Issue Number One Hundred and Four of the Rampant Scotland Newsletter - your
weekly insight into what has been happening in Scotland, snipped from the
Scottish media - plus some elements of Scottish culture.
A Web version of this Newsletter, with some graphics and newspaper-style
layout is available at http://www.rampantscotland.com/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 [EMAIL PROTECTED] with "Subscribe" in the subject line.
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NEW DOMAIN NAME FOR RAMPANT SCOTLAND!
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The Web site for Rampant Scotland has moved to a new address -
http://www.rampantscotland.com There are forwarding links from all the old
pages but you may wish to call in so that you can bookmark the new URL. The
content is the same as before (though over the last couple of months the
site has been restructured - and the "Links Only" version is now
reorganised to the same format). The new location will allow the
development of further aspects of the site.
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CURRENT AFFAIRS
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Lockerbie Suspects Stand Trial
A little bit of Scotland has been created in the Netherlands in which the
two Libyans accused of planting the bomb which exploded on board the Pan Am
Flight over Lockerbie in 1988 will be tried. Kamp van Zeist is being
guarded by police officers from Strathclyde Police and the Scottish Prison
Service and the Scottish procedures in such cases are being followed to the
letter. The two men landed in the Netherlands on Monday and were
immediately extradited to the temporary Scottish territory (where the
internal roads have been renamed Sauchiehall Street and Argyll Street).
There they appeared in front of Sheriff Principal Graham Cox, QC in a court
room which had the coat of arms of the Scottish judiciary on the wall. They
were "remanded in custody" pending the trial which might not take place for
another few months. While the trial should take place within 110 days of
committal, the defence and prosecution are likely to agree an extension to
allow full preparation for the case. The prosecution team will be led by
the Lord Advocate, the most senior law officer in Scotland. The Libyans
will be defended by Scottish QCs (Queen's Counsels).
Electioneering Under Way in Earnest
The major political parties launched their manifestos with fanfares and
media events this week. The Scottish Nationalists see the Scottish
Parliament as the first step to full independence and are asking the
Scottish electorate to forego a tax reduction made by the UK government so
that more money can be spent on health, education and housing. The SNP are
also anti-NATO and anti-nuclear. The Labour Party are against the break-up
(divorce they call it) of the UK and have said they do not plan to use the
potential tax-varying powers in the first four years of the Parliament.
They will continue the spending plans which they have been following as the
(UK) government in power at the moment. The Conservatives advocate "no new
taxes, no increased taxes, a Parliament that lives within its means" and of
course support Labour's defence of the Union (though whether Labour
welcomes that support is dubious). The Liberal Democrats are "willing to
use" the tax raising powers but have not committed to it, saying that they
can find efficiency savings within the current budget. The Liberal
Democrats believe (and the opinion polls back this up) that they will be
needed to support Labour or SNP since neither is likely to win an outright
majority.
If any political party disagrees with my brief summary (and despite
strenuous attempts at balanced reporting I have already had abusive e-mail
from supporters of one party about earlier reports) they should be
reassured by the fact that 95% of the readers of this Newsletter come from
abroad and will not be able to vote in the election!
Scottish Political Parties on the Web
The Scottish Labour Party web site is at www.scottish-labour.org.uk It
should be pointed out that for a long time there was no separate web site
for the Scottish Labour Party - only the UK-wide site. The Scottish
Nationalists are at http://www.snp.org.uk/ and the web sites of the two
other main parties in the election can be found at
http://www.conservative-party.org.uk/scottish/index.html and
http://www.scotlibdems.org.uk The Scottish Green Party are at
http://www.clan.com/environment/scotgreenparty/ The web site for Robbie
the Pict was published here last week....
Parliament Opening Ceremony
Details of the opening ceremony for the new Scottish Parliament on 1st July
were officially announced this week (having been leaked some time ago!).
All the Scottish Members of Parliament, plus representative judges and
civic leaders, will march from Parliament House (where the last Parliament
was held in 1707) to the temporary home at the Assembly Hall on The Mound.
