive. The coconut trees across from us look so beautiful fluttering in the wind just as you see in some story books. The natives are up and down the lagoon in their small dug out canoes and the buzz from the jungle is real and is certainly rampant. The Monkeys in the coconut trees are smiling at me and they were all dancing a little dance to the tune Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer! 

An African Note For Christmas Thoughts

One little village in Africa decided to pray for rain, on the day of prayer, all the people gathered and only one boy came without an umbrella:   THAT IS FAITH

The feeling of a one year old when you throw him in the air he laughs as he knows that you will catch him : THAT IS TRUST

 Every time that we go to bed, we have no assurance that we will  wake up alive next day but still we have plans for tomorrow :  THAT IS HOPE

May the Almighty Father be around you; to bless you, his angels around you; for support, before you; for guidance , and behind you ; for protection.

Wishing you all a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS

 Captain Bill MacDonald   - Aboard the Nord Farer (Lagos Nigeria)

 Today Noon Lat 18  10 N  Long 17  41 W. Average speed 12.56

Ar 0300 hrs, we will be passing Cape Verde. It is the most westerly point in Africa. The city which is the capital is called DAKAR,and the country is SENEGAL. This is the place where Sir Winston Churchill ordered the British Navy to sink the French Navy who were contemplating in joining Nazi Germany about 1939. Senegal was a French colony until 1960 when it gained independence.

This morning was beautiful. There is not one cloud in sight and the sea is flat calm. I was on the bridge at 0600 hrs and the sea was full of fluorescent which is the glitter that the sea gives off when there is a lot of plankton in the water. I looked behind me and the ships wake all the way to the horizon was a straight line of beautiful fluorescent. To add to that, the dolphins were jumping and racing the ship for about two hours creating their own froth and fluorescent wakes as they swam about. All the stars in the heavens were out and the horizon, just before the sun came over was bright red. It so much reminded me of my youth when I spent so much time crossing all the oceans of the world.

Capt Bill MacDonald  Aboard Nord Farer!

Noon Report Sunday 13^th December 2009 

Ship: M.T. Nord Farer -  Nigeria Bound

Noon Pos Lat 32  30 N Long 13  47 W Average Speed 11.96 Kts Rough following Sea. Heavy Westerly swell Temp 20C, We are about 250 miles North of Canary Islands. We will be at the Canaries at 0900 tomorrow!

The weather has moderated. The temp is 16 now and the wind has gone down but

there is still a very heavy swell and we are rolling all the time. Note the

speed for today is down quite considerable. After we pass Canaries, we hope to

catch a favourable current which will help us along.

Finally, I have just seen a whale. The Second Officer called me from the

computer and there it was right ahead. I have seen many whales in my time

mainly every day while on The Canadian Coast!

Captain Bill Macdonald

Captain MacDonald Nigeria Bound: 

9th December 2009

Noon position: Lat 49 03 N Long 005 22 W Speed - 11.25 Kts Course - 207 Weather - Moderate head sea, Long heavy W’ly swell, Vsl rolling and pitching moderately ETA - Lagos -22.12.09 - 1800 Hrs Entering Bay of Biscay at 1400 Hrs Aflight of Gugas, Fishing of stbd bow, Give my regards to everyone from the oceans of the west !

Captain Bill MacDonald

St Andrew’s Day: Celebrated by Scots around the world on 30th November every year.

Saint Andrew is the Patron Saint of Scotland and St Andrew’s Day is Scotland’s official national day. The Scottish flag is the Cross of St Andrew, also known as the Saltire, and is widely displayed as a symbol of national identity.

Below are just a few of the Celebrations across Scotland.

Ceòl nam Fèis 2009: St Andrew‘s

A celebration of Gaelic culture with a host of former participants from the highly successful Fèis movement ‘coming home’. 100 of the cream of young traditional music talent will perform Gaelic song; new and traditional music; dance and drama.

Date: Nov 27 Location: Eden Court Theatre, Inverness 

Dumfries Fling: The Reel Thing

Enjoy a feast of music, culture and street theatre in the heart of Dumfries. Quirky St Andrew’s Eve events and pub sessions will create a warm festival atmosphere for visitors and locals to celebrate the end of Homecoming Year in style.

Date: Nov 27-30 Location: Dumfries

West Dunbartonshire: St Andrew’s Homecoming Festival

St Andrew’s Homecoming Festival presents the best of traditional and contemporary Scottish music, sourced from local talent, emerging and established Scottish artistes. Come and enjoy the concert and ceilidh based events taking place at Clydebank Town Hall and Dumbarton’s Denny Civic Theatre.

Date: Nov 27-28  Location: Dumbarton & Clydebank

St Andrews Festival 2009 : Scotland’s Celebration

Join us in the historic town of St Andrews to celebrate Scotland’s patron saint. An exciting mix of live music and drama against the dramatic backdrop of the UK’s largest series of Son et Lumiere. All culminating on St Andrew’s Day with the spectacular Torchlight Procession, Fireworks and Nae4Whimps Street Ceilidh.

Date: Nov 27-30 Location: St Andrews, Fife

St Andrew’sDay Celebrations: Blairgowrie

Celebrate St Andrew’s Day in the picturesque setting of Blairgowrie, Perthshire. Events include a traditional folk music festival taking place in venues across the town centre, ceilidhs, a march by massed pipe bands finishing with a display in the Wellmeadow, children’s storytelling events and a Christmas Market.

Date: Nov 27-30  Location: Blairgowrie

RSNO- The 09/10 Season: St Andrew‘sParty with Phil and Aly

Join Phil Cunningham, Aly Bain and the RSNO’s very own John Logan, as well as special guests for a St Andrew’s Night party to remember. This annual gathering keeps getting bigger and better and, in this special Homecoming Year, is sure to be another great night of spontaneity, witty banter and wonderful Scottish music.

Date: Nov 28  Location: Glasgow Royal Concert Hall

Kilmarnock’s Tartan Turn On Festival

A weekend of traditional and contemporary entertainment,  celebrating the best of Scottish culture in the spirit of the Festive Season.

Date: Nov 28-29  Location: Kilmarnock

Land of the Standing Stones: Celebrating St Andrew’s DAY

Renowned fiddler Paul Anderson has created a new tune in celebration of the landscape and cultural traditions of the north east. Land of the Standing Stones will be performed in a showcase concert with eight further re-workings of the tune by professional composers in a variety of musical genres.

Date: Nov 30 Location: Inverurie, Aberdeenshire

See the Full Events Program at HomeComing Scotland