2026 Clan MacNicol International Gathering
11 September 2026 - 14 September 2026
Halifax Marriott Harbourfront Hotel • CA, NS, Halifax, B3J 3J5, 1919 Upper Water St.
The 2026 International Gathering of Clan MacNicol will take place in Halifax, Nova Scotia, from September 11–14, 2026. This special event will be hosted at the Halifax Marriott Harbourfront Hotel, footsteps away from the city’s historic waterfront. This four-day celebration promises to be a memorable occasion filled with culture, connection, and community. Planned events include a flag raising ceremony at Halifax Grand Parade, a lively ceilidh, storytelling sessions entitled. Our Stories Past and Present, and an exciting bus tour to northern Nova Scotia to showcase some of Nova Scotia’s natural beauty and Scottish Highlander heritage and culture.
The Chief of Clan MacNicol personally requested that this Gathering be held in Nova Scotia, recognising both its Scottish roots and its unique role as a place where Highland traditions continue to thrive. It will be a very historic moment as Clan members from around the world come together in Halifax for the very first time.
The Chief of Clan MacNicol personally requested that this Gathering be held in Nova Scotia, recognising both its Scottish roots and its unique role as a place where Highland traditions continue to thrive. It will be a very historic moment as Clan members from around the world come together in Halifax for the very first time.
Remembering Murdo Nicolson
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A remembrance cross was placed at Murdo’s Well to mark his lifelong commitment to the cause of remembrance and the values he upheld. Murdo, a former Royal Marine Commando led the annual Remembrance Parade in Portree with unwavering pride, ensuring the sacrifice of those who served was always remembered. He was instrumental in building the cairn at Scorrybreac, a lasting tribute to the Nicolsons whose generosity helped secure this land for our clan. In this time of reflection, we honor Murdo’s legacy—a soldier, a leader, and a Nicolson who held the spirit of remembrance close to his heart.
Lest we forget.
Lest we forget.
Scottish writers receive New Writers Award
Scottish Book Trust announces its 2024 New Writers Awardees
Eleven up-and-coming authors from across Scotland have been announced as recipients of Scottish
Book Trust’s 2024 New Writers Award.
Every year Scottish Book Trust, the national charity changing lives with reading and writing, holds
the prestigious year-long writer development programme to support burgeoning writers living in
Scotland. As well as a £2,000 cash award, they will receive mentorship from writers and industry
professionals, a week-long retreat, and opportunities to showcase work to publishing industry
professionals.
This year’s awardees are Gaelic teachers and writers Kristina Nicolson and Iain Cuimeanach, writer
and visual artist Amos O’Connor, spoken word artist John Lawrie, Shetland researcher Siún Carden,
Scots language writer Ross Crawford, essayist and novelist Sarah Whiteside, novelist Katherine
Hudson, musician and novelist Les Hodge, poet Pip Osmond-Williams, and children’s author Taslin
Pollock.
The New Writers Award has made an extraordinary impact on publishing since its launch in 2009.
From the 177 awardees who have gone through the programme up to 2023, 76 have had their work
published, with a total of 183 books going out into the world. Previous awardees include Graeme
Macrae Burnet whose 2015 novel His Bloody Project was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize, and
Gail Honeyman, whose bestselling novel Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine won Scottish Book
Trust’s The Next Chapter Award.
Kristina Nicolson
Kristina Nicolson (32) is a Gaelic teacher from Glasgow who is writing a series of children's books
based on Gaelic songs. Kristina was brought up surrounded by Gaelic music and culture, which
remains an important part of her family life to this day. She lived in Australia for ten years where she
studied English literature and sociology at the University of Adelaide. While it was a fantastic
experience living overseas, she missed her Scottish culture and heritage and decided to come home.
She is now teaching Gaelic to children in Glasgow and is delighted that both her children are
immersed in the language as well.
Kristina says: ‘I'm absolutely delighted to have received a New Writers Award! I am grateful for the
support I will receive thanks to this award and looking forward to creating more children's literature
and sharing some Scottish culture and traditional music with children.’
Book Trust’s 2024 New Writers Award.
Every year Scottish Book Trust, the national charity changing lives with reading and writing, holds
the prestigious year-long writer development programme to support burgeoning writers living in
Scotland. As well as a £2,000 cash award, they will receive mentorship from writers and industry
professionals, a week-long retreat, and opportunities to showcase work to publishing industry
professionals.
