New Poster Here

**MACKAY** · 11th February 05, 08:41 AM

Hi all. Have lurked here for some time and finally decided to join and post. I was lucky enough to be born into a great Scottish Clan (Mackay) and my grandparents were right off the boat from Scotland.

Interestingly enough, they did not come through Ellis Island as many did, but actually sailed first class from Glasgow to Philadelphia PA. However, that was in August of 1929 ... we all know what happened a few months latter! They ended up working on a Farm in West Chester PA as a chauffeur (my grandfather) and a private nurse (my grand mom) and raising three boys; one of course is my father.

I was also lucky enough to enjoy my grandfathers stories, tales, and myths about 'back home' and learned the oral history and legends of our family line and clan all the way back to the late 1600's, where myth and fact began to blend. He was a true and proud Scot and lived well into his 90's.

This allowed me to literally grow up listening to his tales of his service in the Black Watch (he, his father, and his grandfather all served in the Black Watch) and of his fellow battle weary highlanders in WWI, wounded beyond hope, suddenly jumping to their feet at the sound of the bagpipe drifting through the smoke of battle and defeating the enemy (bare handed in some cases).

He wore his kilt every Sunday to church, and also to any function even consider a wee bit formal, and was a great guy to know, who bragged endlessly about Scotland and the Scots contributions to civilization.

I now honor him by wearing not only the Mackay tartan, but also the Black Watch tartan. Even though he was a true Scot in every sense of the word, he was also a proud American Citizen and embraced his adopted land with as much gusto as he did Scotland. For this I am always grateful.

Anyhow.. Hi to all ...

Brian Angus Mackay of the Clan Mackay
Kilted and Proud

**macwilkin** · 11th February 05, 08:59 AM

Welcome, Brian, and thanks for sharing the story of your grandfather with us -- he sounds like quite the gentleman! Is that him in your avatar?

No doubt you'll jump right in and post here "with a strong hand", as the motto of the Clan Mackay states!

Cheers,

Todd

**GMan** · 11th February 05, 09:45 AM

Brian,

WELCOME

What a great story to start off with us, you are fitting in rather nicely already

**Jimmy Carbomb** · 11th February 05, 10:17 AM

Hey Brian! It's always great to see another local Philly guy on the site!

The history lesson was cool. Shame your Grandfather isn't around to enjoy the kilt revival. You could have taken him into Kildare's in West Chester for one of our gigs, wearing his kilt. With the bagpipes, the kilts, and the music I'm sure he would have had a good time. We could have used his vocals too!

**Colin** · 11th February 05, 10:21 AM

Welcome Brian

I too have a fair bit of MacKay blood in me. My side of the MacKay family settled in the Canadian prairies though. Welcome to the board.