NEWS

Flag Trust Launch "Saltire in the Sky" Photograph Competition

Today (6th April 2010) the Scottish Flag Trust launches a competition, open to all amateur photographers, to capture an image of St Andrew's Cross in the skies above Scotland. Full details of the competition can be found at the Trust's website scottishflagtrust.com

St Andrew’s Day Dinner 2009

The St Andrew Society held its annual dinner in honour of St Andrew's Day on Saturday evening, November 28, 2009 in Haldane's Restaurant. Thirty four members and guests gathered at 7.15 for drinks and then for a very pleasant meal, with a choice of starters (salmon or haggis), a choice of main course (sea bass or guinea fowl) and a choice of dessert (lemon tart or terrine of dark chocolate), plus coffee.
After a toast to Her Majesty the Queen of Scots, the guest speaker Dennis Canavan, former MP and MSP gave a very interesting talk on his story of his bill to make St Andrew's Day a national holiday. Many other countries in the world have a day set aside as a national holiday to emphasize an important event in the country's history; and a majority of the MSP's were originally in favour of Scotland's also having a special day. But business interests proved stronger in the long run. The bill was indeed passed by the Parliament, but only in a watered-down form which allows individual enterprises to decide whether to observe the national holiday or not. Of course, Mr Canavan was greatly disappointed; but the fight for an enforceable nationwide holiday is not yet over. Mr Canavan concluded his talk with a toast to the memory of St Andrew and Scotland yet. There followed a mention of and a toast to the patriotic Societies at home and abroad, and a final toast to the President by Chair Rina Moore. The dinner evening ended with a raffle and a general opinon that it had been a most congenial occasion.

Marybeth Stewart

Visit to Stirling and Smith Museum

On Saturday 19th September a group of members and friends travelled to Stirling for lunch, a brief tour of historic places and a conducted tour of the Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum.

After a most enjoyable lunch at the Adamo Restaurant, with many deciding to return on another occasion to sample more of the menu, Dr Elspeth King, curator of the Museum arrived to lead us there via significant buildings and places. It is surprising how little one notices of the architecture as one walks familiar streets. Among other interesting features and buildings, Dr King pointed out the wolf in a cage high up on one building. The wolf was incorporated into the coat of arms of Stirling as wolves were credited with alerting the citizenry to the approach of attackers by their howling and so saved the town. It was fortunate that Holy Trinity Episcopal Church was having an open day and we had the opportunity of seeing round the church. We were impressed by the number of stained glass windows, many of which were erected in memory of soldiers who had been killed in World War 1. It was noticeable that many had been created by female artists.
On reaching the Museum we were first taken on a tour of the grounds, in which a biodiversity garden has been created. There were delightful little seats carved from wood arranged in two rows for the schoolchildren to sit and hear of the plants in the garden and the history of Stirling. Members were also tempted to try out the ‘musical see-saws’ set in the ground. It was thought that John Damien, who attempted to fly from the walls of Stirling Castle in 1507, might have reached this far.
Dr Elspeth King’s dedication and enthusiasm for the Museum, the history of Stirling and its significance in Scottish history was all too apparent. Her knowledge seemed boundless and she transmitted her enthusiasm as she described the exhibits. She has obviously done her very best to acquire important artefacts and pieces in her time as curator. Wallace obviously figured largely as did the connection with the Jacobites.
Robert Burns was not forgotten. On a visit to Stirling he was not impressed by the state of the town and scratched some lines of poetry on the window of the Golden Lion hotel. These are replicated on a window and in fact the first line are incorporated in the design of the pavier at the front of the museum.
It was a most enjoyable outing and I am sure members will be tempted to return for another visit.

Farquhar Macintosh Gaelic Scholarship Appeal

Following the passing last year of our former President, Farquhar Macintosh, the Sabhal Mor Ostaig Development Trust and his family decided to raise an appeal in his name. The Appeal is to raise funds for future scholarships to the Gaelic College on Skye. The Society feels that the Appeal in the name of one of our former Presidents is for a genuinely worthy cause very much in line with the aims of the Society. To this end the Society has made a substantial contribution to the Appeal and would encourage likeminded inividuals and Societies to make a contribution. Further Information can be requested from and donations sent to:

The Farquhar Macintosh Gaelic Scholarship Fund

Sabhal Mor Ostaig Development trust

Sabhal Mor Ostaig

Sleat

Isle of Skye

Flag Trust Site Goes Live

Centenary

2007 was our Centenary year and we marked this milestone by commissioning a St Andrew Society Centenary Tartan which is available exclusively through the Society.

Price List Tie - £15 Bow Tie - £17 Scarf - £25 Sash - £40 Cloth - £26/m Cummerbund to order P&P - £3.50*

Contact the Secretary to place your orders
*UK small orders. For overseas and large orders contact the Secretary for a quote .

Mouse Mat Initiative

In recent years The Flag Trust's only promotional merchandise has been the excellent T-Shirts. Funding for promotions of this type has always been an issue, as has the lack of local retail outlets. Thanks to The St Andrew Society The Trust has produced The Athelstaneford Mouse Mat.

The cost is £2.50 plus 25p postage and is available from the society by emailing
flag@st-andrew.org.uk