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| That well known and entertaining group of Mackays, the Clan Mackay Society assembled in the grand surroundings of the Melville Castle Hotel near Edinburgh to welcome into the Clan Robertina Mackay from Bettyhill, but via Chile and then Italy. Robertina had sent in a postcard to the RAI Italian Television Channel asking if her dream of seeing the land of her forefathers and meeting distant relatives in Scotland could be granted by a popular Saturday evening Televsion Show "Sogni" [Dreams]
Her dream was indeed to come true and a half hour feature was televised and broadcast across Italy two weeks later. It was a lot of fun and indeed Robertina and her daughter also visited Bettyhill Tongue and Melness before coming to Edinburgh. Charlie and Marie Mackay hosted her visit North and John S. Mackay,South Queensferry and the Black Isle appeared at Castle Urquhart on the shores of Loch Ness. To culminate the highlights of her visit, her three sons from Chile, South Africa and Italy appeared, entirely unbeknown to her, dressed in immaculate Highland Dress. There were a few tears on her visit, but they were tears of joy as well as deep emotion. Welcome to the Clan Mackay, Robertina ! A full account of her visit will be recorded in this coming edition of the Bratach Bhan |
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Castle Varrich Photographs and Text by Colin Mackay (Kilbarchan)
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The structure is a Scheduled Ancient Monument under the protection of Historic Scotland. It stands on small "knoll" of rock almost 70m above sea level, on the east bank of, and half way along, the Kyle of Tongue. Water and nearby cliffs prevent access to it on the north and west sides, and a lower cliff similarly obstructs progress from the high ground to the south. Only from the east (Tongue) is there an approach path, and the last couple of hundred yards of that is steeper than a stair. The location provides distant views in all directions, except to the south. |
Updated 27th September 2003
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