The 7th annual Tartan Day South (SC) was held on April 1, 2017. Sunshine and cold temperatures on Saturday greeted the twelve clan tents participating and Clan Wallace was among them. Russ and Marcia Harper hosted the Clan Wallace tent.
Tartan Day South is held at the Historic Columbia Speedway, where Richard Petty had is first NASCAR race.
Carolina British Classic cars and Hurling where just some of the things you could enjoy. The festival included athletics both men and women, Scottish dancing and Irish dancing, Children’s games face painting and storytelling, and three pipe bands.
What a great weekend we had. Thanks to all that came out to enjoy the day with us.
The Inaugural Myrtle Beach Highland Games (SC) was held on March 25, 2017. These games are held at Market Commons in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Overcast day created the twenty three clan tents participating and Clan Wallace was among them. Russ and Marcia Harper hosted the Clan Wallace tent.
The entertainment included the St. Andrews Pipes and Drum, Myrtle Beach Regional Pipe and Drum, Cross Creek Pipe and Drum, and the Coastal Shields Pipe and Drum, SYR and Tuatha Dea. The Games included heavy athletics, Children’s Highland games competition, and Border Collie Demonstration. The vendors at the games included, Near and Far, Timeless Irish Treasures, The Gaelic Shop, Metals & Pieces, Collegiate Tartan, The Celtic Knot, The Heelan Hound.
The Clan Wallace Society has lost a good friend. William Hamilton Wallace passed away on March 3rd, nearly 95 years of age. He was born on a homestead ranch in Gilbert, Arizona. He lost his father when he was six. Sadly, they lost the ranch shortly thereafter, yet he retired at 62 financially independent.
Bill distinguished himself as an Eagle Scout, valedictorian of his senior class, and the fourth Arizonian to graduate from the United States Coast Guard Academy. He married his college sweetheart, went to war, raised a family of five, and dared himself to start his own business.
But this is not his story. He built his life on hard work, keeping his word, and showing kindness to others. He was a grand gentleman and will be remembered as a good, honest and kind man.
He is survived by Laurie Wallace Herrero, Susan Mann, Alison Swanson, Hamilton Wallace, Jim Wallace, nine grandchildren, and seven great grandchildren.
Bill attended many Scottish Games, and several Clan Wallace Society Gatherings, where many members got to meet him and witnessed his very likeable demeanor. He will be dearly missed by his family, and his Clan Wallace Society family.
The National Wallace Monument reveals the result of Scotland’s Heroine project
Mary Slessor and Maggie Keswick Jencks were unveiled on April 19th, 2017 as the first women who will be commemorated in The Hall of Heroes at The National Wallace Monument in Stirling, following a campaign that has captured the hearts and minds of the public across the globe.
The historic announcement marks the start of the most significant development in The Hall of Heroes since the first busts of Robert Burns and King Robert the Bruce were installed in 1886, and is the culmination of a four-month project that began with a shortlist of 14 remarkable Scottish women followed by a public vote to choose the one woman to be inaugurated into the Hall of Heroes.
From the thousands of votes which were cast online and by visitors to the Monument, the two women emerged clearly as the frontrunners, and following scrutiny of all votes the Selection Panel took the momentous decision that both Mary Slessor and Maggie Keswick Jencks should be welcomed into the Hall of Heroes.
Zillah Jamieson, Chair of Stirling District Tourism, explained: “This has been an incredible campaign, one which has ignited passions and has stimulated an amazing response. The level of enthusiasm for women to be given recognition has been truly inspirational – and the challenge for us as a self-funding charity has been to raise the funds required to embark on this project, and to now introduce these women into The Hall of Heroes. We are proud that we have been able to do this – with the help and the support of the visitors who come to the Monument”.
Missionary Mary Slessor, and co-founder of the Maggie’s Centres, Maggie Keswick Jencks, will join the gallery alongside the existing sixteen busts of famous men from Scotland’s history.
Both women exhibited selflessness and personal commitment to social improvement, and through their efforts to help others they achieved worldwide recognition.
Mary Slessor (1848-1915) has been described as the most celebrated Scottish missionary since David Livingstone, who inspired her to a life of service. Determined to overcome the challenges of her early years, and largely self-taught, she combined her missionary zeal with a practical approach to helping those in need, and she worked tirelessly to improve the quality of life for the people of Calabar, in Nigeria – against a background of prejudice and opposition.
Described as “selfless” and “exceptionally unique”, the opportunity to see Mary Slessor recognised as a heroine prompted many voters to share their own stories of how she inspired them, with one writing how “I became a full time missionary at the age of 21, after reading her biography.”
