Colonel John Gordon of Glenbuchat

There is still time to book for the Clan Hay Society's first lecture of the 2022 season.  On Saturday 19 February, at 7.00 pm UK time via Zoom, Burgess Hay will speak on the theme We were aye Jacobites, looking at the wider Hay kindred's general support for the Jacobite movement through the 18th century, whose objective was to return the Royal House of Stuart to the throne, in the persons of Prince James Francis Edward, and his son Prince Charles Edward, universally known as Bonnie Prince Charlie.

As a case study, Burgess will draw on his own family history.  He descends from a family with a fascinating history in its own right, for many generations tenant farmers of Badenyon in the Aberdeenshire parish of Strathdon, on the estate of the renowned Jacobite Colonel John Gordon of Glenbuchat, a man who wielded his sword in every Jacobite conflict from the Battle of Killiecrankie in 1689 to the Battle of Culloden 57 years later.

Regular attenders at these lectures will be familiar with Burgess, who led a memorable session last year entitled Meet the bagpipe maker.  Burgess runs a successful bagpipe manufacturing business in Forres, Morayshire.  His lecture was supported by outstanding performances from his son Scott, a multi award winning piper, who entertained us on all three varieties of bagpipes native to Scotland, the Great Highland Bagpipe, the Small Pipes, and the Border Pipes.

Burgess is much involved with the National Trust for Scotland at the site of the battlefield of Culloden, where his ancestor William Hay fought in 1746, and will draw on his extensive knowledge of the iconic battle as part of his lecture.  William Hay was Burgess's 6x great grandfather and carried arms throughout the Forty Five rising.

Email alan.hay@carreraslathane.com for an invitation to the Zoom meeting.  Please note that places are limited and priority will be given to members of the Clan Hay Society.