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>.
The Scottish Snippets Newsletter in its original format began in April 1997 and continued in an unbroken series for 591 issues. Although no longer produced in that format there is now a regular update on the new and updated pages on the Rampant Scotland site and also "Scottie's Diary" on an intermittent basis, To receive this, kust send an e-mail to Scottie with "Subscribe Newsletter" in the subject line.
Current Affairs
Historical Affairs - Topical Items from Scotland's Past
Entertainment
Sport
In the First Division, Gretna's surprise defeat by Airdrie still leaves them 2 points ahead of Partick Thistle. St Johnstone and Hamilton are 4 points further back. Airdrie's win on Saturday put them one point ahead of Queen of the South at the other end of the table.
With only one mid-week match, the positions in the Second and Third Divisions are largely as before. In the BT Scotland Rugby Division 1, Currie's lead at the top has been cut to 5 points ahead of Watsonians. At the other end of the table, Aberdeen trail Hawick by 7 points.
Magazine Section
Where else would you like to go in Scotland?
National Transport Vision
The long-awaited Scottish Executive strategy document on the future of transport in the country over the next 20 years and beyond, calls for improved public transport and reduced carbon emissions. No surprises there then. The report acknowledges that people are buying more cars and congestion is increasing. The answer, according to the government, is to invest in public transport (with a faster service between Edinburgh and Glasgow as a priority, with the electrification of the route), add more "average speed" cameras - and impose road charging on a per mile basis, with higher fees at peak times, as is being promoted by the UK government. The Scottish Executive currently spends 70% of its transport budget on subsidising public transport. The report makes no commitment on a second road crossing over the river Forth or on a high speed "bullet" train service to London. Critics condemned the report as a "wish list" and lacking in detail. But it could be argued that this is what "vision" is all about.
The illustration above is of public transport in Princes Street, Edinburgh.
More Storms and Flooding
Last month was the wettest November since records began, marginally beating the previous record set in 1938. December is providing no respite and heavy rain and high winds again lashed Scotland last Sunday. On this occasion, it was Perthshire that was worst affected, with the river Tay bursting its banks at Kenmore. The flood gates and screens in Perth itself were in operation for two days, but the defences held. But other areas had problems too, with flooding on roads in Dumfries and Galloway, the Erskine Bridge over the river Clyde was closed from Sunday evening to Monday lunchtime. High-sided vehicles were also banned from the Tay and Forth road bridges for a time. In Glasgow and the west of Scotland, the normal rainfall for December is four inches. Between Saturday night and Monday morning, 3.5 inches of rain fell, accompanied by high winds that gusted at up to 80mph at times. In Inverclyde, pupils at Greenock High School got an unexpected day off, after the storm ripped off part of the roof. Early morning ferry sailings between Brodick and Ardrossan on the Firth of Clyde were cancelled and trains from England were arriving up to two hours late.
Launch Party for Highland 2007
Inverness will be celebrating the launch of Highland 2007 (a year of events focusing on the culture of the Highlands) with a large street party on 12 January. The date marks the traditional Old New Year in Scotland and the event will feature mass piped bands, a Gaelic choir and high-flying acrobats. The free launch party is expected to attract up to 15,000 spectators.
New Plan for Bus Company Global HQ
Transport giant FirstGroup recently got many in Aberdeen worried that it might move its world HQ from the Granite City. The company had suddenly announced that it was withdrawing its controversial plans for a new base in the Woodside area of the city. The proposal had met noisy opposition from local residents and lengthy planning delays. The City Council had eventually approved the £10 million development - then the company had pulled back. But this week FirstGroup came up with a new set of proposals - to redevelop the existing headquarters site at King Street. The new plans include a new UK national training facility, which would not have been possible under the earlier proposal. FirstGroup describe it as "an imaginative proposal from our design team [that] allows us to develop a state-of-the-art facility at our home in King Street." There will be relief that Britain's biggest transport operator will continue to be located in Aberdeen.
Reduction in Fire Deaths
The annual report of the Fire Service in Scotland has highlighted that the number of people killed in fires in 2005/2006 was the lowest since records began. In half of the fires which caused 62 fatalities in the year, no smoke alarms had been fitted or were not working, highlighting the importance of these devices. The report also showed a 25% reduction in injuries to fire fighters, despite them having to respond to a slightly higher number of incidents.
