Letter from the Editor
Dear members and friends of the Society. Welcome to this issue of The Thistle. I would like to extend a very special welcome to all those who have recently subscribed to our distribution list. Many of you are new to the Society and may not have already applied for membership. If you are not already a member I urge you to join us. Joining is easy and can be completed online. Our annual membership dues are a major source of revenue for the Society and by becoming a member you will be part of an organization dedicated not only to the promotion and preservation of Scottish culture and history but to supporting and through our grants program aiding those who are pursuing Scottish disciplines such as piping, dancing, and the Gaelic language. In addition and in the tradition of original St. Andrew's Societies everywhere the Society donates to worthy charitable organizations helping those in need.
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Welcome to The Thistle – Official Newsletter of St. Andrew's Society |
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Enjoy this issue of The Thistle. It is full of articles and information I hope you will find interesting and useful. Please email any comments or suggestions to the Editor rees1@mac.com.
We are now closing in on the end of 2020 and The Thistle with its new look is reaching more members and followers than ever before. The Thistle is now published each month and delivered directly to your in-box. Archived issues going back to 2008 are available on the website.
Please submit articles and newsworthy information to The Editor at: rees1@mac.com. or: The Editor
St. Andrew’s Society of Los Angeles
3836 Goodland Avenue
Studio City, CA 91604
The publisher accepts no responsibility for the opinions expressed, accuracy of information, or similarity of names submitted by authors.
Archived editions of The Thistle starting 2008 may be viewed here.
PUBLISHER & EDITOR Ian J. Skone-Rees, FSA Scot email
The Policies & Procedures of the Society have been updated. Current members of the Society may view these in the member restricted area of the website.
Social Media: Kim Attebery, Heather Griffith, Ian Skone-Rees, Cindy Jean Wylie
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CALL FOR BOARD OF TRUSTEES CANDIDATES |
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In November each year a Nominating Committee is formed to select candidates to fill positions of retiring trustees. Successful candidates are presented for election as trustees at the Society’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) in February. This year we are canvasing the entire membership to solicit interested members to present themselves as candidates. The nominating committee will review all member submissions to determine who they will recommend for election. Nominations from the floor of the AGM are also accepted.
Completed forms should be submitted by 1st December, 2020.
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Lest We Forget
As many of you reading this newsletter know it has been the practice of the St. Andrew's Society of Los Angeles to offer poppies in return for donations at the Seaside Highland Games held each October. As a member of the Royal British Legion it has been my privilege to answer questions about the origins of the poppy as a symbol of remembrance. It has also been a personal reminder to me that so many are unaware of this symbol and what it means. The phrase "Lest we forget" has real meaning and it is only through remembrance and passing on to others the story of the poppy that those who gave the ultimate sacrifice will continue to be honoured.
Normally at this time of year volunteers with the Royal British Legion and Poppy Scotland are on duty on all the high streets in villages, towns, and cities throughout the UK collecting for the Poppy Appeal. Donations collected are a major source of income for the Legion that go to support veterans and services provided by the Legion. This year the ability for volunteers to collect donations in this manner has been acutely curtailed by COVID-19 which means a severe reduction in this source of income. The Poppy Scotland icon at the start of this newsletter is linked to their website where online donations can be made – please consider supporting this important charity.
Armistice Day – Veteran's Day – Remembrance Day
Armistice Day is commemorated every year on 11 November to mark the armistice signed between the Allies of World War I and Germany at Compiègne, France at 5:45 am, for the cessation of hostilities on the Western Front of World War I, which took effect at eleven o'clock in the morning—the "eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month" of 1918. But, according to Thomas R. Gowenlock, an intelligence officer with the U.S. First Division, shelling from both sides continued for the rest of the day, only ending at nightfall. The armistice initially expired after a period of 36 days and had to be extended several times. A formal peace agreement was only reached when the Treaty of Versailles was signed the following year.
