THREE new citizens have been welcomed to their new country at ceremonies held at Castle House in Dunoon.
The first ceremony, held on Friday, August 14, saw Cynthia Cindy Campbell become the area’s newest Scot after a journey which has taken her from the United States and Canada to the Highlands and, eventually, Strachur.
Originally from the US, Cindy was born in Delaware before moving to Virginia and later Colorado. She subsequently crossed the border into Canada, settling in Calgary, before making the move to Scotland.
She spent 10 years living on the Black Isle before moving to Strachur two years ago.
Cindy now works in marketing for the Hebridean Whisky Trail, which brings together seven distilleries across five Hebridean islands.
She has also thrown herself into Scottish culture closer to home, becoming involved with the Lochgoilhead Fiddle Workshop and learning Gaelic. Cindy also claims some Scottish ancestry – albeit, she admitted, dating back several hundred years.
Cindy was joined at Castle House by friends from Dunoon and Strachur, including John Kelly, Rosie and Phil Howie and Sharon and Gordon McDonald.
Just four days later, Castle House hosted a double citizenship ceremony when Noorulain Iklaq and her son Haider were conferred British citizenship.
Originally from Pakistan, Noorulain spent around 27 years living in Italy, where she met her husband Jahan.
Haider was born in Italy and the family later moved to London before an unexpected hotel mix-up eventually brought them to Dunoon.
Working in the hospitality industry, Jahan travelled to Scotland in 2019 for what he thought was an interview at the Argyll Hotel.
He initially turned up at the Argyll Hotel on Argyll Street in Glasgow – where nobody was expecting to interview a new manager.
The following day he made his way to the correct Argyll Hotel in Dunoon, successfully interviewed for the job and the family have remained in the town ever since.
Haider is now an S3 pupil at Dunoon Grammar School.
Both ceremonies were conducted by Dunoon Assistant Registrar Linda Mollins.
Councillor Ross Moreland supported Cindy’s ceremony and said: This was an honour to be involved in such a good-humoured ceremony, with much laughter and a great atmosphere.
It is wonderful for me to be a small part in a ceremony that places welcome at its very heart.
Councillor William Sinclair attended Noorulain and Haider’s ceremony – the first citizenship ceremony in which he had taken part.
He said: It’s a simple ceremony, but has great importance for the people involved and shows just how much Argyll and Bute welcomes new citizens.
Depute Lieutenant for Dunoon and Cowal Peter McDill was also present at both ceremonies, representing the Lord Lieutenant of Argyll and Bute.
The second ceremony also produced a lighter moment when Peter handed his ceremonial sword to Haider for photographs – before revealing that the sword actually belonged to his wife, retired Lieutenant Colonel Jo McDill.
The ceremonies concluded with a warm welcome to Cindy, Noorulain and Haider and best wishes for their futures in Scotland.
