Happy New Year! - The Clan Macfie Society

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“the spine of the high ground.” It is also the second highest point in the railway network in Britain at approximately 1,500 ft. This narrow pass also carries the main road, the A9, north. Dun: This word comes from the Gaelic and is a hill or mound, but it can also mean a fortress as in Dun Eibhinn, the ancient hill fort on Colonsay. Dunfermline is said by some to mean the “Fort of Parlane,” from whom the Macfarlanes are said to be descended. Plants have played an important role in Scotland’s literary heritage, not least of which is the White Cockade. Bonnie Prince Charlie, as he advanced on Edinburgh in 1745, plucked from a wayside bush a little white rose, the white cockade, which was to become the symbol of the rebellion. The Prince wore the flower in his blue bonnet, and the white cockade was taken and used by many to show their support. It is said that Donald MacDonald of Kinlochmoidart, one of the Prince’s staff officers, noticed a family in Carlisle with a newborn baby. MacDonald pinned his white cockade on the shawl of the babe to show that Flora and Fauna 2 Dundee comes from the personal name Daig, which is derived from the old Celtic word for fire. Drum is Gaelic for ridge, back or spine. Many settlements were built on such strategically important features. The village of Drem, in East Lothian, preserves the original Gaelic pronunciation of the name. Drumbeg and Drummore mean “little ridge” and “big ridge,” respectively. Drumchapel, a suburb of Glasgow, is from drum chapull, the “mare’s back.” Dumfries, where the next Gathering is to take place, means “ridge of the thicket.” the family were to be left unharmed. Almost eighty years later that same girl, Rosemary Dacre, by then the wife of Sir John Clerck of Penicuick, showed the same white rose to George the IV on the occasion of his famous visit to Edinburgh in 1822. The Hanoverians did not show the same sympathy to MacDonald of Kinlochmoidart. Captured at Culloden, he was sentenced to death and hanged. Two and a half centuries later at the opening of the new Scottish Parliament in 1999, all the Scottish Nationalist Members of the Scottish Parliament wore the white rose of Scotland in their buttonhole. The rose of all the world is not for me, I want for my part, Only the little white rose of Scotland That smells sharp and sweet – and breaks my heart Hugh MacDairmid – The Little White Rose -1934
The Chief of the Macfies was hunting and came upon an old man whose dog had a litter of puppies, one of which was completely black. Macfie decided it was the one he would like to own. “The rest you may take,” said the old man, “but not the black one.” “No other will do,” insisted the Chief. “I must have it.” The old man relented, saying, “Take it then. Only one day’s work will it do for you and that will be well done.” When the dog grew up it had a ravenous appetite and would not hunt, but Macfie would not get rid of it. One day as the Chief readied his bhirlinn for a hunting trip to the island of Jura, the black dog lay down on the beach and would not move. The Chief’s friends laughed at him for keeping such a useless creature, but Macfie cried, “Wait. The black dog’s day has not yet come.” Before they could leave, a storm came up very suddenly, and the hunters returned home. Macfie Tales 2: Macfie’s Black Dog In the morning of the next day the boat was loaded up again, but still the dog refused to go. This time a worse storm raged. The Clansmen looked at the dog and said, “The dog has foreknowledge.” When the boat was being prepared the next day, Macfie’s dog jumped in ahead of the Clansmen. “The black dog will soon have its day,” said the Chief. That very night his friends were murdered in a cave by an evil spirit, but the black dog would not let them near Macfie. From the top of the Cave a hand reached down through a hole in the roof and tried to grab the Chief. The black dog sank its teeth into the monstrous arm, which then withdrew. As it did so, the dog lay down at his master’s feet and died. The President of the Clan Macfie Society, Bob McFie, is an excellent piper and composer. He also at one time had a big black dog. Guess what? He wrote a pipe tune entitled “The Black Dog’s Master.” Bobby’s Story – Charleston & Laurinburg Games & Other Points West and North By Bob McFie, President of the Clan MacFie Society in Scotland I was allowed entry to the “good Ole U.S.A.” a few months ago. This was after having spent some quality time in Toronto with Fiona McFie’s sister, Sheena, who has lived in the “Big “T” for many years. Sheena married a Dutchman, John Dewyze, has two rather large sons and is one of my “all time favourite people.” We were all so busy getting ready for the invasion of the U.S. that not a lot of touristy things were attempted in Toronto. While in Toronto a close relative of mine who happened to be the Commander of the Honoured Clan for the Charleston Games (and he made a really good job of his official duties!) casually said, “Will you write a wee tune for the Charleston folks?” “Eh,” was my first reply. “Wait a minute,” I said to Iain, “It can take ages to write a tune.” “I have every confidence you can do it, etc., etc.,” said our Commander, conveniently forgetting that he is my wee brother. Anyway, I said I would try. A few days later, he
Page 1: Happy Happy New New Year! Year! Cla
Page 5 and 6: The Charleston Highland Games the n
Page 7 and 8: But alas it was time to go home. Jo
Page 9 and 10: Kirkin’ O’ the Tartan After the
Page 11 and 12: Images of Charleston and the Clan
Page 13 and 14: Now, I’m not a drinking person to
Page 15 and 16: Ilah Coffee-Merriman, President of
Page 17: So in this Festive period I hope yo

Happy New Year! - The Clan Macfie Society

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