Summer 2014
May 2016
Corn Roast
In This Issue
•
Member Kilt Sighngs
•
News from local groups
We had another successful
Corn Roast this year. Fun
and Friendship was had by
all. Plus the weather was
pre*y much perfect. The
food and drink was
plenful and really good.
•
Society Building Fund
•
Black 47 at Irish Heritage
Center
A,er a well fought ba*le,
the Society came out
victorious in the Tug-o-war.
There was a great deal of
celebraon and toasts to
the victors before the
aching muscles set in!
•
Orkney, Scotland A
History Before
Stonehenge
•
St. Andrew, Patron Saint
of Scotland
Web Edition
Only
Neil and Leanne MacKinnon in
Bridgewater Nova Scoa this
summer. Kilt by MacKilts,
dress by Veronica MacIsaac, a
day without kids courtesy of
the grandparents!
Louise and Robert Reid with
Brutus Buckeye at the UC v.
OSU game September 27
sporng the new OSU Buckeye
Tartan available exclusively at
Celc Corner.
Cincinnati Scots Highland Dancing News
The Cincinna Scots Highland Dancers have had a
terrific summer of performance, compeon and fun!
Breagh MacKinnon and Emily Carter qualified for the
United States Championships. Breagh MacKinnon
went on to place 1st RU in the US Championships.
Breagh is the current Midwest Champion and won
Champion in the Southwest Premiership, and 1st RU in
the Canadian Open Championship.
The
summer
also held
Columbus, IN Sco<sh Fes4val, September 13
excitement
for many of our other dancers. Grandfather Mountain placed Ashley Gentry
as “The Spirit of the Dancer” award along with Krissy Myers, Iris Harmon and
Rachel Speigel all placing in the Championship. Caroline Wallace won the
trophy at the Saline Highland Fesval and Columbus, IN compeons with
brother Larry placing in primary. Ashlynn MacKinnon won the Highland Fling
trophy, and Class trophy at the Houston, TX compeon. Kaylee
MacKinnon won the trophy at the Columbus IN compeon while sister
Breagh won the Joyce Deddens Trophy.
The Cincinna Scots Highland Dancers thank everyone for their support and
ask you to COME JOIN THE FUN for the dancers’ fundraiser @
Breagh MacKinnon, 1st Runner Up at US
Where:
When:
What:
Why:
How:
Championships in Sugarland, TX, July 2014
Member Kilt Sightings
Le,: James Reilly at the
Red’s Game on September
6 for Irish Night
Top: Cincinna Celc
Fesval Opening
Ceremonies on September
6. From le, Welsh flag
bearer, Flust Lyle Reid,
Jack and Robbie Spellman,
Robert Reid.
The Horauhaus
November 2, 2014
Lunch or Dinner
Fundraiser for the OVSS (dancers’ not-for-profit)
Contact Dani Speigel for ques4ons and/or coupons:
Dani Speigel (513) 405-8089 [email protected]
cont. from page 1
Preparaons for our Cincinna
Highland Dance Weekend
October 24-26 are now in full
swing. We have had a good
response from out of town
dancers and look forward to
great quality compeon and
workshop. We have combined
efforts with the BATD Great
Lakes branch to offer
professional development at
our event bringing in teachers and judges from throughout the region.
The compe44on will take place at River Hills Church in Loveland on Saturday,
October 25 from 9am-4pm approximately. We encourage you to stop in and
support local dancers and the ScoFsh Arts in Cincinna. The is a small admission fee
of $4 for ages 13 & over, 12 & under are free. The church is located at 6300 Price
Beth & Lauren Ballard danced Road, Loveland, OH 45140. For more informaon on our group or upcoming events
at the Cincinnati Celtic Festival visit CincyHighlandDancers.webs.com, email us at [email protected]
opening ceremonies on Sept. 6. or phone Louise Reid at 513-226-1838.
On A Different Note
The pipe band recently purchased a
vehicle to use for out-of-town gigs.
We’ve been traveling long distances
for several gigs over the past few
years as well as our usual
compeons like Smoky Mountain
Games in Tennessee. Rick Rust, a piper
in the band, (see below) used his know
-how to track down a 28 seat Chevy
Van previously used by the Salvaon
Army. He and his wife Glenna, a snare drummer in the band, drove
to Toledo to pick it up. We are in the process of geFng it updated
with our name and logo.
