****** As in previous years, Society members
are invited to use the Clan Macthomas website to send
Seasonal Greetings to clansfolk across the
world? ****** These messages can be viewed by
clicking here.
****** If you
would like to make use of this facility, please use the
following link to
send the text of your message to the Webmaster.
****** Added 28/11/2011 Updated
15/12/2011
St Andrew's Day in Inverurie
2011 *******
A couple of Clan MacThomas Society members are helping
to organise the St Andrew's day parade in Inverurie,
Aberdeenshire on the afternoon of Sunday 27th November
2011. ******* Would any other members
interested in marching in the parade please contact the
European Secretary as soon as possible. Thank you.
******* Added 31/10/2011
Clach A' Choilich ******
The Society is pleased to announce that 2011
edition of the Clach A'Choilich has now being printed.
Copies were mailed from the UK to all paid up members
across the world on Tuesday 25th October 2011.
****** Further
information about the magazine and this year's edition
of "Clach Extra" will appear on the website in the next
few of days. Please watch this space for further
information. ****** Added
20/10/2011
Clan Piper Wins Prize ******
We are delighted to report that Clan MacThomas Piper,
Alasdair Thom, has won the Silver medal Ceol
Mor (Piobaireachd) at the
Victorian Solo Piping Championships in Melbourne ,
Australia. This was an excellent performance in a strong
field. ****** The competition on 11th
September was the final event in the Victorian solo
season and draws players who might not otherwise compete
regularly. ****** Since moving from Scotland to
Australia some 12 months ago Alasdair has also been
placed in other light music events but this was his
first attempt at Ceol Mor. ****** Congratulations to Alasdair on a
great result. ****** Added
11/09/2011 Updated 21/09/2011
Society Extraordinary General Meeting 2011
E
G
M
***************
Members are reminded that the Society EGM will take
place in London on Saturday 19th November. Please see
below for further information.
*********
Will those intending to attend the meeting please use
this link to
advise the Society as soon as possible so that
appropriate arrangements can be made. Please use this Map to locate
the hotel.
*********
Members who are unable to attend in person are
encouraged to use the Proxy Voting facility that has
been provided on this website. Please click here if
you have already "logged on".
*********
IMPORTANT. The deadline for
receipt of your Proxy Votes is 6pm GMT on Friday 18th
November 2011.
*********
Added 09/11/2011
Updated 16/11/2011
Society Extraordinary General Meeting
2011
******
Further details have now been published
about the Clan MacThomas Society Extraordinary General
Meeting which is to be held on Saturday 19 November 2011
at The Grosvenor Hotel, 101 Buckingham Palace Road,
London, SW1W 0SJ, United Kingdom. ****** Biographies and
vision statements for the two candidates seeking
election to the Society Council can now be found in the
Members Secure area of the website. A proxy voting
facility is also available. Please log-on and then click
here
for further information. ****** If you are a Society member but
have not yet applied for a "log-on" then please click
here
and complete the request form. ****** We
encourage as many members as possible to vote - it is
your Society! ****** Added
02/10/2011
Hurricane in USA ****** Our thoughts are
with Clan members on the East coast of the United States
of America who are being affected by hurricane Irene.
****** Added 28/08/2011
Events in Norway
****
Clan members across the
world will have been shocked to have about recent events
in Norway.
******
We are pleased to be able
to report that all our members in that country are
safe.
******
However our thoughts must
go out to those who have suffered.
******
Added
23/07/2011
Website Anniversary 2011 ****** The new
Clan MacThomas Website was launched two years ago this
week. In those early days there was only a limited
number of pages and photographs, but over the months
since its launch it has grown supported by valuable
contributions from the membership. ****** The main change to
the site during the second year has been the addition of
a comprehensive Genealogy section. ****** Many thanks to
everyone for their contributions and supportive
comments. ****** Happy Birthday Website!!
****** Webmaster. ****** Added
09/07/2011
Strathardle Highland Gathering
Kirkmichael, Saturday 27th August
2011
*******
The Society will as usual sponsor
the Highland Dancing at the 130th Strathardle Highland
Gathering in Kirkmichael near our homelands in Scotland.
