Subject:
       Scottish Snippets - 2 January 1999
   Date:
       Sat, 02 Jan 1999 23:16:05 GMT
  From:
       scottie@cqm.co.uk (Scottie)
    To:
       Rampant.Scotland.Newsletter.from.scottie@colloquium.co.uk
 
 
 

Issue Number Ninety 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 guid New Year - and many of them - to all "Snippets" readers!

CURRENT AFFAIRS

That Was The Year That Was
An abstract of a selection of the news items from the last twelve months of
the Scottish Snippets has been set up on a  Web page, along with a few
illustrations, at http://scotland.rampant.com/letter1998.htm  An
opportunity for more recent subscribers to this Newsletter to see some of
the earlier news items.

Hogmanay in Scotland
In Edinburgh a series of events were staged in the  lead-up to Hogmanay
itself, including a torchlight procession and the burning of a Viking
longboat on Calton Hill, overlooking the city centre. Quite what a Viking
long boat had to do with Edinburgh was not quite clear but it made a good
spectacle.
On Hogmanay itself, the weather was kind to all the participants, with most
of the country mild and dry. The 200,000 people in Edinburgh, many from
abroad (Australians and Chinese were much in evidence) had plenty of
entertainment, not just on Princes Street (which was televised throughout
the UK) but also on the Royal Mile and George Street. The "one o'clock gun"
which fires each day from Edinburgh castle had been hoisted from its usual
position to the top of the ramparts and was fired by "Tam the Gun" at
midnight. A spectacular fireworks display then followed.

Hogmanay Round Scotland
In Stonehaven, a fishermen's festival with flaming fireballs swinging over
the marchers' heads, can be traced back to before Christianity. It was
recently  featured high on a list of "places to be on New year's Eve" in
the New York Times.
Other places of public revelry for Hogmanay were Aberdeen (Union Street
closed off for live entertainment), Aviemore (the last steam train of the
year scheduled to reach Boat of Garten at midnight), Biggar (Ne'er Day
Bonfire blocks the main A702 road), Comrie (Flambeaux procession), Glasgow
(90,000+ people in George Square and the city centre listening to live
entertainment), Inverness (10,000+ people listening to Macumba playing
bagpipes and salsa), Kirkcaldy (town square full to capacity), Livingston
(fireworks at the town football stadium), Stirling (a ceilidh at the Albert
Halls), Stornoway (fireworks - if the weather permits).

Edinburgh Provost Makes an "Erse" of Himself
Provost Eric Milligan, whose live interview before Christmas extolling the
advantages of shopping in New York rather than Edinburgh, got into more hot
water this week when he was asked about the origins of the word "Hogmanay".
He suggested it was an old word going back to Gaelic (which in turn is
derived from Irish or "Erse"). While there are many ideas on the origins of
the word, Gaelic is not usually one of them. Theories range from a
corruption of Greek "Hagia-mana" signifying "holy month" to Scandinavian
"Hoggo-nott" which was the night before the feast of Yule (Christmas).
Other experts suggest Flemish "hoog min dag" (great affection day) but the
strongest claim is said to be French. In Brittany the poor collected
presents with shouts of "Au gui l'an neuf"  (meaning "to the mistletoe of
the new year"). On the last day of the old year gifts were given called
"aguilleaneuf" (and in Normandy the presents were "hoguinetes".

And Now For the "Big One"
Organisers of the Edinburgh Hogmanay event regarded this year's party as a
"dress rehearsal" for the Hogmanay 1999, prior to the Millennium.
Preparations are already under way to build on the success of this year
with an even larger programme of events.

Dundee Provost's Ne'er Day Dook
As if celebrating Hogmanay was not enough, a number of charity swims are
organised for 1st January around Scotland. The Lord Provost of Dundee took
part in the swim in the River Tay at Broughty Ferry. He commented
afterwards "It was absolutely freezing -  but very bracing." The annual
"loony dook" at South Queensferry, into the waters of the Firth of Forth
below the Forth rail bridge, is expected to raise 3,000 pounds for charity.
An inshore lifeboat stood by but was not required.

New Year's Honours List
In the traditional awards of honours at New Year by the Queen, veteran
entertainer Jimmy Shand (who was given the Freedom of Fife earlier this
year) was knighted and actor Robert Carlyle was made an OBE (Officer of the
Order of the British Empire). Also given a knighthood was Dr George
Mathewson, the chief executive of The Royal Bank of Scotland. A hospital
consultant in Dundee, Sir Naren Patel, has been awarded a life peerage and
will now be entitled to sit in the House of Lords.
Once again there was no honour for Sean Connery - there were claims last
year that his support of the Scottish National Party had caused the
Government to block an award.

