Clan Currie to gather on Arran
The Currie Clan will return to their roots next week when more than 20 members of the clan from the US, Canada and Scotland will be visiting Arran for three days.
Following a family convention in Glasgow with the Lord Lyon, Dr Joseph Morrow QC, who will oversee the selection of a leader for the Currie family, a contingent will visit Arran, some on business, some for pleasure and others a return to their ancestral homeland.
Robert Currie, whose family were originally from Shiskine, will dedicate a plaque at the Clachan Church in Shiskine on Wednesday August 16 in memory of all Curries of Arran. This will take place at 2pm and will be led by Rev Angus Adamson and the Rev Dr David Currie.
Robert said: ‘My family were Arranites who lived in Shiskine and Kilmory. My great-greatgrandfather was Neill Currie who left for Canada with his wife Flora. Neill was the son of Peter Currie and Mary Crawford. Neil and Flora were married in 1828 at Kilmory.
‘After arriving in Quebec from Troon, Neill published a semi-autobiographical book entitled The religious experience of Neill Currie: A native of the Island of Arran, Scotland in 1846. Neill lamented over missing his beloved island and told rich stories of worshipping in the Preacher’s Cave near Kilpatrick. Many of my ancestors are buried at Kilmory and likely more at Shiskine.
‘By coincidence as well, I have had the pleasure of meeting Angus Adamson over several chapters of our respective lives. First, I was invited by my friend Charles Currie to hand out some of the trophies at the 1992 Brodick Highland Games and Adamson was the piping champion.
‘Later in 1997, Angus piped for my wife, daughters and I as we returned to Arran on the occasion of our 10th wedding anniversary to renew our vows at Kilmory Church.’
While visiting Arran, some members of the Currie family will be attending the ceilidh in Brodick on Wednesday night to test their Scottish country dancing skills.
The following day they will tour the Arran Distillery at Lochranza – which was also started by a Currie – and they will round off their visit with trips to the Heritage Museum and Brodick Castle. Time permitting, some of them hope to squeeze in a round of golf at Shiskine.
If there are any Curries who would like to take part in the family convention in Glasgow there is still time to register to participate by contacting the Rev Dr David Currie at currie convention@gmail.com. Any other Curries are also invited to attend the presentation of the plaque at the Clachan Church in Shiskine.
Following their visit to Arran, the Curries will be involved in a pre-show ceremony of the Edinburgh Military Tattoo where they will march up the Royal Mile onto Edinburgh Castle esplanade with their new leader, known as the Commander, while joining other Scottish clans and families.