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THE NEWSLETTER OF THE CLAN MACLEAN ASSOCIATION OF NEW ZEALAND INCORPORATED

Chief: Sir Lachlan Maclean of Duart and Morvern, Bt., CVO, DL, 28th Chief of Clan Maclean

Patron: Dame Cath Tizard ONZ, GCMG, GCVO, DBE, QSO.

ISSUE NUMBER : 58 JULY 2011

Greetings to all our members! We have just celebrated Tartan Day with our annual dinner at the Clansman Restaurant in Waipu. It was a good night even though numbers were down and we enjoyed it very much. Noel read a message from the Chief, Sir Lachlan, who recalled his trip to New Zealand (last November) and sent best wishes to everyone. Noel also told us a bit more about the proposed giant tapestry which will be co-ordinated by Prestonpans and which will depict different aspects of the Scottish emigrations to various parts of the world. In my speech I referred to the article about the Battle of Harlaw which featured in the March 2011 edition of “the Gillean Call” and added a bit about my own connection with that historic event which occurred on 24 July 1411. As a child I frequently visited the farm

which is part of the battle site in order to buy extra eggs direct from the farmer. (Eggs were strictly rationed at the time to one per person per week.) I may well have had ancestors on both sides at the battle of 1411 as the Macleans provided the largest contingent apart from the MacDonalds, and on the other side one of the burgesses of Aberdeen was a Stratton – a family name on my mother’s side. The provost of Aberdeen, one Robert Davidson who led the citizens, is buried in my old church. He was quite a character – a general merchant, a wine merchant, a tavern keeper and a known pirate whose exploits caused the Hanseatic league – a sort of free-trade organisation in Northern Europe – to halt trade with Aberdeen for thirty years. We are now in the quietest period of the year but there is always plenty to do. We are trying to keep the New Zealand page on www.maclean.org up to date and have now begum to include the newsletter on it – one issue behind the current one. We also

the Gillean Call

FROM PRESIDENT IAN’S DESK

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hope to create a photo album there too. Do have a look from time to time. Plans are progressing for the International Clan Gathering next June and I know several of you expect to be there. If you wish to let Katrine know of your intentions she could maybe later on publish a list so you can contact each other. I wish to thank all of you who have renewed your subscription as it is important that we keep our financial position healthy. Our numbers remain pretty static, so please encourage family and friends, no matter how distant, to swell our ranks and join in our activities. I was very pleased to hear about a gathering recently of about twenty Macleans in Dunedin. Daphne and Ina Stevens were there for Catherine McLean’s graduation, hence the get-together. Our piper Andrew Hayward, was invited, played the pipes and enjoyed the occasion very much – as did those present and the neighbours! And now another story from the Auld Kirk! Actually I may have told this one before in an earlier edition, but it is true and I like it. About 50 years ago when my nephew was 4 years old he came home from Sunday School a little out of sorts. His mother asked him what was wrong and he confessed, “My teacher gave me a shoogling.” (shaking). “What were you doing?” asked his mother. “Singing.” “Singing? What were you singing?” “Well the kids were singing “Jesus Loves Me” but I sang “76 Trombones and an Oomp Pah Pah.” All the best! Regards

Ian EDITORIAL Greetings to our Members and Friends! Well, as Ian has mentioned we held our dinner at Waipu on 2 July and were disappointed at the response after having established this as an annual event some years ago. However there was quite an amount of activity in Waipu around this time and

maybe we should consider either different timing, or a different location, or possibly a different type of activity. However, we can be proud that we have done our best over a number of years because the Tartan Week is well established in Waipu and the “Kirkin’ o’ the Tartan”,which we helped initiate in Waipu, is well supported in the local kirk. Again the weather was cold and miserable, so that also is a factor, although when Macleans get together they seem always to have a “good night” (Ian’s words.) And, as our hosts for the dinner – the Clansman Restaurant responded - “haste ye back!” Maybe you have some ideas for future activities – please contact a committee member or drop a line to Katrine. There is a report on the weekend later in this edition and the text of Sir Lachlan’s greetings to the dinner guests. We are also mindful of our dear friends and clansfolk in Canterbury and we offer your our support and encouragement in these difficult times. Please keep in contact with us as we are interested in learning more of your situation and how we might even be able to support you. As an example, my wife has organised through a local community group here in Papatoetoe, for the provision of beanies, scarves and hot water bottle covers and there is a dedicated group of ladies knitting a fast as they can and regular shipments are being sent south. I also want to take time out (yet again, I hear some of you say) to ask you to reflect upon the current activities of the Clan, what membership means to you and how it could increase your interest and enthusiasm, and maybe what additional or different activities or organisation we might pursue in the future? Life is ever changing and organisations that do not change to meet the needs of their membership seldom survive for long. The Clan Maclean Association of New Zealand has made a very notable contribution to the promotion and preservation of Scottish culture and Clan Maclean information since its inception, thanks largely to Rhona McLean. Her enthusiasm for that is recorded in the very first newsletter dated September 1997 which in part reads – “I am Rhona McLean and I am the one who is trying to get a New Zealand branch of the Clan MacLean up and running. I got involved in trying to do my family tree about this time last year. My mother was so overwhelmed doing her side of the family that the McLean side was barely touched. So I took up the challenge……..I hope that as we get more members and the information starts to flow, that you will enjoy finding out all about what it means to be a MacLean.”

