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Peterhead Scottish Week

The origins of Scottish Week


In the early years of the 1960's the General Council in Scotland set about planning a number of Gala events throughout the country that would primarily promote trade and tourism in Scotland. A limited company, based in Edinburgh, under the name 'Scottish Weeks Ltd' was created and this idea was then forwarded to the local council authorities in order to gain an interest in participation.

Feed back on the uptake of Scottish Week was slow but 10 places throughout Scotland decided to take up the challenege to promote the country by hosting a programme of events. The ten Scottish Weeks would take place in Arbroath, Coupar, Dunfermline, Edinburgh, Gourock, Peterhead, Portsoy, Rothsay, Skye and Stranraer.

The first set of Scottish Weeks were set to take place during the summer of 1962. In the years preceeding, some towns already had Gala events in place, such as Peterhead Gala, but it was hoped that under the Scottish Week banner that promotion of the towns participating would see an influx of visitors from around the country and further afield.

Initially all 10 Scottish Weeks went smoothly and perhaps with various degrees of success, however the Scottish Week Ltd board noted that one town in particular had exceeded all expectations. The board spoke of Peterhead, in the North East of Scotland that "had produced the most ambitious programme of all the Scottish Weeks". This news was gladly recieved by the townspeople of Peterhead. The town had embraced the ideal of Scottish Week by catering for a week of family entertainment as well as encouraging local businesses to get involved. Over the years the other towns opted to withdraw from Scottish Week Ltd and thus today only one remains; Peterhead Scottish Week.


Peterhead Scottish Week - The Early Years

The initial committee for Peterhead Scottish Week had between 20 and 24 members with many more people from the community assisting on the lead up to July 1962 programme. The President of the committee was Peterhead's Provost, Robert Forman O.B.E. The Peterhead Scottish Week committee appointed Mr George S. Copeman as chairman, who had much experience in organising events and fetes and had played an integral part in the now extinct Peterhead Gala. Mr Copeman was the manager of local factory Crosse & Blackwell and was ably assisted by Mr Stanley G. Church (a factory exectutive) who had also been appointed Secretary of the committee.


The Chairperson and Committee

On an official basis, Peterhead Scottish Week had until 15 years ago a residing President. However, the role of the President was largely ceremonial. The office of the Chairperson has been carried out by a number of Peterhead residents over the years and is appointed by a vote by the committee members. In 2010, Peterhead Scottish Week (itself a non-profit organisation) was officially registered with charitable status and thus the members of the committee are now trustees. The team have the task of organising the events in addition to finding sponsorship, insurance and permits to allow the festivities to go ahead. The structure of the meetings are as follows - welcome by the chairperson, apologies and then the agenda of discussions to take place. Each meeting (which is normally held the first Monday of every month) is recorded in minutes by the Minutes Secretary.


Year Chairperson Year Chairperson Year Chairperson
1962 Mr George E. Copeman 1979 Mr James Greig 1996 Mr John Samuel
1963 Mr George E. Copeman 1980 Mr William A. McDonald 1997 Mr Graham Barron
1964 Mr George E. Copeman 1981 Mr William A. McDonald 1998 Mr Graham Barron
1965 Mr George E. Copeman 1982 Mr William A. McDonald 1999 Mr Graham Barron
1966 Mr George E. Copeman 1983 Mr William A. McDonald 2000 Mrs Sam Melrose
1967 Mr Peter Pearce 1984 Mr William A. McDonald 2001 Mr Gordon Farman
1968 Mr Peter Pearce 1985 Mr William A. McDonald 2002 Mr Gordon Farman
1969 Mr Peter Pearce 1986 Mr William A. McDonald 2003 Mr Gordon Farman
1970 Mr Peter Pearce 1987 Mr William A. McDonald 2004 Mrs Phyllis Mundie
1971 Mr Peter Pearce 1988 Mr William A. McDonald 2005 Mrs Phyllis Mundie
1972 Mr James Greig 1989 Mr William A. McDonald 2006 Mrs Phyllis Mundie
1973 Mr James Greig 1990 Mr William A. McDonald 2007 Mr Tom Marshall
1974 Mr James Greig 1991 Mr William A. McDonald 2008 Mr Tom Marshall
1975 Mr James Greig 1992 Mr William A. McDonald 2009 Mr Graham Barron
1976 Mr James Greig 1993 Mr John Samuel 2010 Mr Graham Barron
1977 Mr James Greig 1994 Mr John Samuel 2011 Mr Graham Barron
1978 Mr James Greig 1995 Mr John Samuel 2012 To be decided