The date is a national holiday in France, and was declared a national holiday in many Allied nations. However, many Western countries and associated nations have since changed the name of the holiday from Armistice Day, with member states of the Commonwealth of Nations adopting Remembrance Day, and the United States government opting for Veterans Day. In some countries Armistice Day coincides with other public holidays. |
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Happy St. Andrew's Day
St. Andrew's Day is 30th November, 2020
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One of Scotland's Best Loved Sons |
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In the August issue of this newsletter we celebrated Sir Sean's 90th birthday. In this issue we celebrate his life, that all too sadly has come to an end. On the morning of All Hallow's Eve we lost one of Scotland's own and one of cinema's greatest stars. Always remembered as the fictional British secret agent, James Bond, Sir Sean was a consummate actor whose talents crossed many barriers.
"Sir Sean Connery will be remembered as Bond and so much more." Daniel Craig.
Playing the first Bond in the longest running and most successful film franchise Sir Sean was recognized by producers Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli as " … largely responsible for the success of the film series and we shall be forever grateful to him."
Former Scottish First Minister Alex Salmon described Sir Sean as "the world's greatest Scot, the last of the real Hollywood stars, the definitive Bond".
RIP Sir Sean. The Scottish diaspora all over the world mourns your passing.
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Our traditional Robert Burns Supper will not take place next year. But the Society will celebrate Robert Burns in a virtual environment. What does that mean? The Burns committee is working hard to produce an online experience that will embody all the traditional elements of our prestige event, plus some ingredients that will herald new and exciting surprises for you, our members and friends.
Tickets will go on sale soon.
Premium tickets include a Bard Box
delivered directly to your home.
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Show Us Your Tartan!
Fine dress accessories in the official Society Tartan registered with the
Gentleman's Ties • Ladies Sash • Men's Polo Shirts • Rosette • Kilt • Lapel Pin • Cap Badge – New
Blazer Badge – New Face Masks – New
Visit our online shop to order and express your SASLA membership in our 90th year
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Embroidered Blazer Badge.
Beautifully detailed with gold and silver threads. Comes with three clutch pins or may be permanently sewn to your favourite jacket.
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Shop these and other items in St. Andrew's Society of Los Angeles' official tartan here. |
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Official registration certificate recorded with The Scottish Register of Tartans.
The St. Andrew's Society of Los Angeles tartan colours mirror those found in its shield registered with The Lord Lyon.
WHITE - signifies truth & sincerity
GOLD - signifies generosity & glory
BLACK - signifies constancy & prudence
BLUE - signifies loyalty & strength
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Tartan Face Masks
Now For Sale. Fitted & Flat versions.
Face masks in dupioni silk double lined in our Society tartan. Flat, or Fitted (as shown) mask style. Limited quantity available.
All proceeds support SASLA donations to the LA Regional Food Bank.
Place your order NOW to avoid disappointment.
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A fund has been established in Jack Dawson's name to help support all those individuals who are striving toward excellence in traditional Scottish pursuits. Jack was a long-time member of the Society and a former president.
PLEASE CONSIDER A DONATION.
THE JACK DAWSON MEMORIAL FUND
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St. Andrew's Society is an IRS registered 501 (c) (3) not for profit organization and your contributions are tax deductible. The Society treasurer will issue a letter of receipt for all contributions. |
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Apply online or download a membership application.
Existing members may also renew their membership here.
Click below to see what fun we have!
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Stay tuned for our new series of St. Andrew’s PodCasts
Fascinating interviews with entertainment personalities,
government leaders and community advocates.
St. Andrew's Society of Los Angeles
where Scotland meets the City of Angels …
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Scott Silven
Illusionist, Mentalist and Performer
Artist Scott Silven talks about growing up in Scotland, influences from his grandfather and his upcoming immersive online experience The Journey presented by the Broad Stage.
The Journey is now playing through 15th of November. Tickets may be purchased here
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Dr. David Caldwell
President Society of Antiquaries Scotland.
After graduating with a degree in archaeology from Edinburgh University,
Dr Caldwell spent 38 years working for the National Museums of Scotland. After retirement in 2012 he was keeper of two of the five curatorial departments - Scotland and Europe, and Archaeology. He directed major research excavations at Finlaggan, Islay, the Centre of the Lordship of the Isles, and has maintained a strong interest in the history and archaeology of Argyll and the Western Isles.