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Well there you are – really we started because of an interest in genealogy and family history, still two key corner stones in our activities, but we have developed further over the years with numerous activities and also new initiatives like “Tartan in the Park”. My challenge to you all is to help to determine where we go to from here. At present your Committee has asked Suzy McLean and myself to initiate some research in to how we can increase our membership, our profile and our activities. So please let Suzy or myself know your views. In this issue we belately remember two of our members who died earlier this year and the contribution they made as Macleans. As time moves one so shall many of us so younger members and their wishes are also vitally important. Also a reminder that if any members or their families or friends are planning to attend the Centenary Gathering on Mull next June, we would like to hear from you. We have limited information but can refer you to suitable sources of information. I trust you enjoy this edition and best wishes to you all. Stay warm and healthy! Regards

Noel.

UPCOMING EVENTS Continued from Page 12.

12/13 Aug. Canterbury Caledonian Society. 20 Aug. Nelson Highland Dancing – Comp. Day Papakura Highland & National Dancing Mosgiel Piping & Dancing 21 Aug. Manawatu Performing Arts 27 Aug. Waimate Competitions Gisborne Competitions. 28 Aug. Wairarapa National Dancing. 3 Sept. Balmoral Club – Restricted Day Otago P & D. – Dancing 10 Sep. North Otago P & D. 11 Sept. Marlborough Highland Dancing 19 Nov. Auckland Highland Games 2 Jan 2012 Waipu Highland Games.

MACLEAN HOUSE TORONTO, CANADA

Way back in our May 2007 edition we carried a story about Macleans Magazine which celebrated 100 years in 2005. It was founded by Lt. Col. John Bayne Maclean in 1905. Just this month news has reached us that the former home of John Bayne Maclean, which was destined for demolition, has a new owner who indicates his intention to restore the home and site to its former glory. The home was originally designed by Canadian architect John Lyle, the mastermind behind Union Station and the Royal Alexandra Theatre. The unoccupied home was already on the list of potential heritage properties when contractors started stripping down parts of the building. Eventually the province issued a “work stop” order to allow sufficient time for it to issue a heritage designation for Maclean House.

CLAN MACLEAN ASSOCIATION

OF NEW ZEALAND INC. MEMORABILIA

Maclean Polo Shirts (State size and colour -normally made to order, price on application. Limited sizes and colours are in stock ) Duart Castle Note Cards Pkt. 10 12.00 Pkt. 5 7.00 Embroidered Badges (Crest) 10.00 Clan Maclean Pens (ball point) 1.50 or set of 3 4.00 Wall Map – Clan Maclean Battles, Castles and Lands. 15.00 (Discounted) Except for shirts and please add $1 postage and packing per order. Please order from The Secretary Other Items – Tartan Bow ties – crafted by Katrine at $5.50 Maclean of Duart waistcoat $75 measurements needed.

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As far as weather goes it could not have been a more miserable time with heavy rain and wind however when you are with friends that seems to matter little. It was my pleasure to bring Dr Mervyn McLean (our esteemed Life Member) and his wife Ann to Waipu and shortly after mid-day we checked in to the Clansman Motel where our hosts Claire and Pete were already hard at work. I hastily placed my carefully cooked haggis (for the evening proceedings) in its cooker to warm it. With Mervyn, and Ann I then set off for a lunch and Mervyn and I decided to attend the local whisky tasting session whilst Ann viewed the Waipu Museum. A hour or so, and a few wee drams, later we returned to the motel only to find they had a major power cut and were awaiting electrician. When he arrived he found that there was a problem with the incoming power supply so further delay resulted whilst the power company sent a serviceman from Whangarei. I can tell you it was a time when some of us were getting quite anxious but about 5 p.m. all was restored and guests started arriving for the dinner about 6.30 p.m. blissfully unaware of the drama through the afternoon. But it did not stop there – two of the activities involving pipers had to be cancelled but the resourceful Maclean mob carried on. As the food and drinks flowed somehow what we planned did not matter that much but we did manage to suitably entertain our twenty five or so guests. Ian did a magnificent “Address to the Haggis” (whilst I sat absolutely scared that I had not cooked it adequately), between courses I read a stirring message from Sir Lachlan which he had sent me a few days earlier, then I told a few stories, read a few poems, gave away some copies of Mervyn’s book “A Boat of Our Ain” and then Katrine (after much persuasion over a long time) played the piano for a sing-a-long? Did I say “sing-a long – well more like a “hum-a long” but it was great fun. Everyone I spoke to thoroughly enjoyed themselves and great credit is due to Claire and Pete and also Katrine and Ian. Some of us even stayed up and

