The Quest of the Quaich

[Morris at Heathfield]

Well, we have thoth51 in Singapore and gilmore who, last I heard, was in Nepal, if they're interested in receiving the quaich. Otherwise, the next destination would probably be in Europe or South Africa.

[Danwell]

Unfortunately, I'm not in a situation to be able to receive the quaich at the moment. My exams and assignment deadlines are looming and my time is devoted to them - there is no opportunity of a party of even a gathering to celebrate its arrival. Also, as soon as my exams are finished my lovely wife and I are taking three well deserved weeks away in the boonies. If it could wait two months I'd happily take it, otherwise, I'll host it next time around

[Graham]

Update: we are at the National Celtic Festival now, the quaich was presented on stage at the official opening and shared by those involved in the opening including the assistance to the Irish Ambassador in Australia.
On Sunday it will be shared at a Celtic Church service at the festival (not sure what they will put in it).
But.....we need a place for it to go next.
There is a musician here who is heading to France, do we have any members there?
Sponsors urgently needed to keep it moving. We will post some photos ASAP.

[CDNSushi]

But.....we need a place for it to go next.
There is a musician here who is heading to France, do we have any members there?
Sponsors urgently needed to keep it moving. We will post some photos ASAP.

How about Ancienne Alliance? Would be a logical choice IMO....

[Graham]

Thanks sushi, we do have yet a things member willing to take it here for a while, our member Bill.
It was a great success at the festival, it was at a Celtic worship service too.
Pictures coming when I get home.
I will contact AA.

[billsides]

I collect the Quaich this Sunday at a party for the retirement of Judy Turner, founder of the Melbourne Scottish Fiddle Club. They had a major role at the three day Celtic Festival at Portarlington in Victoria Australia over this weekend where the was Quaich featured. (Google the fiddle club to see their story and my grandfather's violins) The Quaich is now back in Melbourne after visiting Tasmania and once in my hands, will appear at a nearby museum with a massive collection of restored Scottish machinery then at a Tartan Day dinner, (In Oz we hold them as near as possible to July 1) after which I seek a member to pass it to. I am driving 800 km to the Scottish Dancing Winter School at Port Stevens, north of Newcastle in New South Wales then returning via central NSW so group members in these areas please contact me so its travels can be continued without delay.

Bill Sides

[Graham]

So how come Melbourne is having all the fun??
Seriously, well done Bill, wish I could be there at the handover. Colin did a great job with the Quaich at the Celtic Festival.

Here are a couple of pics as promised:



Now this is first time I've drunk whisky in church, it was a wee bit early in the day for me.


This was at the opening of the festival, the lass here, Orla, I think was representing the Irish Embassy in Australia, did anyone tell her the drop was not Jamiesons?

I was so pleased the festival embraced the idea of having the quaich there, no doubt due to the considerable talents and influence of Colin MacLeod. Well done Colin.

So, all the best Bill with the Quaich, I guess this gives us all a "breathing space" until someone somewhere else on the planet raises their hand to host the quaich.

[billsides]

So how come Melbourne is having all the fun??
Seriously, well done Bill, wish I could be there at the handover. Colin did a great job with the Quaich at the Celtic Festival.

Here are a couple of pics as promised:



Now this is first time I've drunk whisky in church, it was a wee bit early in the day for me.


This was at the opening of the festival, the lass here, Orla, I think was representing the Irish Embassy in Australia, did anyone tell her the drop was not Jamiesons?

I was so pleased the festival embraced the idea of having the quaich there, no doubt due to the considerable talents and influence of Colin MacLeod. Well done Colin.

So, all the best Bill with the Quaich, I guess this gives us all a "breathing space" until someone somewhere else on the planet raises their hand to host the quaich.

Hi Graham and other X Marks the Scot members,
I collect the Quaich this evening off Colin at a farewell dinner at the the Melbourne Scottish Fiddle Club and it shall then feature in two significant Tartan dinners with local clan chiefs attending, Scottish dancing groups, a major museum with Scottish equipment and hopefully feature in Melbourne's Kirkng of the Tartan service, all during the next two weeks but it must move on right after that.
I appeal here for members west of Melbourne to contact me immediately so we can plan its future travels. On July 8 and 9 I am travelling via Sydney and Newcastle to the Winter Scottish Country Dancing School in the Hunter Valley and returning a week later via central NSW so I can deliver it personally to locations on the way and on August arrive in Edinburgh then until the end of September be touring Scotland, England, Ireland and Belgium so I can assist later (if necessary) by personally delivering it to a location in those areas if members so desire.

Bill

[Graham]

Well done Bill, sounds like Melbourne is giving the quaich a very special time. Good of you to offer delivery, just need someone to hold up their hand.

[CDNSushi]

Well done Bill, sounds like Melbourne is giving the quaich a very special time. Good of you to offer delivery, just need someone to hold up their hand.

If I could just offer a quick, little suggestion... When I was hosting the Quaich, I exchanged a few mails with Steve Ashton, in which he recommended that upon my receipt of it, I should start contemplating to whom I might send it next.

I contacted two members, and it was the second who accepted my invitation to host the Quaich. But if I hadn't taken this step, I might still be drinking my scotch from this lovely vessel.

My point is, if you simply wait for someone to come forward, it may take a very long time for the Quaich to get anyplace, as many people on this forum are a bit shy, exceedingly polite, and would not want to appear greedy or presumptuous by offering to be the next to take it. Another possibility is that many members may not be checking this particular forum regularly for updates, and therefore may be quite unaware that the Quaich is in need of a new host.

My recommendation would be to select a member whom you like, or whose postings you've appreciated in the past, or simply someone who looks like they might be a really cool or nice guy, and send them a PM, offering to send the Quaich their way, bearing in mind that it may even take 2 or 3 people to get someone who feels that they would be able to take on the task. If no one comes to mind, it may also be worth sending Steve or one of the mods a PM. Our mod team are very familiar with who the regular members and posters are, where they are located, and they could also provide a suggestion or two for where to send the Quaich next.

I hope that helps get the ball rolling a little, and for those who may be lurking here on this thread -- please -- don't be shy! If you would like to be a part of this project, make your voice heard. ith:

JD