Rampant Scotland Newsletter
Glenallan
Your weekly insight into what has been happening in Scotland, snipped from
the Scottish media - plus some elements of Scottish culture.
The transfer of the Rampant Scotland Domain name is still not complete. In
the meantime, the Web version of this Newsletter is available at
http://users.colloquium.co.uk/~scott_awa/letter.htm
If you have been passed a copy of this Newsletter by someone else, but
would like to receive your own copy direct from Scotland, just send an
email to sco...@cqm.co.uk with "Subscribe" in the subject line.
*************************
CURRENT AFFAIRS
*************************
Scotland on the Brink of Disaster
Over the last week Scotland and the rest of Britain has been in the grip of
a crisis which Donald Dewar, the Scottish First Minister, described as
taking the country "to the brink". Lorry drivers, farmers and some private
individuals started picketing oil terminals last weekend, protesting at the
high price of fuel. After 24-hours of panic buying by motorists on Monday
and Tuesday, over 90% of the pumps across the country were dry. Further
chaos was caused by truck drivers and farmers travelling in convoys at 5mph
on trunk roads and into the major cities. Over the following days, as the
fuel shortage began to bite, non-urgent operations were being canceled in
hospitals, buses were being curtailed, bread and milk was running short and
towards the end of the week supermarkets saw sales rocket as the public
stocked up in case the situation continued. Staff everywhere were finding
it increasingly difficult to get to work.
Fortunately, the demonstrators called off their pickets on Thursday (with
the threat to the government that they would be back in 60 days if there is
not an adequate response in the budget statement in November). The tankers
started to roll again but motorists immediately formed lengthy queues
whenever a garage took delivery of fuel. It is expected that it will be the
end of next week before the situation returns to normal. Despite the
disruption, which affected nearly everyone in the country, there was a
large majority in support of the action which had been taken. Most people
believe that the government has not been listening to their growing
disquiet about rising fuel prices the UK has the highest prices in Europe
due to taxation. The only people who disagreed were the environmentalists
who say we should all use our cars less. The protests were largely
spontaneous although once they started, mobile phones played a large role
in keeping those involved in touch with one another.
There is a fuller report on the reasons for the conflict and the impact
across the country at my feature article at
http://scottishculture.About.com/library/weekly/aa091300a.htm
Scottish Executive's Plans for Legislation
The legislation planned for this next session of Parliament were laid out
this week by the First Minister, Donald Dewar. There is a Housing Bill
which will invest in more property to rent and allow tenants to take
control through community ownership and have improved rights. There will be
a Bill to create a new system of regulating care and social services in
Scotland and legislation to make Scots law compatible with the European
Convention on Human Rights. A Graduate Endowment Bill will target resources
to widen access to higher education and another Bill will increase
competition in the water industry.
"Quickie" Divorces Condemned
Proposals by the Scottish Executive to shorten the trial separation period
for contested divorces from five years to two years, were condemned this
week by church and marriage mediation groups. The proposals also plan to
reduce the period for uncontested divorces from two years to one. There are
over 12,000 divorces in Scotland every year. The new family law proposals
would update those made in the 1950s. The Conservatives introduced similar
proposals ten years ago in the Westminster Parliament and, as was so often
the case, the legislation was not passed because it ran out of
parliamentary time.
Exam Results Chaos Sorted By Christmas?
The Scottish Qualification Authority has admitted that the backlog of
appeals on Highers and Standard Grade exams (which pupils sat in May) may
not all be resolved by Christmas. The 6,250 urgent appeals (for those
needing the results for University entrance this year) are expected to be
dealt with by 20 September. Appeals on Higher exams should be processed by
the end of October but dealing with Standard Grade appeals "cannot be
guaranteed" by the end of the year. Meantime, pupils have had to make
decisions on which subjects to take at school this year, ignorant of how
well they did in the exams last term. A Committee of the Scottish
Parliament is currently looking into the shambles and the role of the
Education Minister, Sam Galbraith. But the head of the Parliament's
committee on standards has said that the minister's position was
"absolutely untenable". A cartoon in this week's papers showed the minister
thankful for the petrol crisis as it took the spotlight off his involvement
in the exam fiasco.
Battle for Fluoride
The Scottish Executive are campaigning to encourage water authorities to
add fluoride to the water supplies in order to cut down on the amount of
tooth decay, especially amongst youngsters. There is a noisy lobby who are
opposed to the fluoridation, believing that unnatural additives should not
be automatically added to the public supply. But a survey of schoolchildren
in Burghead in Morayshire, where there is a natural source of fluoride in
the water, shows that 83% of 8-12-year-olds have no tooth decay. In the
country at large, without that protection, that figure falls to 51%. The
figures for 5-year-olds were even more dramatic - 87% decay free in
Burghead and 32% in non-fluoride areas in the rest of Scotland. The average
number of decayed teeth in Burghead is 0.13 while in non-fluoridated areas
the number is 3.21.
