THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE ST. ANDREW'S SOCIETY OF LOS ANGELES | |
MONTHLY NEWS AND UPDATES: AUGUST 2023 | |
|
NEW PODCAST
with Eric Rigler
Eric Rigler is a musician in film and television and is also known for being the most recorded bagpiper of all time. He has been playing all forms of bagpipes and has been featured on a number of film soundtracks including: Titanic, Million Dollar Baby, Road to Perdition, Braveheart, Cinderella Man, Dungeons & Dragons to name a few and on television shows most recently as Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. Eric piped for the AFI Lifetime Achievement celebration for Sean Connery and played at past President Ronald Regan's funeral. Eric is now embarking on an exciting new project "Celtic Hollywood." To learn more, click on the podcast link below
| |
|
THE POPULARITY OF THE WHISKY LOUNGE
Whisky is Scotland's national drink and biggest export, enjoyed across the globe as well as in Scotland. Skilled distillers transform barley and water into a precious spirit, which is tucked away to mature.
The Whisky Lounge has popped up all over the world, but in Scotland, it's been a mainstay for centuries. Here are some of the most impressive lounges in Edinburgh devoted to the "Water of Life."
| Johnnie Walker on Princes Street, Edinburgh |
|
Bertie's Bar at the Fife Arms in Braemar
|
|
AUGUST
IS SCOTTISH HISTORY MONTH
|
|
Sir JAMES DOUGLAS
Also known as the Lord Douglas,
the Good Sir James and the Black Douglas
was champion to Robert the Bruce
Died in August of 1320, Spain
James Douglas, born in 1286 was the son of Sir William Douglas (the Bold) a Scottish Nobleman & Soldier who was captured by the English and died in the Tower of London.
Sir James was educated in Paris and returned home to find Robert de Clifford in possession of his estates. He joined Robert the Bruce and attended his coronation at Scone in March of 1306. The following year, Sir James returned to the south of Scotland when he three times attacked his own castle at Douglas, finally destroying it. His many successful raids on the English won him the dreaded name "The Black Douglas." In 1313, he, along with his men, captured Roxburgh Castle and by June of 1314 he commanded the left wing with Walter the Steward at the Battle of Bannockburn. He invaded Yorkshire in 1319 and shortly before peace was finally concluded, he nearly captured Edward III in a daring night attack on his camp in 1327.
Before his death in 1329, Robert the Bruce asked Sir James to carry his heart to the Holy land in redemption of his unfulfilled crusading vow. Sir James set out in 1330 bearing the embalmed heart in a silver casket, but he fell that year fighting against the Moors in Spain.
Mural by William Hole is located in the National Galleries of Scotland
| |
Sir William Wallace
Scottish Knight who became one of the main leaders during the first war of Scottish Independence
| |
In August of 1305 William Wallace was captured near Glasgow and handed over to King Edward I who had him hanged, drawn and quartered. Since his death, Sir William has attained legendary status beyond Scotland with many literary works written about him and was the the subject of the Academy Award winning film Braveheart.
| |
Depiction of Wallace in stained glass located in the National Wallace Monument in Stirling | |
|
Alexander Fleming carried on shoulders of students
after receiving his Nobel Prize.
| |
|
Sir Alexander Fleming
(August 1881 - 1955)
And the birth of Penicillin
| |
Born in Lochfield, Scotland,
Sir Alexander discovered Penicillin by accident. He found that mold from soil killed deadly bacteria without injuring human tissue.
Sir Alexander received the Nobel Prize in 1954.
| |
|
UPCOMING EVENT
End of Summer Brunch & Mixer
| | |
|
|
The Granville
Pasadena
Sunday, September 10
12:00 noon
Mimosa's, Whisky, Wine
& More!
Convenient parking in lot behind the building
| |
|
Must have an RSVP to this No Ticket event as space is limited
| |
|
BIRTHPLACE OF THE BREED
GOLDEN RETRIEVERS & THEIR OWNERS GATHER IN SCOTLAND TO CELEBRATE THE BIRTHPLACE OF THE BREED'S 155th ANNIVERSARY
| |
Who doesn't love seeing hundreds of one of the most beloved breeds gather in one of the most beloved countries in the world!
The purpose of the five-day summer festival was to celebrate the breed on the grounds where the first golden retriever puppies were born in 1868. Golden Retrievers are the third most popular breed here in the U.S., and are amongst one of the most popular breeds when selecting service dogs.
To read more about the breed and/or the Guisachan House in the Highlands (the ancestral home of the breed), go to:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2023/07/19/golden-retriever-scotland-breed-guisachan/
| |
|
Scotland ranks 2nd in world list of hottest
set-jetting destinations for 2023
(The trend "Set-Jetting" is traveling to destinations where
the location was used in a film or television show).
| |
|
Orkney is a place of incredible beauty and real contrasts, from wandering through one of the islands’ bustling towns or villages, to standing on the edge of a dramatic coastline with nothing but salty sea air and beautiful scenery for company. Here are some highlighted places to visit: the Old Man of Hoy, the Ring of Brodgar, St. Magnus Cathedral (Founded by Vikings in 1137), Skara Brae-Stromness, two distilleries: Highland Park and Sapa and even the robust wildlife with the memorable Puffins!
