Go to current website:
http://scots-westvirginia.com/ncwv-scottish-society


Looking back to the 2014 -2016  North Central West Virginia Scottish Festivals

For a number of years this was the website for the Scottish Heritage Society of North Central West Virginia, a community-based organization committed to fostering interest in and exchanging information about north central West Virginia’s strong Scottish and Celtic cultural roots.
Content is from the site's 2014 -2016 archived pages about their annual festivals.

The current website for the Scottish Heritage Society of North Central West Virginia is found at: http://scots-westvirginia.com/ncwv-scottish-society
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The Sights and Sounds...

  • 2015 Festival Photos
  • 2014 Festival Photos
  • 2013 Festival Photos
  • Main Stage Musicians
  • Pipe Bands
  • Clan Area
  • WV Highland Dancers
  • Amateur Heavy Athletics
  • Children's Games
  • Scottish Breed Dogs
  • Herding and Agility Demonstrations
  • Friday Night Ceilidh
  • Saturday Night Concert
  • Sunday Kirkin' of the Tartans & Church Service 

Preparation, Directions, Entry Forms and More...

  • Schedule of Events (subject to change)
  • Festival Map

 

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The Scottish Heritage Society of North Central West Virginia is a community-based organization committed to fostering interest in and exchanging information about north central West Virginia’s strong Scottish and Celtic cultural roots. The organization sponsors various local events and also coordinates information about regional events.

The Society is a 501 (c)3 not-for-profit corporation. The Society's Form 990 filing is available on request from Bill MacLean, 304-842-0370 or email macleanbe@earthlink.net.

The Society has been building a small library of books related to Scottish history, Scottish and Irish genealogy, and West Virginia regional genealogy.  The books are used in various presentations, as sometimes at the Festival’s Genealogy tent, but the books may also be checked out by Society members.

The Library is maintained by Bill MacLean.  His home email address is macleanbe@earthlink.net and home telephone is 304-842-0370.

The Library’s holdings, grouped by subject, are:

Scottish and Irish History

  • Castles of the Clans, Coventry
  • Clans and Families of Ireland and Scotland, Cairney
  • In Search of Ancient Scotland, Ruzicki
  • Scottish Clan & Family Encyclopedia, Way/Plean
  • Scottish Clans and Tartans, Grant
  • Tartan for Me! – Suggested Tartans for Scottish, Scotch-Irish, Irish and  North American Surnames, Smith
  • The Book of Ulster Surnames

West Virginia History

  • History of Monongalia County
  • istory of Wetzel County
  • History of Barbour County
  • A History of Preston County
  • Our Place in History – Southwestern Preston County
  • History of the Ten Mile Country

Genealogy

  • Scottish Roots – A Step-by-Step Guide for Ancestor Hunters, James
  • Discovering Your Scottish Ancestors, Jones/Milner

 

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2016 Main Stage and Saturday Night Concert  Musicians

Jil Chambless & Scooter Muse

Also known as Chambless & Muse, the two began performing as a duo in 2010 to promote each other’s solo projects.   The duo are also current members of the band “Henri’s Notions”, the longest performing Celtic band in the Southeastern United States (more than 30 years!), Jil and Scooter have also performed frequently in a trio with Scottish singer Ed Miller at many festivals throughout the US and Scotland. For many years Jil and Scooter have been fortunate to work alongside many of the finest artists in Celtic Music, resulting in many spontaneous collaborations.

 


 

My law partner's son was performing at this event, so we used that as an excuse for the adventure. The whole office came with us and everyone was blown away by the experience. The American Rogues are amazing and indescribable. The most incredible international mixture of culturally diverse sounds with a powerful beat. My partner, a staid maritime injury lawyer from a conservative family in New Orleans was dancing like a kid to his son's music. I'm tempted to post a photo of him on our legal website. Our clients would have a completely different picture of us. We had a blast and we're all up for the next one. Pretty sure they're planning to do it again next year.