This gathering was first held in 1871 and, in addition
to the dancing, featured Piping, Heavyweight Events, and
Home Industries and Agricultual Shows. The Chief's
former Personal Piper, Dr Nigel Malcolm-Smith, will be
amongst the judges. The MacThomas Cup, in memory of
James Thomson, will be awarded.
********
<< Click on image
for
further details
and
maps.
********
Updated for 2011
09/07/2011
MacThomas in the Press - Again! ****** The "In and and
Around Perth and Perthshire" feature in last week's
Dundee Courier featured Clan MacThomas and the
forthcoming Gathering in Glenshee. The headline read
"Clan MacThomas set to March on Glenshee again" and the
article was illustrated by photographs of the 2008
Gathering. Further information will appear here in due
course. ****** Added 22/05/2011
MacThomas in the Scottish
Press ******
In advance of our Gathering in Glenshee at the end of
May, an article about Clan MacThomas appeared in the
15th March 2011 edition of the Perthshire Advertiser
newspaper. ****** The article summarised the
history of the Clan and included information about the
formation of the Society. ****** Please click here to read the full
article on the Perthshire Advertiser website. ****** We understand that
there will be more information about Clan MacThomas and
our Gathering in a future edition of the
newspaper. ****** Added 16/03/2011 Corrected
23/03/2011
Earthquake in
Japan ****** The
recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan must have been a
terrible shock to all of us coming, as it did, so soon
after the similar event in New Zealand. Our thoughts
must be with all those who have suffered in both
countries. ****** A number of Clan MacThomas
Society members from Scotland and Australia were in
Japan at the time of the disaster. We are now pleased to
be able to report that they were fortunately away from
the worst affected area and are safe. ****** Added
12/03/2011 Updated 16/03/2011
New Clan
Member ****** Society
Council Member for Glenshee, Ian B. Thomson, recently
became a Father for the forth time. ****** His new son,
Oliver John Thomson, was born at the Ninewells Hospital
in Dundee on 28th January 2011 and weighed in at nine
pounds, six ounces - that is 4.3 kgs for those members
who prefer metric. ****** It is reported that
mother and baby are doing well. ****** The question is whether Oliver
will become our new youngest Society member! ****** Please use this
link to send congratulatory messages to Ian. ****** Added
10/03/2011
Society Receives
Grant ****** We are
pleased to report that the Clan MacThomas Society has
received a grant from the Treasurer's employer,
Panasonic, to support some of our administration costs.
This will fund the purchase of a printer and consumables
and will allow us to do some of our printing in house.
****** We
qualified for this grant because Panasonic is keen to
support employees and pensioners who make a contribution
to society by volunteering and because our activities at
the Cockstane are seen as being "eco" or environmentally
friendly. ****** Added 09/03/2011 Updated 10/03/2011
Last year the Society
published for consultation a proposal for providing
members with a personal physical link with the Clan's
ancestral lands in Glenshee. Council sought the opinions
of members on the suggested policy.
******
The results of the consultation have now been
compiled and can be viewed in the Memorial Policy
section of the Members Secure area of this website. The
text of a motion on this topic to be put to the Society
AGM in May 2011 can also be found
there.
******
If you do not already have
access to the Members Secure Area please click here and complete the
application
form.
********
Added
28/02/2011
New Zealand Earthquake
*******
The recent
earthquake in New Zealand has been a shock to all of us.
At this time our thoughts should go to all MacThomas
clansmen who live in the Christchurch area. The majority
of our Society Members in New Zealand live in the North
Island. However we do have one member who lives about 50
miles south west of Christchurch. Let us just hope and
pray that he is unharmed. If we hear any news we will
update this news item.
******
Added 22/02/2011
Moosh plays the Blues
Click to enlarge
********
Many members will
be aware that Clan MacThomas Australian Branch
Secretary, Ken "Moosh" McColm plays the Saxophone in
various bands.
********
Last year Ken
played with the Blues Club band when they accompanied
Australian blues legend Dutch Tilders. Please click
here
to view their performance of the tune "Going on a
Journey" on U Tube.
********
Dutch Tilders is
currently unwell and the picture of Ken on the right was
taken at a recent benefit concert.
********
Ken has kindly
agreed to perform for members at the forthcoming Clan
Gathering in Glenshee - an event not to be
missed.
