In February last year the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo performed at Sydney Cricket Ground, only the third time the Tattoo has been abroad in its 60 years history. As I was finishing 10 years as a Director and Trustee of the Tattoo, I was asked to join the production team in Australia. It was a memorable trip. The Tattoo was a spectacular success. The cast of 1000 playing to a total audience of nearly 100,000 over the 4 nights. The welcome we received was outstanding. I also supported the work of VisitScotland by representing the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs at a presentation at a Scottish Memorial Cairn in Sydney.

Thanks to previous contacts with Dr Bruce Durie, our Family Geneologist, I was able to make touch with two separate Durie Families in NSW, and arrange to spend 24 hours with them. David Durie with his now fiancee Julie Campbell picked me up off the train from Sydney, and we spent the day traversing the amazingly beautiful scenery of the Blue Mountain Range and the string of little towns which lie along its backbone. Unfortunately much was shrouded in cloud. We had lunch with his Mother and Father, and I was able to learn a little of his Family's history, in particular, the incredible stories of his Grandfather, Father and Uncles in WW II. I hope David can be persuaded to write these up for us all.

In the afternoon we descended to Lithgow, an important mining centre and home to a major ordanance factory. There I met Ken Durie and members of his Family, and began to learn what an influence the Duries have had on the town. Ken took us to the Sports Hall, l where the Lithgow Highland Pipe Band played especially in my honour. It was a great performance by a really talented group of musicians of all ages. No surprise that they continually win prizes at County Shows. There were several Duries present including Ken's Granddaughter playing in the Band. Her Mother teaches Highland Dancing. It was for me, a most moving and touching experience.

After meeting and chatting with the Band, I had supper at Ken's home and learnt something of his two passions, orchids and his Family. He took me through some of the research he has done on his Family, which stems from 5 brothers who left Glasgow for Australia. Again this is a story which I hope he will share with us, and with Bruce Durie's help, we can slot the connections into our main Family Tree.

A short night, then the train back to Sydney, but not before Ken had taken me to see Durie Street in Lithgow. I was overwhelmed by the kindness and hospitality shown me on this short visit. I hope we will be able to use these new contacts to forge more permanent links with Durie Family members all over Australia. That is what the Durie Family Association is all about. My sincere thanks to David and Ken for making me feel so much at home.

Andrew Durie of Durie August 2010