 

The American Rogues

"THE AMERICAN ROGUES KNOW HOW TO COMMAND A MASSIVE STAGE AND ANIMATE A CROWD!"  
-- IRISH ECHO NEWSPAPER

If the 78th Fraser Pipe Band sat down with the Chieftains, Wolfstone, and the Waterboys and then asked some friends from a symphonic orchestra and a Japanese taiko group to join them at the table the resulting sound might resemble the AMERICAN ROGUES.  For years the performances of this American/Canadian group have electrified audiences on three continents.  They have added to their ever-growing family of fans -- affectionately known as the Rogue Army -- at music festivals, theaters, Highland Games, military bases, renaissance festivals, clubs, pubs, and corporate events -- anywhere that presents top-quality, high-energy music. This has even included airplay on TV and radio and shows at non-Celtic venues such as the World Music Festival in Quebec, Canada where they kicked off the 6 day event to widespread acclaim in 2015.  Their hard won road successes have established them as artists with bona fide international acclaim.  Renowned for their musical skill, quick wit, compelling storytelling, and engaging stage show the AMERICAN ROGUES have mastered the art of creating an immediate connection with audiences who can't stay in their seats!  Equally known for their unique, multi-instrumental sound that crosses the musical landscape to include jigs/reels, originals, covers, traditional music, soundtracks, patriotic and military music, Irish foot-stompers and more the AMERICAN ROGUES are fast becoming a household name with music lovers around the world, loved by young and old of all backgrounds. 

In addition to supporting Military Veterans through their involvement with Operation Ward 57, the National Navy SEAL Museum/Trident House, Honor Flights for WWII & Korean War Veterans, the Air Force Aid Society, the Wounded Warrior Project, and others the American Rogues have also performed for the troops at bases in Japan, Italy, Spain, Guam, and Guantanamo Bay.  The American Rogues are also proud members and official ambassadors of the Baltimore Police Emerald Society and fully support all First Responders. 

IONA

IONA has been at the forefront of the Celtic Music revival since the band’s inception in 1986.  IONA has evolved over the past 20 years into what is probably the most comprehensive pan Celtic band in the world.  IONA’s mission: to present the rich musical elements of all the
Celtic cultures -- Scottish, Irish, Welsh, Manx, Cornish, Breton, Asturian and Galician, blending them into a tapestry that resolves in the New World, as evidenced in Appalachian, Cape Breton and Cajun cultures.

 

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Participating Pipe bands in the 2015 Festival

The Carnegie University Pipe Band - Bagpiping has been an integral part of the campus life at Carnegie Mellon University since 1939. The Kiltie Band was started by Lewis W. Davidson and each year students who were interested in learning to play the bagpipes would enroll. In 1985, James H. McIntosh MBE, a world renowned piper, assumed the position as Director of the pipe band. During his tenure, it was proposed that Carnegie Mellon institutionalize bagpipes as a legitimate major in its Conservatory of Music. Prior to this program, no opportunities existed anywhere in the world for the serious student to study bagpiping at a Bachelor’s degree level. Carnegie Mellon already has a rich Scottish tradition and its international reputation as a first-rate institute of higher education and an excellent School of Music provide the appropriate level of prestige and creativity for the new undertaking. As the first university on the world to offer a Bachelor’s Degree in bagpipe performance, it is a fitting tribute to a school where the brass and reed marching band wears kilts and the football team is called The Tartans. Mr. McIntosh retired in 1997 and the pipe band post was passed to Gold Medalist and Queen’s Own Highlanders’, Pipe Major Alasdair Gillies. Alasdair Gillies tragically passed away in August 2011 at the untimely age of 47.  In September 2010, Andrew Carlisle from Ballygowen, Northern Ireland was appointed Director of Piping at Carnegie Mellon. Andrew has been a winner of prestigious solo piping competitions around the world and has been a 10-year member of the eight time and reigning world pipe band champions, Field Marshal Montgomery. Almost immediately, Andrew and Jimmy co-wrote the syllabus for the first ever Master’s Degree in bagpipe performance and the first student enrolled in 2011. The Carnegie Mellon Pipes and Drums is entirely made up of current university students and Alumni. The band performs frequently at official university events and has also made a welcomed return to the competition platform where it has won Highland Games at the South Maryland Celtic Festival and at the Colonial Highland Gathering at Fairhill, MD. 