Controls on Mobile Phone Masts
After a lengthy period of consultation, the Scottish Environment Minister,
Sarah Boyack, has announced that draft proposals for a stricter control
over mobile phone masts will be published next month. The Minister has been
criticised for failing to introduce planning controls sooner - as phone
companies rush to erect masts before the legislation is introduced.
Trades Union Congress Meets in Glasgow
The 132nd annual meeting of the Trades Union Congress was held in the
Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre (SECC) in Glasgow this week. It
was somewhat overshadowed by the fuel crisis. In addition to speeches by
the leaders of many of Britain's trade unions, the Chancellor of the
Exchequer, Gordon Brown, and the Scottish First Minister, Donald Dewar,
addressed the Congress. The conference did get into the Scottish news
headlines when a flotilla of fishing boats sailed up the river Clyde to the
SECC in support of the demonstrations at the oil terminals.
Inflation Below Target for 17th Consecutive Month
The government target for inflation in the UK is 2.5% and the Monetary
Policy Committee of the Bank of England adjust base interest rates so as to
meet that target. For the 17th consecutive month, inflation rates have been
well below this figure. Last month inflation was down to 1.9%, (excluding
mortgage payments). The internationally recognised harmonised index of
consumer prices for the UK is just 0.6%, the lowest in the European Union.
UK Base Interest Rate is 6%.
Number Unemployed at 24-year Low
The number of people out of work and claiming benefits in Scotland fell by
2,300 last month to reach a 24-year low of 111,300. Even so, Scotland has
the highest unemployment rate of all the UK regions. The number of people
in work from May to July was 2,374,000, 57,000 more than the same period
last year.
Proposal to Fill Missing Link
The M74 Motorway, which runs from the English Border towards Glasgow,
never actually reaches the city. Despite years of campaigning, the final
five mile link has never been completed. Motorists and truckers instead
drive up to the M8 road link from Glasgow to Edinburgh - and then make a
sharp turn towards Glasgow. It is claimed that the lack of this
infrastructure link is hindering economic growth. Access to Glasgow Airport
(on the west of the city) for passengers and freight is adversely affected.
It is claimed that the new section of motorway would create 40,000 new
jobs in the area. So, once again, the local authorities are trying to put
together plans to build a link from the centre of Glasgow to join up with
the M74 in North Lanarkshire. They are pressing the Transport Minister to
provide the 300 million pounds required. But if that is not forthcoming
(which seems likely, despite an additional 1.2 billion pounds which has
been allocated to Scotland for road building) they plan to fund it through
a "Private Public Partnership". Repayments, including interest, would cost
22 million pounds for the next 30 years. But there are voices protesting at
the high cost - it would be the most expensive stretch of motorway in
Europe. Of course, if it had been built many years ago the costs would have
been a lot less.
Public Inquiry Reporter Recommends Super Quarry
The proposal to create a superquarry (which would produce aggregate for
road building) at Lingerbay on Harris in the Western Isles has been debated
since planning permission was first sought in 1991. Eighteen months ago a
report was produced after a lon-running public inquiry but the
recommendations were never made public. Now the reporter responsible for
the inquiry has revealed that she recommended that approval should be
given. The information was made public only because the mining company
involved in the project has taken the Scottish Executive to court for the
"gross delay" it has suffered and that the further advice which the
Environment Minister requested in July from Scottish Heritage is not
impartial. Environmental bodies are opposed to the plan but the local
council had approved the project because of the economic benefits it would
bring to the island.
Minister Rejects Advice
Early this week the supposedly influential Transport Committee of the
Scottish Parliament rejected proposals by the Transport Minister to
introduce charges for workplace car parking after they had heard evidence
from a string of business organisations which said that it would not reduce
congestion on the roads and was just another tax on business. Despite this
view from the committee, the Transport Minister Sarah Boyack insisted that
she would continue with the legislation.
Scotrail Slash Fares
Even before the petrol crisis had started to bite and the trains became
much busier than normal, Scotrail had announced a 30% cut in the fares
between Glasgow and Edinburgh and 10% off tickets between Glasgow or
Edinburgh and Inverness. The new fares were launched as a fleet of the new
100mph TurboStar diesel trains were about to be introduced onto these
routes.
Another Rise in Passenger Numbers
The number of passengers using Edinburgh Airport in the year to August grew
by 9.2% to 5,353,000, the biggest growth of any UK airport outside of the
London area. Aberdeen Airport, which for a time had seen passenger numbers
in decline as a result of the cut-backs in the oil industry, has seen a
return of modest growth in the last three months.
