Personal Message from theChief of Clan MacLaren:To Texas Wood Badgers

First, let me clear up any confusion. Iam not a scout; let alone Chief Scout.Just a Chief. There are about fiftyhighland chiefs so why is the head ofClan MacLaren addressing you?

Some of you will be well aware ofthe link between scouting and thename MacLaren. At the verybeginning of the scoutingmovement in Britain the Secretaryof the Scout Association was aMajor Kenneth MacLaren. And itwas William F. MacLaren, ScoutCommissioner, who providedGilwell Park for training. (No co-incidence that the middle part ofhis name was “de Bois” or “of the Wood”). As a result, it is the MacLaren tartan that forms part ofthe Wood Badge uniform. There is another link that I find intriguing - and relevant to where weare today: in Texas, in this Highland Village. The MacLarens come from the central highlands ofScotland: a place called Balquhidder. I understand that every year Texas proudly celebrates thewinning of its independence at the battle of San Jacinto. The link? The tune “Will you come to thebower?” to which the men marched into battle is the same as our own “The Braes ofBalquhidder”. I should like to think that some of my ancestors were among those Texans.

All of us - Americans, Scots, representatives of the scouting movement in both our countries -cherish our history. And that is what you are doing today in celebrating your 100th anniversary.But, as Scouts, you of all people are not ones to look backwards. By definition, you are the onesgoing forward, exploring new terrain: as your great poet, Robert Frost, put it - choosing “the pathless travelled by”. In the days when highland clans were close-knit social and military units theydepended on their young people for their fighting strength. It is a changed context today, in timeand place, but you too are looked on by the communities in which you live and which you serve,as a source of strength. You are looked to for your knowledge and willingness to learn; yourenergy and commitment; your personal integrity and, yes, your courage. You also demonstratesomething that is all too easily forgotten: life is also about having fun.

I congratulate you on your anniversary. And I wish you every success in your endeavours -individually and together - as you write the next chapter in the proud history of the US scoutingmovement. —Clan Chief Donald MacLaren

Ceremonies at the Shac Jam Wood Badge presentation. Being honored in center is Gillian(Gill) Clay, Lord and Lady Baden-Powell's granddaughter. The MacLaren tartan is prominent.

Below, a few of the graduate Wood Badgers after presentations.

Walter Hyde, Gillian Clay, Sam Caldwell and the Texas MacLaren chief, Arthur Busbey. Busbey andVizi Lange-Caldwell warm up at the pig roast— that’s Caldwell in the balloon. Walter Hyde, Caldwelland Busbey at entrance to the Highland Village, McLaren tent in background. Caldwell painted withdozens of scouts.

Fishing on the River Dee. Sketches from TheGathering in Scotland, 2009. Additional artand photos: www.samcaldwell.com