How did you hear about the band?
Bree: at the Ohio Renaissance Fesval
Chris: I googled “Cincinna bagpipes” and the Caledonian site
came up first. I was sold on the free lessons.
Rick: from Robert Reid
When did you start aCending prac4ces regularly?
Bree: Nov. 2012
Chris: started pracce chanter lessons in Jan. 2013, band rehearsal
on full pipes Nov. or Dec. 2013
Rick: I had been in private lessons with Robert, he insisted
a*ending pracce would be good for me.
Did you have previous experience playing any music, if so what?
Bree: choir, orchestra – violin, marching band/concert band To help everyone get to know some of our newer band members, percussion
Chris: lots over the years, jazz band, steel drum band, theater pit
we will highlight 3 people recently added as full members to the
orchestra, brass choir
band. A full member has played a few gigs a,er learning a
minimum number of sets to the sasfacon of the pipe major, Ari Rick: Nope, in fact, my middle school band teacher said that is
Ballaban. We asked the same quesons to Rick Rust, Bree McLaren “just wasn’t in the cards for me to play music”. In his defense, I
WAS a difficult child. LOL.
and Chris Ingram, all pipers.
What do you do outside of band?
Bree: currently in school (college)
Chris: ballroom dancing, fencing, tae kwon do, day job
is an industrial programmer
Rick: I’m a jack of all trades and master of a few ;-)
Machinist, Welder, Custom Fabricator, Notary Public,
Forkli, Operator, Automove Technician, Gym Rat,
Outdoor Survivalist, Arst, Marathon runner, I have
Nunchaku skills! Overall, I am an avid do-it-yourselfer. I
enjoy science in the way of space exploraon and the
Connued on page 4
Upcoming Events
October 4
* Fall Mee4ng—Potluck at Cel4c Corner
October 11-12
CCP&D performs at Ohio Renaissance Fes4val
October 25
CHD Highland Dance Compe44on—River Hills Church
October 25
CCP&D concert at Miami University
November 29
* St. Andrew’s Night—Maketewah C.C.
Early Jan
* Annual Mee4ng
January 31
* Burns Night—Recep4ons in Loveland
* Indicated Society sponsored event
Your Caledonian Resource Guide
Pipe Bands
Highland Dancing and Instruc4on
Caledonian Pipes & Drums:
Ari Ballaban [email protected]
www.cccpandd.com
H. C. Sheriff:
Stephen Wa* 946-2296
Emerald Society:
Kyle Hess 616-7518
CHD:
Solo Pipers: Contact any pipe band
Radio Programs of Cel4c Music
Country Dancing (RSCDS)
Wed: WOBO* (88.7 FM) 12 - 3 p.m. 724-3939
Hosted by Jesse Andrews
Sun: WNKU (89.7 FM), 4 - 6 p.m. 859-572-6500
Hosted by Cathy Costello
Sun: WOBO* (88.7 FM), 6 - 9 p.m. 724-3939
Hosted by J. D. McEwans—Celc Fusion
Cincinna Branch:
Jill Cole 631-2429
Flying Ghilles:
Doreen Bernstein 937-845-0310
Heather & Thistle: Laura Russell 614-447-0620
www.rscdscincinna.org
Non-RSCDS: John Southcombe 872-2222
Louise Reid 513-528-5578
CincyHighlandDancers.webs.com
[email protected]
CSHD: Melissa Gentry 859-356-5889
[email protected]
*Can’t get WOBO? Go to WWW.WOBOFM.Com and stream to your PC
study of our existence and
the universe/ or possible
Connued from page 3
mulverse… Most important
to me, I enjoy hangin with good company making good memories
and sharing some laughs.
“On a Different Note”
Contact Us
President:
Robert G. Collins, Jr.
513-863-1226
[email protected]
Vice President:
Robert C. Reid
513-444-4920
[email protected]
Secretary:
Mike Brooks
513-739-3326
[email protected]
Treasurer:
Daniel C. Bowen
513-751-8426
[email protected]
Gaelic Gaze*e Newsle*er:
Louise Reid
513-226-1838
[email protected]
Webmaster:
Randy Clipson
513-898-1444
[email protected]
CaledonianSociety.org
family/clan yet.
Rick: yes, on my mothers side Williamson, Mcglasson, Gunn and on
my fathers side, Rust and McPherson
What kind of bagpipes do you use?