Avalanche on Aonoch Mor
Seven hikers on a "winter skills" training course this week were caught in
an avalanche, 3,500 feet up Aonoch Mor, near Ben Nevis, killing four of
them. Miraculously, three of the climbers survived - buried under three
feet of snow, overnight, for 16 hours. Rescuers the next day spotted a
survivor buried to the waist and unable to get out.  Amazingly, none of the
survivors had broken bones.

Licence to Print Money
As the new Euro currency came into being on 1 January, the leader of the
Scottish National Party, Alec Salmond, (who at one time worked as an
economist in the Royal Bank of Scotland) urged that the Scottish banks
should be allowed  to issue Euro banknotes. Bank of England notes would be
replaced by the standard Euro if the UK joins the European single currency.
But Scottish commercial banks have continued to issue their distinctive
banknotes for the last 300 years. They are not "legal tender" but are
accepted in Scotland and most of the rest of the UK. 95% of banknotes in
circulation in Scotland come from the Scottish note issuing banks. So far,
the reaction of the European Central bank has been positive, but a decision
on UK entry to European Monetary Union is still some years away.

New Tartan for Moncrieffs
The Moncrieff clan adopted a new tartan in 1974. But recently clan members
expressed dissatisfaction with what was described as an "unappealing"
design and a competition was launched to find a new one. Members of the
clan voted (in some cases via a clan Web site) on a three possible designs.
The winner was announced this week - Morag Moncrieff's design is
predominantly green, the same check as the Murray of Athol tartan (which
had been used by the clan before 1974). It also has the stripes adopted by
the late Sir Iain Moncrieff. The new tartan will be registered with the
Scottish Tartan Society. You can read more about the background at the
Moncrieff Web site at
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/clanmoncrieff/

Furbies Banned at Hospital
Glasgow's Yorkhill Children's Hospital has banned the popular Furbies toy
because of concerns that the number one Christmas toy emits signals which
could interfere with hospital equipment. The toys in question have been
manufactured under licence in China and do not appear to have suppressors
and have not been certified to comply with safety standards. Other
hospitals are being alerted until the toys can be checked.

350 Big Mac Jobs on the Menu
McDonalds, who have been selling burgers in Britain for nearly 25 years,
have announced that they will be opening 35 new restaurants in Scotland in
1999 and will need another 350 staff as a result. McDonald's currently has
65 restaurants in Scotland.

Scots Company Share Prices Outshine UK
According to a Scotsman newspaper index, the top 50 quoted companies in
Scotland outperformed the top 100 British companies in 1998 in terms of
share price gains, for the second year running. The Scots index gained
15.45% compared with a 14.55% rise in the UK index.

Relaunch of Vehicle Carrying Trains
Plans have been announced to relaunch "Motorail" in Britain early next year
which would allow cars to be taken by rail between London/Edinburgh,
Glasgow/Inverness. This would make it easier for tourists to travel to
Scotland and for Scots to journey to the south or on to Europe. The
vehicles will be transported in wagons similar to those used in the Channel
Tunnel.

Scots on Holiday
A travel company survey published this week shows that more than 30% of
Scots go away on at least two holidays each year. Most opt for relaxing
holidays rather than backpacking or cycling and  "all inclusive" holidays
(eat and drink as much as you like, included in an overall price) are
increasingly popular. Although many like to sample the local restaurants
when abroad, over 20% claimed they could not leave home without ensuring
that they had an available supply of Irn Bru (a sweet carbonated drink made
to a secret formula in Scotland!).

Indian Restaurants to Change
A campaign, led by restaurants in Scotland, is to start next year to remove
the description "Indian" from most curry restaurants. 87% of them are
actually Bangladeshi and many want to use that name instead. Bangladesh
became independent in 1971 but the growing number of restaurants in the UK
selling food traditional in the Indian sub-continent agreed that "Indian"
was a useful description. But many of the current generation of restaurant
owners want a change to the correct description.

 Wind Farm Rejected to Save Geese
An application to construct 68-metre high turbine towers on the Lairgie
Estate near Tayinloan, Argyll has been turned down by the Secretary of
State because it is on the flight path of a flock of rare Greenland
white-fronted geese which spend their winter in Argyllshire. The geese fly
each day from roosting at Loch Garasdale to feeding grounds on Rhunahaorine
Point. It had been suggested that the impact on the geese could be
minimised by shutting down the turbines 65 minutes before sunrise and after
sunset but this was not considered sufficient protection.