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Click the YouTube icon below for the latest podcasts. Enjoy!
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“Did not strong connections draw me elsewhere, I believe Scotland would be the country I would choose to end my days in."
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
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Gary Carr visits Sophie with Aggie. |
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Sophie owned Scottish Terriers over the years and enjoyed the visits made by Society trustee Gary Carr with his dogs.
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PLEASE HELP
This year your St. Andrew's Society has re-focused its charitable giving to include support of organizations helping those in distress as a result of COVID-19. Already this year we have given significant financial donations to Project Angel Food, Keck Street Medicine, LAUSD Grab & Go Food Bank, The LA Regional Food Bank, and the British Benevolent Society. This has been made possible by generous contributions to the St. Andrew's Society by its members and friends. Our continued support can only be possible through your ongoing help. At the end of this newsletter there is a DONATE button. Any amount, no matter how small, can help. Even the most modest contribution can make a real difference.
St. Andrew's Society is an IRS registered 501 (c) (3) not for profit organization and your contributions are tax deductible. The Society treasurer will issue a letter of receipt for all contributions.
Please do what you can.
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Harp Glen – Special Performance |
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In case you missed this in the October issue this month's Thistle again features a special video performance by SASLA member, Harpist Carolyn Sykes. Carolyn is an internationally renowned harpist and director of music for the St. Andrew's Society Harp Glen held each year at the Seaside HIghland Games.
Carolyn is the owner of Pacific Harps and representative and distributor for French Harp manufacturer, Camac Harps. |
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Scotland's Inventions
How Scots invented the Modern World
How Scots invented the modern world and everything in it. By Arthur Herman
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In the world of cutting-edge forensic science, the use of fingerprints to identify criminals is common-place – even mundane – but there was a time when this practice was the very pinnacle of criminal investigation. The idea of using fingerprinting for use in identifying criminals belongs to Scottish doctor, Henry Faulds, who first suggested it back in 1880. He came up with the idea while working on archaeological digs in Japan and noticing finger prints on shards of ancient pottery. |
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Yes, us Scots have really thought of everything – we can’t even answer the call of nature without thinking of ways to perfect it. Flushing toilets have actually existed in some form for thousands of years – the ancient Neolithic site of Skara Brae on Scotland’s Orkney Islands being one example. However, it wasn’t until 1755 when Scottish mechanic Alexander Cumming developed the ‘S bend’ – an invention still in use today. The invention uses standing water to block out foul smells from the connecting sewers. |
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James Clerk Maxwell is most well-known as the father of modern physics, with his name commonly mentioned in the same breath as those of Albert Einstein and Isaac Newton, but he was also responsible for the world's first colour photograph. In 1855, Maxwell introduced the world to the 'three colour process' and just a few short years later, while giving a lecture on something completely unrelated, he displayed the first colour photograph - of a tartan ribbon - to the world. |
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With Richard MacKenzie, MDCM
3rd V. P. and Board Trustee
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One salient characteristic of the Scottish people, is a need for community. Those on the Isles and in the Highlands, with creative persistence, would keep in touch through stories, song, poetry and occasional gatherings. There also seemed to be an inherent curiosity and commitment to education! Even when community was basically agricultural, great effort was made to provide an education either formally in the classroom or at home...or both. This has led to Scottish innovation and discovery to subsequently have a significant impact on our modern world. When did you become aware of your specific desire to go beyond ‘the ordinary’ in your life-path.
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Not enough Halloween Scares?
Try these classic movies guaranteed to give you the heebie-jeebies!
click on the links to see a trailer.
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The Lighthouse (2019 Directed by Robert Eggers, Starring Willem Dafoe and Robert Pattinson) - Prime
Dracula (1931, Directed by Tod Browning & Karl Freund, Staring Bela Lugosi as Dracula) - Prime
The Bride of Frankenstein (1935, Directed by James Whale, Starring Boris Karloff & Elsa Lanchester) - Prime
Dracula (1979, Directed by John Badham, Starring Frank Langella, Laurence Olivier - STARZ
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ANN CLEEVES
Winner of Britain’s coveted Duncan Lawrie Dagger Award, Ann Cleeves introduces a dazzling new suspense series to mystery readers.
