Join us for Clan Hamilton Tour of Scotland Dear Kith and Kin, Once again we have organized a tour of Scotland. On our previous tours everyone quickly bonded into the family that we are. We have enjoyed seeing new places and learning more about the land of our ancestors. We have also cemented enduring ties with other members of the extended family of Hamilton. This tour is focused on, “The Scottish Highlands and Hamilton Places.” It is an adventure that you can treasure. We will be delighted to have you with us! Yours aye, Oliver Hamilton President, The Clan Hamilton Society and High Commissioner of Clan Hamilton

 

Used Red Hamilton Kilts for sale (women/youth sizes) Carol McPhaden from Winnipeg Canada.is president of the Heather Belle Ladies Pipe Band. He says: "After 56 years the band is disbanding, and we have used kilts, etc. for sale . Most of the waist sizes are 31-32" and still in good shape. They were made a few years ago by kilt maker in Scotland. We also have beautiful blue Highland Uniform jackets for sale - same blue as in kilts. WE are selling 6 kilts for $300 each & the jackets for $50 each. We have 12 pairs of Red Hamilton Highland socks for sale at $10 each. Everything is used , but in good condition. The sizes are good for youth, or women." If interested email webmaster@clanhamilton.org and detailed contact information will be provided.

 

Excavating a Scottish rebel’s luxurious stronghold - Cadzow Castle From British Archaeology website  Excavations this year at Cadzow Castle in Lanarkshire have shed light on the rise and fall of one of Scotland's great noble families of the 16th century. Cadzow, one of the seats of the Hamilton family, was built in the 1520s or 1530s by Sir James Hamilton of Finnart, a military engineer and architect who was Master of the King's Works for James V. However in 1579, during the reign of Mary, Queen of Scots - while Mary was imprisoned, and the country was ruled by regents on behalf of young James VI - the Hamiltons opposed the government and their castle was besieged. It has remained a ruin ever since. At the heart of the inner ward was a large mound, which this year's dig has revealed covers the remains of a tower house - the castle's main building. Great chunks of masonry, including doorways and the tops of walls, were found upside-down, with evidence of burning, indicating that the castle had been blown to pieces by the attacking forces. According to Peter Yeoman, of Historic Scotland which sponsored the dig, it was 'most unusual' to attempt complete demolition in such circumstances. 'This shows how determined the regent's forces were to suppress the power of the Hamiltons.' The castle had been built fit for a king. About 800 fragments of luxurious green-glazed floor tiles were found, impressed with the letters J and M, probably representing King James V and one of his wives (either Madeleine or Mary). Identical tiles - from the same kiln, even the same firing - had been used to floor a principal chamber at the royal palace of Linlithgow some 20 miles away, where Sir James Hamilton was carrying out works. It seems likely that the noble architect appropriated any unused tiles from Linlithgow for use in his own home. During the 18th century, Cadzow Castle was incorporated as a romantic ruin into the grounds of nearby Hamilton Palace, the main seat of the Dukes of Hamilton (whose fortunes by then had revived). However, in the mid-20th century Hamilton Palace itself became derelict when its owners could no longer afford the maintenance costs It is now the site of a trading estate and shopping mall called 'Hamilton Palace' on the outskirts of Hamilton town.