The Scots are coming to Berea

A CELEBRATION of Scottish heritage is in the bagpipe-line as the Durban Caledonian Society gears up to host their Lassies Lunch at the Berea Bowling Club on Sunday, May 15 at 12:30 for 13:00.

The lunch will honour the women of the Society, said its chief, Dr Alex Coutts.
“Our committee is represented by both genders – there’s no gender discrimination at all. Indeed, the men are allowed a reasonable say in all of our decisions,” he joked.

Visitors who join the event can expect to experience Scottish culture through a country dance complete with the Caledonian Society Pipe Band and a Scottish trivia quiz to commemorate a Society steeped in history.
Coutts said the organisation was established in the 1800s.

ALSO READ: Aweh! Find out what’s popping in Durban this weekend

“No one is quite sure if it was founded in 1882 or 1883, but the Society has functioned actively since that time,” he added.
Today members meet every few months at the bowling club – in true Scottish tradition, with the pipe band and dancers entertaining attendees.
“Another encouraging note promoting out entertainment is that one of our committee members is an authority on whisky,” chuckled Coutts.
The Society serves to promote Scottish culture in KwaZulu-Natal and assist members facing difficult circumstances.
“We are proud of our Scottish dress, despite it being a bit awkward when sitting in a motor vehicle with a 50 cm long dirk at the hip,” said Coutts of the knife traditionally worn with a kilt.

Zulu and Scottish parallels

Sharing a bit of trivia about the traditional dress, Coutts said woollen tartan kilts were first made in the late 1700s with the English, or Sassenachs as Scots would say, established mills to produce them. From distant shores, the kilt also draws parallels with something much closer to home.
“It is encouraging to note that other peoples adopted a garment similar to the Scottish kilt and sporran. I’m not sure if the Americans ever got it right, but do respect the isinene and ibeshu, loin coverings that are historical, traditional Zulu wear,” said Coutts.

ALSO READ: Phansi Museum preserves Victorian designs

He drew further parallels between isiZulu and Scottish culture, saying both have chiefs, family clans, a cattle economy and powerful military tradition with shields and spears.

“The Scots were also the first nation to establish an excellent, nation-wide schooling system and Scottish intellectuals and inventors created a wide range of inventions in the field of engineering, medicine, technology and science amongst other domains. Scottish pipers displayed astonishing bravery during the world Wars,”added Coutts.

The entrance fee is R40 and booking is essential. Visitors can bring their own food and make use of the cash bar. Contact Molly on 067 269 9442.