Evening star., 1937-10-23
King, Queen
Dance With
Employees
Royal Democracy
Endears Rulers
To Subjects.
BY GAEL RENFREW.

RALMORAL CASTLE, on September
= II and 81 last. was the scene of
two functions which prove that bon
ME little Scotland still keeps the title
for true democracy. On each of these
dates the King and Queen held "gillies
balls" at which they were frequently
partnered by gamekeepers, foresters
and other employees Of their Highland
estate. "Gillie" is given in the Ok
ford dictionary as meaning highland
chiefs attendant, man or boy attend
ing sportsman in Scotland" but the
Gaelic root Just means lad or servant"
and that is how the term is commonly
used.
Headed by Pipe Major Forsyth, the
pipers played the royal procession into
the ball room with the lifting tune of
Highland Laddie." Members of the
party in addition to their majesties
were the Duke and Duchess of
Gloucester, Princess Arthur of Con-
naught, Lady Maud Carnegie and
other royal cousins.
The traditional highland dress was
favored by the men from the King
down, and the ladies of the household
wore broad sasf1es of royal Stuart tar
tan across their gowns
In the grand march and circassian
circle all the royalties joined happily
with members of the Balmoral indoor
and outdoor staff ard the performance
Of the King and Queen in the highland
reels was claSsed as 'expert!"
Between dances King George and
his Scottish consort-herself of royal
Stuart blood-mingled with delightful
informality amongst their employee
guests, holding friendly court in the
ball room alcove where employees who
had seen service with the father and
grandfather of the present King were
given special attention.
The children of the Balmoral staff
had their innings nearly month be-
fore-on August 81, when the seventh
birthday >of Princess Margaret Rose
was quietly celebrated in the castle
garden. Her birthday cake was made
large enough to permit of every child
on the estate receiving a piece.
Since the charming consort of King
George VI belongs to one OF Scotlands
oldest families, that ancient Kingdom
is coming in for an increasing share OF
general interest. Quite apart from the
organized efforts of the Scottish Ma
tional party to restore the Scottish
Parliament to Edinburgh. there is
strong desire on the part of the people
for more frequent residence of the
sovereign in Holyrood.
A contribution Of immense value
towards accomplishment Of this end
was recently made by Sir Alexander
Grant, Scot who began life as Sandy
Grant, the son of q working mason in
the little Highland town of Forres. His
career Is one of industry's greatest ro-
mances. He made his millions from
biscuits-or crackers, as the American
cousin prefers to call them. Like many
"stingy" ca Scots, he WAS lavish
public benefactor. He dio nobly by
Edinburgh University, which made
him an ILL., D., and one Of his most,
munificent gifts was 00.000 pounds to
the National Library in Edinburgh.
A few days before he died on May
"a of this year his identity was re-
vealed as the donor of f10, 000-$50, 900
lin commemoration of King Georges
Silver Jubilee. The money WAS for sill
verware, linen and glass to refurbish
the historic palace Of Holyrood, and
there is an interesting story back OF
the gift. On one occasion, when the
present King and Queen were visiting
Edinburgh, - Duke and Duchess Of
York, the Lord Provost Of Edinburgh
told them how gratifying it would be
to the Scottish people If Holyrood were
occupied by royalty more frequently.
Court officials are said to have later
explained to Edinburgh's chief magis-
trate that since the four -centuries-old
palace was poorly equipped for modern
living. much expense was entailed