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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
Scots Abroad
Sport
In the First Division, Hamilton came back from two goals down to win their match against Clyde and go 5 points ahead of Dundee at the top. At the foot of the table, Stirling Albion lie 9 points behind Clyde.
Ross County are still two points ahead of Raith Rovers at the top of the Second Division, with Berwick Rangers bringing up the rear, 13 points behind Queens Park.
East Fife went even further ahead in the Third Division after Saturday's results - they now have a commanding 21 point advantage. Forfar trail at the foot of the division, 4 points away from Dumbarton.
In the Scottish Hydro Electric Rugby Division One, Boroughmuir have an almost unassailable lead of 26 points over Watsonians at the top of the table while Dundee languish at the foot of the division, having won 11 points fewer than Glasgow Hutchesons. Magazine Section
Where else would you like to go in Scotland?
£850 Million Revamp for Edinburgh "Eyesore"
The St James Centre in Edinburgh, long regarded as a major eyesore, is to undergo an £850 million redevelopment, the biggest in the Capital for decades. The 1973 building is to be demolished to make way for a three-storey, crescent shaped shopping arcade, a public square, two hotels, luxury flats and new streets. An open-ended street would have a glass roof, with buildings clad in stone. Retail space in the centre would triple in size, with the present John Lewis store retained. The redevelopment covers not just the present indoor shopping mall but also the vacant offices at New St Andrew's House. There will be a public exhibition of the plans in the main shopping level of the St James Centre, as part of an eight-week consultation exercise, before an outline planning application and illustrative master-plan is submitted to Edinburgh Council in April. If approved, demolition could begin in 2010, and be completed in 2015.
Government Budget Approved
Lacking an overall majority in the Scottish Parliament, the first budget of the ruling Scottish National Party (SNP) could have been given rough passage. But an unlikely alliance with the Conservative party, an independent member and with the two Green Party members abstaining, the Government got their financial package approved. Some concessions were made, with Finance Secretary John Swinney promising the Conservatives that he would find more money for extra police officers and accelerate a promised cut in business-rate taxation. The Greens were kept from voting against the budget with an undertaking to insist on a "carbon" assessment of the next spending review and repeating that it would not continue the £6 million fund to set up new airline routes to and from Scotland. And more money was pledged for Edinburgh council to recognise the city's status and costs as the nation's capital. As a result, although the Labour and Liberal Democrats voted against the £30 billion budget plans, it was backed in principle by 64 votes to 62. The plans will now go forward to the Parliament's finance committee for further scrutiny.
Winners and Losers in Latest Population Projections
The latest projections for Scotland's population changes in the next 25 years by the Registrar General for Scotland are predicting a 5% overall increase, but only half of Scotland's local council areas are expected to experience a growth in population. The biggest increase is expected in West Lothian and Perth & Kinross - where 22% increases by 2031 are forecast. However, the population in Inverclyde and East Dunbartonshire could fall by 15% over the same period. The number of pensioners is projected to rise in all areas, with a 76% increase by 2031 forecast for Aberdeenshire. The projections are the result of assumptions made about future fertility, mortality and migration patterns based on past trends. It was not that long ago when the same methodology was predicting that Scotland's overall population would decline to under five million. But the Registrar's figures are the best available and will form the basis of future planning decisions.
Power Bills Surge
This week, the UK's biggest power provider, British Gas, announced that with immediate effect charges for gas and electricity were to rise by a hefty 15%. A million people in Scotland will be affected. Other power supply companies have either already implemented similar increases or are believed to be about to do so. Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) are planning to be the last to bring in any rise, delaying moves until at least March 30, to avoid the costly winter period. The industry is blaming steep increases in the wholesale cost of energy, with gas up by 51% and electricity by 61%. British Gas claims that without increasing prices, they would have been making a loss. The energy companies are, however, recording record profits as they pass on all the higher wholesale prices. Since 2003, Scottish Gas customers who have been obtaining both electricity and gas from the company have seen bills nearly double, from an average of £578 to £1049 a year.
Number of Smokers Falls
A government survey has shown that the number of people smoking tobacco in Scotland has fallen from 45% in 1978 to 25% in 2006. Although that is a big improvement, and a decrease from 28% in 2005, Scotland still has a higher percentage of the population smoking than any other part of the UK. Smoking is now equally spread, with 25% of men and 25% of women considering themselves smokers, although women smoke fewer cigarettes a day (13 on average) than men (an average of 15 a day).
Big Rise in Bar Licence Fees
Alcohol licences for bars, clubs and supermarkets are currently £172 for a three-year licence, with further fees for renewals. But under a new licensing regime approved by the Scottish Parliament this week, some could soon be paying up to £2000. Ministers point out that the current licence fee covers only 63% of the running costs of operating the system, with local taxpayers footing the remainder of the bill, effectively subsidising pubs and retailers. The increases, which come into force in 2009, will cost the industry £20 million a year. The Scottish Beer and Pub Association is predicting that the increased costs will force some marginal outlets, already struggling after the ban on smoking, to close. Others will be able to pass the cost on to customers in the form of higher prices - which will add to the numbers buying alcoholic drinks in supermarkets and drinking at home instead.
