Scout MacLaren Combo

Personal Message from the
Chief of Clan MacLaren:
To Texas Wood Badgers
First, let me clear up any confusion. I
am not a scout; let alone Chief Scout.
Just a Chief. There are about fifty
highland chiefs so why is the head of
Clan MacLaren addressing you?
Some of you will be well aware of
the link between scouting and the
name MacLaren. At the very
beginning of the scouting
movement in Britain the Secretary
of the Scout Association was a
Major Kenneth MacLaren. And it
was William F. MacLaren, Scout
Commissioner, who provided
Gilwell Park for training. (No coincidence that the middle part of
his name was “de Bois” or “of the Wood”). As a result, it is the MacLaren tartan that forms part of
the Wood Badge uniform. There is another link that I find intriguing - and relevant to where we
are today: in Texas, in this Highland Village. The MacLarens come from the central highlands of
Scotland: a place called Balquhidder. I understand that every year Texas proudly celebrates the
winning of its independence at the battle of San Jacinto. The link? The tune “Will you come to the
bower?” to which the men marched into battle is the same as our own “The Braes of
Balquhidder”. I should like to think that some of my ancestors were among those Texans.
All of us - Americans, Scots, representatives of the scouting movement in both our countries cherish our history. And that is what you are doing today in celebrating your 100th anniversary.
But, as Scouts, you of all people are not ones to look backwards. By definition, you are the ones
going forward, exploring new terrain: as your great poet, Robert Frost, put it - choosing “the path
less travelled by”. In the days when highland clans were close-knit social and military units they
depended on their young people for their fighting strength. It is a changed context today, in time
and place, but you too are looked on by the communities in which you live and which you serve,
as a source of strength. You are looked to for your knowledge and willingness to learn; your
energy and commitment; your personal integrity and, yes, your courage. You also demonstrate
something that is all too easily forgotten: life is also about having fun.
I congratulate you on your anniversary. And I wish you every success in your endeavours individually and together - as you write the next chapter in the proud history of the US scouting
movement. —Clan Chief Donald MacLaren
Ceremonies at the Shac Jam Wood Badge presentation. Being honored in center is Gillian
(Gill) Clay, Lord and Lady Baden-Powell's granddaughter. The MacLaren tartan is prominent.
Below, a few of the graduate Wood Badgers after presentations.
Walter Hyde, Gillian Clay, Sam Caldwell and the Texas MacLaren chief, Arthur Busbey. Busbey and
Vizi Lange-Caldwell warm up at the pig roast— that’s Caldwell in the balloon. Walter Hyde, Caldwell
and Busbey at entrance to the Highland Village, McLaren tent in background. Caldwell painted with
dozens of scouts.
Fishing on the River Dee. Sketches from The
Gathering in Scotland, 2009. Additional art
and photos: www.samcaldwell.com