This sequel to Ian Moore-Morrans’ first memoir, From Poverty to Poverty: A Scotsman Encounters Canada, continues the story of an ordinary, yet truly extraordinary, Scotsman and his endeavours to survive and thrive as an immigrant to and eventual citizen in a new country.
The full extent of Ian’s “nomadic” ways is both fascinating and stunning. From 1970 to 2002, Ian and his first wife Mary had moved almost annually. They lived multiple times in six provinces and had two extensive trips to Britain within 34 years. Ian’s story also documents the two years following the death of Mary, when he encountered Gayle, the soulmate of his later life, their whirlwind romance and marriage and their decision to continue Ian’s nomadic ways as they embarked on a new adventure to Mexico.
Readers will marvel at the sheer volume of roadblocks that Ian encounters in finding and keeping skilled machinist jobs in volatile economic times, in his enthusiasm and sometimes impulsiveness in facing new possibilities in far-flung parts of Canada, in the humour that rarely leaves him despite setbacks and encounters with less-than-honest persons, in his willingness to explore and share his evolving talents as a musician and writer and in his honesty and obvious love in dealing with family members and constantly changing circumstances.
Ian Moore-Morrans died on February 22, 2019 at age 86, still proclaiming his undying love for his wife and family, his appreciation of Canada and his enthusiasm for all things Scottish. Though his voice was greatly diminished, he sang up to his last day.
The cover photo is of Gayle’s jewelry box which became an urn for Ian’s cremated ashes, depicting Ian’s varied talents: playing his trumpet in a Royal Air Force band; singing as a Scottish performer; displaying one of his published books; and dancing with a Scottish country dance group. The urn is displayed on Gayle’s sash of Leslie Clan tartan to represent the addition of “Moore” to Ian’s family name, as the Moore family is a sept of the Leslie Clan. (Only fitting since Ian’s first memoir displayed the McKinnon Clan tartan of which the Morranses are a sept.)
To order a copy of From Poverty to Poverty: A Scotsman Encounters Canada, check out Amazon.ca (or US, UK, AU, or DE) or, if you are lucky enough to live in or near Winnipeg, contact Gayle Moore-Morrans at gayleian@gmail.com to arrange a purchase of the paperback version.
The photo on this page shows Ian in 2000 arriving in Glasgow, Scotland, for a visit from Canada.
Here’s a trailer for Came to Canada, Eh?:
And here’s a slideshow of photos from the book:
To order a copy of From Poverty to Poverty: A Scotsman Encounters Canada, check out Amazon.ca (or US, UK, AU, or DE) or, if you are lucky enough to live in or near Winnipeg, contact Gayle Moore-Morrans at gayleian@gmail.com to arrange a purchase of the paperback version.
MOOMOR PUBLISHING 