University of Pittsburgh - Owl Yearbook (Pittsburgh, PA)

Page 33 text:

 Once upon a time, says Scottish history, the King was rescued from brigands by an aide who drove off the robbers and washed the king's wounds. Ever since then, the lineal male descendant of this illustrious Scotch family has always attended the king upon his arrival in Scotland with the towel and basin of clear water, symbolic of his family's service to the crown. The keeper of this custom today is the architect of the Scottish Room. Reginald Fairlic of Edinburgh has designed the Scottish Room in early seventeenth century style. He has chosen this period because it is the one in which Scotland was the least affected by the outside world. As one looks about the room he is impressed by the way in which the culture of Scotland is reflected in every detail. The plaster frieze is adapted from Elcho Castle in Perthshire and includes the symbols of each of the Scottish clans which have sponsored this classroom. In the upper sashes of the bay windows arc leaded medallions of the coats-of-arms of the four Scottish Universities: Edinburgh, Glasgow, St. Andrews, and Aberdeen; while in the side windows Melrose and Elgin Abbeys arc represented. The carving on the entrance doors duplicates the door of Rowallan Castle in Ayrshire. They were done by a famous Scottish woodcarver, Thomas Good. He has also handsomely carved the cabinet doors which swing back to reveal the blackboard. The cabinet work was done in the shop of Gustav Kcttcrcr, Philadelphia. Above the wood-burning fireplace hangs a por- trait of Robert Burns, painted under the direction of Stanley A. Cursitcr, Keeper of the National Portrait Gallery of Scotland. 29

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 Tom Clark, Mr . Thornton, Mr. McRae, Or. John Sutherland, Mitt Beattie, Mr. Brown, Mr . Prentice, Mr . Mitchell. SunJinMr . Reed, Mr. Davidson, Miss Jameson, John McPherson, Mr . Summers. Mr. J. Elliott. Mr . Farmer, Mr. S. Brown, Mr. McKay, Mrs. Martin, Mrs. Burges . Sturdy and individual, yee beautiful in its simplicity, the Scottish room reflects the culture of early seventeenth century Scotland. The traditional emblem, the thistle, is the dominating motif of decoration. Curtains with loose yarn embroidery in dull blues and reds frame the bay windows. Stately carved entrance doors flank the wood-burning fireplace. The oak furniture and hand-pegged floor arc in delightful harmony with the peaceful atmosphere and quiet dignity of the Scottish room. 25

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Standing: G. S. Rupp, Rev. J. E. Nclvon, Mrs. H. Kahl, Mrs. King R. H. Nelson, Dr. H. Kahl, Rev. C. Bostrom, King R. H. Nelson. Stated: Mrs. J. Ellis Johnston. Impressions and symbols of tranquillity and happiness arc strikingly expressed by the gaily, richly decorative paintings in the Swedish nationality room. The ceiling is broken into three panels embellished in blue, white, orange, and yellow flowers, with kings and maidens holding objects of peace. The back wall has four drawings representing St. Catherine and the Three Wise Men; in the center of the orange colored door is a painting of a vase of tulips; the floor is red brick; and against a side wall is a chimney. 30