The Rampant Scotland Newsletter - your weekly insight into what has been happening in Scotland, snipped from the Scottish media, for Scots in Scotland and abroad, bringing you news, events plus a Scottish magazine section. Printed with 100% recycled electrons.
Previous editions of this Newsletter are available in the Archive and the Index to the other pages of the Rampant Scotland site is available here.
Rampant Scotland Newsletter is also available by e-mail. Just send an e-mail to Scottie with "Subscribe Newsletter" as the subject line and a text version of these Scottish snippets of news will arrive in your mailbox every weekend!
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Historical Affairs - Topical Items from Scotland's Past
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The "Magazine" section consists mainly of brief descriptions of the items involved and a link to the Web page where you can find the full feature, if you find the subject of interest to you.
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There is something rather couthie (snug and agreeable) about stories from the Bible told in Scots. At one time religion was a very significant part of life in Scotland, so it was only natural some of the stories from the New Testament should be retold in Scots verse. This one, about allowing the children to come to Jesus, was written by William Thomson. Although many readers will know the story, the specifically Scottish words are "translated" as usual at the end of the poem. The Maister and the Bairns The Maister sat in the wee cot hoose
An' even the bairns frae the near-haun streets
But yin o' the twal' at the Maister's side
But the Maister said as they turned awa',
Aye, He gaithered them roon' Him whaur He sat
'Send na the bairns awa' frae Me
An' He that wisna oor kith or kin
Meaning of unusual words:
Sandy was going up to bed, when his wife told him he'd left the light on in the garden shed - she could see it from the bedroom window. But he said that he hadn't been in the shed that day. He looked himself, and there were people in the shed, stealing garden tools. He rang the police, but they told him that no one was in his area, so no one was available to catch the thieves.
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Where else would you like to go in Scotland?
Regular readers of this Newsletter will be aware of the many building projects which are in the pipeline for various locations along the river Clyde in Glasgow. In total, the plans already approved will cost over £1.5 billion and now Glasgow City Council has produced a glossy brochure which ties together the developments and the infrastructure which will transform the waterway over the next ten years. The Council are pushing hard for even more investment along the river. New bridges are planned and water buses, a monorail and modern tram car services running along the banks of the river are also envisaged. Approval has already been given for:
It was amazing the number of fans of curling who offered their congratulations or turned up as the official welcoming party for Rhona Martin and her Olympic Gold Medal winning curling team. The Prince of Wales and the Prime Minister sent telegrams to the five Scottish women who scooped Britain's only gold at the games. And the Scottish First Minister, Jack McConnell, basked in the reflected glory when they touched down at Glasgow Airport. The timing was perfect for a live interview on the BBC TV lunchtime news programme too. And sponsors are said to be queuing up to sign up the team - the Safeway supermarket chain wants them to sign up to promote their floor-cleaning products - presumably their marketing men see a connection with women and sweeping with brooms. Hopefully that will be one offer the girls will slide past.
A one-day strike by Scotrail drivers did not result in the expected chaos on the roads as many commuters took the day off or worked from home. Roads were certainly busier than usual though clearly not all the 73,000 commuters and other travellers who use the rail network in Scotland took to their cars. More strikes are planned for March 6, 11 and 19. The two sides have agreed to meet for more talks next week.
The community council in the Hebridean island of Barra have decided not to send a representative to have lunch with the Queen when she visits Stornoway, the capital of the Western Isles, on 27 May. They say that the cost of travelling from Barra to Lewis is "too expensive". In addition, overnight accommodation would be required. Western Isles Council, who issued the invitation have asked Barra to think again - they are the only community to turn down the request to send a representative.
Edinburgh-based Royal Bank of Scotland, the UK's second largest bank, reported this week a 32% rise in underlying annual profits to £5.8 billion. The bank took over the London-based National Westminster Bank in 2000 and did not rule out (or in) further takeovers, such as the troubled Allied Irish Bank. The stock market had expected a good level of profits but were worried by an increase in bad debt provisions. Some analysts believe that the Royal may have lost a substantial sum due to the collapse of US energy giant Enron. Royal's US subsidiary Citizens Financial achieved a 44% jump in profits to £501 million.
Historic Scotland want to give Grade B listing to the glass and concrete tower blocks to the north of Glasgow's George Square which house the Glasgow College of Building and Printing and, across the road, the Central College of Commerce. They say that the 1960s tower blocks can be likened to the work of the world-renowned Swiss architect, Le Corbusier. But students who attend classes there say they are more akin to Le Carbuncles. Their concrete pillars are currently encrusted with muck, the windows would fit well in Kosovo or Afghanistan and, for a College of Building, it always creates a terrific amount of windsheer from its high vertical walls. And they don't fit in with the surrounding Victorian buildings. Historic Scotland, however, who have listed the gas holders in Edinburgh's Granton as being of historic importance, maintain that they are "elegant, pioneering" and "a great statement of modern architecture."
A few years ago, when trees and grass areas in Glasgow's George Square were removed and the surface painted red, the City Council argued that it was to allow more events to be staged in the central square. That has certainly been the case - from sand sculpture to skating, there has been a steady stream of attractions. But now the Council has decided to increase the charges for hiring the space by 55% - from £515 a day to £800. While this may reduce demand, it is hoped that it will also increase the use of other public pedestrianised space such as St Enoch Square and Buchanan Street. 