Rev Ian Alexander, Secretary of the World Mission Council of the Church of Scotland, said: “We are thrilled and delighted that Mary Slessor has been chosen as one of the first women to be immortalised in the Hall of Heroes.She is an iconic figure in Scotland and her pioneering work in Calabar, Nigeria, remains an inspiration to this day. Today, the Church of Scotland, internationally, nationally and locally, continues her legacy in its commitment to work with partners around the world in addressing justice, health issues, and opportunities for all people to live full and productive lives, whether male or female, whether young or old.”
A writer, gardener and designer from Dumfries, Maggie Keswick Jencks (1941-1995), with her husband Charles founded the Maggie’s Centres, which offer practical, emotional and social support to people with cancer, their family and friends. She designed the blueprint for the centres, the first of which opened in Edinburgh in 1996, while she herself was facing cancer.
Voters in their hundreds chose to show their support for the “amazing” Maggie Keswick Jencks, with many highlighting how the Maggie’s Centres positively impacted their lives. Emphasising just how much the services they provide are appreciated, and how much their founder is admired, one comment read – “Maggie’s Centre has been so vital to our family, an inspirational lady who made so many people’s lives a little easier at a terrible time.”
Maggie’s Chief Executive Laura Lee said: “It is quite incredible to think that Maggie has been chosen, by the public, to be the first Scottish woman alongside Mary Slessor to join the Hall of Heroes. All the women on the shortlisted would have been worthy of a place amongst the likes of Robert Burns and Sir Walter Scott, but perhaps the result reflects how many people are affected by cancer. Maggie deserves to be honoured for her vision of a different type of cancer care, but I think she would be surprised to find herself in such illustrious company.”
Abby Richards, from Stirling District Tourism, unveils the winners – Mary Slessor and Maggie Keswick Jencks as the first women to be commemorated in the Hall of Heroes gallery at the iconic tourist attraction in Scotland
The Panama City Beach Highland Games (FL) was held on March 4, 2017. These games are held at Frank Brown state park in Panama City Beach, Florida. Sunshine was the weather of the day. There were sixteen clan tents participating and Clan Wallace was among them. Russ and Marcia Harper hosted the Clan Wallace tent.
The entertainment included the Santa Rosa Pipes and Drum, Emerald Coast Pipe and Drum, Tallahassee Pipe and Drum, and the Panama City Pipe and Drums, and the McGuire’s Pipe and Drums, The Blarney Girls and the Seven Nations. The Games included heavy athletics, Children’s Highland games competition, British Car show, Border Collie Demonstration and Highland dancing. The vendors at the games included, Celtic Store, Cameron British Food, The house of Douglas bakery, Scots Corner, Scots den, and Near and Far Scottish.
At the end of the day Clan Wallace was awarded 1st place in Best clan tent. House of Gordon took 2nd place for Best Clan Tent, and Clan Johntson/e in American took 3rd place. Thanks to all that came out and enjoyed the day with us.
Russ Harper, Clan Wallace President with 2nd Place Award at the 2017 Sarasota Highland Games
The Sarasota Highland Games (FL) was held on February 4, 2017. These games are held at Sarasota fair grounds in Sarasota, Florida. Sunshine was the weather of the day. There were twenty–two clan tents participating and Clan Wallace was among them. Russ and Marcia Harper hosted the Clan Wallace tent.
The entertainment included the Sarasota Pipes and Drum Band, The City of Dunedin Pipe Band, North American Pipe Band, MacPhearson’s Rant, Brendan Nolan and Booby Vesey and Mike Hickmont. The Games included heavy athletics, British Car show, Border Collie Demonstration Highland dancing and the Irish Dancing. The vendors at the games included, Lumpy’s Ice Cream, Celtic Exchange, Cameron British Food, The house of Douglas bakery, Scottish Banner, Scots Corner, The Celtic Store, and County Argyle.
The Parade of Tartans was held at noon. At 2pm the top three best tent awards were presented, Clan Wallace was awarded second place, Clan Cameron came in first, Clan Henderson came in third.
Thanks to all that came out and enjoyed the day with us.
We just received notice that Clan Wallace has been invited to actively participate the 2017 Edinburgh Royal Tattoo, A Splash of Tartan , on Monday night August 14th 2017. Come join with other Wallace’s and march in the opening ceremony.
This is a once and a lifetime opportunity to actually be part of the Tattoo at the Edinburgh Castle Esplanade. There are only two requirements,
Registration is through March 1st.
participates have to wear tartan. Banners, weapons, pipers and drummers will all be welcome as are children.
What also makes this particular night special is that the BBC will be filming the event. (How often do events you participate in end up on TV?)
Our Clan Chief Andrew will not be able to attend, but has asked Falconer Wallace of Candacraig to stand in for him.
The Wallace Pipes and Drums of Malta will also be participating in the Tattoo, so there will be lots of Wallace Tartan in the event.
