Scots celebrate reaching fifty
Text by WILLIE McINTYRE, photos by BILL CROUCH
On 6th June 2026, all four Grand Sheiks (past and present) of the Bonnie Scotland Tent got together in Glasgow to reminisce and celebrate the tent reaching its fiftieth birthday. The tent is the oldest tent in the UK.
Sloans restaurant and bar had become the tent’s monthly meeting place in the late 1970s and that continued until 1999. Many additional special Christmas dinners and movie marathons had also ensued. As the venue had served the tent well, under the leadership of all four Grand Sheiks in turn, it was time to return for a landmark photoshoot.
That morning the occasion was marked with the presentation of certificates to all four Grand Sheiks, along with celebratory bottles of champagne.
Willie McIntyre, Alan Ellsworth, Fred Terris and Janice Hawton
Willie recalled that Bill Crouch had been the second person to join the tent, so Bill received a certificate and a souvenir pen (which turned out to be one which delivered any unsuspecting user with an electric shock!).
On show was the tent's banner, which has been proudly displayed ever since the early days, beautifully made by (late) member Doris Wright.
There have been many happy memories and the tent continues to flourish with monthly meetings, now at the Tartan Rose pub in Paisley.
3 May 1976
The Bonnie Scotland Tent held its first meeting, in Shettleston in Glasgow.
June 1985
Founding Grand Sheik Willie McIntyre handed the reigns to Alan Ellsworth, who became the Grand Sheik.
Spring 1988
Janice MacNicol (now Janice Hawton) became the Grand Sheik.
Autumn 1995
Fred Terris became the Grand Sheik.
Early 1999
Janice returned to the Grand Sheik role and she still holds that exalted position, making her one of the longest serving Grand Sheiks in the world.
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