The Clan Fergus(s)on Society

“GUID GEAR GAES INTO SMA’ BULK”

And so it was when 25 loyal CLAN members met at this venue, with quality rather than quantity to the fore. An informal Friday evening was pleasantly passed catching up with each other on the gossip front with the odd libation thrown in. Although the Hotel was being upgraded and refurbishment taking place, we were immune from this apart from entering via a temporary wooden door!

The AGM on the Saturday morning, chaired by Stan, went smoothly and thanks to all present, and to all who contributed in their own way to the meeting. It would not be invidious to mention new members who were present, namely Anne Guild, Maralyn Donnelly, and Neil Ferguson from a’ the airts, – Essex, St. Andrews, and Ayrshire respectively. It is not intended to post the minutes here, but it must be mentioned that Meg Fergusson of Baledmund (just up the road) was presented with an arresting photo sent by the Hon Ralph Ferguson from Canada, and taken at the Fergus Highland Games whilst on a North American visit by the.Clan Society from Scotland. An interesting snippet was that Neil Ferguson’s grandfather was the last postmaster on St Kilda, an island still very much in the news despite its complete depopulation. And lastly, but not least, subscription costs will be up for discussion at the next AGM, and this before the recent gloomy economic forecasts – so we are ahead of the game!!

The Saturday afternoon was free time and this was taken up by many invitees of Viviennes’ to visit the Moulin Church Heritage Centre in the nearby village of Moulin. This display in a most attractive and striking Church depicts historical aspects of the area, and where a section is reserved for the Fergussons of Dunfallandy. Worth a visit for anyone in the area, and with a nice cup of tea/coffee too!!

The Sat evening Reception, Dinner and Ceilidh went well, the latter being augmented by a party of Swedish tourists who joined in the dancing and succeeded in winning many of our raffle prizes – but the Vikings were good at pillaging! However on this occasion the ladies were left untouched, and they did buy the tickets! Thank you to our overseas friends for their company.

As at previous Saturday Ceilidhs, the music was provided by Roger Sharp who had travelled from Balquhidder Glen with “box” and “pipes”. As Rabbie Burns wrote in Tam o’ Shanter:- “He screwed the pipes tae mak them skirl, till roof and rafter a’ did dirl”. Because of a family wedding we missed out on our Crawford Clan Highland dancers. Next year girls? A few hardy souls finished the night off, or should it be morning, with a few nightcaps. Good on them!

Sunday, a day of rest for some, was taken up by two car loads visiting Culloden and the new Visitor Centre. The weather was excellent, and we were delighted to see our Clan stone in the Walkway. The centre was busy, an international flavour, but perhaps a second visit is necessary to appreciate and take in all facets of such an impressive building with displays, artefacts, and dining facilities. The Battlefield has not changed, and the sense of reverence, awe, and sadness still grip one.

Honorary Secretary’s Comments

Firstly I put on my balmoral, with the Clan Crest of course, to say thank you to all who have corresponded with me, mostly by e-mail. To the new members I say welcome and thank you for your support and to remind all involved that the success of this Society is the sum of all the parts and the collective input of the members.

Recruitment/Officebearers: I remove my balmoral and put on my tin hat to fend off the bricks while delivering this lecture! Recruitment, and particularly of the younger variety, is necessary to stimulate and nurture the organisation. It behoves all of us to encourage young blood, so start by looking around your families first, and then further afield. The advert in the Scots Magazine is continuing for another year asking interested parties to access the web site and can be found under Ancestry Research in small adverts section at the rear.

Society Gathering & AGM 2009: This is being held in conjunction with “The Gathering 2009″ which is being held in Edinburgh on the weekend of July 25/26 2009. Please see separate report on this meeting.

Looking forward to meeting up with you, no matter what hat you are wearing!

Duncan.