THE HOME LAND

Otago Witness, Issue 3882, 7 August 1928, Page 6

THE HOME LAND

(From Our Special Correspondent.) SCOTLAND, June 12. Lady jJean daughter of the Marquis and Marchioness of Bute, is to be i married to-day at Mount Stuart House, near Rothesay, to the Hon James Willoughby Bertie, a son of the' late Earl of ‘Abingdon. The bride is 19 years of age, and the bridegrooih —a naval officer—is 26. The chapel in which the ceremony /will take place —the first of its kind in Mount Stuart for 200 years—is said to have cost something in the-vicinity of £lOO,OOO. The chapel was built about 30 years ago, but the altar has just been completed at a cost of about- £50,000, and will be used for the first time at the wedding of Lady Jean. The interior of the chapel is of white marble, and standing prominent!}’ in the sacred edifice is a magnificent altar of Gothic design, ornamented witli beaten gold, silver, brass, and enamel work. Three presentations of a public character were made to Lady Jean in Rothesay yesterday. Two of the ceremonies took place in romantic and picturesque surroundings in the ancient and historic castle of Rothesay, once the favourite Royal residence of the Stuart kings. Robert 111 was so enamoured of his island home that he adopted its name in. the title he created for his eldest son, that of Duke of Rothesay, which still remains the premier Scottish title of the Prince of Wales. First of all the tenantry on the Bute estate brought their gift, consisting of a chastely designed silver salver with an appropriate description. The spokesman was Mr Lachlan Maclean, who is the oldest tenant on the estate, but does not look his 77 years. Next came the Jeans of Bute, who handed to Lady Jean three beautiful wedding gifts. These consisted of a Celtic cross and chain, the cross being copied from a monument dating from the twelfth century in lona Cathedral, while the design of the chain was that of an lona galley; a jewel box witli galley and interlaced border, the galley adapted from one of the lona examples, and the border from St. John’s Cross, lonaf; and a cigarette box, the design of which was taken from the Lindisfarne Gospels, which are now in the'British Museum. This exquisite example of Celtic illumination is said to have been the work of the lona monks who went to Lindisfarne about the seventh century. The boxes are of solid silver, and the cross is of silver and blue enamel. Over 100 ladies were present, each bearing the Christian name of the bride. The third presentation was made in the Council Chamber, Rothesay, on the walls of which were hung the portraits of manv of Lady Jean’s ancestors. There she was made the recipient of a pair of earrings and a set of cuff studs on behalf of the residents of the burgh. Appropriate acknowledgment was made in each case by Lady Jean of the honour done her.

The Right Hon. Henry John Sinclair, second Lord Pentland of Lyth, Caith-ness-shire, came of age on June 6 He is the only son of the first Lord PentJand, who died in 1925, by his marriage with Lady Marjorie Gordon, the only surviving daughter of the Marquis o‘f Aberdeen and Temair, her mother being the Hon. Ishbel Maria Marjoribanks youngest daughter of the first Lord Tweedmouth. The young Lord Pentland, who is giving much promise as a public speaker, is cadet of the family of the Sinclairs, baronets of Dunbeath, Caithness. The present head of the family is Sir Ronald Norman John Charles Ldny Sinclair, eighth baronet, who was born in 1899, and succeeded to the title in 1926, he and Lord Pentland being second cousins. On the death of the fifth baronet, the title passed to the Sinclairs of Barrock in 1842, now the family seat in Caithness. Sir John Sinclair, who thus succeeded to the baronetcy, married a daughter of Mr John Learnmouth, of Dean, Edinburgh. The third son by this union became the father of the late Lord Pentland, who was-created a peer in 1909. As Captain Sinclair he sat in Parliament first for Dumbartonshire, and afterwards for Forfarshire. He was Secretary for Scotland from 1905 to 1912, and Governor of Madras from 1912 to 1919. The first Lord Pentland was an LL.B of Glasgow, Aberdeen, and St. Andrew’s Universities, and a privy councillor. He married Lady Marjorie Gordon in 1904, and left, besides the present Lord Pentland, one daughter. \

The 2nd Battalion of the Cameron Highlanders has started upon a route march of 240 miles through the Scottish Highlands. Leaving Redford Barracks, Edinburgh, they marched to the estuary of the Forth, where they embarked on H.M.S. Hood, H.M.S. Repulse, and H.M.S. Renown. The battleships then sailed for Fort George, in the Beauly Firth. They landed in small boats, and, 600 strong, under the command of Lieu-tenant-Colonel J. S. Drew, D. 5.0., M.C., engaged in an exciting sham fight along with 300 marines. The Black Watch Regiment, stationed at the fort, attempted to impede the advance of the invaders, who were covered by the guns of the warships. . At the conclusion of the sham fight the Camerons marched to Fort George, where they will remain in camp until to-morrow. From there they will proceed to the Inches at Inverness, and on Friday the march will be resumed across a romantic part of the Highlands, the battalion being in service kit as if in actual warfare. The route will be by Lochabar, Roy Ridge, Laggan, Dal-