watched the “Super 15 rugby semi final” that the Blues did not win! Next morning it was off to the Auld Waipu Kirk and the Rev. Peter Dunn had done his usual great job not only of having a warm church but an interesting and compelling service.

The format of the service included the old Scottish tradition of standing to pray and being seated when singing. Peter Dunn introduced an interesting aspect of Gaelic psalm singing with an excerpt from YouTube. (You can view this simply by “Googleing” YouTube and the subject ‘Gaelic Psalm Singing’ – this item features a choir from Lewis.) During the service Jamie McGregor, a Committee Member of the Waipu Caledonian Society recounted that the Society had just announced the award of the Assynt Quaich to Rev Peter Dunn for outstanding services to the Society. Peter was the longest serving Padre to the Society in its 140 year history (and I believe is now also the longest serving minister at the Waipu Presbyterian Church.)

WAIPU DINNER – 2 July and “KIRKIN’ O’ THE TARTAN”

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As usual during his conduct of the “Kirkin’ o’ the Tartan” Peter Dunn introduced something of early settlers of Waipu who when they arrived in Waipu from Nova Scotia invariably spoke what was referred to as “The Gaelic”. (This is a theme I have mentioned also later in this newsletter.) As an example, the following slide depicts the Benediction in both “the Gaelic” and in English.

The following is the substance of Rev Peter Dunn’s sermon at this year’s “Kirkin’ o’ the Tartan. The story of Jacob is a fascinating read. In his mothers womb he struggled with his twin Esau so much that his mother Rebekah became concerned and sought the Lord's advice. The Lord told her “The

sons in your womb will become two nations. From the very beginning, the two nations will become rivals.” When they were born Esau came first with Jacob holding onto his heel. His name Jacob means “he grasps the heel” which in Hebrew is pronounced the same way as another word meaning “deceiver”, and so Jacob carries with it a double meaning. And a deceiver he did become because by the time he was a young adult he had also grabbed Esau's birthright and blessing through deception. Jacob had to run for it from Esau and ended up with another crooked dealer in his uncle Laban, and he had to live on the other side being manipulated and deceived for a period of 19 years before he escaped his uncle over night. He ran pursued by Laban with his wives Leah and Rachael with substantial wealth in animals that he had cunningly gained through astute animal husbandry. He effectively grabbed Laban's wealth for himself. But during this time you notice a slow change begin in Jacob as he became aware of God and God's blessing. He began to pray, ask God about things. This led him to eventually make peace with his uncle Laban and importantly with his brother Esau. But not before perhaps the highlight of Jacob's story where he wrestled with the angel of God. Why did Jacob wrestle with this angel? Because he came to the realisation that through all his wheeling and dealing, deception and dishonesty, that his only point of joy and satisfaction came when he recognised that God was the one who blessed him. I wonder whose face he saw as he wrestled. Esau's, changing to his own face, to Laban's, Leah's and Rachael's in turn, and finally to God's face. He had wrestled with them all in some way, grabbing what he could for himself. When he realised he was wrestling with this angel whom he would eventually recognise as God. Jacob wasn't wrestling because he was trying to stop God, he was wrestling because he realised all his sin and double dealing had trapped him and was about to destroy him and all that he loved. He was wrestling for God's blessing - his forgiveness, his protection, his sorting out his immediate problem of his brother Esau approaching his camp with a small army armed to the teeth to take revenge on him. In the wrestle with the angel of God, the angel ask him his name. “Jacob,” came the reply. Jacob the one who grabs and deceives. A confession, the entry into the blessing he was wrestling for. The reply, “from now on you will