The West Virginia Highlanders - Haunting strains of Scottish military tunes, a remnant of the heritage of the early Appalachian settlers, have come alive and echoed through the West Virginia hills for over 50 years as members of the West Virginia Highlanders bedecked in traditional MacLeod of Lewis dress tartans, have won state and national accolades for their pipe and drum performances. The music of the band focuses on bagpipes, an ancient instrument comprised of a tartan-covered leather air bag, one bass and two tenor drones, a valved blowpipe used by the piper to introduce air into the bag, and an eight-holed chanter which provides a nine-note scale. The bagpipes carry the sometimes lilting, sometimes plaintive Scottish melodies while bass, tenor, and snare drums set the band’s stately military pace as the Highlanders march down parade routes or add their solemn grace to weddings or funeral processions. The Highlanders’ have made notable appearances in Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Boston and other locations across the country. 

The Pipes and Drums of St. Andrew, is a civilian bagpipe band based in Parkersburg, WV. The band is currently under the direction of Drum Major Curt Mitchell and Pipe Major Carl Henson. The band members come from Eastern and North Central WV and Southern Ohio, and range in age from 16-80. The members have many diverse backgrounds but are brought together by their love of Scottish culture and music. The Pipes and Drums of St. Andrew were formed in 1997 by Pipe Major "Seamus" McFadden, and were under the long time direction of Pipe Major Joe Quick. In honor of Pipe Major Quick the band wears the Ferguson clan tartan.  The band performs at numerous parades and festivals each year in West Virginia, Ohio and Maryland. Their honors include awards from parade performances as well as being the host band for the Scottish Festival and Celtic Gathering in Bridgeport, WV since its’ inception. Individual members of the band perform solos at weddings, funerals, church services and other special occasions as well school  educational programs. The band is currently recruiting pipers/pipe students, drummers and color party members.

The MacDonald Pipe Band of Pittsburgh is a Scottish Pipe Band in the tradition of the pipe bands of the Highland Regiments of the British Army. Each year, they march in several local parades, including the Pittsburgh St. Patrick's Day Parade, the Memorial Day Parade in Castle Shannon, Canonsburg's Fourth of July Parade, and the Pittsburgh Labor Day Parade. In addition to parades, we perform in numerous shows around the area. We also travel around the Eastern United States competing at various Highland games and Celtic festivals, culminating at the Ligonier Highland Games, held at the band's birthplace, Idlewild Park, Pa.

The Seton Hill University Pipe Band has over 20 members in its Grade 4 band. The band offers developing students sound and solid rudimental education in piping or drumming. The band realizes that instruction is a very individual experience and each student has different methods of learning. Piping and drumming instruction is private and open to all ages, whether you are a student at the university or not. Seton Hill University plans to offer piping and drumming instruction as electives. The Seton Hill Pipe Band is under the direction of Pipe Major Josh Dobbin.  Seton Hill University Pipe Band takes pride in its performances and its role of ambassadors of music for Seton Hill University, and offers the services of the band for parades or private ceremonies.

The Veterans Memorial Pipe Band is a civilian pipe band sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post #2006 in Meadville, Pennsylvania. Veterans Memorial Pipe Band was founded in the fall of 2000 and began performing in the spring of 2001. Veterans Memorial is one of few pipe bands in America sponsored by a VFW and are honored to have the special recognition.  In tribute to the VFW and the county in which it resides, the band wears the Crawford clan tartan. The band is a part of the Ohio Valley Branch of the Eastern United States Pipe Band Association and competes as a Grade V level competition band in EUSPBA contests. In addition to competitions we perform for various functions relating to the VFW, parades, Celtic festivals, and in other varieties of events traveling each year to West Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York. Individual members perform at solo competitions, weddings, funerals, and other special occasions.  Veterans Memorial Pipe Band includes men and women ranging in age from high school students to retirees and draws members from a large geographic region including Pittsburgh, Erie, Northeastern Ohio and Western Pennsylvania. The band is under the direction of: Pipe Major-Ross Williams, Pipe Sergeant-Josh Whitson, and Drum Sergeant-Ian Gurd.  Despite the vast area that our members come from, we meet once a week for practice at the post. Membership is open to musicians seeking an enjoyable setting to improve their skills, perform, and interact with others dedicated to Scottish music.