Raven Black begins on New Year’s Eve with a lonely outcast named Magnus Tait, who stays home waiting for visitors who never come. But the next morning the body of a murdered teenage girl is discovered nearby, and suspicion falls on Magnus. Inspector Jimmy Perez enters an investigative maze that leads deeper into the past of the Shetland Islands than anyone wants to go.
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Book Reviewer
Society member Heather Griffith is a contributor to this newsletter and to our Society's social media. She is also a published author and writer (nom de plume Eilidh Miller) of the acclaimed series, 'The Watchers'.
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There is no single language that has ever historically been spoken by all Scots.
How many did you get right last issue? See if you can do better…
In the southern areas, Lowland Scots traditionally was the norm.
Gaelic was spoken in central and northern areas.
The off-shore islands to the far north (Orkney Isles and Shetland Isles) spoke 'Norn' (a form of Old Norse).
Rogue words from this extinct language still pepper the speech of the people who live on the islands.
Although the traditional Gaelic is still spoken in some areas, and today Scotland is moving towards becoming a fully dual-language country (English and Scots Gaelic), 'Scottish English' is what is spoken by the majority of Scots.
Do you know what these words mean?
(answers at the end of this newsletter)
- "Braw."
- "Drookit"
- "Puggled"
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1320 – 2020 700th Anniversary
Declaration of Arbroath
Scottish Independence
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Detail of the Declaration of Arbroath showing seals, 6 April 1320
National Records of Scotland, SP13/7
By 1320 Scottish relations with the papacy were in crisis after the Scots defied papal efforts to establish a truce with England. When the pope excommunicated Robert I and three of his barons, the Scots sent the Declaration of Arbroath as part of a diplomatic counter-offensive. The pope wrote to Edward II urging him to make peace, but it was not until 1328 that Scotland's independence was acknowledged.
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Detail of the Declaration of Arbroath showing seals, 6 April 1320
National Records of Scotland, SP13/7
The Declaration was probably drawn up by Bernard, Abbot of Arbroath. It was authenticated by seals, as documents at that time were not signed. Only 19 seals now remain of what might have been 50 originally, and many are in poor condition.
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Sir Alex Ferguson at Aberdeen Football Club
A legend is born
By Steve Adams
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Photograph of Sir Alex Ferguson edited from original by Alex Livesey/Getty Images
from The Guardian online.
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Many football (soccer) fans know of Glaswegian born and raised Sir Alex Ferguson as the highly successful coach at Manchester United from 1986-2013, where he won 38 trophies, including Two Champions Cups (Champions League), a European Cup Winners Cup, 13 English Premiere League Titles and and 5 FA Cups. He is considered by many the most successful manager in the history of the game – no other manager has won as many trophies as a manager as the feisty Glaswegian.
Before taking over at Old Trafford in Manchester, Sir Alex Ferguson began his impressive resume by winning 10 trophies at the helm of Aberdeen Football Club in the Northeast of Scotland.
His crowning achievement while in charge of Aberdeen was their magical run to the 1982-83 European Cup Winners Cup. In the quarterfinals, Ferguson’s Dons stunned many fans by eliminating the heavily favored German juggernaut, Bayern Munich 3-2 on aggregate. In the final, Ferguson’s underdogs defeated Spanish giants Real Madrid 2-1 in Gothenburg, Sweden. Goals were scored by Eric Black, and the match winner in the 112th minute by John Hewitt.
The win by Aberdeen was the first European Hardware won by a team coached by Sir Alex Ferguson, but up to now, 1983 is the last time that a Scottish Soccer team has won European honors. The 1985 Scottish title for Aberdeen under Sir Alex, is the last time that the Dons were crowned Champions of Scotland. Clearly, the time in the 1980’s when Sir Alex was at the helm was the golden time of football in Aberdeenshire.
