As I write this we are preparing for what we hope will be a great weekend for the Houston Highland Games. I'm looking forward to seeing old and new members at our booth and at the Robert Burns Workshops.
Simply delightful evening of Scottish songs at the April Meeting
Simply Scottish presented a selection of Burns and other Scottish songs to about 35 members and guests at the April 28th meeting. H&T member Dave Hutton from Perth (vocals) and Julian Tribe from Oxford (guitar/vocals) began singing together here in Houston about two years ago. On Dave's own admission the content and style of the presentation was heavily influenced by the fact that his mother began dragging him round the Scottish folk music scene in the 1970s and both became groupies of the Corries, who were just then emerging as the leading group in the field. Sadly this was one of the last live gigs for Simply Scottish. Dave Hutton and his wife will soon be relocating to Atlanta. We're sorry to lose the Huttons and wish them well. For that reason and to thank Simply Scottish for their performance we were delighted to feature Dave's tartan the Malcolm as Tartan of the Month on the website for April.
Please note that the "May" meeting has been rescheduled one week later than usual to avoid Memorial Day and the Houston Highland Games weekend of May 17-18.
Captain Alistair Macnab will present "Scotland's Merchant Venturers - the Story of Scotland's Contribution to the Spread of Empire through the Development of Merchant Shipping with a Significant Scottish Component", highlighting Clan Line, Ben Line, Aberdeen & Commonwealth Line, Bank Line, Denholms, Hogarth's, Lyle's, Paddy Henderson's, City Line, Burrell's and so on as well as the Scottish shipyards that supported these world-wide businesses, mainly Clydeside, but also including Dundee and Aberdeen. Born in Ayr, Alistair left school at 15 to go to sea and rose rapidly through the ranks to become one of the youngest-ever Captains in the British merchant marine, serving all over the world. He began his onshore career in New Orleans, and after spells in Houston, New York and Scotland has spent the last 20+ years back in Houston. His entire career has been linked with the maritime commerce. He retired two years ago after eight years as president of the Houston Port Users Bureau, and has begun a new career lecturing at the University of Houston on international trade. This talk promises to be one of the highlights of the year, so mark your calendars.
To honor Mark Monroe's sterling service as Program Chair for the last year and Alex and Maryanne Munroe's many years of contribution to the Society we are pleased to feature the Munro as Tartan of the Month for May/June. Check it out at www.heatherandthistle.org.
Please send ideas to our new Program Chair Dr. Gordon Macleod at gordymacus@yahoo.com.
Robert Boyd
Chieftain