Flowers of the Forest
When we lose a CMW friend or family member, we like to include their name in a Clan gathering so their passing can be memorialized. The tune “Flowers of the Forest” is played by a lone piper. It is a moving moment for all. So I wandered into the internet to find out why this particular tune is played. I found this:
“Why is Flowers of the Forest played at funerals?
In late 1942, according to the late Duchess of Windsor's Memoir, The Duke of Windsor asked that it be played at the funeral of his brother, the Duke of Kent, who was killed in a plane crash in the Highlands. Apparently it was a personal favourite of Prince George, Duke of Kent.” (Google search, 3 Dec 2021).
If you haven’t heard the tune, you can listen to it here, sung by Isla St. Clair, and followed with the pipes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTkGNcntD7s
And with that, we are sad to hear of the passing two of our CMW family: David Starbuck and Lynn Allgier, but know that we can see them off with good thoughts and memories. Both will be missed.
David R. Starbuck: Archaeologist, author and professor passed away 27 December 2020. David was from New York. Clan MacFarlane Worldwide carried his book regarding a dig in Scotland about MacFarlanes.
You can read his obit here: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/timesunion-albany/name/david-starbuck-obituary?id=5060055
Or read a remembrance from the Shaker Museum:
Lynn James McFarland-Allgier: (1940-2021). mechanical engineer. Lynn passed away 18 March 2021. Lynn was from Utah and leaves behind a lovely family. We had the pleasure of meeting him at one of our first Annual Members' Meeting at Thanksgiving Point, Utah.
You can read his obit at: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/saltlaketribune/name/lynn-allgier-obituary?id=6990669
Should you have a family member you would like to memorialize with a Flowers of the Forest, please contact me: Marie Robb at
Welcome Back to Scotland! The National Trust of Scotland
House of Dun near Montrose
Enjoy the latest news from the National Trust for Scotland! Select the photo above to access the latest.
MacFarlanes and the Olympics
I’m so excited! I have watched the Olympics every year (well, there was that year when Jimmy Carter was in office…) My parents must have started me on this. Once my husband and I returned from active duty in the Navy, we did full-time house sitting for parents because Dad had taken a position with Phillips Petroleum and moved to Norway with Mom. Unfortunately, they didn’t have the same coverage of the Olympics that we had. So, my husband and I were tasked with recording as much of the Olympics as possible, and then shipping the VHS tapes to Norway.
It was a daunting task, but one we loved. Hours of coverage were dutifully shipped off to Norway. Runners, basketball, ice hockey, gymnastics were all enjoyed here as well as in my folks’ living room. Winter and summer Olympics were delivered to my folks so they could continue their own tradition of rooting on the home team.
So here we are in 2021 and waiting for the opening ceremonies in Japan. Mixed feelings this time, especially with the Covid looming and still infecting humans around the globe. But I will take what I can. Which brings me to the connection to all things MacFarlane. Complete a search for MacFarlane AND Olympics and you get some interesting results.
Eve Macfarlane – New Zealand – rower 2020 Games
Mike McFarlane – Britain – (retired) – runner 1988 Games – Silver – 4x100 m relay
Tracey McFarlane – United States (retired) – swimmer 1966 Games – Silver – 4x100 relay
Robert McFarlane – Canada (retired) – runner 1948 Games
C. MacFarlane – Canada (retired) – runner 1980 Paralympic Games – Silver
Brent MacFarlane – Britain – (retired) – ice sledge speed skating 1984 Paralympic Games
Craig MacFarlane – Canada (retired) – 400M 1980 Paralympic Games
After a cursory search, I started plugging in other related MacFarlane names: Robb (of course), Knox, etc. Our list of Macfarlanes/septs is quite lengthy. And our athletes hail from all over the globe. Once again, the Diaspora at work spreading the MacFarlane name and good genes around the world. So be sure to tune into the Olympics and watch for names that are within the Clan MacFarlane World. Fun to cheer on those who carry on not only for country, but for a namesake.
Cheers!
Marie