Festival Diary 2004 

27th August
The Caledonian Society of Norway staged an evening of Scottish culture at Solvang, followed by Norwegian culture, namely Fårikål ala Børud. The Oslo Caledonian Pipe Band, Trondheim Scottish Dance Group and Bill & Molly Sinclair performed memorable numbers. The Trondheim Scottish Dance Group's last dance was "The Pillarguri Reel", composed by the leader of the group Isla Ulvestad. A couple of us have tried some Scottish dancing, and we agreed that "The Pillarguri Reel" looked extremely complicated. Best suited for the advanced.
Bill & Molly Sinclair sang some beautiful songs for us. They will stay with us the whole weekend, and sing for us again on Sunday.
Pipe Major Robert Robertson played special pipes during the festival. Given as a gift to the Norwegian King, during a visit to Scotland, they havewith lovely silver mountings and a lilac bag.

26th August
We had the traditional cultural evening, presentation of The Pillarguri Award, and dinner for the award winner.
We have never had higher attendance at the cultural evening than this year, est. 250. Contributors were local brass band, a modern dance group, traditional musicians, The Sinclair Project performing "The Sinclair spel", local actors performing tableaux from Macbeth, a local male choir, and Chris Maile on bagpipe. Chris and Otta Musikkforening wrapped up the cultural part with a moving performance of "Amazing Grace".
Our Mayor, Dag Erik Pryhn, presented the award to Shabana Rehman.  
During dinner, Chris presented greetings from Malcolm, where he strongly emphasised the need to put an effort in the relationship between the Clan and the Festival, and our Scottish friends' strong wish to contribute to the development of the festival. Vice President of The Caledonian Society of Norway, John Monn, greeted us on behalf of the Society, performing a version of the Battle in Kringen, including Martin Luther and others! This version of the battle was written by the late Kjell Aukrust. A highly treasured Norwegian author.
Dag Erik Pryhn gave a speech to Shabana, letting us know that TIME magazine had a large article on her in the latest edition, and telling her how he had been effected by her writing.
In her speech, Shabana thanked us, in moving terms, for showing her that her effort against suppression and for human rights has an impact not only in the bigger cities. And said that the award was a confirmation on that she really can make a difference 

The Pillarguri Committee's leader Jan Erik Lien with Shabana and Clan Sinclair's representative Chris Maile

Clan Sinclair Representative, Chris Maile at George Sinclair's Grave, 26th August 2004

Chris Maile had earlier paid our respects at George Sinclair's Grave at Kvam, supported by Inge Leif and Eldbjørg Larsen.  He placed a bouquet of blue and white flowers, symbolising the Saltire Flag of Scotland, a laminated card with the Clan Crest and Tartan, bearing the words of MacCrimmon's lament: "Gorm shuilean ciuin,  'S an dun a sileadh, O'n thriall thu bhuainn, 'S nach till thu tuille." (But my blue eyes, with tears are streaming, For he who will never return) and then played the traditional lament, "Flowers of the Forest".

25th August
The annual whisky tasting in “Sinclairstuggu” at Romundgard was held today.
Hosted by Chris Maile, the tasting was successful as always. Special guest, this year was Norwegian whisky-producer Peder Andresen. Teamed up with Torbjørn Hellan, Ottar Nessemo and Svein Holmstad, based in North-Trøndelag, he is aiming to produce Buran Single Malt. http://www.whiskyforeningen.no/buran
As we speak, Andresen and Chris Maile are tasting samples of Buran Single Malt. We are expecting Chris` expert opinion any time.

Festival Archive