She represented the Association and promoted the beauty of Islay at the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games in Linville, North Carolina on Saturday 8th July, an event which attracts some 40,000 people and was warmly welcomed at many Clan and Society tents. Marcia and her husband Alan travelled to Islay especially for the Millennium Home Gathering and both thoroughly enjoyed their visit. Since printing the article on Major General McDougall in our souvenir programme at our last Gathering, it has been further detailed by the Clan MacDougall Society of North America both in their newsletter and web site and also published by The New York Caledonian Society. General MacDougall spent his early childhood at Porantruan near Port Ellen and in1738 ernigrated as a boy of six to New York. He became one of the leading exponents of independence for America and went on to become 10th in rank to George Washington in the American Revolution and afterwards the first President and co-founder of The Bank Of New York.
Membership continues to grow at a surprising rate.
Last Season saw some 22 new members join and since the AGM we have already received applications for around a further 15 prospective members. We have established a Membership Sub-Committee under the direction of Vice President Christine Hart whose remit is to develop membership numbers and keep records up to date. New to our Syllabus for the Season 2000-2001 is the Deoch and Jig, a whisky tasting followed by a dance. The Christmas Buffet Dance is moved to an earlier date in December, being held on Friday 8th at Westerton Hall. Hopefully, this will allow more people to attend and avoid clashes with other office parties.