Entries by Diana MacFarlane

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The Scottish Banner | November 2023

In this issue…

CELEBRATING LONACH TRADITION
The Lonach Highland and Friendly Society was formed 200 years and friendly, Highland Games. The Lonach Highland Gathering and Games have taken place annually for 180 years each August when all roads lead to Lonach, as Anne-Mary Paterson explains.

JOHN MACLEOD
The Aberdeen University scientist pioneered the creation of insulin in the 1920s, which has saved millions of lives of those with diabetes, as Neil Drysdale reports.

MINGINISH CENTENARY PROJECT
The Minginish peninsula on Skye was largely cleared in the Clearances of the 1800s but 100 years ago it was deliberately repopulated on land bought by the government from the MacLeod’s of Dunvegan Castle, with crofts created as part of the “land for heroes” campaign after the First World War. Families from Harris, Lewis and other parts of Skye arrived between 1923 and 1924. Now the community is celebrating that anniversary, looking to put together an exhibition in June 2024 and erect a memorial as Judy Vickers explains.

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MacFarlane: A Poem by Rebecca Lever

Rebecca Lever is a proud MacFarlane on her 101-year old grandmother’s side. Recently Rebecca, traveled with her husband to the MacFarlane homelands of Loch Lomond to share her heritage and family history with him. The trip inspired her to write “MacFarlane”, a Clan MacFarlane poem that beautifully captures the essence of our clan spirit. In these verses, she paints a vivid picture of a clanswoman,  buried on a remote island, her fate intertwined with a harsh and unfeeling world. The verses are a testament to the endurance of the MacFarlane legacy. Lever’s words resonate with the clan’s history, and through her verse, we honour the resilience of our ancestors and pay tribute to their memory.

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Clan MacFarlane Society’s Sponsorship: Bridging Heritage and Technology at Arrochar Parish Church

The International Clan MacFarlane Society generously sponsored high-speed internet for the historic Arrochar Parish Church in Scotland, a deeply significant place intertwined with Clan MacFarlane’s heritage. The sponsorship elevated the church into the digital age, expanding its outreach globally. The church, originally tied to Walter MacFarlane, the last Clan Chief, holds historical significance, housing MacFarlane ancestors’ graves and precious artifacts. Today, the MacFarlane Hunting tartan adorns the pulpit and communion table as a symbol of unity, celebrating the fusion of heritage and technology, envisioning a future enriched by both.

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Clan MacFarlane’s Rich History and MacFarlane Name Origin

Discover the captivating history of Clan MacFarlane, one of Scotland’s earliest clans with feudal charters, tracing their roots to the Celtic Earl of Lennox and their pivotal role in Scotland’s fight for independence. Explore the intriguing origins of the MacFarlane name, from Gaelic variations to its connection with pre-Gaelic languages. Learn how the Plantation of Ulster influenced the clan’s name variations. Plus, find out how the International Clan MacFarlane Society and Clan MacFarlane Heritage Trust work to preserve this rich heritage.

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The Scottish Banner
Sep 2023

In this issue...

2023 WORLD PIPE BAND CHAMPIONSHIPS
The spectacular finale of The World Pipe Band Championships saw Peoples Ford Boghall & Bathgate Caledonia Pipe Band crowned the winners of the renowned international contest. It is the long-established Scottish pipe band’s first-ever...

DUKE OF SUTHERLAND'S COAL MINE
The arrival of the railway at Brora, Sutherland in June 1871 was a special day especially for the 3rd Duke of Sutherland who had great plans for Brora. He was interested in...

WILD HIGHLANDS
The Highland Wildlife Park. On a 260-acre expanse of land near Kingussie, Highland in the Cairngorms National Park, you’ll find a menagerie of animals ranging from small Japanese snow monkeys to...

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Meet New Commissioner To Pennysylvania Ken Burkitt

We are happy to announce the appointment of Ken Burkitt, Jr. as the new International Clan MacFarlane Society Commissioner to Pennsylvania USA.  Ken is fairly new to the Society having joined in 2019 but he has taken his heritage journey on with exuberance after answering the call to represent Clan MacFarlane in his home state of Pennsylvania.

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The Scottish Banner
Aug 2023

In this issue...

CELEBRATING STORIES AT THE ROYAL EDINBURGH MILITARY TATTOO
This month, set against the spectacular backdrop of Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo will welcome local and international audiences to their new show, Stories. Staged between 4-26 August,...

MY 5 FAVOURITE EARLY HISTORIC SITES
Previously, I shared five of my favourite Scottish medieval castles and five of my favourite ancient sites. Now, it’s time to pick five from the somewhat awkward middle child, the Early Historic period. You may be more familiar with the term ‘Dark Ages’,...

HEAD TO SCOTLAND FOR AN ADVENTURE THIS SUMMER
Scotland benefits from beautiful scenery, many hills and mountains to explore, as well as stunning wildlife and spectacular walking routes and trails. With the arrival of summer...

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Meet New Commissioners To South Florida – Scott and Gina McFarland

We are happy to announce the appointment of Scott and Gina McFarland as the new International Clan MacFarlane Society Commissioners to South Florida. Scott and Gina have been a delightful addition to our annual Clan gatherings and have volunteered to represent our Society in their home state. Their passion and fun-loving spirit is much appreciated and we cannot wait to see what they accomplish. We asked Scott and Gina to tell us a wee bit about themselves, their personal MacFarlane story and what they have planned for the future of clan work in their area.

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