My Biography

I was born and raised in Scotland and hail from the east coast town of Arbroath in the County of Angus, now part of Tayside region. Arbroath is famous in Scottish history for its abbey, built in 1178 by William ‘the Lion’ Dunkeld, King of Scots, for being the site of the Declaration of Independence in 1320 and for the short, and bloody, Battle of Arbroath between Clan Oglivie and Clan Lindsey in 1446. Arbroath is also famous for its culinary delicacy the “Smokie”, or smoked haddock (really good with chips [that’s French fries by the way].) My interest in History was sparked when my father gave me a copy of the book “Scottish Clans and their tartans” when I was nine. This expanded into a deep interest in Celtic culture and Art and the richness of Scottish and other Heraldic nations.

In my late teens my interests lead me to the Dundee Wargames Club where I fielded many a Celtic army and met three of my great friends, Ricardo Pinto, John Robertson and Brian Gibb.

It was during these years I also met my first wife, Isabel, who has remained a great and dear friend. After meeting and marrying Isabel I relocated from Arbroath to her hometown of Crail in the Kingdom of Fife a title retained since before the 3rd Century) where we were blessed by the birth of two wonderful children, Liane and Richard. While in Fife I researched at the St. Andrews University and Hay Fleming Libraries. It was while in Fife I met with another group of long-standing and close friend, John Mason, Edith Carrick and Tony Wilson.

From Crail I relocated to the neighboring town of Anstruther where I perused my research into the Names, Clans and Tartans of Scotland and other Celtic interests. In the late nineties I intensified my researches and began the process leading to the creation of Celtic Heraldry Creations. Through my research and development process I was inspired by another dear friend, Annette Scot of Hazel Banks glass, to join “Made in Fife” and attend their classes in business.



While attending a course in Business Management at Glenrothes Technical College I met my present wife, Rose, and it was through her influences I relocated from Scotland to the United States and her home on the island of Maui in the Hawaiian Islands. This re-location resulted in the launch of the business being forestalled while I acquainted myself with new rules and regulations,



Since settling on Maui I have been actively continuing my research and preparing my Celtic and Heraldic artwork as well being active with the local Celtic community of the island. For the past two years I have had the honor of being the Master of Ceremonies at the annual Burns supper and have attended many events hosted by my good mate Jim “Seamus” Burgess of Maui Celtic and other events featuring Maui’s own pipe band, Maui Celtic Pipes and Drums, ably led by Pipe Major John Grant.



Seamus also hosts the radio show ‘Sunday Solstice’ on our local Mana’o Radio and I have had the rare pleasure to be a guest a few times. I have also had the honor and privilege to give a lecture for the Celtic Society of Maui Community College hosted by Bud Clerk.



As well continuing my work I have been on the periphery of the Maui’s amateur theatrical groups helping with set construction, production and generally helping where needed. Recently I had the honor and privilege to be a part of my beloved wife’s recent performance “It’s All About Love” at the historic Ao Theatre in Wailuku, along with our wonderfully talented friends.

When time allows I and Rose return to Scotland for the purposes of research and to visit friends and relations.