The Baron of Bannockburn Hope Vere Anderson
“It is with heart-felt pride I am holder of the Dignity of the Barony of Bannockburn, Stirlingshire, Scotland,” stated Hope Vere Anderson.
For many centuries, Scotland strived to maintain its freedom as an independent nation. The Battle of Bannockburn was fought on June 23-24, 1314, between the army of Robert the Bruce of Scotland and the army of King Edward II of England. After defeating King Edward II at the Battle of Bannockburn, the Declaration of Arbroath proclaiming Scotland an independent sovereign state, was crafted and signed by Scottish Barons and Nobles. Although Scottish independence lasted only fourteen years, the Battle of Bannockburn is celebrated and commemorated annually by organizations inclusive of the National Trust for Scotland, numerous medieval re-enactors, and hosts of Scots. The 700th anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn was celebrated widely in 2014.
Tourists to Scotland may visit the Battle of Bannockburn Visitor Centre operated by the National Trust of Scotland and located at Stirling FK7 0LJ. Bannockburn House is also open to the public and serves as a venue for weddings.
Banockburn 1314
painted by Robert Eadie R.S.A. (1877-1954)
Private Collection: Hope Vere Anderson
Message from Hope Vere Anderson - Society of Antiquaries March 16, 2025
I fondly remember it was the Spring of 2018 when David Caldwell, the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland President, announced my appointment as the Honorary Secretary for Society Affairs in North America. Since that noteworthy day, I have thoroughly enjoyed the privilege of engaging and encouraging Society Fellows in Canada and the USA to aspire to reach their lofty dreams as Scotland’s archaeologists, prehistorians, and ancient studies scholars – a most satisfying enterprise.
The purpose of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland is that of investigating both antiquities and natural and civil history, with the intention of cultivating the talents of mankind and ensuring the promotion of the study of the natural and useful sciences.
The Society was founded in 1780, and incorporated by Royal Charter in 1783, with our current patron being His Majesty King Charles III. It was founded by David Steuart Erskine, the 11th Earl of Buchan, with original members including my personal ancestor James Hope Johnstone, the 3rd Earl of Hopeton. Other early 18th century members included famed author Sir Walter Scott, as well as my namesake, James Joseph Hope Vere, who was a Member of Parliament in the United Kingdom.
The Society provides expertise, support and resources aimed at the enhancement and promotion of the understanding and enjoyment of Scotland’s past, facilitating research excellence and innovation, while promoting collaboration, transparency, and equality.
I encourage all interested global parties to join the Society as members or apply for Fellow status at www.socantscot.org. To all who have propelled the society forward into the 21st century, a world-class organization in which excellence and pursuit of knowledge are the daily goals, I commend you. Please accept my gratitude for your steadfast efforts.
Best wishes for your continued success,
Hope
Hope Vere Anderson of Bannockburn
Message from Hope Vere Anderson August 12, 2025
I am delighted to greet all Clansmen and friends and send my best wishes to you and your families wherever you may be.
I have sorely missed being with you, my friends and Clanfolk this summer, feeling particularly bereaved to have missed most of our 2024 festival season in the USA. Yet I am relieved and thankful to share some good news: my physician pronounced my macular edema cured during my July 30 visit, and I am expecting her approval to fly to America in Autumn, just in time for the Stone Mountain Highland Games in Atlanta on October 18-20. Trust me, I’ll be there even if I must travel by ship – aye.
It is my hope that new global Clan Anderson Societies will emerge, using the USA Society as a model. There would be nothing more gratifying than gathering worldwide Clan Anderson Societies together here in Scotland periodically; perhaps at my homeplace. I wish to work more diligently to this end. In fact I am meeting with leadership from New Zealand this very month.
Here in Scotland, I have enjoyed convening with clansmen and friends at 2024 festivals, having just returned from the Aboyne Highland Games on August 3, and am anticipating The Braemar Royal Highland Gathering in early September prior to traveling to the U.S. I will be presenting the Clan Anderson Society Arms to be displayed in the museum at Braemar as part of the Bill Anderson exhibit.
As many of you will remember, Bill was the greatest and last of the Farmyard Heavies born and bred on an Aberdeenshire farm having won world-wide recognition. I last met Bill Anderson at the Pleasanton Games in California in 2015 where he was the visiting guest of honour from Scotland. During that occasion my son Adrian and I presented Bill with our then recently matriculated Clan Anderson Society Arms. He asked me my thoughts regarding the proposed Clan Gathering Centre at Braemar and told me he hoped to donate many of his Trophies. I encouraged him saying it was a wonderful idea.
The Centre was opened by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at The Duke of Rothesay Highland Games Pavilion during the Royal Braemar Highland Games in 2018. Last year in 2023 I asked the director for permission to add our Clan Anderson Society Arms to Bill’s display as I had presented him with the arms in person in 2015. The request was approved.
I hope I will be fortunate in celebrating Scotland's rich cultural heritage through fellowship, merriment and reunion with many of you soon at Scottish Festivals and Highland Games around the globe. Until then.
We stand sure,
Hope
By The Newsroom
Published 17th Aug 2019, 08:00 BST The Scotsman
https://www.scotsman.com/news/obituaries/obituary-bill-anderson-mbe-scotlands-greatest-heavyweight-highland-games-star-1410325
William Smith Anderson MBE, Highland Games athlete. Born: 6 October 1937 in Bucksburn, Aberdeen. Died: 12 August 2019, aged 81.
Bill Anderson, who has died aged 81, was Scotland’s greatest ever Highland Games heavyweight athlete and a hugely admired and respected Games’ figurehead. In an incomparable honour-laden career spanning more than 30 years, he won championships by the barrowload at home and abroad, set innumerable records and lifted the standard of traditional heavy events to unprecedented levels.
His spectacular performances, especially with hammer and caber, enthused crowds, which he attracted in great numbers, raising the profile of the Games across the board. A determined but gracious competitor who always conducted himself well and for whom the integrity of the Games was paramount, his modest manner, innate decency, quiet sense of humour, companionable nature and sportsmanship endeared him to all.
Message from Hope Vere Anderson May 20, 2024
Once again, I am delighted to send you greetings from sunny New Abbey here in historic Dumfriesshire, Scotland. At last the rain has stopped after the wettest winter and spring on record. I pray all of you and your families are well. God willing I will be able to fly to America in Autumn after my summer eye treatments, with one eye already cured and just one more to go.
As time marches on, I have been reflecting how well the U.S. Clan Anderson Society has weathered the test of time. Over half a century has passed since we first convened at Grand Father Mountain in 1973.
I was elected Chieftain of North America 35 years ago in 1989 and true to the ancient Celtic tradition was declared Chief by the Clan Anderson Society twenty-one years later in 2010. It has been an honour to serve our Clan as your Chief. By the grace of God I look forward to many fruitful years ahead.
We are now approaching twenty-five years since our Clan Anderson Millenium Gathering here at my home in June 2000. I believe the time is fast approaching to convene our next Clan Anderson Gathering here in Scotland at either my family home.
I hope to see as many of you as possible when I attend the Stone Mountain Games in Atlanta in October. Until then, may God’s blessings be upon you all.
We stand sure.
Hope