Rtn Mardi and husband Fred spoke to us on their Friendship Exchange to Scotland in September 2009.

The Rotary Friendship Exchange program gives Rotarians and their families the opportunity to host and visit Rotarians around the world.
In addition to experiencing other cultures and making lasting friendships, an exchange provides a strong foundation for carrying out other international activities and service projects.

Mardi and Fred flew to Edinburgh and met up with their team there. One of the other couples was from The Pas and knew our Rtn Audrey H.

Their first hosts were in Dunbar , Scotland.

Mardi provided a slideshow of their journey. Some of the topics presented included:
  • fish and chips , Scotsman in kilts  anda visit to the Royal Yacht Britannia;
  • a visit to Stirling Castle where several Scottish Kings and Queens have been crowned including Mary, Queen of Scots, in 1543;
  • a visit to Eyemouth , a town that was struck by a disaster when on the 14th October 1881. Most of the fishing fleet, some 20 boats and 129 men from the town were lost in a terrible storm. Including victims from other coastal towns, a total of 189 men lost their lives. This is commemorated in the Tapestry housed in the local Museum.
  • a visit to Floors Castle which was featured in the 1984 movie Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes.
  • a tour to Edinburgh Castle where they checked out the Crown Jewels, the dungeon, and the Royal Mile;
Rtn Mardi only had time to show 70 of 300 slides, but she indicated that 6 Scottish couples will visit Dryden between July 20 - Aug 2...and she is looking for 5 other couples to host these people.