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St. Andrew's Society of Montréal
Announcing the 2020 Scot of The Year
Bruno Plourde
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Those of you who have made the trek to Montréal to attend their St. Andrew's Day Ball may have had the privilege of meeting Lieutenant-Colonel Bruno Plourde commanding oficer of the RHR The Black Watch of Canada. L. Col. Plourde also honoured our Society by sending us a message of congratulations on our 90th anniversary recorded in front of the Black Watch Colours in the Officer's Mess at the regiment's head quarters, Bleury Street Montréal.
Many congratulations Bruno from all of us at the St. Andrew's Society of Los Angeles
Lieutenant-Colonel (retired) Bruno Plourde, CD was born in Lévis, Quebec. He joined the Army Reserve with the Régiment de la Chaudière in 1980 as an infantryman and was commissioned in 1983.
During his service, he represented Canada at the NATO Military Pentathlon Competition of the Allied Confederacy of Officers of the Reserve (CIOR). He successively deployed in the CFB Goose Bay Protection Company as part of OP UNIQUE, in 2001 in Bosnia-Herzegovina as SFOR Senior Regional Liaison and Disarmament Officer with the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in 2004 as Chief of Staff—Sector 2 in Kisangani to the United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC), and in 2008–2009 in the dual role of NATO Regional Command (South) Liaison Officer with the Afghanistan National Security Forces and Deputy Commander of the Regional Police Advisory Command—South (OP ENDURING FREEDOM).
When not deployed, he served full-time in various junior and senior staff officer appointments, mainly in operations, planning and institutional transformation in Brigade and Divisional Headquarters from 1989 to 2017.
LCol Plourde commanded the Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada from 2009 to 2013 and the 2nd Canadian Rangers Patrol Group from 2013 to 2017. He came back to the Black Watch for a second assignment from 2017 to 2020. He retired from the military in September 2020 after 40 years of service.
LCol Plourde is a graduate of the US Marines Joint Command and Staff Course, the Canadian Forces College Joint Command and Staff Course—Reserve and the Canadian Forces Strategic Studies Program. He is the recipient of the Meritorious Service Medal of the United States and served as an honorary aide-de-camp to the Lieutenant Governor of Quebec from 2011 to 2015. He is also the director general of The Trail—Transition Housing for Veterans, a not-for-profit organization that provides transition housing and services for veterans in need.
He is a member of the St. Andrew’s Society of Montreal and the 78th Fraser Highlanders, and serves on the Boards of Directors of the Montreal Highland Games and the Royal Highlanders of Canada.
LCol Plourde lives in Carignan, Quebec with his spouse, Chantale Ménard. They have four sons: Mathieu, Philippe, Samuel and Loïc.
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The Highlander magazine that we are all familiar with has been sold to The Chelsea Magazine Co. Ltd. in the UK. The magazine has been amalgamated with two other titles, 'Scottish Life' and 'Scotland Magazine' into one new publication: Scotland.
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Click the image above to read a digital edition of the September/October 2020 edition.
Courtesy of Sally Coffey, Editor, Scotland
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SCOTLAND MAGAZINE
Published six times a year, every issue of Scotland showcases its stunning landscapes and natural beauty, and delves deep into Scottish history. From mysterious clans and famous Scots (both past and present), to the hidden histories of the country’s greatest castles and houses, Scotland‘s pages brim with the soul and secrets of the country.
Scotland magazine captures the spirit of this wild and wonderful nation, explores its history and heritage and recommends great places to visit, so you feel at home here, wherever you are in the world.
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Did you know that every time you buy something from Amazon, you can help St. Andrew's Society of Los Angeles? Simply go to https://smile.amazon.com and register or sign in, and choose St. Andrew's Society of Los Angeles as your charity! Once you're signed up, Amazon will donate a portion of your purchase to help support our mission!
You shop. Amazon gives
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Tartan Day 2016 the founders of WeeBox donated samples for our St. Andrew's Tartan Day Ball. Some lucky guests went home with a box of Scottish Treasures and some others subscribed and have a WeeBox delivered to their home each month. Why not join them? Click below to find out how. |
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Our Members love WeeBox
I received my first Wee Box yesterday and love it all! – Kim Attebery
I've been getting them for a year and it makes me SO HAPPY. "WeeBox day" is an exciting one in our house. – Heather Griffith
Thank you for bringing me a piece of Scotland every month
Tress Maksimuk – The Dark Isle Piper
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Click the image above and enjoy a wonderful tour around select distilleries of Scotland and learn about the roots of Alexander Murray with founder, Steve Lipp.
