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Title: Interview of Strachan Birnie : Interview
Description: 30 Novemember 2004 (recording is corrupt and inaudible in parts)
John MacGowan Key Strachan Burnie (Glasgow, 12 March 1937) (being the boy, he was given all the family names – a tradition in his father’s house). He has two sisters, Lindsey and *inaudible*.
He went to Allan Glen’s School in Glasgow (Dirk Bogarde and Charles Rennie Mackintosh are ex
Show more30 Novemember 2004 (recording is corrupt and inaudible in parts)
John MacGowan Key Strachan Burnie (Glasgow, 12 March 1937) (being the boy, he was given all the family names – a tradition in his father’s house). He has two sisters, Lindsey and *inaudible*.
He went to Allan Glen’s School in Glasgow (Dirk Bogarde and Charles Rennie Mackintosh are ex-pupils). He left school when he was 16 and joined the Inland Revenue before having to complete his National Service at 18; he joined the Scots Guards. His army experience included going to Dusseldorf for a year and he remembers the city still being devastated by the war. He eventually became a corporal. After this he was posted back at Chelsea Barracks and was involved in such ceremonial activities as Trooping the Colour; he talks about how “emotional” he was to be marching behind the bagpipes on such an occasion. He was also posted as a guard at the Tower of London, although he was “relieved” from his position for “not awakening the bugler” on one occasion. He also did guard duty at Buckingham Palace. After this he went back to Glasgow and joined the continental department of Thomas Cook Travel Agents; his job involved travelling to the different destinations the company was advertising and arranging travel for customers. He did this for around 6 years before becoming a sales representative for office equipment. By this time he had met Elizabeth Anderson; they later married in 1963 in Glasgow. From here he joined the Bank of Scotland as a teller and worked his way up to head-teller. By this time he and Elizabeth had two boys. He also became the first Conservative counsellor in Kirkirnpilloch and served for a number of years. He was then hired by the Bank of Montreal in Scotland and then was then offered a position in Vancouver. He remembers his father being disappointed that he was leaving Scotland, but when he came out to visit in later years, he soon changed his mind. He therefore flew to Toronto and took the train to Vancouver. He remembers marvelling at the space of Canada as he travelled through it by train. He remembers the colours being “so different from Scotland”. He said coming into British Columbia felt “more Scottish” due to the mountainous landscape; the prairies were so flat and would stay that way for hours of travelling. He arrived in Vancouver in October 1972. When he was shown his work, he was taken aback at the number of women working there. In Scotland, he says, the only women working in the bank were making the tea.... He was one of the only men working in the bank and was also put in charge of handling the bank’s gun when taking money to other branches. He eventually became a manager of a branch in North Vancouver before retiring at 60. In retirement he went on a cooking course and learned how to play bridge.... He also started to appreciate the art of Charles Rennie Mackintosh when he came to Canada; he remembers the Charles Rennie Mackintosh Revival being in full swing when he visited Scotland. He says he had read up on Canada before coming out, so a lot of it wasn’t all that new or surprising. But he was taken aback at the size of the country. He also remembers the people he met being extremely friendly. He also came in contact with other Scots and was soon invited to give the Immortal Memory speech at a Burns night held be a Presbyterian minister just a few months after arriving. He also gave the same speech at the Chinatown Lions Club where they ate haggis with chopsticks. He also says his sense of identity flourished while in Canada. He started wearing his kilt, which had remained in a cupboard while in Scotland. He also took part in many Scottish events, such as Burns Suppers. He also says he became more aware of his “roots” and heritage while in Canada and he wanted his sons, Colin and Guy, to be aware of their background, although he also thinks that his and his son’s lives have “expanded” and their perspectives “broadened” by being in Canada. He also became more interested in Scottish literature, and this blossomed though his friendship with Alma Lee, a fellow Scottish immigrant who founded the Vancouver International Writers Festival. In fact, he introduced him to a new world of Scottish literature, and he even had authors such as Andrew Grieg, an Orkney writer, over for dinner.
James’ father was George Burnie (Glasgow, 7 October, 1905). He was part of the Glasgow police force. He used to be involved in crowd-control at Celtic Park when Celtic played their local rivals, Rangers. John remembers going to Old Firm games and sitting among “the cloth” (Catholic priests) and being so surprised at the division of the fans’ seating – one half was all Celtic, the other half all Rangers. Like “oil and water”, they weren't allowed to mix. George and his wife met on one of the islands of Loch Lomond, Inchkallia. They were later married in Glasgow. His father was a piper. He learnt the pipes at the Boys Brigade, Glasgow. He was a great reader of Burns; he could recite the whole of “Tam o' Shanter”. Meanwhile, John didn't really get into Burns until he came to Canada. James’ grandfather was John Strachan (Elgin, 1879) and was born near the Kirk of Burnie, which is the oldest church is Scotland (1140?). He came to Glasgow and joined the police force. His grandmother was Margaret McGowan and probably came from the borders. James’ great-grandfather, his father’s grandfather, was called George and he was also involved in the police force in Morayshire; his wife was called Mary Hunter.
There were no Gaelic speakers in his family. His father claimed he had traced the family name back to a small town near Bergan, Norway. He therefore believed that “Burnie” comes from the Vikings who came and settled around the Moray Firth area.
He remembers politics and religion being quite prominent in his family. The area where he lived in Scotland was a Protestant and he went to the Presbyterian church. He remembers the Orange Marches and segregated schools. He say he didn't “meet a Catholic” until he entered the army.
His wife Elizabeth’s father was Professor Tom Anderson of Glasgow University (CBE) – a very imposing man. John remembers him being very difficult to get to know in Scotland, but in Canada he was a lot more accommodating and John got to know him a lot better over a glass (or two) of whiskey. He used to go and spend time with him on the Isle of Arran, where Tom had retired, and they used to tour the island.
James’ mother’s last name was Key (January 25 1908). She came from an English family, although she was born in Glasgow. He remembers his aunts being “very English”; his mother was only one who made the transition into Scottish manners. He talks of there being a few “family secrets” on his mother's side. For example, one of his uncles was “excommunicated” from the family for abandoning his wife and child and marrying a younger woman. Then his aunty Eilsa got involved with a greenkeeper from Paisley. They had a child, David. She was therefore sent back down to England and the father was never mentioned. David was later arrested in Turkey for smuggling drugs from Greece and imprisoned for 19 years. He then tried to trick remaining aunts and uncles out of their property by getting them to sign deeds over to him; ironically, his actions brought all the cousins together to try to stop him and bring him to justice. His mother’s father, John Key, married a lady called Wade, who quite possibly was related to General Wade. He had a business in the south of England and Scotland.
