www.clanlivingstone.info

I am tredding very carefully on this Culloden Battlesite issue. Although I do have my own passionate oppinions about Culloden as many Scots do, I have with a valid reason not rushed to jump into the Battlefield marker frenzy, instead waiting for some sort of consensus to be reached, a cohesive plan to emerge. It is my firm belief after much reflection that neither I nor anyone else in our clan can ultimately decide where to go on this issue without the real consensus of all the Clans that made up the Appin Regiment and living descendants of soldiers of the APpin REgiment. What is required is the establishment of a Multi-Clan working committee made up of legitimate representives of the original Appin Clans. Once established such a committee can discuss, fairly, openly and honestly debate the options and reach a formal decision as to what we would like to see done about the marker as a collective group. What is the advantage of such a democratic process for the Appin Clans. The advantage of this "democratic process" is that all oppinions would be considered before any action was taken and no one clan's oppinions would be able to dominate the proceedings.

Hi Donald, With due respect, your proposal seems premature and perhaps overally complicated given the stature of the issue.

Craig, I agree this issue does not compare to global warming or cancer and I am not from Western Argyll (my ancestors were)and far removed from Culloden Battlefield and carnage of 1746. That being said I think it is a relevant issue to those who had family or kin in the Appin Regiment and to those whose ancestors were displaced from their farms in the aftermath of Culloden and sent to Canada with little more than than the shirt on their backs. For those people maybe what I am saying means something. Someday I would like a job aa a tour guide to Savary, Movern to show all the clan historians what Culloden and its aftermath did to my branch of the Livingstone clan. regards, Donald

Donald, Your cap and badge are on order...

This is a very difficult question. As I have said - this wasn't a clan operation.

We can try to influence the NTS (who may be reading these very notes themselves before we sent them out), but I fear the latest reply David received from them: http://www.clanmclea.co.uk/forum/show-m ... sp?ID=3278 This seems to indicate that they don't want to 'bend' to anyone lest they _appear_ to have bent to anyone in the past.

Kyle, Dont be too discouraged by that letter. True they continue to be inflexible, but still seem to be unable to present a credible reason for their hardline position. It is my understanding that everyone is accountable and answerable to someone whether we are talking about business or government. That goes for Tony Blair or a chimney sweeper. Great Britain was still a democracy last time I looked. And while we colonial's have an image of the Brits as being reserved and stiff upper lip folks, when they feel they are getting a raw deal they raise their voices in protest as good as anyone. And no one should underestimate the Scots. They still have long memories regarding the events of 1746 and great deal of pride I am told.

Niall, I mean who are these people: THe NTS? I feel like we are dealing with some important institution like the Vatican or something. And why does the NTS wield so much power over the people of Scotland. Not trying to minimize the importance of operating Battlefield Parks and other historic sites, but why is it neccessary for them to be close-minded, insensitive, inflexible and perhaps even a tad bit on the nasty side. regards, Donald

Hello Donald, I agree that one clan or, like the NTS chairman stated to Mrs. Dougall from her NTS AGM meeting, two Americans can not change the view of the NTS with a few letters. With that I have contacted the email list of the different Societies associated with the Appin Regiment to try and get the fight to come from different angles. My thoughts on a committee of Appin families is that it will come a little to late, if at all. We would first need to contact them, have them agree to the issue and then have them group together and find a good meeting time to discuss what their next step would be and by the time they get any momentum the Project would be long ended and it would be nearly impossible to get change. This is why I tried to contact Societies already formed to help get their members to press the issue. So I would suggest continuing in that way (ie. The friends of Appin and other Scottish Societies). Niall, what does the "Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs" have to say to this issue? Are they aware or is this type of situation outside of their charter? Reviewing what I have heard from people, like Niall and Jill and others from Scotland the NTS doesn't have much of a reputation of listening to the general public unless lost $$ is involved. (ie. them talking to Niall about giving money). They are a non-profit organization who depend on funds from admission to their sites and from fund raising campaigns. The more and more I think about it the less likely I think we will be able to change their mind unless we can get a large enough group of people who would either boycott or show them that they will loss donations if they do not listen to the demands of the people. I am almost certain that is how the MacLaren got their name put on the marker. Another Example is the Clan MacDonald issue. The reason they have dead end the marker on the Jaconite side and the stones on the Hanoverian side is that to connect them on the Jacobite side would have needed 150 meters of path work and cost 25,000 pounds. It's all about the Money with those people. I liked Craig's suggestion http://www.clanmclea.co.uk/forum/show-m ... sp?ID=3285 about adding "and others" to the marker. Currently, if the NTS doesn't change, it would read "Appin Regiment: Stewarts and MacLaren". What would be a good add that doesn't make them have to get a whole new stone and eching? (ie. Appin regiment: Stewarts and MacLaren and Other Highland Clans") Just a whole bunch of thoughts. David

I think having such a group to meet and discuss would be very useful, Donald.