A&E Unit at Inverclyde Royal Reprieved
These days, despite loud protests from the local population, health authorities across Scotland (and the UK) are closing down long-standing accident and emergency units in hospitals and centralising them in larger locations. While this allows the medical resources to be concentrated in fewer and better equipped sites, it means that patients have longer to travel for treatment. And, if they are hospitalised, relatives and friends have much longer journeys to make to visit them. Car owners can cope, but those dependant on public transport can often end up with complicated travel arrangements. So there was a great deal of delight - and some surprise - this week when NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde reversed a decision of the former Argyll and Clyde health board to centralise accident and emergency and core inpatient services at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley. That would have meant the closure of A&E at Inverclyde Royal Hospital, 18 miles away in Gourock. The board say that they "listened to concerns from the public and clinicians" (what a pleasant change!) and had decided that Inverclyde should keep all its existing services, apart from a couple of specialities.
A Bridge Too Far?
Public meetings are being held in the Western Isles to allow islanders to have a say in the proposed roadway over the five-mile Sound of Harris to provide a link between Harris and Uist. The causeway would incorporate renewable energy capability and would allow unimpeded travel between Stornoway in Lewis in the north to North Uist, Benbecula and South Uist. Western Isles Council are keen on such a link, arguing that it would boost inter-island trade and improve social links. The aim is to make the Western Isles one economic and social unit. But some are not convinced of the benefits, as it could erode the special character of each of the islands - such as the strict observance of the Sabbath in Lewis and Harris.
First, the Squinty Bridge - Now the Squiggly Bridge
Glasgow seems to be developing a love affair with oddly designed bridges, which then get dubbed with an affectionate, descriptive name by the locals. First it was a bridge from Finnieston which ran diagonally across the river Clyde to Pacific Quay. That immediately became the "Squinty Bridge" - although Glasgow City Council belatedly gave it a formal title of "Clyde Arc". Now the design of dramatic new pedestrian bridge nearer the city centre, to link Broomielaw on the north side of the river to Tradeston, has been revealed. Originally, a scheme (named Neptune's Way) by top architect Lord Richard Rogers was being pursued, but the cost of that soared to over £60 million. Now a new design has emerged, from a Danish firm of architects, which snakes across the water - immediately prompting the name of "The Squiggly Bridge". The cost has been capped at between £3 million and £6 million. The crossing will be constructed by the same firm that built the Clyde Arc (or Squinty Bridge, if you prefer).
UK's Largest Offshore Wind Farm
Power group E.ON has announced that it is to start the construction phase of its £325 million project to create the UK's largest offshore wind farm, six miles from the Scottish coast of Dumfries and Galloway, in the Solway Firth. The 180 megawatts Robin Rigg scheme, with its 60 turbines, received planning permission three years ago. But it has been a challenging project due to the water depth and distance from the shore and construction is now scheduled to begin early next year. E.ON already operates a smaller offshore wind farm off Great Yarmouth in Norfolk, England.
Inverness Airport Expansion Plans
The airport at Inverness is situated eight miles northeast of the Highland Capital and is the main gateway for travellers to the north of Scotland. The airport provides a wide range of scheduled services throughout the UK, and limited charter and freight flights elsewhere. The owners, Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (HIAL), published their vision this week for the future of the hub, and see the number of passengers rising to nearly two million by 2030. The outline master plan may be small scale compared to those for Edinburgh and Glasgow, but it is important for a city where the population is growing fast. Since 1999, the airport has seen passenger numbers grow by 85% and it will handle around 725,000 travellers this year. The plans for growth in traffic - and the infrastructure to cope with that - have been made public this week so that the wider community can comment on them. There is an exhibition in the present terminal building and the document can be downloaded from the airport's website at www.hial.co.uk.
Edinburgh and Glasgow - And Beyond
Handheld Productions, based in Campsie Glen, has produced two DVDs which cover the rich history, architecture, entertainment and tourist attractions of Edinburgh and Glasgow - and beyond, to many popular central Scotland locations. So, in addition to the sights of both the Capital and Scotland's largest city, the DVDs take you on a journey to such locations as Stirling, Fife, Perth, East Lothian and the Scottish Borders as well as Inveraray, The Trossachs, Culross in Fife and the Falkirk Wheel (to name just some of the places covered). While many of the sights are well trodden, as someone who travels extensively in central Scotland, I was surprised at the number of locations I had to add to my personal list of places to visit. The photography is stunning (mainly taken on lovely sunny days, of course) and the commentary informative. Each DVD is an hour long and covers a lot of ground at a cracking pace - so it's the sort of DVD that merits several viewings. It has been produced in dual format, so can be played on both NTSC or PAL equipment. Their Web site features a slide show of some of the images and short video clips to persuade you that you should purchase the full product. See Beyond the Cities.