Keywords: Glasgow; Scottish societies; religion
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Date: 2004-11-30, 2005-01-18

Title: Interview of Therese McErlean
Description: April 25 2012 Therese McErlean Born: Therese MacInness, June 11th, 1949 in Vancouver. Five siblings (2 brothers & 2 sisters), Therese was the fourth. Father: Micheal MacInness. Born in Eriskay, Scotland in 1904. He was a master mariner, and when he came to Vancouver, he ran an icebreaker in the north, and was a longshoreman in the offseason. He was
Show moreApril 25 2012 Therese McErlean Born: Therese MacInness, June 11th, 1949 in Vancouver. Five siblings (2 brothers & 2 sisters), Therese was the fourth. Father: Micheal MacInness. Born in Eriskay, Scotland in 1904. He was a master mariner, and when he came to Vancouver, he ran an icebreaker in the north, and was a longshoreman in the offseason. He was a quiet man, and Therese regrets that she didn’t get to know more about him or his family. He spoke Gaelic, but didn’t read or write it. He didn’t talk much, but she knew he was proud of her piping accomplishments. In Eriskay, he was a fisher and always on the water. Travelled the world as a sailor. He “jumped ship” in Vancouver around 1926-28. Therese’s paternal grandparents passed when she was born, but she was later told by family members in Scotland that her grandmother was “away with the faeries” – a term for being in an asylum. She remembers the funny stories told about when the ship Politician ran aground. Mother: Born in 1908 just outside of Glasgow. Came to Canada for a better life with her parents when she was 18. Second oldest of her siblings, 6 brothers and 2 sisters. Came to St. Brides (outside of Edmonton), in what was an Irish settlement. The family farmed. She worked in house service in Edmonton, which was her profession from age 14 on in Scotland. She was always trying to get her family to come to Edmonton from St. Brides, because their life there was “dismal”. “They were poor in Scotland, but they weren’t that poor”. The plot of land was almost “unworkable”. Her mother was a Highland dancer for years. She told many stories from her career of housekeeping. She retired once she was married. She did not speak Gaelic. Therese’s parents met in Vancouver. When she was born, they were living at 13th & Commercial. They moved to Burnaby when she was 6. They played $13 000 for the house around 1956. She attended Edmonds School from grade 1-10. It was a nice school & area, which has become impoverished in recent years. She later attended Burnaby Central. Her mom always told her she would be a teacher, and she attended SFU for general arts. She began University in 1967, when protests and riots were happening at campuses like Berkeley. SFU had a lesser version of this, with sit-ins and such. She was less interested in these politics, and lost a few friends because of it. “Every prof was a radical”. The school didn’t have a great reputation at the time, and she had many friends at UBC. She met her husband Willie when she was 21. Her father’s first ship was called the “Great Bear”, which took people on northern fishing excursions. He struggled with depression and would spend some time off work or in clinics. They always lived well despite the fact that there was no disability payments for him. He lied on his birth certificate, so he worked until he was 69. Therese’s siblings, Duncan, Donald & Rae-Marie were all enrolled in bagpiping by her mother. Donald was also in Highland dancing. By the time Therese was born, it was expected she would take up piping. She started around age 6 or 7. She has the trophy from her first novice competition, at age 9. It was at the annual gathering at the Seaforth Armouries. She remembers being amazed by the Powell River Pipe Band. Her first teacher was Malcolm Nicholson. Her sister, Rae-Marie, was a great player, and began training with Jimmy MacMillan. Therese was 15 at the time, and went along with her sister. She remembers training with Jack and Terry Lee at times. She stopped competing around age 20. In those days, in order to play in the Ladies’ Pipe Band, you had to memorize around 100 tunes – particularly to play the Burns Dinner. In 1964, Therese had to get her “badge” and memorize these tunes within a month or two. She played with Norma Nicholson, Marie McDonald and her sister Rae-Marie. They played several times in Scotland, staying in Edinburgh. The band recorded a record together. Therese played solo & in bands. She did many quartet performances around B.C., which are less common today. She is still friends with many members of the band. She was asked one time to dance in a Tattoo. She rarely played the pipes for dancers. Therese talks about playing pipes with her husband Willie on drums, who plays so fast she feels “like Ben Hur holding the horses back”. Many of her parents’ friends in Vancouver were Scottish, and spoke Gaelic. Her feelings of “Scottishness” comes from her parents. Her father didn’t have many habits and spent his days working. Her family was very Catholic and church was a large part of their lives. Politics weren’t often discussed. Therese was close with her Aunt Rae. The family’s holidays revolved around the Highland Games. Her mother was a great cook, but her father preferred plain food, like boiled cod. Therese always identified more as Scottish than Canadian and loved her trips to Scotland. Therese met her husband Willie at the Santa Rosa Highland Games. They have 3 children: Calum, Rachel & Shannon, and 4 grandchildren. Her son learned piping, but didn’t follow up as much. The girls were in Highland dance and had a lot of fun. Therese discusses the Scottish Nationalist Party, in the news at the time of the interview. She hears about the politics in Scotland through friends who visit. She says the competitive world of piping and dancing can be hard on those who expect to win all the time. Her inspiration was always to find the best piper, and try to beat them. She took some lessons from Ian MacLeod while in Scotland. Her favourite thing to do is to watch the SFU Pipe Band tune up. Willie & Therese recommend Reid Maxwell for interview.
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Date: 2012-04-25

Title: Interview of Donald Sinclair
Description: August 24 2004 Donald Sinclair – Tape 1, Side B; Tape 2, Side A; other recordings missing. Recording starts abruptly, in the middle of a sentence. Mother’s siblings: Peggy (married Tim MacLean), Marjorie (married Ronald Laing) came to Vancouver, Canada with her husband. Allister, settled in Winnipeg. Ronald – was a police officer in Glasgow, was
Show moreAugust 24 2004 Donald Sinclair – Tape 1, Side B; Tape 2, Side A; other recordings missing. Recording starts abruptly, in the middle of a sentence. Mother’s siblings: Peggy (married Tim MacLean), Marjorie (married Ronald Laing) came to Vancouver, Canada with her husband. Allister, settled in Winnipeg. Ronald – was a police officer in Glasgow, was pipe major of the Glasgow Police Pipe Band. Badly wounded in WWI. He was quite short and called “wee Ronald”. Donald Ewan - Superintendent of largest insane asylum in Scotland, also wounded in WWI. John – served in WWII, became sergeant major. Had to leave the army to take care of the family farm after his father fell ill. He later became an Inverness City Counsellor. Youngest sister Marg (married a Morrison). Several first cousins in Ontario, Manitoba and B.C. Mother: Maiden name MacDonald – passed and buried in Vancouver. Went out to service in Glasgow after she left school (around age 13 or 14). There were 10 girls in her class at school with the name MacDonald. The teacher couldn’t speak any Gaelic and they couldn’t speak any English. The teacher named them “Doll 1, Doll 2, etc.” nicknames which stuck – Donald remembers meeting “Doll 10”. They tried to “put down” the Gaelic in school, encouraging students to read & write in English. His mother couldn’t write any Gaelic but spoke it fluently. She was a great baker, taught by her sister Marjorie. Grandmother: Mary Cameron. His grandmother spoke virtually no English and had never gone to school. Her brother came a Minister of Divinity in Edinburgh. She was “a tough little cookie”. Uncle Allister immigrated to Canada in 1912. Donald went to look him up while in Winnipeg at one point, calling the local police for help (a common practice in that time). They told him to call “The Voice of the Red River Valley”, CKNY, the local radio station to put out an ad. He went down to the station and they put a call out on the air. A woman phoned in, who turned out to be his cousin (Allister’s daughter). She picked him up from the station and took him to his uncle’s house. Donald remembers she said, “Dad, one of your relatives from Scotland is here to visit”, and he immediately reverted to Gaelic, asking, “Who’s that?” Donald replied (in Gaelic), “Donald Head Dottie Moore” (his name, his mother’s name, his grandfather & great-grandfather’s nicknames). To which Uncle Allister said, “Mo ghradh, mo ghradh” (my dear, my dear) and pulled out a bottle of whiskey. His wife had a thick accent. Wife: Iris. Children: Two daughters; one who lives in England, and another who lives in B.C. Siblings: Ian, Lexie, twin brother Stuart. Donald’s mother hosted boarders for the Glasgow Police Pipe Band. His grandfather’s house in Scotland was called “the doctor’s house”. It’s located on a hamlet called Kyle’s Peible - “a beautiful machair (low-lying, grassy plane)”. He recalls a time when his mom asked if he would like a wee drop of “Polly” – whiskey from ship the SS Politician, which had famously run aground in Eriskay. His mother was a tall, good-looking, gentle woman. His parents never “strapped” or struck him or his siblings as discipline. Both parents spoke Gaelic, but couldn’t write it, and had thick Hebridian accents. The Depression was a tough time on the family, and there were times growing up when his father was out of work, but he never went on the “parish” (welfare). Donald was manager of a life insurance company for a time. He lived in Edmonton. When living in Toronto he was President of the Toronto Scottish Rugby Football Club. His first job was for a florist/fruit-seller in the Glasgow Foot Market, preparing orders and managing inventory. He would take the streetcar up Argyle St. He worked for a few years before moving onto construction and labour jobs. He worked for a rubber company which supplied motor parts to the Army. His twin brother had been drafted in the Army, and he was anxious to do the same, but learned his boss had declared him as a “reserve occupation”. He wrote to the War Office in Edinburgh and ultimately joined the Seaforth Highlanders, serving in WWII. Both he and his twin were short-sighted in one eye, which gave him the classification of “A4”. He was sent from training to York, then transferred to Nottingham. He applied to be commissioned as an officer like his older & twin brother had. When the Atom Bomb was dropped, they were shipped to Singapore, where Donald met his wife Iris at “Lord Louie’s Headquarters”. They were both shipped back to the U.K. after the War. He came to Toronto, Canada in spring 1947; his wife followed in spring 1948. Although they considered South Africa, the immigration officer in Glasgow told him, “You have to go to Canada – Canada is more Scottish than Scotland”. They initially planned to stay for a few years. He travelled by airplane, and Iris came by ship. Donald spent his first 3 days in a hostel on Jervis St. in Toronto, where lists of lodgers were provided. He lodged with Jesse & Tommy Reid. Canada had a great reputation in Scotland and everyone had a relative who lived there. He remembers feeling excited to see the bears and trees. Iris was still with the Army and was stationed in Chelsea when he came over. His first job in Canada was washing cars for several days. He then got a job with a manufacturing company making golf clubs, tennis rackets and golf balls. Donald applied to Sunlife Insurance, and was a salesman for several years before moving to Standard Life Insurance Company. It was this job which transferred him between Edmonton, Toronto, and eventually Vancouver. He worked for them until his retirement, after which he took a brokerage contract. Donald and Iris married before he came to Canada, in 1947, at St. Columbus Gaelic Church in Glasgow. He recalls people “presenting” in Gaelic at church. He remembers when he first arrived in 1947, Canada was entering an economic recession of sorts, and people worried of another Depression. One particular individual told him, “Jobs are for Canadians”. There was also a girl he met who felt jobs were being taken by Canadians. He found less and less of this sentiment as time went on. Donald’s feelings of “Scottishness” increased in Canada. He got involved in the Robbie Burns Club in Edmonton, which he hadn’t known much about in the old country, aside from visiting the Burns cottage one time. He remembers the dinner hosted Tommy Douglas at one time. He spent 10 years in Toronto, 10 years in Edmonton, before moving back to Toronto. He wrote the Burns Club in Edmonton for assistance to put on a Burns Supper in Toronto with his Scottish Rugby Football Club, which the Mayor attended. He recalls the story from this night. It’s since become a major event. He still feels a sense of belonging when visiting Scotland. Donald recalls the “crofting” life in the Hebrides, and the strictness of the Presbyterian faith in the area. Sunday was the Sabbath and he wasn’t allowed to play music. Looking back on his life, Donald may have gotten more education; both he and his mother were proud of the fact that despite this, he and his brothers finished as Captains in the Army. His biggest satisfaction is still being with his wife, as well as being involved in Rugby, as he had never had the chance while growing up in the tenements in Scotland. He learned to play while in India during his time in the Army.
