Rosemary Imlah is a familiar figure to many in Flagstaff, especially those who have attended Robbie Burns Nights or either of the two Clan Gatherings hosted by the Flagstaff Scottish Club held in Sedgewick the past two years. What they may not know is that she acts as Clan Chieftan for the Flagstaff Scottish Club as well.

Imlah, who was born in Scotland, moved to Canada in 1958 at age 20, and she has maintained her Scottish heritage with great pride.

“We say there are two types in the world; those who are Scottish, and those who wish they were,” she jokes.

Imlah’s soon-to-be husband had emigrated from Scotland two years earlier, and she joined him in Port Alberni, BC. As a civil engineer, he worked all over western Canada, and even spent some time working in Thailand. While in Thailand, she was Chieftan of the St. Andrews Society there. “We hosted a wonderful Robbie Burns night.”

Through her son and daughter-in-law the couple became aware of the need for a swim coach and aquatic director in Forestburg, and moved here, where she worked at the swimming pool and with the swim club, then the golf course, before retiring. Imlah lost her husband John in 2013.

Imlah joined the Royal Canadian Legion in Sedgewick, where her son Grant was already a member, and through that became involved in the Robbie Burns Nights organized by Karen Robinson and Ian Malcolm.

The event celebrated its 14th anniversary this past February.

She says she’s happy that the Flagstaff Scottish Club has grown so much over a few short years, and credits Robinson and Malcolm for being the catalysts of such great growth.

“It’s amazing! I’m so proud of the club, and of the level of Scottish-ness in the region.”

Imlah was extremely honoured to be named Clan Chieftan of the Club, and represented it at the first and second Gathering of the Clans Highland Festivals, in 2018 and 2019 in Sedgewick. “It was such an honour.”

She’s supported the club however she’s able, “I’ve baked a fair number of shortbread cookies over the years,” she says, and has helped out wherever she could.

While COVID-19 caused the cancellation of the 2020 Clan Gathering, she’s confident it will return in 2021 stronger than ever.

Her son, daughter-in-law, grandson, and granddaughter are also involved with the club, and with the relatively new Battle River Pipes and Drums Band.

She recalls attending the first band camp the group held. “They started out just using the chanters on the Friday,” which are double-reed wood instruments that serve as practice instruments to learn fingering configurations for bagpipe playing.

“By Saturday afternoon and Sunday they were actually playing the bagpipes. The looks of pride and amazement on their faces brought me to tears, I was so proud of them.”

Imlah visited with Camrose MLA Jackie Lovely on Sunday, July 12, in Forestburg, where she showed off her gorgeous full-length Culloden tartan skirt and sash; she says she wears this tartan because she was born nearby the site where that infamous battle took place, and chose it as her own.

Lovely got in the spirit, too, wearing a Maple Leaf tartan scarf for the occasion. On Sunday, Lovely presented Imlah with a certificate in recognition of her role as Chieftan for the Flagstaff Scottish Club.