An entry from Sinclair 2000: A Personal View by Malcolm Caithness
- Previously: Tuesday 1st August - Castle of Mey Day
Wednesday 2nd August
A casual start and then down to the British Legion Hall for 10.30 and the Reception of tea, coffee and biscuits hosted by the Highland Council before the Clan Meeting at 11.00 am.
John compèred the whole thing beautifully. It started with a welcome speech by Cllr. John Rosie who had four other Councillors with him as well as Brian Whitelaw, the Chief Executive. A good effort from them and much appreciated by all. I thanked them and we then got on with the meeting.
Besides John and me on the top table were the senior representatives from the Associations present - Margaret Thurso, Bill Sinclair and Don Sinclair. (I hope there will be more next time).
I gave a short speech of welcome which was started by dedicating the meeting to five people who would have loved to have been here - Rory's parents who founded our first clan association, John's father Robin and my parents. John then called the secretaries of the Associations Rory (Canada) followed by Don Sinclair who read out a message from Brad (President USA), Mary (USA), Kay Dunnett (Caithness) and Lena Lofstrom on behalf of Australia – to their sadness as there were six Aussies there – to update us on what was happening in their countries.
I announced the formal setting up of Clan Sinclair New Zealand. Ian told them about the work at Noss and I went through the work of the Trust and Sinclair Bay Trading.
It gave everyone a good idea of where we were. The Clan is certainly active throughout the World. Then came the presentations. The Canadians gave Niven, Berrie, John and I a book each and then I was totally surprised.
The tune Rory had played at Rosslyn as I came out of the Chapel, as the coaches crossed the Ord and as I entered Girnigoe was his own composition for me - The Earl of Caithness' March and he gave me the Music. He has also put it on a CD with the Rosslyn Chapel Suite and some other tunes and songs by Malcolm (including his version of Amazing Grace). Part of the profits from the sale of it will go to the Trust.
Next was a surprise presentation to Niven of a Dirk with his name engraved on it and he was thoroughly overcome.
The Americans gave me an inscribed glass bottomed tray with a decanter and four glasses. People are so generous and kind and these lovely gifts were really undeserved for it has been a team effort. The Canadians have agreed to give Rory something in glass made by Shirley Elford with all their signatures on it. The Americans gave Mary a whole selection of things mostly from our mobile shop.
We moved onto the medal presentations. John and I had decided that every office holder of the clan should be given a medal for his/her term of office so we had an enamel engrailed cross made with the motto and Clan Sinclair engraved on it. On the neck ribbon was the office they held i.e. Treasurer USA or President Canada.
John presented me with one after I had sworn the oath to the Clan and then I did it to him. The various office holders were sworn in and medals presented. These medals will be handed on to their successors. The two past Presidents David Bouschor (USA) and Mac Sinclair (Canada) were given medals to keep.
John and I had also agreed that I should give the Chief's Commendation to those of outstanding merit. I read out the citations for Margaret, Viscountess Thurso, Ruby Sinclair, Gloria Sinclair Bouschor and Niven Sinclair. They were sworn in.
John then got everyone who had not received a medal to stand and swear the oath, which read:
"Do you swear before the clan here assembled to uphold the dignity and honour of the Clan and to promote and further its ideals of friendship, kinship, honour and justice with all your might and power"
Tears were freely flowing after all that emotion.I had made a Pinsel (a triangular flag) for each President of the Clan but they had not arrived. In olden days when the chief was not present with his banner the next most senior person flew a Pinsel which showed he represented the chief. These can be used by the President or his appointee whenever they think it is appropriate. The Pinsels arrived that afternoon and were displayed at the Banquet before being given to Bill and Don.
I gave a short farewell speech and asked everyone for his or her input and thoughts through the secretaries so we can improve the clan and the next Gathering. Also announced was the date of the next Gathering - 2005 - with a mini one in 2002.
The top table was then piped out. A short informal meeting was held with the Commissioners from the USA and the Canadian Trust Committee as to how to build on the good will the Gathering has generated.
Don said he was going to see Brad on his return and they had their side in hand. The Canadians would be aiming to set up a tax efficient arm for the Trust. We all thought it would be good to reflect on the last ten days when we were back at home and discuss it among ourselves.
After lunch John, Marion and I finalised the placement for the dinner and set it out in the room. It was beginning to look really good with the flowers arriving and commemorative medals on everyone’s place. The menus, which were too big to fit on the table, had to be put on everyone's chair.
Having completed putting out the place cards John said "If we’ve got it wrong we will know as there will be a deathly silence!" The idea was that the "senior" UK Sinclairs would each host a table - Margaret, the two Patricks, Niven, Ian, Ruby, David, Angus, Donald, Marion, Berrie, Kay, John and I - and we tried to arrange that no family or travelling group were sitting next to each other. I don’t know whether we succeeded in that but certainly everyone talked when it came to the banquet.
Back to change. Was it really time for the banquet? Time had flown by and there were lots of people I wanted to talk to. I wish there was more to come but we are also quite tired, as we have not stopped. Judy had managed to get the photographs of the House of Lords Reception printed and these were on display where the reception was to be held with order forms for everyone interested. A bit last minute but it will work.
At 6.30 John and I started receiving people and they came in through the Conservatory to a champagne reception. People looked marvellous and there was lots of Sinclair Tartan. We were going to sit down 199 Sinclairs to a four-course meal - numbers that had never been attempted before in Caithness - another first.
The senior person from each Country represented - Don Sinclair and Mary Selver (USA), Bill (Canada), John MacIntyre (Australia), Camilla Sanson (New Zealand), Jess Putterill (South Africa), and Lena Lofstrom (Sweden) together with our guest Bunty Gunn (the wife of Commander Iain Gunn, head of Clan Gunn, who could not make it as she had locked him out of the house and he was waiting for the joiner!) - were on the top table and were piped in after everyone else had found their places.
It was a great sight to behold and I made a short welcome speech and introduced the top table. I was also able to announce the engagement of Andrew Sinclair to Amy. The Rev. Malcolm Sinclair then said Grace and we tucked into a Terrine of Prawn wrapped in Smoked Salmon that was already on our places.
The wine was Henri St Clair New World 1398 Vintage and I remember catching Elaine Fowler’s eye, who was beaming with pleasure at it. The haggis was then piped in and David Sinclair Bouschor addressed it in good style to loud applause. A miniature bottle of 12 year old Old Pulteney was there for everyone who wanted the dram or to take it home.
A pause followed with music from the Thurso and Dounreay Strathspey and Reel Society.
The main course was marinated Saddle of Venison stuffed with oatmeal and apricots washed down with Sang Real Santo Claro Claret. Another pause with more music which, sadly for the band, was drowned by the increasingly voluble gathering! John who was doing an excellent job as Master of Ceremonies (Fear an tigh) and who had done most of the work on the dinner called for silence for two very pretty tunes.
Caithness Raspberry Cranachan was our final course followed by Coffee and Mints together with Port, Brandy or Malt Whisky for the toasts to come. I proposed the Loyal Toast and Camilla proposed the toast to Heads of States of Countries represented. Donald JH Sinclair proposed the Toast to Clan Sinclair in Caithness and John wrapped up the formal part of the evening by replying and proposing the Toast to Sinclairs Worldwide.
The meal was delicious and the wine flowed but it was time now to clear the tables from the centre of the room and dance. We had time for three reels before Auld Lang Syne and the coaches or walk home.
Everyone seemed thrilled by the evening and felt it had gone really well. Certainly the hotel did a good job in producing hot food quickly and getting the waiting done efficiently. It was a first for them and successful.
- Next: Thursday 3rd August - Farewells
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