Bagpipes take the streets of Chile

[GallowHill]

Bagpipes take the streets of Chile

I didn't realize there was such a large Scottish community in Chile.
I'd like to see more of this around here.

Scott

[Splash_4]

Neat video!

[Tattoo Bradley]

That was pretty neat. Thanks for that...

[hospitaller]

I am late to this thread but just joined so excuse my tardiness.

Contrary to popular belief, not all south americans are mexicans, and not all south american countries are made of 'natives' (I have experienced both myself).

So with that said, roughly 20% of all 18th and 19th century immigration to Chile came from Scotland. The unofficial Chilean Tartan is the Cochrane Tartan.

There are large groups of Lyon, MacKay, Cumming, Cochrane, Lynch, MacIntosh, MacIver and Young families (me being one of the Youngs).

So important for Chile was the influx and influence of Scots that Thomas Cochrane, 10th Earl of Dundonald (Lord Cochrane) himself was the Admiral of the First Chilean Navy during the Independence War against Spain in the 1810's. After Chile became independent, he also helped cement the Navy as a permanent branch of the new country's military.

During the War of the Pacific (1879-1882), Rear Admiral Patricio Lynch (served in the Royal Navy during the First Opium War) among other feats, was the chilean equivalent of General Sherman and performed a similar mission to the latter's Sherman's March.

In short, even though there are no organized Clans or Highland Games, there is a very active Scottish segment in Chilean society. Lots of rugby teams, a famous Country Club and Golf Course, etc.

And of course, the Andes Highlanders Pipe Band

[Nick the DSM]

you got proof right here!! Chilean-Scot!!!!

[macwilkin]

I am late to this thread but just joined so excuse my tardiness.

Contrary to popular belief, not all south americans are mexicans, and not all south american countries are made of 'natives' (I have experienced both myself).

So with that said, roughly 20% of all 18th and 19th century immigration to Chile came from Scotland. The unofficial Chilean Tartan is the Cochrane Tartan.

There are large groups of Lyon, MacKay, Cumming, Cochrane, Lynch, MacIntosh, MacIver and Young families (me being one of the Youngs).

So important for Chile was the influx and influence of Scots that Thomas Cochrane, 10th Earl of Dundonald (Lord Cochrane) himself was the Admiral of the First Chilean Navy during the Independence War against Spain in the 1810's. After Chile became independent, he also helped cement the Navy as a permanent branch of the new country's military.

During the War of the Pacific (1879-1882), Rear Admiral Patricio Lynch (served in the Royal Navy during the First Opium War) among other feats, was the chilean equivalent of General Sherman and performed a similar mission to the latter's Sherman's March.

In short, even though there are no organized Clans or Highland Games, there is a very active Scottish segment in Chilean society. Lots of rugby teams, a famous Country Club and Golf Course, etc.

And of course, the Andes Highlanders Pipe Band

There used to be a web site for the St. Andrew's Society of Valpariaso, but it's been removed.

There are quite a few Scots in neighboring Argentina and Uruguay as well; our St. Andrew's Society has an unoffical "twining" with the St. Andrew's Society in Montevideo.

As the President of the Clan Cumming Society, USA, please tell me more about the Cummings in Chile -- we'd love to make contact wi' these folks!

Con respecto,

Todd

[hospitaller]

As the President of the Clan Cumming Society, USA, please tell me more about the Cummings in Chile -- we'd love to make contact wi' these folks!

Sure, lets see, a bit of background here for this one.

Much like the US, during the late part of the 19th century, Chile was going through political turbulence and there was a 'Civil War', caused by a rift between the President and Congress on Presidential powers.

Long story short, The British sent a warship loaded with weapons and ammunition for the 'rebel' faction via the Falklands and then Valparaiso (Chile).

There, Ricardo Cumming, a prosperous merchant friendly to the 'rebel cause' (what else can you expect from a Scot right?) decided he would blow up the only 3 Navy ships still loyal to President Balmaceda (the rest of the navy took the rebels' side) so he conspired with 2 other fellows.

They were caught in the middle of their attempt, tried on treason charges and Cumming decided he would take the blame, he and only he he said, he never named the rest of the conspirators (more than just him and the 2 other guys).

He was finally executed (by firing squad, his choice) and his last words were 'I have given clemency (by not naming the rest of the consporators), but none has been given to me'

Which in the end was a shame as the rebels ended up winning this short lived conflict, as the President ran to Argentina and commited suicide after Congress impeached him.

I could give you the email of a former girlfriend (Carola Cumming) if you want to start communication with the Chilean Cummings.

Also of note, one of the instigators in Congress of the 'revolution' against President Balmaceda was none other than Enrique MacIver...a first generation chilean-scot Congressman.