Chieftain’s Message - Summer 2010
I am writing my Summer Message back in Scotland, where the weather is anything but summery but at least the humidity is low.
As you know I want the theme for the year to be to “Promote and Communicate” and to that end, I met with Guy Warrington, HM Consul General in Dubai and Colin Crabbe, regional manager for Scottish Development International (SDI), who also offices in the British Embassy down on the creek. We had a very useful conversation, the outcome of which was twofold: the ability to make use of the Embassy grounds & facilities for events we may wish to hold as a Society; the development of a link with SDI to identify Scottish companies and Scots at the helm of UAE based organisations who we can target to become more involved in the Society’s activities.
On the communication theme, Pauline Thomson, our webmaster and I plan to meet with Native in Edinburgh as they host our website (www.dubaicaledoniansociety.com). We will explore ways to update the appearance of the website to make it more user friendly. Stay tuned for updates on this and if you have ideas of things you would like to see included on the website, please send an e-mail to myself or to Pauline ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ).
I received a letter of appreciation from Dubai Centre for Special Needs for our recent charity donation to them from the successful Chieftain’s Ceilidh. Our contributions help to support the care of Fatima Mubarak, a 16 year-old pupil there.
I appreciate that many of you may be travelling over the summer for shorter or longer trips. For those of you staying in Dubai, we are having our popular Summer Survivor Sundowner on Friday August 6th in our home in Umm Suqiem. If you would like to make a booking for this evening, please contact Margaret Donaldson ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ). Whether you are in Dubai on your own or are there as a couple, you will be more than welcome.
Our first formal event of the new season will be our “Season Starter Party” to be held on Thursday September 30th at Emirates Golf Club. Tickets will be on sale in early September priced at AED 100 each to include a light finger food buffet and one drink (beer or wine). A cash bar will be available throughout the evening. It is planned as a relaxed evening with music & socialising and the opportunity to dance, sing or whatever you fancy!
We have been contacted by Water Aid, (www.wateraid.org) a UK based charity that transforms lives by improving access to safe water, hygiene and sanitation in the world’s poorest communities. They are holding their second Big National Ceilidh on Saturday October 16th but recognise that it will not always be possible to co-ordinate activities globally on the same date. We will look to register our Season Starter Party on September 30th for this event and have a wee collection on the evening for this worthwhile cause.
Well that is all from me for the summer. Wherever you are, I hope you have a relaxing time, whether in the variety of a Scottish summer or the heat of a Dubai one! In the meantime, I welcome any feedback, comments and ideas you have. Please e-mail me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . I will try to give you a speedy response to comments made.
Yours aye,
Stuart Heath
Chieftain
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