The Sunday Post: Hospice News

Piece of Scots history goes to our appeal

By Paul Hastie

THE legacy of renowned Scottish poet, Hugh MacDiarmid, is set to help our Hospice Appeal — 25 years after he passed away.

It’s hoped that more than Ł7000 will be raised for Robin House with the auction of a unique piece of MacDiarmid’s past — his favourite pipe.

It is being sold by acclaimed Ayrshire poet Henry Mair — a close friend of MacDiarmid’s.
Memento

Henry was given the pipe as a memento by MacDiarmid’s widow Valda in 1979 — barely a year after he died. Valda told him to keep it for himself, but he feels it is time the pipe was passed on.

“MacDiarmid was a Scot first and last,” he said. “He went on about the future of Scotland — and that’s what our children are.

“He would be happy that the sale of his pipe will help build a new hospice for CHAS.”

Henry Mair with Hugh MacDiarmid’s favourite pipe and (below) a famous grainy old photo of MacDiarmid himself by his fireside smoking his beloved pipe.

Many regard MacDiarmid as the greatest Scottish poet since Robert Burns — thanks to praised works such as A Drunk Man Looks At The Thistle.

In a 2000 poll by Who’s Who, he was voted the third top Scot of the 20th Century — beating such luminaries as Alexander Graham Bell, Sean Connery and Donald Dewar.

MacDiarmid was also a writer and political activist. He was a founder member of the Scottish National Party and all his life supported the return of the Scottish Parliament.

“Hopefully the pipe will find its way to the Scottish Parliament, a Burns Club or a private collector,” Henry said.

“It has been sitting in a jar in my house for 24 years. Now future generations will have it as a reminder of the great man.”
Respect

Henry has taken pains to ensure the pipe receives the respect it deserves. He took it to a jeweller in Kilmarnock, who created a mount from 200-year-old Scottish oak, with a sterling silver plaque.

Inscribed are the words, “Hugh MacDiarmid, Scottish writer and poet, some say he was greater than Burns”.

No-one has a greater respect for MacDiarmid than Henry himself. They met in 1972, when the young poet went on a pilgrimage to Biggar in hope of meeting the legendary MacDiarmid.

“He was more used to visits from academics and professors, but I was welcomed into his home,” Henry said.

MacDiarmid encouraged and inspired Henry’s own poetry. He supported the Scottish National Open Poetry competition, founded by Henry in 1973 and still going strong today.

The close friendship is described in Henry’s book, MacDiarmid’s Disciple.

When MacDiarmid passed away, his widow Valda asked Henry to chose any item as a keepsake. Henry asked for one of his eight pipes, and Valda immediately handed over her husband’s favourite — given to him by his son on his 75th birthday.

Now this gift, which meant so much to Henry, will help the children of CHAS and go toward making the new hospice a reality.

If you would like to make an offer for the unique pipe, contact Henry Mair on 01294 276381.

You can e-mail us at: hospice@sundaypost.com