19th Annual Tartan Day Celebration - 2011

On April 5th Pat and I attended the Scottish Studies Foundation's 19th Tartan Day celebration and Scot of the Year Award for 2011, which was held at the Granite Club. The planning committee decided to follow the successful pattern established in 2010 for the event at the Granite club, and you may wish to refresh your memories by a quick click here. Don't forget to return for a more comprehensive report of the 2011 celebration during the 25th Anniversary of the Scottish Studies Foundation.

I'll take this opportunity to thank Doug Gibson for identifying many of the persons "To Be Announced" in David Hunter's very helpful "Running Order (second cut)". I also thank the organization's secretary, John B. McMillan, for his email summary dated April 8. Thanks to all for your assistance. Thanks! Thanks! Thanks!

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Stephanie Hutka,ARCT, BSc(Hon), of Strings in Motion, Inc., was playing at the entrance in the bar area as we arrived for the Reception, and she returned again during the programme. Kirsten Selvage's four Highland Dancers, including Meghan Bold, Laura Shankowski and Erin Hamanishi, were accompanied again this year by piper John Wakefield, who also piped in the Haggis. [The dancers led guests in a Gay Gordon towards the end of the evening.] Soloist Meredith Hall, accompanied by Bernard Farley, presented several Scottish arrangements and led everyone in the singing of Auld Lang Syne at the conclusion of the programme.

In no particular order (or disorder), we managed to take photographs at the tables of the members and guests as the evening progressed. The evening was a huge success. I believe that you'll agree that most of the pictures represent candid opportunities.

Our Scot of the Year, Robert M. Buchan, may be seen in picture 055. The photo may be identified by passing your cursor over it. Robert is seated with the two children Fraser and Jennifer across from his wife Tina. Friend, John Huxley, may also be identified at Table 1 with his wife.

The order of the photographs, top to bottom and left to right is as follows:

- During the reception, David Campbell (President of the Scottish Studies Foundation) and Bob Winter (Lord Provost of Glasgow) find an opportunity to chat.
- John B. McMillan (secretary of the Foundation and Society) is photographed with Lord Provost Bob Winter.
- Steve Lutz, Vice-President, Fund Development of the CNIB, praised Robert M. Buchan for chairing a capital campaign for the CNIB during the years 2005 - 2007. Steve purchased the last available ticket (#140) after CNIB volunteer reader, Dr. Patricia D. Ross (seen with Steve), took information about the Scot of the Year to the CNIB office.

- Graham Murdoch of Edinburgh is seen with his family. Graham gave an impromptu speech towards the end of the programme.
- David Campbell, President of the Scottish Studies Foundation is seen with Scot-of-the-Year Robert M. Buchan during the reception.

- The group photos, taken at the end of the programme, include David Campbell (President of the Scottish Studies Foundation), Bob Winter (Lord Provost of Glasgow), Robert M. Buchan (2011 Scot of the Year), and Gordon Paterson (President of the Scottish Studies Society).

Master of Ceremonies, Douglas Gibson, welcomed everyone to Tartan Day 2011, talking about the connection between Canada and Scotland. He then introduced Lord Provost Robert Winter of Glasgow, who was mid-way between Winnipeg and New York City celebrations as a Scottish representative.

Doug Gibson gave a brief description about the concept of the Scot of the Year and the method of selection by former recipients of the award. He then called upon John Huxley, who outlined the many accompishments of his friend, Robert Buchan. An outline of the origins of Tartan Day and a brief summary about the Scot of the year recipients may be found at http://www.scottishstudies.com/910scotsoftheyear.htm. Issue XXXII of the Spring 2011 Scottish Studies Society contains a short history of this year's award winner.

MC Doug Gibson introduced Richard Wernham, recipient of the Scot of the Year award for 2010, to make this year's presentation to Robert M. Buchanan. President David Campbell is on the platform as the bearer of the silver cup.

As an added feature to the presentation, Ian Bain of Catto's Whisky was invited to present a bottle of Old Pulteney Single Malt Scotch Whisky from Scotland's most northerly mainland distillery (in the Wick area) to Robert Buchan. Members in charge of timing the programme began to fidget when Ian surprised everyone by turning the simple business of handing over a bottle of scotch to Bob Buchan into a reminiscence about not meeting Elizabeth taylor.

Congratulations to Robert M. Buchan as he takes the podium to deliver his acceptance speech.

Douglas Gibson asked guests to stand for the arrival of the Haggis. John Wakefield piped the ceremonial Haggis in. The Haggis on a wooden trencher was carried in by John McMillan and Gordon Paterson. Maggie McEwan followed with a tray of glasses containing whisky. David Campbell beckoned for the guests to be seated and then delivers the Address to the Haggis after which he asks everyone to stand for the Toast to the Haggis. Following applause as the Haggis is carried off, Lord Provost Robert Winter was invited to give the Selkirk Grace before the Dinner.

The Highland Dancers performed periodically during the First Course and singer Meredith Hall sang three songs after the entrée was well underway.

During dessert, the Highland Dancers performed their routines after which Douglas Gibson asked John Wakefield to play so people could dance the Gay Gordons. The Kirsten Selvage Highland Dancers initiated the Gay Gordons by pulling guests from the tables to get it going. The official programme ended with a word of thanks to the participants, and everyone joined Meredith Hall in the singing of Auld Lang Syne. Performers took a final bow.