There will be no ermine robes or other ceremonial dress. The Queen will
drive from the Palace of Holyroodhouse up the Royal Mile in an open
carriage, escorted by a troop of the Household Cavalry. The Scottish crown
will be on display at the ceremony but the "Sword of State" is regarded as
too fragile and will remain in Edinburgh Castle. However, the Queen is to
present a specially commissioned mace to the Scottish Parliament as a
symbol of its authority. Ten Scottish silversmiths have been invited to
submit designs which are contemporary and distinctive to Scotland. At the
end of the ceremony there will be an RAF fly-past and a parade of young
people.
Truce in Banana War?
The World Trade Organisation has found in favour of the United States in
the battle for greater access to the European banana market. The WTO
announced that the EU discriminated against Latin American producers and US
distributors to the extent of nearly $200 million a year by favouring
banana exports from former colonies in the Caribbean. However, this was
considerably below the US claim of $520 million. As a result, a threat of
import tariffs to a whole range of products were removed - much to the
relief of the Scottish Borders' cashmere industry.
J P Morgan in Glasgow
Global merchant bankers J P Morgan confirmed this week that they are to set
up an office in Glasgow employing 300 staff in a hi-tech software
engineering operation.. The US bank's chief operating officer in Europe
said that Glasgow had been selected because of the quality of the graduates
from the local universities and the local infrastructure. Around 30 sites
had been evaluated and Glasgow as a major, vibrant city offered better
value than all the others. Much to the discomfort of the Secretary of
State, Donald Dewar, Cristophe Hioco, the French chief of Morgan's European
Division responded to journalists' questions at the press conference
announcing the investment, by saying that an independent Scotland would not
have made any difference to their decision to come to Scotland.
Lazurus Rises Again
The nickname for the Lord Provost of Glasgow, Pat Lally, is "Lazurus"
because of his many political comebacks in the sometimes stormy local
politics scene. So it was somehow fitting that he should be installed as a
Commander of the Military and Hospitalier Order of Saint Lazarus of
Jerusalem. The charitable order is based in France and is awarded for the
Provost's contribution to charitable works in Glasgow and Scotland. Pat
Lally astounded his friends and opponents alike when he announced earlier
this year that he was to stand down as Provost in the summer. He says it
will give him more time to devote to his charitable work.
Millennium Postage Stamps
The Royal Mail have been producing a series of stamps each month to
commemorated the end of this Millennium, marking significant UK historical
events and achievements over the last 1,000 years. This month the stamps
concentrate on migrations, including that of the Normans to Scotland. This
changed the course of Scottish history but more gradually and less
violently than in England and Wales. The Norman nobles who rode north came
not as conquerors but by invitation as peaceful settlers - including the
ancestors of the Bruce and Stewart kings. Another stamp commemorates the
Pilgrim Fathers who sailed from Plymouth in the "Mayflower" in 1620 to seek
a better life and religious freedom. These settlers were initially referred
to as the "Old Comers". The title Pilgrim Fathers arose two centuries
later.
Cruise Ships Call at Shetland
Not all cruise ships go to the Caribbean and this summer over 50 cruise
liners - and their high spending passengers - will call at Lerwick between
May and September. This is the highest number ever and is more than double
the cruise liners which called in the 1980s, partly because the number of
cruising holidays has soared.
Red Lights in Rothesay
The residents of the tranquil town of Rothesay, on the Isle of Bute in the
estuary of the river Clyde, are up in arms about a proposal to instal a set
of traffic lights in the town. They see this as an unwelcome encroachment
of urban life and believe they are totally unnecessary. But the Argyll and
Bute council say that there is congestion at the junction of the pier and
the town's main street, caused by increasing numbers of coaches arriving by
ferry to tour the island.
Borders Railway Feasibility
The "Waverley" railway line was closed 30 years ago as uneconomic but a new
feasibility study is to be undertaken to see whether there is potential for
re-developing rail links between key Borders communities such as Galashiels
and Hawick to Edinburgh and Carlisle. In addition to the engineering and
financial aspects, the economic, social and environmental costs and
benefits for the Borders will all be closely examined. Thereafter, a
decision will be made on whether to go ahead with any new rail links.
