Saturday is opening day, and will be my first day at this faire. I shall bring my camera and be looking for the prettiest Ladies and Wenches, and the bravest Knights and Rogues. Watch for the crazy kilted celt with a camera!

 

... for, as long as but a hundred of us remain alive, never will we on any conditions be brought under English rule. It is in truth not for glory, nor riches, nor honours that we are fighting, but for freedom - for that alone, which no honest man gives up but with life itself.

Declaration of Arbroath, April 6th, 1320

Wear your Tartan on Friday in honor of these brave words.

http://www.tartanday.org/

 

Malcolm Abernethy

Nationality: Scots

Profession: Mercenary, to fight for Kirk, King, Country, and Cash.

Short Biography:

Born in 1550 in Abernethy, Perthshire, Scotland

Left Scotland at the age of 13 to serve as Papal Guard. Knighted by Pope for actions at Battle of Lepanto (Order of the Golden Spur). Left Italy in 1572 for service in Spain. Left Spain in 1573 at urging of the Inquisition. Captured Spanish Treasure Galleon near Tortola and returned to Scotland. Bought Balvaird Castle near the village of Abernethy in Scotland in 1574. Made Lord Balvaird for service to the Protestant cause.

Left for Netherlands in 1576 to join the Watergeuzen (Sea Beggars). Knighted (Order of the Sword) for actions in 1578 by William I of Orange-Nassau. With the Union of Utrecht in 1579, raised a Scots Brigade, with regiments of Highlander light infantry, Lowlander pikemen, and Borderer light cavalry, for the Dutch. Made Graaf van Assen for actions against the Spanish at the siege of Antwerp (1584-1585). Appointed Dutch Ambassador to the Court of James VI of Scotland in 1595. Assigned the title of Graaf van Assen to his son William, who commands the Brigade in Holland.

Appointed Lord Lieutenant of Perthshire in 1596.

About Malcolm: After many years of foreign service, Malcolm has lost most of his Scots tongue, and speaks mostly a soldier's English. He dislikes court dandies with family titles, for all his were earned. But while he was born un-titled, he can trace his ancestry back to the old Kings of Scotland and the Saxon Kings of England. It can be said of Malcolm that there are none braver, none better, none bolder.

He has developed a taste for some of the finer things in life, but still enjoys the simple pleasures of a soldier. He enjoys the company of young ladies and old soldiers. While he enjoys a fine wine, whisky is favored. Good Spanish paella is favored over haggis, but a good piece of beef will carry the day. He doesn't feel the need to impress others with his dress, and may often be found in just shirt sleeves and kilt.

There is no reason to fear Malcolm, unless he finds you pompous. In the Scottish tradition, anyone may shake the Chief's hand and call him by his first name.