Ban on Public Toilet
The bus station in the centre of Edinburgh is currently being redeveloped
and a temporary terminus has been created in Waterloo Place. But objections
by Historic Scotland to the construction of a public toilet means that
passengers have a long walk if the "need to spend a penny". It has been
claimed that the reason for the lack of facilities is because it would have
been built near St Andrew's House where "pompous bureaucrats" would not
like the idea of toilets outside their offices. Edinburgh City Council want
to build a small, tasteful sandstone facility, similar to a type which has
already been placed in historic St Andrew Square. A bus shelter and
information kiosk have already been erected in Waterloo Place for the
benefit of passengers.
"World's Biggest Coffee Morning"
The Macmillan Cancer Relief Fund is hoping to boost its funds with the
"World's Biggest Coffee Morning" on 29 September. Participants are asked
to organise a coffee morning and send the profits to the charity. Last year
they raised 233,000 pounds in Scotland. The event is being sponsored by the
communications company NTL who have set up a Web site at
http://www.everyoneswelcome.com/ where people can register their coffee
morning or find out where one is being held close to where they live.
City Gets Its Skates On
Plans to emulate Edinburgh and have a temporary ice rink in the centre of
Glasgow over the Christmas and New Year period, have been criticised by
opposition councillors. The ice rink, in George Square, below the City
Chambers (equivalent to City Hall) would cost 200,000 pounds and the
council would provide half of the money required. There will also be
Victorian carousel rides, a helter-skelter and stalls selling hot chestnuts
and toffee apples. Tommy Sheridan, Scottish Socialist councillor and Member
of the Scottish Parliament, said that the council had already made a mess
of George Square, ripping out the trees and grass and now they want to
spend money on a temporary ice rink. He said the money should be spent on
facilities in deprived areas.
More Delays at Clyde Tunnel
Renovation work over the last few weeks at the northbound carriageway of
the Clyde Tunnel in Glasgow has uncovered more ground damage than
anticipated and repair work will take at least another two weeks. The
southbound tunnel is being used in both directions but this means that
traffic is down to one lane.The tunnel normally carries 60,000 vehicles a
day.
Two-millionth Customer
Valerie McCluskie from Inverness was the surprised two-millionth customer
of Amazon.co.uk this week. The managing director of the UK arm of
Amazon.com flew to Inverness to present her with Amazon gift tokens worth
2,000 pounds. Amazon opened in the UK 23 months ago.
Loch Lomond Islands for Sale
Local conservation groups expressed concern about three of the small,
uninhabited islands in Loch Lomond coming up for sale. Aber Isle, Creinch
and Torrinch are for sale at offers over 75,000 pounds. All three islands
are part of the Loch Lomond Nature Reserve and are designated areas of
special scientific interest. Normally that would have guaranteed them safe
from development but they also fall within the new Loch Lomond and
Trossachs National Park. Uniquely, the park does not guarantee conservation
- preservation of natural resources is only one of four competing factors.
Conservation groups, however, have expressed an interest in buying the
islands to ensure their future.
"Little Balmoral" For Sale
Dalnagair Castle, 14 miles north of Blairgowrie in Perthshire, was inspired
by Balmoral Castle and was built for Queen Victoria's banker, who founded
the National Provincial Bank in 1830 and retired later as its general
manager. Although on a smaller scale, it has many of the "pepper pot"
castellations of the Deeside residence. Dalnagar also has a 66 acre estate
and the agents are looking for a price in excess of a million pounds.
50 Years in the Pulpit
One of Scotland's longest serving ministers gave his last sermon last
Sunday at a packed St Mary's Parish Church at Kirkintilloch, near Glasgow.
Rev Frank Haughton, who is 85 this week, has served the Church of Scotland
there for 53 years. The church now insists that ministers retire when they
reach 70.
Weather in Scotland This Week
On Monday there was torrential rain in many parts of Scotland, resulting in
flash floods and road and rail closures. The road between Greenock and Port
Glasgow was completely closed off with some parts under four feet of water.
Trains stopped running between Girvan and Stranraer in the south-west due
to flooding. The weather remained dull and overcast for much of the rest of
the week with only occasional bright intervals. On Friday there were
isolated heavy showers - although Edinburgh had more than a shower with a
heavy downpour. 50 miles to the west, Glasgow escaped the heavy rain on
Friday and had a few blinks of sun.
***********************************************************************
HISTORICAL AFFAIRS - Topical Items from Scotland's Past
***********************************************************************
Battle of Britain Remembered
Over the last few weeks there have been a number of events and TV
programmes commemorating the Battle of Britain, fought in the skies above
southern England in August and September 60 years ago. Fighter Command was
led by Air Chief Marshall Sir Hugh Dowding, a Scot. Number 603 Squadron,
the City of Edinburgh, with its motto "Gin ye Daur" (If You Dare) were in
the thick of the fighting with their Spitfires and became the top-scoring
Squadron in the RAF during the conflict. However, they also suffered heavy
loses amongst their young pilots.