Bridge to Berneray
The Prince of Wales officially opened the new bridge linking Berneray to
North Uist in the Outer Hebrides this week. Berneray is only a half mile
from North Uist but it took a long, hard campaign by the 140 residents to
convince the Scottish Office that the 6.6 million pound link should be
constructed (even with much of the funding coming from the European Union).
The causeway will allow residents and tourists alike to travel more easily.
But strenuous efforts have been made to keep one traveller out - Berneray
is free of rabbits and the road had to be made rabbit proof to stop the
thousands of rabbits on Uist crossing over.
First UK Local TV Station - in Lanark
The first commercial local TV station in mainland Britain starts this
weekend in Lanarkshire. It covers a potential audience of over 600,000
people in the area. The new company has been funded by private individuals
and it is hoped that local advertising will keep the station afloat.
However, local newspapers have refused to take adverts for the station as
they see it as a potential rival.
New Biotech Start-Up in City
An antibiotics development company has been launched in the West of
Scotland Science Park in Glasgow. Pan Therix plans to create 100 high
quality graduate-level posts over the next few years to undertake research
and development. Scotland has a long history of pioneering microbiology -
going back to Sir Alexander Fleming, who discovered penicillin.
Tam O' Shanter Paintings for Sale
A group of over 50 paintings, by the artist Alexander Goudie, illustrating
the Burns' poem "Tam o' Shanter, are to go on display in a gallery in
Glasgow with a view to them being sold. It had been intended that they
would be purchased for a new national gallery in Glasgow but that project
fell through. Unless alternative arrangements can be made the collection is
likely to be broken up and the wonderful paintings will be sold
individually. It is estimated that they will fetch around 700,000 pounds
(US$1,120,000).
New Poetry Library
A new poetry library in Canongate, Edinburgh, opened briefly this week to
allow the public a glimpse of the new, modern purpose-built, open-plan
facilities. The 800,000 pound (US$1.3 million) building was partly funded
by grants from the Lottery Fund. The formal opening will be in June - and
entry will be free.
Macallan Short Story Competition
A record number of 2,000 entries have been received for a short story
competition sponsored by the Macallan whisky company and the newspaper
Scotland on Sunday. This is the ninth year of the contest and the number of
entries makes it the largest literary competition of its type in Europe.
The best 20 stories will be published in a collection and the shortlist for
the prize will be announced in July. The winning story will be broadcast by
BBC Radio Scotland in August.
"Melissa" Virus
In addition to reading many Scottish newspapers to find items for this
Newsletter, an electronic clipping service is also used to find items which
have Scottish 'key' words in newspapers around the world. It was surprising
to find that the electronic system was reporting lots of items relating to
the "Melissa" virus. On investigation, it turned out that when the
perpetrator of the virus was caught, he came from Aberdeen - Aberdeen, New
Jersey that is.
Scottish Genes
Researchers have uncovered the genetic cause of an unusual disease -
Hibernian fever - which particularly affects people who come from Scotland
or Ireland. The genetic defect reduces the ability of the body to mop up
inflammation and causes fever, stomach upsets and inflamation of the
joints. Identification of the gene is the first step to finding a cure and
may aid research in related illnesses such as arthritis and
multiple-sclerosis. It is believed that it may affect one in a 100,000
Scots.
Clan Russell
The Honorable Lonnie Russell of that llk, Chief of Clan Russell, passed
away on March 26th in Vancouver, WA, USA.� He was laid to rest in the
Veterans Cemetery in Covington, King County, WA (East of Seattle, WA.) on
April 2nd.� Chief Russell was a veteran on W.W.II having served in the
Pacific with an elite Ranger unit.
Clan Rattray
The last (and first) Gathering of the Clan Rattray and their descendants
was held in September 1996, when 200 attended. The next Gathering is
scheduled for 1/5 September 2000. It will be held at Rattray in Perthshire.
