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November 15 Battle of Sheriffmuir 2009 (gd:Blàr Sliabh an t-Siorraim)This weekend I attended the annual commemoration for the Battle of Sheriffmuir with Clann Gaidhealach. The weather was very cold and damp but a quite few brave souls came out for the commemoration. There was various groups in attendance and the Scottish Templar Knights led the service at the monument. The Battle of Sheriffmuir as a whole was indecisive. The Earl of Mar simply withdrew his troops back to Perth. The rebellion continued for some weeks more, but was effectively ended by Sheriffmuir. Even the late arrival of the Old Pretender on 22 December 1715 could not turn the Jacobites' fortunes around. He returned to France just six weeks later and never set foot in Scotland again. This was a bad day for the Clan Macrae who fought bravely but by nightfall on the day of the battle, there were fifty-eight new widows in Kintail.
Please enjoy the photographs that have been supplied by my good friend Ralph, Warrior of the Glen. August 31 The Byrne's visit ScotlandWell, what a holiday weekend. We had our good friends Mick and Dionne Byrne visit us for a break in Scotland and what a break!!!! On the first day I took them to Balquhidder to visit the grave of Rob Roy MacGregor and then it was onwards and upwards to the "Creag an Tuirc" the Boar's Rock. The rock belongs to Clan MacLaren who have a cairn on top. It was at the foot of Creag an Tuirc that the MacLarens rallied in response to the call of the Fiery Cross. Dionne was amazed at the view from the top and we took the opportunity to get some great photos. In the evening we were of to see "The Ladyboys of Bangkok" what a show, it was superb and well worth seeing. During the visit we visited, Edinburgh, Linlithgow, and the Glen Goyne distillery which was outstanding. We also ate out at Robertson Arms, Carnwath and The Auld Hole in the Wall, Linlithgow where in both cases the haggis went down with Mick. Mick and Dionne brought with them a bottle of Irish Malt whiskey called Tyrconnell and we also sampled various Scottish malts. Overall everyone had a great time and I am looking forward to seeing them both again in the near future.
 July 27 Battle of Killiecrankie (Cath Raon Ruairidh)On Saturday 25th I attended Killiecrankie with Clann Gaidhealach. Organised by Kenny Borthwick, the event recalled how Bonnie Dundee , John Grahame of Claverhouse, led his army against the government troops led by General Hugh MacKay. At 12.00 noon Kenny Borthwick, opened the day in the Old Blair car park, giving a brief speech before handing over to Andrew Murray Scott. Then the present “troops” were led up the gruelling hill by the standards of Grahame and King James. For once the Young Pretenders (kids) outdid the Old Pretender (Kenny) and arrived first at the summit. At the Cairn on the battlefield, speeches were made and wreaths were laid in remembrance of those who gave their lives. A short prayer was said followed by a musket salute and a minute of silence. It was then onto St. Brides Kirk within the grounds of Blair Castle where Kenny once again led the address in tribute to Bonnie Dundee. Kenny asked me to lay the wreath in memory of my father at Bonnie Dundee's grave in respect to the great man and his achievements in the cause of his King. The customary salute from Kenny's musket prior to a minutes silence brought the day to a close and the sound of this echoed all through the surrounding hills of Atholl. I would also like to take this opportunity to say congratulations to Kenny & Topsy not only for their future wedding, but for the new addition to the family which is on its way.
 June 07 Battle of BannockburnOn Saturday along with Clann Gaidhealach and the Scottish Knights Templar I attended Bannockburn for the annual service which as usual was carried out superbly by Ken Shira of the Knights. It was a great day and once the service was over we were able to chat with lots of old freinds. As we were chatting a Saltire (see photo album) appeared in the sky. It was great to see young Gordon in his highland dress and he did very well on the day. In the evening with Jane, Heather and George (The Merry Jacobite) we went to the Mei Hau Platform Chinese Restaurant in West Calder where we were given a very warm welcome by Philip and Connie, the food was superb. Many thanks go to Ralph, Warrior of the Glen for the great photo's that he took.
May 26 Portsmouth 2009I had been invited down to Portsmouth by my good friend Bryan to visit him and his family and so of I went. Jane and Heather came with me and what a weekend it turned into. We were met by Bryan at the airport and taken to our hotel to freshen up. It was then of to see Danielle and Mathew at home and plan the visit although Bryan had it all under control. We visited Portsmouth Historic Dock and took the full tour and as you can see from the photo's were on HMS Victory and HMS Warrior. Afterwards it was back to get changed and of out to The Red Lion, a well named pub for a meal and to meet other members of the Bryan and Danielle's family. On the Sunday we went up Spinnaker Tower and what a view. Then it was of to sample Bryan's "famous" Sunday roast and it was superb, roast pork with all the trimmings. April 20 The Battle of Culloden (Blàr Chùil Lodair)On Saturday the 18th of April I attended the Annual Culloden Remembrance service held by the Gaelic Society on Culloden Battlefield. The Rev K D MacLeod performed the service in Gaelic and English for those in attendance. There was a lament played on the bagpipes and wreaths were laid around the monument. The Battle of Culloden was fought on Drumossie Moor, outside Inverness, on April 16th, 1746. It was to be the last of the Jacobite uprisings - popular attempts to reinstate the Stuart monarchy to the throne of Great Britian and was led by Charles Edward Stuart, Bonnie Prince Charlie. There was a good attendance and it was great to see so many youngsters at the event.
