Clan Mackay Society

Robertina Mackay Caruso 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 Television 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 was recorded in an edition of the Bratach Bhan

		Castle Varrich Photographs and Text by Colin Mackay (Kilbarchan) 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.

STRATHNAVER TARTAN [1952] The Strathnaver Tartan was first registered in 1952 and was said to have been discovered in a bog in Canada and brought back to Scotland. The colours which are said to reflect the seasons of the year are muted vegetable colours which merge peacefully and harmoniously together. It is obtainable from several manufacturers, but perhaps its price is higher than other tartans because of the difficulties in setting up the loom with so many colours. We remember with pleasure that great clansman Kenneth Mackay wearing full highland dress with his jacket and waistcoat in a delightful brown tweed. Kenneth was president of the Clan Mackay Society in the seventies and was a stalwart founder of the International Gathering of the Clans Committee. A seat in his memory lies above the Waverley Station Mall in Princes Street, Edinburgh. Alas says the editor of the Bratach Bhan he can only afford a tie in this fine old tartan. He remembers seeing it first one summer in Kingussie in the nineteen fifties, where it was worn by a former army officer. However our Secretary now stocks tartan baseball caps in the ancient Mackay tartan which helped to find your friends in a crowd if they are tall enough. Contact Ian if you wish to order one or one of our new range of sweat-shirts and fleeces.