For the best and most concise information on Scotland follow the link below to our friends at: VisitScotland.
https://www.visitscotland.com/places-to-go/islands/orkney/breathtaking-photos
| |
|
THE FIRST KINGS OF SCOTLAND
Series
| |
 | |
(King Áed illustration compliments from the National Galleries of Scotland)
Continuing with our series of the First Kings and Queens of Scotland,
we examine our next few kings:
-King Aed
-King Eochaid and Giric
-King Donald II
ÁED
King Áed, second son of Kenneth MacAlpin, ruled for only one year before he was murdered. Áed (also known as ‘Aedhr’) was the second son of Kenneth MacAlpin and had one of the shortest reigns of any MacAlpin king. He became king when Constantine I, his brother, was killed in 877 and ruled for one year. He was born in 840 and was 37 when he ascended the throne. Áed is the most obscure of the MacAlpin kings, though we do know that he was the father of Constantine II. Alba was in turmoil in 877 – the Vikings having recaptured Pictland and laid waste Alba. Because of his short reign, Áed had little chance to do anything about it. In 878 he was supposedly murdered by Eochaid, who despite having Pictish blood, held a tenuous claim to the throne.
EOCHAID & GIRIC
Giric, who was thought to really have murdered King Áed, ruled alongside Eochaid.
Eochaid was not of the MacAlpin dynasty. According to the Welsh Harleian Genealogies, compiled in the 12th century (now housed in the British Library), he was the son of Arthgal ap Dyfnwal, King of Strathclyde, and a Pictish princess. Some sources claim that Eochaid coveted the throne, and plotted Áed’s murder. However, he did not carry out the deed. The assassin was a man called Giric, who may have been Eochaid’s kinsman, friend, or merely servant. We do know however, that Alba became a dual kingdom (a ‘diarchy’), with Eochaid and Giric ruling together. Of the two, Giric was probably the more powerful, as he features more than Eochaid in later chronicles. The diarchy ended in 889, possibly with both men being deposed, and this paved the way for Donald II to ascend the throne.
DONALD II
As Donald II was the son of Constantine I, the MacAlpin dynasty was restored. Being the rightful heir to the throne, he was taken to safety in Ireland when young by his aunt. In fact, most of what we know about Donald now comes from later Irish writings. Donald II was defeated and killed by Vikings at Dunnottar Castle in AD900. During his reign, the Viking raids on Alba continued unabated, and his time was largely taken up by defending his kingdom and leading his warriors into battle. One supposed battle took place at the beginning of his reign when he defeated Giric’s army, which possibly shows that Eochaid and Giric did not willingly give up the crown. Another battle took place at ‘Innisibsolian’ against the Vikings, though the location of this battle is unknown. Donald won the battle at Innisibsolian, but he was not so lucky at the Battle of Dunnottar on Scotland’s east coast, in 900, where his troops were defeated, and he was killed.
Join us next month as we continue with
The First Kings & Queens of Scotland series
(courtesy of Scotland Magazine www.Scotlandmag.com)
| |
|
"A Scot is a Scot, even unto a hundred generations!"
|
|
|
Albannach is Scots-Gaelic for “Scottish” or “Scotsman” and is comprised of two Scotsmen and one Scottish lass, all born and bred in Scotland, plus one American born Scot and an Irishman. Albannach is unique with primal drumming and piping that stirs the soul of anyone who hears them.
Albannach's music isn’t for the faint of heart!
It’s aggressive, like a Celtic punch to the face!
|
|
|
2023
End of Summer Brunch & Mixer @ Granville: Sun, Sept 10th
Seaside Highland Games: Sat/Sun, Oct 14th & 15th
New Member Reception @ The Tam O'Shanter - Sat, Oct 28th
St. Andrew's Day Brunch @ Altadena Country Club: Sat, Dec 2nd
2024
Robert Burns Celebration: Saturday, January 27th, Four Seasons Los Angeles @ Beverly Hills - SAVE THE DATE!
SASLA AGM: Saturday, February 24th
TARTAN Film Festival: April 6th - 13th
| |
BECOME A LIFETIME MEMBER
When you become a Lifetime Member of the
St. Andrew's Society of Los Angeles, you receive a membership certificate, discounts on ticketed events & preferential seating. You also receive our
Lifetime Member lapel pin
to commemorate the occasion!
Be a part of an organization that promotes and educates on Scotland's rich history, and keeps you up-to-date on modern Scotland with informative podcasts, events, products and people in "the know."
| |
| |
|
To donate safely to the
St. Andrew's Society of Los Angeles, please follow the link below
| |
|
Shop St. Andrew's LA merchandise
to GET YOUR SCOTTISH ON!
Our society tartan is officially registered
with the Scottish Register of Tartans
| |
|
* Ladies Sash
* Gentleman's Tie
* Men's Polo Shirt (Blue or Black)
* Ladies T-Shirt (Blue or White)
* Rosette
| |  |
|
* Kilt
* Lapel Pin
* Cap Badge
* Blazer Badge
* Face Masks
| |
|
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT!
Scam Alert
If you should receive an email or text asking you for money from the St. Andrew's Society or from any of our Officer's or Board Members, please do NOT send money and do NOT respond. Your next step would be to contact our President, Kimberlee Bradford directly to alert us (kvbbradford@gmail.com).
Should you wish to donate to the society, there are only three ways to safely do so:
- In person at one of our events
- On our official St. Andrew's Society of Los Angeles website (www.saintandrewsla.org/donate)
- From this newsletter's "donate" button, the official newsletter of the St. Andrew's Society of Los Angeles (example above)
As with technology, Scammers are getting more and more sophisticated. Most of these scams that ask you to donate will look legitimate. They ask you to donate in many different ways (i.e., via Zelle, Gift Cards, Bank routing numbers, etc). Please protect your financial information. When in doubt, contact the President of the St. Andrew's Society of Los Angeles, or if it has nothing to do with the St. Andrew's Society, please contact your local bank manager.
| |
|
St. Andrew's Society of Los Angeles
"Where Scotland Meets the City of Angels"
| | | | |