This year’s awardees are Gaelic teachers and writers Kristina Nicolson and Iain Cuimeanach, writer
and visual artist Amos O’Connor, spoken word artist John Lawrie, Shetland researcher Siún Carden,
Scots language writer Ross Crawford, essayist and novelist Sarah Whiteside, novelist Katherine
Hudson, musician and novelist Les Hodge, poet Pip Osmond-Williams, and children’s author Taslin
Pollock.
The New Writers Award has made an extraordinary impact on publishing since its launch in 2009.
From the 177 awardees who have gone through the programme up to 2023, 76 have had their work
published, with a total of 183 books going out into the world. Previous awardees include Graeme
Macrae Burnet whose 2015 novel His Bloody Project was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize, and
Gail Honeyman, whose bestselling novel Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine won Scottish Book
Trust’s The Next Chapter Award.
Kristina Nicolson
Kristina Nicolson (32) is a Gaelic teacher from Glasgow who is writing a series of children's books
based on Gaelic songs. Kristina was brought up surrounded by Gaelic music and culture, which
remains an important part of her family life to this day. She lived in Australia for ten years where she
studied English literature and sociology at the University of Adelaide. While it was a fantastic
experience living overseas, she missed her Scottish culture and heritage and decided to come home.
She is now teaching Gaelic to children in Glasgow and is delighted that both her children are
immersed in the language as well.
Kristina says: ‘I'm absolutely delighted to have received a New Writers Award! I am grateful for the
support I will receive thanks to this award and looking forward to creating more children's literature
and sharing some Scottish culture and traditional music with children.’
Jeremy Duncan Nicholson Obituary
It is with deep sadness that the family of Jeremy Duncan Nicholson, Baron of Balvenie, announces his untimely passing on 5 March 2024 in Milan, Italy two months shy of his 76th birthday.
Jeremy was born in the shadow of the Rijksmusem Amsterdam in the building that now houses the U.S. Consulate General, the middle of three brothers.
As a young boy and much to his mother's horror, Jeremy kept a number of snakes and reptiles as pets, and when he returned the United States to attend college, he donated his collection to the Brussels Zoo. As a young man, he enjoyed camping and canoeing with his older brother Nicky in Georgia's Okefenokee Swamp in search of alligators and snakes and other native wildlife.
Jeremy was a graduate of Haverford College and subsequently took a Masters Degree in Library Science from Temple University. It was while he was in Philadelphia on the evening of 5 December 1975, the eve of the Feast Day of St. Nicholas, that Jeremy met Conte Andrea di Montegnacco, his spouse, life companion, and best friend of 44 years. Andrea's unexpected passing in March 2020 was a source of great grief to Jeremy.
Jeremy moved to Sydney, Australia, in the summer of 1982 to be with Andrea who preceded him there by two years. The two subsequently resided in Melbourne, Australia, and Udine, Italy, before winding up living together in suburban Atlanta, Georgia, for 22 years.
Jeremy was always fascinated by airplanes and flying and took flying lessons at one point. He and Andrea were inveterate world travelers, opting often to circle the globe rather than choosing a conventional out-and-back round trip. Jeremy was well-known and well-regarded by the First Class cabin crews of Delta Airlines. He kept a log of every flight he made, detailing the types of aircraft, plane tail numbers, crew members, and seat positions.
Upon returning to the States in 1998, Jeremy worked tirelessly to untangle the bureaucratic red tape and help Andrea obtain his Green Card and, ultimately, his American citizenship. With Andrea, Jeremy owned and operated a small business providing technical writing and consulting to various businesses and enterprises. The two were officially united in marriage in 2013 shortly after California became the first state in the nation to pass a same sex marriage law.
Jeremy was recognized in Scotland as Baron of Balvenie upon the passing of his uncle C.B. Harman Nicholson of Atlanta in 2009. Deeply proud of his Scottish heritage, Jeremy was a Chieftain in Clan MacNicol, Chairman of the Clan MacNicol Federation, President of Clan MacNicol North America, President of the Scorrybreac Fund, a Trustee of Urras Clann MhicNeacail, and Patron and honorary President of the Dufftown Highland Games. Jeremy was also the proprietor of the ancient Castle of Balvenie in Dufftown, Moray (formerly Banffshire) which is under the care of Historic Scotland.