Further details can be obtained via http://www.nornet.on.ca/~rattrayk/
Weather in Scotland This Week
While there was not much rain except in the north-west, there was not much
sun either this week - the east faring better than the west as far as
sunshine was concerned. But it was a mild week with Aberdeen again taking
the record with 20C (68F) on Thursday. The sunniest spot was Lerwick which
managed over 9 hours last Saturday. The outlook for next week is a high
probability of rain at the start of the week, brightening later.
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HISTORICAL AFFAIRS - Topical Items from Scotland's Past
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Declaration of Arbroath
The signing of the Declaration of Arbroath on 6th April 1320 was marked in
the coastal town on the North Sea by mounted "knights" dressed in period
costume riding through the town accompanied by similarly attired followers.
The Declaration of Arbroath was used as a basis for the US Declaration of
Independence. Arbroath is to hold a pageant in August to mark the town
being awarded a Royal Charter 400 years ago.
Saving Daffodils
The 24th Laird of Brodie Castle who took over the family estate in 1899,
was obsessed by daffodils. It is due to him that there are so many
varieties of the spring flower around - he cultivated 440 varieties and
sold them to gardeners, horticulturists and collectors not just in the UK
but around the world. But in recent times the commercial business fell into
disuse and many of the varieties have been lost at Brodie Castle (though
anyone who has seen Brodie Castle in the springtime will still see
thousands in the grounds). After 20 years of research the National Trust
for Scotland, who now own Brodie Castle, have gathered together 100 of the
Brodie varieties. The Trust is holding a Centenary Daffodil Show at the
castle on 17/18 April. The Trust are also keen to hear from anyone who has
a daffodil known to have come from Brodie - it may be another missing
variety.
Inscriptions on Standing Stones Deciphered?
The inscriptions on many of the standing stones found in the north of
Scotland, particularly in Aberdeenshire and the western and northern isles,
have never been deciphered. Although some, like the Ring of Brodgar in
Orkney and Calanais on Lewis date back 5,000 years, many of the stones date
from the time of the Picts or even later, around 1000/1200AD. An academic
from Aberdeen University has now published a book in which he claims to
have deciphered the writing on these most recent obelisks. Dr Richard Cox
says that they were written in Old Norse, a Scandinavian language, rendered
on the stones in Ogam, a script which uses a line with various straight
lines across it. He says that the inscriptions are often just memorials to
the dead - the Brandsbutt stone in Aberdeenshire simply says "Olafr made
this". Needless to say, other historians remain to be convinced by this
latest theory.
Plant Collectors Honoured
The Pitlochry Theatre, in the heart of Perthshire is already world famous
(it started life in a large marquee and has established a reputation for
first class stage productions). Now it is to create a huge garden in the
grounds of the theatre to display many of the plants which Scottish
botanists and collectors brought back from all over the world. Like
Archibald Menzies who did ground-breaking work on the giant redwoods in the
western USA and who first brought the "monkey puzzle" tree back from Chile
and 600 species from China including many rhododendrons. David Douglas was
a gardener at Scone Palace before bringing back to Europe for the first
time the Douglas fir, the maple, the Sitka spruce (which now covers
one-third of the forested land in Britain), sunflower, antirrhinum and the
honeysuckle. The largest known specimen of Douglas fir is at Dunkeld and
is estimated to be 212 feet tall. William Anderson was another botanist
whose adventures included surviving with Captain Bligh after the mutiny on
the "Bounty". George Forrest from Falkirk brought back 30,000 species from
China including primulas, gentians, conifers, rhododendrons - and Pieris
Forrestii with its scarlet bracts in spring time.The Royal Botanic Gardens
in Edinburgh have been asked to design the new garden.
London Gazette, 24 April 1746
Eight days after the Battle of Culloden a one-page edition of the London
Gazette newspaper carried the first reports of the "complete victory" of
the Duke of Cumberland over the "Jacobite rebels". The account of the
battle was fairly accurate though the numbers fighting on each side were
somewhat exaggerated, presumably for propaganda purposes. The National
Trust for Scotland has recently purchased this bulletin sheet and others
printed in the days following. They will go on display at the visitor
centre at Culloden.