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Date: 2004-08-24

Title: Interview of John McIlwraith
Description: March 10 2005 John McIlwraith (b. Sept. 4, 1926 in Glasgow) was one of four children. Father: William Mason Peyton McIlwraith (b. in Connel Ferry, Scotland (near Oban)), had three brothers and three sisters. He met John’s mother after returning from service in the First World War. William was an engineer for Singer as well as an amateur musician
Show moreMarch 10 2005 John McIlwraith (b. Sept. 4, 1926 in Glasgow) was one of four children. Father: William Mason Peyton McIlwraith (b. in Connel Ferry, Scotland (near Oban)), had three brothers and three sisters. He met John’s mother after returning from service in the First World War. William was an engineer for Singer as well as an amateur musician (banjo, guitar, piano, choir conductor) and baker. He would compose and transpose music for choirs. During the Depression, he was forced to take on a variety of odd jobs to make ends meet (perming hair, painting, photography), and refused to accept unemployment. A small man, he was very bright and disciplined. John’s paternal grandfather, John McIlwraith, was a foreman for the Singer’s Clydesbank factory. Mother: née Phee (b. 1901 in Portobello, Edinburgh; one of seven children), also worked for Singer; she was in the accounts department. John’s father first saw her on the train to work. In her spare time she sang and competed against John’s father in their household baking competitions. At the time of interview (2005), John’s mother was 104 years old and living in Victoria. John’s maternal grandmother (from Arran) was a Gaelic speaker (John understood some as well). The McIlwraiths were not religious. They were a close family; having no television, they often spent evenings together listening to John’s father’s music. John’s favourite relative was his paternal uncle, Bob, who was a carpenter and a “generous man.” John spent the majority of his childhood living in a flat with his family in Glasgow until the outbreak of the Second World War when he, his siblings, and a couple of his cousins went to live with his their maternal grandmother in Machrie Bay on the Isle of Arran. He was around 11 or 12 at the time. He attended elementary school in both Glasgow (St. David’s) and on Arran and completed his secondary school education upon his return to Glasgow at the end of the war. His school on Arran had grades 1-6 in the same class. After graduation, John attended Skerry’s College in Glasgow, learning shorthand and typing. John has since worked as a writer and broadcaster for many different newspapers/companies in both Scotland and Canada, including: CKNW, Mississauga News, and the Oakville Courier, among others. He was a columnist mainly writing essays and humourous pieces. He had written some humourous essays in Scotland. Before beginning his professional career, John did a variety of odd jobs throughout his youth (errand boy, milk and grocery delivery, and newspaper delivery). He remembers siphoning cream off the top of milk deliveries. John immigrated alone to Canada in the spring of 1957. It had become too hard to earn a living in Scotland. His wife at the time, Bridie (1st wife, Bridget Fitzsimmons, a nurse whom he married in 1950), and their three children (Gordon, Susan, and Fraser) later joined him. They first moved to Vancouver, then to Ontario for 3-4 years, and later returned to Burnaby/Vancouver. John worked as the Sales Manager for Evergreen Press for ten years and was a co-owner of the French restaurant, La Colombe. Although not successful at the time of purchase, John helped turn the restaurant into the finest French eatery in Vancouver. When asked about memories of saying goodbye to his family and friends in Scotland, John mentioned the going-away party that his friends held for him. He knew a friend who had moved to Hamilton. His parents thought his move to Canada was a great idea; his sister Mary was already living in California at the time and many members of his family gradually emigrated in the years following. He remembers the day he left Scotland, there was a piper playing at the airport and it was pouring rain; as he landed in Vancouver, it was also pouring rain, and a piper played at the airport. He felt he hadn’t gone very far from home. Children: Gordon (b. 1952), Susan (b. 1954) & Fraser. John passed away in 2006 (one year after the time of this interview).
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Date: 2005-03-10

Title: Interview of James Russell : Interview
Description: 11 May 2004 Professor Jim (James) Russel (Glasgow, Scotland, 11 September, 1935). James went to Fulwell primary school in Roker, Sunderland, England, during the war. They were in England due to his father’s job as a civil servant working for the Ministry of Labour. He talks of having a duel tongue: Geordie and Scots. On coming back to Scotland, he
Show more11 May 2004 Professor Jim (James) Russel (Glasgow, Scotland, 11 September, 1935). James went to Fulwell primary school in Roker, Sunderland, England, during the war. They were in England due to his father’s job as a civil servant working for the Ministry of Labour. He talks of having a duel tongue: Geordie and Scots. On coming back to Scotland, he went to the Royal Edinburgh High School and gained an interest in Classics. Although he says his whole family have been and continue to be Conservative in their political views, he considers himself to be “strongly Scottish” and talks of being influenced by a Scottish Nationalist teacher at High School, who taught Scottish history and literature (neither of which were on the syllabus at Scottish schools at the time). James therefore developed a sense of “cultural nationalism.” He left High School and went straight to Edinburgh University, where he took an Honours degree in Classics, which included Classical history and archaeology as well as Moral Philosophy. He talks about having a keen interest in “ruins and remains” from an early age. His great uncle, James Russel (b. 1820/30 d. 1890), a dyed-in-the-wool Liberal and one of the “self-improving member[s] [...] of the yeoman class of Scotland in the 19th century”, had been one of the first excavators of the Antonine Wall in Scotland. He also talks about student life at Edinburgh University, such as the reaction over the Suez Canal fiasco in 1956; this would prefigure the student demonstrations he encountered while a professor at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada. After leaving Edinburgh University, he taught Classics for a year at Trinity Academy in Edinburgh. He lived in Scotland until her was 24. He met his wife at Windsor Place, Church of Scotland, and married her on 19 August 1959, just before coming to Canada to teach and study for his Ph.D in Classics at Winnipeg. He then got a fellowship to study in Chicago for a year. He completed his Ph.D in 1965. He was invited to join the University of British Columbia as assistant professor and arrived in Vancouver on 19 August 1966. He got tenure in 1971. He talks about his experience of teaching during the “free thinking” movement that arrived at the end of the 1960s. Supposedly Deconstructionism was a nightmare for history teachers as students would start to question the veracity of dates, historical documents, catalogues, etc. He also talks about witnessing the students demonstrations against the Vietnam war, Government (in genereal), and even the structures of the University. His time at UBC was mainly spent excavating and compiling samples and information for publication of a 3rd century Roman city at Anemurium, Turkey, from 1970-1985. He retired in 1998. He was also elected President of the Vancouver branch of the Archaeological Institute of America – a post he held for 2 years. He is a member of the Fellows of Antiquities of Scotland. Upon retiring he took up a position of lecturer of Classics at the Intercollegiate Center for Classical Studies in Rome for a year. When asked about whether or not he feels a “sense of belonging” towards Scotland, he says that he does; but when he is in Scotland, he feels that both he and the place are “different”; he has a whole other dimension to his perception from living in Canada. He does say that he “keeps up an interest” in Scottish politics through the UK papers and still has an interest in Scottish history. His father, William Russel (b. 17 December 1909, Longcroft, Stirlingshire), was a civil servant. He worked in both England and Scotland. He was heavily involved with the crofters in the Scottish Highlands. He was first destined to become a Minister. He was also very proficient in languages, especially Latin. He was also commissioned into the Army, destined to serve in India, although he somehow managed to escape this duty. He was the son of James Russel (b.1870), a foundry worker from Kilsythe – a short, wiry man; shrewd, athletic, friendly, quiet, and neat and tidy. His wife, the interviewer’s grandmother, Margaret Penman, was fairly unknown to James, although he does say that she might have suffered from Alzheimer’s disease. For example, she “behaved like a child” and “talked to the chickens”. In short, she “wasn’t normal”. His mother was called Elizabeth Russel. Her father, James’ grandfather, was a grocer in Borland. He blended and sold his own whiskey and advertised it at the local cinema. He also bought and sold horses from Glasgow. He has one brother. He was born in Newcastle. He went to the same High School as his brother in Edinburgh. Like his father, he became a civil servant and retired as second in command of British Customs. He lives in North Berwick, Scotland. Keywords: Glasgow; England; Classics; UBC
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Date: 2004

Title: Interview of Graham Davidson, 1; 2
Description: Graham Davidson August 7, 2012; August 15, 2012. Born: Graham Stewart Davidson, June 1st 1957, in Stobhill Hospital, Glasgow, Scotland. 1 older sister named Sandra, who lives on Vancouver Island. Father: Alexander Blair Davidson, born 1919 in Bishopbriggs. Youngest of 3 (two older sisters, Margaret & Betty). Alex’s father (Graham’s grandfather)
Show moreGraham Davidson August 7, 2012; August 15, 2012. Born: Graham Stewart Davidson, June 1st 1957, in Stobhill Hospital, Glasgow, Scotland. 