Together, Jeremy and Andrea again tackled the United States immigration and naturalization bureaucracy on behalf of their friend and Senegalese asylum seeker, Moise Ndoye. They did not rest their efforts until Moise was first granted asylum in 2012, a Green Card in 2014, and, finally, his U.S. Citizenship in 2018. Jeremy and Moise were subsequently married in a private ceremony in November 2021.
Well- and widely-read, Jeremy was a great conversationalist with a tremendous font of knowledge of history and literature. He was a truly kind person who loved nothing better than a quiet evening of dining and convivial conversation with friends and family that would often carry late into the night, way past everyone's bedtime.
Jeremy was predeceased his parents H. Burke Nicholson, Jr. and Juliet D. Nicholson; his first spouse Andrea di Montegnacco; his Aunts Carolyn Worley (Owen) and Lucia Lines (Ernest); his Uncles C.B. Harman Nicholson and John Nicholson (Charlotte); and his older brother H.B. 'Nicky' Nicholson, III.
Jeremy is survived by Moise Ndoye, and by his beloved brother Graham Seaford Nicholson, Sr. of Canton, Georgia with his wife Rebecca Gay Nicholson and their children, Graham Seaford Nicholson, Jr. (Meagan) and Grace Ellen Nicholson, his aunt Jane Johnson, and by many loving cousins, their spouses, and nieces and nephews.
Jeremy was born in the shadow of the Rijksmusem Amsterdam in the building that now houses the U.S. Consulate General, the middle of three brothers.
As a young boy and much to his mother's horror, Jeremy kept a number of snakes and reptiles as pets, and when he returned the United States to attend college, he donated his collection to the Brussels Zoo. As a young man, he enjoyed camping and canoeing with his older brother Nicky in Georgia's Okefenokee Swamp in search of alligators and snakes and other native wildlife.
Jeremy was a graduate of Haverford College and subsequently took a Masters Degree in Library Science from Temple University. It was while he was in Philadelphia on the evening of 5 December 1975, the eve of the Feast Day of St. Nicholas, that Jeremy met Conte Andrea di Montegnacco, his spouse, life companion, and best friend of 44 years. Andrea's unexpected passing in March 2020 was a source of great grief to Jeremy.
Jeremy moved to Sydney, Australia, in the summer of 1982 to be with Andrea who preceded him there by two years. The two subsequently resided in Melbourne, Australia, and Udine, Italy, before winding up living together in suburban Atlanta, Georgia, for 22 years.
Jeremy was always fascinated by airplanes and flying and took flying lessons at one point. He and Andrea were inveterate world travelers, opting often to circle the globe rather than choosing a conventional out-and-back round trip. Jeremy was well-known and well-regarded by the First Class cabin crews of Delta Airlines. He kept a log of every flight he made, detailing the types of aircraft, plane tail numbers, crew members, and seat positions.
Upon returning to the States in 1998, Jeremy worked tirelessly to untangle the bureaucratic red tape and help Andrea obtain his Green Card and, ultimately, his American citizenship. With Andrea, Jeremy owned and operated a small business providing technical writing and consulting to various businesses and enterprises. The two were officially united in marriage in 2013 shortly after California became the first state in the nation to pass a same sex marriage law.
Jeremy was recognized in Scotland as Baron of Balvenie upon the passing of his uncle C.B. Harman Nicholson of Atlanta in 2009. Deeply proud of his Scottish heritage, Jeremy was a Chieftain in Clan MacNicol, Chairman of the Clan MacNicol Federation, President of Clan MacNicol North America, President of the Scorrybreac Fund, a Trustee of Urras Clann MhicNeacail, and Patron and honorary President of the Dufftown Highland Games. Jeremy was also the proprietor of the ancient Castle of Balvenie in Dufftown, Moray (formerly Banffshire) which is under the care of Historic Scotland.
Together, Jeremy and Andrea again tackled the United States immigration and naturalization bureaucracy on behalf of their friend and Senegalese asylum seeker, Moise Ndoye. They did not rest their efforts until Moise was first granted asylum in 2012, a Green Card in 2014, and, finally, his U.S. Citizenship in 2018. Jeremy and Moise were subsequently married in a private ceremony in November 2021.
Well- and widely-read, Jeremy was a great conversationalist with a tremendous font of knowledge of history and literature. He was a truly kind person who loved nothing better than a quiet evening of dining and convivial conversation with friends and family that would often carry late into the night, way past everyone's bedtime.
