The Nicolson Nose Trophy

The Nicolson Nose Trophy is a most unique award. It is said that some clan members sport a formidable olfactory which is even been carved in Stone at Scorrybreac.  

 

 

 The back of the cairn on Ben Chracaig has a stone inlaid which is said to resemble those of Clan MacNicol with this most enhanced feature. Some believe that only those who posses this distinguished nose may receive the award, but it means more than that - it is a service award. Every two years, when the Clan meets internationally, this special award for service is presented to a member who has demonstrated outstanding service to the Clan and Federation by the Chief of Clan MacNicol.  It is the duty of the current holder to chose the next participant from deserving members around the world.  It is a great honor in our Clan to have received it; however, the lucky recipient must also bring the item to the next international meeting, and it does weigh a great deal!

Chief John MacNeacail with four of the previous recipients of the Nicolson Nose Award: Murray Nicolson of Concord, Massachusetts,USA,  Jan Nicolson of Portree, Scotland, Jeremy Nicholson of Atlanta, Georgia, USA and Mal Nicolson of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.  

In December 2012 the award was presented to a couple at the North American Gathering in San Destin Florida. Dick and Carol Nicoll of Billerica, Massachusetts have served the Clan with great pride and loyalty since the 1980s.  Because they could not attend the 2012 International Gathering, the award was presented by the Federation Chairman, Jeremy Nicholson, and the Chief was able say a few words through Skype at the presentation!  

To date, the Nicolson Nose Trophy has been awarded to ten individuals, with the 2012 award presented to a couple

  • John Nicoll of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, Lieutenant to the Chief of Clan MacNicol (October 1999)
  • Jan Nicolson of Portree, Isle of Skye, Scotland, Chieftain in Clan MacNicol (August 2000)
  • Dr. Alexander Murray Nicolson of Concord, Massachusetts, U.S.A., Chieftain in Clan MacNicol and High Commissioner for the Americas (October 2004)
  • Jack Nicholson, Dunedin, South Island, New Zealand, Commissioner for New Zealand (September 2006)
  • Malcolm Nicolson, Gymea, New South Wales, Australia, Lieutenant to the Chief of Clan MacNicol (October 2008)
  • Jeremy Duncan Nicholson of Balvenie, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A., Chieftain in Clan MacNicol and Baron of Balvenie,  (October 2010)
  • Richard Nicoll and Carol Nicoll of Billerica, Massachusetts, U.S.A., Counselor and Vice President of Clan MacNicol North America (September 2012)
  • Clifford Wolf of Crestview, Florida, U.S.A., Vice President of Clan MacNicol North America (September 2014)
  • Katrina Nicolson of Sydney, New South Wales Australia, Editor of the Southern Cross Journal for Clan MacNicol, Australia (Dec 2016)
  • Ross Nicolson of Sydney, New South Wales Australia, Treasurer Clan MacNicol Australia (Oct 2018)
  • Dudley Nicolson of Cowra, New South Wales Australia, Vice President of Clan MacNicol, Australia (Oct 2021)

 Cliff Wolf of Crestview, FL, USA awards the Nicolson Nose Trophy to Katrina Nicolson of Sydney, NSW, AUS