Red 'Roderic' Replaces Celtic Shop's Lost Scotsman Angus

Lynn Thorn was saddened the day her Scotsman left.

So one of Dunedin's active Scottish and Celtic heritage groups decided to restore hope to the heartbroken downtown merchant.

Angus, so loyal and stoic, kept her company and welcomed shoppers into her downtown Celtic Shop of Dunedin. That is, until one day in early December when the brown-bearded, kilted cutout disappeared.

Thorn put out a call for help in a "Lost & Found" announcement on Dunedin Patch Dec. 2, but to no avail.

Then one day, the New World Celts surprised Thorn at a meeting and introduced her to a new kilted Scotsman, a red-head. The cutout was designed, painted and donated by local artist Jay Archer, Thorn said.

"It's a good example of how community got behind me and supported me," she said. 

His colors are clean and crisp. A warm smile and endearing twinkle in his eye greet shoppers at the door.

But he needed a name. So, Thorn held a contest, which ended March 14, where she offered a $15 gift certificate and naming rights. 

There were at least 100 potential names that were weighted through a scoring system devised by a seven-person panel.

From them, "Roderic the Red of Dunedin," was born, named by Bob Cleary. Thorn has since nicknamed him "Red Roddy."

Cleary got the name after the popular Scotsman Sir Walter Scott's poem "The Vision of Don Roderick." Roderic, which is sometimes spelled with a 'k,' means "famous power," Thorn said.

Cleary, an Ontario native, is a director for the Glengarry Highland Games in Canada. Since he lives so far away, he told Thorn she could give the gift certificate to someone else.

Thorn decided to help those who helped her. She is donating the gift certificate to the New World Celts so they can use it for an upcoming fundraising effort.

As far as Angus? He has yet to return.

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Related Coverage:

• Missing: Beloved Scotsman Angus
• Owner's Thorny Path Led to Celtic Shop