Scottish Connections

deepaul said:

Hi all,
Coincidentally, Samana Bay is next to Escocesa Bay (Bay of the Scotswoman?) Is there any connection?

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No woman involved. The correct translation is Scottish Bay.

Please carry on.

the faro de colon - the biggest lighthouse in the world (i believe) which was completed about ten years ago was actually designed for trujillo (the assassinated dictator) by a scotsman. i don't have his name to hand, but there is a lot of literature, not necessarily about him, but his winning design from books printed in the 50s and earlier.

also one of the dominican republic's more prominent families, the reid cabrals have a scottish ancestry, and in terms of generations, not that far back. i am sure if you explained what you wanted to do, they would probably love to tell about their scottish roots.

tip:
most dominicans will probably want to talk to you about whisky, and will constantly ask you which is the best one. there really are a lot (i mean a lot) of brands here. if that doesn't get on your nerves too much, maybe it would be good for you to brush up some knowledge on whiskies, because if you seem to know what you are talking about (even if pretending), they will be much more approachable.
i am english, so you probably hate me - but they insist whisky comes from my country and are always asking me which are the best ones. i don't have a clue, i prefer bitter anyday, but i just go along with it and tell them johnny walker is considered crap amongst the people that know. after that you can talk to them about anything you want.

Just a guess, but could the name "Bahia Escosesa" have something to do with seafarers or pirates from Scotland?

Scottish organization SEAD (Scottish Education and Action for Development) have an ongoing connection with a successful community and environmental development project in Cotui, you may want to contact them for information about this, their office is in Edinburgh.

Chiri

escoseces

There are several cheerful folks from Scotland at the Abraham Lincoln school in La Romana. They're really into golfing, as any good Scot I guess should, but since they are also teachers I would assume that perhaps they may be aware of historical references to Highlanders in the DR. You may want to give it a try.
good luck,
-Tordok

try this:

Some fields of investigation would be:



FUNDACION DEL SUPREMO CONSEJO DEL GRADO 33 PARA LA REPUBLICA DOMINICANA ORDO AB CHAO :Founded on feb 16 1861, Rito Antiguo Escoc?s .
Pedro Santana, David Le?n, Gabriel Jos? de Luna, Jos? Mar?a Leyba Ram?rez y Antonio Madrigal were named as the founders.

Also here: http://www.cabinda.net/rd-gl.htm

Gran Logia de la Republica Dominicana to propagate the rite of perfection(Scottish) in all America Founded Oct 24 1858

In some posting I read that a scottsman was responsable for the Faro a Colon, this holds true because it was a brittish architech by the name of J. L. Gleave, who was of scottish descent himself, you can find more about him.

Good luck!