To The Lads
Liken us to dogs? Hmm?

Well, several years back we attended a Clan Alba Dinner in Kingsport TN. As things will go, the lads were on one side of the room and we lasses were on the other. Catherine Long, wife of Clan Maxwell’s president, and I were observing everyone in attendance. Catherine noted as how all the lasses looked very nice that night; but the lads, well they, looked absolutely grand.

Dogs???

Well, personally the non-human resemblance of the lads that came to my mind is the peacock. The lads look like the proud beautiful strutting peacock.
A peacock will hold his head high, puff out his chest, spread his feathers and strut about displaying his Technicolor tail. If you watch the lads tonight in their kilts and Prince Charlies you will witness all the same steps of the display. They will stand a little straighter in their pin tuck shirts, Prince Charlies with the twinkling silver buttons, and walk with a bounce to their step to display the colorful pleats of their kilts.

So lasses if you will stand and raise your glasses - here is to our beautiful much loved peacocks, To the Lads.

Sue Leenders
Robert Burns Dinner
Scottish Heritage Society
January 28, 2006