The Scotsman abroad IV
Taking things one step further than joining the St Andrew's Society, then starting our own Scots in Montreal group, I applied for our group to be a part of an umbrella group called the Quebec Thistle Council. This is of course, another group of really old folks, not doing very much and calling themselves Scottish. The guys who run it are of course all members of the Black Watch. But that is almost besides the point.
The one thing they do do every years however, is run an Awards Dinner. At this event, they award various Scottish Cultural events, such as Piping, Scottish Cuisine, Piping and being a member of their group. I am being flippant of curse, the full list of awards can be seen here (as a pdf).
Anyway, I went along, and wasn't suprised in the slightest at the average age of the participants (I would guess at 60-70). And of course I was asked, in a thick Quebec french accent, if I had any Scottish ancestry, a question which always makes me smile (full highland regalia, which I was wearing, means nothing at these events).
Other highlights of the evening were talking to a gentleman who was classmates with Prince Phillip at Gordonstone (the fact that this came up in a 5 minute conversation is, as K says, very telling). I was sat beside Andrew Carter, radio DJ and last years winner of Scotsman of the year, who was welcome relief from the usual guest, and was there as he thought he should after winning last year. I say I was sat there, as the guy in charge of seating made it clear at the start of the evening I was to ensure this gentleman was made aware of how vibrant the Scottish community in Montreal is. Our group being the only one of the member groups who can number more than one member between the ages of 30 and 40 (beginning to see a pattern yet? ;p).
Also, the President of the Société St Jean-Baptiste (the Quebec National Society) was proudly relating to me how she was descended from the Plantagenets, and how she had ancestors on both sides of the War of the Roses. Genealogy was a big topic for the evening.
It seems I have now attended enough of this type of event, that my face is known to a few of the regulars, many of whom I can chat away with, so in the end I had a pleasant and entertaining evening, although whether I go next year remains to be seen!
The one thing they do do every years however, is run an Awards Dinner. At this event, they award various Scottish Cultural events, such as Piping, Scottish Cuisine, Piping and being a member of their group. I am being flippant of curse, the full list of awards can be seen here (as a pdf).
Anyway, I went along, and wasn't suprised in the slightest at the average age of the participants (I would guess at 60-70). And of course I was asked, in a thick Quebec french accent, if I had any Scottish ancestry, a question which always makes me smile (full highland regalia, which I was wearing, means nothing at these events).
Other highlights of the evening were talking to a gentleman who was classmates with Prince Phillip at Gordonstone (the fact that this came up in a 5 minute conversation is, as K says, very telling). I was sat beside Andrew Carter, radio DJ and last years winner of Scotsman of the year, who was welcome relief from the usual guest, and was there as he thought he should after winning last year. I say I was sat there, as the guy in charge of seating made it clear at the start of the evening I was to ensure this gentleman was made aware of how vibrant the Scottish community in Montreal is. Our group being the only one of the member groups who can number more than one member between the ages of 30 and 40 (beginning to see a pattern yet? ;p).
Also, the President of the Société St Jean-Baptiste (the Quebec National Society) was proudly relating to me how she was descended from the Plantagenets, and how she had ancestors on both sides of the War of the Roses. Genealogy was a big topic for the evening.
It seems I have now attended enough of this type of event, that my face is known to a few of the regulars, many of whom I can chat away with, so in the end I had a pleasant and entertaining evening, although whether I go next year remains to be seen!