On Monday night I was thrilled to be attending the Keepers of the Quaich spring banquet at Blair Castle. This time last year, powered by copious amounts of coffee and bacon rolls, the current Head Tracy and I were sifting through the 12,000 images that the squad of photographers led by Shannon Tofts had taken during the evening. I had completed my last banquet of 17 after ten years in the role as Director of the Society.
Now at the helm of the organisation Tracy was skillfully navigating her way through the preparation and evening that means so much to those guests who attend. It was a joy to see her deliver this seemingly so effortlessly; I understand only too well the pressure and step count that entailed. As Ginger Rogers said of Fred Astaire she did everything he did “backwards and in high heels” which summed up the experience of running the banquet. Although Tracy sensibly had her flats on.
As a trustee of The MacLean Foundation it was with pride I watched the three brothers, Ewan, Jamie and Lachlan with their father Charlie striding up the red carpet to the castle entrance flanked by the Atholl Highlanders. It was the first time that the Society had three speakers, brothers and they are the youngest to have been inducted. One Master, and three Honorary Keepers of the Quaich. I don’t know the collective term for quaichs but this was a healthy handful. And more medals for the MacLean household.
After an inspiring introduction by the current Grand Master, The Earl of Hopetoun, Jamie piped Ewan and Lachlan to the stage on his now scorched and scarred pipes. The boys regaled their experiences of their adventures of their world record breaking unsupported row across the Pacific in 139 days, from South America to Australia. The expedition raised over a million pounds for the charity’s primary delivery partner Feedback Madagascar, to enable an intrinsically better life for tens of thousands of people.
I know only too well of the many astonishing, anxious and extraordinary moments during the journey which the boys, in turn, relayed to the audience. I’ve always explained to speakers that you can hear a pin drop in the magnificent ballroom at Blair Castle when over 200 guests, warmed by drams and great company, stop to listen. The zeal for the MacLean clan in their glory of hair, kilts and humility was evident as the room rose to its feet, only the fourth standing ovation (Ronald Reagan, Brigadier David Allfrey OBE and Dame Katherine Grainger DBE) in 40 years.
The following morning Lachlan was already up with the sparrows and en route to Madagascar. Ewan reflected: ‘It was truly an honour to take to the stage after being made Honorary keepers, and particularly special to arrive with Dad in our matching kilts. The magnificent ballroom at Blair Castle couldn’t be more perfect to host the industry in such style and I don’t think the three of us could have imagined such an engaged audience and humbling reaction to our tales from the sea. If we didn’t already feel it buckets: we feel so warmly welcomed into the fold, and can’t thank the Keepers enough.’
During their time at sea Ewan, Jamie and Lachlan recorded a ship’s log which was posted daily. Often with trepidation, sometimes elation, it was the first email I’d read every morning during their time at sea and it would shape my day. Charlie would summarise the week in the Captain’s Catch. Unsurprisingly, the brothers follow in their fathers footsteps and have an innate storytelling ability. On the morning of the banquet they submitted the final draft of their first book to the Canongate publishers.
Jamie said: ‘It all feels like a bit of a dream. Four and a half months at sea with only my two brothers for company. We witnessed unforgettable sunrises and sunsets. We dodged cyclones, weaved amongst the South Pacific islands, and sung under starlit skies. This book gives us the time and space to reflect upon this life changing experience and share some of what we have learnt along the way.’
My father came to the banquet in 2017 when I was inducted and said it was one of the proudest days of his life. I’m sure this will be one of Charlie’s.
To date, the Foundation has released four single cask bottlings as the result of generous donations from Ardamurchan, Glen Scotia, Raasay and Auchroisk. All the profits from these bottlings go towards charitable purposes, and every bottle sold will give at least one person clean water for life.
The book ‘Three Brothers in a Boat’ will be published on 24th September and is available to pre-order.
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