Branch Activities - 2008
 
June 7th 2008 - Mount Hermon Cemetery

A celebration was held last June 7 th at Mount Hermon Ceremony to honor the men, women and institutions of Scottish origin that have contributed to the history and development of Quebec City.

Rev. Hayes, Presbyterian minister of St. Andrew's Church, tells us about the Rev. Dr. John Cook who was the Presbyterian minister of St. Andrew's Church from 1836 to 1884. He also was one of the founders of Morrin College and Mt Hermon Cemetery in Quebec City as well as of Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario.

Members of Clan Ross present at the ceremony: Marc Ross Lestage, organizer of the celebration. Suzanne Delorme, president of the Association du Clan Ross du Québec.

Sylvain Ross, piper

To indicate that Scots continue to immigrate to Canada, Capt. Jacques Mackay of the 78 th Fraser Highlanders gave the example of Ted's parents who came from Scotland, Hector in 1912 and Jane in 1931.

At the monument commemorating the disaster of the Montreal that occurred on June 26 th , 1857 at Cap Rouge near Quebec City. 179 of the 253 victims are buried in this lot.

This was a very moving ceremony. Mr. Denis Robitaille, author of the book ‘ Une Nuit, un Capitaine ' sang a song that had been found in the pocket of John Downie, one of the victims of the tragedy, entitled ‘ Oh! Why Left I My Home '.

 
April 6th 2008 - Tartan Day

We started our celebrations with a well attended Kirkin' o' the Tartan ceremony at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, probably the first time that this ceremony was performed in Quebec City .

Courtesy of Michel Cescas
Diane Lacombe came from Montreal to spend time with Clan Gunn members and have her own Gunn tartan blessed at the Kirkin' o' the Tartan. She is the author of a novel about a Viking named Gunni.

Author Diane Lacombe (2 nd from left) joins Clan Gunn members

In spite of the inclement weather, there was a good crowd on hand. Mr. Jacques Joli-Coeur, Deputy Mayor of the City of Quebec, welcomed our group. He was accompanied by Mrs. Catherine Morissette, Quebec Member of Parliament for the county of Charlesbourg . The Scottish flag was raised to the sound of the bagpipes and everyone followed our 78 th Fraser Highlanders through the streets of Old Quebec .

Flag raising ceremony at City Hall
 

78 th Fraser Highlanders leaving City Hall. In front, Hamish Williamson carries the Saltire, Richard MacKay the Lion Rampant and Marc-Aurèle Chabot, the Tartan Day poster.

Courtesy of Marcel Bourgeois Courtesy of Marcel Bernier
 
 
 
 
January 26th 2008 Robbie Burns Dinner

Our Robbie Burns' dinner held at the Quebec City Garrison Club was well attended. Everyone enjoyed the special presentations by our MC Simon Farnell-Morisset and Ted Gunn with the Toast to a Haggis. Guy Morisset, the officer commanding of Fort St. Andrew's Garrison of the 78 th Fraser Highlanders, welcomed everyone and Hamish Williamson entertained us to Robbie's best known poems. The younger members of the garrison also presented amusing sketches about life as a soldier in the 18 th Century. All through the evening guests were invited to share in the sing-song.

 
2008 - The Year of the Big Snow  

Photo taken following a snowstorm.