Clan MacLeod of Greater Vancouver

Clan MacLeod of Greater Vancouver
Fraser River Paddlewheeler Excursion

Monday, January 20, 2020


Robbie Burns Dinner



Clan MacLeod joins Lord of the Isles 
to celebrate Robbie Burns

And there’s a hand, my trusty fiere
And gie’s ahand o’thine!
And we’ll tak’ a right guid-willie waught.
For auld lang syne.

Clan MacLeod welcomed many new comers to Robbie Burns

The Clan MacLeod members enjoyed the Lord of the Isles Robbie Burns Dinner, which  featured an open bar, traditional Roast Beef buffet (including haggis) presented by Sugar Mountain Catering, a Toast to the Haggis, a Toast to the Immortal Memory, as well as a Toast and Response to the Lassies.  Once dinner was complete, there was entertainment provided by the Johnston/Black School of Highland Dancing, Piper Jamie McGrath and The Digby Scallops.


Everyone enjoyed the toasts, especially all the information about Robbie Burns from Ian
MacLeod and the tips on how to deal with Lassies and Laddies by Nathan Wishloff and Mary Fox.  Iain MacDonald gave a stirring Toast to the Haggis in broad Scots.















The laddies obliged the Highland Dancers with their version of the Highland Fling.  They may want to brush up on their steps but were not lacking in enthusiasm.










The traditional MacLeod of Lewis Tartan along with the MacLeod of Canada Tartan (designed by Ian)

Thank you to the Lord of the Isles for including Clans MacLeod and MacKenzie and welcome to the first time Robbie Burns attendees.  Special thanks to organizers John Todd and Bev MacLeod and emcee Iain Blake.

To Sum Up All
Be Merry I Advise
And as We’re Merry,
May We Be Wise













Wednesday, August 7, 2019

Highland Games 2019

Highland Games 2019 –
Lafarge Lake – Coquitlam 

Clan MacLeod President, Judy Tipple 

Although our numbers were small this year, Clan MacLeod members enthusiastically participated in the 2019 Highland Games.  The venue was changed from Percy Perry Stadium to the grounds of Lafarge Lake, where the majority of Coquitlam events are held.  This allowed more space for vendors, clans, dancers and the actual highland games. And….next year there should be proper washroom facilities!

There were food trucks near our tent and various activities going on around us. we enjoyed meeting the many visitors to our tent, including young and old alike looking for a stamp to confirm they spotted the elusive Haggis.  We were situated next to Clan MacKenzie and established contact with them to support the tow Clans 2017 reconciliation. 

We didn’t experience the true Scottish weather this year so all of us were happy about that.  A good day to celebrate our Scottish heritage.



Unfortunately the facilities were porta- potties!  
No worries about signage.  



Robbie Burns 2019

Robbie Burns 2019




This year Clan MacLeod Greater Vancouver Society attended Robbie Burns Celebration help by Lords of the Isles (formerly Sons of Scotland) at the Centennial Lodge in Queen's Park New Westminster.  The venue was lovely, the food delicious, the toasts and addresses enlightening and humorous and the entertainment was first class.  Everyone enjoyed a wonderful evening.



Highland Games 2018

 Events 2018

Highland Games
Percy Perry Stadium Coquitlam
Saturday June 18th 2018


Several members of Clan MacLeod Greater Vancouver Society attended the 2018 Highland Games, proudly displaying our new banner, helping visitors with finding clans on our map and stamping the passports for the Haggis Critter Search for children (and some adults) and marching in the Clan parade.


There was lots to see and do at the Games, including Whiskey Tasting, Heavy Games Competitions, Shopping for Scottish items, Highland Dancing, Beer Gardens, British Cars, and the highlight of the Massed Bands to close the event.
There was even Scottish-Indian dancing.











Thursday, February 1, 2018

Robbie Burns 2018


Clan MacLeod Society 
Events for 2018

28th Annual Robbie Burns Dinner (at mid-day)
 January 28 2018





Three generations keeping Robbie Burns' memory alive in Richmond

The MacLeod family, from grandfather to granddaughter, is doing its best to mark the birthday of the famous Scots poet



 Just like every other year, MacLeod will be centre stage at the annual, Clan MacLeod Society Robbie Burns Dinner, making the traditional speeches of the opening Address to the Haggis and The Immortal Memory to mark the birth of Scotland’s world famous poet.
But for the first time, on Sunday, Jan. 28 at Richmond Curling Club, he will be joined in the order of proceedings by his daughter, Melanie Bolton, 40, and granddaughter Tayler, 11, who will be doing a joint version of The Response to the Toast to the Lassies, a more off-the-cuff speech, usually at the end of the event.
Suffice to say, MacLeod will be a very proud father and grandfather on Sunday afternoon.
“This is the first time they’ve taken this role and, obviously, the first time we’ve all done it together, so it will be pretty special,” said MacLeod, director of the local Clan MacLeod society and the organization’s former, national president.
“It’s great to see younger people trying to keep the tradition going, but when they’re your family and are across three generations, it’s extra special. It gives me immense pride.”
For the uninitiated, Burns, an 18th century taxman-turned-poet, is one of Scotland’s most famous exports, most notably in global circles as the author of the New Year’s song Auld Lang Syne.
The only non-religious figures with more statues erected around the globe than Burns are Queen Victoria and Christopher Columbus.
And the work of Burns has influenced many a great human being, such as musician Bob Dylan, U.S. president Abraham Lincoln and author John Steinbeck.
Burns short, but colourful, 37 years of life on the planet are remembered around the world on or about Jan. 25, with Burns “Suppers,” “Dinners” or “Nights,” usually accompanied by recitals of Burns’ poetry, a ceremonial haggis (traditional Scots dish), highland dancing and the aforementioned addresses, such as the ones being performed by the MacLeods.
MacLeod – who is fifth-generation Canadian, but considers his heritage as “Highland Scottish – has twice attended the Clan MacLeod's world gathering on the Isle of Skye, held every four years, and his proud of his deep Gaelic and Cape Breton roots, although his Scottish parents met in Trinidad and Tobago.
He is, however, eager to encourage the younger generations to get involved, with an apparent decline worldwide in membership among Scottish historical organizations.
“All of the Scottish societies across Canada are having trouble getting people in,” said MacLeod.
“There has been resurgence in numbers off and on over the years, such as in the 1980s, when the movie Highlander came out, followed by a TV show of the same name. But it’s went down again.”
And the big question, do you eat haggis?
“No,” laughed MacLeod.



 “For two reasons: It’s not regularly available and it’s not something my wife would usually be interested in.”
/ Richmond News
January 24, 2018 12:00 PM

Entertainment by The Stave Fall Scottish Dancers 



























This photo was in the local "Mission Record" newspaper last week of our Norm MacLeod.  The picture was on the cover of the newspaper with the following heading.  

"Mission Assistant Fire Chief Norm MacLeod delivers the "Address to the Haggis" during the 10th annual Robbie Burns Supper and Dance on Saturday.  The event, hosted by the Mission chapter of the Canadian Cancer Society, was held at Chartwell Cedarbrooke (Seniors' Residence) in memory of the late Jimmy Logan, former president of the society."

The paper used only the right half of the picture, just of Norm without the piper on the newspaper cover.   Note the picture courtesy of Bob Friesen of the "Mission Record."

More News Coverage for Clan MacLeod:
The Richmond News had a photographer at the first part of our Burns dinner on Sunday.  We got a full page of coverage (page A29)!
Attached is a scan of that page.

Likewise, if any of you want a clearer digital cope of any of those pictures and you can't download them from the above link, I have the photographer's digital files and can forward the desired pictures to you.
Ian