1 older sister named Sandra, who lives on Vancouver Island. Father: Alexander Blair Davidson, born 1919 in Bishopbriggs. Youngest of 3 (two older sisters, Margaret & Betty). Alex’s father (Graham’s grandfather) passed when he was 14. Mother: Kathleen Graham Stewart, born in 1923 in Bishopbriggs. Eldest of 2 daughters (younger sister Mirian, drowned at age 10). Maternal Grandfather: Samuel Graham Stewart, one of 8 brothers. A woodworker by trade; built a lot of the homes in Bishopbriggs, which still stand today. He owned a shop on Crowhill Rd, which Bob Hardy (famous bagpipe maker) took over upon his retirement in 1964. Samuel was the one who trained Bob in woodworking. Bob went to school with Kathleen and played at her wedding to Graham’s father. Nobody in his family spoke Gaelic. He has a few cousins in Scotland from his father’s side who he keeps in contact with. The family immigrated to Canada when he was 2 years old. His father came 6 months ahead of them, in 1959, and landed in Montreal. He took the train out to Vancouver, and was looking for 4 months. He had almost given up and was packing to leave when he got a call for a job at MacMillan-Bloedel. He worked as a draftsman, and later moved to H.A. Simons (pulp & paper mills), working as an estimator. He purchased a house in Lynn Valley, and the family followed him out to Canada, travelling by ship and rail. His parents owned a cabin up by Sechelt. Graham attended school in North Vancouver. The family moved and he attended Windsor School, where he graduated from High School. Graham first heard bagpipes in the Pacific National Exhibition parade in Vancouver – the pipe bands were the only part he watched as a child. This inspired him to pick up piping, and his first teacher was a man named Richard Drybrooke. Dave Russell, a drummer from the Seaforth Highlanders, started the White Hackle Pipe Band and in North Vancouver. Bruce Topp was another instructor to Graham, who introduced him to the BC Piper’s Association & Seaforth Highlanders Cadets. In the Cadets, he met a man named Ed Esson, who was his instructor for a long time. You had to be 11 to be a cadet, and Graham was only 9, but Ed insisted he be allowed in. Ed was the King’s Piper for a time; he was “a real Highland gentleman”, and Pipe Major of the Seaforth Highlanders for years. Nigel Alakija was another instructor of his, originally from Inverness. They encouraged his parents to take him to Highland Games around the west coast, and he would attend the Nelson School of Piping. Donald MacLeod was a regular at these games. Bill Sutherland, a war buddy of Donald and “Big Angus”, started the school in Nelson. Bob Hardy provided Graham’s first set of bagpipes to him with no invoice, but his father insisted on paying the full price. Without a doubt, Ed Esson was Graham’s largest influence. He was like a grandfather figure, and a really nice man. Graham was a small boy and Ed always looked out for him, helping him with technique. Graham played one year in the City of Port Moody Pipe Band, until he called Pipe Major Hal Senyk and asked to join the Triumph Street Pipe Band. They went to the World Championships in 1976; they had no money, so the team had mixed kilts, but matching shirts and vests. All the other teams were in full dress uniforms. They ended up 23rd out of 24th at the worlds, but then 2 weeks later, they finished 4th . The band returned to the Worlds in 1979 in Nottingham, and played very well. They placed 5th, and were Best Overseas Band; also received the Red Sash for Best Drum Corps. Willie McErlean was the Lead Tip at the time, and it was the first time a band outside Scotland had won a major prize. Graham was with the Triumph Street Band from 1975-1995. The band had undergone a lot of changes in the years prior. At that point he took over as Pipe Major for the Maple Ridge Pipe Band (Grade 3; later moved up to Grade 2). He chose to leave his position and shortly after, he played with City of Abbotsford Pipe Band for 1 year; Stuart MacNeil was the Pipe Major at that time. At this time in his life, Graham and his wife had one son, and were expecting twins. He left the Abbotsford Pipe Band to spend more time at home. At the same time, he had been teaching for the White Spot Pipe Band, and was approached to take over leadership, which he agreed to. With the White Spot Organization, Graham was responsible for advising parents, finding instructors, and designing the musical program. He is still with the band at the time of interview, and has seen upwards of 1000 kids go through in his time there. The White Spot Organization has piping, drumming, and Highland dancing programs for children. Graham’s experiences with Ed Esson as an instructor influences his standard for instructors today. They have been the BCPA Champions for 8 out of the 10 years prior to the time of interview. He decided to form a band called the Greighlan Crossing Pipe Band, the bulk membership of which are players who have graduated out of White Spot. The Greighlan Crossing logo is a double-headed dragon; because of this, they were invited to perform in Beijing, China in 2010, at the 12th Beijing International Cultural Tourism Festival. An organizer of the festival had stumbled across the Greighlan Crossing website, and fell in love with the band and its logo, as the dragon represents good luck in China. They did a 2 minute performance which was judged. The Band (and administrative staff) on this 10 day trip ranged from ages 14 – 62. The festival was all about bringing the world to China, in Graham’s impression. There was a wide variety of acts. The Band was able to go sight-seeing in their time there and were treated very well. They were voted the best act of the day. They also did a 5-6 block parade while in Beijing, on a road similar to Granville Street in Vancouver. The crowd went “absolutely nuts” for the Band. The Band also performed at a shopping mall and at the Bird’s Nest (Beijing National Stadium). A “bucket list” item of Grahams’ was to play bagpipes on the Great Wall of China, and the Band all did the same. Someone called the Military Police on them; their interpreter/guide explained their side of things, and the Police eventually left, saying “Don’t waste our time again!” to the caller. The Band has been requested to play the festival again in September 2012. Graham another solo piper who he is close with, Andy Wright. He says he has encountered a majority of wonderful, kind people in the bagpiping community, and he is sure if he turned up to a bagpiper’s house, he would have a place to stay. Graham’s first Annual Gathering of the BC Piper’s Association was held at the Vancouver Recreational Centre in Longsdale, around age 10 or 11. He marvels at how much the gathering has evolved. He didn’t win very often in his early years, but he continued to play due to his love of it. Ed Esson and Hal Senyk led his playing to “take off”; Ed was very technical and emphasized fingering, while Hal was a “sound guy”, focusing on the sound from tuning the pipes. Graham won the first professional competition he ever played, on the insistence of Hal. He even played Hal’s pipes, and Hal was a “bit perturbed”, as he’d “never heard them sound so good”. Most of the judges at the BCPA gatherings were from Scotland. This exposed him to phenomenal players of the day. The President of the BCPA in the 1980’s was Donald MacMillan, who suggested to bring out 2 piping judges from Scotland. Graham has been President from 2008-2012, as well as Chair for the Annual Gathering. Vancouver is a “hot spot” in North America for piping, and players are often eager to come out. The Annual Gathering lasts two days, and includes pro drumming events, a recital, solos, and a pipe band contest. One of Graham’s best years at the Annual Gathering was when Rob Matheson & Jim Kilpatrick were brought out after the release of their 2nd album, Ebb Tide. Nearly 500 people came out to see them play. Graham has noticed an expansion in the areas where people travel from to enter the competition. Graham doesn’t have any favourites to include in medleys, as you always have to keep it changing. He feels medleys have progressed from the 1970s; new tunes from new composers, involving syncopation and other inventive styles which are enjoyable to play. In years leading up to these interviews, the popularity of pipe bands, Celtic musicians and Highland dancing has seen an increase; Graham expects this trend to continue, as bands continue to add new instruments all the time, increasing their diversity and entertainment value. Graham has 3 children: One of his twin sons, Trevor, is a bagpiper; he wanted to play his father’s pipes from age 2 on. His favourite tune to play as a boy was “Scotland The Brave”; he played in Graham at the Couer d’Alene at the age of 3. He had to play with his hands reversed because he was so small. He moved very quickly through the ranks of the White Spot Pipe Band, and is now a Grade 1 competitor. Also Pipe Major of the Greighlan Crossing Pipe Band. Maclain is a drummer. He took up drumming as a boy and was happy to be included with his father and brother. He was the Grand Aggregate Winner for Grade 3 Drumming in 2012, and will be promoted to Grade 2. He also went through the White Spot Pipe Band, and is in the Drum Corps of Greighlan Crossing. Graham’s oldest son Chris was not interested in taking up Scottish music. He played guitar for a time. Working with children in his bagpiping career has been very satisfying for Graham. He discusses the recent winners of the World Championships. He has done extensive work with the BC Piper’s Association. He took on the task of organizing the newsletter for a time, in order to communicate with the membership. Since 1992, Graham has worked for the District of North Vancouver, managing supplies. The majority of the municipalities are part of a co-op which allows them to purchase supplies at a group rate. There are about 40 commodities which all municipalities use; Graham is responsible for the supply of one commodity – garbage bags – for all districts in the co-op. He approximates the co-op currently [in 2012] spends about one million dollars on this commodity. His employer and staff understand his involvement in bagpiping and respect that he needs time off to travel. Upon travelling to Scotland, Graham feels a sense of connection to his birthplace, although he considers Vancouver home. He finds Canadians are well received in Scotland, although people don’t understand how large the country is compared to the U.K. – he has the common experience of being asked if he knows someone from Toronto. He didn’t consider his “Scottishness”, until he became more involved in Burns Suppers in his mid-30’s, and began studying more Scottish history. He doesn’t think his sons have this connection to their heritage yet, but are more exposed to it than he was at their age. Graham hadn’t even tried haggis until age 25. His maternal grandfather was always blasting Scottish music on his record player, and read Robbie Burns poems, but these hobbies didn’t carry onto his parents. They wanted to try Scottish Country Dancing, but were unable to arrange it. Politics were not major issues in his family; he attended church as a child, but gradually stopped as he became older. They often had family gatherings with his cousins in North Vancouver growing up. He now sees his sister when he attends the Comox Highland Games on the Island. His favourite relative was his Uncle Jim (his mother’s cousin). He plays at about 4 or 5 Burns Dinners per year. He eats haggis at the dinners, and makes his dad’s shortbread recipe at home. He first tried a dram of scotch at 16. Wife: Sandra; met at a bar in Surrey named Champagne’s. That weekend, the Triumph Street Band was having a “Tacky Tourist Party”, which he invited her to. It turned out her best friend worked with Graham, and she encouraged Sandra to go to the party. She knew that being involved with bands was important to Graham, and he spent a lot of time practicing. When their twins decided to get involved, life became “simpler”, as he was able to take them along. They are coming up on 26 years of marriage in 2012. Growing up in the 1950’s, Graham was influenced by the Beatles, but is a lover of all music, especially soft jazz. He has travelled to Scotland several times in the past 10 years. Looking back on his life, he would change injuring his hand if he could. He worked at a sugar refinery in 1978, and injured his hand on an industrial oven fan. He had an accident 6 months prior to that where his hand was caught in wheels – his doctor told him he wouldn’t be able to pipe again after his work accident. It took him about 6 months to heal and become mobile again. He cannot play a “bubbly B”, but this is his only restriction in piping. He taught the Vancouver Ladies Pipe Band for 4-5 years prior to going to the Maple Ridge Pipe Band. His son Trevor has encouraged him to return to professional competitions, but he is not interested. Graham doesn’t have an opinion on the 2012 politics/referendum in Scotland, and has had a few minor conversations on it. He only wishes the people get what they want. Graham discusses the formation of Greighlan Crossing Pipe Band with Len Moreau, for players who graduated out of White Spot and didn’t move on to Grade 1 Bands. A group of Rotary Clubs called District 50/50 provided them with the funds to start up, along with minor fundraisers organized by Len & Graeme. The group wore mixed kilts – family tartans – and wore white shirts and black ties. The name of the band came from a combination of Graeme & Len’s name with a more Gaelic/Celtic spelling (originally Gralen). A parent of a band member developed the logo – two dragon heads in a Celtic knot. They developed a “legend” behind the name & logo.