Alexander Murray have sponsored our prestige gatherings for many years including Burns' Suppers and our annual Garden Party.
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Some time ago, our Director of Whisky Creation, Dr Bill, found himself musing over how some of his most joyful memories came from cake — from the pineapple upside down cake his daughter made for his birthday to baking with his Granny in her kitchen.
He devised this whisky to conjure the magic of a cake moment, finishing his favourite Glenmorangie Single Malt in the finest Tokaji dessert wine casks.
The liquid is a rich copper, but the taste is pure technicolour, luscious, sweet and complex with multi-layered bursts of honey, white chocolate and fruits with a lilting hint of mint. As you might expect, it tastes incredible when enjoyed with actual cake.
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What is Single Malt Whisky?
Single Malt Whisky is malt whisky from a single distillery. Under the UK's 'Scotch Whisky Regulations', a Single Malt Scotch Whisky must be made exclusively from malted barley, must be distilled using pot stills at a single distillery, and must be aged for at least three years in oak casks of a capacity not exceeding 700 litres (185 US gallons).
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It's Simple to Shop, Save, and Support
SAVE 10% and DONATE 10% to SASLA
- Shop for gifts (or for yourself) from our Scottish designers
- Use the code SASLA2020 at checkout to save 10% off your total purchase
- Feel good knowing that 10% of your total purchase will also be donated to The St. Andrew's Society of Los Angeles
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A Few of Our Favourite Things |
If you're looking to get your Scottish fix of food and drink from hame try these online sources: |
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Make sure you try Irn-Bru – Scotland's 'other' national drink |
Scotland is one of the few countries in the world where a locally-made soft drink outsells Coca-Cola.
Brewed from Girders.
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Shop with Scottish Treasures (aka Celtic Corner) online or in our store and we will donate 10% of the sale to the St. Andrews Society of Los Angeles. Upon checkout online, simply mention you are a member of the St. Andrews Society and we will do the rest! If you shop in our store in Coronado, please mention to the staff you are a member. |
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Like many small businesses MacLeods is facing challenging times but with typical Scottish ingenuity proprietor Alistair Boase is meeting the challenges head-on. MacLeods' support of our Society is without bounds and now it is time for us to reciprocate. What better way than to order beer and a pizza, pick-up or delivery – learn how here…
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Belhaven – or “Beautiful harbour” – nestles among the rolling barley fields of the beautiful East Lothian coast, around 20 miles east of Edinburgh. For nearly 300 years, we have brewed in this place using only the finest local barley and choicest hops!
Established in 1719, Belhaven is Scotland’s oldest working brewery. With abundant local barley, fine water from the brewery well and access to markets up and down the coast, Belhaven was the perfect place for a brewery back then, and it still is today.
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Many thanks to David Montoya of St. Killian Imports for supplying Belhaven for our events. |
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SCOTLANDISNOW is a collaborative marketing campaign which relies on partners outside of government promoting it in their wider communications/engagement work. Our St. Andrew's Society is proud to partner with Scottish Counselor in the US Joni Smith and her office in promoting Scotland in southern California and beyond.
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Language Answers
- Braw – Good, good-looking, handsome.
- Drookit – Wet.
- Puggled – Tired, short of breath.
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St Andrew's Society LA Scots is a common law registered mark of the St. Andrew's Society of Los Angeles
The St. Andrew's Shield is registered with the Lord Lyon King of Arms, at Edinburgh, as a Society Noble in the Noblesse of Scotland, attested by Ensigns Armorial and our motto “Scotia Semper Patria."
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The St. Andrew's Society has donated to key charities helping those most in need during these turbulent times. Please help us continue this outreach by making your own donation. |
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St. Andrew's Society is an IRS registered 501 (c) (3) not for profit organization and your contributions are tax deductible. The Society treasurer will issue a letter of receipt for all contributions. |
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