Price War Hots Up
This week, the rail company which operates the main east coast line from
London to Edinburgh and Aberdeen, introduced a 15 pounds (US$25) single
fare for the service. GNER has seen increased passenger numbers from 12
million to 14 million since it took over the route from British Rail and is
determined to undercut the budget airlines on the Scotland/England routes.
The fare is the cheapest for more than 20 years and undercuts the current
cheapest fare of 36 pounds.
 
No Snow for Scotland
The latest predictions from the Meteorological Office are that next century
there will be increased rainfall over Scotland - but the increasing
temperatures will mean that little of that will fall as snow. Snowfalls in
Scotland are predicted to decline sharply which is bad news for the ski
resorts. But at the start of this week, fresh falls of snow attracted
thousands of skiers and snowboarders to good snow at Cairngorm (near
Aviemore), the Nevis Range and the Lecht near Tomintoul. But at Glencoe the
gales blew the snow off the slopes and at Glenshee the snow gun machine was
fighting to provide a covering of snow.

Scotland's Weather This Week
Hurricane-force of up to 110mph, the worst for 35 years, battered Scotland
and the rest of the UK last Saturday, leaving  thousands of homes without
electricity, trees and fences flattened and damaged buildings. Television
transmissions were disrupted and electricity was cut off to 60,000
customers in Scotland. Despite round the clock efforts by the electricity
companies, using helicopters because of roads blocked by fallen trees, some
homes are still without power, a week later. Scottish Power has offered
hotel accommodation to these customers over Hogmanay. Passengers on a train
from Gourock to Glasgow were trapped for nine hours after a power failure.
In Glasgow's Renfield Street, St Stephen's Church was severely damaged
after its spire, which was being renovated, collapsed and smashed through
the roof below. Both the Forth and Tay road bridges were closed last
weekend. Two days later, gale force winds returned - but "only" 60mph this
time. After a frosty start, the rest of the week was dreich and mild with
only small amounts of rain.

HISTORICAL AFFAIRS  - Topical Items from Scotland's Past

Queen Victoria's "Love Letters" Unearthed
It has been revealed that the makers of the film "Mrs Brown" were shown a
cache of letters written by Queen Victoria to John Brown and now held by a
descendant of the former royal servant. The letters are said to reveal the
depth of the friendship. The film's producer, Douglas Rae, says that having
read the letters between Victoria and Brown "there is no doubt in my mind
these were written by two people who were very, very close and shared an
intimate friendship." The material was used as background to the film but
did not reveal details. The letters are not being made public while the
present members of the royal family, particularly the Queen Mother, are
still alive. The revelation about the letters coincided with a TV broadcast
this week of the film "Mrs Brown".

Scot Recognised in Japan
Thomas Blake Glover, born in Fraserburgh in 1838, is recognised as a major
contributor to the industrialisation of Japan, including establishing the
Mitsubishi company and the first Japanese Railways.  His home in Nagasaki
attracts 2 million visitors each year and he was awarded Japan's highest
honour - the Order of the Rising Sun. But for many years the plaque at the
museum in his honour described him as English. Now the efforts of an
Aberdeen couple, have persuaded the Japanese authorities to change the
wording on the plaque to describe him as a Scotsman.

Vikings in Scotland
A new book written jointly by the curator of archaeology at Glasgow Museums
and a professor at University College, London, suggests that the classic
view of Vikings as violent bands plundering defenceless churches and
villages is only part of the story. Intermarriage, trading and co-operation
were also important elements. The authors point out that the word "Viking"
means "pirate" but evidence from excavations shows that the Norse settlers
adapted to local conditions and became farmers and traders.

Closes to Open Up
A million pound facelift for the historic closes (alleyways) leading from
Edinburgh's Royal Mile is planned for completion by the end of next year.
It will provide landscaping, better paving and new lighting. New signs will
be erected as many people do not realise that the alleyways are still
thoroughfares. The work has been underway since 1993 and 22 of the closes
are being upgraded. The network of closes give the centre of Edinburgh part
of its unique identity and played a part in Edinburgh Old Town being
recognised as a World Heritage Site.