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Date: 2012-08-07, 2012-08-15

Title: Interview of Ian Mason : Interview
Description: 13 April 2005
Ian Maclean Mason (Glasgow, 22 April 1938).
Ian was the oldest son of four children. He had two sisters, Mary and Margaret, and a brother, Johnnie. He went to school in England, Sheerness, which was then a naval base. But when his father was away on work, he would go to and live at one of his grandmothers at Sandbank in Dunoon or
Show more13 April 2005
Ian Maclean Mason (Glasgow, 22 April 1938).
Ian was the oldest son of four children. He had two sisters, Mary and Margaret, and a brother, Johnnie. He went to school in England, Sheerness, which was then a naval base. But when his father was away on work, he would go to and live at one of his grandmothers at Sandbank in Dunoon or Clynder. He then went to Lochdonhead, Mull. Then he went to Dunoon Grammar School. From there he went to a boarding school in Kiel, Dumbarton, which at that time exclusively took on and, sometimes, paid for students from the Highlands and Islands. He remembers there being a lot of Gaelic speaking boys at Kiel. He dropped out of school to get a job in forestry to support his mother; but she wanted him back in school. So then he went to Oban for his final year, and then on to Glasgow University to study maths, physics, and chemistry. But he ended up graduating with a degree in geology. He met his wife, Janet Carmichael Henry (Oban, 12 June, 1941), although he knew her when they both lived in Mull. They were married in 1963. After graduating from Glasgow, Ian accepted a place at McMaster University in Canada to study for his ph.d. They offered him a better deal that any UK university. He remembers getting off the plane in Montreal during the summer and being struck with the oppressive nature of the heat. But he remembers the people being very helpful and friendly towards immigrants. In fact, he felt that being Scottish worked to his advantage; people seemed to like the Scots. While at McMaster he became a TA. He specialized in petrology – the study of the origin of rocks. In his spare time he played the accordion. He also started playing the pipes, but it didn't work out because his piping teacher would be in the pub most of the time.... After graduating he got a job with Cominco, who were looking to expand into nickel mining. His job was to look for places for nickel mines – south of Thomson, Manitoba, then in Quebec. The reason he didn’t go back home was because he couldn't get a job in Scotland. Furthermore, there were better opportunities in Canada back then. When he did return to Scotland to see friends and family, he had “mild” feelings of returning home.
Ian’s father was John William Mason (January 12, 1899). He had one older sister. He was in the Royal Navy, but before that, he delivered yachts. He was also a gardener at Torosay Castle and Gardens in Mull for a couple of years. He also took over the inn at Craigmuir. His wife and children stayed on the Mull estate of David James after his death of appendicitis at the age of forty-four. He was a very popular man. He wrote plays for the local hall and acted in them.
Ian’s mother was Mary Maclean (Isla, 1899). She was a Gaelic speaker and didn't learn to speak English until she was 12.
Ian’s grandfather on his mother’s side was Neil Maclean. He drowned in WWI off coast of Ireland. He was a Gaelic speaker. Ian’s grandmother on his mother’s side was Anne Bell (Isla). She was also a Gaelic speaker.
Ian’s grandfather on his father’s side was John Mason. He was an engineer. And his grandmother was Elizabeth Sutherland (Wick, 1850s).
Keywords: Glasgow; McMaster; mining
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Date: 2005-04-13

Title: Interview of James Russell : Interview
Description: 11 May 2004
Professor Jim (James) Russel (Glasgow, Scotland, 11 September, 1935).
James went to Fulwell primary school in Roker, Sunderland, England, during the war. They were in England due to his father’s job as a civil servant working for the Ministry of Labour. He talks of having a duel tongue: Geordie and Scots. On coming back to Scotland, he
Show more11 May 2004
Professor Jim (James) Russel (Glasgow, Scotland, 11 September, 1935).
James went to Fulwell primary school in Roker, Sunderland, England, during the war. They were in England due to his father’s job as a civil servant working for the Ministry of Labour. He talks of having a duel tongue: Geordie and Scots. On coming back to Scotland, he went to the Royal Edinburgh High School and gained an interest in Classics. Although he says his whole family have been and continue to be Conservative in their political views, he considers himself to be “strongly Scottish” and talks of being influenced by a Scottish Nationalist teacher at High School, who taught Scottish history and literature (neither of which were on the syllabus at Scottish schools at the time). James therefore developed a sense of “cultural nationalism.” He left High School and went straight to Edinburgh University, where he took an Honours degree in Classics, which included Classical history and archaeology as well as Moral Philosophy. He talks about having a keen interest in “ruins and remains” from an early age. His great uncle, James Russel (b. 1820/30 d. 1890), a dyed-in-the-wool Liberal and one of the “self-improving member[s] [...] of the yeoman class of Scotland in the 19th century”, had been one of the first excavators of the Antonine Wall in Scotland. He also talks about student life at Edinburgh University, such as the reaction over the Suez Canal fiasco in 1956; this would prefigure the student demonstrations he encountered while a professor at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada. After leaving Edinburgh University, he taught Classics for a year at Trinity Academy in Edinburgh.
He lived in Scotland until her was 24. He met his wife at Windsor Place, Church of Scotland, and married her on 19 August 1959, just before coming to Canada to teach and study for his Ph.D in Classics at Winnipeg. He then got a fellowship to study in Chicago for a year. He completed his Ph.D in 1965. He was invited to join the University of British Columbia as assistant professor and arrived in Vancouver on 19 August 1966. He got tenure in 1971. He talks about his experience of teaching during the “free thinking” movement that arrived at the end of the 1960s. Supposedly Deconstructionism was a nightmare for history teachers as students would start to question the veracity of dates, historical documents, catalogues, etc. He also talks about witnessing the students demonstrations against the Vietnam war, Government (in genereal), and even the structures of the University.
His time at UBC was mainly spent excavating and compiling samples and information for publication of a 3rd century Roman city at Anemurium, Turkey, from 1970-1985. He retired in 1998. He was also elected President of the Vancouver branch of the Archaeological Institute of America – a post he held for 2 years. He is a member of the Fellows of Antiquities of Scotland.,br> Upon retiring he took up a position of lecturer of Classics at the Intercollegiate Center for Classical Studies in Rome for a year.
When asked about whether or not he feels a “sense of belonging” towards Scotland, he says that he does; but when he is in Scotland, he feels that both he and the place are “different”; he has a whole other dimension to his perception from living in Canada. He does say that he “keeps up an interest” in Scottish politics through the UK papers and still has an interest in Scottish history.
