Scott’s honor

Jason Soifer

COSTA MESA -- They will come from near and far, clad in their tartan

best with pipers piping and singers singing to honor one of their own.

With a mighty feast, Scotts from throughout the county will gather to

celebrate the many talents and works of the great Scottish novelist and

poet Sir Walter Scott.

Led by Andrew Scott, commissioner of the California for Clan Scott

Society, this burgeoning group will allow local Scotts to learn about

their heritage and ancestry as they meet one another.

Scott, who has watched the local chapter of the Southern California “Sir

Walter Scott Tea and Scott” gathering grow from 12 to nearly 40 people,

said he wants to share his heritage with others.

“I wanted to know more about my roots,” he said.

Scott, 50, of Huntington Beach, said he was inspired to learn the history

of his ancestry after watching the mini-series “Roots” on television. The

program motivated him to create something for future Scottish-Americans

to enjoy.

“I am doing this because I want a Clan Scott organization to be around

for my children to enjoy.” he said.

Scott said the meeting, which will take place in Costa Mesa the day

before Sir Walter’s actual birthday (in 1771], will serve two purposes.

People will have the opportunity to chat and to build the framework for a

Scott Society information tent at the Highland Games scheduled for the

Orange County Fairgrounds Memorial Day weekend.

The games will feature a menu of all the classic Scottish dishes along

with traditional bagpipers and tests of strength. Scott said the festive

event will include the popular turning of the wood pole also known as the

caber toss.

“It’s a lot of fun,” Scott said. “It’s a wonderful social gathering.”