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NLIS 5
August 8, 2001
(Tourism, Culture and Recreation) 

 

A celebration of Scottish heritage at the Commissariat House

Kevin Aylward, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, is pleased to extend an invitation to the general public to attend "A Wee Slice of the Highlands - A Celebration of Scottish Heritage" taking place on August 11 and 12 at the Commissariat House Provincial Historic Site.

"Government is committed to preserving and presenting the cultural diversity of the province and securing our heritage," said Aylward. "With the majority of Newfoundlanders descended from Irish and West Country English settlers, we often overlook the significant role played by the Scottish in the development of Newfoundland as a colony, province and country. The Scottish settled on the Avalon Peninsula and on the west coast of the province where they farmed. Counting among their ranks clergy, military personnel, merchants and British Foreign Service officials, including six governors, the Scottish who came to Newfoundland to settle or serve form an important facet of Newfoundland and Labrador's rich culture and history."

Built in 1820, Commissariat House was used for the offices and residence of the assistant commissary-general for Newfoundland, a British Government bureaucrat who oversaw the supply of payroll and victualling (providing the services of food and shelter) to the military garrison. Commissariat House has been restored to its original appearance as one of the finest homes in the province and today is one of the oldest wooden structures remaining in St. John's. It is truly exemplar of upper class life in late Georgian British North America. 

This weekend, Commissariat House is presenting a program to commemorate the tenure of Scotsman John Laidley, assistant commissary-general for Newfoundland from 1830-1838, who worked and resided in Commissariat House during our restoration period. The following is a schedule of events taking place throughout the weekend:

  • Saturday and Sunday from 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. - Jennifer Whifeild, "The Haggis Lady," will be cooking special Scottish dishes over an open fire. Samples of haggis, skirlie, scones and more will be offered. 
  • Saturday at 2:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. - The Royal Scottish Dance Society, St. John's Branch, will have you tapping your toes as you enjoy a demonstration of the age-old tradition of Scottish Dancing.
  • Saturday at 7:00 p.m. - Folklorist Joy Fraser will be on hand to present a lecture entitled, "Gie Her a Haggis!" - Haggis as food, legend and popular culture. Learn everything you wanted to know about this ancient Scottish specialty.
  • Sunday at 2:00 p.m. - Let your mind drift across the sea to the rugged hills and valleys of the Scottish highlands as you listen to the haunting sounds of the pipes and drums of The City of St. John's Pipe Band.
  • Sunday at 7:00 p.m. - Scottish Literature Scholar, Dr. Don Nichol, will be on hand to provide insight into Robert Louis Stevenson's Jeckyll and Hyde and its effect on modern culture. 
Media contact: Catherina Kennedy, Communications, (709)729-0928.

For more information on the event call (709)729-6730.

2001 08 08                                                    1:00 p.m.

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