e-mail: chiefcarm@aol.com web: www.carmichael.co.uk/clan

THE BROKEN SPEAR NEWSLETTER No. 41 DECEMBER 2007

Carmichael Family Engagements

Trish and I are proud to announce that our two daughters, Marama Clare and Sarah Jane, have both recently announced their engagements to be married.

Marama is to marry Taka from Japan in 2008 and Sarah will marry Randy from the USA in 2009. Neither couple seem to want a big Carmichael Scotland wedding, indeed, "where" in the world to marry seems the biggest challenge. In a world where fewer and fewer people are marrying at all we congratulate them all on their engagements and their commitment to one another.

Homecoming Scotland 2009.

As we foretold last year the Gathering 2009 is a 2-day coming together of clansmen and clanswomen from around the globe to be held in Holyrood Park Edinburgh on the weekend of 25th and 26th July. The highlight will be a Clan parade up the Royal Mile and an historie pageant of the clans in an arena on the Castie Esplanade. It will be the first time the clans will have gathered in such numbers in Edinburgh and Carmichael will definilely be there. Expect World Heavyweight Highland Games, Heavy Events Championships, pipę bands, highland dancing, traditional and contemporary music together with taste of Scotland experience by top local producers. In addition it will be possible to research family clan histories and genealogy alongside a host of other activities.

Organisers conservatively anticipate 8000 visitors and 30000 locals in the park for the parade and gathering but knowing Edinburgh city and its ability to hołd major parties and festivals I wouldn't be surprised if there were quite a few more than thal if their marketing is successful. Further information as the Homecoming develops can be found on www.clangathering.org

Bloodhound Law to track Carmichael's murderer.

One of the results of the murderof Str John Carmichael by Johnny Annstrong m 1600 was a new law that decreed that all the constables and iandcd men should keep bloodhounds on the Borders to track out thieves. This followed a letter dated April 26 1601 that James VI wrote to inform Lord Mar that it was his conclusion that thc incursions by the English on thc Borders were running unchecked and that the murderers of the laird olCarmichael were being protected by the English. He wrote again May 25 1602 that the outlawed Armstrongs - Carmichael's murderers - have during the last week ridden upon the Laird of Johnstone's lands and carried away his goods. Thc Grahames of Esk and Geordie Sandie (all Englishmen are particularly mentioned as protecting the Armstrong thieves adn the inefficiency of the English Warden, Lord Scrope was much complained of

Marama and Taka Marama has been living in Tokushima City, Japan for nearly 2 years, teaching English as a foreign Laguage. This picture is of Marama and hor fiance Taka at their engagement party on November 25th. We are looking foward to meeting Taka at Christmas.
	Sarah and Randy Sarah met her fiance Randy in Colorado at Steamboal Springs ski resort where she has worked as a ski instruetress for the last two winters. She has been a great help to us here over the summers working in the office and often taking charge. Randy visited Carmichael on holiday this summer and we were pleased to get to know him. He comes from Tennessee.
Andy and Terri Andy and Terri are still living and working in New Zealand, based in Auckland. Andy is an accountant for a Promotions Firm which include rugby tours and the Beijing Olympics in their portfolio. Terri has been studying aromatherapy massage. It has been a demanding and exciting course and we look forward to acting as guinea pigs.