whinnie, Blair Atholl, Dunlield, Ainulrec, Crieff, Dunblane, Camelon, and Winchburgh, the barracks at Redford being reached, if all goes well, on Saturday, July. 14. -The main purpose of the route march is, of course, to encourage recruiting. To the man who is acquainted with the history of the Highlands, and knows something of the conditions of the country, the futility of such a proceeding on the part of the military authorities - must be abundantly apparent. . For- long mites the only response to the trea<J of the soldiers—many of them in the Highlands for the first time — or the skirl of the bagpipes, would be the escape of affrighted deer, the flight of grouse, or the bleating of sheep, where, once upon a time, it only required the raising of the fiery cross to summon as many soldiers as the King could employ in any time of. danger. These fertile straths and glens could, under proper direction, again be made the nursery grounds of a virile race of Highlanders who would not only fill the ranks of the army, but make the- right class of emigrants to keep the British element in the ascendant in the distant dominions.

An enthusiastic welcome was. acorded to his Royal Highness Prince George when he visited Orkney on Wednesday for the purpose of naming the new lifeboats at Stromness and Longhope. The weather was delightful, and people came from all parts of-the isles to witness the ceremonies. The prince was accompanied by a distinguished party of naval and military officers. He christened the new boat, the J.J.K.S.W., in time-honoured fashion, and his Royal Highness then presented the challenge shield for Scotland, won by Miss Helen Scott, Burness Public School, Sandy, in this year’s lifeboat essay competition. After the ceremony the visitors were entertained to lunch in the Stromness Hotel by the Town Council, when the Royal toasts and “ Our Guests ” were proposed by Provost Corrigall. Prince George, in replying, said his pleasure in taking part in the naming ceremonies was enhanced by the fact that it had fallen to his lot to be the first member of the Royal family for many years to perform a public function in those remote islands which had played so important a part in the naval history of the Empire. The prince had a rousing 'send-off as he embarked for Longhope on the boat he had just named. During the trip he took the wheel for about 20 minutes. The naming ceremony of the K.T.J.S. was performed at Aith Hope, and again there was a large and enthusiastic crowd of spectators, who accorded the sailor prince a right hearty welcome.

The question of the proposed Gaelic College has again been revived. After: the lapse of over a year, the American lona Society, New York, has replied to a communication sent them by the Town Council of Inverness offering the society a site in the Highland capital for the proposed Gaelic college to be founded “ somewhere in Scotland ” by Americans, the cost of which would be about £1,000,000. Mr Richard Malcolm Montgomery, the president, stated in the letter that when the Duke of Atholl was in New York recently he discussed the question of site with him, Mr Montgomerie : said he had also discussed the questionof site with a number of their members who were familiar with Scotland, and he found that, with few exceptions, they were in favour of locating the college in Inverness. The matter was, he said, receiving serious consideration, and he would communicate with the Town Council again. It was possible, the President added, that he would be in Scotland this summer.

No family among the Scottish aristocracy is held in higher esteem than that of Cameron of Lochiel. It is safe to say that Lochiel would not barter his name with any noble duke in the land. His daughter, Miss Violet Cameron, has come of age, and has been made the recipient of a number of valuable gifts from the employees on her father’s estate. The presentations were made in the recreation hall at Auchnacarry,’ among those present being Lochiel, her mother, Lady Hermione Cameron, who is a sister of the Duke of Montrose, Miss Marjory Stewart, of Ardvoirlich, and a large gathering of the employees. Mr James Weir, Annat, presided, and the gifts, which included a silver toilet set, a silver tray with inscription, a gold w’ristlet watch, and a silver and tortoiseshell manicure set, were handed over by Miss Chirsty Cameron, the oldest servant. Miss Violet Cameron, in a charming little speech, spoke of the many pleasant hours she had spent in comradeship with the employees.

The Edinburgh Licensed Trade (Local Veto) Defence Association had its annual outing on the Firth of Clyde the other day. One of their guests was the Rev. Hugh Menzies, Dysart, who, in the course of a speech on board one of the steamers, said that, if he did not believe that every one of his hearers hated drunkenness he would not have been with them that day. In their own lives and in their own businesses he asked them to do what they could to encourage sobriety and to discourage excess. They would thus be no mean missionaries of temperance. They would also sate themselves and. him from a reproach that was too often hurled at them. They had to hold this iniquitous policy of no-license by the throat. Let them, he said, keep their grip tenaciously until the last fading spark of life was driven out of it, and then reasonable men and women, would be able to resume

their march, and to win Scotland for true Christian temperance.

