This October I will be fortunate enough to spend a couple of weeks in Scotland. This will be my second year to visit during this time of year and even though I find that some locations are closing for the season, there are still many wonderful things to see and explore.
After my return I will be posting more new pictures and telling you about some of the great things we experienced while there.
Until next time!
Pamela Kerr Enloe
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Monday, March 30, 2009
ST. ANDREWS SOCIETY OF SPRINGFIELD, MO
My name is Todd Wilkinson, and I am the Secretary for the Scottish St. Andrew's Society of Springfield, Missouri, just "over the border" from Arkansas.
Just to let our readers know about St. Andrew's society and their events? More information may be found on their web site:
http://www.springfieldscots.org/events.html
Check it out and make it a point to stop by if you are in the Springfield-Branson area during the events.
Just to let our readers know about St. Andrew's society and their events? More information may be found on their web site:
http://www.springfieldscots.org/events.html
Check it out and make it a point to stop by if you are in the Springfield-Branson area during the events.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
NATIONAL TARTAN DAY APRIL 6TH ! ! !
DID YOU KNOW THAT WE IN ARKANSAS HAVE OUR OWN TARTAN? TO VIEW SEE THE LINK BELOW AND READ HERE ABOUT HOW IT BEGAN.
http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?entryID=2342#
Arkansas Tartan
Arkansas tartans, symbolic of the state, are unique cloth patterns using the traditional Scottish plaid. The colors signify the state, its settlers, and its resources.
Originating in the Scottish highlands, tartans represent clans or communities. Traditionally, men in Scotland wear plaid wool kilts. Military regiments also wear kilts, and tartans are used in nontraditional decorations. The earliest known tartan was made circa AD 300 and was apparently woven by combining dark and light un-dyed wool. Material could be dyed using berries, roots, bark, or even lichen. The organic materials varied by locality, so colors could represent a specific area. After the rebellion of the Jacobite clans in 1745, the British Parliament banned the wearing of tartans in Scotland. The ban, which was in effect from 1747 to 1782, was put in place to dismantle the clan system. After the ban was lifted, there was a revival of interest in tartans and their identification with the wearer’s ancestry.
The Scottish Tartans World Register recognizes a design called The Natural State Tartan. The colors are “a green background to represent the Natural State; stripes of red to represent the original settlers; stripes of white to represent diamonds; and stripes of black to represent oil.” Philip Smith of Pennsylvania, a noted tartan authority, designed the tartan in 1998. It was woven from pure wool in Selkirk, Scotland.
In 1998, Governor Mike Huckabee proclaimed that Tartan Day would be observed on April 6. According to his proclamation, on that date in 1320, a declaration was "sent a declaration to Pope John XXII that asserted the independence of Scotland.” It also noted that “Arkansas possesses a rich history, filled with the character and strength of a truly diverse population and including varied and plentiful contributions of Scottish Americans.” The next year, Frank Brandon and his wife, Barbara, presented The Natural State Tartan to Governor Mike Huckabee on the first Tartan Day, April 6, 1999, in a ceremony at the State Capitol. Barbara Brandon served as state chairwoman of Tartan Day. The Brandons had become interested in an Arkansas tartan when they learned that seventeen other states had tartans.
Jason Emory Nickerson, formerly of Hot Springs (Garland County), designed the Arkansas Traveler Tartan, which is listed on the Scottish Tartans World Register. It was presented to Huckabee in 1998. Because the green stripes are largest, they appear to be a ground behind the other stripes. This background is called the “under check,” and the green represents the “beautiful forests and trees of the Ozark Mountains where many of the Scottish immigrants settled.” The blue, yellow and red stripes, which are narrower, look like they are in front of the green. This is known as the “over check,” with the blue symbolizing “Arkansas’ beautiful lakes, rivers, and streams.” The yellow represents “bright rays of sunshine during the spring and summer seasons,” and the red is “for the blood of our strong family ties to Scotland and within the State of Arkansas.”
http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?entryID=2342#
Arkansas Tartan
Arkansas tartans, symbolic of the state, are unique cloth patterns using the traditional Scottish plaid. The colors signify the state, its settlers, and its resources.
Originating in the Scottish highlands, tartans represent clans or communities. Traditionally, men in Scotland wear plaid wool kilts. Military regiments also wear kilts, and tartans are used in nontraditional decorations. The earliest known tartan was made circa AD 300 and was apparently woven by combining dark and light un-dyed wool. Material could be dyed using berries, roots, bark, or even lichen. The organic materials varied by locality, so colors could represent a specific area. After the rebellion of the Jacobite clans in 1745, the British Parliament banned the wearing of tartans in Scotland. The ban, which was in effect from 1747 to 1782, was put in place to dismantle the clan system. After the ban was lifted, there was a revival of interest in tartans and their identification with the wearer’s ancestry.
The Scottish Tartans World Register recognizes a design called The Natural State Tartan. The colors are “a green background to represent the Natural State; stripes of red to represent the original settlers; stripes of white to represent diamonds; and stripes of black to represent oil.” Philip Smith of Pennsylvania, a noted tartan authority, designed the tartan in 1998. It was woven from pure wool in Selkirk, Scotland.
