Southland’s Scottish Roots

Southland’s strong Scottish heritage continues to shape the region’s identity, and this legacy is beautifully captured in a recent exhibition presented by the Southland Oral History Project (SOHP). Featuring six oral histories with a distinctly Scottish flavour, the display brings personal stories to life through audio excerpts, biographical details, and photographs. The audio excerpts can be found on SoundCloud and are accessible via QR Codes and URLs. The voices that can be heard offer a rich tapestry of memory, migration, and community spirit.

The exhibition, which showcases interviews with Scottish settlers and descendants whose families helped shape the region, was conceived and written by Rosie Stather, Project Coordinator for the SOHP. The exhibition’s visual presentation was created by James Hargest College student Matthew Beattie.

The exhibition was displayed in the Invercargill Public Library as part of Southland Heritage Month. In addition, Rosie has presented the exhibition in Te Anau on 25 July, where it ran until 25 August, and again in Gore on 12 November, with the exhibition running from 13 November to 12 December.

The stories shared include:

• Alistair Donald Mackay (1927–2021)

• Lovat Hugh Fraser (1940– )

• Angus David Macdonald (1937–2023)

• Valerie Joan Robbie (1924–2024)

• Irene Margaret Kennedy (1924–2012)

• Winifred May Wilson (1901–1996)

In this article, you’ll find short biographies of each interviewee, along with selected audio clips so you can hear their stories in their own words — a moving tribute to Southland’s Scottish roots.

Alistair Donald Mackay, addressing the haggis, 2011

BIOS & AUDIO CLIPS

Alistair Donald Mackay (1927 – 2021)

Alistair, known as Mac, was born in Glasgow, Scotland in 1927. Mac’s father, Donald Meredith Gordon Mackay, was born in Tapanui in 1895. Mac’s paternal grandparents were both from Scotland. After serving in WW1, Donald left New Zealand and moved to Glasgow, where he married Dora Bell Robson. 

Due to the outbreak of WW2, the Mackay family decided to return to New Zealand. Mac, his mother and siblings were able to leave but his father was not. The family sailed in a convoy across the Atlantic, landing in Panama and then across the Pacific on the Rangatiki. Mac never saw his father again as he was killed in an air raid in Glasgow in 1941. The family landed in Wellington and moved to Gore, where Mac attended Gore High.

Mac became interested in farming and was a shepherd at Glenure before spending a decade shearing in Balfour. Mac bought his first farm in Otago, before moving to Dunsandel, in Selwyn District and then finally to a farm in Kapuka, which he got through a ballot. In 1954, Mac married Alice Dale and they had two children.

Mac retained a strong interest in his Scottish roots. He joined the St Andrew’s Scottish Society and Burns Club, the Ceilidh Society and the Southland Scottish Society. He was heavily involved in the restoration of Invercargill’s Scottish Hall.

Aside from his passion for Scottish heritage, Mac competed in several Masters Games, winning 180 medals over 14 years in athletics and swimming. Mac died in 2021.

Bio & Audio Clip attribution: Southland Oral History Project H0054. Oral History Interview of Alistair Donald MACKAY by Rebecca AMUNDSEN [22 April 2011]

Lovat Fraser in 1994

Angus David Macdonald, 1960

Valerie on her wedding day, 1958

Irene Gray in WWSA Uniform

May Thorn (1924)

Lovat Hugh Fraser (1940 – present)

Lovat was born in 1940 in Lumsden. His Grandfather, Hugh Fraser     was born in 1839 near Beauly, in the Highlands of Scotland. In 1863, Hugh and his brother Thomas emigrated to New Zealand. They worked on the goldfields of Central Otago and the West Coast before returning to Scotland in 1869. They moved permanently to New Zealand in 1872, settling in the Palmerston area. The Fraser brothers went on to own three properties in Otago. In 1907, Hugh bought a dairy farm in Edendale, where he lived until his death in 1917. 

Lovat’s father Sam married Marjory (Madge) Calder, and, in 1928, they bought The Gorge Station, near Te Anau, which they farmed until it was sold in 1966. Lovat was initially educated at home before moving to Invercargill during term time to attend Surrey Park School. It was there that he first became aware of the uniqueness of his name. Passed down from his father, 'Lovat' is traditionally associated with the head of the Fraser Clan in Scotland, who holds the title of Lord Lovat. Lovat continued his education at Tweedsmuir and Southland Boys' High School.

In 1966, Lovat married Shirley Fletcher. The couple initially worked on a property near Mandeville before moving to Mossburn, where Lovat was employed at Hamilton Burn. In 1970, they were balloted a Lands  & Survey farm in the Te Anau Basin, which they named York Downs, as part of Mt York was on the property. They farmed there for 27 years while raising their three daughters. York Downs was sold in 1997, but retirement did not suit Lovat, who continued working part-time as a truck driver."

Bio & Audio Clip attribution: Southland Oral History Project H0563. Oral History Interview of Lovat Hugh FRASER by Morag FORRESTER [17 and 19 October 2006]

Angus David Macdonald (1937 – 2023)

Angus David Macdonald, known as David, was born in Invercargill and grew up at The Plains Station near The Key, about 30km from Te Anau. His mother’s maternal ancestors were McLeods from the Isle of Skye. The ancestors of David’s father, Angus, came from the Mull of Kintyre. Angus emigrated from Scotland to New Zealand in 1901.

In 1919, Angus moved to The Plains Station as a manager for his uncle Donald Macdonald (David’s great-uncle) and took over the lease soon after.