Ordering tickets will be through a special website with a password that identifies you as a member of Clan Wallace. Send me an email to obtain the link and password. We are doing this at the request of the Tattoo management to keep the code from getting in the hands of scalpers. We will also use this method to keep a list of all those attending so we know who to contact with more details as they become available.
Checkout the official Tattoo Website for more information about the Tattoo itself.
The Standing Council of Chief’s website has the latest list of Clans and Dates that other Clans will be participating.
I know this is late, but we received the official confirmation on January 24th. If you are interested but don’t have time to finalize a trip. Get your Tattoo tickets now and plan other stops in Scotland after March 1st.
If you don’t have a travel agent, or are intimidated by making reservations on the web, One of our members Lois Wallace, has a travel agency specializing in Celtic travel and tours. Call her at 775-567-0148 or email her
Marcia and I are seriously looking at going, so please come join us.
The Central Florida Scottish Highland Games (FL) was held on January 14-15, 2017 in Winter Springs, Florida. Blue skies and gentle breezes greeted the fifty-five clans participating and Clan Wallace was among them. Russ and Marcia Harper, along with Captain John Wallace hosted the Clan Wallace tent.
The parade of tartans was held at noon on Saturday and Sunday. We were honored to have a novice Piper Chris Lancaster and his family joins us, along with Marilyn and Neil Wallace, to join us in the Parade of Tartans.
The entertainment included the Albannach, Breakers, Off Kilter, Rathkeltair, Enter The Haggis, Guilane and Smillie, Men of Worth and The Kilted Creature. Rosie O’Grady’s Highlanders, Jacksonville Pipes and Drums, Harp & Thistle Pipe Band, Pipes and Drums of the Orange County Sheriff’s Office and The Orlando Firefighters Pipes and Drum bands played for us at the games. The Games included heavy athletics, Border Collies, Irish, Highland and Scottish dancing, Battle Ax Competition, Shortbread Competition, and Children Games.
Congratulations to society member Chris Lancaster for coming in first in the Novice Piping competition.
Thanks to all that came out and enjoyed the wonderful weekend with us.
From left to right: Neil and Marylin Wallace, Marcia and Russ Harper, and Capt John Wallace
The Florida Keys Celtic festival was held in Marathon Community park on January 7, 8, 2017. The Florida Keys beckon you to come as you are. The weather was 82 degrees with bright sunshine on Saturday. Sunday we were greeted with 40 mile an hour winds.
The event is sponsored by the St. Columba Episcopal church with the cooperation from Celtic Heritage Productions.
Entertainment was provided by West of Galway, The Screaming Orphans, Rathkeltair, Albannach and Marcille Wallis and Friends. The pipe band of the day was the Police Pipe and Drum Corps of Ft. Lauderdale Florida. Women athletes competed, our own Council member, Amy Jenkins was representing Clan Wallace in her Green Wallace kilt.
Clan Wallace, Clan Maxwell and Clan Donnachaidh shared their clan history with the folks of the Florida Keys.
Mrs. Anne Marie Lindig Wallace passed away Wednesday, January 4th, at the age of 85.
Anne Marie is survived by 2 daughters and one son: Jean Marie Kendall and husband Jon of Salado; Stephen Duke Wallace and wife Barbara of Pleasanton, CA; Jo Anne Wallace McIntosh and husband Jim of Austin; 8 grandchildren and sisters-in-law: Mary Lindig of Hye and Mathilda Lindig of Fredericksburg.
Anne Marie was born July 25, 1931 in Gillespie County, to Max Christian Lindig and Frieda Meier Lindig. She married Joe Perry Wallace November 23, 1957, in Fredericksburg. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband and siblings: Else Preas, Ernst Lindig, Emilie Hansen and Theo Lindig.
She received a Bachelor of Science on May 25, 1953, and later in life went back to school to receive her Master of Art Education at East Texas State University on August 13, 1976. During her career as a school teacher, she taught in five different school districts, Waco ISD, Fredericksburg ISD, Howe ISD, West ISD and Killeen ISD, where she received many awards for her excellence in teaching. After retiring from teaching, she was a co-owner of the Kwik Kopy shop in Temple, Texas. She spent her life volunteering and serving others, including being an elder at First Presbyterian Church in Sherman, Texas, being a co-founder and lifetime achievement recipient of the Clan Wallace Society, and serving on the board of the Central Texas Area.
Graveside services for Ann Marie Wallace will be 10 a.m., Saturday, January 7th, in the Lindig Cemetery. Funeral services will follow at 11:30 a.m., in Trinity Lutheran Church, with Rev. Percy Smerek officiating.
Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of one’s choice.
The 7th annual Tartan Day South (SC) was held on April 1, 2017. Sunshine and cold temperatures on Saturday greeted the twelve clan tents participating and Clan Wallace was among them. Russ and Marcia Harper hosted the Clan Wallace tent.