Bree: currently using Kintails, previously used a loaner set from the
Caledonian Society
What do you like about the band?
Bree: The opportunity to play in a group again and travel to various Chris: McCallum pipes
Rick: two sets of McCallum GHB, a blackwood set with engravings
fesvals and events.
Chris: I was out of music for a while but am excited to learn a new and Black plasc set. As a Mechanist, I’m very impressed with their
factory design, technique, and way of doing business.
instrument and be in a band again. CCP&D is a great group of
people.
Be sure to welcome these new members if you see them out at a
Rick: I like the dedicaon of its members. I like and enjoy the
gig.
Mark your calendar for Saturday, April 11, 2015 for our annual
tradions of the band. My favorite gig would be the Ren Fest and
ceilidh.
We have moved the locaon to "The Center" just east of
St. Andrews Night. I like welcoming and working with new
Fountain Square in downtown Cincinna. The space is in the
students. I believe strongly that any individual that has the desire
Mercanle Building, where the Contemporary Arts Center was
to learn bagpipes should have the best opportunity and
environment to learn. Ask not what your Pipe Band can do for you, previously located. A reviewer of this locaon wrote "there is
hands down no other venue comparable to the uniqueness of The
but what can you do for your Pipe Band.
Center. It's blank canvas allows for ulmate creave flexibility". The
Do you have Sco<sh or Cel4c heritage? If so what family names/ main room offers a*racve views of Cincinna. The high ceilings,
disnct architecture and expansive space will allow for more
clans?
comfortable seang and elbow room. Look for more info soon at
Bree: on my dad’s side - MacLaren
our website,www.CincyPipesandDrums.org or our facebook fan
Chris: Scotch-Irish from eastern PA, but haven’t tracked down a
page at www.facebook.com/Caledonians.
Building Fund
We had recently published an arcle about the future of
the Society Building fund. We did get a response from
long me member Arch O* asking for a vote to dispose of
this fund. As this request has been put in moon we will
bring this up for vote at the annual meeng in Jan 2015.
Whereas the board in unanimous in their decision to
support the Building Fund with the long term goal of one
day being able to have a building of our own, we will post
Arch’s le*er and bring the subject up for vote and
discussion.
The reason the board supports maintaining the building
fund is as follows:
•
At this me the society is not in need of the money
that is currently in the building fund.
• Without the fund in place, there is no chance of ever
geFng a building.
• With our 501c3 status in process, this will open new
opons for donaons.
• There are other cultural groups in Cincinna that
maintain a building, so it is something that has been
done and can be done. As far as how it is maintained
or how it is used, is something we’d have to look at
once the possibility comes up and should not be a
reason to shy away from the potenal benefits of a
building to the Society and ScoFsh culture in
Cincinna.
Sec4on 7 - Real Estate
Should it be deemed expedient and feasible by the Society,
at any me, to have all or part of its funds invested in real
property and a favorable opportunity occurs of doing so, it
shall be the duty of the Board of Trustees previous to the
Society’s coming to a final determinaon, to lay before the
Society at their next meeng, whether adjourned, special
or quarterly, for their consideraon, a wri*en report,
stang the advantages and disadvantages which, in their
opinion, would accrue to the Society by making such
purchase. If, a,er due deliberaon and discussion by the
Members present at said meeng, a majority concurs that
the purchase should take place, the President and
Treasurer are hereby empowered to make the purchase
and take a deed in the corporate name of the Society.
Submi$ed by Arch O$
In the last (Summer) Gaze*e, V.P Robert Reid (referring to
the Society's Building Fund) requested input about how to
"move forward acquiring a building for us and other Celc
organizaons to use for events".
That is not and will never be possible and here's why:
Fist, 30+ years ago the Building Fund was created and
approved by the Membership to be used exclusively for
purchase or building a home for the Society and can be
used for no other purpose.
Next, no consideraon was ever given to the enormity
of the cost of ownership: mortgage, electric, water, heang
and cooling payments every month! Property
taxes, cleaning, mowing, maintenance (inside and out).
Who would manage all that? You? Doable?
Now consider the building 's use by the Society itself. We
obviously would not hold our three major events there
(Burns', St. Andrews and the Corn Roast), so in actual
pracce we would only use it for Annual Spring and Fall
member meengs. Cost effecve for only three meengs?
