Auckland Scottish Clans Association Annual Dinner
On a beautiful evening on Saturday the 28th of November 2020, the Annual Dinner of the Auckland Scottish Clans Association was held at the Parnell Hotel in Auckland.
Guests for the dinner began arriving at 6.00pm and at 6.30pm the Official Piper Charlotte Rhodes piped the guests to their seats. Once all the guests were seated, Charlotte piped in the Official Party, President Trevor Stewart and his wife Judi plus the Guest Speaker Clan Donald High Commissioner Andrew Wilkie.
Clan Donald Auckland was well represented with around sixteen members at the dinner. The Guest Speaker for the dinner was the Clan Donald High Commissioner Andrew Wilkie and he explained his role as High Commissioner and gave a brief history of Clan Donald.
From the left, Clan Donald Members Douglas Oldfield and his wife, Ella and James Donald, Clan Donald President Jim Murdoch, Murdock McDonald, Ann Marshall and Clan Donald High Commissioner Andrew Wilkie.
The President Trevor Stewart gave the Welcome Address to the guests
Malcolm Campbell then led the guests in singing the unofficial Scottish Anthem “The Flower of Scotland.”
James MacGee gave the Selkirk Grace, which was followed by the first course “The Cock-a-Leekie Soup” with freshly baked dinner rolls.
During the dinner there was the traditional Haggis Ceremony. The Haggis Party was led by the Piper Charlotte Rhodes and the Bard was James MacGee, with volunteers as the two Guards and the Haggis Bearer and Whisky Bearer.
James MacGee giving the “Ode to the Haggis.”
The entrée was the Haggis served with Tatties and Neeps.
The main course was served at the Buffet and was made up with a selection of salads and either Chicken Bonnie Prince Charlie – Grilled chicken breast; Creamed Leeks and smoked Haddock; Grilled Angus beef sirloin or Seared Scottish salmon. All served with Oven baked sweet potatoes with leeks and mushrooms and Feargus roasted potatoes. There was also Honey glazed ham from the Carvery.
The Guest Speaker High Commissioner Andrew Wilkie followed with his address.
The Dessert was a selection of Cloutie dumplings; Crunchy Apple & Rhubarb-Oat crumble or Tipsy Laird – raspberry trifle with sponge cake, plus Tea & Coffee.
There were the usual Toasts to Scotland, All Clans and Absent Friends.
Clan Donald Members Lynnette McDonald and Guy Sanders.
Jon and Dianne Winder from Clan Donald.
Finally, there was the traditional Auld Lang Syne led by Malcolm Campbell.
Followed by the piping out by Charlotte Rhodes of the Official Party of Trevor and Judi Stewart with Andrew and Pat Wilkie.
This brought an exciting flourish to the end of a great evening.