Happy New Year! - The Clan Macfie Society

Bob McFie playing
“Scotland County Highland Games”
Slightly later on, Bob played the tune
for the assembled company and it was
received with great delight by all, and
it almost brought Bill Caudill to tears.
Saturday, like almost all the days of
our trip, was a beautiful day. The
temperature was cool for the locals, but
at 64 degrees, it was just right for the
Scots. The Games themselves were
excellent and were thoroughly enjoyed
by us all. We were extremely pleased
to be the Honoured Clan at the
Scotland County Games! But we were
disappointed that there were only 9
Macfies in attendance to enjoy them
and represent the Clan.
The Games are held in a lovely setting
with the heavy events taking place in
the main arena, which is surrounded by
the Clan and Society tents. The
children and the vendors’ tent area
were set over to one side and most of
the piping took place just beyond that
area. At 11.00, a rather splendid
ceremony led by a Colour Party
dressed in Colonial uniforms and the
gathered pipe bands commenced. At
the end of the ceremony, I declared the
Third Scotland County Highland
Games officially open. I was left to
my own devices and Fiona and I
visited most of the Clan tents and
spoke to the Clan members in
attendance while Bob was over
listening to the piping. Fiona and I
visited the vendors’ stalls before going
to listen to the bands playing in their
competitions. I was honoured to
present the prizes to the winning
individual pipers, as well as the various
levels of pipe bands. It was a glorious
day enjoyed by all.
That evening a buffet and wine tasting
had been arranged at a winery. It was
a cool evening and the dining area had
no walls, so even we Scots had to
admit it was a wee bit on the cool side.
But it was a lovely evening, enjoyed
by all!
Our thanks to Scotland County’s
Games’ committee for inviting the
Clan Macfie to be the Honoured Clan,
and in particular to Bill Caudill for his
graciousness and support over the
weekend. I must also thank John
Rosser for liaising with the Games’
committee as my ADC (Aide-de-
Camp).
All good things must come to an end,
and on Sunday Sheena, John, Bob,
Fiona and I said good-bye to Marianne
Clayton, Jerry McDuffie, and our most
gracious and generous hosts John and
Marty Rosser, and the rest of the
Macfie Clan as we headed back to
Canada.