[Next] [Previous] [Top] [Contents]
History of the House of Scotland
The President of the House of Scotland in 1970 was Harold Stuart, a former Navy Lieutenant Commander who was one of the few survivors when his Cruiser was sunk during World War II. He limited the keys to the cottage and could be found at the Park every single Sunday, rain or shine, opening the cottage for the hosts. He went on to become a president of the House of Pacific Relations, and in later years was a House of Scotland trustee. His first two years as president were followed by the election of Scottish-born Andrew Marshall. The following year, Stuart took over again for another year, followed by two terms by Irene Naismith, wife of piper James Naismith. The Naismith Targe, a perpetual trophy established by Irene in memory of her husband Jim just after his death, is a much coveted prize for piping at the San Diego Highland Games. Jim had come over to the House of Scotland Pipe Band from the Shriners' Pipe Band at the urging of his son Campbell, then Pipe Major of the House of Scotland Pipe Band.
In 1976, Betty Craig, who was active in the Daughters of Scotia, an auxiliary of the Cameron Clan, began serving three terms as President. She was followed by Geoff Richardson, who served for one year.
In the 1970's, the House of Scotland administered the award of a large perpetual silver loving cup provided by British Overseas Airways Corporation for caber turning. We still administer the award of the esteemed Kenneth Haywood Memorial Cup for the Best Aggregate Amateur Piper at the San Diego Highland Games, established in memory of the beloved young piper and son of John and Jessie Haywood. The House of Scotland also administers the large House of Scotland perpetual plaque for Best Drummer of the Day and the House of Scotland Award for the Best Sword Dance at the San Diego Highland Games. The winners names are inscribed on these trophies each year, and normally the trophies themselves are returned for display in the House of Scotland, while the winner keeps a specially made smaller "keeper" trophy or plaque. These awards are awarded in person to the winners by the president of the House of Scotland in the public awards ceremony at the Games. If any of the perpetual trophies are taken home, the coordinators of the various events at the Games ensure that they are brought back the following year.
Until now, all too little has been said about all the wonderful and popular Scottish Dance groups which have flourished during the history of the House of Scotland. Beth Sutorious' has truly been the "Grand Dame" of Scottish Dance in San Diego. Bruce Robertson, a popular young student of hers who preformed at countless House of Scotland events with the pipe band in the 1950's and'60's, recalls that Beth's huge dance school was enormously popular. It was so well run and full of so many excellent dancers that it was constantly called upon to provide entertainment for not only events all over San Diego, but all over Los Angeles as well.
In the 1970's With Campbell Naismith as Pipe Major of the House of Scotland Pipe Band, his wife Margo became teacher to the dancers who performed with the band. Chrissy Ambler gradually took over from Beth in later years and developed dancers for the Cameron Highlanders Pipe Band, and other teachers of Highland Dance and Scottish Country Dance flourished. Although originally Highland Dancing was done mostly by boys in Scotland, boys have traditionally had little encouragement to dance in the United States, so most pupils are girls. Of course, the Scottish Army Regiments still are well known for their young soldiers who perform the Sword Dance, and all the "Jocks" are very proud of this very fine tradition.
In 1980, James McNish, a member of the U.S. Navy, was elected President of the House of Scotland. Many years later, a friend of McNish recalled that when McNish was sworn in he was given a bottle of "McNish Whisky" as a present to christen his term, and he had a bit of trouble finding his chair when he went to sit back down (some scamp had apparently moved it).
Nineteen eighty-one saw Edna Horlor, the former San Diego Highland Games Secretary, begin two consecutive terms as President. During her second year in office, the House of Scotland was awarded membership in the Commonwealth Club of San Diego. Bob Maxton served the House of Scotland as its president in 1983 followed by another term for Edna Horlor.