“THE SERMON” at

“Kirkin o’ the Tartan” 2011

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be called Israel, because you have fought with God and with men and have won.” The name Israel means “God fights.” Jacob fought God for a blessing. This may all seem a little confusing. How can one wrestle with God and get away with it? Of all the commentators I read on this Matthew Henry seems to put it the best. “The angel puts a perpetual mark of honour upon him, by changing his name (v. 27, 28): "Thou art a brave combatant'' (says the angel), "a man of heroic resolution; what is thy name?'' "Jacob,'' says he, a supplanter; so Jacob signifies: "Well,'' says the angel, "be thou never so called any more; henceforth thou shalt be celebrated, not for craft and artful management, but for true valour; thou shalt be called Israel, a prince with God, a name greater than those of the great men of the earth.'' He is a prince indeed that is a prince with God, and those are truly honourable that are mighty in prayer. Jacob is here knighted in the field, as it were, and has a title of honour given him by him that is the fountain of honour, which will remain, to his praise, to the end of time.” Simon, son of John, was one of the disciples, by all accounts one of the two or three who became very close to Jesus. In our NT reading we heard the watershed moment in Simon's life, when Jesus asked, “But who do you say I am?” Simon's reply, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God.” Jesus said in return, “Now I say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.” As with Jacob, Simon was given a new name to signify a change of relationship and a new understanding and a new beginning. What's in a name? I was reading a Jewish commentary, called the Talmud, on the Jacob story. This is what it says. “Every man has a name given him by the planets, and given him by his neighbours. Each man has a name given him by his sins and given him by his longing. Each man has a name given him by his enemies and by his love. Each man has a name given him by God to wrestle for.” When we look back at the history of our Scottish ancestors we know that they were a wild and violent lot. Often at war with each other where the Maori equivalent of utu, of family or tribal revenge for offenses real and imagined, was often exacted in blood. Where hill forts and strongholds were

necessary for safety, where autumn after the harvest was the time for war. In 563AD an Irish missionary called Columba (Calum in Gaelic) landed in Scotland with twelve other monks to preach the gospel among the Picts, a confederation of tribes that had resisted Christianity until then. During his life time the Picts became Christians, with a number of stories of Columba having front on debates with the Druid priests in the sacred groves and henges that would last one or more days, and then to have the whole audience that has gathered, including the Druid priests bowing at the end of the day to confess their faith in Christ, whereby whole clans completely changed their religion overnight. What force or power can do that? This year I have read a really boring book called The Domesday Quest by Michael Wood. By boring it is not a novel but an analysis of facts from the Domesday Book of 1086 which was a census of all the assets and people of England ordered by William the Conqueror. What most people don't realise is that not only was Scotland a land of Celt's but so too was what we now call England. But with invasions and the subsequent new settlers from Rome, Scandinavia, and Normandy, new cultures came and went leaving Scotland and England very distinct from each other. My book compares the written records of earlier census' to the Domesday record and shows some amazing sociological transitions. As different areas of Celtic England was reached by the Christian faith, there was a sudden change in the personal names of individuals. The people began to adopt and then use what became known as Christian names. When I was young, birth certificates and government forms still asked for a persons Christian name. That's where that came from. So what's in a name? As a Christian I have put my faith in a person called Jesus Christ. It continues to be a deliberate decision of mine. I realise that I myself have many names, as the Talmud says, given to me by the planets, neighbours, by my sins and longings, by enemies and by my love. Each person has a name given to them by God to wrestle for. In a sense I wrestle each day with God to have the name he has given me. This name means a lot to me. I am willing to fight for it against all temptations not to have it. Jacob came to the point where he became fearful of the situations he had created in his quest for wealth. He made enemies of his family who were out to take

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back everything he had stolen from him. For Esau to regain his birth right, he had to take Jacob's life. Laban would have spared his life for the sake of his daughters, but would have taken back the fortune that had been stolen from him. Jacob had become a slave to the law, named by his sins, a prisoner to his decisions and actions, and that caused him to fear. So what happened when he wrestled with God? “Dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. For if you live by its dictates, [as Jacob realised] you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God's Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm we are God's children. And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God's glory.” (Romans 8:12-17). The name I have wrestled for is to be called a child of God. Simple as that- an adopted son of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. And I have been given it by God through his Son Jesus Christ. I am now a co-heir with Jesus to the Father's glory. I take pride in my Scottish and Celtic ancestry. They were great people. I love their rhythms of life, spirituality and music that can still be found amongst us. And one of the drum beats is the Christian faith that pulses through our heritage. Those amazing events in Ireland and Caledonia that witnessed in a life time a spiritual heritage thousands of years old abandoned for a new faith. The same kind of movement that saw Maori become Christians in their tens of thousands up and down New Zealand in a twenty year period when the first missionaries arrived. It wasn't the missionaries who caused this, they stayed mostly in the north of New Zealand around the Bay of Islands and the Hokianga. It was Maori Christians who spread the gospel from tribe to tribe so that when Lutheran and Presbyterian Missionaries arrived in the bottom of the South Island in the 1840's, the tribes were already mostly Christian. I am wondering about you who have come today proud of your name and heritage. Do you have the name and heritage that transcends history and Clan, the name “child of God”. It is said that Gaelic is the