*******
Added 25/02/2011
New Year Newsletter 2011
********
The 2011 New Year
newsletter has been sent to all Society members
worldwide. It contains a message from MacThomaidh Mor,
final details of the 2011 Gathering in Glenshee
including an events booking form, and the agenda for the
2011 Annual General Meeting which will take place over
the Gathering weekend. For members who pay to the UK
there is also a subscription reminder.
******
An electronic
version of the this newsletter can now be dowloaded from
Members Secure area of the website.
*******
If you would like
to receive future copies of newsletters by e-mail then
please click here.
Thank you.
******
Added 19/02/2011
Australian Floods
*******
Members will no
doubt have seen or read the news of the dreadful floods
that have occurred recently in the Queensland area of
Australia. The Society's Australian Secretary has now
been able to make contact with all our members who live
in the effected area and is delighted to be able to
report that they and their families are all safe and
well.
*******
Added
19/01/2011
Rabbie Burns on the
Web
********
On this Burns Night, 25th January 2011, your
webmaster was keen to find something to put on the
website to celebrate the occasion. Whilst browsing the
web he came upon two different sections of the BBC
website that could be of interest to readers. The first
contains huge amounts of information about Robert Burns
himself together with numerous readings and the second
is an "On This Day" in Scottish history feature. Please
enjoy:
These links will be added to our links page in
due course.
********
Added 25/01/2011
Moved to Previous
25/01/2012
Seasonal Greetings 2010
********
Members are invited to use
the Clan Macthomas website to send Seasonal Greetings to
clansfolk across the world.
********
A page featuring these greetings can
now be found in the Members area of the website. Click
here to view
it.
********
Please use this link to send the text of your message to
the Webmaster.
********
Added 09/12/2010
Updated
11/12/2010
New Year Newsletter 2011
********
We understand that members are extremely busy at
this time of year and would probably prefer not to
receive a communication from the Society right now.
Council have therefore decided that the annual Clan
Newsletter from Scotland will not be mailed to you until
February.
********
The newsletter will contain
a message from the Chief, final details of the 2011
Gathering in Glenshee including an events booking form
and the agenda for the 2011 Annual General Meeting which
will take place over the Gathering weekend. For members
who pay to the UK there will also be a subscription
reminder.
*******
If you would like to
receive this newsletter by e-mail then please click
here to contact the Membership
Secretary. Thank you.
********
Added 18/12/2010
Moved to
Previous News 19/02/2011
A Silver St Andrew's Day
********
On St Andrew's
Day 2010 (30th November) our Chief and Lady Finegand,
Andrew and Anneke MacThomas, celebrate their Silver
Wedding Anniversary.
********
Congratulations
from all Clan Society Members worldwide.
********
To commemorate
this notable milestone we are publishing on the website
the report on their wedding which appeared in the 1986
edition of the Clach A Choilich. Please click here to
read this.
**********
Personal messages
of congratulations can be sent via the webmaster.
*********
Added 30/11/2010
Clach A' Choilich
********
The Society is pleased to announce that the 2010
edition of the Clach A' Choilich is complete and that
copies have now been mailed from the UK to members
worldwide.
********
For further information about the magazine or to
view this years edition of "Clach Extra" please click
here.
********
In the Extra section we are providing a link so
that you can let the editors have your opinions on this
year's magazine and also provide ideas for next year's
edition
********
Update
********
Problems with the distribution of
overseas copies of the Clach A' Choilich have now been
resolved and all current members should now have
received their copies. Will you please contact the
webmaster if your copy has not yet
arrived.
The Society has
published for consultation a proposal for providing
members with a personal physical link with the Clan's
ancestral lands in Glenshee. Council is keen to have the
opinions of as many members as possible on the suggested
policy.
********
The proposal will
be circulated to all members in the Clach A' Choilich at
the end of August. However members who have applied for
access to the Members Secure Area of this website can
view the proposal now by clicking
here and
respond using the form provided.
*******
If you would like
to apply for access to the Members Secure Area please
click here and
complete the application
form.
*******
Added 30/07/2010
Website Anniversary 2010
********
This new
Clan MacThomas Website was launched one year ago this
week. In those early days there was only a limited
number of pages and photographs, but all seemed to agree
that the new site was better than the one that it
replaced.