Jeremy was predeceased his parents H. Burke Nicholson, Jr. and Juliet D. Nicholson; his first spouse Andrea di Montegnacco; his Aunts Carolyn Worley (Owen) and Lucia Lines (Ernest); his Uncles C.B. Harman Nicholson and John Nicholson (Charlotte); and his older brother H.B. 'Nicky' Nicholson, III.
Jeremy is survived by Moise Ndoye, and by his beloved brother Graham Seaford Nicholson, Sr. of Canton, Georgia with his wife Rebecca Gay Nicholson and their children, Graham Seaford Nicholson, Jr. (Meagan) and Grace Ellen Nicholson, his aunt Jane Johnson, and by many loving cousins, their spouses, and nieces and nephews.
Dr. Alexander Murray Nicolson, High Commissioner of North America has passed away
Clan MacNicol is greatly saddened by the sudden death of Dr. Alexander Murray Nicolson, Chieftain of Clan MacNicol and High Commissioner for the Americas. We have lost the single most important founding figure of our Clan Society who dedicated over thirty five years of his life to the Clan in North America, Scotland and worldwide. Without him, very little would have happened. Without his efforts, the Clan lands of Scorrybreac would not have been obtained.
Murray, as he was known to his friends, passed away on Saturday, April 1, 2023 surrounded by his beloved family. He was 84 years old. Murray was born in Edinburgh, Scotland the son of the late James and Anne Nicolson. He leaves his wife Barbara, and son Edward and his wife Valerie and their three children Eleanor, Walter, and James. His home was in Concord, Massachusetts.
Murray was a graduate of Edinburgh University earning his BSc and PhD in Electrical Engineering. After a period of time at the Radar Research Establishment in England, where he met Barbara, the married couple emigrated to the USA where he worked for General Electric. After a year, Murray changed jobs to work at Sperry Rand Research center before completing his career with Instron Corporation, both in the U.S.A. and the U.K. At Instron Murray led the development of a new generation of materials testing machines.
Murray had many interests including sailing, music, amateur radio, and, most importantly, his Scottish heritage. He built and sailed a mirror dinghy, completed sailing certificates, and sailed around the Chesapeake Bay. He adored classical music concerts, including outdoor concerts at Tanglewood and the Hatch Shell in Boston. He supported many musical organizations, including Indian Hill Music in Groton. Murray obtained a ham amateur radio license and enjoyed communicating with other radio operators all over the world.
Murray’s strong interest in genealogy and the origins of his Nicolson ancestry led him to dig through many church archive records in Scotland back to the 1700s in an attempt to trace his family roots back to the Nicolsons of Portree on the Isle of Skye. While researching this genealogy Murray became aware of land up for sale near the town of Portree that was destined to be developed with housing. The land was near the ancestral home of the Clan MacNicol chief, Scorrybreac. Working with locals and benefactors in the USA Murray was able to have the land purchased and put into trust, thus creating the Urras Clann MhicNeacail. (https://clanmacnicol.org/lands-scorrybreac ) Since the creation of the trust, the lands have been popular with locals and tourists alike for walking and sight-seeing. Murray also earned the ranks of Sennachie, Chieftain, and High Commissioner for the Americas allowing him to wear two eagle feathers in his cap.
Murray’s enjoyment of music and dancing led him to become a certified instructor for the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society. Murray and Barbara enjoyed weekly dancing with the local dance groups and especially enjoyed New Year’s Eve dances, with many of their hosted after-parties lasting well into the wee hours of New Year’s Day.
Murray was also very active with St. Anne’s in-the-Fields Episcopal Church, serving on the vestry and working with parishioners on many capital and improvement projects, outreach to the greater community, and support for families overseas. Murray will be greatly missed for his adept wit, generosity, and dedication to doing the right thing for others.
Scorrybreac Circular Path Closed August 2017
On Saturday the 19th of August a major rock fall took place north of the Black Rock on the Scorrybreac headland. This resulted in a significant amount of rock and debris falling from a great height, which covered the path and landed on the shoreline. A low level inspection took place, which resulted in the path being closed and the appropriate signage being put in place. We then carried out an inspection at the top of the ridge where the rock had come loose. We cannot stress enough how unstable this area of rock is and would strongly urge all walkers who are using the path not to pass the signs or fencing, as the area is extremely dangerous.