His father, William Russel (b. 17 December 1909, Longcroft, Stirlingshire), was a civil servant. He worked in both England and Scotland. He was heavily involved with the crofters in the Scottish Highlands. He was first destined to become a Minister. He was also very proficient in languages, especially Latin. He was also commissioned into the Army, destined to serve in India, although he somehow managed to escape this duty. He was the son of James Russel (b.1870), a foundry worker from Kilsythe – a short, wiry man; shrewd, athletic, friendly, quiet, and neat and tidy. His wife, the interviewer’s grandmother, Margaret Penman, was fairly unknown to James, although he does say that she might have suffered from Alzheimer’s disease. For example, she “behaved like a child” and “talked to the chickens”. In short, she “wasn’t normal”.
His mother was called Elizabeth Russel. Her father, James’ grandfather, was a grocer in Borland. He blended and sold his own whiskey and advertised it at the local cinema. He also bought and sold horses from Glasgow.
He has one brother. He was born in Newcastle. He went to the same High School as his brother in Edinburgh. Like his father, he became a civil servant and retired as second in command of British Customs. He lives in North Berwick, Scotland.

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Date: 2004-05-11, 2004-08-31, 2004-12-08

Title: Interview of Laurie Anderson
Description: Jan 11 2012 Laurie Hamilton Anderson (b.1947 in Glasgow) is the youngest of five children (three sisters and one brother). His father, David Vernon Anderson (b.1910/1911 (approx.) in Glasgow), was one of eight children. Although never in active service, David was in the army in the Second World War (his brother died in service). An employee of
Show moreJan 11 2012 Laurie Hamilton Anderson (b.1947 in Glasgow) is the youngest of five children (three sisters and one brother). His father, David Vernon Anderson (b.1910/1911 (approx.) in Glasgow), was one of eight children. Although never in active service, David was in the army in the Second World War (his brother died in service). An employee of Scottish Legal Life Assurance Company, he also served as the superintendent of the first non-sectarian youth club in inner city Glasgow. He spent his evenings there in Maryhill teaching boxing and ballroom dancing. Laurie’s mother, Agnes (née) Robertson (b.1920s (approx.) in Glasgow), was one of six children and a social worker with impoverished Glaswegian families. Both of Laurie’s parents were politically involved, devoting their time to various social justice committees and causes. While Laurie’s father was also a devoted soccer coach (before a leg injury he had been a professional soccer player), his mother enjoyed reading Agatha Christie novels. With the exception of a few early ancestors from Ireland and England, the majority of Laurie’s family were born and raised in the Glasgow area. Laurie grew up in a house the royal borough of Rutherglen where he attended Calderwood Primary and Rutherglen Academy (at sixteen he dropped out of school to contribute to the family income). His family, albeit poor, was close to each other. His parents were musical and Sunday evening sing-a-longs were a regular occurrence (many of Laurie’s siblings are involved in the theatre). Every summer the Anderson children accompanied their parents to the one-week camp for inner-city children that they led and, later in the summer, the Anderson family would go on their own two-week beach holiday in Girvan. Laurie remembers going every summer for at least ten to eleven years. Rich Uncle John and Uncle Bill the electrician were Laurie’s two favourite relatives. At age fifteen (possibly sixteen) Laurie met his wife, Nancy Mason, at a Glaswegian dance hall. His first girlfriend, they married in December 1964 and left in May of the following year for Canada. With a two month-old baby and neither a job in Vancouver nor much money, Laurie describes them as “very immature…naïve…and innocent.” After six months in Vancouver, a homesick Nancy returned to Scotland; meanwhile, Laurie stayed another half-a-year to work at Scott Paper Ltd. and repay their loan. However, after five days back in Glasgow, Laurie returned to Canada House and within three months they had returned to Vancouver permanently (Laurie’s sister and her family later immigrated to the United States). Laurie resumed work at Scott Paper (for a total of ten years) and, with his factory salary, they were able to buy a house in Coquitlam. Laurie and Nancy had two sons together: Dean and Scott (both of whom now have children of their own). After thirteen years they divorced; both remarried and are still good friends (Laurie and his second wife later divorced). While leading tours at Scott Paper, Laurie realized his passion for teaching; he returned to school, finishing his high school education and then enrolling part time at Douglas College. In 1977 Laurie completed his teacher training; this led to a permanent full-time position with the Coquitlam School District. For thirteen years Laurie taught Grade Seven Math and English at Anmore Elementary and Westwood Elementary. After serving as a school principal, Laurie returned to SFU for his Masters and finally his PhD in Educational Leadership. In 1992 he became the district principal of curriculum for the Vancouver School District (later serving as the Director, Associate Superintendent, and Acting Superintendent). Eighteen years later, Laurie assumed his current position as the Executive Director of the SFU Vancouver campus. Laurie’s feelings of “Scottishness” revolve around his tendency towards being “judgemental and Scottish” and his sense of humour. He is very proud of his heritage, but is neither very involved in local Scottish events/groups nor makes an effort to fill his house and life with “Scottish things” (i.e. tartan, books, music). He believes that his family would vote in favour of an independent Scotland in the 2014 Referendum. When asked about his biggest satisfactions in life, Laurie listed his childhood, his children and grandchildren, and the opportunities (esp. jobs) given to him throughout his life.
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Date: 2012-01-11

Title: Interview of Frank Ward
Description: Frank Ward May 29 2012 Frank Hamden Ward, born in Toronto Aug 24, 1926. Fourth of five children. Siblings: Tommy (passed in 1924 at 5 years old); Jean Emma (born 1921, passed in 2002); Robert “Harry” Harrington (born 1922, passed in 2004); Mary (still living on a farm near Orangeville at time of interview). Father: Thomas John Ward, born in
Show moreFrank Ward May 29 2012 Frank Hamden Ward, born in Toronto Aug 24, 1926. Fourth of five children. Siblings: Tommy (passed in 1924 at 5 years old); Jean Emma (born 1921, passed in 2002); Robert “Harry” Harrington (born 1922, passed in 2004); Mary (still living on a farm near Orangeville at time of interview). Father: Thomas John Ward, born in Nantwich, Cheshire, England in 1874. . Lived in Alderney in the Channel Islands until age 9; father John operated a store in Alderney. When the British discontinued their military presence in the area in 1883, the family moved to Toronto, Ontario, where Thomas later worked with the Canadian Pacific Railway. Worked for Consumer Gas. Passed away in 1935, when Frank was 9 years old. Paternal Grandfather: John Ward, owned a shop in Alderney. Mother: Edith Janet Henderson, born in Milhaven, Ontario in 1887. One sister, Anna, passed early on in life. Legal secretary for Bowlby & Bowlby in Toronto. Married in May 1917; moved into home address in 1919, where she continued to live until 1948, after her husband passed in Nov 1935. She was left with 4 kids to care for, and decided to give up her career to raise them. She tried to apply for their house to be turned into a duplex for rental, but was denied because she was a widowed woman. Maternal Grandfather: John Colin Henderson, born outside Quebec City in 1834; passed in 1891. Maternal Grandmother: Henrietta MacAllen, from Mull of Kintyre. Had a home in the Kilmartin area overlooking the sea. Married John in 1883. Father named John MacAllen from Kilmartin; Mother from north Kintyre. Maternal Great-Grandfather: John Henderson, came to Canada 1800; married Christie MacEllan in 1813 in the Church of Scotland. Passed in 1863. The “reform laws” of the 1800s opened up the playing field for citizens in the Colonies to sell goods back to Britain. Were well-off upon leaving Scotland. He had his own ships to send goods back and forth. Operator of mill-sites (sawmill, nail mill, etc.) and owned a whiskey distillery. One of these mills was still standing when Frank was a boy. The MacAllan side of the family were Gaelic speakers. Frank can remember men working for 50 cents a day during the Depression. A cousin of his, Norman Trott, convinced him to attend Northern Secondary School in Toronto. He worked for a year at an investment company called Watt & Watt, where a partner of the firm named Roy Wilson took him under his wing. He advised Frank to return to school, and so he attended the University of Western Ontario. While at Watt, he learned to consider the value of risk. He took a general course, as he was considering joining the ministry at the time, and received a Bachelor’s of Arts. Frank’s mother had been quite dedicated to her bible study course, which left an impression on him. He attended church every Sunday of his own free will. Ended up studying theology at a 2 year bible college in Ontario. He wrote to the college in Edinburgh, and was accepted to study there. Walter MacLeary assisted him in arranging travel to Scotland. A crew had lost a sailor after he abandoned ship, and Walter got Frank the job working on the ship over to Scotland, which meant the trip didn’t cost him a cent. It was an old Liberty Ship. He struggled with the “miserable, rainy weather”, and was sick a lot. He completed his Theology in Edinburgh, then moved to Glasgow for 2 years, where he was an associate minister at St. James parish of the Church of Scotland. Returned to Canada in 1957. His first church in Ontario was a Presbyterian church. He compares the difference between Anglican and Roman Catholic churches in terms of building design, etc. He had attended Deer Park Presbyterian Church as a child, until his father passed away; they began attending Calvin Presbyterian Church. Frank married his wife Elizabeth July 31 1956. They met at St. Christopher’s Church in Edinburgh in 1954. They were married in Mayfield North Church by Minister James White. She had to “flee from her house” as her Jewish parents were unhappy with her decision to marry Frank. They chose to move back to Canada together; Frank came over in October, Elizabeth followed in November. They were involved with running a church for a few months. Westmount United Church in Oshawa from 1959 – 1966. Moved to Burnaby, British Columbia, and remained with the same church until 1986. He was also involved with the Burnaby North Community Association, and the building of a community centre in the area and the blocking of major high-rise development on East Hastings. Frank ran for mayor of Burnaby at one point and won most of the ridings in North Burnaby, but not the position. Frank is living with Leukemia to the time of this interview. Frank discusses the difference in attendance levels at churches in the Maritimes versus churches in Ontario. In his experience, the attendance was lower in provinces further to the West. He talks about St. James Church in Govan, Glasgow, and how the number of churches in Scotland has decreased over time. He said you could hear the roar of the