language of heaven and that pipes not harps are the preferred instrument of the angels. That may be, but the name that counts is Jesus Christ. His name has impacted and influenced our clans and families for 1,500 years. He is not finished with us as a people, he has not finished with your family, he has not finished with you. Maybe you wrestle with God about faith and belief, wrestle him over the names you have picked up through your relationships and dealings. You do not need to be a slave to these names. God has a new one for you. When you wrestle with God, sometime in the shoving and pushing, he will touch you in such a way, like when he dislocated Jacob's hip, that you will be reminded that God is God, that he is all powerful. There will be something, an experience, a happening, a thought from which you will know that you have seen God's power. That's just to remind you who you are dealing with. God will be robust in his dealings with you, but I think like when I used to wrestle with my sons when they were young, my strength allowed me to be gentle with them in the rough and tumble. We have kirked the tartan today. It is a Clan blessing. Like our forebears who experienced the cruelty and insanity of this world, we have asked God for his blessing. He will give it. Will you receive him like our ancestors did? Jesus Christ, the name above all names.” A Greetings from Dunedin! Recently I was involved with a performance given by the combined City of Dunedin pipe bands. Because I am a new member of the band, and because not many supporters of the band knew my face, I played a role in an opening sketch whereby I was disguised in my casual clothes, and sitting in the audience as if that’s where I belonged. When the MC came on to the stage with a shiny set of bagpipes (mine), he explained briefly how they worked and then opened the stage to any member of the audience who was brave enough to have a go at playing them. As rehearsed, I raised my hand and shouted. “Yeah, I am keen!” The unsuspecting audience cheered me on as I made my way on to the stage. The MC asked me my name and then handed me my pipes, which I took from him clumsily and put them

Andrew’s Corner !

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over the wrong shoulder. He smiled, then corrected me and gave me some helpful advice. I pretended to struggle. I made some horrible squeaky noises with my chanter and I under-blew my drones quite a lot, but the audience encouraged me nonetheless. My fingers were mixed up and I couldn’t keep the bass drone on my shoulder, so I stopped, pretending to be out of breath. I asked the MC for one more try, except this time I blew up properly and started playing the Green Hills of Tyrol. I hope the audience was surprised, for they were certainly amused when the curtains opened and the rest of the combined band marched on stage joining me in the repeat of Green Hills. We received some very positive feedback from the audience, who generally thought it was a hilarious gimmick and a great way to open a concert. Mar sin leibh an-drasta

Andrew. Editor’s Note: I am sorry I mislaid a short piece from Andrew in our last edition but in it he invited our younger members to tell him “what is your favourite slow air to hear on the highland bagpipes?

1. Amazing Grace. 2. The Flower of Scotland. 3. Mull of Kintyre 4. Any other?

You can email your answers to piper@andrewhayward.co,nz or visit his website www.andrewhayward.co.nz

Andrew plays in the Gardens of Government House in Auckland on the occasion of the Vice Regal Reception for Sir Lachlan Maclean last November.

Welcome to all members of the Clan Maclean Association of New Zealand and their guests at the Annual Dinner before the Kirkin’ o’ the Tartan tomorrow morning. As I expect you are having your meal in the hotel where you very kindly entertained me when I came to Waipu last year I can imagine you all in the dining room with your guests having a really good party. No doubt there will be many people there who looked after me when I came to New Zealand last year. Ian and Katrine, and the Committee, but also those of you in Waipu who looked after me so well on my visit. I still think about you all a lot as there was the coal mining disaster when I was in New Zealand, and then the earth quakes that have hit Christchurch happening after I had left New Zealand – you have all had more than your fair share of natural disasters to cope with in the last seven months.