Hector Takes to the Water
A replica of the sailing ship "Hector" which was the first ship to take
emigrants from the Highlands to Canada, is being launched at Pictou, Nova
Scotia this weekend. The three-masted barque left Loch Broom on 1st July
1773 and reached its destination on September 15th. Despite a very
difficult beginning, the community prospered and many of the descendants of
those first settlers made their mark across Canada. It has taken ten years
to recreate the 110ft long replica ship.
Naval Memorial Unveiled
The naval base at Rosneath on the river Clyde played an important part in
the Battle of the Atlantic. It was the base for many of the ships which
protected the convoys which were Britain's lifeline during the Second World
War. It was built by US Navy engineers in 1941 and 1942 and was used as a
training base for the US amphibious forces heading for North Africa. It was
also an important U S Navy base for ships and forces training for the D-Day
landings. After the war the base was no longer required and the land is now
used by Rosneath Castle Holiday Park. But this week a memorial plaque was
unveiled by US and Royal Navy officers, thanks to the efforts of a local
man who saw the base in action during the war.
Can't Afford to Polish the Family Silver
Lord Palmer, the 4th Baron of Reading and owner of 18th century Manderston
House at Duns, in the Scottish Borders, says that he cannot afford to pay
people to look after a staircase with a silver balustrade, thought to be
the only one of its kind in the world. When Lord Palmer inherited the
mansion in 1978 the balustrade had not been cleaned since the First World
War and looked like wrought iron. But two local pensioners volunteered to
spend four weeks every year cleaning and polishing it as a labour of love.
But now aged 83 and 77, the couple have given up the task. The unique
staircase is modelled on that of the Petit Trianon at Versailles and was
installed on 1902 when Manderston House was being lavishly extended. The
current income from farm estate has declined over the last few years along
with all other farms. Hence the call for volunteers who can stay in a
caravan and get "wine and sandwiches" and a walk in the garden to sustain
them.
Community Develops Iron Age Site
An underground stone passageway or "souterrain" has been fully excavated at
Kilmuir on the north of the island of Skye by the local community. It is of
a type which was built by the Iron Age people who lived there between the
4th century BC and the 3rd century AD. It is now a local educational and
visitor attraction has been created so that current residents and tourists
can reach back 2000 years.
Oldest Farm in Scotland?
Archaeologists have identified a site near Blairgowrie in Perthshire where
they believe farming was being carried out 6,000 years ago. They have
identified flint tools which the farmers used and the researchers are
planning another two years of excavations in the hope that the remains of
farm buildings might be uncovered. The area has been pinpointed by aerial
photography.
Edinburgh Masons Helped Build White House
The curator of the Masons' museum in Edinburgh has uncovered records which
show that George Washington recruited six masons from Edinburgh to help in
the building of the White House in Washington between 1792 and 1793. All
six were also founder members of the Federal Masonic Lodge in Washington.
George Washington was also a freemason, having joined the masonic lodge at
Fredericksburg, Virginia in 1752. One of the Edinburgh masons had met
Washington after the Civil War and may have suggested recruiting the
skilled craftsmen from Scotland.
This Week in History
September 18 1818 - Theatre Royal, Glasgow, became the first theatre in
Britain to be lit by gas.
September 20 1972 - Paul McCartney, one of the "Beatles", was arrested for
possession of marijuana at his farm in the Mull of Kintyre, Scotland.
September 21 1513 - King James V crowned at Stirling Castle 1513.
September 21 1745 - Charles Edward Stuart victorious at Battle of
Prestonpans.
September 21 1756 - Road builder John McAdam born.
September 21 1832 - Novelist (notably "Ivanhoe" and "Talisman") and poet
Sir Walter Scott died aged 61.
September 23 704 - Death of St Adamnan, biographer of St Columba.
September 23 1779 - Battle of Flamborough Head in which Scots-born John
Paul Jones fought an engagement against the British navy. His ship, the USS
Bonhomme Richard sank but he boarded and captured HMS Serapis.
For the other 51 weeks in history and a chronology of Scottish events see
http://scottishculture.About.com/library/bltimeline.htm
***********************
ENTERTAINMENT
***********************
Robert Duvall's Shot for Glory
The Oscar-winning actor Robert Duvall was at the premier of his latest film
"A Shot for Glory" at the Toronto Film Festival this week. Duvall produced
and starred in the film about a small-time football club, from the
fictional fishing port of Kilnockie, which reaches the Cup Final at Hampden
and plays against the mighty Glasgow Rangers. Michael Keaton of Batman fame
plays the part of an American entrepreneur and Duvall is the team manager.
The film also stars Ally McCoist who scored many goals for Rangers and now
splits his time between playing for Kilmarnock and being a media
personality. The Cup Final at Hampden for the film was shot at the stadium
last year in front of a large crowd who had obtained free tickets for the
"game".