David boarded at Waihi School, near Temuka, before going on to Christ’s College. When he was 16, he returned to The Plains to work full-time.  In 1950, after his father had a heart attack, David’s older brother, John, took over running the station.

In 1961, David married Sally Robertson, and they had three children. In 1969, The Plains Station was divided into three properties: Davaar, Bellfield, and The Plains.

David was actively involved in Rotary for many years and also served as a Justice of the Peace. He was Chairman of the Mararoa School Board. His hobbies included gardening and making home movies. 

David retired from farming at Davaar in 2002 and moved to Patience Bay outside Te Anau. David died in 2023.

Bio & Audio Clip attribution: Southland Oral History Project H0540. Oral History Interview of Angus David MACDONALD by Morag FORRESTER [19 May 2004]

Valerie Joan Robbie (1924 – 2024)

Valerie Joan Robbie, known as Val, was born in Invercargill in 1924. Her father, John Elliot (Jock) Cuthill, was born in Innerleithen, Scotland, where his family lived before emigrating to New Zealand. They arrived in Mosgiel in 1896, when Val’s grandfather, Robert, was recruited to work in a woollen mill. Her mother, Norma Jean McDonald, came from a family with roots in the Scottish Highlands. 

Val attended Waihopai School and then Southland Girls’ High School. She developed a strong connection to Te Anau, beginning with her first visit in 1929. The family camped there during the summer holidays. In 1938, they built their own crib, which they called Pyjama Cottage.

After finishing school, Val attended secretarial college before working for JG Ward & Co, Southland Farmers Co-Op, and Wright Stephenson. In 1949, she travelled to Canada, settling in Calgary to work for 2 years. She later traveled through the UK and Europe before returning to Invercargill in 1952.

In 1958, Val married Keith Robbie, a widower with four children. They lived in Nelson and Wellington before returning to Invercargill in 1970, where Val taught shorthand and typing. Val and Keith bought a crib in Mackinnon Loop, where they spent many holidays.

When Keith died in 1986, Val made Te Anau her permanent home and joined the Fiordland Tramping Club. She was also passionate about golf, embroidery, sewing and reading. Later, she had a house built in Fergus Square and volunteered at the Te Anau Library. Val died in 2024.

Bio & Audio Clip attribution: Southland Oral History Project H0555. Oral History Interview of Valarie Joan (Val) ROBBIE by Morag FORRESTER [31 October 2005]

Irene Margaret Kennedy (1924 – 2012)

Irene Margaret Kennedy was born in Browns in 1924. Her father was Richard Grey, a builder and her mother was Margaret Jane Stuart. Margaret was born in Paisley and lived in Fife, Scotland. She was brought to New Zealand by an uncle at the age of 16.

When Irene was growing up the family would play bagpipe and Scottish music on the wind-up gramophone at Christmas. The “Flower of Scotland” was one of Irene’s favourites.

Irene attended Browns School before moving on to Southland Technical College. At the outbreak of World War II, two of Irene’s brothers joined the Air Force. She wanted to join them but instead became part of the Women’s War Service Auxiliary (WWSA). As part of the WWSA, Irene moved to Tapanui in 1939 to work at the flax mill, which produced linen for parachutes. When the mill closed down after the war, Irene went to work at Tapanui Hospital. 

Irene met Ron Kennedy at a community dance in Tapanui and they were married in 1946. Ron worked on his family’s farm and then as a truck driver at a sawmill. Irene and Ron had two daughters. 

Irene worked at the Post Office in Tapanui. She was offered a short-term role but ended up staying for 18 years.

Irene’s passion was fishing, which she enjoyed for over 50 years, mainly on the Pomahaka River. She taught many local children how to fish. Irene also played bowls and won many trophies. She was a member of the Tapanui Women’s Bowling Club and competed in National Championships. Irene died in 2012.

Bio & Audio Clip attribution: Southland Oral History Project H0031. Oral History Interview of Irene Margaret KENNEDY by Joy LIETZE [4 June and 19 November 2010]

Winifred May Wilson (1901 – 1996)

Winifred May Wilson, known as May, was born in Mataura in 1901 to William Thorn and Anne McGowen. May was a keen sportswoman and represented Southland at hockey. Her Highland dancing career began at the age of 10 when May enrolled in weekly dancing classes with Stella Glennie. In 1913, May was part of a group of Scottish performers who toured Central Otago. 

May then moved to Dunedin to train with the Scottish Dance teacher William Kilgour. In the early 1920s, May won the first combined men’s and women’s over-18 championship. In 1924, she travelled to Scotland where she won both the Highland fling and sword dance at the Breadalbane Games at Aberfeldy. 

May returned to New Zealand and, in 1928, married Edward Wilson. They had four children and were running tearooms in Balclutha when Edward was killed in an accident in 1937.

After his death, May started a dancing school and also took a job with the Department of Internal Affairs as a physical welfare officer in Invercargill. 

At the end of World War II there were over 60 Scottish societies in New Zealand. May was invited to help set standards for performance and competition and was one of three founding members of the New Zealand Academy of Highland and National Dancing, which was formed in 1946. The standards she helped to set are still in place today. 

Over her career, May taught for over 40 years and won over 100 badges in National and International competitions. 

May died in 1996 in her 96th year.

Bio & Audio Clip attribution: Southland Oral History Project H0500. Oral History Interview of Winifred May WILSON by Edith RUDDENKLAU [9 August 1994]

Images top right: Gore Library Talk & Exhibition November 2025

Images below (L-R): Invercargill City Library display. Te Anau Library Talk & Exhibition July 2025