Finding Pieces of Yourself: To Scotland and Back

By Mary Casey-Sturk

In recent years, this writer has spent a lot of time thinking about ancestry. On my mother’s side, it was easy because we had very good records and much of the family remains in England. My father’s Scottish roots were equally important to me, but a bit harder to trace. For me, learning about my ancestry goes beyond names on paper, I wanted to see the places my ancestors saw in person, to walk in their footsteps, to see what resonated with me as someone generations and an ocean away. Closer to home, I wanted to connect to locals with Scottish ties and be able to celebrate my heritage. 

Heading Across the Pond

Fortunately for me, I was able to travel to Scotland and visit Edinburgh and surrounding areas, including Loch Lomond. This impressive Loch was easy an easy day trip from either Glasgow or Edinburgh and it’s where the Highland boundary fault line lies. This is the largest lake (loch) in Great Britain by surface area and was simply beautiful. The Loch is also part of the Trossachs National Park (established in 2002), popular with boaters, tourists, and hikers. My photos didn’t do it justice, the views seemed endless, the water was clear and dotted with tree-covered islands while Ben Lomond (the highest of the southern peaks) kept watch over me. I walked along its shores, I climbed the hillsides, I touched the rocks, the grass, the trees. I listened for echoes of my past, for hints at my future. Maybe I heard them. 

Beyond the Loch, I spent a wonderful week in Edinburgh. The capital of Scotland, Edinburgh (a World Heritage City) is steeped in history with many sites to see in both the New and Old Town areas. Highlights include Edinburgh Castle, the National Museum of Scotland, Princes Street Gardens and The Palace of Holyrood House. 

There is so much to see and do in Scotland, you’ll find something that fits your interests, whether you are Scottish or not. From the Highlands to the Lowlands and every pub in between, you can enjoy nature, castles, museums, hiking, scenic train rides, haggis and, of course, whisky. Interested in planning a trip yourself? Check out Visit Scotland’s website for trip planning ideas.  

Finding Your Ancestors

If you are interested in researching your own family history, a good place to start is by visiting Ancestry.com. Here, you can take a deep dive into research via their subscription option. However, there is a library edition available at all branches of the Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library-including the Madeira branch. Bring your own device, or log into one of their desktops and let the software guide you to your past. Maybe you are Scottish too? Alternately, you can hire a professional to do this research for you and a DNA test will remove all doubt.

In many cities across Europe, there are churches and archives that can be utilized for further research in person. For instance, in Edinburgh, the National Records of Scotland is the department of the Scottish Government responsible for civil registration, the Scottish census, statistics, family history and hold the national archives and historical records. They suggest working backwards to find records and public records are available back to 1855, beyond that, Old Parish Records date to 1553! If visiting Edinburgh, you can make an appointment and some research can be done online. The US National Archives is also a starting point for records from other parts of the world and you can also research online databases from other countries. Unfortunately, due to wars, fires, forced movement and enslavement of human beings, some records are forever lost.

More than a Vacation

Indian Hill Living Magazine spoke with Michelle Boyles, Senior Travel Advisor with Provident Travel (offices in Hyde Park and at Harper’s Station). Who shares that more people are traveling to get in touch with their ancestry,  “I have noticed a bit of a trend with people wanting to reconnect with their roots; primarily in Ireland & Scotland”, adding, “Even for travelers that only have a town name of a distant relative and no family recent family correspondence, it’s fun to see a church where grandparents were wed, an building of an old family business or the old local pub.” Boyles notes, “having that visual connection, makes all those old family stories come to life.”    

And more travelers are heading to Scotland.  “Previously Scotland was just an add on to Ireland or England, but in recent years I have seen more requests as a stand-alone travel spot; with travelers dedicating more time to see the breadth of this beautiful country.”

Being Scottish in Cincinnati

Chris McLennan is a piper, as in bagpiper. Honing his craft for some 40 years, he’s been piping since he was eleven. It was while teaching piping that he met his wife when she attended her little brother’s bagpipe lessons. McLennan, his Scottish-born wife Jessica and their four daughters have called Indian Hill home since 2015. All their daughters have been involved with Scottish Highland dancing over the years. 

Indian Hill Living spoke with McLennan about his Scottish ties to Cincinnati. “My family has been involved in the Caledonian Society for many years.  My grandparents (Scottish immigrants) met at a Society event in the 1930s.” McLennan continues, “my father is a past president of the Society.  My mother is very involved in Cincinnati’s Scottish Country Dance group.  My sister Alison was an Open Highland Dancer when she was younger”, shares McLennan.  

“It’s a big part of our life being involved with the Society.”

On piping, “I went to the world piping championship in Scotland in 1998 and played in various bagpipe bands over the years.”  He is also the piper at the Caledonian Society.

McLennan performs at multiple Caledonian Society events and shares, “the Society has a number of events each year, and anyone with an interest in Scottish culture is welcome to attend.”

The Caledonian Society of Cincinnati

Did you know that Cincinnati has its own Society for those of Scottish descent (or a Scottish national), and it’s the oldest Caledonian Society in continual existence in the United States?  

Formed in 1827, The Caledonian Society of Cincinnati was created initially to aid indigent Scottish immigrants in the Cincinnati area. The Society has since grown into an organization devoted to preserving and promoting Scottish culture and heritage.

Today’s Society has a breadth of programs celebrating Scottish heritage and culture. Members and others can enjoy social activities including celebrating Robert Burns’ birthday and St. Andrew’s Nights. Members can enjoy their newsletter and more. They also have a local directory of Highland Dancers and Pipers and participate in many events.

If you’re interested in learning Highland Dance yourself, there are places around Cincinnati offering lessons. Pub grub or golf? No problem, Cincinnati has you covered there too, and you can enjoy several Celtic festivals annually around the region. Kilts optional.