Finally, to also accommodate other Celc organizaons
(bands and/or dancers), the building would have to be
much larger - and more expensive - than the Society needs
for its 3 meeng and would definitely require staff and
maintenance. Would they be willing to pay for use and what
would we charge? Renng for public use would require a
full me manager. Cost effecve?
For the good of the Society, V.P. Reid's queson should be
brought to the next meeng of the membership. NOT the
Board, as a quorum of 20 members is required to do
anything useful with the Building Fund* other than
purchase a building. Clearly impossible with $20,000(?) on
hand. A,er 30+ years.
I would move to terminate the Building Fund and donate
the proceeds to Scholarship Fund, preferably, or any other
use of benefit to the whole Society,
Aye,
NewsleCer Submissions:
If you have any interes4ng news or stories to
share with the membership, please submit
ar4cles and photographs to
[email protected]. Deadline for
Submissions are March 21, June 21, September
21 and December 1.
Charles A. O*, P.P.
Note: Policies.2 - wri*en in 1997 - may apply but morally,
given its significance, the Fund cannot be changed or spent
for any other use than specified without a majority vote
at a meeng of the members of a quorum of at least 20
members as defined by the Code of Regulaons.
188th St. Andrew’s Ball
Saturday, November 29
Maketewah Country Club
Cocktail Hour 5:00pm
Dinner 6:00pm
Black Tie
Highland Formal
Military Dress Uniform
Big Band
Ballroom and Scottish Country Dancing
Pipes, Drums & Highland Dance
More Event Information:
Jessie Andrews:
Email [email protected]
Phone 513-574-2969
6
Black 47 at Irish Heritage Center
Black 47 will be performing at IHC on
Thursday October 9 at 7:00 P.M. as
part of their "Farewell Tour." As you
may know, the band has decided to
disband in November 2014. We are
extremely fortunate to be included in
their farewell tour. Don’t miss your
opportunity to see this legendary
band!
Tickets on sale now; $22.50 members
prepaid, $25 non-members prepaid, &
$28 day of the show. (A $2-$3 / ticket
charge is added for credit card
purchase.) Tickets at
www.cincyticket.com Or book at the
IHC 513-533-0100.
More information:
http://www.irishcenterofcincinnati.com/
A Highland B & B Secret
Carole and Michael Gunn
During past travels around the Gaelic areas of Scotland, Ireland and Wales we
learned of a tasty addion to the sumptuous breakfast fare offered in some of
the most pleasant and successful Bed and Breakfast establishments throughout
the isles. The secret is how they serve their porridge.
They (in the isles )never use the “instant” variety of oatmeal, but the steel cut
oats and sr with a wooden spoon, or if you must, the Quaker cook for 1 minute
style comes close to the legimate porridge consistency and flavor. Upon compleon of cooking the oatmeal a proper
serving poron is placed into a ceramic bowl, where the magic occurs. A shot of Drumgray Highland Cream (or Baileys
will do in a pinch) is added and srred into the oatmeal creang a most delectable porridge. One may complete this
sumptuous course by adding honey, or fruit, or brown sugar, or some cream, or a proper scone, or just a spoon to
enjoy this most wonderful morning secret. On the other hand make it and serve it to somebody you care about right
here in Cincinna, then imagine you are breathing that brisk clean air of Scotland.
7
Orkney, Scotland A History
Before Stonehenge
agriculture and farming, but for a
few sheep. That is definitely not
Orkney! The land is a blanket of a
half meter of black loamy top soil
supporng very healthy looking
crops of several different grains,
The name Gunn originated from a Norse personal name
most already well into their
"Gunni" (which means "war"). The first Gunni came to Caithness second harvest in mid-June. The
at the end of the 12th century when his wife inherited land there climate is obviously enhanced by a
from her brother who was Jarl (Earl) of Orkney. Gunni's wife was warm moist flow from the Gulf
descended from St Ragnvald who founded the St Magnus
Stream, a northern Eden.