The Official Programme Guide

The first Peterhead Scottish Week was organised with such short notice that a planned programme guide was shelved. The first programme guide of events was issued the following year in 1963. The main advantage of the programme was the number of competitions that readers enter, most notably, a window number spotting competition. Each programme had its own unique 4 digit number and located within the town was a shop window displaying the identical number. If the spotter noticed the number then a prize from that shop could be claimed. To avoid any tampering or advantage the early issues of the Programme Guide were sealed in envelopes so not to reveal the lucky number. Today the numbers are located on the inside back cover with more than 170 shops in Peterhead participating. Many local business also take the opportunity to advertise in the programme with an estimated 10,000 people viewing a Peterhead Scottish Week programme each year. The programme has been closely associated with Peterhead based newspaper The Buchan Observer and P. Scrogie printers but has also been printed in conjunction with James Davidson Printers. Printed largely over many years in black and white with coloured pages being inserted in recent years, until 2008 when the programme was for the first time printed entirely in coloured ink. The front cover design has differed greatly over time. The task would normally fall to the team at the Buchan Observer but in the last 7 years the committee sought local designers to contribute with Anne Lynch, Scott Ross and Ben Mooney adding their own touch to the front page. Note that in 2000 that the front cover was designed by schoolgirl Roberta Cay.



The Buchan Queen Contest

Since the inception of Scottish Week back in 1962, many local girls have entered the annual contest to see who will be crowned 'Buchan Queen'. The idea was originally taken from the local 'Herring Queen' competition and it's a tradition that continues to this day, with a busy schedule for the winner during the weeklong gala, as wellas for the two princesses - it's no easy task! In earlier years a number of preliminary dances were held on the run up to Scottish Week with a Grand Final being held during the week itself. Over the decades since there have been a few changes to the format of the contest which is now held months in advance (traditionally in May) with a panel of five judges deciding who will wear the crown during the upcoming Scottish Week. The Crowning Ceremony initially happend on the final day of Scottish Week but pretty soon changed to the beginning of the week. A well known personality or respected member of the Peterhead community would have the honour to crown the Buchan Queen.


Year Buchan Queen Buchan Princess Buchan Princess Crowning
1962 Madeline Kelman Sylvia Wallace Kathleen McIver Provost R. Forman O.B.E.
1963 Ann Kidd Doris McKay Lorene Scott Provost R. Forman O.B.E.
1964 Linda Robertson Roberta Buchan Phylis Kinghorn Provost R. Forman O.B.E.
1965 Roberta Buchan Shirley Kelman Elizabeth Innes Provost R. Forman O.B.E.
1966 Cassandra Kerr Linda McKay Ann Dykes Provost E. A. Duncan
1967 Noreena Taylor Sylvia Wray Sarah Mackie Rikki Fulton (Comedian)
1968 Jennifer Samuel Doris Massie Isobel Buchan Andy Stewart (Stage/TV Star)
1969 Isobel Buchan Maureen Geddes Anne Wood The Alexander Brothers
1970 Margaret Sutherland Rosalyn Robertson Marjorie Paton Andy Stewart (Stage/TV Star)
1971 Heather Leslie Patricia Proctor Ann Mair Lady Parkes
1972 Anne Forman Elizabeth Mutch Jennifer Watt Andy Stewart (Stage/TV Star)
1973 Heather Will Helen Stewart Lorraine Costello Lady Provost Smith
1974 Patricia Forbes Patricia Millar Isobel Wyness Donny McLeod (BBC Personality)
1975 Katherine Brebner Pamela Robertson Marion Farquhar The Alexander Brothers
1976 Pamela Robertson Susan Bradford Liz Wilson Sandy Mutch (Grampian Regional Council Convener)
1977 Lorraine Adams Valerie Hay Brenda Mathers Peter Morrison (Singer)
1978 Jane Foubister Caroline Carville Shirley Anderson Ron Dale (Comedian)
1979 Janice Mann Anna Youngson Heather McLean Jim Brocklebank (Grampian TV Reporter)
1980 Aileen Forsyth Lorraine Garden Ruth Ann Davidson George Barron & Jim McColl (BBC Beechgrove Garden)
1981 Suzanne Murdoch Linda Robertson Anthea McLean Mr R. C. H. Boothman D.F.C. Master of the Merchant Maiden Co.
1982 Lorraine Murdoch Linda McCormack Claire Buchan Svein Tommerdal (Mayor of Alesund)
1983 Paula Taylor Sandra Eddie Jacqueline Thain Anna Sourby (Grampian TV)
1984 Shona McIntosh Margaret Bruce Shirley Wagner Chief Constable Alistair Lynn
1985 Karon Beagrie Donna Anderson Debbie Junor Lord Gray of Taynuilt, Argyll
1986 Fiona Buchan Heather Willox Lorraine Henderson Frank Gilfeather (Grampain TV)
1987 Priscilla Shillington Shirley Ann McDonnell Mary Jolly Mr Peter Heatly CBE
1988 Debra Watson Carole Woolner Kerry Mundie Stephen Robertson (Scotland the What)
1989 Carole Woolner Gillian Shaw Maree Fordyce Dr Geoffrey Hadley
1990 Hazel Milne Alison Louise Forbes Anne Marie Mathers Arlene Stewart (Grampian TV)
1991 Tina Gallagher Tracy Innes Morag McDougall Fiona Kennedy
1992 Morag McDougall Yvette Winterbottom Sharlene Everett Jack Webster
1993 Diane Finnie Michelle Buchan Brenda Smith Wolf & Cobra (ITV Gladiators)
1994 Dianna Taylor Brenda Smith Lynn Ann Fraser Sean O'Farrell (Irish Singer)
1995 Suzanne Cheyne Melanie Johnstone Lisa Chalmers Bill Cruickshank O.B.E.
1996 Caroline Smith Margaret E. Strachan Lorraine McIntosh Group Captain of R.A.F. Buchan
1997 Joanna Anketill Dawn Smillie Lesly Cairns Johnny Beattie & Peter Morrison
1998 Claire Stephen Kelly O'Brien Alwyn Lois Milne John Duncanson (Grampain TV) & Gwnyth Guthrie (Highroad)
1999 Karen Cherry Vanda Geddes Teresa Smith John Duncanson (Grampian TV) & Kenny King (Waves Radio)
2000 Jill Morrison Jacqueline Ives Stacey Hopkin John Duncanson (Grampian TV)
2001 Lynn Morrice Claire Stephen Jennifer Sandison Alex Salmond MP
2002 Louise Duthie Gemma Taylor Susan Robertson Arve Tonning (Mayor of Alesund)
2003 Stephanie Bruce Sarana Buchan Lisa Smith Marc Ellington (Singer)
2004 Jacqueline Greig Hayliegh Riddell Shonagh Buchan Cheryl Paul & Chris Harvey (Grampian TV)
2005 Louise Ritchie Lorraine Bruce Gina Paterson James McLaughlan (Strictly Dance Fever)
2006 Rachel Duthie Lori Davidson Nicola Paterson Madeline Kelly (First Buchan Queen)
2007 Kelly Hall Leane Smith Jamie Lee Steyn Jimmy Buchan (BBC Trawlerman)
2008 Stephanie McLaughlan Gillian Park Toni Steyn Frank Gilfeather (Radio Presenter/Journalist)
2009 Amy-Louise Reid Gemma Gray Leah Porter Alex Salmond (First Minister)
2010 Dawn-Louise Samuel Deanna Carter Ashleigh Donald Sean Batty (STV Weatherman)
2011 Chelsea Fulton Jenna Morrice Jemma Buchan Norman MacLeod (STV Newsreader)


