May 2022 News

Scottish Events

Happily, Scottish events are finally starting up again in NZ, so let's all break out the Kilts and Tartan, get out of the house and give them as much support as we can. Scots in Spirit is keen to help promote events with a Scottish/Celtic flavour - send us details and we'll add them to our Events Calendar and Newsletter/blog.

Last Saturday, we attended the Clan Donald Dinner in Auckland (photo above) - so good to see Kilts, tartan sashes, Highland dancing and the piping in of the Haggis! An innovative Address to the Haggis included audience participation, which was a lot of fun. We were also treated to beautiful harp music and a talk by harpist Anna Dunwoodie, with fascinating insights into the history of harps and those who play them. 

                                                                                                           

Anna also mentioned the upcoming Harp Fest in Auckland, 3-6 February next year, hosting international harpists including Ailie Robertson from Edinburgh, widely regarded as one of Scotland’s leading traditional musicians and Celtic harpists. The programme will include concerts, workshops and talks on all areas of the harp, check out the Harp Fest website.

And we're thrilled that the Solo Piping competition usually held at the Hawkes Bay Easter Games is now going ahead on Matariki weekend, 24-26 June, at Lindisfarne College in Hastings - an opportunity to hear some really top-class piping, come along if you can. The plan is to replicate the full Easter programme starting with the Clasp on Friday night (24th); the DMSR (Double March, Strathspey and Reel) on Saturday night; and continuing through Sunday (full details). Scots in Spirit sponsors the Trophy for the DMSR contest, and we'll have our stand set up on Saturday & Sunday with our usual great range of products for sale. Note that the Highland Dancing competitions which usually accompany this event won't be present this time - but a local club is holding a 2-day dance competition at Clive, not far away. 

Offer
Pipers take note - we are offering 10% off our Practical Rain Capes from now till the end of June, so get in now to make sure you stay nice and dry this winter!

This Week in Scottish History
Just a few of the many historic events!

9 May 1860: The birth in Kirriemuir of novelist and dramatist J.M. Barrie, best known for inventing the character of Peter Pan.
10 May 1307: At the Battle of Loudoun Hill in Ayrshire, Robert the Bruce defeats forces loyal to the English.
11 May 1689: William II/III and Mary II jointly accept the crown of Scotland, though it is unclear whether they have first formally accepted the constitutional principles set by the Scottish Convention.
12 May 563: Saint Columba and twelve companions land on the island of Iona to establish a monastery.
13 May 1568: Mary Queen of Scots' army is defeated by a much smaller force under the Regent, the Earl of Moray, at the Battle of Langside, now part of Glasgow.
14 May 1752: Colin Campbell, the Red Fox, is killed in the Appin Murder at Ballachulish.
14 May 1754: Golf is formalised at St Andrews with the foundation of the St Andrews Society of Golfers.
15 May 1567: Mary Queen of Scots marries the Earl of Bothwell in a Protestant wedding at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh. They then flee from widespread popular dissent to Dunbar Castle.

That's all folks, we look forward to seeing you over the months ahead.
Graham and Sue, Scots in Spirit