Clan News

The new colonies in County of Glasgow opened their borders for several days. Four MacTavishes made the move.

Lucifera is in Ardencaple
Maerik and Luthien Bedwyr are in Stirling
Destrata is in Lanark

All four have been given access to the UCS as the Glasgow MacTavishes.

There are three MacTavish Councillors on Galloway County Council

Lady Robin is Spokeswoman
Antek is Constable
Aelin is Public Prosecutor

We lost no-one to Ireland. Some other large clans lost half of their members (O'Broins, Campbells, MacAles, Kennedys in particular). We have been gaining members slightly faster than losing, seem to be holding around 40 MacTavishes. Almost a quarter of us are level 2.

Our homelands lie in counties to the north and the west of county of Glasgow. We might start thinking about the possibility of a big move at short notice in case new colonies of interest open in next few months.

At the moment Dracmuller is busy checking the proposed Constitution through. The clan is debating it before casting a vote for or against it. So far, no-one has said we should oppose it.

Clan policital proposal rejected (again)

I recently received a letter from leader of Clan Forbes, seeking our involvement in 'The United Clans of Scotland' (a newly proposed political party). This was my reply:

Jefferson Davis Forbes,

I have put my views on this matter to the one who first raised it, JO. I promised him I would not publicly voice my critique and keep an open mind and eye. I continue to do so. When you have Munro, MacGillivray and O'Broin (and MacGregor, if they are still active) on the list, then you will have surprised me and convinced me at the same time. Until then, I maintain position that clan and political party are separate entities and should remain so.

Clan MacTavish has some very divergent political opinions within it. So far, we have a happy house. If we as a clan get involved in the political fracas and compromise (which is the art of politics in a democratic society, afterall) then survival there could lead to troubles at home. Have already seen Scottish Nationalist Party fall apart on the rocks of ego and grudge. What makes you think this proposed party would be any different?

Politics divide. Clans pick up the pieces. Politics about power. Clans about culture. Oil and water.
I am sure that, even if we are not in 'the party' our votes would strongly tend towards your candidates. As I see it, that is the way it should be.

I assure you, as I have others who have brought this proposal before us, we keep an open but sceptical mind on the issue and remain to be convinced.

Yours in unity,
Dracmuller

Here's the letter I received:

Dracmuller, Chieftain of the Great Clan Mactavish.

Presently there is a building of the United Clans of Scotland. So far there are 3 reps from each of the following clans. The Campbells, The Forbes, The Macales, 3 coming from both the Wallaces and the Kennedys.

I'm contacting you and the other chieftains to build on this list. Giving this body your strongest arms and your brightest minds. It is our intention to put forth a list of canidates in Galloway and hopefully Ayr, for those who have relocated there. Providing a platform that will be the front line of the coming english political parties.

I've never been more proud to be a parts of Scotland and her clans. Without the MacTavishes, the body would be nothing more then a empty suit and with you, .... courage, commitment, and commonality.

Sincerely Jefferson Davis

Discerning readers will note that of the clans mentioned in Forbes' letter, only one of them is a 'heavy hitter'. It was their rep's who deserted the Scottish Nationalist Party when things appeared to be getting too personal and bygones couldn't be let be bygones (sorry Robin). The 'litmus test' clans I mentioned fell on the other side of the barrier. If the hard heads of those clans all agree with the UCS proposal, then I would say we should re-evaluate present stance. Until then, there is nothing here that cause me to feel inspired...

PS - check our clans forum for details of upcoming Christmas get-together at Wigtown on the weekend before Christmas...

On patrol with the RSA

I write this from Wigtown, where I am spending a little time in a nice cool pub while 'on patrol' with the RSA. This is my third trip to or through Wigtown, and it sure seems to have changed. All the O'Broins seem to have gone to Ayr and thus the pubs are pretty quiet at the times I'm around. There seems to be a lot of HHWs on the market, but saw no meat. Vegies prices are higher than Whithorn's. Knives are available.

The pubs were particularly 'buggy' when I was there (I hate that), so again haven't caught up with kin. Was nice to share a drink with Malon's, albeit the evening was cut short by the bugs.

When things got underway a bit later I bumped into a bunch of roving McAles, heading from Kirk through to Largs (Ayr) to provide an escort back to Kirk for a clan matriarch. They reminded me of a troupe of travelling players. Quite a bit of savvy amongst all the play, their company was fairly intense, but welcoming. They were of the opinion that there were more englishers in Ayr than there were coming across the border from Cumberland.

Apart from that, the patrol has been fairly uneventful so far.

A Big Day

Well. We made it! I hope I can take my foot off the accelerator now. I set myself goal of pushing the clan as hard and as fast as possible to today. After today, we will see if it has legs of its own.

As of dawn in Australia, we have 16 members. 4 in Drummore, 2 in Wigtown, 10 in Whithorn. I am still hoping to be able to accept at least one more person into the clan today, but we shall see.

I hope some of you made it to MacTavish's Hut and left a message. I have had responses from the following clans, each saying they would maybe bring a contingent through the site:

Kennedy, Forbes, MacAle, MacLeod and Murray. Campbell has already checked us out a day ago, I expect them at some time. I also think Clan O'Broin will be represented. Duke Hypno, Chieft of Clan MacGillivray is in France and cannot come, but sent a written message (I will put it in comments on the Hut). Brother Chris of Clan Wallace is in retreat at moment.

I've sent a circular letter to all MacTavishes, inviting them to call by especially.

See how we go.