In the coming days we’ll seek expert advice on how to make the area safe and hopefully open the path as soon as possible.
In the coming days we’ll seek expert advice on how to make the area safe and hopefully open the path as soon as possible.
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The Marathon Man June 2017
Let me introduce 81yo Angus Nicholson from Uist, he started running when he was 49, and his goal of 500 marathons is firmly in his sights! Angus talks to us after completing another Isle of Skye Half Marathon.
Skye voted top place to live in Britain 24th Nov 2016
As well as being a top tourist destination Skye has now been voted the most desirable place to live in Britain.
Nearly 24,000 people surveyed by website Rightmove said that the island with his rugged landscape and fantastic sea views was the dream location for them.
Many of the most desirable places to live in Britain have house prices which are relatively cheap compared with the national average, the study found. The average asking price for a home on Skye is just under £231,000, according to Rightmove - well under the average price tag of a home generally across England and Wales, at £305,670. Pembroke in Wales was also among the most desirable places to live. And with the average asking price for a home there at £169,969, Pembroke is the least expensive place to live on the list of the most desirable areas. But in Salcombe in Devon, which was also among the most desirable places to live, the average asking price for a home is £635,083 - just below the average asking price for a home in London, at £643,838.
Many of those surveyed also dream of setting up home where they can enjoy the views of the Lake District, with Ambleside and Keswick also appearing on the list. Rightmove's research manager Abiola Oni said: "The nation clearly want to retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city and settle down in some of the most beautiful places around Britain, from as north as the Isle of Skye to as south as the glitzy town of Salcombe. "It's interesting that none of the areas are in the highest priced regions of Britain - London and the South East - likely because the appeal of some of the big cities is the good job options and transport links rather than moving for the amazing scenery."
Nearly 24,000 people surveyed by website Rightmove said that the island with his rugged landscape and fantastic sea views was the dream location for them.
Many of the most desirable places to live in Britain have house prices which are relatively cheap compared with the national average, the study found. The average asking price for a home on Skye is just under £231,000, according to Rightmove - well under the average price tag of a home generally across England and Wales, at £305,670. Pembroke in Wales was also among the most desirable places to live. And with the average asking price for a home there at £169,969, Pembroke is the least expensive place to live on the list of the most desirable areas. But in Salcombe in Devon, which was also among the most desirable places to live, the average asking price for a home is £635,083 - just below the average asking price for a home in London, at £643,838.
Many of those surveyed also dream of setting up home where they can enjoy the views of the Lake District, with Ambleside and Keswick also appearing on the list. Rightmove's research manager Abiola Oni said: "The nation clearly want to retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city and settle down in some of the most beautiful places around Britain, from as north as the Isle of Skye to as south as the glitzy town of Salcombe. "It's interesting that none of the areas are in the highest priced regions of Britain - London and the South East - likely because the appeal of some of the big cities is the good job options and transport links rather than moving for the amazing scenery."
Lowering the flag at Scorrybreac 31st October 2016
With the clocks changing at the weekend, it's time to lower the flag at Scorrybreac for the winter.
Jan Nicolson gets his 1938 lorry back on the road 18th October 2016
Albion Motors was the prime Scottish Commercial truck manufacturers located in Glasgow Scotland founded in 1899 by Tom Murray and Norman Fulton the works being in South Street Scotstoun within sight of a bustling shipyard industry. The company strap line which demonstrated the faith in the product was Sure as the Sunrise. Both buses and trucks were exported to every corner of the globe, many still giving daily service in Australia, Asia and Malta . The Lorry models had Scottish Names Chieftain, Clansman Claymore Clydesdale and Reiver. A little known fact was that Albion Motors manufactured 24,000 Enfield No 2 revolvers for the British Army during World War 2.
The Nicolson family connection with Albion’s go back many years with Ewen Nicolson (Jan’s father, a lorry driver with the Coop)
Jan’s recent restoration project was a 1938 Albion Flat bed Lorry, amazingly after 78 years Jan is only the 3rd owner. It was purchased in 1938 by a builder in West Calder near Edinburgh then put out to grass some 20 years later and rescued by a Coachbuilder Bill Struthers in 1989. Jan acquired it 17th of August 2015 and has just had it repainted in the livery of Ewen Macrae, Crossal, Skye. It's now loaded for display at shows with 14 Talisker whisky barrels (empty of course).
