THE CLAN

SOCIETY

Without doubt the credit for the founding of the Society goes to Pat Hanna, cartoonist, film star and producer, of Melbourne, Australia. It was his enthusiasm and untiring efforts which made the Hannas, Hannahs and Hannays conscious of the great tradition of their family. In October 1959, he met in London another enthusiast, the late John Hannay, Deputy Mayor of Chelsea - the first Convener, and out of this meeting, the Society was born.

Pat Hanna then contacted Donald C. Hannah, FRICS of Edinburgh and Alex Hannah, FCII of Inverness and exploratory meetings were held at the former's home in Edinburgh on March 8, 1960 and at Sorbie Tower on June 28^th when it was decided to form the Hannay, Hanna, Hannah Clan Society, later shortened to Clan Hannay Society, with the prime object of acquiring the ancestral home of the Family - Sorbie Tower.

As a result of these meetings, a World-Wide Council was formed with John Hannay as Convener, Alex Hannah as Secretary and Donald C. Hanna as Treasurer.

The first Council included Major R.W. Rainsford-Hannay of Kirkdale; Pat Hanna of Melbourne, Australia; Mrs. M. Playfair-Hannay, MBF of Kingsmuir; the late Sir Walter Fergusson Hannay or London; the late Judge G.B. Hanna, QC, of Belfast; Alex Hannah, Shipbroker, Leith; Dennis O'D. Hanna, Architect of Belfast; Reverend James A.M Hanna, Ohio, USA; John S. Hanna, qc, Winnipeg: Major Stewart Francis, Suffolk; Andrew Hannah, Sorbie Village; The Most Reverend Thomas Hannay, Bishop of Argyll and The Isles (Hon. Chaplain), and John Gunn Hannah, Musselburgh (Hon. Piper).

The first General Meeting was held on May 18^th, 1962 at the Commonwealth Club, London, when colored slides of Sorbie, Wigton, Edinburgh and The Tomb of Mary of Castlecary were shown and the history of their association with the Family was given by Alex Hannah. The Society took part in the Garden Party organized by the Council of Scottish Clan Societies at Lauriston Castle, Edinburgh, on September 8^th, 1962. This was one of the highlights of the Society's activities as various Family heirloom were on show such as: Armorial China and Miniatures from Kirkdale, Prints from Kingsmuir, The Gustavus Adolphus Medal presented to James Godfrey Hanna for services to the Swedish King at Lubeck; Sir Samuel Hannay's Token; Collection of Scottish Coins illustrating the history of the Hannays from William the Lion to Queen Anne; Maps; Coats of Arms, etc.

Each year thereafter a meeting has been held in Edinburgh which has taken the form of a business meeting followed by a talk on a subject related to the objects and interests of the Society. In 1966, Nigel Tranter the well-know Scottish author and lecturer, addressed the Society on the subject of the Scottish castle of which Sorbie is an example.

One of the main objects of our Society and one indeed which is at the root of all Scottish Clan Societies, is to develop, maintain, and strengthen the links with those of our line and their descendants, who, during past centuries, have spread throughout the world.

The Scots as a race have a deep seated interest in their origns and we, who are directly or indirectly connected with the name of Hannay, Hannah or Hanna, are indeed fortunate to be able to indulge that interest. We have several chroniclers in the Clan - the Reverend James A.M. Hanna of Oakhill, Ohio; Lt. Col. Stewart Francis and Col. William Hannay of Albany, New York. By their careful researchers they have brought to everyone of us the means of tracing our origins which would otherwise have been beyond our reach.