Unveiling of new plaque to honor Scottish immigrants who travelled to North Carolina

Fort Anderson, NC (WWAY)– Bagpipes could be heard, scones were served, and kilts were on full display as a new plaque was unveiled at Brunswick town Fort Anderson state historic site on Friday. The plaque honors the Scottish immigrants who traveled to North Carolina

Bill Caudill, one of the bagpipe players, explains why the tribute matters.

“it’s interesting to note that Scottish are the only ethnic group that came directly to North Carolina from the mother country, The other groups came from other regions that migrated inland to North Carolina, so these people came right off the boat to North Carolina”, said Caudill.

Over fifty people gathered around a Scottish Cairn to watch the unveiling. Catherine Fort, secretary of the Cape Fear Scottish Immigration Memorial Fund, explains the cultural importance of events like these.

“The Scottish culture is huge in North Carolina particularly, but United States as well, and this is an example of how important the heritage and culture is to everyone”, said Fort.

Before and after the ceremony, as bagpipes filled the air, the sounds carried special meaning for Bob McLeod, the president of the Cape Fear Scottish Immigration Memorial Fund.

“Every time I hear it, I get tingles on my spine, it brings you back through your DNA when you hear the bag pipes. it’s hard to listen to amazing grace without a tear in your eye. It’s such a distinct sound, nothing else is like it and it is a such a piece of emotional music:”, said McLeod