All posts by Charles Home

1650 Battle of Dunbar Prisoners Re-Burial

It has been announced that the skeletal remains of the Scottish prisoners, taken by Oliver Cromwell’s troops at the Battle of Dunbar in 1650, that were discovered buried beneath Palace Green beside Durham University and the Cathedral, will be re-buried at the Elvet Hill Road cemetery in Durham at 11:15hrs on Friday 18th May 2018.

It is not known whether there are Clan ancestors amongst the remains, but there is a possibility as Sir David Hume of Wedderburn commanded a Foot Regiment at the battle and it was not unusual to have Clan members serving alongside. We know that Colonel Sir David Hume and his son, Lieutenant Colonel George Hume, were killed during the battle on the 3rd September 1650.

The prisoners were marched down to Durham and imprisoned in the derelict Cathedral.

For more information, please click on the following links:

For a general description of the battle  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Dunbar_(1650)

For information on Durham University’s Archaeological Dunbar Prisoners Project https://www.dur.ac.uk/archaeology/research/projects/europe/pg-skeletons/history/

For details of Sir David Hume of wedderburn http://www.clan-home.org/tng11/getperson.php?personID=I1358&tree=2

Sir David Hume had raised the Company of the Merse Regiment before 1644, as we have details of their billeting and costs for December.

We also know that his son, George, had made his will on the 17th July 1650 and had written to his wife, Katherine (nee Morrison), two days before the battle, which starts “Deir Sueitt heartt” and finishes “God derect us, and me. Your ever most affectionatt husband till deathe.”

George’s widow, Dame Katherine of Wedderburn re-married on 27th February 1656 to James Bethune of Balfour.

Borders Visit & Clan Gathering 2018 Dates

In early November, Gos Home (Chairman of the HCPT) and Charles Home (CHA Convenor) spent a few days in the Borders, staying as usual at Mansefield, a brilliant B&B at the eastern end of Greenlaw, run by Pippa & Tim Culham. They are, in addition to being excellent hosts, mines of local information and their place is unreservedly recommended.

The Borders looked beautiful. Clear blue skies and autumnal trees showed the area off at its best.

The task there was twofold:

Firstly, now that the extra land to the south of Hume Castle is in Association and Trust hands, meetings had been set up with Tweed Forum, the Borders Council and Historic Environment Scotland in Edinburgh. These meetings were very positive and a path forward, towards the goal of archeological works showing parts of the original Hume village on the castle slopes, was identified.

Secondly to start planning the main locations for the Clan Gathering in August 2018. The Gathering dates have been set for the weekend of 11th and 12th of August with possible events on the Friday 10th and also Monday 13th. More details about these venues will be available once firm bookings have been confirmed. It seems a long way away, but plans have started, hopefully to make the 2018 Gathering the best yet. Some task after the huge success of the 2013 event, admittedly, but very doable.

The time spent around Hume was fast-paced and exhilarating. A wonderful reminder of how fortunate we all are to be associated with such a beautiful landscape, people and ever-intertwining story.

 

John Hume’s Rhino Horn Debate

John Hume, the world’s largest private rhino breeder and a pioneering advocate for legalising horn trade, will be debating whether this trade should be legalised with Born Free Foundation President, Will Travers.
This crucial debate will take place on Wednesday 3rd August at 7pm at the Royal Institution of Great Britain, 21 Albemarle Street, London W1S 4BS
You can buy tickets for the event, at £10 each, from
the Ticket Office

JOHN HUME
John Hume is a South African property developer who at the age of 50 became a pioneer in establishing the world’s largest private rhino breeding operation. In the past 24 years he has bred 944 rhinos and spent $100 million dollars of his own funds to save the rhino for future generations.
John is guardian to 1,400 rhinos following his dream to help create a better future for their survival. His ambition is to breed 200 rhinos a year to prevent the extinction of this endangered African specie.
As a passionate pro-rhino activist, John calls for an end of the war on trade in rhino horn that has only resulted in illegal trade and killing of rhinos and also people in Africa. He advocates for legalisation of trade in rhino horn – a renewable product – to help create harmony between African people and their natural
heritage. http://www.rhinoalive.com

New Hume Castle Website

The Hume Castle Preservation Trust, closely associated with the Clan Home Association, announces the launch of their new website. “Thrilled to have it there” said CHA Convenor and HCPT Trustee Charles Home. “With so much happening with the Castle and all the plans afoot, it’s time to launch its own site. Hopefully, over the next few months, details of these plans will be posted as they develop. We hope that the website will become a major resource for all those wishing to visit and share our special heritage. We’ll be uploading more images too.” He continued.

Check it out and get involved! Hume Castle Website