AMERICAN TRIBUTE TO DAVID R ROSS |
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| Some of our American friends decided to make their own mark on our wee country by building a cairn for David. It was an ancient Celtic custom to erect a cairn, or a pile of stones, as a memorial of the good fame or infamy of the person buried underneath it. In either case, it was considered the duty of every passer-by to add a stone to the cairn. A common saying, referring to cairns erected in testimony of respect is: “Cuiridh mi clach ‘ad charn.” “I’ll add a stone to your cairn.” Here with thanks to Eric, Donovan and Caryl is a wee report on their own personal tribute to David. Date: 12 March, 2010, Friday afternoon. Place: Overlook on A87. Above Loch Lochy. Guide: Hugh Allison of Scottish Talespinner Tours, Nairn, SCO (former manager of Culloden Battlefield Centre). Also author of several books including “Culloden Tales.” Present: 40 Americans participating in The Albannach/David R. Ross Homecoming Tour 2010 organised by Celtic Force Enterprises Inc. Background: Hugh Allison joined the Tour Group at our request and we’d hired him to guide us through our day in The Highlands as well as the next morning at Culloden. Hugh is very knowledgeable in Scottish places, history, culture and lore. He grew up in Ft. William, the son of a medical doctor in General Practice. Hugh agreed to guide us for several reasons, most notably out of respect for David R. Ross. Hugh knew David professionally, having met him at many events held at Culloden. They’d also known each other through book publishing contacts. It was Hugh who had suggested the memorial gathering at the cairns. He had actually been hesitant to mention the idea, wondering if he’d not actually known David well enough to lead it. Perhaps it was too intimate and too forward of him, he wondered. But, we loved the idea so much, we’d encouraged him. And, Hugh had asked us to garner consent of Kimberley Ross before agreeing to the remembrance. Kimmie liked the idea, so we kept it quiet until the day of the ceremony. I purchased Scotch. Hugh brought cups. And we were ready to go out of Ft. William, traveling north on the bus. At the appropriate moment, Hugh asked the bus driver to slow down and informed the group we’d be getting out for a short bit. He wanted to share something with us. When we got out, he told the group that he’d wanted to find the appropriate place to acknowledge our friend, and his colleague David R. Ross. So, he told us the story (and significance) of the cairn. He also told us that he knew Davie liked this place. Had mentioned it in Desire Lines. Hugh even said he often uses Desire Lines to illustrate his own tours. So there is much connection of the moment with David Ross. Hugh continued, and told us of the Gaelic saying, “Cuiridh mi clach ‘ad charn” which translates to “I will carry a stone for you.” But Hugh explained that the saying means so much more. It’s not a “literal” meaning. It’s a symbolic one: “I will not forget you.” We piled stones up to make a small cairn. Hugh said those Gaelic words… asked us to remember… and think on coming back some day to this place. We then spent some quiet moments, each of us, then embarked on the bus to move on up to Inverness. We will not forget you Davie Ross. And, we will return. |
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Building The Cairn |
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Taking Shape Now |
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Almost There
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Not Cooking Whisky!! |
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A Few Private Moments |
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Donovan Says A Few Words From The Heart |
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Hugh Says A Few Words |
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One Of David's Favourite Views |
| © William Wallace Society 2007 |