Forfar West Church Choir Outing, 1928
Back row, L to R: Martha ('Pat') McCleod, Mrs Jamieson, Croom Wilson, Hannah Macdonald, Jean Hill
Front row: L to R: Miss Thomson, Nell Small, Andrew Lundie, Helen ("Nellie") McCleod
My aunt, Hannah Macdonald, on a trip to the Trossachs with her church choir. Two of her closest friends are on this photo - the McCleod sisters, Martha (usually known as 'Pat' for some reason) and Nellie. Their father, Mr McLeod, a pillar of the West Church, was popular with the Macdonald girls, who were quick to sniff out snobbery in an institution like 'the kirk' with its petty social distinctions. Mr. McLeod had "nae side aboot him". He was, according to Hannah, the 'perfect gentleman'. And again, not always so common in these days, he took a genuine interest in the doings of the younger generation. Pat remained in the family house at Lilybank, Forfar all her life. Hannah met up with her all the time. She was an enthusiastic leader in the Girl Guides and never married. Nelly married a fellow member of the West Church, Charlie Richie, who got a job as factor to the Seafield estates centred round Cullen in Banffshire. At that time the Countess of Seafield was reputedly the wealthiest woman in Scotland. Nellie became her unofficial companion, and as this was the thirties, it was the high life - cruising to the Bahamas, off to Cannes for the week, etcetera...To the Macdonald sisters Nellie's tales of life in the fast lane were the stuff of dreams, as most of the stories they'd heard were from below stairs, from friends who had gone into service in the 'big hooses'.
When I was a student in Aberdeen I visited Nellie and Charlie on the Seafield estate with my pal, Allan McCleod, who was from Cullen. Allan couldn't believe his luck - an entree into the inner sanctum of his local 'braws'. He didn't leave disappointed. Charlie had a REVOLVING drinks cabinet, and we revolved as well by the time we left. Allan said, "Ach he's no sae bad is Charlie. A' the folkey wirth baitherin' aboot tak a guid dram." (A sadly ironic remark coming from Allan.) With the death of the Countess her son, Lord Reidhaven, inherited as the 13th Earl of Seafield. Very much the new broom. But by that stage I think Charlie was nearing retirement anyway.
Forfar West Church Choir Outing, 1928
Back row, L to R: Martha ('Pat') McCleod, Mrs Jamieson, Croom Wilson, Hannah Macdonald, Jean Hill
Front row: L to R: Miss Thomson, Nell Small, Andrew Lundie, Helen ("Nellie") McCleod
My aunt, Hannah Macdonald, on a trip to the Trossachs with her church choir. Two of her closest friends are on this photo - the McCleod sisters, Martha (usually known as 'Pat' for some reason) and Nellie. Their father, Mr McLeod, a pillar of the West Church, was popular with the Macdonald girls, who were quick to sniff out snobbery in an institution like 'the kirk' with its petty social distinctions. Mr. McLeod had "nae side aboot him". He was, according to Hannah, the 'perfect gentleman'. And again, not always so common in these days, he took a genuine interest in the doings of the younger generation. Pat remained in the family house at Lilybank, Forfar all her life. Hannah met up with her all the time. She was an enthusiastic leader in the Girl Guides and never married. Nelly married a fellow member of the West Church, Charlie Richie, who got a job as factor to the Seafield estates centred round Cullen in Banffshire. At that time the Countess of Seafield was reputedly the wealthiest woman in Scotland. Nellie became her unofficial companion, and as this was the thirties, it was the high life - cruising to the Bahamas, off to Cannes for the week, etcetera...To the Macdonald sisters Nellie's tales of life in the fast lane were the stuff of dreams, as most of the stories they'd heard were from below stairs, from friends who had gone into service in the 'big hooses'.
When I was a student in Aberdeen I visited Nellie and Charlie on the Seafield estate with my pal, Allan McCleod, who was from Cullen. Allan couldn't believe his luck - an entree into the inner sanctum of his local 'braws'. He didn't leave disappointed. Charlie had a REVOLVING drinks cabinet, and we revolved as well by the time we left. Allan said, "Ach he's no sae bad is Charlie. A' the folkey wirth baitherin' aboot tak a guid dram." (A sadly ironic remark coming from Allan.) With the death of the Countess her son, Lord Reidhaven, inherited as the 13th Earl of Seafield. Very much the new broom. But by that stage I think Charlie was nearing retirement anyway.