ENTERTAINMENT

Power of Advertising
A recording of 17th and 18th century German organ music by a music lecturer
from Edinburgh University has leapt up the classical music charts after it
was praised in the BBC Music Magazine. The CD features the lecturer playing
the rare Ahrend organ at Edinburgh University.

Rod Stewart's Soccer Match
Rod Stewart's love of football (soccer) is well known and he has built a
soccer pitch beside his 32-room mansion in Palm Beach, USA. But after a
recent match on a muddy pitch, which included England soccer coach Glenn
Hoddle, the 22 players found they had to make a trip to the nearest hotel
to change - the rock star claimed he did not have changing facilities in
his mansion.
 
SPORT

Sunday and Midweek Results
Dundee  0  Celtic  3
Aberdeen  1  Motherwell  1
Dundee United  1  Rangers  2
Hearts  1  Dundee  2
Motherwell  1  Kilmarnock  2

Scottish Premier Division Results - 2 January 1999
Dundee  1  Dundee United  3
Dunfermline  0  Hearts  0
St Johnstone  4  Aberdeen  1
Rangers play Celtic on Sunday

Scottish First Division Results - 2 January 1999
Ayr United  4  Stranraer  0
Falkirk  1  Airdrie  1
Hibs  5  Raith Rovers  1
Greenock Morton v St Mirren was postponed

League Tables
Rangers are ahead in the Premier Division with 43 points having played one
game less than Kilmarnock (40 points). Both Celtic and St Johnstone have 33
points but Celtic have played one game less. At the foot of the Premier
Division Dunfermline trail with 18 points followed by Dundee United on 22
and Dundeee 23. In the First Division, Hibs are out in front with 50 points
followed by Falkirk on 42 points.

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

New Ayrshire Golf Courses
As if Royal Troon, Prestwick and Turnberry were not enough, the county of
Ayrshire is about to build another two first class golf courses over the
next couple of years - at Greenan and Southern Gailes. Both sites are owned
by the local councils but private capital will be used for the
developments. Greenan has a ruined castle to add to its attractions. It was
at Prestwick, in 1860, that the first Open Golf Championship was played.
Now the area boasts 44 golf courses.

SCOTTISH QUOTATIONS

"Now I don't know if you remember the first time you ever tasted whisky and
the tremendous shock to the nervous system that is. In Scotland this
usually happens around the age of four - not because your parents give it
to you but because there are these parties at New Year...."

        Billy Connolly in "Gullible's Travels"

SCOTTISH FIRST NAMES
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!

"Morag" - this girl's name comes from the Gaelic "mor" meaning "great" and
"ag" or "og" meaning small. So the combination is "great young one". It has
become very popular in the English speaking world this century.

"Moira" or "Mahri" - there are many variations of spelling of the name of
Christ's mother, Mary. As such, it was not used as a child's name until the
end of the 15th century. My own memory of "Mairi" is the  Lewis Wedding
Song "Mahri's Wedding"

Over hillways up and down
Myrtle green and bracken brown,
Past the sheiling through the town
All for sake of Mairi.

    Chorus:
Step we gaily, off we go
Heel for heel and toe for toe,
Arm in arm and off we go
All for Mairi's wedding.

Plenty herring, plenty meal
Plenty peat to fill her creel,
Plenty bonny bairns as weel
That's the toast for Mairi.
      Chorus:

Cheeks as bright as rowans are
Brighter far than any star,
Fairest o' them all by far
Is my darlin' Mairi.
    Chorus:
 

THIS WEEK IN SCOTLAND IN 1939
Each week we will have a look at the approach of World War II, as reflected
in the local Scottish newspapers. I am indebted to the authors of "Scotland
1939" - and the local library!

Evacuation Plans for Scotland
(Bearsden & Milngavie Herald, 7 January, 1939)
The governments plans for a survey of accommodation for persons evacuated
from the cities have been made public. The survey will start at once in
certain Scottish areas and details have been issued to the local
authorities concerned. The scheme calls for a door to door canvass of
country areas and the compilation of a register of surplus accommodation in
dwelling houses, mansion houses, hotels and boarding establishments and
holiday camps and hostels. In evacuation plans children will be given first
priority.
[Editor's note:  I was evacuated  from Govanhill in Glasgow to Perth. But
the lack of any air raids induced many parents, including mine, to bring
their children back to Glasgow during 1940. I am told that I slept through
the Clydebank Blitz in March 1941...]