New Car Sales Down Again
The number of cars sold in Scotland in November declined by 3% on the same month last year. That was the ninth month out of the last eleven this year that new car sales were down. Since the start of 2006, traders have seen a shortfall of 3.1% in sales, worth £60 million, compared to the previous year. The downturn has prompted large discounts by dealers to move stock, so profit margins are being squeezed - and consumers are getting lots of bargains.
Golden Eagle Icon for Scotland Rejected
The enterprise and culture committee of the Scottish Parliament rejected a long-running campaign to have the golden eagle named as Scotland's national bird. The supporters of the proposal argued that it would have been good for the Scottish wildlife tourism and for the eagle population in the country. Over 80 countries have a bird as a national symbol and the golden eagle is said to already be an unofficial emblem. But the Members of Scottish Parliament (MSPs) were unconvinced that there was any public support and described the campaign as a "stunt".
Picture via Wikipedia.
Harris Tweed in English Ownership
Almost all of the iconic Harris Tweed industry has been sold to the Yorkshire company of John Haggas as a result of the sale this week of the KM Group. Harris Tweed can only be woven in the Outer Hebrides and the Kenneth Mackenzie Mill in Stornoway is the largest and only plant that integrates all the production processes. The only production not taken over is a small mill which is owned by mainland Scottish and American shareholders. An army of self-emloyed weavers work in their own homes around Lewis and Harris making the cloth which is then washed and finished in Stornoway.
Chicken Plan Laid in Scottish Borders
Glenrath Farms is already Scotland's largest independent egg producer and packer, supplying the major UK supermarkets with free range and "barn" eggs. The company has now lodged an application for an £8 million expansion to its operation in West Linton, south of Edinburgh and just within the Scottish Borders. That would make it the largest egg farm in the UK. If planning approval is obtained, it would house 300,000 birds in total. Despite an independent environmental impact study by the Scottish Agricultural College, campaigners against the development have raised concerns about the impact on wildlife and rivers in the area. Glenrath began in 1961 with 113 hens and has grown steadily ever since. They currently supply 1.3 million eggs per day, seven days per week. Founder John Campbell still regards himself as "a farmer selling his own produce." Demand for free range eggs is growing and despite the efforts of producers like Glenrath, supermarkets have to import eggs from abroad. Campbell argues that expansion of home production is better than importing from abroad, where standards are not always as high as in the UK.
Faroese Festive Fling
A cruise ship arrived in the northern port of Invergordon this week with 500 residents from the Faroe Islands so that they could travel on by bus to do their Christmas shopping in Inverness. The Faroe Islands lie north-west of Scotland, half way between Shetland and Iceland. The departure of 500 residents on their festive shopping expedition will make a dent in the Faroese population of 48,000. The trip involved the shoppers in sailing overnight on Monday to arrive in Invergordon early the next morning. They then departed at 4pm that afternoon for the return trip, again overnight.
Bus Link to Ferry Axed
We are constantly being exhorted to use more public transport. However, sometimes the low level of demand means that services become uneconomic and the bus companies cut their losses and close the route. That has happened to the Arriva bus service which links Paisley to the southern end of the Renfrew Ferry across the river Clyde to Yoker. The ferry crossing has been in existence for around 500 years and has had a tram or bus service for the last 100 years. Although the numbers using the route may not be great, those who do cross the river on a regular basis are inconvenienced - and angry. But the bus company says that the service would need £50,000 to break even. However, as there is a bus service within quarter of a mile, it doesn't qualify for a subsidy.
It's a Wrap
When First Scotrail took over the franchise to run the majority of the train services in Scotland two years ago, they set about giving their rolling stock a brand new livery, proclaiming their new ownership. But now it seems that the paintwork is going to be covered up - as the trains become giant mobile billboards, wrapped in the colour scheme of an advertiser. Trains on the Edinburgh to Glasgow and the Aberdeen to Inverness routes will become a canvas to branded with the livery of major companies. So passengers can look forward (?) to the Big Mac express to Glasgow or the Bacardi and Coke to Aberdeen.
Challenge for Ailsa Craig Rock
The granite from Ailsa Craig has long been regarded as the best for producing curling stones for the "roaring game" that has been played on ice for centuries. The first written reference to a contest using stones on ice come from the records in 1541 from Paisley Abbey, Renfrew, although the word appeared in print in Perth in 1220. But Scotland's long pedigree in the game - and as producer of the best stones - is under challenge from - wait for it - Finland. The Finns claim that their country can produce a "Rolls-Royce" of curling rocks. Their new product was unveiled this week at the European Curling Championships in Basel, Switzerland. The dominance of the stones from Ailsa Craig is bound to come to an end as the island has been given protected status and can no longer be quarried. The World Curling Federation obtained 2,000 tons of the granite before that - but with world demand for stones soaring, that will not last forever.