The Celtic Eagle Pipe Band was founded in 2005 by a group of friends who played bagpipes or drums and wanted a more southerly alternative to the Cleveland based competition bands.  Over the past several years their reputation has grown with combined experience of over 50 years. Not only have they successfully competed throughout the United States, they are also available for private performances of any size. They will tailor their performance to the needs of clients; serving everyone from small families to large organizations.  Their goal is to provide a unique and memorable performance that will impress your clients and friends.  Their membership is made up of seasoned musicians from Akron, Barberton, Canton, Louisville, Medina, Girard, Kent, Macedonia and other areas of Northeast Ohio. The Celtic Eagle Pipe Band currently compete as a grade 5 corps in the EUSPBA.
The Garrett Highlands Pipes and Drums, originally formed in 1979, plays regularly at local and regional events and also is the host band for the McHenry Highland Festival in McHenry, Maryland.  The band practices weekly on Wednesdays and visitors are welcome.  The band also welcomes new members and provides instruction in both pipes and drums. The band recruits from and serves the tri-state areas and consists of members from Oakland, Deep Creek Lake, Frostburg, and Cumberland, Maryland as well as from West Virginia and Pennsylvania.

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2015

Friday Night Ceilidh

A ceilidh is a party!  (Pronounced "kayli")  Ours is on Friday night and begins the Festival weekend.   The ceilidh is held at Via Veneto on Route 58 off of Interstate 79.  It begins at 7:30 p.m. and requires a separate ticket and a reservation

The ceilidh is an intimate opportunity to see and hear many of the entertainers that will perform on Saturday at the Festival, talk to your friends, and meet new ones.

  

Saturday Night Concert

Our Concert is on Saturday night at the Bridgeport High School auditorium. This is just in front and to the left of the Festival grounds at the Bridgeport City Park. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets may be purchased in advance or at the door.

Sunday Morning Kirkin' of the Tartans and Church Service

This is a short parade on Clarksburg’s Main Street leading to the First Presbyterian Church. The parade begins at 10:30 am. After the service, all are invited to a reception in the Westminster Hall of the Church.

The Church will be decorated with tartans and the sermon usually brings in reminders of our Scottish ancestry.

 

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2014 Main Stage and Saturday Night Concert Musicians

 

Revenge of the Chanty Wrasslers

The folk duo, The Chanty Wrasslers came into being at a camp fire sing song at Grandfather Mountain Highland Games in North Carolina in 2007 when Davey Ramone Morrison and James Turnbull Fulton performed an impromptu version of Shel Silversteins classic; "A boy named Sue", immortalized by Johnny Cash. Someone said "you guys should form a band", so they did. Alongside vocals they cover an array of instruments including bodhran drum, tin whistle and acoustic guitar. Through their music, they pay tribute to Scotland by singing the songs, old and new, as well as their own compositions.

 

IONA

IONA has been at the forefront of the Celtic Music revival since the band’s inception in 1986. IONA has evolved over the past 20 years into what is probably the most comprehensive pan Celtic band in the world. IONA’s mission: to present the rich musical elements of all the Celtic cultures -- Scottish, Irish, Welsh, Manx, Cornish, Breton, Asturian and Galician, blending them into a tapestry that resolves in the New World, as evidenced in Appalachian, Cape Breton and Cajun cultures.

 

The American Rogues

Voted #1 out of 63 Celtic Bands from around the world the AMERICAN ROGUES have performed for over 1 million people. 9 albums; 7 combined World Championships; 2 ASCAP Awards; shows in Japan, Italy, Spain, Guam; 2 incredible appearances with the US Air Force Orchestra. If the 78th Fraser Pipe Band sat down with the Waterboys, the Chieftains, Wolfstone, and the Dave Matthews Band, and then asked some friends from a symphonic orchestra to join them at the table, the resulting sound might begin to resemble the Baltimore-based American Rogues.