Munro Baggers Barometer
A new exhibit went on display at the Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh - the
aneroid barometer which was used by Sir Hugh Munro to calculate the height
of all the mountains in Scotland which are over 3,000 feet. Sir Hugh
catalogued all the 284 mountains in 1891. By measuring the air pressure he
was able to calculate the heights of the peaks which had nor been done
before. Now the aim of many mountaineers is to "bag" all the 284 mountain
tops.The barometer was presented to the Museum by Sir Hugh's granddaughter,
Lady Coylton.
World Heritage Sites
Four Scottish sites are being put forward for the honorary United Nations
title of "World Heritage Site". They are the Cairngorm mountain range, the
Flow Country in Sutherland the Forth Rail Bridge and New Lanark (the
village created by the social pioneer Robert Owen). But the evaluation by
the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) can take
a number of years. The neolithic site of Skara Brae in Orkney, which was
proposed a number of years ago, is expected to be awarded "World Heritage
Site" status later this year.
Not One But Three Films on MQoS
There are currently three movies being progressed on different aspects of
the life of Mary Queen of Scots. The first and most certain to reach
fruition is a historical romance being produced by BBC Films (the unit
responsible for "Mrs Brown" about Queen Victoria and her gamekeeper/servant
John Brown). Entitled simply "Mary Queen of Scots" it concentrates on the
relationships between Mary and the Earl of Bothwell and with her
half-brother James. Another project is based on a political satire by the
German poet Friedrich von Schiller. The third possible film has been under
consideration for some time but the producers hope to have Glenn Close in
the title role.
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ENTERTAINMENT
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New Film Starts Shooting in Edinburgh
Pop star Elton John is the executive producer of a new comedy being filmed
in Edinburgh. Titled "Women Talking Dirty" it was written by Scot Isla
Dewar. It stars Helena Bonham Carter, Gina McKee and Richard Wilson - and
the city itself has a starring role too. It tells the story of two women
who meet in Edinburgh, one is a shy cartoonist, the other an outspoken
single mother. Elton John is also writing the score and the theme tune for
the film.
Ewan McGregor Crashes
Film star Ewan McGregor, taking an 8,000 pound motor bike for an extended
trial before deciding whether or not to buy it, ended up skidding on a
patch of diesel oil on a roundabout near Inverness. McGregor suffered only
minor cuts and bruises but the bike may be a write-off.
Screen Machine Takes to the Road Again
The troubled mobile cinema "The Screen Machine" which was beset by problems
when it started to tour the Highland last year is has started on a new tour
of northern Scotland. The 18-metre articulated trailer unfolds into a
110-seat auditorium. Last year the trailer broke down on its first tour,
developed a leaking roof and had no audiences because of lack of
advertising.
Status Quo in Glasgow
On other occasions when the rock group Status Quo has performed in Glasgow
it has been to an audience of 10,000 fans at the Scottish Exhibition and
Conference Centre. When they turned up in Glasgow this week to promote
their new album only 300 lucky fans were able to squeeze into the Solid
Rock Cafe. The group are performing at 10 pubs around the UK which have
been nominated by their fans as their favorite "local".
Director to Get Degree
The film director Ken Loach is to be awarded an honorary degree by
Strathclyde University in Glasgow. Two of Ken Loach's recent movies have
been filmed in the city - "My Name is Joe" and "Carla's Song".
The Draughtsman's Art
A new exhibition opened this week at the National Gallery of Scotland in
Edinburgh. It consists of a collection of pen, brown ink and watercolour
works by artists spanning five centuries, ranging from Leonardo da Vinci to
Raphael and Rubens. They are delicate old masters which are normally kept
hidden away but are on public display for the first time in Scotland.
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SPORT
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Sunday and Mid-week Results
St Johnstone 3 Rangers 1
Dundee United 1 Hearts 3
Scottish Premier Division Results - 10 April
Kilmarnock 4 Aberdeen 2
Motherwell 1 Dundee 2
Scottish Cup, Semi-Final
Celtic 2 Dundee United 0
Rangers play St Johnstone tomorrow in the other semi-final.