A deputation representative of the Scottish churches ami other interested bodies waited upon the Town Council of Edinburgh and entered a protest, against itfie'facilities now being extended by the corporation for tourist'excursions in and around the city on Sundays. The deputation w,as headed by the Very Rev. Rrihcipal Martin, D.D., of '. the ‘United Free Church, and the speakers included the Very Rev. Dr R. J. Drum■mpnd; and Sir Malcolm Smith, Leith. .Bailie Hay, the senior magistrate, thanked the deputation for their attendah’ce, and said the matter would have the consideration of the council. It was later decided by the council to remit the matter to the Tramway Committee, A great change has taken place during recent years in the street traffic of Edinburgh. Not so long ago the Sabbath calm could be felt all over the capital, but now there is a never-ending bustle with mechanically propelled vehicles at all hours of the dav.

The Royal Caledonian ball in the Hotel Cecil, London, on Monday night was a brilliant affair, and proved immensely successful. His Grace the Duke of Atholl and Mrs Alardair MacGregor, of Cardney, ted the procession as the pipers, playing a gay march, called the dance. A remarkably fine effect was given to the gathering by every lady in the set reels wearing a white frock, which contrasted nicely with the Highland dress of their partners. Mrs David Logan went from Inverness to provide the music for the reels, and the set reels went with spirit and dash, the steps being excellent. This is the eightieth year of the Royal Caledonian ball, and it was never more notable for its splendour. For a number of years past about £450 has been handed annually to the Royal Scottish Corporation, and a similar sum to the Royal Caledonian schools as a result of the gathering. This year it is safe to predict that the donations will be no less. The tickets sold numbered 1500. The ball was carried on well into the morning hours.

The Provincial Synod of the Episcopal Church in Scotland has resolved by a majority to substitute the word “cherish” for “obey” in the bride’s vows. It was also agreed to make the words said in connection with the giving of the ring, “ and all my worldly goods with thee I share.” The synod likewise resolved to withhold the burial service in the case of, suicides. By a. large majority it was agreed to omit in one of the prayers for the dead the words, “We give Thee thanks, O Lord, that it hath pleased Thee to deliver this our brother out of the miseries of the sinful world.” The general opinion was expiessed that the words were often unreal.

Glasgow has the finest tramway system in the world. It has been attended with increased prosperity during the past financial year, which ended on the last day of May. The gross total of passengers carried was 466,142.258, a,,< ? traffic revenue amounted to £2,380,(63. There was an increase of passengers of 46,171,435, while the revenue was increased by nearly £40.000. The subway, which is how managed by the Corporation, shows an increase of nearly £5OOO in revenue, and the revenue from motor buses owned by the Corporation is increased by over £26,000.

A new silk combine—Scottish Amalgamated Silks, Limited—was registered in Edinburgh this week, with a capital of £2,000,000. Several companies and works will be taken over, including Scottish Artificial Silks, Limited, Dalmarnoek Mills, Glasgow, and Argyll Works, Alexandria, Dumbartonshire. During the past few years the Vale of Leven district, has felt the full force of the industrial depression, and the new venture is expected to give a distinct fillip to the trade of the localitv.

It is revealed in the report of the Scottish Board of Health for 1927 that during the 12 months 21,660 workingclass homes were built, which is the largest number ever erected in the country in one year. In some districts the period of acute housing shortage is past. Other features of the report for the year were a record low birth-rate, a slightly higher total death-rate, lower death-rate from infectious diseases, and the highest death-rate on record from cancer.

Glasgow’s oldest citizen is Miss Agnes Murdoch, who reached her 105th birthday on June 5. She resides in the we itend of the city, and is a member of a prominent Scottish family. Still hale and hearty, Miss Murdoch takes a keen interest in private and public affairs.

Our Scottish Australian visitors are now up north, and in the course of a day or two their combined propaganda will end, and they will be free to visit their friends in different parts of the country. During the week-end they visited Perth, Dundee, Montrose, and' Aberdeen, and were accorded civic welcomes at each place. Some visited farms, others went to see the industrial concerns in the different centres, while those interested in education paid visits to some of the principal schools.

Mr G.'K. Chesterton, author and critic, lias been invited by the Edinburgh Uni-

versity Liberal Association to become a candidate for the lord rectorship in the election in October, 1929. He is an LL.D, of Edinburgh University. Sir John Gilmour, Bart., M.P., Secretary of State for Scotland, and the laird of Montrave, in Fife, is tile present lord rector.

Ihe death ilas taken place at Dumfries of Mr Robert Paterson, a native of the county, who was a pioneer in the sheepbreeding industry in Patagonia.' He was associated in that enterprise with three brothers, and was known as “ the king of Patagonia.” Sir Paterson acted as the British Vice-consul for the territory of Santa’ Cruz.