CURRENT NEWS
Lochearnhead Games 2010
By Nick Law
On Friday 23rd July a walk was arranged from Inverlochlarig to locate Donald MacLaren's cottage ruins at Invernenty. Ten MacLarens set out on the walk ranging in age from 80's down to a couple of under-teens. The Chief and Chairman, Hamish, were on the walk and we were accompanied by Lorna Main, archaeologist from Stirling Council and Susan McGowan, Built Environmental Adviser from Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park.
We set off over open and sometimes very wet ground. Progress was slow as a result and eventually the party reached the Invernenty Burn. The old bridge had disappeared, necessitating a splash across the burn. Little remains of the cottage, except the west gable with the fireplace, but the aspect was magnificent down the glen towards Loch Voil.
The party returned by the river route which was dryer but longer in distance.
On Saturday 24th July the weather held for another fine day. Soon the carpark was full and the Games were underway. The Clan tent was always busy, and particular thanks must go to all those who contributed to the pot-luck lunch. It was a great success. It is estimated that nearly one hundred MacLarens gathered for the march to the field behind their Chief and the pipe band.
No golf or fishing this year but we have a new volunteer for the fishing competition in 2011. The tug of war team excelled as usual and managed victory over the Scouts.
The Games Dinner was held in the Village Hall in Balquhidder with over thirty members in attendance.
On Sunday a group of MacLarens gathered for church and a walk up to Creag an Tuirc.
Peter MacLaurin - An Appreciation
Peter MacLaurin, who died suddenly on Saturday 9th January 2010, was born in Glasgow on 11th April 1919 and
was the eldest of four sons to Duncan and Margaret MacLaurin.
He was educated at Brynston School in Dorset and served in the Royal Artillery in Burma during the
Second World War. In 1946 he entered the family business founded in 1849 which was in a weak position.
Many of the competitors were also facing difficult times. His company, Smith & MacLaurin Ltd. of
Milikenpark near Kilbarchan, Renfrewshire specialised in coated papers.
He travelled widely on sales and brought back new technologies and product lines that kept the
business thriving as others started to close. Such was his success that in 1984 the Prime Minister
and the Scottish Minister for Industry came to visit Smith & MacLaurin.
In his retirement he dedicated his time to supporting and nurturing small Scottish businesses
enabling them to survive and prosper.
In later life Peter was a leading light in the Clan MacLaren Society and acted as a trustee for the
AR & KM MacLaren Trust. Many of our Bursars were interviewed by Peter before any grants were made.
His active participation in almost all Council Meetings will be greatly missed.
Peter, who lived for most of his life in Kilmacolm, is survived by his wife Yvonne to whom he was
married for 64 years, his two sons, Anthony and Brian, his daughter Catherine, eight grandchildren
and two great grandchildren.
Lochearnhead Games 2009
Picture: Terry, Cathy, Sue, Nick and Larry at Creag an Tuirc
A very busy and active weekend approached. The
tents were up, the weather forecast looked
promising and tartan was everywhere. No, not
Edinburgh but Lochearnhead. Most members had
heeded the call to be at Lochearnhead first and
at The Gathering 2009 second.
Hamish and Sue won
the golf again and Kate MacLaren won the Junior
Cup. Meanwhile five MacLarens enjoyed a fine
and leisurely walk up Balquhidder glen to Lochan
an Eireannaich. Beautiful scenery and good
company. We met a kindly travelling gentleman
taking his breakfast at Creag an Tuirc who
thoughtfully took our group photo.
That evening we
all enjoyed a Games Dinner when Steve Quillin, retiring
Chairman of CMSNA, received a small gift as a token of his
work to help bring our two societies together
over the previous few years.
The day of the Games dawned fine, very fine and
stayed that way all day. Sun and a gentle breeze
to take away the midges. Perfect. More perfect
still was the lunch put on for the first time for
members in the Clan tent. Following on from the
example set by our American kinsmen at
Grandfather Mountain in 2007, the Clan Council
decided to sponsor a lunch for anyone and
everyone. By all accounts it was a great success
and will, hopefully, be repeated in future years.
A big "thank you" must go to
Fiona, Sue, Mairead and her daughter Anne for organising
everything.
The Clan enjoyed the usual success in the Tug
o'War and managed to come away with a prize.
The Chief was with us all day and was there to
support and encourage wherever possible.
The Gathering 2009
Picture: Catherine and Shona at the Clan tent
The Society was well represented at The Gathering
in Holyrood Park. Our tent was manned on the
Saturday by Catherine Crawford and her husband
Hugh as well as Shona McLaren and George and
Agnes Smail. During the morning, Catherine was
presented to the Duke of Rothsay on his tour of
the Clan Village.
Sunday saw the Chief, on his
shuttle tour between Edinburgh and
Lochearnhead/Balquhidder, put in a welcome
appearance before heading north for the second
time that weekend, this time to read the lesson
in kirk.
Hamish, Iain and Fiona as well as Steve
and Sylvia Quillin arrived with others during the
morning. Over 150 people signed our Visitors'
Book at The Gathering which may be an indication
of the event's success.
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Newsletter Submissions
All contributions to the Annual Newsletter are gratefully received, especially MacLaren events, births, deaths and marriages. The deadline for submissions is 31st January each year with publication in the Spring. E-mail Editor Nick Law at n.s.law@intbiogcentre.com .
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