Scottish First Division Results - 10 April
Airdrie 1 Falkirk
Clydebank 0 Hamilton 0
Raith Rovers 1 Hibernian 3
St Mirren 1 Greenock 5
Stranraer 0 Ayr United 2
League Tables
Rangers are on 62 points and Celtic on 56 points at the top of the Premier
Division. At the foot of the Premier, Dunfermline have 27 points, Hearts 28
and Dundee United have 29. Only one team will be relegated. In the First
Division, Hibs have booked their place to be promoted to the Premier
Division next season. Stranraer are certain to be relegated but Hamilton
are six points behind Raith Rovers. In the Second Division Livingstone and
Inverness will be promoted.
Full Sports Results
A full results and news service for Scottish football is available at
http://www.scottishfootball.com/
A full results service for shinty is available at
http://shinty.com/result.htm
Rugby International Results
France 22 Scotland 36
This was Scotland's highest ever score in Paris. If England beat Wales
tomorrow (Sunday) they will win the "Five Nations" Tournament. If they
lose, Scotland will take the championship.
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SCOTLAND THE WHAT?
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BBC Say "Britain" No Longer Exists
In a bout of political correctness in the lead-in to the creation of
Parliaments in Scotland and Wales, the BBC has issued guidelines to staff
which discourage the use of words such as "Britain" and "British" because
they might cause offense to those living in Scotland or Wales. So those who
painfully learned that "Britain" consisted of England, Scotland and Wales
and that the United Kingdom also included Northern Ireland will have to
only use the term "United Kingdom". There was no comment from British
Airways....
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SCOTTISH QUOTATIONS
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"I understand that perfectly. We feel very much the same in Scotland".
Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, speaking to a Boer in South Africa who
told her that he could not forgive the British for having conquered his
country. The Queen Mother was born in 1900 (in Glamis Castle, Scotland).
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SCOTTISH FORENAMES
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There are people around the world with first names which originated in
Scotland who do not know the derivation. So each week we will have a look
at one or two of them. Who knows, it might be your name next!
Ross - the third most popular boy's name in Scotland in 1998, the name is
derived from the Gaelic word "ros" meaning "headland" (as in the county,
Ross and Cromarty). It is also a surname and as such appears in records for
the first time in the 12th century in Ayrshire where a family Godfrey de
Ros from Yorkshire obtained land in Cunningham. Yet another Ross family had
their origins further north in Balnagowan, above the Cromarty Firth.
Rebecca - the third most popular girl's name in Scotland, it has its
origins in biblical times - the daughter of a Syrian, Rebekah was "fair to
look upon". The Gaelic version of the name is "Rebeca". The famous
daughter of an Indian chief, Pocohontas, was baptised as Rebeca and Rebekah
Carmichael was a poet at the time of Robert Burns.
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CLAN/FAMILY NAMES
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Anderson/MacAndrew
"Son of Andrew" originally signified a devotee of the patron saint of
Scotland. It was the 8th most frequent surname at the Scottish Registry
Office in 1995. Andrew is also a popular forename in Scotland.
Unsurprisingly, "Anderson" is more frequent in the south and central
Scotland and "MacAndrew" in the Highlands. But a family in Islay named
Macillandrais took the Lowland version Anderson, making life confusing for
genealogists. The names are spread around Scotland and so there is no
recognised "clan territory". However a group of MacAndrews were said to
have originated in Moidart and moved to Badenoch around 1400.
The MacAndrews were associated with the MacDonnells of Glengarry and
sometimes wear that tartan. However, the clan has been a sept of Clan
Chattan since the 15th century.
An early appearance of the name was David le fitz Andreu who was a burgess
in Peebles in the 13th century. A member of the MacAndrew Clan, Iain Beg
MacAindrea, is reputed to have pursued a raiding party from Lochaber in
1670 and killed most of them with his longbow.
Andrew Anderson introduced printing to Glasgow in 1638 and was encouraged
to move to Edinburgh to become the King's printer for Scotland in 1671.
