The 2010 edition of the Society Magazine, Clach A' Choilich contained an article entitled "The Cockstane – Your Heritage" by Clan MacThomas Society Vice President, Robin Thoms. This outlined a proposal regarding Memorials at the Cockstane and sought comments from members.
The deadline for responses has now passed and the Vice President has now prepared the following report on the consultation.
Result of consultation on Equitable Shares in the Clach na Coileach put to members.
There were a total of 9 responses.
| ● | 4 responses were from Australia, 4 from USA and 1 from Canada. |
● | 2 members were in favour of the proposal without reservation. |
● | 3 members were in favour with reservation. |
● | 4 members were against the proposal. |
● | 1 member thought the price of US$100 too high. |
● | 1 member thought the price too low. |
● | 1 member thought the price was just right. |
● | 1 member requested the removal of the sentence, “If no member laid claim to the deed on the death of the holder, the land would revert back to the Society” whereas 1 other member “would not budge on this point”. |
● | 2 members were against the idea of the land being assigned on the grounds that it should always be held in common by the whole Clan. |
● | 1 member suggested the addition of seating in the form of identical benches that could be dedicated to individuals and carry a small, discrete plaque. |
● | 1 member suggested memorial bricks could be placed by trees in the car park, outside the fenced area. |
● | 1 member made it clear that such a proposal must be vetted by a legal expert. |
After due consideration of all the responses, it was felt there was a low level of interest in the project, either for or against, and no pattern emerged showing that a significant number of members felt there was a need to change the proposal. The final version posted below contains no material changes other than the addition of a legal review; members should consider the likely cost of this when voting.
Voting will take place at the Society AGM to held on Sunday 29 May 2011 at 11.00 at the Dalmunzie Castle Hotel in Glenshee. If unable to attend, members are encouraged to vote by proxy.
Click here for on-line proxy voting.
PROPOSAL FOR VOTE AT THE AGM
Equitable Shares in the Clach na Choileach
A small section of the north east corner of the Clan land should be divided into square foot packets to be made available for purchase by members. The member would purchase an heritable deed that would confer the title of Esquire (the rank above gentleman, but below knight) and the right to use the abbreviation “Esq” after his/her name.
The deed itself would be an equitable assignment of a registered square foot of land by the Clan MacThomas Society to a member. The deed would be heritable and could be passed on in perpetuity, but only to another member. If no member laid claim to the deed on the death of the holder, the land would revert back to the Society. The deed could not be re-assigned or divided.
Ownership of an equitable share would not allow the member to erect, build, plant or in any other way interfere with the land owned by virtue of that share.
Purchase of a share would provide a direct link from the member to the ancestral home in Glenshee and enable them to pass on a piece of Scotland through the generations to come. It would provide both a tangible and an emotional link to the Glen and would insure that the purchaser’s patriotism was remembered through the ages yet to come.
The purchaser’s package would include:
| ● | A numbered legal deed, suitable for framing, and signed by the Chief and one other office bearer. |
| ● | A signed photograph of the Chief. |
| ● | A separate photograph of the Cockstane with an account of the Cockstane legend. |
| ● | The GPS coordinates of the land. |
| ● | Other items as may from time to time be available. |
The cost of purchasing a Deed would be a one-off payment of US$100.00 (or equivalent in other currencies). The cost may be varied by majority vote at any AGM.
If carried, the proposal will be subject to legal review charged to the Society.
R.S. Thoms, Vice President.