The Nicolson family connection with Albion’s go back many years with Ewen Nicolson (Jan’s father, a lorry driver with the Coop)
Jan’s recent restoration project was a 1938 Albion Flat bed Lorry, amazingly after 78 years Jan is only the 3rd owner. It was purchased in 1938 by a builder in West Calder near Edinburgh then put out to grass some 20 years later and rescued by a Coachbuilder Bill Struthers in 1989. Jan acquired it 17th of August 2015 and has just had it repainted in the livery of Ewen Macrae, Crossal, Skye. It's now loaded for display at shows with 14 Talisker whisky barrels (empty of course).
The 'John Hurt Nicholson' bench replaced 2nd October 2016
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This summer the Urras Clann Mhicneacail replaced the John H. Nicholson bench at Scorrybreac. Placed close to the cairn in the early 1990s and after many years of Skye weather the bench had deteriorated and become unsafe. Its now been replaced with a bench made from recycled plastic, which will last for many years with no maintenance required. Fortunately the original brass plaque was able to be rescued and transferred to the new bench.
John H. Nicholson was a pioneering contributor to the genealogy of the Nicholsons of Atlanta, as well as an enthusiastic supporter of the early development of the Clan MacNicol Society in North America and worldwide.
Born in 1924 in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A., he was the youngest of the three Nicholson brothers who along with Burke and Harman played a fundamental role in the renaissance of the Clan during the 1980s.
Long before the availability of on-line research tools like ancestry.com and DNA-databases such as Family Tree DNA, John Nicholson and his two brothers hired the celebrated Scottish genealogist Donald Whyte to conduct an exhaustive genealogical survey of all the parish church records of Scotland to trace their ancestor Duncan Nicholson (previously MacNicol) to the Hebrides in the 1770s. This research eventually led to a successful application to the Lord Lyon King of Arms in Edinburgh for the grant of Scottish Arms to John and his three sons.
During the mid-1980s, John Nicholson corresponded extensively with Murray Nicolson in Massachusetts and provided much support to Murray’s efforts to establish the Clan MacNicol Society first in the U.S.A., then in Canada. John and his relatives hosted our late Chief, Iain MacNeacail of MacNeacail and Scorrybreac and his late wife Pam on their first official visit to North America in 1985, which included a well-remembered stop in Atlanta.
John Nicholson had a successful 32-year career with the iconic Coca-Cola Company of Atlanta, beginning with overseas marketing and administrative positions in Germany, Austria, Hawaii and Japan. He went on to serve as Personnel Director, Director of Manpower Planning, and Assistant Secretary of the Company.
Two of John’s sons, R. Burke Nicholson and William "Bill" C. Nicholson are long-time members of the Clan MacNicol Society of North America. Burke has served for many years as Games Commissioner for Georgia, while Bill held the executive positions of Secretary, then President of the Society.
John Muir Award@Scorrybreac 14th September 2106
A group of pupils from Portree High School is forging links with the Clan MacNicol this year to help with conservation tasks at Scorrybreac.
This is a fantastic opportunity to undertake various challenges that underpin the renowned vocational course, the John Muir Award. The John Muir
Award’s ethos is to foster a sense of belonging, care and responsibility towards local environments and to take practical action to protect wild places. (John
Muir, 1838-1914, developed a passion for wild places growing up in the coastal town of Dunbar, near Edinburgh and emigrated to the United States as a young child. He was a conservationist and helped to create the world’s first national park system).
Throughout the year the pupils will be working alongside Donnie Nicolson and the local Countryside Ranger to learn how to maintain and clear pathways, dig drainage, clearing vegetation, control invasive species, etc. The pupils will also learn about the history and heritage of the area.
At the end of the course the pupils will hold an awards ceremony and presentation to which family members, members of the public and the local newspaper will be invited. They also plan to exhibit their achievements in an exhibition at Portree High School Public Library.
Nikki Cannon (Teacher/Course Leader).
This is a fantastic opportunity to undertake various challenges that underpin the renowned vocational course, the John Muir Award. The John Muir
Award’s ethos is to foster a sense of belonging, care and responsibility towards local environments and to take practical action to protect wild places. (John
Muir, 1838-1914, developed a passion for wild places growing up in the coastal town of Dunbar, near Edinburgh and emigrated to the United States as a young child. He was a conservationist and helped to create the world’s first national park system).
