Blether

Having retired from the military after 35 years service as a member of the Royal Canadian Regiment, along with learning the bagpipes, I joined the Scottish Society of Ottawa and became the Volunteer Director (assigning marching orders and supervising seemed an obvious fit for an ex Infantry NCO/Officer). One other job I took on was looking after our supplies. This led me to discover that the SSO had received a donation of several copies How to be Scottish: A Guide for North Americans written by a certain retired Infantry Colonel from my Regiment, and whom I personally knew, Colonel Strome Galloway.

Suffice to say all of these little communities in the county within a few short miles of each other had a number of businesses up and running fairly soon after the arrival of the folks on the ships. The now of today has brought about so many changes (over the last 200 years); they would not likely have ever been imagined by anyone back in 1820-21.

See the latest news from Scottish-related societies and clans.

I recall at home, a solitary candle in the window, the candle steeped in old traditions, lighting the way for the Holy family.

This month we interview Lisa Brooks and find out about the highlights of her dance career, what she does on her off-time and what she’s looking forward to.

These were pioneers in a new land acquiring the calm and strength of the rugged trees surrounding them; I love history so I set about with great vigour, tracing the background of the emigration to Canada in 1820-21 of the Scots and the settlements established, especially in the Lanark County area of Ontario.