SCOTTISH HUMOUR

The old soldier was reminiscing to his grandchildren about his wartime
experiences with the Gordon Highlanders. "Yes, I fought in Africa, Italy
and Germany. I fought with Montgomery, I fought with Wavell and I fought
with Alexander". His granddaughter looked up and said"Couldn't you get on
with anybody, Grandad?"

Scotsmen hate to see waste, no matter where it is. So when Jock saw the
Niagara Falls for the first time he said it was a waste of water - and a
plumber in Dundee could fix them in half an hour.

Wullie was having his appendix out and was driving the doctor mad with
questions. "Will Ah be able to play the bagpipes after ma operation?" he
asked. "Of course you will!" snapped the doctor. "That's amazing!"
marvelled Wullie. "Ah couldna play them before!"

SCOTTISH POETRY

Here is a poem by John Dunlop who lived from 1755 to 1820 and became Lord
Provost (Mayor) of Glasgow in 1796.

Here's to the Year That's Awa

Here's to the year that's awa!
We'll drink it in strong and in sma'!
And here's to ilk bonnie young lassie we lo'ed
While swift flew the year that's awa;
And here's to ilk bonnie young lassie we lo'ed
While swift flew the year that's awa.

Here's to the sodger who bled,
And the sailor who bravely did fa';
Their fame is alive, though their spirits are fled
On the wings o the year that's awa;
Their fame is alive, though their spirits are fled
On the wings o the year that's awa.

Here's to the friends we can trust
When the storms of adversity blaw;
May they live in our song and be nearest our heart,
Nor depart like the year that's awa;
May they live in our song and be nearest our heart,
Nor depart like the year that's awa.

BEST OF THE RECENT ADDITIONS TO RAMPANT SCOTLAND
DIRECTORY

Buchan Community Web  http://www.buchanweb.demon.co.uk/
Not entirely a "new addition" but having moved to a new address, this
community web site appears to have added considerably to its content. There
is extensive material on the standing stones and circles in the area as
well as detailed information on all the towns and villages Buchan. Within
the area is Old Deer (source of the ancient "Book of Deer"  -  the Gospels
and a charter to the clerics of Deer from King David I who died in
1153. It is full of marginal notes which are the earliest surviving
examples of written Scottish Gaelic and record local historical events as
they happen.

The World of Scotch Whisky  http://www.scotch-whisky.org.uk/map01.htm
There is a clickable map for each main region of Scotland showing the
location of all of Scotland's distilleries. On each distillery's page,
"more detail" gives more background including a photo and links to web
sites of the distillery owners, where available.  And if you are planning
to visit the Whisky Trail of distilleries open to visitors, opening hours
are supplied where applicable.

DID YOU KNOW? Facts about Scotland

Lewis Chess Men
The Norse chessmen which were found in a sand dune on lewis in 1831 are
made of walrus ivory. They date from the 12th century and are apparently
the remains of at least 4 complete chess sets.  67 of the chesspieces were
acquired by the British Museum in London and 11 pieces were acquired by the
National Museum of Scotland (now in the Museum of Scotland). The chessmen
illustrate contemporary Norse characters and the excellent craftsmanship is
contrary to the usual view of the Vikings only as raiders and destroyers.
While the Hebrides began to be invaded by Vikings in the 9th century they
were also settled extensively by colonists from Norway. The Western Isles
passed to the Scottish king in 1266.

PARLIAMO GLESCA

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

One of the shows presented on TV during the Hogmanay was Stanley Baxter -
giving his first interview in over forty years in show business. In
addition to the interview, there were excerpts from many of his hilarious
and unique shows, including of course his "Parliamo Glesca" sketches. As
Robbie Coltrane observed, the joke was not the impenetrable Glasgow accent
but the pomposity of those who analysed the "patois". For example:

Note carefully the use of the key native word "HELZA" often used during
social functions, thus ; "WHENNA-HELZA PARTY STARTIN?" or
"WHERRA-HELZA
BURDS?" and most frequently "WHERRA-HELZA BOOZE?" Another word
which is
frequently overheard is "WHIRRABOORA" as in "WHIRRABOORA BASHATRA
PASH?"
which is invariably used in a romantic context. To show his generosity to
his beloved, the Glaswegian male may be heard to say "WHIRRABOORA
NURRAGLESSA GIN?"

Scottie
************************************************************
Rampant Scotland Directory - the largest index of Scottish-related Web
pages!
http://scotland.rampant.com/
The Mining Co - a selection of the BEST Scottish links!
http://scottishculture.miningco.com
************************************************************
 

Some friends of Overpeck banding.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

LE FastCounter