by Gordon Casely
It is 200 years today since the foundation of the Royal Celtic Society, at a meeting in Oman’s Tavern in Edinburgh.
An almost like-for-like gathering of 20 members marked 200 years to the week since our foundation, on the very spot in Edinbrugh when our story began on Friday 7 January 1820. In both cases, some score of interested people attended, with today’s location being the Cafe Royal, sited where the foundation meeting occurred. Major differences were that our bicentennial was celebrated on a Saturday, and with the welcome change that ladies were present.
The lunch was preceded by an interview given by council member Lord Minginish (aka Roddy John MacLeod) to Ruairidh Maciver of the BBC, for Ruairidh’s Friday morning radio programme. Roddy John’s interview can be heard here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m000cntw
Our energetic chiarman Dr Alan Hay being unavoidably absent, proceedings were in the capable hands of vice-chairman Fiona Duck. In recalling the history of our founding meeting, she paid tribute to those who had maintained the Society down two centuries.
However, when Fiona gave formal announcement to the news that HRH The Princess Royal has become our patron for this special anniversary year, spontaneous applause broke out. The Princess Royal is known for her keen interest in matters concerning Scotland.
Fiona wisely stayed away from giving us the history, instead highlighting that the story of our 200 years is being told by Priscilla Scott in her forthcoming book. Dr Scott, a Gaelic speaking scholar, specialises in the history of women in 19th century Highland organisations.
The long luncheon afternoon was however a time for friendships new and old, a time to remember, share and enjoy. And the 20 present did just that.
There was one remarkable and continuing connection with that inaugural meeting of two hundred years ago, and it came through our secretary and treasurer Gordon Cameron.
One of those present at our inaugural meeting in 1820 was the Edinburgh lawyer Joseph Gordon. A Sutherland Highlander, he was appointed treasurer, holding office for 33 years until 1853. Joseph Gordon held legal partnership with Alexander Stuart, Society secretary for 18 years until 1864.
Alexander Stuart named his eldest son Joseph Gordon Stuart after his business partner. In the next generation, the law firm was managed by two first cousins, Joseph Gordon Stuart jnr. and George Malcolm Stuart, both of whom became council members. In due time, control of Stuart & Stuart passed to Josephine Gordon Stuart’s younger son, Joseph Gordon Stuart Cameron, Society treasurer from 1955 and secretary from 1968.
At his death in 1990, Joe Cameron was succeeded in both the Society and the law firm by his eldest son, Joseph Gordon Cameron, sixth generation of Stuart & Stuart to be involved with the Society. Thus today Gordon Cameron is both secretary and treasurer, linked in unbroken line to the first incumbent of his office two centuries ago.