Newsletter - October 2005
The memorial event for James Hunter Blair held here on 15 August was a
great success.
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Over 600 friends from near and far
gathered for a short religious ceremony, followed by a perfectly crafted
eulogy written and delivered by James’ great friend Nigel Buchanan. A
recital by Arlene Rolf, a past student of the Royal Scottish Academy of
Music and Drama, launched the Bursary Fund held by the RSAMD to support
local students who wish to study at the Academy.
The Fund currently
stands at about £13,000. Thank you to all of you who have contributed
most generously. In the best tradition, I can tell you that the
opportunity to subscribe is still there should you feel moved so to do.
Naturally, we could not let the occasion pass without planting an oak
tree in James’ memory, which I hope will survive for many years linking
past generations of the family at Blairquhan with generations yet to
come. |
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Eulogy
by Nigel Buchanan
Planting the oak tree |
August was a busy month because we were also open to
the public. The final day was held under the auspices of Scotland’s
Garden Scheme, with several charities benefiting from the large
attendance. We also managed to host two weddings, a troupe of dancers, a
gaggle of American golfers and a Swedish family birthday party. We also
hosted a Treasure Hunt organised by the local branch of a political
party. I won’t name the party for fear of discouraging others. Suffice
to say they will have a new leader soon. Of course, Blairquhan, being an
inclusive sort of a set up, would be happy to welcome other mainstream
political parties.
In September the big excitement for us all was when
the castle was chosen as the location for a feature film. I am probably
not yet allowed to say what it was about, but we were doubling for a
well-known castle in Royal Deeside, and at least one of the stars had a
penchant for reading Laurens van der Post books. Helen Mirren and Sylvia
Simms were the two actors of whom I had heard, others of you, more
frequent cinema attenders than us, may have heard of others. The film
crew were here for three weeks and there was a huge buzz about the
place, with the highlight for some members of staff (and family) being
dinner on the crew’s double-decker bus chuck-wagon.
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The National Trust for Scotland visited us in two
different guises during October. Firstly, the staff and volunteers from
Newhailes spent an afternoon with us. They were delighted finally to
find in the museum evidence of the link between the Dalrymples at
Newhailes. ( A bottle of Blairquhan Malt for the first person to tell me
what the connection is.) The National Trust Patrons’ Club stayed with us
for two nights, dining at Culzean on the first night and with us the
second night. Their entourage included the President, the immediate past
Chairman and the new Chairman. |
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A memorable occasion |
The shooting season is now well under way and
everything is going according to plan. The salmon season on the river
finished well, although it was well into September before we had
sufficient rain to bring fresh fish up the river.
The family is all settling in well here to our new
life, with occasional pangs for friends back in Northern Ireland. The
timely arrival of old friends (and not so old) in August and PlayBoard
in September lifted all our spirits and assured the continuing links to
much missed friends, neighbours and colleagues.
The twins' birthday party! |
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We have just had a
6th birthday party for the twins, in the castle to which they
invited the whole of Straiton Primary School, (clue: not that many), and a few more.
It could well be the first family children’s party in the house for
about sixty years, and I am happy to report that buildings, staff and
family seem to have survived. |
Finally, we all wish Helen, our loyal Housekeeper (and
fourth generation employee at Blairquhan) a speedy recovery from her
recent illness.
~
Patrick Hunter Blair ~
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