Glasgow Rangers [Football Club] Fans from Govan. Frank has 2 relatives still in Scotland; he has travelled back at least 10 times, and plans to go back again. He feels Iona is an interesting place in terms of religious history. There were 56 different Presbyterian churches in Scotland prior to 1929, at which point many amalgamated to the United Presbyterian Church. The Church of Scotland is predominant in many areas, where the Free Presbyterian Church is dominant in the Highlands. Frank notes that in areas where the Free Church is the main denomination, many people will draw their blinds on Sundays for the Sabbath, and ferries will not travel (such as to the Isle of Lewis). However, these people will not abstain from drinking. Frank owns spectrophotometers from his great-grandfather’s distillery (for measuring sugar content) which have been in the business since 1812. Frank describes the Roman Catholic churches presence in Scotland in the 1700’s as an “ethnic cleansing”. He talks about the overall decline in church attendance in Canada over time, and notes that Pentecostal churches have not seen the same declines. He describes a decline in men entering the priesthood or attending theological studies, which he has seen in Vancouver. He provides a modest estimate that 10% of people are attending church regularly on Sunday in the Pacific Northwest. Frank’s feelings of “Scottishness” come from his time spent in Scotland – when he is there (particularly in the Highlands and in Glasgow), he feels at home, and is accepted as such. He describes the “Hielanman’s Umbrella” in Glasgow. Politics and religion were not major subjects of conversation in his family. He owns quite a few Scottish books, including writings by his family members. Daughter: Helen Ward. Does a lot of radio work and newspaper articles, as well as teaching English as a Second Language. Son: James Ward. Enjoys Scottish events such as Burns Dinners. Married a Mexican woman. He goes to the Scottish Cultural Center with his sons Santiago and Tomas. Santiago is one of the best in his age and division in B.C. for track and field. Favourite relative was Uncle Harold Babcock. He was mayor of Bath for a number of years. He was a very understanding and realistic man, who spoke with a great deal of respect and acceptance for people. Frank Ward hasn’t given much thought to the Scottish Nationalist Party and the 2014 referendum for independence, but he knows many people who are in favour of it. He thinks the desire for independence goes across political party lines.
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Date: 2012-05-29

Title: Interview of Angus Macpherson, 1; 2
Description: Angus Macpherson Nov 9 2011; Nov 14 2011 Born: Angus Macpherson, Dec 12 1951, in Johnstone, Scotland (between Paisley & Glasgow) First of four siblings (2 sisters and 1 brother). One sister lives in England, just north of Liverpool. She took music lessons for a time, but gave it up. Another lives in Oakville, and is married to a piper. She is a
Show moreAngus Macpherson Nov 9 2011; Nov 14 2011 Born: Angus Macpherson, Dec 12 1951, in Johnstone, Scotland (between Paisley & Glasgow) First of four siblings (2 sisters and 1 brother). One sister lives in England, just north of Liverpool. She took music lessons for a time, but gave it up. Another lives in Oakville, and is married to a piper. She is a former drummer with the Vancouver Ladies & Burnaby Ladies Pipe Band. Her son is a Pipe Major and also plays in the 78th Frasers, along with a daughter who is a tenor drummer. Youngest brother was a drummer with Triumph Street & City of Victoria Pipe Band. Father: John Macpherson, born in Glasgow Dec. 25 1922. Second oldest; older sister (lives in Vancouver), 2 younger brothers and a younger sister. Older sister fluent in Gaelic, as she was born on Skye. Younger sister was active member of the Gaelic Society; John did not speak it himself. Went to Harris often for holidays to visit family. A cousin named Andrew MacPherson owns a B&B in Portree. Both sides of his family were “wee freeze” Presbyterians, who did not take kindly to noise on Sundays. Paternal Grandfather: John Macpherson. Paternal Great-Grandfather: John Macpherson. Born on the Isle of Skye, raised outside Portree, and moved to Glasgow in late teens. Mother: Isabel Panayotou. Born in Glasgow in 1923, brought up on Argyle St. Paternal Grandfather: Athanaseos Panayotou, from Icaria, Greece. Maternal Grandmother: Born in Cushendun, Northern Ireland. Worked in a munitions factory during the First World War in Glasgow. Angus attended Netherlee Primary and Eastwood Secondary in Glasgow, and has happy memories of school in Scotland. He is still in touch with friends from Primary School. In Secondary, they wore uniforms, and boys and girls had separate classes. The belt was still used by teachers when he was in Secondary School. He played on the school and community soccer teams. They moved to New Westminster, British Columbia, when he was in grade 9. He noticed many differences between the school systems, such as uniforms, lockers, etc. Angus tried to get rid of his Scottish accent as soon as possible, as some people thought it sounded funny. He attended New Westminster Secondary School. Latin had been a required class back in Scotland, which was unique in B.C. He graduated in 1969 and then attended University of British Columbia for 3 years. He also worked with BCTel in the summers, and had just started the Triumph Street Band, so he left university to work at BCTel first time. Unfortunately they weren’t hiring, and so he was unemployed for a few months, before getting a job in inside sales for a steel manufacturer and distributor. Later became sales manager for BC in a different industrial steel distributor, due to retire in the next year. Moving to Canada: His father John worked as a crane driver at the docks in Glasgow. During the 1960’s, the shipping industry in town was no longer economically friendly. He already had 2 sisters living in B.C. which encouraged the move. The family almost moved to Australia instead. John ended up working as a custodian for BCTel to get started in Canada, before becoming a Sherriff’s Officer, which he did until retirement. The family flew on British United. He remembers a stewardess on the airplane mistook a passenger’s thick Scottish accent for Dutch/German. Angus didn’t want to move; he was 14, and was very connected to his friends and life in Scotland. Angus only recently got his Canadian citizenship, as he always had an idea that he may go back to Scotland. He remembers waking up his first morning in New Westminster, and found the electric wires and telephone lines completely foreign. He remembers going down to Columbia Street and buying Easter candy, which was another Canadian novelty, as it was Easter Holiday. Angus began playing bagpipes with the Boy’s Brigade at age 11, until the family left Scotland. His first teacher was named Billy Cline, who told Angus he would be a Pipe Major one day. The Boy’s Brigade was similar to the Boy Scouts, and had levels called “Knots”, “Lifeboys”, “Boy’s Brigade”, etc. with different uniforms. You could earn badges, and it was military style, similar to cadets. They did a lot of marching and performances. Not every Boy’s Brigade had a pipe band. He was part of the 231 Glasgow Company. In New Westminster, his cousin Drew had been taking piping lessons from Malcolm Nicholson, and Angus joined him. The Kiwanis Boy’s Pipe Band played in Santa Rosa, and got to perform at Disneyland. They were involved in many competitions such as the European Championships, but did not go to the World Pipe Band Championships. He was one of the founding members of the Triumph Street Pipe Band. His most influential piping instructor was Hal Senyk. Also took lessons from John A. MacLeod and Jimmy McMillan. He would listen to records of the Powell River Pipe Band and the Vancouver Ladies Pipe Band. He saw performers like Murray Henderson, Ian Morrison, and Donald MacPherson. He remembers the stories they told almost more so than the performances. He went to the World Championships with Triumph Street in 1976, 1979 and 1988. They won the drumming championship in 1979. Angus also taught with the Vancouver Ladies Pipe Band at that time, who won the Worlds in 1980, along with other championships to follow. Attended Worlds with the Port Moody Pipe Band in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2006, 2009 & 2010 (grade 2 level). Choosing music to perform is a collaborative effort amongst the band. The lead drummer creates the score, and players will create harmonies. Angus discusses the variety among bagpiping tunes, and predicts the bass section will increase in future bands. Medleys may go longer, and the format of championships may change. Wife: Judith (Judy) Patricia Taylor, born in Vancouver Sept 24, 1954. Went as a juvenile representative of the BC Pipers Association to the Montreal Expo and in Halifax. Member of Vancouver Ladies Pipe Band. American/English father, Scottish mother. Started bagpiping and Highland dancing at a very early age. Joined the Vancouver Ladies’ Pipe Band at age 9. She progressed to the Senior Amateur level and won the World Championships in 1983 with the VLPB. She met Angus at the Vancouver Ladies Winter Recital in 1968. Married in 1974. She had won awards long before Angus. Last played in the New Westminster Highland Games before her first child was born. Her Scottish grandparents: Mother’s father (last name Patterson) from Jemimaville, Black Isle, Mother’s mother (maiden name MacArthur) from Carloway. Children: Neil, born 1984 and Kathryn (Katie) born in 1986. Neil started playing bagpipes at age 10 with Robert Malcolm Pipe Band. Went to Scotland in grade 3 & grade 2 competitions. Then joined the Port Moody Pipe Band, and stayed until 2005. Katie also went through the ranks of Robert Malcolm, and moved on to Port Moody. Was in Highland dance from age 7 on, before giving it up for tenor drumming. Neil won a silver medal in Piobaireachd in Kansas. He always wanted to play with a band in Scotland, but Angus convinced him that the local Simon Fraser University Pipe Band was impressive in itself, and both Neil and Katie became members. They’ve attended Highland Games with Angus since they were born. Neil often went golfing and watched European FC Qualifying matches with his grandfather Macpherson, and played soccer growing up. Angus is set to retire and settle in Powell River, but is unsure if he will retire from piping. He describes the difference in level of commitment between Grade 1 & 2 pipe bands. He discusses the origin of the BCPA’s “knock-out” competitions, started by Donald Ross around 1971, and the early days of the BCPA. There were trios and drumming “knock-outs”, and it served a chance to get out in the off-season. Many bands now have members come in from around the world. He plays the New Westminster Remembrance Day service. Angus served as President for the BC Piper’s Association for several years. He was the youngest member of the Board when he first joined, around 1972. He held the Annual Gathering at Vancouver Technical School. Also on the Board of the Western Pipe Band Association for 5-6 years. He had the chance to meet many notable pipers, such as Jim Burgess. He is a big fan of newer Celtic bands. Angus keeps up with the politics in Scotland to a degree, such as the rise of the Scottish Nationalist Party. He has always retained strong feelings of “Scottishness”. He enjoys haggis and mashed “nips” (turnips), his wife always makes shortbread. His mother made huge Scottish breakfasts. He is fascinated by Scottish transportation (buses and ships).