In 1998, Governor Mike Huckabee proclaimed that Tartan Day would be observed on April 6. According to his proclamation, on that date in 1320, a declaration was "sent a declaration to Pope John XXII that asserted the independence of Scotland.” It also noted that “Arkansas possesses a rich history, filled with the character and strength of a truly diverse population and including varied and plentiful contributions of Scottish Americans.” The next year, Frank Brandon and his wife, Barbara, presented The Natural State Tartan to Governor Mike Huckabee on the first Tartan Day, April 6, 1999, in a ceremony at the State Capitol. Barbara Brandon served as state chairwoman of Tartan Day. The Brandons had become interested in an Arkansas tartan when they learned that seventeen other states had tartans.
Jason Emory Nickerson, formerly of Hot Springs (Garland County), designed the Arkansas Traveler Tartan, which is listed on the Scottish Tartans World Register. It was presented to Huckabee in 1998. Because the green stripes are largest, they appear to be a ground behind the other stripes. This background is called the “under check,” and the green represents the “beautiful forests and trees of the Ozark Mountains where many of the Scottish immigrants settled.” The blue, yellow and red stripes, which are narrower, look like they are in front of the green. This is known as the “over check,” with the blue symbolizing “Arkansas’ beautiful lakes, rivers, and streams.” The yellow represents “bright rays of sunshine during the spring and summer seasons,” and the red is “for the blood of our strong family ties to Scotland and within the State of Arkansas.”
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Excerpt from The Gathering Edinburgh 2009
For those of you planning on going to the Clan Gathering in Edinburgh on the weekend of July 25th and 26th some information you will find interesting.
Money, money, money…
Just in case any of you missed it last time, With the dollar growing in strength against the pound we thought we might make a few helpful comparisons for you. Back in January 2007 the exchange rate was $2 to £1, jumping forward to January 2009 and Scotland is now 25% cheaper for US tourists with an exchange rate of $1.50 to £1. This is of course great news for those you looking to dine out in style during your stay in Edinburgh. The superb Malmaison in iconic Leith use to charge $150 dollars for a three course dinner for two including wine, however Gathering 2009 visitors will only be spending $112.50 for the same night out in today’s climate. It doesn’t take a very canny Scotsman to work out that is great value! www.malmaison-edinburgh.co.uk
Money, money, money…
Just in case any of you missed it last time, With the dollar growing in strength against the pound we thought we might make a few helpful comparisons for you. Back in January 2007 the exchange rate was $2 to £1, jumping forward to January 2009 and Scotland is now 25% cheaper for US tourists with an exchange rate of $1.50 to £1. This is of course great news for those you looking to dine out in style during your stay in Edinburgh. The superb Malmaison in iconic Leith use to charge $150 dollars for a three course dinner for two including wine, however Gathering 2009 visitors will only be spending $112.50 for the same night out in today’s climate. It doesn’t take a very canny Scotsman to work out that is great value! www.malmaison-edinburgh.co.uk
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Feb. 7th 2009 13th Annual Burns Night Supper
The Scottish Club of Fort Smith invites you to join us for our 13th Annual Burns Night Supper celebrating Robert Burns 250th birthday at The Holiday Inn Downtown Center, - 700 Rogers Ave, Fort Smith AR on Saturday Feb 7th. Free Valet Parking Social Hour starts at 5:30 PM - Dinner and Activities at 6:30 PM. Featuring the Ozark Highlanders of Fayetteville AR, The McCafferty School of Irish Dance of Fort Smith, Tulsa Celtic Band, Cairde na Gael. We will have a traditional Burns Night Supper and The Ozark Highlanders will play pipes, drums and march songs plus The McCafferty School of Irish Dancers dance routines, topping off the evening the most excellent Celtic band, Cairde na Gael. Come and stay until we sing Auld Lang Syne. There will be a silent auction and drawing for door prizes. Tickets still only $25 Call Nita Newman at 479-478-0156.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
BURNS NIGHT REMINDER FOR NWA
Burns Night produced by the Ozark Highlander Pipe Bank will be Saturday night, January 24, 2009 at St. Paul's Episcopal Church Fayetteville.
Things for the Scottish Society of NWA to remember is that they have presented the Ozark Highlanders a scholarship from the Steve Wilson Scholarship Fund at the Burns Night festivities and have hyped the Scottish Society to promote members.
Things for the Scottish Society of NWA to remember is that they have presented the Ozark Highlanders a scholarship from the Steve Wilson Scholarship Fund at the Burns Night festivities and have hyped the Scottish Society to promote members.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Hoot Mon!
The Voice of the Scottish Society of Northwest Arkansas announced that there will be a Christmas Party; Music & Festivities held at 6p.m. on Tuesday, December9 at the AQ Chickenhouse in Springdale, Arkansas. Mike Ferguson, Ozark Lowlander (from Ft. Smith) will energentically play traditional and non-traditional music on the banjo, fiddle, guitar and mandolin for the Scottish Society of NWA Christmas Party. In addition, Lyell Thompson, J.P. will renew the marriage vows (25 years and counting) for Society President Bill & Janie Berry. Special guests will be Charlie & Moira Bledsoe, from the Scottish Club of Ft. Smith.
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