The Edinburgh Reporter May 2022

Sowing
the seeds
9
Flash brooches
for good cause
Martin P McAdam
Roots of Peace charity celebrates 25
years by planting a tree at the Botanics
ON A DRIZZLY Edinburgh
morning, Californian Heidi
Kuhn was all smiles as she
planted a water hickory tree at
the Royal Botanic Garden
Edinburgh, accompanied by
the Regius Keeper, Simon
Milne, and Her Serene
Highness Princess Angelika
Jarosławska Sapieha of Poland.
The tree records the 25th
anniversary of the charity
which Mrs Kuhn and her
husband founded – Roots of
Peace – which aims to turn
mines into vines.
Landmines remain a
grave threat to people all
over the world and the charity
replaces these with vineyards
and orchards.
Mrs Kuhn explained that she
has Scottish ancestry with
ancestors born in 1701 in Old
Kilpatrick who then sailed to
the eastern seaboard of the US,
moving to California through
the Panama Canal. She said: “It
is the greatest honour to be
here to invoke peace at a time
in our world when we need to
turn swords into ploughshares,
guns into shovels, and mines
into vines.
“I hope with this incredibly
symbolic tree to plant peace on
the terra firma of my homeland
of my ancestors.”
From left to right: Heidi Kuhn,
Simon Milne and Princess
Angelika Jarosławska Sapieha
HAME FUNDRAISING Flash brooches are
available online and the proceeds will
support the work of Sunflower Scotland.
These beautiful brooches have been
made by Dunbar-based LoullyMakes
Handmade in Scotland as a small token of
solidarity - a meaningful, wearable emblem
of support. These are now available to buy
and will also support Sunflower Scotland
get vital supplies through.
Handmade using Lochcarron of
Scotland’s newly designed “Hame” tartan,
in combination with ribbons of Sky Blue
and Grain Yellow, the brooch is
embellished with a golden Sunflower
Charm, and the colours and national
flower of Ukraine on a gold coloured
brass kiltpin base.
100% of ALL income generated by the
sale of these Flash Pin Brooches will be
donated directly to Sunflower Scotland.
loullymakesdesigns.com
A Tartan Day Scrapbook
James Higgins
Preparing for worship at the Kirking of the Tartans are (l-r) Commander Robert Currie, Scotland’s National Chef
Gary Maclean, Angus Robertson, MSP and Chris Thomson, Scottish Affairs Counsellor
Currying favour with visiting Scottish VIPS
COMMANDER ROBERT Currie was chosen
to receive the US National Tartan Day Award
this year recognising his accomplishment for
promoting Scotland in the US. This is an
extract from his Tartan Week scrapbook
published online:
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6 (TARTAN DAY)
WASHINGTON, DC
Our final night in Washington was marked
with an exceptional Tartan Day reception at the
Metropolitan Club. I enjoyed the welcome
remarks by Stewart D. McLaurin and the Rt.
Hon. Angus Robertson, Scottish Cabinet
Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and
Culture. Robertson very generously included a
mention of my Tartan Day Award.
He said: “I want to take the time to recognise a
few familiar faces in the room who have gone
above and beyond, year on year, to help us
celebrate and promote Scotland.
“For example, Bob Currie, who this year was
awarded the National Capitol Tartan day award
for his stellar contribution to the Scottish
American community. I was reading in The
Edinburgh Reporter - my local newspaper
- when news broke of his award, that 2022
marks the 40th Anniversary of Bob’s first trip
to Scotland. His commitment to keep on
promoting the impact of Scots in the US to this
day makes him a more than worthy recipient of
the award – congratulations Bob.”
The club was the perfect setting for informal
networking between US and Scottish diaspora,
leaders in business and the arts. Drinks
provided by the Distilled Spirits Council of the
US, performances included the OZScot dancers
and the City of Alexandria Pipes and Drums.