Weather in Scotland This Week
As noted earlier in this newsletter, the week started with high winds and heavy rain. The weather calmed down a bit after that, with a fair number of hours of sunshine, with only showers to contend with. But the clearer skies at night brought temperatures down from 8/9C (46/48F) and even 11C (53F) in Aberdeen at the start of the week to a chillier daytime maximum of 5/6C (41/43F) by Saturday. The weather forecasters are again warning of strong winds and heavy rain, however, over Sunday and Monday.
The illustration here shows the Christmas Tree on The Mound in Edinburgh, with Edinburgh Castle in the distance. The picture was taken last Tuesday - at the end of a sunny but chilly day.
This Week's Colour Supplement
This week's large format photographs taken in Scotland to show the current season include Edinburgh Castle at night (see thumbnail here), the Edinburgh skyline from Calton Hill, Bank of Scotland at night, the buildings on top of Calton Hill, Jenners Department Store in Princes Street and the Ferris wheel beside the Scott Monument in Princes Street Gardens. See This Week's Colour Supplement.
Jacobites in Edinburgh
The Drambuie Liqueur Company owes its existence to Bonnie Prince Charlie, who led the unsuccessful Jacobite Uprising of 1745/46. The Prince gave a recipe for a liqueur as thanks to the members of the MacKinnon clan who had helped him escape after the defeat at Culloden. The drink had been created by the prince's apothecary, from a combination of whisky, honey, and a blend of powerful herbs and spices believed to have magical curative powers. The ancient recipe became known as "Dram Buidheach", meaning the drink that satisfies. It later became commercialised as Drambuie liqueur - every bottle bears the words: "Cuimnich an tabhartas prionnsa" - "Remember the gift of the prince". Acknowledging their origins, the company in recent years assembled a large collection of valuable Jacobite memorabilia. There are medals and miniature portraits of Charles, including one concealed in the foot of a snuff box (as supporting the Jacobite cause was at one time a treasonable offence). The collection also has a magnificent collection of engraved drinking glasses and an "amen" glass engraved with the Jacobite anthem and the crown of "King James VII" of Scotland. Now, a large part of the collection is to go on display at the National Portrait Gallery in Edinburgh. The items have recently completed a seven-venue tour of US museums.
£15,000 For Oldest Whisky
A bottle of whisky, which experts believe is the oldest in existence, has been sold at auction for £14,850. The unusually small bottle of "Glenavon Special Liqueur Whisky" is believed to have been bottled about 150 years ago, at the Glenavon Distillery in Banffshire. The bottle contains only 14 fluid ounces (about 400ml compared to the more usual 700ml of today). Glenavon stopped operating in 1858 prior to a consolidation on a site not far away, which later became the present Glenlivet Distillery. There were bids from as far away as the Far East and the US and it eventually went to an anonymous bidder.
Long Distance Walk Along Military Road?
The Cairngorms National Park Authority has suggested that a new long-distance walkway could be created within the park using the old military roads built by General Wade to suppress any Jacobite rebellion. Wade constructed 250 miles of roads to allow government troops to move rapidly in the Highlands to combat any uprisings. The park authority has suggested that an old Wade road could be used to extend an existing 84 mile walkway, from Buckie on the Moray coast to Aviemore in the Spey valley, onwards to Newtonmore, passing the impressive ruins of the Ruthven Barracks (see illustration) near Kingussie - another monument to concerns about the Jacobites.
Next Week in Scottish History
His Majesty's Loudly Celebrates Century
A spectacular fireworks display marked the 100th birthday of the well-loved His Majesty's Theatre last Sunday. Plans to wrap the theatre's prominent dome with a large birthday bow had to be called off because of the high winds. A small crowd braved the rain and gales to listen to a performance by Scots singer Fiona Kennedy - who described His Majesty's as "one of the most beautiful theatres in the whole UK." The crowd burst into "Happy Birthday" before the fireworks lit up the night sky.
New Year Viennese Gala
Each year, millions watch on TV the traditional concert of music by the Strauss family, given by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, from the gilded Musikvereinssaal in Vienna, on the morning of 1 January. The Royal Scottish National Orchestra is following in their footsteps - but allow Scottish concert-goers time to recover from Hogmanay. So their concerts take place in Glasgow on 3 January, Perth (4 January), Edinburgh (5 January) and Dunfermline (6 January). See www.rsno.org.uk for more details.