 

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2016 Honored Clan

Clan Ramsay

The ancient family of Ramsay is of Anglo-Norman origin. Simundus de Ramesia was the first of the name to appear on record in Scotland. Originally from Huntingdonshire in England, he received lands in Lothian from David I and in 1140 witnessed a charter to the monks at Holyrood. He was founder of the main line and the first Ramsay to acquire land at Dalwolsey.

Sir William Ramsay de Dalwolsey, signed the Ragman Roll in 1296, and joined the forces of Sir Robert Bruce at the battle of Bannockburn in 1314. He signed the Declaration of Arbroath in 1320 asserting the independence of Scotland to the Pope.

In 1400, Sir Alexander of Dalhousie successfully withheld a six month siege by English forces under Henry IV at Dalhousie Castle. Sir Alexander was killed two years later at Hamildon Hill and his great, great grandson, Alexander was killed at Floddenin 1513. In August 1618, the family received Royal recognition when Sir George Ramsay was created a Lord of Parliament by the title of Lord Ramsay of Melrose, which he later had changed to Lord Ramsay of Dalhousie. Sir George's son, William, was created Earl of Dalhousie and Lord Ramsay of Keringtoun in June 1633. The earldom of Dalhousie was passed on to another George, 2nd Earl, then William, 3rd Earl, and to George, 4th Earl.

 

Until the turn of the 20th Century, Dalhousie Castle served as the home of the Earls of Dalhousie. The original structure was built in the 13th century and the main parts of the present baronial mansion were constructed in 1450. Edward I spent a night at Dalhousie before going on the defeat William Wallace at Falkirk. Oliver Cromwell spent some time at the castle in October 1648. Queen Victoria once stayed at Dalhousie Castle. The Ramsays have reason to be proud of their historic eight hundred year old clan seat. For only the Ramsays of Dalhousie may boast about possession of the oldest continuously inhabited castle in Scotland.

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2015 Honored Clan

Clan Hay

  

The legendary origin of the Hays is the stuff of fairy tales. In the year 971, Scotland was subjected to attack from Viking marauders who had crossed the North Sea and proceeded up the Tay estuary to Perth. King Kenneth II, resident at Scone, attempted to repel them, but his army was routed in an engagement at Luncarty, north of Perth. A farmer and his two sons, ploughing in a nearby field, had watched the proceedings, and these three men, all of huge physical stature, removed the yokes from their oxen and used them to bar the way of the fleeing Scots soldiery. The peasant and his sons rallied the fleeing troops and led them back to victory, driving the Danes into the Firth of Tay.

The king was delighted and insisted that the hero and his sons accompany him to Perth to receive suitable reward. From the top of Kinnoull Hill, the king released a falcon, having decreed that all the land encompassed by the falcon’s flight would become the property of the hero and his sons. The bird landed on a stone at St Madoes, and the peasant became a rich man overnight. The salient features of these stirring events were commemorated in his coat of arms, which included three bloodstained shields, the falcon which became their crest, the ox yoke adopted as the badge of the family, and two peasants who were the supporters.

It is a colourful and romantic tale, which has unfortunately little basis in fact. The original Hays were Normans, deriving their name from the barony of La Haye du Puits which they held in Normandy, which in turn takes its name from ‘Haga,’ the Old High German word for a defensive wall or hedge. Following the Norman Conquest of England, the Canmore Kings in Scotland looked with favour on the improvements the Normans introduced south of the border. They invited many Norman lords to settle in Scotland, including many bearing names which are today universally regarded as Scottish, like Bruce, Fraser, Gordon and Hay.

The first Hay recorded in Scotland was William, who was Pincerna, or Cup Bearer, to King Malcolm IV in 1160. There is some evidence that this position was quasi-hereditary, as he was the nephew of Ranulph de Soulis, the previous Pincerna, whose lands in France were separated from La Haye du Puits by only a small stream. It was either he or his son, another William, who married an indigenous Celtic heiress called Eva of Pitmilly and received the Barony of Erroll from King William the Lion in 1178. He is regarded as the first Chief of Clan Hay.