Andersons from Dovehill have been traced back to 1540 and a John Anderson
(1636-1710) from Dovehill was Lord Provost of Glasgow eight times. But he
was not always fortunate - he invested 1,000 pounds in the disastrous
Darien (Panama) scheme in 1696.
John Anderson, a Professor of Oriental Languages at Glasgow University in
1756 then became Professor of Natural Philosophy four years later. A
bequest from him founded Anderson's College which became the Glasgow
College of Technology and subsequently Strathclyde University.
The clan tartan is unique in having seven colours (all the others have six
or less).
There are Web sites giving information on the Andersons at
http://www.netins.net/showcase/clanande/ and
http://www.camelot-group.com/roots/anderson.html
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THIS WEEK IN SCOTLAND IN 1939
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Each week we look at the approach of World War II, as reflected in the
local Scottish newspapers.
Rumour Mongering (Bearsden Herald, April 15 1939)
We are becoming increasingly easily scared. The assurance that the IRA
(Irish Republican Army) has no designs on Scotland went for less than
nothing on Tuesday. During the forenoon Milngavie worked itself up into a
state of panic over a rumour that an attempt had been made to wreck the
waterworks with explosives. The story grew into a report that a quantity of
gelignite had been found and that the area was under strong guard. Actually
the tale was not without foundation. Traced to its source, it was
discovered that it originated with the discovery of a tin of worms which
had been left on the bank by a poacher.
[Editor's Note - rumours were frequent once the war had started. There was
a persistent rumour at one stage that a large contingent of Russian
soldiers had landed secretly in Scotland to help repel potential German
invaders. The credibility of rumour was strengthened by the insistence
that the Russians still had snow on their boots.....]
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FAMOUS SCOTS
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US Masters at Augusta
As we watch the drama of the US Masters golf tournament at the wonderful
course at Augusta, Georgia, it is worth remembering that the course owes
much to Scots Stewart Maiden and Dr Alister Mackenzie. Stewart Maiden from
Carnoustie settled in Atlanta and did much to coach a local gofer - the
great Bobby Jones. And it was Maiden who encouraged Jones in 1931 to
establish a new golf course which would eventually become the Masters at
Augusta, 150 miles east of Atlanta. And the co-designer of the course with
Bobby Jones was a Scot, Dr Alister Mackenzie. In more recent times the only
Scot to have won the US Masters is Sandy Lyle.
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SCOTTISH HUMOUR
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The jokes below are from "The Wit of the Scot" by Gordon Irving (which is
unfortunately out of print).
The old Scotsman was asked by a friend what he thought of his nearest
neighbour. He replied:
Och, weel, he's a decent-like lad, but he's no' exactly a temperance man.
He was sittin' there juist drinkin' an' drinkin', until I could scarcely
see him.
The two old Scots had imbibed overmuch. Saying his good-night, the one told
the other:
John, man, when ye gang oot at the door, ye'll see twa cabs. Tak' the first
yin - the t'ither ane's no' there!
The wind that blows so fiercely at the top of the famous Waverley Steps
leaving the main railway station in Edinburgh has given rise to this
description of an Edinburgh man:
He can be recognised by one particular mannerism - whenever he turns a
corner, he puts his hand up to his hat.
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SCOTTISH POETRY and SONG
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Here is a poem by Lord Byron (1788-1824) whose parents owned Gight Castle
in Aberdeenshire - until his father dissipated the family fortune.
THE HIGHLANDS SWELLING BLUE
He who first met the Highlands swelling blue
Will love each peak that shows a kindred hue,
Hail in each crag a friend's familiar face,
And clasp the mountain in his mind's embrace.
Long have I roamed through lands which are not mine.
Adored the Alp and loved the Apennine,
Revered Parnassus and beheld the steep
Jove's Ida and Olympus crown the deep.
But t'was not all long ages' lore, nor all
Their nature held me in their thrilling thrall;
The infant rapture still survived the boy,
And Loch-na-gar with Ida look'd o'er Troy.
Mix'd Celtic memories with Phrygian mount,
And Highland linns with Castalie's clear fount.