********
With considerable help from the membership we
have continued to add to the site and a recent count
showed that we now have something like 350 pages and 500
photographs - although a few will not be live at any one
time. Many thanks to everyone for their contributions
and supportive comments.
********
Please click here to read an article about the
website that appeared in a recent edition of the US and
Canada Branch newsletter.
********
Happy Birthday
Website!!
********
Webmaster.
********
Added 10/07/2010
Moved to Previous News
09/07/2011
Standing Council of Scottish
Chiefs
********
The Society is delighted to report that its President,
Andrew MacThomas of Finegand, the 19th Chief of Clan
MacThomas, was elected to the Executive Council of the
Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs at its Annual
General Meeting on 13th July 2010.
*********
It is a great
honour for our small Clan to have a its Chief on the
council of this important organisation and recognises
the work that Finegand has done over the years to
promote Scottish Clans in general and Clan MacThomas in
particular.
********
Congratulations
Finegand!
******
Please click here
to find out more about the Standing Council.
******
Added 15/07/2010
Clan Gathering 2011
********
It has already
been announced that the 2011 Clan Gathering will be be
based on the Dalmunzie Hotel in Glenshee over the
weekend of the 27th to 30th of May. Will members who are
planning to attend please use this Registration
Formto inform the
Society.
******
Please
click here for
further information about this important
event.
******
Further
photographs of the Dalmunzie Hotel, some taken this
year, will be added to the website
shortly.
******
Added
27/06/2010
The Cockstane(Clach na
Coileach)
********
The President and
Webmaster were in Glenshee towards the end of May 2010
and were keen to see how the new planting in the area
around the Cockstane had survived the terrible Scottish
winter. Locals had advised that the snow in the area had
been up to three feet deep. It was a pleasant surprise
to discover how little damage there had been and how
much new growth was evident. Please click heretoview some new photograhs
taken during the
visits.
********
Added
27/06/2010
40th Anniversary Dinner
Abden House
Edinburgh
******
Some thirty Clan
members, families and friends gathered at Abden House,
Edinburgh on 29th May 2010 for a Dinner to celebrate to
40th Anniversary of Andrew MacThomas of Finegand
becoming the 19th Chief of the Clan MacThomas. A
splendid five course dinner in wonderful surroundings
was enjoyed by all those present. The Vice President
spoke of the contribution that the Chief had made to the
Clan and the Society over 40 years and Finegand
responded. Music was provided by one of the Clan's own
pipers.
******
All fuller report
on this event together with photographs will appear in
due course.
******
Added 30/05/2010
Society AGM
*******
The Society's
Annual General meeting was held at the Minto Hotel,
Edinburgh on Saturday 29th May 2010. The meeting was
chaired by the President and fifteen or so members
attended. The European Secretary was elected to Council
and the US and Canada Convenor was re-elected. The
President thanked the Australian Secretary who has
retired from the Council. There was some lively
discussion on a number of the topics on the Agenda. The
full minutes of the meeting will be published in the
2010 edition of the Society Magazine, Clach A'
Choilich.
*******
Added 29/05/2010
40th Anniversary
********
Tuesday 18th May
2010 is the 40th anniverary of Andrew MacThomas of
Finegand becoming the Chief of Clan MacThomas and
President of the Clan Society. Many messages of
congratulation have been received from the Branches and
individual members and these can be viewed by
clicking here together with the Chief's response.
******
Members of the
Clan from the UK will gather in Edinburgh on 29th May to
celebrate this significant milestone. Click here for
full details of this event which is sadly now fully
booked.
*******
Added 17/05/2010
Updated 18/05/2010
Clan
Sennachie
******
We are delighted to report that our Chief, Andrew
MacThomas of Finegand, has today appointed Grahame Thom
to the role of Clan Sennachie.
******
Many Clan members
will already know Grahame who comes from Victoria in
Australia and has been a member of the Clan Society for
some 35 years. He is already the chairman of the Society
Archives Committee and has contributed much of the
information about genealogy on this
website.
******
One of the
key roles of the Sennachie is to advise members on
matters relating to genealogy and to assist them in
tracing their ancestors. This position has been vacant
since Roger Pye died in 2002.
