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The relationship between Madeira and Scotland will be celebrated on April 5th at 19:00 at FNAC Funchal, Madeira Shopping, with the presentation of the book "Aye, Scottish Poems" by Carlos Oliveira Santos. The event will feature the author's presence and a musical concert by Sandra Escórcio Sarcevic (voice and piano) and Sara Freitas Faria (flute), performing songs by Robert Burns, a well-known Scottish poet who lived from 1759 to 1796.
Adding to the poetic ambiance, Violante Saramago Matos will make a special appearance. Also expected to attend are members of the Escórcio family, descended from Scotsman John Drummond (known as João Escórcio), who arrived in Madeira in 1430.
Carlos Oliveira Santos' book "Aye, Scottish Poems," published by 'Âncora Editora', includes his original works and translations of poems by ten Scottish poets. Santos is a retired professor from the University of Lisbon and the president of the Cascais Burns Club, the only Portuguese club dedicated to the Scottish poet. In addition, he wrote "A Niemeyer Is Always a Niemeyer," which was published in 2022 and focuses on Oscar Niemeyer's 1966 project for the Casino Park Hotel in Funchal, further connecting him to Madeira culture.
The Scottish ancestral connection between Madeira Island and Scotland is deeply rooted in history. John Drummond V, born in Cargill, Perthshire, Scotland, in 1395, migrated to Madeira Island , Portugal, where he passed away circa 1465. He was a Scottish nobleman, the son of Sir John Drummond IV and Elizabeth Sinclair. After fighting in France and working for the King of Castile in Spain, he settled in Madeira under the name João Escórcio around 1430. He married Branca Afonso da Cunha in 1437 in Funchal, Madeira, Portugal. They were parents to at least two sons and eight daughters.
On his deathbed, he revealed his noble origin as the son of Sir John Drummond of Stobhall and Cargill and Lady Elisabeth Sinclair, making him the nephew of Anabella Drummond, wife of King Robert III of Scotland.
In 1519, his brother, Thomas Drummond of Scotland, visited Madeira Island and documented the life and descendants of John Drummond "Escórcio," sending the information back to his family in Scotland. The descendants of Escórcio later petitioned for Portuguese grants of Lord Drummond's armorial bearings, maintaining ties with successive generations of Clan Drummond chiefs in Scotland. The surnames Escórcio and Drummond continue to exist in Madeira, Portugal, and its former colonies today.
Scottish influence also extended to other notable figures like Robert Kalley, a physician and priest from Scotland who played a significant role in establishing evangelical worship in Madeira during the 19th century.
Furthermore, the Scottish presence in Madeira was prominent in the wine industry. Scottish families like Francis Newton, James, and Alexander Gordon were among the numerous Scottish wine merchants who contributed to the development of Madeira Island's port and wine industry, demonstrating the island's long history with Scotland.
The April 5th celebration commemorates Madeira and Scotland's long-standing cultural exchange, which includes literature, music, and shared ancestry. Admission to the event is free, and all are welcome to participate in commemorating this rich heritage.