Sir Lachlan with Dame Cath Tizard at the Vice Regal Reception when the disaster at Pike River Coal mine was announced. I shall never forget the kindness that all of you in New Zealand showed me on my visit, the way you took me in to your houses, looked after me and in some cases even washed my shirts and gave me medical attention to cope with my voice which got very weak at one stage. The original settlers of Waipu came from Scotland via Nova Scotia, Melbourne Australia, and then to Waipu, all by sea. My father once wrote an article for the Scouter magazine when he was Chief Scout,

Sir Lachlan’s Message to our Clan Dinner on 2 July

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“that the sea that washes up against the rocks at my home on Mull is the same sea that washes on the shores of New Zealand”. So although we are separated by thousands of miles, we do have this common link of the sea which brought your ancestors to Waipu and links us all together today. I do hope that some of you will be able to come over next summer for the Gathering at Duart which is now starting to take shape and I think will be a very good event for all Macleans. Have a great evening, and I am sorry I’m not able to be there with you. With all good wishes. Lachan Maclean of Duart and Morvern. In our March issue we had an article on the Battle of Harlaw fought on 24 July 1411. This was essentially a Clan battle fought just north of Inverurie in Aberdeenshire. It was one of several battles fought during the Middle Ages between the barons of northeast Scotland and those from the west coast. The battle was fought to resolve competing claims to the Earldom of Ross. The Duke of Albany, regent of Scotland, had taken control of the earldom as guardian of his niece, Euphemia Leslie. The claim was contested by Donald, Lord of the Isles, who had married Euphemia’s aunt, Mariota. Donald invaded Ross with the intention of seizing the earldom by force. First, he defeated the MacKays at Dingwall. He captured the castle and then advanced on Aberdeen with 10,000 clansmen. Near Inverurie he was met by forces of local gentry, mainly in armour, who had been hastily assembled by the Earl of Mar. After a day of fierce fighting there was no clear victor; Donald had lost 900 mean before retreating back to the Western Isles, the Mar had lost about 500. The latter could claim a strategic victory in that Aberdeen was saved, and within a year Albany had recaptured Ross and forced Donald to surrender. However Mariota was awarded the earldom of Ross in 1424

and the Lords of the Isles would keep the title for much of the 15th century. The ferocity of Harlaw gave it the nickname “red Harlaw”; it is remembered by a 40 foot memorial on the battlefield, the Chapel at Garioch, and by ballads and music. Throughout the week 24 – 30 July the Aberdeen City Council and the Aberdeenshire Council are working in partnerships with numbers of organizations to deliver a week of celebrations to mark the 600th year since the Battle of Harlaw.

Dear Readers – I am all too aware that in past editions we have sometimes failed to acknowledge the passing of members and to offer our sympathies to their families. This is usually due to a lack of information at the time but it is our intention to remedy any omission. Please keep Katrine or myself advised of past or present members who have passed on! Kim Paterson In our May 2010 issue we introduced readers to Western House in Kurow operated by Kim and Jeremy Paterson (one of our founder members.) Sadly we report the passing of Kim earlier this year. Kim was a McDonald from the Isle of Skye and she and Jeremy were long term neighbours and friends of Ian and Katrine in their Kaukapakapa days. Our sincere condolences to Jeremy. Iain MacLean (Here is a tribute written by his son Neil.) Iain Albert MacLean was born on Christmas Eve 1922 and spent most of his early years in Woodville. Our particular branch of the clan comes from Middleton on Tiree from where Iain’s grandfather, Hector Neil MacLean emigrated to New Zealand in 1883. Hector worked on farms in the Oamaru area before moving to Maraekakaho in Hawkes Bay around 1900. The family later moved to Waipawa and then to Woodville. Ian started work in the Marine Division in Wellington the day after World War 2 was declared. He later joined the Army and trained in radar before being sent to Italy in 1944. In Italy he worked with

“The Flowers of the Forest” Remembering those who have

passed!

BATTLE OF HARLAW COMMEMORATION

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radios and was briefly in Japan as part of the occupation force before returning to New Zealand Iain settled in Hawkes Bay and married Ruth Deighton in 1948. Iain worked in a number of Government Departments retiring from the DSIR in 1979 where he worked in fruit research. Iain had a life-long interest in gardening and in researching things that interested him. In particular he grew fruit, vegetables and flowers on a semi-commercial basis for a number of years and together with Ruth researched their respective ancestors including the MacLeans. Iain’s garden and flat were immaculate up to his death on 24 March 2011. Iain was a quiet, thoughtful and generous man, who is survived by his brother hector, Children Neil and Alison, grandchildren, Katherine, Stuart and Jane, and great grandchildren Jack, Luke, Henry, Ava and Franco. Luke also carries the name Iain. (Thanks and sympathies to Neil and Barbara who kindly advised me of Iain’s passing.) Hector Maclean This obituary, although not of a New Zealand Maclean is of great interest. Hector Maclean who died aged 79 years on 3 April 2011 was a Sheriff whose long career on the Bench spanned Scotland west to east. Born in Glasgow on 6 December 1931, he was the son of Lucy McAlister and Donald Maclean and spent many happy holidays on Mull, the home of his father’s family and developed something of a homing instinct for the island. Educated at the High School of Glasgow, he left in 1949 to study at the University of Glasgow where he graduated MA in 1953 and LLB in 1956. He did work briefly for a legal firm but was then drafted in to National Service. Academically gifted he became part of the Army’s Intelligence Corp for his two years of National Service and was selected to attend the Joint Services School for Linguistics. The school had been founded to train servicemen in languages to fulfill the need for more interpreters, intelligence and signals intelligence officers following both the Cold War and the Korean War. When posted at the former Royal Naval Air Station in Fife he learned Russian and later was posted to