An archaeologist concept of
Cathedral in Kirkwall. Gunni's Viking grandfather had been killed
the Ness of Brodgar
in 1171 on a raid on Dublin. Orkney, Shetland and Shetland were Some disappointment was
sll part of Norway at this me.1 Smibert however states that
experienced in the Ness of Brodgar sll under its protecve
the Gunns were of Gaelic origin. 2
covers, the archaeological digs not to re-start unl July 20th, we
were two weeks early, who knew! Well now you’ll need an
Hence, when we (Carole and Michael Gunn with grandson
explanaon as to what I’m talking about and why seeing it is so
Trevor) planned a recent trip to the ScoFsh isles and Orkney
important. Although the Orkney Isles are sprinkled with the
was a must see on remains of Neolithic se*lements, tombs and Ceremonial
the trip in the
grounds, nothing else in Britain compares to this ritualisc
early summer of
landscape. Discovered in 2002 when a geophysical survey
2014. In a rental
revealed the presence of large man made oddies beneath the
car from Glascow, soil on a narrow strip of land between the Loch of Stenness and
we took the ferry the Loch of Harray. With only 10% having been invesgated
from Scrabster,
according to Nick Card excavaon Director, this site has given up
which is very near 650 pieces of Neolithic art: unbelievable colored po*ery,
Thurso, Scotland. polished stone axes, flint knives, a human figure, ceremonial
In less than 2
mace heads, the largest collecon ever found in Britain. This
hours
we
were
complex is now believed to be the epicenter of what was once a
Stromness, Orkney
docking at
vast ritualisc landscape. One long-ago day around 3200 B.C.,
Stromness, Orkney and heading for our B&B. It turned out to be the farmers and herdsmen on Scotland’s remote Orkney Islands
a good plan because of the excellent advice got from our hostess decided to build
about an order of sites to visit, which made the most of our me something big, a
there.
truly amazing
display of planning
Since reservaons are required to see the inside of Maes Howe and cra,smanship
that was our first stop, which gave us a 2:00PM me to meet the which has a
guide and our group. We decided to go North to see Skara Brae thousand year
and Birsay first. During that drive we were very surprised by the history of ScoFsh
condions of the land on these islands. Having visited a few of
history beginning
the other ScoFsh isles, like Lewis and Harris, the expectaon
in the Neolithic
were of treeless terrain covered by rocks and nearly devoid of
age. However, as
wonderful as is the
1
Ness of Brodgar by An archaeologists concept of the inside of the
Clan Gunn Profile scotclans.com. Retrieved 22 January 2014.
Ness of Brodgar
itself, it is
2
Smibert, Thomas. (MDCCCL). (1850). The Clans of the Highlands
connected to Maes
of Scotland, being an Account of their Annals, Separately & CollecHowe, the Stones of Stenness, and the Ring of Brodgar which we
tively, with Delineations of their Tartans, and Family Arms. pp. 170 were able to visit and learn from. As I was wring this my
171.
August, 2014 copy of Naonal Geographic arrived and their
8
debated, especially between historians, linguists and
archaeologists.
Carole & Trevor explore the Village
coverage of “the Dig” is far be*er than anything could do.
Maes Howe also aligns with the central axis of the ring and
entrance to the newly discovered temple on the Ness,
something archaeologists believe is no coincidence. They
suspect that the freshly uncovered ruins may be a key piece
to a larger puzzle no one dreamed existed.
Another well-preserved Neolithic site is also on the West
Mainland of Orkney to the North, Skara Brae, which emerged
virtually intact out of the sand dunes during a fierce Atlanc
gale in the 1850’s. The streets of the village are narrow stone
passageways, leading to houses elegantly furnished in stone.
There are nine houses here and all are good examples of the
stone architecture of their age. Most have beds built in to the
core of the walls, which surround a central hearth. Around
the sides are boxes and dressers built of stone. They found
the remains of some women buried beneath the floors,
showing
some possible
religious
funcons of
the
structures.
Brough of
Birsay
(Byrgisey)
Meaning of this
Viking name =
fort island; here
is the remains
of Picsh and
Norse
Birsay Norse Village Remains, protected by a
se*lements as
well as a
walkway only passable at low 4de.
modern light
house on a “small dal island” located at the northwest
corner of Orkney. The earliest se*lement on the island is
thought to have been in the 6th century, perhaps by Chrisan
missionaries. In the 7th and 8th centuries it was a significant
Picsh fortress, but by the 9th century the Picts had been
displaced by Norsemen. The Picsh se*lement is a*ested by
a small well and an important collecon of artefacts, notable
among these are a group of molds for fine metalworking,
showing that bronze brooches and other ornaments were
being manufactured on the site in the eighth century. Also
discovered is a seal’s tooth containing a Norse Runic
inscripon. The enclosure round the Norse church overlies a
Picsh graveyard, and an important Picsh carved stone was
found in pieces in this enclosure during site clearance.
