AboutKaye McAlpine Expertise Lifecycle (birth, marriage, death) customs in Scotland, Early Modern Scottish social
customs, modern Scottish social customs, Border March laws and procedures, criminal
processes and judicial execution practices, social history in Early Modern Scotland,
ephemera printing in Scotland. While I have knowledge of the clan system and function of
the clan society (Highland and Lowland), I am not a an expert in clan genealogy.
Experience Freelance tutor in outreach courses from Edinburgh University on Scottish Culture and Tradition, including lifecycle customs, broadsheet ballads in Scotland, the traditional ballad and history. Freelance writer, guest presenter on Ch4 History Hunters programme, contributor to BBC Radio Scotland's 'Songlines' series on 'The Dowie Dens of Yarrow'. Currently co-director of amedia production company
Publications Books: Forthcoming - Compendium of Scottish Ethnology, chapter on The Traditional and the Border Ballad; The Harris Repertoire (2000, Scottish Text Society, co-editor), The Ballad in History (chapter on Border ballads). Journals include Folklore, The Review of Scottish Culture,Sottish Studies, and The Scottish Literary Journal
Question My grandfather had a magnificent mounted stags head 16 pointer which traditionally passes from the eldest son (my father) to eldest son (me). I realise that the MacKenzie shield has a stags head and motto "Cuidich "N Righ" however I am unaware whether this tradition comes from Scottish Culture Heritage or if it was my grandfathers own idea ?
Answer Dear Bruce
I think you may have to contact or do some research into other families involved with shooting / stalking. I have read memoirs / biographies of stalkers and landowners various etc in the past and I never encountered the tradition.
When large houses pass down through families - esp. country houses - I suppose people inherit much of the content almost by default - but I think in this case passing the stags head on sound as if it's something your grandfather has started. And as it's continuing, it sounds as if he has started something that you are all happy to continue - just as it should be!
