Remembering Dame Flora
Dame Flora at Dunvegan Castle with the speckled pipes of the
MacCrimmons.
20 Clansfolk attended a social evening in Edinburgh to remember the late Chief, Dame Flora. Nancy Nicol and others provided a splendid supper of baked potatoes and fillings; quiche and salad.
Flora MacLeod of MacLeod was born at 10 Downing Street, on 3rd February 1878, the elder daughter of Sir Reginald MacLeod of MacLeod who, in 1929, succeeded his elder brother as 27th Chief. Flora herself succeeded her father in 1935 and was accepted as Chief of the Clan by the Clan MacLeod Society. She was very active in travelling around the world meeting MacLeods and starting Clan MacLeod Societies in the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. In 1953 she was honoured as a Dame of the British Empire. The first Clan MacLeod Parliament was held in 1956. Because of her inspiring leadership Clan MacLeod, though by no means the largest Clan in the world, is certainly the best organised.
Of the company only half a dozen folk has known Dame Flora. Ruari said that she had inspired him in his interest in the Clan and made him believe that she was his grandmother. Chief John picked up the point and said that she was his grandmother and had found it quite difficult to accept that others thought so too. Chief John was in relaxed mood and told several stories. Others who told stories were Nancy Nicol and her sister Noel Proven.
Thanks to everyone for attending and taking part and for the lovely supper.
For further reading:
Dame Flora by Anne Wolrige Gordon, 1974, Hodder & Stoughton.
Chief Flora, a memorial, edited by Ruari Halford-MacLeod, 1977, ACMS.
Norman MacLeod of Suardal 1920-2005