Far Away and Long Ago
The sailing ship Glenlee, at the Scottish Maritime Museum on the river
Clyde in the centre of Glasgow, is the venue for a Children's Classic
Concert this weekend. The free concert will be of songs and music from 400
years ago using authentic instruments such as an archlute which is a bit
like a guitar but it is four feet long and has 21 strings! The Maritime
Museum makes special efforts to involve the community and young people in
particular in the sailing ship Glenlee which is moored on the river.
Castaways Burn "Wicker Man"
This week saw the broadcasting of the latest episode of "Castaway 2000",
the TV series charting the experiences of 36 volunteers who were selected
to spend a year on the deserted island of Taransay in the Western Isles.
The programme showed the islanders burning an 18ft high "wicker man" made
of straw as part of their "May Day" celebrations. After objections from
some of the castaways, the pony tail and beard, which made the effigy look
like one of the participants who had earlier left the island, were removed
- but the beer cans for the eyes (regarded as "appropriate" by some) were
removed. The castaways get supplies delivered every two weeks which makes
the "desert island" aspect somewhat thin. But this became even more
questionable as they hired a mechanised plough from across the water in
Harris to help with the plowing and then two of the castaways took the
supply boat to Harris to collect several hundred pounds worth of extra
supplies from the supermarket there. It was claimed that they needed fresh
vegetables for the children... But they bought more than just vegetables!
Belgian Pipe Band Championships
Rhona Brankin, the Deputy Culture Minister in the Scottish Executive,
officiated last week as the chieftain at the Belgian Pipe Band
Championships in the grounds of a former medieval fortified monastery at
Alden Biesen, near the German border. The Belgian championships have been
running for 15 years and attract an audience of 30,000. The top honours in
the competition went to the Mühl and City of Amsterdam pipe bands. In
addition to the pipe band competitions, there were Highland Games, dancing
and folk music.
Stirling's Forgotten Artist
The Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum has just opened a new exhibition
of paintings and drawings by one of Scotland's forgotten artists, R H
Morton, or Harold Morton (1892-1965). His studies at the art schools of
Glasgow, Edinburgh and the Slade in London were interrupted by the First
World War, when he served in the trenches with the Artists Rifles. In 1931,
Harold was involved in bringing an exhibition of paintings by the Norwegian
expressionist painter Edvard Munch to Edinburgh. This exhibition caused a
storm, and changed the face of Scottish landscape painting. This and other
details of Harold's life and work, are explored in the exhibition which
includes many paintings from private collections, most of which have not
been shown in public art galleries before.
The Hypochondriak
Edinburgh's Royal Lyceum theatre is staging a production of "The
Hypochondriak" - a translation of Moliere's classic French comedy into
Scots by Hector MacMillan. It stars the Scots actor Sylvester McCoy, who is
best known for his spell as "Dr Who" in the BBC television series about
time travel.
*********
SPORT
*********
Mid-week Results
Rangers 5 Sturm Graz 0 (European Champions League)
Celtic 2 HJK Helsinki 0 (EUFA Cup, First Round)
VfB Stuttgart 1 Hearts 0 (EUFA Cup, First Round)
Scottish Premier League Results - 16 September
Dundee United 0 St Mirren 0
Hibernian 2 Motherwell 0
Kilmarnock 1 Aberdeen 0
St Johnstone 0 Dundee 0
Rangers v Hearts is being played on Sunday and Dunfermline v Celtic on
Monday
Scottish League Division One Results - 16 September
Clyde 4 Airdrie 1
Falkirk 1 Alloa 1
Greenock 1 Ayr United 0
Inverness 0 Ross County 1
Livingston 0 Raith Rovers 4
League Tables
Hibernian are once again at the top of the Premier Division by virtue of
playing more games - they are one point ahead of Celtic and six points
ahead of Rangers but have played two more games than nboth these teams. In
the First Division, Livingston and Clyde are at the top with both teams
having played six games.
Rugby Results - 16 September
Boroughmuir 20 Kirkcaldy 18
Currie 22 Watsonians 20
Glasgow Hawks 8 Heriot's FP 18
Jed-Forest 11 Gala 22
Melrose 9 Hawick 21
Scottish Clubs in Europe
Both Rangers and Celtic had comfortable wins in their European matches this
week and Hearts were not unhappy about losing by only one goal away from
home, with the return leg at Tynecastle, Edinburgh. Rangers scorers were
Mols (after nine minutes of play), de Boer, Albertz, van Bronckhorst,
Dodds. Both of Celtic's goals came in the first half from Henrik Larsson.
Sporting Fixtures Go Ahead Despite Petrol Shortages
At one stage it was looking as though all the football matches on Saturday
would have to be cancelled because supporters would not have petrol or
diesel for transport to the matches, especially "away" fixtures. However,
it was decided to go ahead, although the number of spectators would
probably be reduced as petrol stations are still not restocked.