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Date: 2011-11-09, 2011-11-14

Title: Interview of Willie McErlean
Description: Willie McErlean April 25 2012 Born: William James Farrell McErlean on Sept 11, 1931 in Glasgow, Scotland. He grew up in a tenement with his two sisters (one living in Portland, Oregon at time of interview). All of his siblings were born in the same bed in the tenement. He shared a bed with his Dad while his Mom shared with his older sister Dot. The
Show moreWillie McErlean April 25 2012 Born: William James Farrell McErlean on Sept 11, 1931 in Glasgow, Scotland. He grew up in a tenement with his two sisters (one living in Portland, Oregon at time of interview). All of his siblings were born in the same bed in the tenement. He shared a bed with his Dad while his Mom shared with his older sister Dot. The beds recessed into the walls. It was 3 stories high, and the bathroom was shared in the hallway on each floor. There was no heat in the bathrooms. The area where the tenement was located has changed now. Father: Andrew Arthur Augustus McErlean. Born in Belfast, Ireland around in the late 1800s. 89 when he passed. William never knew his father was Irish and didn’t ask much about his family. His father changed the pronunciation of the last name. Mother: Born Mary Elliot. Two brothers and two sisters. Her parents (Will’s grandparents) lived upstairs from them in the tenement building. Maternal Grandfather: Thomas Farrell. William attended primary school at Grove Street School in Glasgow. He attended a high school on St. George’s Road, and then it was “get a job or go in the Army”. His dad took him to the unemployment exchange at age 15, and he took the first job – in a stationary office called William Love & Sons. He continued to work there until he moved to America. Willie started on the drums in the Boy’s Brigade at age 12; it was something he’d always enjoyed. He stayed until age 17, when he went back and taught drumming. The Boy’s Brigade would have a band of nine boys with an older Pipe Major. He was also in the HLI Cadets & Pipe Band. He also played in the Highlander Pipe Band, but none of these bands were competitive. A man named Stuart taught him drums in Boy’s Brigade. James Thompson was his first drum instructor, who taught him the basics, step-by-step. William feels drummers may be rushed in nowadays. His biggest influences were Willie Patterson of the Clan MacCrae Society, and Irish drummer Patty Donovan. The Irish have a “jazzy” feeling to their drumming which William feels has influenced drumming today. John Wally of the Glasgow Police Pipe Band was another influence; Will never tried to model himself after anyone and tried his own style. Willie was Lead Tip with the Cadet Pipe Band around age 14. He was once in 3 bands at 1 time. He first came to America joining his sister in Portland, Oregon. The Portland Scottish Pipe Band paid his way to go to Edmonton, and he hated it. A man named Chester McNeil asked him to take over a drum group. He gathered two other drummers, and entered a competition as a drum corps called the Portland Scottish Band, as a B class. He has dabbled in side and tenor drum. He worked for another stationary company in Portland, until the Korean War broke out. He was drafted despite only being a permanent resident at the time. He was shipped to Camp Roberts, where it was 130 degrees Fahrenheit in the shade. He wasn’t able to drum while in the Army. He served for 2 years. He wrote to the commanding officer of a brass band in San Francisco in 1964. After the Army, he taught drums for the San Francisco Police Pipe Band. He worked for the police as a civilian employee. He was assigned to take reports and give out tickets in “Black neighbourhoods” – he wore a uniform, though different from an officer. He met his wife Theresa at Santa Rosa, where he was playing with the San Francisco Pipe Band. She played with the Vancouver Ladies’ Pipe Band. Her family was unsure of him at first as he was older. Donald Ramsey was the Pipe Major of the San Francisco Pipe Band. The band had 8 pipes, 3 sides, 2 tenors, and a bass drum. He was the best pipe major in Willie’s opinion – “always a gentleman”. Johnny Patterson was the lead drummer when Willie joined. Willie played with them for 4 years, before moving to Canada with Therese. In Vancouver, he worked at another stationary supply stores, until he got another job through fellow drummer Davie Bruce. He drummed for the Vancouver Ladies for a time. Angus MacPherson asked Willie to take over the ANAVETS (Army/Navy) Pipe Band, based out of Kingsway in Vancouver. They went to the Worlds twice – in 1978 and 1979. They won the ’79 World Drumming Championships in Nottingham. Jimmy Troy was there with the City of Victoria Pipe Band. Willie feels this was one of their best performances, although they usually placed in the top 3. Willie would recommend a new drummer get a good teacher with a good reputation, and then get to know the music. His favourite tunes included “Highland Wedding”, “Donald Cameron”, and “Loyal Highlanders”. He wasn’t allowed to choose the music he played as lead tip. He likes the Knightly drum, as it has a sharp sound. The type of drum a player used never impacted his judgement of them. He feels that Simon Fraser’s Pipe Band is disciplined and only takes on the best players. It attracts great players from all over the world. Growing up, William’s mother was the disciplinarian. She was a good housewife, and what they call a “French polisher”- she would polish tables until they gleamed, with a method from WWI used to shine the wings of planes. She would take odd jobs refinishing tables. None of his family members spoke Gaelic. His feelings of “Scottishness” have always been pronounced, as he never took much from his Irish roots, though he respects them. Politics and religion were not major topics in his family. His father was Catholic and his mother was Protestant, and Willie was raised Protestant. There was a Catholic and a Protestant school in his area, and kids went to one or the other. His favourite relative growing up was his Uncle Willie (his namesake); he lived in Springburn (in Glasgow) and had a toilet inside his apartment, which Willie thought was posh – he asked his mother, “Are they rich?” Coming to America, he travelled by airplane, and landed in New York. He got on the train to Portland, which took about 5 days. A sergeant from the US Army was getting off in Salt Lake, and looked out for him along the way. He arrived in Portland with a big bulky jacket in September, and was dressed too warmly for the season. He never experienced any discrimination in the US or Canada. In Vancouver, Willie worked shipping & receiving for Barber Ellis (stationary), a job he got through Davie Bruce. Willie has judged several drumming competitions in the past. Looking back on his life, he wishes he had more education, but it wasn’t an option due to money. He doesn’t have any opinions on the politics back in Scotland (such as the 2012 referendum for independence). His wife Theresa points out that jazz drumming has been a huge influence in Willie’s life. He grew up in the “big band” era, and would go to dances and watch the drummers. He admired people like Buddy Rich. He studied with a man named Joel Allen in San Francisco. Willie played with a jazz band at the Fairmont Hotel, where they brought in performers like Tony Bennett. He got to know many great drummers, such as Shelly Manne. One of his most memorable experiences was at the Jazz Workshop in San Francisco. He played with greats like David Van Kriedt; there were lots of quality local musicians in the area. Played for Danny Kaye, who was always very nice. Even met stars like Joel McCrea, Jimmy Stewart, Phil Harris and Art Linkletter. Willie didn’t play as much jazz in Vancouver. Andy White, a good friend of Willie’s, was another great jazz drummer. Willie has always tried to make his drumming “swing” the band, whether a pipe band or jazz band. He always enjoyed piano, and wishes he had taken it up. Billy Gladstone was one of the best symphony drummers in his opinion. He describes the difference in sound between drums, like rope drums, snares, etc. Willie was honoured with a salute by the Simon Fraser Drum Corps at the SFU Pipe Band concert at the Vogue Theatre.
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Date: 2012-04-25

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