NEWS FROM SCOTLAND

Since the last newsletter, the clan chief has acquired a highland cow and calf and a 3 year old heifer from the Queen Mother’s Glamis Estate. The cow is 12 years old and the bull calf, which is the heifer’s half brother, was born in April and has been nicknamed Haggis until such time as his formal pedigree papers are to hand. The pedigrees of the two cows are shown below and we thought it would be fun if Clan members were to suggest suitable nicknames for the cows. The two best names will be chosen by the Chief and the successful Clan members given a small prize. The cows are still nervous, having been used to comparatively wilder open spaces on Glamis, but through the care of Ian Menzies they are becoming quieter and it is hoped that before long they will be prepared to stand quietly while Clan members have their photographs taken with them.

The lambing at Hunterston was successful and lambs from the early lambing ewes were sold at the beginning of June, which is earlier than last year. We are now in full swing selling fat lambs, and before long shall be buying in lambs from neighboring farms to fatten before sale through the market.

We had a very worring time in early May when Willie McCutcheon, the farm grieve, suffered a heart attack. Willie, who lives at Cockston, has made a remarkable recovery and is now back at work but for a while John Beckett and his wife carried virtually the whole workload of the farm. Thankfully Danny Somers, a retired shepherd, who has known the Chief and his family for a considerable time stepped into the breach and became a temporary shepherd which eased some of John’s work load. Willie is now back at work but must obviously be less of a workaholic than he has been in the past, consequently Danny has agreed to remain as a full-time employee.

We are currently experimenting with 50 ewes to produce fat lambs for Easter. This will necessitate lambing early in November. Initial indications are that the experiment is not going to be as successful as was hoped. It is interesting that the Chief and his wife visited Purdue University in Indiana in 1978 where similar experiments were being carried out. We have written to the University seeking advice.

The improvements to the walled garden continue and it is looking increasingly beautiful. A number of Clan members have purchased rose bushes and shrubs in memory of loved ones and there is still space available within the overall scheme of the garden for trees and shrubs to be purchased by other members for he same purpose.

Picture Right: Highland Cattle in the field beside the Castle July 1990.

Pictures Below: The pedigrees of the two cows.

In the last Newsletter it was reported that Planning Consent had been obtained to convert South Cottage into a tea room. Quotations were obtained for the work, the cheapest of which was £16,000 ($25,600). This expenditure cannot be justified in a tea room, consequently the plans have been reconsidered to see whether or not costs can be saved by reducing the specifications for the alterations slightly. This is a matter of concern as a tea room would be an attraction for visiting members, but it must be appreciated that such a conversion must be financially viable.

On 4th July the Castle and grounds were opened for the benefit of local residents and their guests. The day appeared to be a success and it is likely this will become an annual event. It is important that residents appreciate the beauty and potential of Hunterston so that they can support the Estate if there is a need in the future to object to further desecration by another power station or extension of the steel complex.

Hunterston ‘A’ nuclear power station has been shut down but members will be interested/horrified to learn that it could be over 100 years before the site can be restored to a safe green field. The first phase of demolition of the 26 year old plant is de-fueling the reactors: a process which could take 5 years to achieve. Thereafter the outer structure will be removed, but this will only happen as radio-activity levels on each part of the construction are reduced to acceptable levels. The nearer to the reactor the longer radio-activity takes to reduce, hence the possible 100 years time scale.

An open day for British Clan members was held on 11th August and a report of the day will be in the next Newsletter. The Clan Chief and most of his family were in attendance.

Would Clan members note that the annual donation requested in the last Newsletter is intended to defray the costs of the Newsletter and what little surplus there is, after paying for the production and postage of the Newsletter, goes towards maintenance of the Castle. It is extremely disappointing to note comparatively few members have responded, accordingly members are advised that future Newsletters will only be sent to those who have made the annual donation or who have joined the Clan Association within the last twelve months. If you have not yet paid your donation, would you please do so, or this may be the last Newsletter you receive.

Right: In the Backyard at Hunterston House 11th Aug. 90.

Left to right: Tara (daughter of Robert and Diana), Jamie (son of Nigel), Asia (daughter of Johh and Mia)

Top Right: The Walled Garden, looking towards the Castle.