David Coulthard Cheats Death Again
Scottish racing driver David Coulthard narrowly avoided being struck by
another car as it flew past his head in a major pile-up at the second bend
shortly after the start of the Italian Grand Prix last Sunday. The pile-up
caused his car to spin off the track and another car, which had
summersaulted behind him, missed his head by inches. Only a few months ago
Coulthard survived a plane crash in which the two pilots died. None of the
drivers in the crash at Monza in Italy were seriously hurt but a race
marshall was killed by flying debris.
Sean Connery Plays at St Andrews
Superstar Sean Connery sank a putt on the final green to win a place in the
third round of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club's Autumn Meeting at the Old
Course of St Andrews this week. Sean has been a member of the R&A for 30
years but now plays off a handicap of 15 (five more than when he won the
event in 1987 and1991). He carried his own clubs round the course, rather
than hire a local caddie.
Jenny's Marathon Record
The latest edition of the Guinness Book of World Records includes an
89-year-old Dundee woman who has completed 30 marathons in the last 18
years and is now the world's oldest female marathon runner. But this is not
the first time she has made it to the record books - she was listed as the
fastest female marathon runner aged over 70 when she ran the Dundee
marathon in 1985 in four hours and 21 minutes. In her marathon career she
has raised 32,000 pounds for charity.
********************************
SCOTLAND THE WHAT?
********************************
Couch Potatoes
A survey of eating habits in the UK has shown that nearly half of the
people of Scotland have their evening meals watching TV rather than round
the dinner table. This is a higher percentage than anywhere else in
Britain. And Scots are more likely to have a snack between meals too. And
while 27% of Scots said that they had a snack of fruit, this was lower than
the UK national average of 30%.
********************************
SCOTTISH QUOTATIONS
********************************
"As a nation we've fallen in and marched behind some damned funny folk."
Author W Gordon Smith in his book "Mr Jock".
****************************
CLAN/FAMILY NAMES
****************************
The clans and family histories which have appeared in this section over the
last few months have been assembled onto a separate Website which now
covers over 70 different names. The URL is
http://scottishculture.About.com/library/weekly/aa070199.htm
Keith
The surname is derived from a number of placenames in Scotland which in
turn were from the Brittonic word "coed" meaning "wood". The name appears
in a number of locations in Scotland, the earliest being a Norman
adventurer, Hervey Keith who married an heiress of the warrior Marbhachair.
Hervey was granted the lands of "Keth" from King David I around 1150. His
son became Marischal (in charge of the horses) of the King of Scots. Sir
Robert de Keth led the Scots cavalry at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314
but died later at the Battle of Durham in 1346. The Keiths were made
Hereditary Great Marischal by Robert the Bruce, a rank they held until
1715.
The 3rd Lord Keith was given the title Earl Marischal and the 4th Earl
founded Marischal College in Aberdeen.
As leaders of the Scots cavalry, the Keiths were involved in most of the
major battles over the centuries. Lord Keith survived the slaughter of the
Battle of Flodden in 1513 and his standard from that battle has survived to
this day.
While the Keiths were associated with north-east Scotland, (they built
Dunnottar Castle on its cliff-top, south of Stonehaven) a marriage to the
heiress of Ackergill resulted in a move to Caithness, where they became
involved in a long and bloody feud with the clan Gunn.
Support for King Charles II in the Civil War led to the 7th Earl being
imprisoned in the Tower of London. But on the Restoration, he was made Lord
Privy Seal and his brother was created Earl of Kintore for his role in
hiding the Scottish crown jewels from Cromwell - they had been smuggled out
of Dunnottar Castle and hidden in a nearby church.
The 9th Earl led the Jacobite cavalry at the Battle of Sheriffmuir in 1715
and his younger brother fought on the continent in Spain and Russia . He
died fighting for Frederick the Great in Prussia during the Seven Years
War. The Keiths also supported the 1745 Jacobite Uprising - and forfeited
lands, castles and titles as a result.
The Earls of Kintore still live at Keith Hall in Aberdeenshire.
*********************
FAMOUS SCOTS
*********************
The notes on the famous Scots who have featured in this section of the
Newsletter over the last year have been gathered together on a Web page at
http://scottishculture.About.com/library/weekly/aa111599.htm
King David II (1324-1371)
David was Robert the Bruce's only surviving son, born when Bruce was aged
50, and he was only five years old when his father died. In 1328 he was
married to Joan, sister of Edward III of England at the age four (she was
seven). Following the death of Robert the Bruce in 1329, David was crowned
at Scone on 24 November 1331, holding a small sceptre made for him to hold.
King David was driven into exile in France in 1334 by Edward Balliol (son
of King John Balliol) who was supported by those who had been disinherited
by Robert the Bruce.
David returned from France in 1341, deposing Edward Balliol. In response to
an appeal for help from France, King David invaded England in 1346 but was
captured at the Battle of Neville's Cross, remaining a prisoner at the
English court until the Treaty of Berwick in 1357.
