CLUNY CASTLE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 291, 7 November 1934, Page 6

CLUNY CASTLE.

(To the Editor.) Sir,—l am at present on a tour of New Zealand for the purpose of trying to save for the Scots people Cluny Castle and the relics. So far I have met with the most intense enthusiasm and support from every centre 1 have visited—from the various Scottish Societies as well as from individuals, whether of Highland or Lowland descent. It is therefore a nasty jolt for me on arrival here at Palmerston North yesterday from Masterton (where committees are busy organising and canvassing throughout that district) to be told that the Scottish Societies are not interested in my appeal, as they are busy on an appeal of their own. I wish the Scots here could realise, without my having to personally visit them, what this appeal of mine does mean to persons of Scottish ancestry. W lierever I have been able to meet people, tlie gravity of the situation lias been brought home to them. Cluny goes, Loclnei’s place is going, Blair Castle is going, and so the tale of loss goes on. What will happen to our national characteristics, when our children grow up with nothing left in their mother country to remind them of their past glorious traditions? This country was built up by the Scots and tlie very quality of their courage which brought them out here has—in the irony of things—been one of the causes that has brought their old motherland to the present desperate straits. For Scotland is becoming filled with other races, and when all lier old places, with their relics and traditions go, where will the overseas Scots have to go to, when they want to visit old Scotland? There will be nothing . left there for them to visit. Surely Scots here must see the terrible danger in this. Young people growing up, thousands of miles sepalating them from tlie old homeland of their forefathers. To-day they can still go home and see tangible remains of their past glories, which have made the Scottish race what it is. But when these places all go, they won’t have that and gradually our Scots abroad will ’lose all tlieir pride of race. Tlie Duke of Atlioll said to me that in tlie loss of such places Scotland’s race all over the world will suffer: Igo further and say the Empire will suffer. For who are the backbone of our Empire? I am not appealing for myself, nor for tlie Maopliersons. of Cluny, nor for the Clans. I am appealing for everything which means anything to Scots, Highland or Lowland. Just to preserve a little bit of Scotland, which visiting Scots may go borne to, and feel it is a bit of tlieir own, as it was of tlieir forefathers. And if Scots out here do not do their utmost to save these places—they are not true sons of those pioneer ancestors who came out here. Since my appeal was launched, other people in Scotland are realising the peril. The Camerons are now moving to save Aclinacharry before Lochiel goes. It is perilously late for Cluny any day now I go about in dread expecting to hear that someone lias bid a higher figure than tlie one the Banks promised to accept for Cluny Castle. Such a small amount I have asked for among so many Scots. To save something which their money cannot buy. What are tlie erection of Burns memorials or tlie raising of pipe bands to saving such places as' Cluny ? Burns has his poems to always live by. But places like Cluny, Achnacliarry, Blair Castle, are vitally necessary to our ages old pride of race. Cannot I get Scots people to realise that, without my having to appear at meetings, and to dress up in kilts ? I am a poor speaker, and dressing up in kilts, except in the Highlands and in company, always appears to mo to be mountebanking. lam not appealing as Macpherson of Cluny ; I am appealing as one Scotsman to others. This appeal lias cost me personally much and when it is all over, so far as I can now see, I shall have to start life all over again. But if I lose everything personally and succeed in my appeal, I shall ’feel I have .gained all and lost nothing. I can now only appeal to fellow 1 Scots to call a meeting and to put

this letter before it and implore its assistance. In Dunedin, Christchurch, and Wellington the procedure lias been as follows: —A committee has been formed in each place and appeals sent out by it, the various Scottish societies collecting from their own members and paying in to - the fund as from each society and individuals outside the society have been asked to send in their donations to the hon. treasurer appointed in each centre and a banking account has been opened in tlie name of “The Cluny Castle Appeal Fund/’ In each centre, too, a board of trustees has been appointed, consisting of leading and influential men. When all amounts are collected they are finally forwarded to the central committee in Wellington, which in turn remits to Scotland. I feel sure that the urgency and the national import of my appeal now that it is explained will meet with the utmost support from all Scots in your district, and trust that if committees cannot be formed here, those interested in Scottish tradition will get into touch with either Wellington or Alasterton, Air H. Alackenzie-Douglas, solicitor, being chairman of the appeal in the latter district.—l am, etc., W. CHEYNE-AIACPHERSON OF CLUNY IVIACPHERSON.