The Broch of Gurness an Iron
Age broch village on the
northwest coast of Mainland
Orkney in Scotland
overlooking Eynhallow Sound,
about 15 miles north-west of
Kirkwall. It once housed a
substanal community. It was
discovered under a huge sand
dune when an arst poked a
Also inside
the houses at
Skara Brae
was much
evidence of
A House at Skara Brae
chert, a flintlike material used to make prehistoric tools and containers.
Other objects of beaufully carved stone were discovered
which are unique and may have been used in religious
ceremonies.
Orkney, perhaps the first place to be colonized by the Vikings,
is an ideal place to search. The original people who were
living in Orkney at the start of the Viking Age were Celcspeakers. They were known as Picts, and inhabited part of the
Kingdom of the Picts which made up most of mainland
Scotland. The queson of what happened to them is sll hotly
9
In the Broch of Gurness
Norse woman's burial at
Broch of Gurness
hole in the top of one of the
stone structures while trying to
level his easel. Looking into the
hole revealed a larger structure
when a light was lowered in
through the top. Se*lement
here began someme between
500 and 200 BC. At the center of
the se*lement is a stone tower
or broch, which once probably reached a height of around 10
meters. Its interior is divided into secons by upright slabs.
The tower features two skins of dry-stone walls, with stonefloored galleries in between. These are accessed by steps.
Stone ledges suggest that there was once an upper storey
with a mber floor. The roof would have been thatched,
surrounded by a wall walk linked by stairs to the ground floor.
The broch features two hearths and a subterranean stone
cistern with steps leading down into it.
Pieces of a Roman amphora dang to before 60 AD were
found here, lending weight to the record that a "King of
Orkney" submi*ed to Emperor Claudius at Colchester in 43
AD.3 At some point a,er 100 AD the broch was abandoned
and the ditches filled in. It is thought that se*lement at the
broch connued into the 5th century AD, the period known
as Picsh mes. By that me the broch was not used
anymore and some of its stones were reused to build smaller
dwellings on top of the earlier buildings. Unl about the 8th
century, the site was just a single farmstead.
and archaeologist Caz Mamwell says that the Ministry of
Defense used to teach soldiers how to drive tanks here. “Why
build a ditch when you have a ready-made Neolithic henge to
use for training?” Easily the most awe-inspiring prehistoric
site in Scotland, the Ring of Brodgar (also known as Brogar)
lies on a promontory between two lochs. The stone circle is
quite complete, and one of the biggest in Britain. The stones
are set within a circular ditch up to 3m deep and 9m across
that was hewn out of the solid bedrock by the prehistoric
constructors. The tallest stones stand at the south and west
of the ring.
An astronomical
observatory? A ceremonial
center? A religious shrine?
The truth is, we don't know.
It seems very likely that
circles like this played a role
as a form of calendar. The
passage of the seasons was
important to Neolithic
In the 9th century, a Norse woman was buried at the site in a people, who se lives were so
stone-lined grave with two bronze brooches and a sickle and closely ed to the weather
knife made from iron.4 Other finds suggest that Viking men
and the seasons. It was
were buried here too. The broch is in the care of Historic
important to them to keep
Scotland. This is a very interesng place to see ancient Pict
track of the seasons. At its
and Viking history.
most basic this meant
knowing when winter had
Stones of Stenness
passed
its
worst
and
the
Then it was on to
promise of Spring growth was just ahead. By aligning the
the road around
stones with specific stars, or the sun, at various mes of the
Loch of Stenness
year, they could keep track of the passage of me. The
to see first the
surrounding area is full of other standing stones and Bronze
Stones of
Age round barrows, making a significant ritual landscape.