The farmers' market in Paisley decided to boost trade by accepting the new Euro currency and displaying dual prices. They say that it was done to help shoppers understand the new currency which is now in use in eleven European countries. The market had expected a few customers to use any currency they brought back from European vacations but they were delighted when a Belgian businessman who was staying in Paisley spent a small fortune on goods from the stalls. He had not had time to change his Euros into sterling but wanted to buy some gifts for his family.
Glasgow City Council has approved a new cafe and bistro in Kelvingrove Park - the illustration here is of a Victorian fountain within the grounds. This is the first time that a commercial development has taken place in the park since it opened 150 years ago. The facility is to use a building near an entrance to the park which has been empty for more than 25 years. Local residents had objected to the proposal, fearing that it would set a dangerous precedent in the 80-acre open space. The council also approved a redevelopment of the bandstand stage and arena in Queen's Park on the south side of Glasgow. The area is to be leased to a private developer who will build a retractable canopy to allow both outdoor and indoor performances of theatre, music and dance plus a cafe and restaurant.
The Highland Clearances are regarded as one of the most shameful episodes in Scotland's history. Towards the end of the 18th century and during the 19th century, Tens of thousands of tenant farmers, particularly in the Highlands, were removed from their homes by their landlords, sometimes in a brutal fashion. Initially, it was because the owners could earn more from their land by stocking them with sheep rather than subsistence farmers. Sometimes the farmers were resettled on marginal land but often they were forced to emigrate - either to the growing towns and cities (often in the Lowlands) or to other parts of the world. During such times, the Duke and Countess of Sutherland (that's their Dunrobin Castle pictured here) are often regarded as figures of hate for the particularly harsh treatment they (and their factor or manager) meted out to their tenants. But now the National Library of Scotland has highlighted a journal written in 1832 by one of the footmen employed by the Sutherlands. The footman accompanied the Duke as he toured his estates, observing the roads, bridges, harbours, piers and thousands of acres of land brought under cultivation - all at the expense of the Duke. He also noted that the Countess visited many of the cottagers and that "the kindness she evinces towards them is beyond my simple powers to describe." Clearly the footman was not in a position to see the occasions when these same tenants were being evicted.
As part of the National Trust presentation of the birthplace of J M Barrie in Kirriemuir, there is an adventure garden celebrating some of the characters in his most famous work, Peter Pan. In addition to a statue to the boy who never grew up and a Wendy House, youngsters can walk through a 20-metre long crocodile - made of bamboo. Built by an environmental sculptor in 1999, it serves to remind visitors of the beast which took Captain Hook's arm. But the weight of winter snow had broken its back and lack of trimming had resulted in the attraction looking like an ordinary row of trees. But now gardeners from the nearby Trust property at House of Dun have rewoven the body and sculpted a new set of wooden feet, eyes - and teeth of course. The curator at Barries's birthplace comments that she has seen adults as well as children enjoying the experience of walking through - I wonder if she saw me doing just that a couple of years ago?
The organiser of the Tartan Day Parade in New York on April 6 (when it is hoped that a record-breaking 10,000 pipers will march through Manhattan) is hoping to turn the Empire State Building blue - the background colour of Scotland's flag. Not that Susan Tills is going to use paint - it will all be done with coloured lighting. The arrangements for the Tunes of Glory March are well advanced. There seems to have been no problem about getting at least 10,000 pipers to sign up - bands from 26 countries from around the world are flying in, with 20 bands from Scotland alone. And of course there will be a large representation from North America. The event is expected to raise over a $1 million for charity - each participant is sponsored for at least $100. On the evening before the march, Scottish Secretary Helen Liddell will be presenting a newly-designed New York Tartan to mayor Michael Bloomberg and his predecessor Rudy Guiliani.
Glasgow is sometimes referred to as "the dear green place" even though its more recent industrial past made it anything but green. But over the past few decades it has blossomed and now it is set to host the World Rose Convention in 2003. The event is the premiere event in the world of rose growers and is held every three years. The city earned the honour in recognition of hosting the International Rose Trials at Tollcross Park for the last 14 years. The convention was held in Houston, Texas, in 2000 and the Netherlands in 1997. And this summer the city will bloom once more when the World Association of Flower Arrangers hold their 7th World Flower Show 'Floramondi' at the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre.
Glasgow City Council have decided to close Kelvingrove Museum and Art Gallery between July 2003 to February 2006 while it undergoes a £26 million refurbishment. While the building has been Scotland's most popular free tourist attraction, keeping it open during the upgrade would have prolonged the programme and exposed the building and its priceless contents to a greater risk of fire or accidental damage. When the work is complete there will be 35% more display space and 50% more objects on display in a modern environment.
A concerted effort by Glasgow, including the Lord Provost flying to the Superbowl in New Orleans, has resulted in Glasgow being selected by the NFL to host the 2003 "World Bowl" which is the final of the American Football season in Europe. The game will be played in June 2003 at Hampden stadium, home of the Scottish Claymores. Scotland last hosted the final in 1996 when the Scottish Claymores defeated Frankfurt Galaxy in front of 40,000 fans.
For once the sporting press were right in their predictions that Bobby Williamson, the successful manager of Kilmarnock Football Club, would be offered the job at Edinburgh club Hibernian (after the club had fired their previous manager after only 69 days and 15 matches). Kilmarnock turned down Hibs' offer of compensation for the loss of their manager - but he promptly resigned and went to Hibs anyway. Understandably, Kilmarnock did not want Williamson to leave, but football contracts seem to only be a means of assisting in calculating compensation when they are broken.