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All 2014 Participating Clans

Clan Anderson
Clan Cameron
Clan Campbell
Clan Donald
Clan Grant
Clan Hay
Clan Irwin
Clan Keith
Clan Kincaid
Clan Lockhart
Clan MacFie
Clan MacTavish
Clan McWhorter
Clan Stewart

 

2014 Honored Clan

Clan Lockhart

In early times this name was spelt 'Locard' or 'Lokart'. Like so many Scottish families, the Locards came from England where they were among those dispossessed of lands by william the conqueror. There were lands of Lockards near penrith in the 12th century and later in Annandale, where the town of lockerbie is said to be named after them. The family finally settled in Ayrshire and Lanarkshire, where they have held land for over 700 years.

The earliest paper in the family archives is a charter of 1323. By this Sir Symon Locard bound himself and his heirs to pay out of the lands of Lee and Cartland an annual rent of £10. Stephen Locard, grandfather of Sir Symon, founded the village of Stevenston in Ayrshire. His son, Symon, acquired lands in Lanarkshire and, like his father, called a village which he founded , Symons toun(today Symington) after himself. Symon, the 2nd of Lee, won fame for himself and his family fighting alongside Robert the Bruce in the struggle for Scottish Independence. He was knighted for his loyal service. Sir Symon was among the knights, led by Sir James Douglas, who took Bruces heart on crusade in 1329 to atone for his murder of John Comyn in the church of Grefriars in 1306. The crusade was ended prematurely when Douglas was killed fighting the Moors in Spain, but to commemorate the adventure and the honour done to the family, their name was changed from Locard to Lockheart, which afterwards became Lochhart. The heart within the fetterlock was from then on included in the arms of the family, and the dead is also commemorated in the motto.

As well as a new name, the family gained a precious heirloom on the Crusade: the mysterious charm known as the Lee Penny. Sir Walter Scott used the story of its acquisition by the family as a basis for his novel, The talisman. Sir Symon captured a moorish amir in battle in Spain, and received from the mans mother as part of his ransom, and amulet or stone with healing powers. The amirs mother told Sir Symon that the stone was a remedy against bleeding, fever, the bites of mad dogs and the sicknesses of horses and cattle. The amulet was later set in a silver coin which has been identified as a fourpenny piece of the reign of Edward IV. The coin is kept in a gold snuffbox which was a gift from Maria Theresa, Empress of Austria, to her general, Count James Lockhart. Such was the belief in the amulets powers that a descendant of Sir Symon, Sir James Lockhart of Lee, was charged with sorcery, an offense which could carry the death penalty. After examining the accused the Synod of the Church of Scotland dismissed the case, because ' the custom is only to cast a stone in some water and give deseasit cattle thereof to drink and the same is done without using any words such as charmers use in their unlawful practices and considering that in nature there are many things seem to work strange effects whereof no human wit can give reason it having pleast God to give the stones and herbs a special virtue for healing of many infirmities in man and beast'.

Alan Lockhart of Lee was killed at the Battle of Pinkie in 1547. Sir James Lockhart of Lee, born in 1596, was appointed a gentleman of the Privy Chamber by Charles I and was knighted. In 1646 he was appointed to the Supreme Court Bench, taking the title of 'Lord Lee'. A zealous royalist, he was captured at Alyth in 1651 and conveyed to the Tower of London.

His son, Sir William, was a distinguished soldier who fought on the royalist side at the Battle of Worcester in 1651. He then campaigned on the continent, where he achieved such prominence that Cardinal Mazarin, successor to Cardinal Richelieu, offered to make him a mareschal of France. He died in the Netherlands in 1675.

James Lockhart, who inherited the estates in 1777, also saw service on the Continent where he rose to be a count of the Holy Roman Empire, a Knight of the Order of Maria Theresa and a general of that empresses imperial forces. The title of Count became extinct when James's only son, Charles, died without issue. Although the family seat, Lee Castle, has been sold, the estates are still owned and managed by the present head of the family, Angus Lockhart of the Lee

 

 


 

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