David ruled with authority and included burgesses as well as nobles in the
Parliament and trade increased during his rule. But he is frowned on for
pushing the idea of a union of the Scottish and English crowns and he spent
much of his time on self-indulgent fancies. He married a second time, to
Margaret Drummond but died in Edinburgh Castle in February 1371 without
legitimate issue. He was succeeded by his nephew, Robert II, the Steward,
the founder of the Stewart dynasty.
***************************
SCOTTISH HUMOUR
***************************
Many of the jokes which have appeared in this section have been assembled
onto a separate Scottish Humour Web Page at
http://scottishculture.About.com/library/blhumourindex.htm
Parliamo Glesca
Regular readers to this Newsletter will recall the long series of "Parliamo
Glesca" which have the meanings of many of the older Scots words. (Most of
these are now on Web pages at
http://scottishculture.About.com/library/blparliamo_index.htm ). But the
actor and comedian Stanley Baxter had his own version long ago, made up of
"words"and phrases which were used by the natives of Glasgow and for which
he gave an academic-sounding "translation". Thanks to a reader who sent me
copy of a newspaper cutting from 1960, here is an example of some of
Stanley's definition of some of the Glasgow "patois". Just pronounce the
"Glaswegiana" phonetically to get the "real" meaning!
To help visitors understand the more obscure meteorological expressions
[used by the natives of our cities and holiday resorts] I append the
following modest glossary.
"Sgonnicumdoon" - The low cloud ceiling would indicate that rain is
imminent.
"Errarainoanoo" - It is now raining.
"Speltin" - The rain is torrential.
"Worseranraferr" - The weather is even more inclement than at the Glasgow
Fair.
"Sjistashoor" - I am making an optimistic weather forecast.
"Soanfurraday" - The downpour is likely to be protracted.
"Amferrdrookit" - I am very wet.
(More next week!)
***************************************
SCOTTISH POETRY and SONG
***************************************
The Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis can often be seen in winter time in
the north of Scotland - sometimes further south too. But as a result of
this song they seem to be associated more with Aberdeen than anywhere else!
The Northern Lights of Old Aberdeen
When I was a lad, a tiny wee lad, my mother said to me,
"Come see the Northern Lights my boy, they're bright as they can be."
She called them the heavenly dancers, merry dancers in the sky,
I'll never forget that wonderful sight, they made the heavens bright.
Chorus:
The Northern Lights of Aberdeen are what I long to see
I've been a wand'rer all of my life and many a sight I've seen.
God speed the day when I'm on my way to my home in Aberdeen.
I've wandered in many far-off lands, and travelled many a mile,
I've missed the folk I've cherished most, the joy of a friendly smile.
It warms up the heart of the wand'rer the clasp of a welcoming hand.
To greet me when I return, home to my native land.
Chorus
****************************************
PLACES TO VISIT in SCOTLAND
****************************************
Note that the places to visit which have been highlighted here each week
have been gathered together into a "Places to Visit" Web Page at
http://scottishculture.About.com/library/weekly/aa081599.htm
Craignethan Castle, Lanarkshire
When you turn off the main road on the approach to Craignethan Castle the
sign says "2 miles" but what it doesn't say is that it is a mainly single
track road which goes up and down like a roller coaster and with sharp
turns all the way. But despite the hair-raising drive, a surprising number
of people find their way there!
The castle sits on a promontory overlooking the deep gorge of the river
Nethan.It consists of a square tower house (which used to have flanking
towers of which only one survives) with a deep ditch in front, surrounded
by a wall with a gatehouse. The dry ditch has a "caponier" across it from
which gunners could fire on any attacking forces. There used to be a
massive rampart in front of the tower house but that has been demolished.
Inside the wall there is also a house next to a corner tower, built in 1665
and another corner tower with a dovecot.
The castle was first built by Sir James Hamilton in 1530 and was the last
great defensive castle to be built in Scotland. Sir James later fell from
favour and was executed for treason. His half brother, also named James
Hamilton, became Regent of Scotland and was created Duke of Châtelhérault
in France. But the Duke opposed the marriage of Mary Queen of Scots to Lord
Darnley and was banished to France.
Perhaps to curry favour, the Duke later supported Mary Queen of Scots (she
sheltered there in May 1568 after escaping from Loch Leven Castle and
before her defeat at Langside). Craignethan became involved in the violent
politics which followed Mary's departure (to England and her eventual
execution there) and was besieged more than once. The Hamiltons had been
involved in the murder of two of the Regents of Scotland during this period
and in 1579 they were indicted for the past crimes. Craignethan and
neighbouring Hamilton Castle were captured and the destruction which is
evident today was carried out at that time. It had lasted as a stronghold
for only 50 eventful years.
Craignethan later acquired some more notoriety when it became linked to
"Tillietudlem Castle" in Walter Scott's "Old Mortality". Scott denied the
connection but at that time Craignethan was covered in ivy and fitted his
description.