Throughout the year the pupils will be working alongside Donnie Nicolson and the local Countryside Ranger to learn how to maintain and clear pathways, dig drainage, clearing vegetation, control invasive species, etc. The pupils will also learn about the history and heritage of the area.
At the end of the course the pupils will hold an awards ceremony and presentation to which family members, members of the public and the local newspaper will be invited. They also plan to exhibit their achievements in an exhibition at Portree High School Public Library.
Nikki Cannon (Teacher/Course Leader).
Portree Sailing Club upgrade their Scorrybreac
boat house 5th September 2016
In July Skye Sailing Club finished the upgrade of their facilities and equipment at Scorrybreac. There is now a refurbished boat shed and clubhouse with teaching and conference room. On the foreshore a new fleet of dinghies will enhance the Club's training opportunities in sailing, rowing and power boating. In addition to the Club's usual summer evening sailing sessions and summer sailing school they will be adding weekend dinghy sailing and rowing which will extend into the winter when weather allows.
Urras Clann MhicNeacail & the Skeabost Community Councilworking in partnership August 2016
The ancient site of Eilean Chaluim Chille (St. Columba's Isle) is located in Skeabost, at the head of Loch Snizort, approximately 5 miles from Portree. The site is not only a sacred burial ground, but was also a major ecclesiastical centre on the Isle of Skye, and the seat of the Bishop of the Isles from the 10th up to the 16th century. According to tradition twenty-eight chiefs of the MacNicols or Nicolsons lie buried in holy ground on St. Columba's Isle. This seems to indicate the important role that the MacNicol clan played in the life of the Church, and the trust the Church placed in the chiefs of Clan MacNicol. Last summer a fence was damaged by cattle in the next croft, which gave the animals a point of entry into the cemetery. This caused slight damage to the ground, so it was decided that action had to be taken to protect the immensely important piece of ground. Donnie Nicolson, on behalf of the Urras Clann MhicNeacail approached the Skeabost Community Council about suggested the two organisation pull together to do some repairs. Skeabost CC were only to happy to help and willingly supplied all he labour, while the trust contributed to the cost of the materials.
The flag pole returns
10th May 2016
The flag pole at Scorrybreac getting put back into position this morning after a coat of paint. Its glorious weather in Portree at the moment, better than the snow we had last week!
The flag pole at Scorrybreac getting put back into position this morning after a coat of paint. Its glorious weather in Portree at the moment, better than the snow we had last week!
The power of social media
A stunning picture take by Graham Brashaw from the top of Ben Tianavaig at the weekend, overlooking Scorrybreac and the Sound of Raasay.
This was the post that was made on our Facebook page in February. What followed highlighted the power and reach that social media now has. When we shared the picture it had been liked 15 times by various admires. What followed was the picture getting shared and viewed all round the world, to the delight of Graham. When we last checked, it had been view over 25,000 times.
This was the post that was made on our Facebook page in February. What followed highlighted the power and reach that social media now has. When we shared the picture it had been liked 15 times by various admires. What followed was the picture getting shared and viewed all round the world, to the delight of Graham. When we last checked, it had been view over 25,000 times.
Time for a coat of paint April 2016
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We recently took down the flag pole from Scorrybreac for some much needed care and repair. After being removed, it was stored indoors to give the wood time to dry out. As you can imaging it rains now and again here on Skye, so the wood is a little damp! It will then get a couple of coats of paint, some new rope and cleat, and then returned back to Scorry, where the St Andrews Cross will fly on it once again.
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Lest we forget
10th November 2015
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On Sunday at 11am the country will stop for two minutes to remember those that have fallen in conflict.
Murdo Nicolson, BEM, was born in Bayfield in Portree and lived in the town until he left to join the Marine Commandos during WWII. After the war, he spent several years at sea, then joined the Highland Light Infantry, where he rose to the rank of Colour Sergeant-Major. Over his 25 years in the regiment he served in many countries. Murdo was fiercely proud of the Clan’s purchase of the land of Ben Chracaig, and worked on it tirelessly until his untimely death in 1997. He built the cairn at Scorrybreac, and also built the well in memory of his uncle and all those who fell in service of their country. Today we place a remembrance cross at Murdo’s well. They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them. Robert Laurence Binyon - "For the Fallen" |