Page 6
THE CELTIC CONNECTION » DECEMBER 1996/JANUARY 1997
Dancers available for: Parties, Senior's Homes, Weddings, etc.
Angus MacKenzie (Teacher) "former World Campion Highland Dancer"
Phone:(604)687-5458
9\(gttaU} cfiridfuilagus 'Bhadhna mfiath ur
Seasons greetings from *Ihe Vancouver & District QaeCic Choir
Tor more information caff: Oofin Mac Leod(604) 432-9216
Bathehson School of Highland dance
Will commence in January
Glasses will consist of Highland, Scottish Country and Cape Breton Style Stepdance
Ages 5 and Over For further information, contact
Bonnie Batherson at 737-7709
The British Banger
BUTCHER SHOP
CHRISTMAS ORDERS ARE BEING TAKEN NOW!
Place your order now for our
Authentic Scottish Haggis
Order your Haggis now for Robbie Burns Day Our Scottish Haggis recipe from Glasgow University dates back 1500 years
■4I.SO FEATURED...
*Fresh New York Turkey - Right off the farm! (Limited supply)
'English Gammon Ham *New shipments arriving daily of British Groceries and candies *Cadbury Christmas Stockings & selection boxed chocolates
BRITISH SPECIALTIES
r>ue English Gammon ham and bacon - Ayrshire & Wiltshire Bacon, Melton Mobray Pie - Black Pudding - Plus! - over 38 varieties of sausage.
711 QUEENSBURY AVE NORTH VANCOUVER "honest everyday _ _ ^_ prices" 985-2444 j ■! TSKTB.-IG™ndB Ml. l_
| HOURS: Mon-Fri 9:30-6. Saturday 9-6, Sunday closed
By STEVE BLAMIRES
JUNEAU, Alaska — The story of the Scottish nation is ancient, intricate and complex. To this day, it is not fully explained even in Scotland and one dreadful episode in the history of the Scottish people is hardly mentioned — The Clearances.
To understand the history of the Clearances we need to look at the Scottish Highlands in the Eighteenth Century.
A subsistence style of living had existed for countless centuries in the Scottish Highlands and Islands, with the people developing their own culture, language, customs and unique character.
Throughout the rest of Britain, and throughout the rest of Scotland, the popular image of the Highlander was that he was dirty, lazy, untrustworthy and without honour.
In 1715, there had been an unsuccessful uprising of Highlanders against the English. In response, the government sent General Wade to the Highlands
to regain control and to keep the insurgent Gaels in check. To this day, the British National Anthem contains the following words:
God grant that General Wade May by Thy mighty aid Victory bring May he sedition hush Ana like a torrent rush Rebellious Scots to crush God save the Queen.
The next Jacobite uprising in 1745 was almost successful but was just the excuse needed to deal with the Gaelic speaking Highlanders once and for all. Following the massacre of Cuiloden in 1746, the destruction of the Highland way of life was almost complete.
The government, not content with the military defeat in 1747 passed "The Act of Proscription," in an attempt to eradicate the Highland ways altogether.
This Act banned the wearing of tartan, the playing of bagpipes, the right to bear arms, the gathering of Highland people and the teaching of the written Gaelic language.
In the same year, "The 1747 Heritable Jurisdictions Act" was passed, which stated that those Highlanders who did not accede to English jurisdiction would have their lands forfeited and placed in the hands of government appointed surrogates.
The few remaining Highland landlords either moved south to the cites or stayed and lived off the small income from their clansmen's rents plus an income from the sale of cattle.
The market for meat dropped sharply at the beginning of the Nineteeth Century but the demand for sheep and wool rose dramatically.
The price of Highland wool in 1801 had been 15 shillings per stone, but by 1818 it had increased to 40 shillings per stone. The landlords saw their chance to renew their fortunes with flocks of hill sheep.
It soon became clear that the small holdings of the remaining clansmen were getting in the way
Continued on page 7
SCOTTISH CULTURAL CENTRE
A 1996 Round-up and What's In Store For 1997
By mike paul
VANCOUVER— The Scottish community enjoyed a host of entertainment in 1996, beginning with numerous Burns suppers in and around the Lower Mainland — from North Vancouver to South Surrey.
One supper that particularly stands out in my memory, was the White Rock evening, on January 27. Although a cold night outside, that was soon forgotten once inside. The food, speeches, entertainment and dancing were most heartwarming.
Throughout the year, The Scottish Cultural Centre was the venue for such Scottish artists as Gaberlunzie, Pepperpots, Tanna-hill Weavers, the Garioch Blend, Alexander Brothers, Battlefield Band, Drop the Box and Old Blind Dogs.
Local artists included Wilma Head, Double Standards, Fiona Blackburn, Inverglen Dancers, Stave Fall Dancers, Vancouver District Gaelic Choir and Royal Scottish Country Dancing Demonstration Team, to name a few.
For the second year in a row, the formidable Simon Fraser Pipe Band competed in Scotland and brought back the World Premier Pipe Band Championship award. An outstanding achievement.
On July 21, a special rededicat-ion at the Robert Burns statue in Stanley Park was witnessed by a splendid turn-out of visitors and members of the Scottish community. (July 21 was the 200th anniversary of the bard's death.)
Coming Up in 1997
We are looking forward to return visits from Anne Pack,
MIKE PAUL
PepperPots, the Alexander Brothers and more to be booked.
The Royal Scottish Country Dance Society are planning a trip to Whistler in the Spring. It will be a weekend workshopl and teachers are expected from as far away as the U.S. and Scotland.
Also in the spring, the Gaelic community present "Mod Vancouver" (an annual gaelic music festival). Choirs are expected to compete from Scotland and the U.S. in the three-day event.
June is always an interesting and exciting time for The United Scottish Cultural Society as they
[>resent the Annual B.C. Highland Games at the usual venue — Coquitlam Town Centre Stadium.
The Scottish Fiddle Orchestra, a wonderful 75-piece orchestra, will appear at the Orpheum Theatre in Vancouver on June 30.
Due to public demand, a second night, on July 1, has been added. Tickets are now selling at all Ticketmaster outlets, call (604) 280-4444.
At the time of writing, there were
still some seats available for June 30 and lots of good seats available for July 1. Early reservations are recommended.
Watch for Gaelic Days on Grouse Mountain in August, where you can enjoy entertainment from a variety of Scottish groups from the United Scottish Cultural Society.
The B.C. Highland Dancers, The Royal Scottish Country Dancers, Lew Ross and his Heavyweight Buddies will be there, throwing the heavy steel and tossing the caber. You will also be entertained in the evening by some of our local performers. Wear a kilt — and ride the gondola free to the top!
In October, the Vancouver and District Gaelic Choir will head off to Inverness in Scotland, to compete in the National Mod. •
For information on the Scottish Centre, call our 24-hour information line at (604) 253-6955, or call The Scottish Centre at (604) 263-9911. The Scottish Centre produces a monthly, newsletter. To receive your copy, call the centre. There is a small yearly charge for this.
New Scottish
Cultural Society Board
The United Scottish Cultural Society have elected a new executive committee as follows:
President — Ron Wilson Vice President — Liz Johnstone Secretary — Elspeth Rennie Treasurer—Jim Graham