GCHQ intelligence centre in Cheltenham. This was at a time when there was considerable tension between Russia and the Western Allies of East and West German and Berlin in particular. Little is known of his service due to the Official Secrets Act but in mid 1950’s he returned to the legal profession in Scotland and was called to the bar in 1959. He married to Hilary Jenkins in 1967. The following year he was appointed to the sheriffdom known as Renfrew and Argyll. Based at Paisley his jurisdiction included the Outer Hebrides where commuted each fortnightly to sit at Stornaway and Lochmaddy Courts. He settled in Kinmacolm where with Hilary raised three daughters. Formed many enduring friendships and enjoyed a reputation as a generous and frequent host. He contributed greatly to community life and was a member of the Golf Club, the Old Kirk, and Chair of the nursery school. He remained Paisley based for 20 years before moving to the bench at Linlithgow in the Lothian and Borders Sheriffdom. Described by colleagues as a hard working, reliable and fair sheriff, he was also a man with a dry sense of humour who treasured his home life and was extremely proud of his daughters and their families. He was a keen golfer and rugby fan, enjoyed supporting Scotland in the Five Nations and often attended rugby sevens in the Borders. Hector Maclean retired in 2004 but suffered ill health and was devotedly cared for by Hilary in the last few years.

I recently read the Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) is spoken by about 60,000 people in Scotland, mainly in the Highlands and the Western Isles. This was very much the language of our forebears and it is interesting to spend a little time talking about it. Scottish Gaelic is closely related to Manx and Irish and was brought to Scotland around the 4th century AD by the Scots from Ireland. It was spoken throughout Scotland between 9th and 11th century but began to retreat north and westwards from the 11th century onwards. It is also distantly related to Welsh,

The Gaelic

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Cornish and Breton which form the Brythonic branch of the Celtic languages, also known a P-Celtic. The Celtic languages all have a similar grammatical structure, but have relatively little in common. The Scottish Gaelic Alphabet Scottish Gaelic is written with just 18 letters, each of which is named after a tree or shrub. The consonants all have more than one pronunciation depending on their position in a word and which vowels precede or follow them. Thus we have Aa Ailm (Elm) Bb Beath (Birch) Cc Coll (Hazel) Dd Dair (Oak) Ee Eadha (Aspen) Ff Fearn (Alder) Gg Gort (Ivy) Hh Uath (Hawthorn) Ii Iogh (Yew) Ll Luis (Rowan) Mm Muin (Vine) Nn Nuin (Ash) Oo Oir/Onn (Gorse) Pp Peithe (Guelder Rose) Rr Ruis (Elder) Ss Suil (Willow) Tt Teine (Furze) Uu Ur (Heather) A grave accent on a vowel (Àà, Èè, Ìì, Òò, and Ùù) indicates a longer version of the vowel, but these are not considered separate letters. Here are some Days, and Months in Gaelic. Didòmhnaich Latha na Sàbaid Sunday Diluain Monday Dimàirt Tuesday Diciadain Wednesday Diardaoin Thursday Dihaoine Friday Disathairne Saturday AmFaoilleach January An Gearran February Am Màrt March An Giblean April An Cèitean May An t-Ogmhìos June An t-Luchar July An Lùnasdal August An t-Sultain September