Celtic Connections
January would a lot duller in Glasgow if the UK's premier Celtic festival hadn't been started in 1994. Now Celtic Connections brightens up the cultural life of the city (and brings lots of visitors at a quiet time in the tourist season). This year there are some 250 separate events scheduled at 12 venues from 17 January to 4 February, ranging from concerts by big named artists and ceilidhs to workshops and lectures. For more details, see www.celticconnections.com.
Burning the Clavie
New Year celebrations at Burghead are a bit idiosyncratic as they take place on 11 January - that equates to 1 January in the old Julian calendar (which was dropped in 1600). An iron-hooped whisky barrel, covered in creosote, is nailed to a carrying post and lit by peat from the hearth of the Burghead Provost (mayor). The burning clavie is then carried round the streets of the town before going to a stone altar in an old fort on the ancient Doorie Hill. More fuel is added, creating a beacon on top of the hill.
Sunday and Mid-Week Football Results
Falkirk 1 Rangers 0
Forfar 0 Stirling Albion 2
Queens Park 1 Brechin City 2 (Scottish Cup, first round replay)
FC Copenhagen 3 Celtic 1 (European Champions League Group stage)Bank of Scotland Premierleague Results - 9 December 2006
Aberdeen 2 Falkirk 1
Dundee United 3 Inverness Caledonian Thistle 1
Heart of Midlothian 4 Motherwell 1
Kilmarnock 1 St Mirren 1
Rangers 3 Hibernian 0
Dunfermline v Celtic is scheduled for Sunday.Scottish Football League First Division Results - 9 December 2006
Airdrie United 4 Gretna 2
Livingston 1 Clyde 1
Queen of the South 1 Hamilton 1
Ross County 2 Partick Thistle 5
St Johnstone 2 Dundee 1Scottish Football League Second/Third Division
Due to the second round matches of the Scottish Cup, there were no games in the lower divisions on Saturday.
Scottish Cup, Second Round
Annan Athletic 0 Greenock Morton 3
Berwick Rangers 2 Arbroath 0
Brechin City 2 Preston Athletic 1
Cowdenbeath 5 Edinburgh University 1
Edinburgh City 0 Stirling Albion1
Elgin City 1 Buckie Thistle 0
Peterhead 0 Ayr United 2
Raith Rovers 0 Dumbarton 1BT Scotland Rugby Division 1 Results - 9 December 2006
Aberdeen 16 Melrose 19
Ayr 30 Currie 26
Glasgow Hawks 15 Boroughmuir 14
Heriots 32 Dundee18
Watsonians 52 Hawick 6
League Tables
Falkirk's defeat of Rangers last Sunday was their first league win over the Ibrox side since New Year's Day in 1971 (when a young Alex Ferguson played a stormer for the Bairns). At this point in the SPL campaign last year, fans were baying for the head of the then manager, Alex McLeish, as Rangers found themselves in the unusual position of being 17 points behind Celtic after 17 games. This year, the gap is smaller - 16 points. It almost seemed a different team on Saturday, howvever, as the Ibrox side swept aside Hibernian. That narrowed the gap at the top, with both Rangers and Aberdeen 13 points adrift - though Celtic have still to play on Sunday. At the other end of the SPL table, Dunfermline are trailing 6 points behind Motherwell and St Mirren.
No Seeding for Celtic
The hope that Celtic might come out on top in their group of the European Champions League was dashed on Wednesday when the club's dismal record away from home in European matches continued. FC Copenhagen took the lead inside two minutes and were two up 25 minutes later. The Danish side scored again in the second half, before Celtic managed a consolation goal near the end. Celtic still qualify for the next stage in the competition, but will play one of the winners of another group - instead of being seeded and playing a second-placed team. FC Copenhagen, on the other hand, finished last in the group, despite outshining Celtic in the final match.
Boxing Career on the Ropes
World feather-weight champion Scott Harrison was unable to make the weight for his title fight against Londoner Nicky Cook on 9 December and had to concede defeat. He is understood to have been eight pounds over the weight limit of nine stones (126 pounds). He had gained weight while spending a month in a Spanish jail, after being arrested and charged with a number of offences, including assaulting a police officer. Although he returned from Spain in mid-November, expressing confidence that he would be fit in time, that has not been achieved. Harrison had previously pulled out of a fight in Belfast last May because of depression and alcohol problems. The WBO inevitably decided to remove the title from Harrison.