Stenness, which
Nearby are the Stones of Stenness.
are 5000 years
old and may
Weave your way through grazing sheep to find the four
have even been
stones le, standing at Stenness. A local farmer tried to blow
a model for
up all the stones in 1814 because he was fed up with people
Stonehenge,
The Ring of Broadgar
tramping across his land. He toppled the famous Stone of
then the Ring of
Odin first – lovers would clasp hands through the hole in the
Broadgar.
giant megalith and swear everlasng love. He drilled holes in
This stone circle has the wow factor. 104 meters (340 ,) in
it and filled them with gunpowder. However, by me he got
diameter, it’s one of the largest ceremonial stone circles in
Brian. The ring is composed of an outer ditch, or henge, 340 to the second stone a rider had galloped into town to fetch
feet across, and measuring 3 meters deep and 5 meters wide, the sheriff.
with access causeways in the south-west and north-east of
Just down the road was Maeshowe (or Maes Howe) a
the henge. Within the henge enclosure is a circle of standing
Neolithic
chambered cairn and passage grave situated on
stones. Although it’s thought that there were 60 stones
Mainland,
Orkney, Scotland. It was probably built in around
originally, now there are just 27. The Ring was begun around
5
2800
BC.
It
gives its name to the Maeshowe type of
the year 2500 BCE. There has never been a true excavaon
chambered
cairn, which is limited to Orkney. Maeshowe is a
of the enre site, so we're a bit vague on dates. A local Guide
3
Moffat, Alistair (2005) Before Scotland: The Story of
Scotland Before History. London. Thames & Hudson.
p. 173-4
10
4
Wickham-Jones, Caroline (2012). Monuments of Orkney.
Historic Scotland. ISBN 978-1-84917-073-4.
5
The Heritage of the Orkney Islands.
significant example of Neolithic cra,smanship and is, in the
words of the archaeologist Stuart Piggo*, "a superlave
monument that by its originality of
execuon is li,ed out of its class into a
unique posion." Maeshowe appears
as a grassy mound rising from a flat
plain near the south-east end of the
Loch of Harray.
runic inscripons on the walls of the chamber represent the
largest single collecon of such carvings in the world.
Excavaons have revealed that the
external wall surrounding the ditch was
rebuilt in the 9th century. Some
archeologists see this as evidence that
the tomb may have been reused by the
Norse people and that they were the
The entrance passage is only about 3
source of the "treasure" found by the
feet (0.91 m) high, 36 feet (11 m) long
later looters.8 It was broken into in the
and leads to the central almost square chamber measuring
mid-twel,h century by Viking crusaders who carved graffi
about 15 feet (4.6 m)6 on each side, requiring visitors to stoop runes on the walls of the main chamber. Maes Howe is also
or crawl into the central chamber. That chamber is constructed famous for its graffi. In the 12th century, a Norse or Viking
largely of flat slabs of stone, many of which traverse nearly the raider cut runes into the stone walls of the monument. (The
enre length of the walls. In each corner lie huge angled
tombs were already 4000 years old by AD 1200.) One carving
bu*resses that rise to the vaulng. At a height of about 3 feet tells us that ‘Helgi was here’. Another tells us that pilgrims on
(0.91 m), the wall's construcon changes from the use of flat to their way from Norway to Jerusalem broke into the tomb.
overlapping slabs creang a beehive-shaped vault. Dang of
the construcon of Maeshowe is difficult but dates derived
We ended the day at
from burials in similar tombs cluster around 3000 BC.
the Stromnness Hotel
enjoying a fine meal
As described in the Orkneyinga Saga, Maeshowe was looted by and talking about how
the famous Vikings Earl Harald Maddadarson and Ragnvald,
wonderful was the
Earl of Møre7 in about the 12th century. The more than thirty
experience to visit
such a remarkable
6
abundance of ancient
Childe 1952, pp.18-19
7
history of our Pict/
"Maeshowe's runes - Viking graffi" Orkneyjar. Retrieved
Viking/ScoFsh
30 October 2008.
Maeshowe Neolithic Tomb
8
ancestry. Orkney
Wickham-Jones, Caroline (2012). Monuments of Orkney.
comes most highly recommended by the Gunn Family.
Historic Scotland. ISBN 978-1-84917-073-4.
Saint Andrew:
Patron Saint of Scotland
Compiled
by Elizabeth Mckaskle
Saint Andrew is the Patron Saint of Scotland, and St. Andrew's Day is celebrated by
Scots around the world on the 30th November. The flag of Scotland is the Cross of St.
Andrew, and this is widely displayed as a symbol of naonal identy.
The "Order of Saint Andrew" or the "Most Ancient Order of the Thistle" is an order of
Knighthood which is restricted to the King or Queen and sixteen others. It was established by James VII of Scotland in 1687.
