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Wednesday, March 23, 2011

"Fiercer Than Fierceness Itself"


As I was posting my Saint Patrick’s Day blog and sharing my Scotch-Irish roots, I starting thinking about my Scottish Heritage. My great-grandmother was a Cameron. I have traced her family back to her grandfather, Ambrose Cameron, who was in Georgia in 1790s. I have no idea if he came directly from Scotland or his family immigrated to Ireland first. It really does not matter, because either way, I am a member of Clan Cameron!

I traveled to Scotland many years ago and visited several locations, including Edinburgh.
I was helping “stand guard” in front of Edinburgh Castle.




My big dream is to some day explore the Highlands of Scotland and see the Cameron lands and Archnacarry Castle, which is the home of the present day Chief of the Clan.

Through the years, I have collected many Scottish treasures and display them throughout my house.
They decorate my walls:

Here are Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Palace.




Crests of important cities



Laid of Grant and his son





My favorite is a painting of a member of Clan Cameron, which was a surprise Christmas gift from my husband many years ago.


Many treasures are on displayed on side tables:



This small box was purchased at a local antique store.






These charming figurines are reproductions, but I love them anyway!





The wee Edinburgh Castle came from Scotland.


Some treasures help educate me about all things Scottish – books and more books!





My Scottish treasures are sometimes used on my dining tables:

The “Cameron” tablecloth is from Crate and Barrel.





An Edinburgh crystal bowl – a much-loved gift from my husband.

Two Meakin plates:




One is from Alfred Meakin and is the “Edinburgh” pattern.







The other darling one is from J&G Meakin. It is the “Prince Charlie” pattern. I have seen only three others like it on the internet. One is in Australia, one is in New Zealand and the other one is in the US. I bought mine at an antique show in Leslie, Georgia. I would love to find a whole set of these!





The blanket keeps me warm on chilly days. I found it in a “Scottish Woollen” store on Princes Street in Edinburgh. It is the Cameron of Erracht pattern, which is the tartan of the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders military regiment.







I wear this clan pin on my jackets and coats in the winter.





My son wore this tiny Cameron of Lochiel tartan bow tie, when he was very small.





Two of these Scottish Santas from Horchow guard my mantle at Christmas time. I love the details of his kilt, bagpipe and sporran!

I hope that my ancestors would be happy that I am trying to keep my Scottish heritage alive. The Cameron war cry is “Sons of the hounds, come here and get flesh”. They sound like serious warriors, don't they? I think I prefer the motto on my crest badge, “Aonaibh ri cheile” (Unite) to pass on to my children and grandchildren. What could be better than a united family!
Have you started researching your family heritage? A complete family history is a wonderful gift to leave to your descendants. Perhaps, you will find a “fierce” ancestor in your family tree. Happy hunting!





“Here’s tae the health, the hill and the heather
The bonnet, the plaid, the kilt and the feather”

19 comments:

  1. Being of Scots Irish descent too, I love your Clan Cameron tablescape and especially your Staffordshire figures. Isn't it great to celebrate your family's heritage?

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  2. Clan Douglas here! Love your post. I just think there is something special about Scotland ... If you didn't see my Scottish St. Pat's Day tablescape ... see it here! http://dlmsliceofpie.blogspot.com/2011/03/scottish-st-patricks-day-table.html

    Thanks for sharing!

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  3. You brought wonderful memories of a trip I made to Scotland in 1984. I picked up scarves for my family to celebrate our ancestors in clan Mitchell.

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  4. What wonderful art you have! It's cool to bring your origins into your home as you have done.

    =)

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  5. I so enjoyed all your Scottish treasures -- especially loved the Santas and the china. I do know some of my history, but nothing so grand as belonging to a clan. Thanks! Joni

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  6. Gorgeous Tartan...I am currently colecting as many Tartan items as I can so that I can put together a scottish dinner party! I hve a number of Scottish friends here in New Zealand and want to make it a Haggis night!!

    Great blog..i'm gonna follow you!! Thanks

    Jo

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  7. Love all your Scottish treasures. I live in Scotland and don't think I have as many Scottish things!
    Liz

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  8. What gorgeous Scottish treasures you have!! Love the dishes and that painting is beautiful! Thanks for sharing at FNF! :)

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  9. Oh I love this -- I come from McCrary's -- also Ryce and Mebane's. Love all your wonderful plaids and Scottish treasures.

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  10. Such treasures.

    It's wonderful to have you be a part of Seasonal Sundays!

    - The Tablescaper

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  11. Oh, I do have Scottish roots. I love all of your wonderful Scottish things especially the figurines. How many wonderful travels you have had. Thanks for linking up!
    Sherry

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  12. I love your vignette on the plaid tablecloth. Those Scottish figures are wonderful (even if they are reproductions). And oh, I adore that Meikin plate with the Scottish figures on it! Thank you for linking all of this wonderful Scottish decor to Favorite Things. laurie

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  13. I'm Scotch-Irish! I love researching family history.

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  14. What a xceptional vignette.

    Your Scottish theme is fabulous and even more so because it's relevant to your family history.

    I really enjoyed visiting you.

    A+ and my apologies for being so late this week.

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  15. Diane, I popped over from you Christmas table post. Thanks for the link. I had missed this one when you first posted it. Fun to see all your treasures and read about your clan. You have some wonderful pieces.

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  16. Awesome!!! Hi, from a Stewart, Hay, Fraser, Douglas, MacKenzie, Shaw, etc. woman!

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