An Dàmhair October An t-Samhain November An Dùbhlachd December You can find a number of opportunities to further your knowledge of Gaelic on many websites. Finally, here are a few phrases for you to try – “Dè an t-ainm a tha oirbh? (Jeh un TAH-num uh HAW-ruv?) “What’s your name?” “S mise……(Inset your name). SMIH-shuh..) “My name is …………..” Ciamar a tha sibh?” (KIM-mer uh HAH shiv?) “How are you?” “Tha gu math, tapadh leibh.” HAH guh MAH, TAH-puh LEH-eev.” “I’m well thank you. “Slàinte mhòr agad!” (SLAHN-tchuh VOR AH-kut!” “Great health to you!” “Tha gaol agam ort.” (Hah GEUL AH-kum orsht.) “I love you.” “Tha gaol agam ort-fhèin.” (Hah GUEL AH-kum orsht-HEH-een.” “I love you too.” And now a few Gaelic proverbs. Cha deoch-slàint, i gun a tràghadh. It’s no health of the glass is not emptied. An làmb a bheir, `s I a gheibh. The hand that gives is the hand that gets. Bàthaidh toll beag long mhòr. A little hole will sink a big ship. Is fheàrr teicheadh math na droch fhuireach. Better a good retreat than a bad stand. Cha sgeul-rùin e `s fios aig triùir air. It’s no secret if three know it. Far an taine `n abhainn, `s ann as mò a fuaim. Where the stream is shallowest, it is the noisiest. Cha bhi fios aire math an tobair gus an tràigh e. The value of the well is not known until it goes dry.

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CLAN MACLEAN ASSN. OF NEW ZEALAND INC. The Clan Maclean Association of New Zealand is a registered incorporated society having as its main objects the advancement of Clan fellowship, history and heritage. Officers Chief: Sir Lachlan Maclean of Duart and Morvern Bt., CV; DL; 28th Chief of the Clan Maclean. Patron: Dame Cath Tizard ONZ, GCMG, GCVO, DBE, QSO. Former Governor General of New Zealand. President: Ian McLean 341 Mangawhai Road, RD 5, Wellsford (9)423 9145 kayzee@xtra.co.nz Vice President: Arthur Dickinson (9)535 7742 val_arthur@orcon.net.nz Immediate Past President Alasdair MacLean (9)534 5322 roandal@ihug.co.nz Acting Secretary Katrine McLean 341 Mangawhai Road, RD5, Wellsford (9)423 9145 kayzee@xtra.co.nz Treasurer / Membership Secretary Neil McLean (9)444 3021 44 Hiwihau Place, Glenfield, Auckland 0629 Committee Members – Andrew Hayward piper@andrewhayward.co.nz Donald MacLean (also Archivist) (9)443 5049 diandon@ihug.co.nz Rhona McLean (9)437 7155 rmclean@ihug.co.nz Daphne Stephens (9)420 5073 Stephensd@xtra.co.nz Suzy McLean 56E Lincoln Street, Ponsonby, Auckland 1021 Noel Robinson (also Newsletter Editor) (9)278 1834 Please! Address all correspondence to the Acting Secretary, 341 Mangawhai Road RD5, WELLSFORD Northland: remit all monies to the Treasurer / Membership Secretary, and address any newsletter items or genealogy queries to Noel Robinson, P O Box 23 642, Hunters Corner, Manukau City 2155. “The Gillean Call” is the Newsletter of the Clan Maclean Association of New Zealand and is published bi-monthly in January, March, May, July, September and November

Articles and comments from members are welcome and these should be in the hands of the Editor no later than the 20th of the month preceding publication. The Clan Maclean Association of New Zealand is registered also with the Charities Commission. MEMBERSHIP AND SUBSCRIPTIONS Membership is available upon completion of a formal application and acceptance by the Committee. Subscriptions apply for the calendar year (our financial year) and are currently $20 per individual or family. Membership forms available from Committee members, Area representatives and at Clan activities and should be mailed to the Secretary. Subscriptions for the year 2011 are now due!. A three year membership is available at $50. Members are notified when subscriptions are due and should a further reminder not result in payment of fees then membership services, including the newsletter, will cease. Members are responsible for notifying and change of address. Thanks to all who are currently up to date and we do of course welcome new members at any time. NEW MEMBERS ALWAYS WELCOME! AREA REPRESENTATIVES! Northland Iain H MacLean (Hikurangi) 0272 378 197 Hawkes Bay Iain G McLean (Hastings) (6) 877 6604 Canterbury Glenis McLean 0272 624 674 Otago / Southland Allan MacLean (Cromwell) (3) 445 3137 UPCOMING EVENTS! (Please let us know about events in your area.) 22-25 July NZ Champs –Highland Dancing, Christchurch 31 July Southland Piping Champs. Invercargill 6 August Temuka Competitions Society Auckland Centre Championships Upper Hutt Highlanders Dominion P & D, Otago. 7 August Te Puke Highland Dancing. Manawatu Teachers & Judges 13 August Gore & Districts Piping & Dancing Auckland Centre Solo Piping, Onehungs Bay of Plenty Teachers / Judges – Dancing (Continued on Page )

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