The Raft Race

Arguably the most popular of any Peterhead Scottish Week, the Raft Race has had a long associattion with the week-long Gala but many locals are surprised to learn that the event itself was not an original concept of Scottish Week and was only introduced in 1979. The name of the first event was infact Raft Race 2000 but the '2000' was later dropped. The first few years saw a battle between local based companies Asco and British National Oil Corporation (BNOC) as to the 'champions of the sea'. BNOC won the very first Raft race and again triumphed two years later in 1981. It would have been a hat-tick of victories for BNOC as they also crossed the line first in the 1980 event but were later disqualified when failing to follow the correct course; thus handing the win to rivals Asco. Nineteen teams participated in 1979 and this grew to its peak of 29 entrants in 1984 with some companies such as BNOC submitting 2 or 3 teams in the event. In latter years, with a greater demand in legislation and the necessity for health & saftey regulations, the cost in insuraning water-related events as part of Peterhead Scottish Week meant that the committee had to withdraw the event from the 2006 calander. In 2008 a proposal by a member of the public to finance a return of the Raft Race was welcomed but with less tahn a month to go before Scottish Week 2008 it was not possible to carry through with the plans. As 2011 marks the 50th edition of Peterhead Scottish Week, the committee decided that the week itself should feature a number of nostalgic events, most notably the Raft Race. The insurance headaches that had plagued the event and brought it to a halt had now been overcome. Please note that a Raft Race event sponsored by Peterhead Scottish Week was held in 1977 to raise funds for the Peterhead Hospital Pacemaker Fund. The winners of that event was the team of JMC Silver Streak.


Year Winning Team Year Winning
1962 - 1976 No Event 1996 Example
1977 JMC Silver Streak* (Sponsored event)
1978 No Event
1979 British National Oil Corporation 1997 Example
1980 Asco 1998 Example
1981 British National Oil Corporation 1999 Example
1982 Northsound Radio 2000 Example
1983 Peterhead Swimming Club 2001 Example
1984 Peterhead Police 2002 Example
1985 Aberdeenshire Rafters 2003 Example
1986 BritOil 2004 Example
1987 Asco 2005 Example
1988 Asco 2006 No Event
1989 Connor Seafoods 2007 No Event
1990 Example 2008 No Event
1991 Example 2009 No Event
1992 Example 2010 No Event
1993 Example 2011 Thursday 21st July
1994 Example 2012 Event Not Confirmed
1995 Example 2013 Event Not Confirmed


References

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