20th Annual Tartan Day Celebration - 2012

On April 12th Patricia, Rob and I attended the Scottish Studies Foundation's 20th Tartan Day celebration and Scot of the Year Award for 2012, which was held in the Great Hall at Hart House. The event was discussed several weeks in advance, and all who were involved know that the major amount of the success was essentially due to the efforts of one man . . . David McConnell Hunter.

Doug Gibson once again had the premier role throughout the evening as the Master of Ceremonies by interspersing entertaining tales with his introductions. David Hunter's very helpful "Running Order (second cut)" kept the evening's programme on a steady keel. I also thank the organization's secretary, John B. McMillan, for his email summary on the following morning. That said, one realizes that many of the twelve directors present from the SSF/SSS played key roles to ensure a successful evening . . . from the quiet split-second management of Maggie McEwan (President of the Scottish Studies Society) to the wildest-ever "Address to the Haggis" by David Campbell (President of the Scottish Studies Foundation). Thanks to all for your efforts. Thanks! Thanks! Thanks!

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Director Mary Vigrow was assisted at the reception table by Blanche McMillan (wife of Director John McMillan, our Secretary). Everyone appreciated their cheery greeting to commence the evening.

We thank Jeanne Isley for setting up her Scottish Art Display in the reception area. Also appreciated were the Glenfiddich Whisky-Tasting table, the cash bar, and the Hart House finger food in the same area.

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 Jayn McIntosh, were accompanied again this year by piper John Wakefield, who also piped in the Haggis. Scottish and East Coast music was provided by Sandy MacIntyre and the band Steeped in Tradition comprising Mary MacIntyre, Brian MacIntyre, Stephen MacIntyre, Mickey Andrews, Jeffrey Gosse, and Damien Walsh. Later, the participants were treated to two songs from Director Pearl Grieve-Nixon: Rowan Tree and Will ye no come back again.

There was ample time for everyone to renew auld acquaintances in an unhurried atmosphere. I'll bet that few realized a fire had been lit in the fireplace of the Great Hall.

Master of Ceremonies, Douglas Gibson, instructed guests to take their places at their tables at 7:30 PM, and then had John Fraser piped in with his guests. Following the National Anthem, the MC welcomed everyone to Tartan Day 2012. After describing the concept of the Scot of the Year, Doug introduced Richard Wernham, who introduced the 2012 Scot of the Year, John Fraser. Robert Buchan, 2011 Scot of the Year, was then called upon to make the presentation of the Silver Quaich to John Fraser. This was followed by an acceptance speech.

Douglas Gibson asked guests to stand for the arrival of the Haggis. John Wakefield piped the ceremonial Haggis in. The Haggis was carried in by the Hart House chef. Maggie McEwan followed with a tray of glasses containing whisky. David Campbell beckoned for the guests to be seated and then delivered 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, and John McMillan was invited to give the Selkirk Grace before the Dinner.

Watch David Campbell present the Address to the Haggis.

Yum! The meal was very tasty, and the Menu/Events Pamphlet most tastefully enclosed a poem dedicated to John Fraser, the Scot of the Year 2012.

My wife, Patricia Ross, added photos of the meal and was responsible for many other pictures which added a different perspective to my presentation. We give thanks as well to two other non Board members (but connected) who assisted elsewhere during the evening; namely Jeanne Isley with the exhibition of her paintings and Blanche McMillan with assistance at reception and decorations.

In no particular order (or disorder) aside from the head table, 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. Only a couple were posed . . . at the request of the participants.

During the main course, the MC talked about the Foundation's role in establishing a course at the Humber Campus, and introduced Nadine Hunt who discussed their Immigration History and Literature course.

During this evening's event, soloist Pearl Grieve-Nixon, another Director of the Scottish Studies Society, gave a lovely rendition of Lady Nairn's songs, particularly Rowan Tree, which she sang a cappella when her accompanist had disappeared from the stage.

Doug Gibson, MC, spoke about the Foundation and its association with Scottish Development International. Raymond McGovern and Helen Webster from theToronto office of SDI were in attendance, and Raymond had just returned from Calgary, Alberta, on the same day as this event. He was representing the Scottish Minister of Energy, Enterprise and Tourism, Fergus Ewing, who spent two days promoting Scotland in Calgary before heading to New York for a week to take part in their Tartan Day Parade through the streets of Manhattan on April 14.