[Editor's note: The commander's stops will take place Thanksgiving Monday (Oct. 14).
A smile crosses his face whenever he reflects on his deep Scottish roots.
On this later summer morning, Angus MacGillivray of Williams Point, Antigonish County, is outlining an upcoming visit to northeastern Nova Scotia by the clan commander for Clan MacGillivray.
“We are really excited and we want as many people to come out as possible,” Angus said.
Iain MacGillivray will begin his day with a special commemorative service at the Battle of Culloden Memorial Cairn in Knoydart, Pictou County.
The ceremony is scheduled for 10 a.m.
Later in the day, from 2 to 4 p.m., he will be the guest of honour for a meet-and-greet at the Antigonish Heritage Museum.
Organizers of the visits hope they will also serve as way to increase exposure and interest in becoming part of Clan MacGillivray.
“We want to celebrate our rich history,” Angus said.
During the conversation, he provided a thumbnail sketch of the clan’s history.
He noted the last chief to live at Dunmaglass was the 13th laird, Capt. John William MacGillivray, who had to sell his estate and died without an heir in 1914.
The chiefship then passed to a cousin, John Farquhar MacGillivray, who lived in Toronto. He was chief for 32 years, when he died without an heir in 1942. He was the last chief of Clan MacGillivray.
Col. George B. MacGillivray, later petitioned Lord Lyon King of Arms three times between, 1953 and 1989, to be recognized as chief. Lord Lyon, not satisfied with the proofs MacGillivray submitted, denied the request, but he did commission Col. George B. as commander of the clan.
That MacGillivray served as commander for five years before his death in 1994.
In 2016, five clan MacGillivary Societies of Scotland, United States, Canada, Australia and the Netherlands elected Iain MacGillivray as the clan's commander.
Angus noted the Clan MacGillivray International Association is planning to host an international gathering of the clan in Inverness, Scotland, from July 15 to 19, 2020.
“We would love to see a strong Canadian turnout,” he said.
Angus also encouraged “all those interested in joining our clan” to complete a membership application, which can be found on the Clan MacGillivray Association of Canada website - clanmacgillivraycanada.com
“It is an excellent web site with a large amount of work completed on the various lines of MacGillivray families in this area,” he added.