A disciple of Jesus and the brother of Simon Peter . The two are pictured as fishermen
working beside the sea when Jesus summons them to follow him and become, "fishers
of men." Although less prominent than his brother, Andrew is present at the miracle of
the bread and the speech on the Mount of Olives. In the list of the Twelve, Andrew is
listed second in Luke and Ma*hew and fourth in the books of Mark and Acts. In all ac
11
“”St. Andrew” Connued from page 11
counts he was
at St. Andrews at that me, either founded by St. Rule in the 6th
one of the first, as a follower of John the Bapsts, to be "called" a
century or by a Picsh King, Ungus, who reigned from 731 - 761.
disciple.
Whichever tale is true, the relics were placed in a specially constructed chapel. This chapel was replaced by the Cathedral of St.
According to later tradions , Andrew became a missionary to Asia
Andrews in 1160, and St. Andrews became the religious capital of
Minor, Macedonia, and southern
Scotland and a great center for
Russia. In 70 AD he was martyred in
Medieval pilgrims who came to
Patras, Greece. Having many cov-
view the relics.
erts, he was feared by the Roman
governor who had him cruxified on
There are other legends of how
an X-shaped cross known as a Salre
St. Andrew and his remains be-
Cross. (One of the many Medievil
came associated with Scot-
customs of torture). It is this shape
land,but there is li*le evidence
that is reflected in the ScoFsh
for any of these, including the
flag. ( for culture buffs who a*ribute
legend of St. Rule. The names sll
the southern "bubba or redneck"
exist in Scotland today, including
St. Rules Tower, which remains
culture to early ScoFsh se*lers,
take note of the similiar designs between the ScoFsh flag and the
today amongst the ruins of St. Andrews Cathedral. It is not known
Confederate flag).
what happened to the relics of St. Andrew which were stored in St.
Andrews Cathedral, although it is most likely that these were de-
He was the patron saint of Greece, Russua and Of course Scot-
stroyed during the ScoFsh Reformaon.
land. St. Andrew is also invoked against gout and a sff neck.
The Protestant cause, propounded by Knox,
St. Andrews bones were entombed, and
Wishart and others, won out over Roman
around 300 years later were moved by
Catholism during the Reformaon and the
Emperor Constanne (the Great) to his
"idolatry of catholism", that is the Saints, relics,
new capital Constannople. Legend sug-
decoraon of churches, were expunged during
gests that a Greek Monk (although others
the process of converng the Roman Catholic
describe him as an Irish assistant of St.
churches of Scotland to the harsh simplicity of
Columba) called St. Rule (or St. Regulus)
Knox's brand of Calvanism.
was warned in a dream that St. Andrews
remains were to be moved and was di-
The place where these relics were kept within
rected by an angel to take those of the
the Cathedral at St. Andrews is now marked by a
remains which he could to the "ends of the
plaque, amongst the ruins, for visitors to see.
earth" for safe-keeping. St. Rule dufully
followed these direcons, removing a
The larger part of St. Andrew's remains were
tooth, an arm bone, a kneecap and some
stolen from Constannople in 1210 and are now
fingers from St. Andrew's tomb and trans-
to be found in Amalfi in Southern Italy. In 1879
porng these as far away as he could. That
the Archbishop of Amalfi sent a small piece of
place was Scotland and it is here the asso-
the Saint's shoulder blade to the re-established
ciaon is believed to have begun. It was
here that St. Rule was shipwrecked with
his precious cargo.
The Gates of Holyrood Palace in
Edinburgh bear the Cross of St.
Andrew.
St. Rule is said to have come ashore at a
Picsh se*lement on the East Coast of Scotland and this later be-
Roman Catholic community in Scotland. During
his visit in 1969, Pope Paul VI gave further relics
of St. Andrew to Scotland with the words "Saint
Peter gives you his brother" and these are now
displayed in a reliquary in St. Mary's Roman
Catholic Cathedral in Edinburgh.
came St. Andrews.
Compiled by Elizabeth Mckaskle from the following sources:
Another story is that Acca, the Bishop of Hexham, who was a re-
Gateway to Scotland WP
known collector of relics, brought the relics of St. Andrew to St. An12 in 733. There certainly seems to have been a religious center
drews
The Oxford Companion Bible
The Diconary of Chrisan Art