Forgive me, Homer's universal shade,
Forgive me, Phoebus, that my fancy stray'd;
The north and nature taught me to adore
Your scenes sublime, from those beloved before.
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BEST OF THE RECENT ADDITIONS TO RAMPANT SCOTLAND DIRECTORY
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Aberdeen and Grampian Tourist Board http://www.agtb.org/
This is a guide to the region, what's on, activities, attractions and a
database accommodation search facility. It has section on the Granite
City, It also has sections on the "Land at the Bend in the Ocean" (Buchan),
Scotland's Malt Whisky Country along the Moray coast and Speyside, the
Mearns to Royal Deeside and maps for the Coastal Trail, Victorian Heritage
Trail, Malt Whisky Trail, Castle Trail, Stone Circle Trail, Museums and Art
Galleries, Parks & Gardens and Historic places.
Loch Awe Community Website http://www.loch-awe.com/
With some justification the introduction to Loch Awe describes it as the
"Jewel of Argyll" and certainly this professional Web site with its lavish
illustrations backs up that claim. The "virtual tour" of the area includes
descriptions of all the main towns and villages and sports enthusiasts are
well catered for too with coverage of fishing on the River Orchy (with
detailed maps showing the various beats on the river) and at Loch Awe.
There is a hole by hole tour of Dalmally Golf Course and you can even book
a teeing-off time on-line with an e-mail confirmation sent to you. St
Conan's Kirk in Lochawe is surprisingly large and ornate for such a small
community and is a popular tourist attraction. The site also covers local
businesses and hotels, guesthouses and self catering accommodation.
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DID YOU KNOW? Facts about Scotland
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First Fire Service
Edinburgh claims to have been the first city in the world to have had a
municipal fire service. It started in 1824.
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PLACES TO VISIT in SCOTLAND
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Planet Scotland
For the first time, the Australian-based Lonely Planet Publications have
produced guides on Scotland and another on Edinburgh. Their "warts and all"
approach as an independent guide is highly regarded. The Scottish media
have concentrated on some of the reported "warts" but nevertheless the
guide describes Scotland as beautiful "almost without exception" and the
countryside "is as seductive as anywhere on earth". The guide recommends
Edinburgh as "one of the world's most beautiful cities" and Glasgow as
"friendly and vibrant and one of Britain's largest, liveliest and most
interesting cities". Surprisingly, Stirling Castle is described as better
than Edinburgh. Less surprisingly, it recommended the university town of St
Andrews. Skara Brae in Orkney with its neolithic village is also worth a
visit. And the "warts"? Well, Dundee is described as "dole city" and an
unfortunate example of 1960s and 1970s town planning although the authors
concede that the inhabitants are "the friendliest, most welcoming and most
entertaining people you will meet in the country". Aviemore is "appalling
kitsch" and Gretna Green and John O'Groats are said to be "tourist traps".
The Scottish Tourist Board welcomed the publication as "extremely
complimentary and the criticism well-balanced".
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PARLIAMO GLESCA
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A collection of the words which have appeared in this section have been set
up on a web page at http://scotland.rampant.com/SCM/glesca.htm
This week, let's get our feet wet!
"Thunder plump" - heavy rain which accompanies a thunder strorm in which
you are likely to get "Droukit" or "droogled" (drenched or soaked to the
skin). The water will create lots of "dubs" (puddles) and will go into a
"burn" (small stream or brook). There will be lots of "dreeps" (drips) but
hopefully there will not be a "deid drap" (a drop of water dripping onto
the floor which in more superstitious times was said to foretell a death.
The water is likely to create a lot of "glaur" (slimy mud) or a "sclutter"
or "slaister" (messy wetness). In the north-east a wet disgusting mess is a
"slorach". The rain may create a "stank" (small stagnant water) while in
Glasgow the "stank" is the storm drain in the street. In Perth, the storm
drain is called a "condie" (derived, it is said, from the French
"conduire").
Scottie
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Rampant Scotland - the largest directory of Scottish links!
http://scotland.rampant.com
The Mining Co - a selection of the BEST Scottish links!
http://scottishculture.miningco.com
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