Whew...

You may recall that I had earlier issued the Scottish Herald with some notice of our public existence and activities, and how it seemed all I said was refracted through a prism of politics (see posts here for October 2007).

Make of the following exchange of letters what you will:

"The Scottish Herald" Sub Editor ("Clan Politics") to Dracmuller:

i'm sorry to say that the article on the MacTavish won't be done...It has been decided that this time we'll speak about the wedding which is linking Campbells and Kennedys.And next one will probably be on the Highland games...

Dracmuller's Reply:

Mordrag, Editor
We understand that our hut compares not with the splendour of the wedding, and we hope the highland games provide good sport. I just thought you might be able to use knowledge of the hut (amongst similar sites around) for some background, in whatever way you did (or didn't) choose to. Never an expectation of an 'article'.
I look forward to the next edition.
Dracmuller

By the way, is good to see MacTavishes at both the above events !
See here and here.

New Chieftain Press Release

After deliberations lasting several days, Clan MacTavish have chosen Dracmuller to be the chieftain of the clan.

Press Release

Preceded by sounds of applause and good cheer, Dracmuller emerged from MacTavish's Hut and announced that the Clan had appointed him Chieftain by acclamation.

"Clan MacTavish and all true friends, hear me!" he said.

"You see before you the Chieftain of Clan MacTavish! The mantle of chieftainship is an honour I will accept humbly but carry with pride!

"My first announcement as Chieftain is to invite any who disagree strongly with any decision of mine to come forth and speak with me before taking any rash action."

Sent to the Scottish Herald

Clan and Press Relations

I replied to a recent letter from MacDonald:

You ask who is to write the coming article: Mordrag, to be published in Scottish Herald next edition.

You ask what their motives are: He is listed as 'Clan Politics' sub-editor for Scottish Herald. Has a deadline for submission to editorial committee of Monday (29th) [and they're not all Campbells!]. I assume his motive is to write an interesting and informative piece of journalism. I will give him this grace unless he proves me wrong.

I let him know of existence of MacTavish Hut to provide 'atmosphere' or 'background' for his main stuff. I made this explicit. It was the Hut I wanted to see in the paper, not the MacTavishes. I didn't mention your clan in my 'press release'.

He got back to me, saying "...Thanks a lot for the hint, it's a nice idea for an article. I also know that most of you were Donalds... Maybe i can work a bit around this point too...I don't want it to sound like an advert for a clan :D"

I said:

"...those family links to the MacDonalds are real (ingame) and lie in the Drummore branch of the clan.

"...The link with MacDonald is one of honour more than blood. You see, Eileen MacTavish had to flee Galloway with her sister Elen. Eileen left her son, Lizardking, with her best friend, a MacDonald, on the promise that she'd raise him as her own. Which she did.

It was only very recently that we had interpreted a parchment Elen left behind. It contains a partial genealogy of Clan MacTavish, including the forebears of Lizardking and his ma.

The evidence of this parchment, and the wishes of Lizardking himself, led Alexmac MacDonald and myself to reach the agreement we did."

Our exchange ended with him saying:

"...Thanks for clearing my ideas before i could have done an unforgivable mistake LOL.Anyway, that's a nice background story..."

Maybe I should have just shut up?!!
Live and learn.

I think the initial misapprehension came about because the tale of Lizardking seems to have had some currency in recent past.

I think, let us see what the reporter writes. He knows we watch. Poor guy.

Dracmuller MacTavish

Here is the letter I'd received from MacDonald:

Hmmm i would be interested to know who exactly is to do this story and what they're motives are. Thankyou for telling me and for clearing this up i will try to do what i can from my end.

Letter to Mordrag (damn press)

Had to send off a followup to the preceeding letter to this Reporter of the Herald, as it seemed he was going to concentrate upon the interclan aspects of this site. I let MacDonald know I was doing so, so that he's in the picture should the press try and 'wedge' us or marginalise us.

Mordrag,

Sorry to pipe on so much here. didn't mean it to get so complicated.

The link with MacDonald is one of honour more than blood. You see, Eileen MacTavish had to flee Galloway with her sister Elen. Eileen left her son, Lizardking, with her best friend, a MacDonald, on the promise that she'd raise him as her own. Which she did.

It was only very recently that we had interpreted a parchment Elen left behind. It contains a partial genealogy of Clan MacTavish, including the forebears of Lizardking and his ma.

The evidence of this parchment, and the wishes of Lizardking himself, led Alexmac MacDonald and myself to reach the agreement we did.

Just thought I'd clear that one up.

Dracmuller

Mordrag has told me he will put his ideas for a story up before the paper's forum for discussion. This means that we are likely to get some fairly political types of the political clans comin' visiting our hut in near future. Mordrag himself is a Campbell.

So we all better be on best behaviour ;)

Letter back to Mordrag

Mordrag, reporter of clan affairs ("politics") for the Herald, has responded already to my tip. Here's the response I sent to his musings:

Mordrag,

Thanks for quick reply.

We aren't related to the real IRL MacTavishes. So we're not necessarily related to the MacDonalds (although a few of our clan members have ties). I could talk to you for awhile about the various relationships we have with various clans - but it hasn't really been generated ingame as yet (just a bit of scene setting for our cyberselves). But, those family links to the MacDonalds are real (ingame) and lie in the Drummore branch of the clan.

This isn't really politics (the hut, that is) just a bit of fun. It's what happens behind closed doors which is politics.

I think using as a bit of an atmospheric preamble to your reportage of the Clan Gathering, light hearted but not disrespectful, would be in keeping with the ethic of the hut.

But, freedom of the press prevails so do what thou shalt!

Dracmuller MacTavish

Letters to 'Scottish Herald'

I have written a couple letters to reporters of the Scottish Herald, Loxley (Highland Hall) and Mordrag (Clan Affairs (as I like to call it)). They are both similar to the following:

I write brief message to you as Highlands Hall reporter.

In recent days there has been some strange activity on a hillside near Highlands Hall. It may or may not have reached your ears, but kilted and caped figures have been seen coming and going off the main track by way of a lesser path which leads off through the nearby trees.

Occassionally also, there is the sound of bagpipes coming from that general direction.

If one is curious, one might go and have a look. If one does, you'll come across a strange site. An old and weatherbeaten hut nestled into the trees, people gathered talking inside. A set of bagpipes rests next to the door.

If you ventured into this highlands-like clearing, you'd be greeted by a tall and weedy figure emerging from the hut. He'd pick up his pipes and play you a tune.

Seems like the MacTavishes, keen as ever, have set themselves up so that they can get good seats for the coming Gathering of the Clans!

Dracmuller MacTavish of Whithorn

Scotland Herald Contacts

I've just put this here so I can put up a permenant link to it over time. A handy list for media work!

Current roster:

News manager - LFA
AAP contact - Loxley
Highland Hall - Loxley
Clan politics - Mordrag

Galloway Inn - Senth
Whithorn town - Linglanglula
Wigtown town - Anthalor
Kirkcudbright town - Wakkachuta
Drummore town - Sumi

Galloway council - Sir_Moore
Royal Scottish Army - Mordrag

Entertainment - Spr65, padthai
Freelancer - Andimsum