******
This appointment,
which has been made personally by the Chief, is
particularly important at a time when interest in
genealogy is growing.
Clach A' Choilich ******* Preparation of the 2010 edition
of the Society's magazine, Clach A' Choilich, has
started. Contributions from members would be most
welcome. It is hoped that copies will be mailed to
members worldwide at the end of July. Copies of many
previous editions are still available from the
Treasurer. ******* Added 19/02/2010
Cockstane Update *******
During the 2008 Gathering at Glenshee the expert who had
designed the planting scheme for the trees around the
Cockstane noticed that the layout was not as originally
planned. Council felt that this was not ideal and asked
the original contactor to put things right. The price
that they quoted was not acceptable to the
Society. ******* And so it was
that in the Spring of 2009 the expert and Finegand found
themselves spending a couple of long days in
Scotland replanting trees in the pouring rain. In a
letter to the Society the expert writes "Finegand must
be the first MacThomas Chief for over 300 years to have
tilled the land in Glenshee. The clan is indeed lucky to
have such a devoted Chief". ******* The expert
assures us that he is totally confident that the trees
and shrubs are now all planted in the correct places and
that, in time, they will create a wonderful atmospheric
amphitheatre at the Cockstane and a lasting legacy for
the Clan MacThomas. ******* Last
Updated 19/2/2010
Dates for your Diaries
*********
The Society is
pleased to announce the following dates
Friday27th May 2011 to
- 2011 Clan Gathering based around the
Dalmunzie
Monday 30th May
2011 Castle Hotel in Glenshee,
Scotland.
- please
click here for
more details and the expected
itinerary.
*******
Full details will
also be published in the 2010 Society New Year
Newsletter which is currently being mailed to all
members.
*******
****
Stop Press ****
*******
New Year
Newsletters to all members in UK, Continental Europe,
Australia, New Zealand and South Africa have now been
mailed from the UK.
Copies for
members in the US and Canada have now been mailed from
the US.
If you would like
to recieve an advance copy by e-mail please click here.
*******
Added 30/12/2009
Updated 31/12/2009
Updated 08/01/2010
Updated 25/04/2010
New Honorary Vice President
********
We are delighted
that Rodney Thomas Mooney from the USA has accepted the
President's invitation to become an Honorary Vice
President of the Society with immediate affect. Rod has
been a member of the US and Canada Branch for many years
and is the editor of the Branch newsletter. Additionally
Rod acts as the Clan Bard.
The October
edition of the Scottish Banner newspaper, which was
recently published, features an interview with the 19th
Chief of Clan MacThomas, Andrew MacThomas of
Finegand.
Please click
here
for more information about the Scottish Banner
newspaper.
******
Click here to
see this edition of the Scottish
Banner.
******
Added 27/09/2009
Updated 30/09/2009 &
08/10/2009
Updated 12/02/2010
International Gathering of the
Clans
Edinburgh 24th
to 26th July 2009
******
The Clan was
represented at this unique event. We hosted a Clan
MacThomas tent in Holyrood Park on both the
Saturday & Sunday of the Gathering and also took
part in the Clan Parade up the Royal Mile to Edinburgh
Castle on the Saturday evening.
******
Further
information about our participation together with
photographs will appear here soon
******
For further details of this once in a lifetime
event please visit the Gathering website: www.clangathering.org
Clan MacThomas History
*******
The new book
on the "History of The Clan MacThomas" by Andrew
MacThomas of Finegand was launched at International
Gathering of the Clans in Edinburgh in 2009.
Clan Chattan Band of Union 2009 ******* Members will
probably know Clan MacThomas is one of twelve associated
clans of Clan Chattan and our chief, Andrew MacThomas of
Finegand, is a vice president of the Clan Chattan
Association. *******
2009 is the 400th anniversary of the signing of the
great 1609 Clan Chattan Band of Union which marked the
evolution of Clan Chattan as the first true 'super'
clan. To mark this anniversary Clan Chattan Association
hosted four days of celebrations and events in August
2009. At the heart of the celebrations was a modern day
re-signing in Inverness on 6th August of the Clan
Chattan Band with wording which reflects the clan
confederacy in the 21st century. Clan MacThomas was
represented at this ceremony by our Chief’s personal
piper, Mr Ron Thom. ******* Uniting the modern clan
online, the band is still available for Clan MacThomas
members around the world to sign online. This is a
unique opportunity to join in the making of history by
being part of the signing of the 21st century band.
