Mary Grundberg's new book - The Divine

Clan member and former European Secretary, Mary Grundberg, grew up in Aberdeen, Scotland and studied French and Italian at the University of Edinburgh.

These two ancient cities provide the settings and inspiration for her first novel The Divine, which is now available in all formats on Amazon Books

Set in Victorian Scotland, The Divine tells the story of a young minister, Frederick Black, whose hard-won career is under threat when he has a secret affair with a woman he has rescued from domestic abuse.

If you like historical fiction with a touch of romance and intrigue and a happy ending, then this could be the one for you.

former EU Secretary

Mary Grundberg

2021 AGM & Council Meeting - update

Clan MacThomas Society

Annual General Meeting 2021

The agenda for the Society AGM together with relevant documents and a link to a proxy voting facility was sent by e-mail to all current full members of the Society on 27th October 2021.

It was confirmed that the meeting will be held in Hampshire, UK on Sunday 28th November 2021.

The Agenda reads as follows:

1. Opening comments, apologies and proxies appointed.

2. To approve the 2021 Report of the Council.

3. To approve the 2020 Statement of Accounts.

4. To elect a member to Council.

5. To deal with any other business advised in advance.

Matters to be raised under any other business should be sent to the Society before 21st November 2021. We regret that it will not be possible for members to attend the meeting in person but it is planned that access via Zoom will be available. If any member wishes to raise a matter to be discussed under any other business or to “attend” the meeting via Zoom then they should contact the Society using e-mail address: agm@clanmacthomas.com

Clan MacThomas Society

2021 AGM & Council Meeting

These two events will take place in Hampshire on Sunday 28th November.

Due to ongoing issues relating to the pandemic, we may have to make this event virtual. If that happens we will notify everyone here on the website. Those not able to attend in person should register their interest in attending the AGM via the contact page and we will then share a video conferencing link.

An agenda will be posted here about 4 weeks prior to the event.

Iain Potter Thomson

It is with deep sorrow that I have to tell you of the death of Iain potter Thomson (Auld Iain), Honorary Vice President of the Society, who died peacefully on Monday 10 May 2021 at Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, Scotland.

Iain was a long standing and highly regarded member of the Clan. He became a member in 1974, more than 46 years before his death, following a chance meeting with Finegand at the bar of the now derelict Spittal of Glenshee Hotel on the night before our annual Gathering.

Through the remaining years of 1970’s, and into the 1980’s he, together with a small group of Scottish members, helped to make the early Gatherings hugely successful by liaising with the Spittal Hotel and the organisers of The Strathardle Highland Games. For many years he cared for and maintained the area around the Cockstane, cut the grass, maintained the fencing, gate and pathway. He also erected the signs, flagpoles and banners prior to the Annual Gatherings.

In 1992 he was appointed Commissioner for Scotland to act on behalf of the Chief in his absence from the country. He was Bannerman on several occasions and he served on the Society Council from 1977-1980 and again from 1993-2006. On retirement from the Council he was appointed Honorary Vice President.

He is survived by his children, Ian, Anne, Gordon and Neil, his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

His funeral will be held on Monday 24 May 2021 at:

Dundee Crematorium

McAlpine Road

Dundee

DD3 8SD

Tel: 01382 827258

The funeral arrangements are being made by undertakers:

Co-op Funeralcare

140a Arbroath Road

Dundee

DD4 7PU

Tel: 01382 204400

The Funeral service is private due to current restrictions. Charitable donations will be welcomed. Please contact the undertakers for details.

A full obituary will be published in the next edition of the Clach na Coileach magazine.

I am sure his family’s grief will be shared not only by his many friends but also by MacThomas Clansfolk throughout the world.

R.I.P.

Clan MacThomas Highland Tour and Gathering August 2020

event_gathering2020_cancellation_2.jpg

Cancellation

Statement by Clan Society Council

In view of the continued uncertainty surrounding Covid19 and the effect the virus is having on travel and social gatherings, it is with great reluctance that your Council has decided that all the Clan Gathering events, due to take place in Pitlochry, Glenshee and Glenisla over the weekend of 21-24 August 2020, should be cancelled.

This year's Clan Gathering was to have been a special event enabling us all to recall our Chief's achievements over the last 50 years. The Clan was in a very different place in 1970, when Finegand first inherited the Chiefship and became President of the Clan Society. It is with great sadness that we shall be unable to celebrate this unique milestone and Finegand's remarkable contribution to the Society.

Your Council hopes that it will be possible for the next Clan Gathering to take place in Scotland in two year's time over the weekend of 26-29 August 2022 to coincide with Finegand's 80th Birthday. Council will continue to monitor the impact of Covid19 around the world and will confirm details of that as soon as it is possible to do so.

The Society has already sent specific information to members who had booked to attend the Gathering and the associated Highland Tour.

To date, your Council has not heard of any member being affected by Covid19. We trust that continues to be the case. Please take care and stay safe until this pandemic is over.

If you have any questions regarding this announcement then please send an e-mail to gathering@clanmacthomas.com.