 April 11 Raising of the Standard, Dundee 2009On Saturday 11th April I attended the commemoration in Dundee to remember John Graham of Claverhouse, Bonnie Dundee who in 1689 raised the Royal Standard in support of the Jacobite cause on Dundee Law. This event was organized by Kenny Borthwick who started us off at Dudhope Castle and led us with a Piper up to the monument. Kenny made a speech then I was given the honor of unfurling the Royal Standard, then the Piper gave us a tune. The weather was glorious and after the commemoration Kenny kept everyone entertained with his stories about Bonnie Dundee.
March 28 Hawick Reivers Festival, 2009I attended the Hawick Reivers Festival today and although it was cold the sun was out and everyone was having a great time.The procession started at 10.45am lead by Hawick Mosstroopers. This took us to a 16th century market and encampment where we took a step back in time with the help re-enactment groups, crafts people, musicians and traders. I then found the Medieval Market – Continental Style where you could eat food from all over Europe and of course I tried everything from soup, roast beef, garlic prawns and in the end I had enough. For more information about this event go to Hawick Reivers Festival.
This event is well worth the visit. January 22 Falkirk Commemoration 2009I attended on Saturday 17th January the commemoration for the Battle of Falkirk which took place in 1746 when Bonnie Prince Charlie's Jacobite army routed the regular Hanoverian army led by Lieutenant General Henry Hawley. The Jacobites emerged victorious. Hawley claimed to have lost only 280 casualties, but his losses were much greater. Around 350 royal troops were killed, wounded or missing, and some 300 captured. On the Hanoverian side, Sir Robert Munro and three lieutenant-colonels were killed. The Jacobite losses were around 50 dead and 80 wounded. The service was led by the Scottish Knight Templar and there was a good turnout on the day. After the service it was back to the Hurlett for a hot pie. December 01 St Andrew Day EventsWell, what a weekend. First I was of to the St Andrews Day march in Edinburgh with Clann Gaidhealach and I am proud to say that my brother put on my late fathers plaid and carried on the tradition of having a "Bill Wilson" at all the St Andrews day marches in Edinburgh. Then we went onto a night out in Winchburgh organised by Kate and Mike on behalf of Rachel House,Scotland's first children's hospital. The entertainment was Ted Christopher and then a band called Trilogy. The Saltire's were flying proudly at both events. On the Sunday (St Andrews Day) it was on to the Victoria Inn in Carronshore and what an atmosphere. Kevin and Dougie, Whiterose were playing and they brought the house down. This wee pub is great place to visit and you will get a warm welcome by the staff and the locals. June 06 Scotlands National FlagThe Scottish national flag is a white-on-blue saltire (i.e. a diagonal cross on a coloured background) and it derives from the shape of the cross on which Scotland's patron saint, St Andrew, was crucified. In 832 AD near the East Lothian village of Athelstaneford, a battle was fought which led to the adoption of the Saltire as Scotland's national flag. A joint army of Picts and Scots under the High King of Alba, Angus mac Fergus, was invading Lothian which at that time was still Northumbrian territory. Angus's force was surrounded by a larger army of Angles and Saxons and fearing defeat, the king led prayers for deliverance. Angus believed he had received a divine sign when above him in a clear blue sky, he saw a great white cross like that of St Andrew's. The king vowed that if, with the saint's help, he gained the victory, then Andrew would thereafter be the patron saint of Scotland and his cross the flag of Scotland. Angus did win and the Saltire duly became the national flag
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The House of Stewart
 <!-- Start of Webmaster Tool Flag Code --> <A HREF="http://www.webmaster-tool.co.uk"> <IMG SRC="http://www.webmaster-tool.co.uk/flag-animated/Scottish-Royal-Lion-Rampant-Flag-LH.gif" WIDTH="57" HEIGHT="44" BORDER="0" ALT="Scottish Royal Lion Rampant Flag LH"> </A><!-- End of Webmaster Tool Flag Code --> July 06 The Lion RampantThe lion has been used as a heraldic symbol by Scottish King's for many centuries. William, King of Scot's (1165-1214) was know as "The Lion" when he decided that the lion would be used on his own Coat of Arm's. The Scottish Lion Rampant has always been shown as standing erect on it's hind legs with it's forelegs extended and was alway's shown on the King's shield. It has been suggested that the King's of Scotland kept a real lion when they were in residence at Edinburgh and Stirling castles. Both of these castles have a building inside them named "The Lion's Den"
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