**************************
SCOTTISH RECIPES
**************************
The Scottish recipes which appear here each week are all available at
http://scottishculture.About.com/library/blrecipe_index.htm
Caledonian Cream
Here is a refreshing dessert which uses marmalade, which has been a popular
ingredient in Scottish cooking since its invention in Dundee in 1797.
Ingredients for the cream:
4oz cream cheese (about half a cup)
4 fluid ounces double cream (about half a cup)
1 tablespoon marmalade (thick, bitter marmalade is suggested but use what
you have)
2 tablespoons brandy or rum
2 teaspoons lemon juice
Sugar to taste
Ingredients for base:
4 oranges, segmented and the pith removed
Method:
Blend all the ingredients for the cream in a liquidiser till smooth. Place
the oranges in four long-stemmed glasses and, if you want, add a teaspoon
of brandy (or rum) to these. Add the cream on top. Garnish with some orange
zest (boil for a few minutes in water to reduce the bitterness). Serve
chilled.
**********************
DID YOU KNOW?
**********************
Mons Meg
In 1457, James II was presented with two massive siege guns by his uncle by
marriage, Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy. The surviving gun is now
called Mons Meg and it is displayed in Edinburgh Castle. ("Meg" in Scotland
is one of the short forms of "Margaret").
Made in Mons in Belgium it fired missiles weighing 330lbs (150kg) over two
and a half miles. It saw action against the English at the siege of Norham
Castle in 1497. But its great weight (over six tons) meant that it could
only be moved at the rate of three miles a day so it was retired and used
only on ceremonial occasions. It is known to have been fired in 1558 to
celebrate the marriage of Mary Queen of Scots to the French Dauphin (heir
apparent). When it was fired in 1681 to celebrate the birthday of the Duke
of Albany (later King James VII) the barrel burst and had to be repaired.
For a time it was stored at the Tower of London but it returned to
Edinburgh Castle in 1829. It was moved indoors in 1980 to help preserve it.
Scottie
*******************************************************************
Rampant Scotland - the largest directory of Scottish links!
http://www.RampantScotland.com
About.com - Scottish Culture
http://scottishculture.About.com
********************************************************************
Kitten
<RMB...@clydesdale.freeserve.co.uk> writes:
>Chorus:
>The Northern Lights of Aberdeen are what I long to see
>I've been a wand'rer all of my life and many a sight I've seen.
>God speed the day when I'm on my way to my home in Aberdeen.
The first line of the chorus seems to have been missed out....it should read:
Chorus:
The Northern Lights of auld Aberdeen, mean home sweet home to me.
The Northern Lights of Aberdeen are what I long to see.
etc
etc
sla\inte
Kitten
Guma fada be/o thu is ce/o as ur taigh
Lang may yer lum reek :-)
Glenallan
Your return from Goodness knows where has been noted,
but you have not yet made your obligatory contribution to the
Baseball Thread ..........'At Fenway Park'.
By the way, that must be a very old post below.
Cheers
Glenallan
-------------
ps. I've still got your cellphone number.
Hey...I'll give you a bell sometime.
Conscience: "Hey, cut it out you old smoothie."
"Whut the...??!!"
---------------------------------
"Kitten" <pis...@aol.commonsense> wrote in message
news:20001004115658...@nso-fo.aol.com...
> In article <8q2cbu$7mp$1...@news8.svr.pol.co.uk>, "Glenallan"
> <RMB...@clydesdale.freeserve.co.uk> writes:
>
> >Chorus:
> >The Northern Lights of Aberdeen are what I long to see
> >I've been a wand'rer all of my life and many a sight I've seen.
> >God speed the day when I'm on my way to my home in Aberdeen.
>
> The first line of the chorus seems to have been missed out....it should
read:
>
> Chorus:
Kitten
<RMB...@clydesdale.freeserve.co.uk> writes:
>Sandra,
>
>Your return from Goodness knows where has been noted,
Haven't been anywhere exciting really. Watching the Olympics mostly.
>but you have not yet made your obligatory contribution to the
>Baseball Thread ..........'At Fenway Park'.
Don't know nothing about baseball LOL.
>By the way, that must be a very old post below.
>
>Cheers
>Glenallan
>-------------
>ps. I've still got your cellphone number.
>Hey...I'll give you a bell sometime.
Please do :-)
LOGGER_O
"Kitten" wrote
snip
:
: Haven't been anywhere exciting really. Watching the Olympics
mostly.
:
: >but you have not yet made your obligatory contribution to the
: >Baseball Thread ..........'At Fenway Park'.
: Don't know nothing about baseball LOL.
Kitten,
Well how about this, one of the team members of the US Olympic
Baseball team Lives about 1/2 mile from me right here is Sunny Lake
Wales. Does Borders Ring any bells?
He played for the Toronto Blue Jays. Says the Gold is as high a point
in his life as winning the series.
Iain...