******* To sign
the band or find out more information about the
celebrations please click here.
******* Updated 08/08/2009
Society Annual General Meeting 2009
********
The Society
Annual General Meeting was held at The MacDonald House
Hotel in Edinburgh on Sunday 26th July as part of the
International Gathering weekend.
The minutes
were circulated to members with the 2010 New Year
newsletter.
********
Updated
20.08.2009
Updated
30.12.2009
Moved to Earlier News
19/2/2010
Clach A' Choilich
*******
The
2009 edition of the Society's magazine, Clach A'
Choilich, was mailed to current members worldwide before
the International Gathering of the Clans in July 2009.
If you have not received your copy please contact the
Treasurer.
********
Last updated 20.08.2009
Moved to Earlier News
19/2/2010
Announcement
*******
The Society
is pleased to announce that anyone joining at the
International Gathering in Edinburgh or subsequently
joining using an application form collected at the
Gathering will be entered into a free prize draw to win:
*********
● The
unique membership number "A1000".
● A
refund of their subscription for 2009.
● An
item of Clan Merchandise.
********
Moved to Earlier News
19/2/2010
Strathardle Highland
Gathering
Kirkmichael 22nd August
2009
*******
The
Society as usual sponsored the Highland Dancing at the
128th Strathardle Highland Gathering in Kirkmichael near
our homelands in Scotland. This gathering was first held
in 1871 and, in addition to the dancing, featured
Piping, Heavyweight Events, and Home Industries and
Agricultural Shows. The Chief's former Personal Piper,
Dr Nigel Malcolm-Smith, was amongst the judges. The
MacThomas Cup, in memory of James Thomson, was awarded.
********
< Click image for
further details.
*******
*********
Moved to Earlier News
19/2/2010
Birthday Surprise
********
Clan Society
Vice President, Thomas MacThomas Younger of Finegand,
celebrated his 21st birthday in January 2008. At the
Gathering at Glenshee in August 2008, Tom was surprised
to presented with a crested sporran from the
membership.
*******
2008 Gathering at
Glenshee
*******
More
than 100 members, families and friends gathered in
Glenshee in August 2008 for the formal society gathering
which is now held every three years. We were please to
welcome visitors from Australia, USA and South Africa as
well those from all over the UK. On the Saturday morning
everyone gathered at the Cockstane for the official
re-opening after refurbishment in the presence of local
dignitaries. In the evening we met again at the Spittal
hotel for a dinner and Ceilidh. The 2008 AGM was held at
the Spittal hotel on the Sunday morning. A formal report
on the Gathering will appear in the 2009 edition of the
Clach A' Choilich.*********
Postal Delays in January
2010
*******
Due to very adverse weather
conditions in the UK mail is currently not
being delivered in certain areas. If you wish to
contact the Society officers urgently please try to use
e-mail.
*******
Our apologies for any
inconvenience caused.
*******
Added 08/01/2010
Moved to Earlier News
19/2/2010
UK Postal Dispute
************
It now seems extremely likely
that there could be a nationwide postal strike in the
UK. This may well disrupt the circulation of the
Society Christmas newsletter and also the next European
newsletter. Please contact the Society via this special
link if
you would like to receive newsletters via
e-mail.
********
The
distribution of newsletters in the US & Canada
should not be affected. However newsletters for members
in continental Europe, Australia, New Zealand and South
Africa are mailed from the UK and could therefore be
delayed.
********
Our apologies
for any inconvenience caused.
********
Added
08/10/2009
********
Update
********
Following considerable negotiation this
strike was called off at the very last minute.
However we would still
encourage members to register for electronic documents
since this guarantees the prompt arrival of your
newsletters - and saves work for already overworked
Society officers!!
The new
Clan MacThomas Website was launched two years ago this
week. In those early days there was only a limited
number of pages and photographs, but over the months
since its launch it has grown supported by valuable
contributions from the membership. 
The
recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan must have been a
terrible shock to all of us coming, as it did, so soon
after the similar event in New Zealand. Our thoughts
must be with all those who have suffered in both
countries. 
******* 
********
