Dear fellow Caledonians:

In Scotland -Climate change? Sometimes, we wish it would!

We've all heard plenty of jokes about the Scottish weather - but most of them aren't true! Scotland's climate is actually quite moderate and very changeable, although on occasion we get really hot or really cold weather.

As the old Scottish saying goes, 'there's no such thing as bad weather, only the wrong clothes!'

January and February are generally the coldest months in Scotland, with the daytime maximum temperatures averaging around 41° F to 45° F. July and August are normally the warmest months in Scotland, with temperatures at an average 66 ° F.

Scotland has four seasons; spring, summer, autumn, and winter. However, the changeable nature of the climate means it's not uncommon to experience all four seasons in one day!

Scotland's high latitude means that although winter days are short, in summer there are very long daylight hours and often an extended twilight.

In the north of the country, Lerwick in Shetland has about four hours more daylight at midsummer than London. At this time of year there is actually no complete darkness in the far north of Scotland. And with the extra hours of daylight, you can pack a lot into your day. Round of golf at midnight, anyone?  (Courtesy: visitscotland.com)

In Phoenix - its so hot that ...

- you discover that in July it takes only two fingers to drive your car!
- hot water now comes out of both taps!
- you can attedn any function wearing shorts and a tank top!

Where am I going with all this? Well, it’s to let you know that our August 11th Gathering will be held in the cool confines of the Irish Cultural Center’s Great Hall where you can wear your tartan shorts to watch the next episode of ‘A History of Scotland’. The chapter is titled “Language of Power” and host Neil Oliver will explain the considerable difference between the highland and lowland cultures. It all began as a feud between two families in 15th century Scotland: the Stewarts and the MacDonalds.

If you’re reading this and you’re not a member but are from one of those clans, we’ll let you in for free. Please leave dirks, skein dhu’s, claymores and firearms at home!

Although it’s still four months away, please circle Saturday December 3rd on your calendar. Our formal St. Andrew’s Day Dinner will be held at the Phoenix Country Club complete with haggis, but with a lighter after-Thanksgiving menu.

The club will be decorated for Christmas, so this will be our opportunity to celebrate that as well. In January, we’ll join with Fuil Celtic and other Scottish groups to celebrate Robbie Burns birthday in a less formal setting.

See you on August 11th at our cool picture show!

Cheers! Don Finch, Editor

In recent years, the serious interest of Genealogy in the United States, and around the world, has led to the development and growth of a 1.6 billion dollar industry, with TV shows, software and subscription databases all over the internet. While Genealogy was not necessarily a primary component or purpose of The Caledonian Society of Arizona, its presence is clearly seen through the Scottish Clans, or the interest generated in the general public who attend the Highland Games and other C.S.A. events.

With this in mind, the officers of The Caledonian Society of Arizona recognize the importance of Genealogy as an element of an ethnic, cultural, and historical organization such as the C.S.A., as well as the contribution that Genealogy can make as an added benefit to members, and to the future growth of our Society.

As a result, I have been asked to head up and develop a Genealogy office and benefit to provide to our members, and so I have been appointed the first “Chief Genealogist & Historian” of The Caledonian Society of Arizona.

I thank you so much for this wonderful and exciting opportunity.

In addition to Genealogy, the term “Historian” is included in the position title as a reference to the historical research and contextual understanding of the history of Scotland as it relates to researching your genealogy. Examples include, Emigration, Immigration and Migration Patterns of the Scottish People, the history of the church in Scotland, Wars and Military service of the Scottish People, the relationship between Scotland and England, and much more. The idea is learning how this history of Scotland and its people in general context effects the understanding of our specific ancestors. More importantly, this historical context is a significant tool of genealogy as it affects our understanding of the creation and existence, or destruction, of historical records which are used in genealogy research. So I’d like to be clear that “Chief Genealogist & Historian” is strictly all about Genealogy of Scotland, and its History as it relates to the Genealogy of Scotland’s people and families.

My idea of the position is to help the Society’s members effectively and more successfully research their Scottish roots and thus have a better understanding of the Context of their Scottish heritage in relationship to other of the Society’s activities and education of Scottish Culture and History, etc. Clearly this is going to be an important function with relationship to The Highland Games, and I am hoping we can develop a team of participants within this “department”, and most importantly having a significant tent and tables with resources, posters, maps, etc., for display and use to help answer questions and get people more interested in their Scottish Roots. Thus, with these services and benefits, we can hopefully see an increase in membership for the Society. (Contact Robert directly at genealogy@arizonascots.com to discuss joining this team)

I see the position as a Genealogy Assistant, Consultant and Teacher for the Society. As we develop this new position title and Department, it will most likely grow to be closely interconnected with other Departments / Officers of the Society, such as the Clans Chair and the Learner’s Arms, and Education, etc. I think we can make this position and title an important and integral part of the Society.

At this time the Chief Genealogist & Historian, of The Caledonian Society of Arizona, will provide the following benefits and services strictly to C.S.A. members:

1. a key member benefit will be the more in-depth one-on-one special 1 Hour Consultation provided to each member annually, during the membership year, with each renewal
2. answer quick questions and provide some assistance to members during meetings
3. provide irregular short (10, 15, 20 minute) presentations on occasion at various meetings, whenever a computer presentation is already being set up for a guest speaker
4. irregular genealogy column in the C.S.A. newsletter
5. webpage with genealogy research information and links and more

Lastly, and additionally, I personally, through my business Ancestral Pride : Professional Genealogy Services, will provide a discounted fee schedule only for C.S.A. members who may wish to hire my professional services for a more extensive genealogy research project.

Thank you again for your support, and I look forward to working with all of you in this capacity.
                                    Robert M. Wilbanks IV

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is an annual series of Military tattoos performed by British Armed Forces, Commonwealth and International military bands, and display teams on the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle in the Scottish capital of Edinburgh. The event takes place annually throughout August as part of the wider Edinburgh Festival (a collective name for many independent festivals and events held in Edinburgh during August).

The British adopted the practice and it became a signal to tavern owners each night, played by a regiment's Corps of Drums or Pipes and Drums, to turn off the taps of their ale kegs so that the soldiers would retire to their billeted lodgings at a reasonable hour. With the establishment of modern barracks and full Military bands later in the 18th century, the term Tattoo was used to describe the last duty call of the day, as well as a ceremonial form of evening entertainment performed by Military musicians.

The first Tattoo in Edinburgh was entitled "Something About a Soldier" and took place at the Ross Bandstand at Princes Street Gardens in 1949. The first official Edinburgh Military Tattoo began in 1950 with just eight items in the programme. It drew some 6,000 spectators seated in simple bench and scaffold structures around the north, south, and east sides of the Edinburgh Castle esplanade. In 1952, the capacity of the stands was increased to accommodate a nightly audience of 7,700, allowing 160,000 to watch live performances each year.

Since the 1970s on average, just over 217,000 people see the Tattoo live on the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle each year, and it has sold out in advance for the last decade. 30% of the audience are from Scotland and 35% from the rest of the United Kingdom. The remaining 35% of the audience consists of 70,000 visitors from overseas.

The Tattoo is run for charitable causes and over the years has given over £5 million to military and civilian charities and organisations, such as the Army Benevolent Fund. However, the greater benefit has been that, by independent count, it generates £88 million in revenue for Edinburgh's economy annually.

In 2010 the event became the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo after HM Queen Elizabeth awarded the Royal title in celebration of its six decades of existence.