Squinty Bridge to Close for Six Months
The Clyde Arc, a new road bridge over the river Clyde in Glasgow (known locally as the "Squinty Bridge" as it crosses the water at an angle), could remain closed for up to six months after a crack was found in another cable. In the previous week, one steel cable had crashed onto the (fortunately empty) roadway. Initially it was thought the crossing would re-open quickly as the bridge was designed to have supports removed for maintenance. But the discovery of another unsafe support has resulted in a rethink. The river Clyde has been closed to all traffic under the bridge - that will not cause much of a problem as there are few boats using the river at that point these days.
Major Expansion for Top Edinburgh Hotel
Edinburgh's prestigious Caledonian Hilton Hotel, popular with film stars like Sean Connery and business leaders as well as tourists, is to undergo a £22 million refurbishment. It will involve creating an additional 50 "superior" rooms in part of the hotel's car park and a new, glass-covered reception lounge in a disused central courtyard. The hotel's existing leisure club will be transformed into an "international-standard" spa. The total number of rooms will grow to 280 and a new dining area will be created.
Mirth and Fun Grow Fast and Furious
Rabbie himself may not be able to speak to us at the many events taking place at this time of year around the world, but Scotland.org has organised a most attractive alternative - actor Andy Weir reading some of Burns' great poems, giving advice on recipes and his own immortal memory. The Interactive Burns presentation is slick and amusing and will appeal to Burns fans and to those who are just discovering him. There's also a Scots language quiz and facts and information on Scotland's national bard. Well worth a look at Burns Interactive
Arts Academy to Shed Staff
The Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama (RSAMD) in Glasgow has offered a voluntary severance scheme to its 300 full-time teaching staff in an effort to save £600,000 a year. If there are not enough volunteers, compulsory redundancy will have to be considered. With an average salary of teaching staff of £30,000 to £35,000 it means that up to 20 lecturers could lose their jobs. The financial shortfall has in part arisen because of a pay award for lecturers in 2006 which was worth 13.1% over three years. That brought to an end an acrimonious dispute, but universities warned at that time that the offer was at the "limits of affordability". RSAMD is not a large organisation, so it has not been possible to make enough savings in areas other than staff salaries. It is claimed that there has been long-term under-funding of teaching at RSAMD by the Scottish Funding Council, a government agency. As a result, RSAMD gets £5,000 a year less per student than similar academies on England.
Scotland's First Community Marine Conservation Area
Lamlash Bay, on the Isle of Arran in the Firth of Clyde, is to given statutory protection as Scotland's first Community Marine Conservation Area. It came about as a result of pressure from an independent body, the Firth of Clyde Forum, which brought together representatives of the fishing industry and nature conservationists. Under the new proposals, part of the bay will become a marine reserve where fishing activity will be prohibited and the remainder will be a fisheries management area with a particular focus on scallops. It follows a campaign by conservationists who have long argued that statutory protection is needed. The moves are aimed also at providing an opportunity to showcase the area's marine environment, with the possibility of underwater cameras, so that future visitors to the island and elsewhere will be able to enjoy the fantastic marine life which Lamlash Bay has to offer.
Picture of Lamlash Bay via Wikipedia.
World Monopoly Bid by Edinburgh
The makers of the popular Monopoly board game have already published special editions featuring locations in Scotland as a whole as well as others for Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Dundee. Now the company is to launch a worldwide edition and the public is being asked to select from a list of 68 locations around the world. The most popular 22 places will appear on this edition of the well-known boardgame. Having made it onto the initial short-list, Edinburgh is hoping to be voted onto the list of winning world locations. The tourism agency VisitScotland is supporting the campaign and urging everyone to take the time to vote for their favourite city. See World Monopoly for more details.
Monopoly for Digit Al
As the UK TV services move towards the closure of analogue TV transmissions and sales of digital TVs soar, electrical shops are bringing to an end the sale of analogue TVs. In November this year the Scottish Borders will be the first area to have its analogue signal switched off and the rest of the country will follow suit over the next four years. A cartoon character named "Digit Al" is being used to promote the publicity for the switch-over. Electrical retailers are focusing on "integrated" sets which have built-in digital Freeview tuners. These provide over 30 BBC and commercial digital TV channels and a large number of digital radio stations. These channels are free so long as viewers pay the annual licence fee to the BBC.
Putting Putin's Bears in Their Place
Since the end of the Cold War, at the end of the 1980s, the Royal Air Force's jets based at Leuchars have rarely been required to intercept unauthorised or suspicious flights in or approaching UK airspace - usually by Russian reconnaissance aircraft such as the elderly Tupolev 95 "Bear Foxtrot". In 2006, the number of "Quick Reaction Alerts" (QRAs) totalled just eight. But last year that number soared to 33, with eight of these in September alone. RAF Leuchars in Fife plays a key role in these interceptions, with the station's two Tornado squadrons providing cover for the whole of the north of the UK.
Picture via Wikipedia.
Townhead Café Wins Top Award
The Townhead Café, in the Scottish Borders town of Biggar, was crowned this week as the UK’s best fish and chip shop at the finals of the national Fish & Chip Shop of the Year competition. Deep fried fish and chips (French fried potatoes) are the most popular fast food in the UK, with 255 million portions sold every year. The industry stages an annual competition each year to find the best in the country and the winner of the national award was announced at a gala lunch at the Royal Garden Hotel in London. The last time a Scottish champion achieved the national accolade was in 1998. For the first time in the competition’s 20 year history, entrants were judged on their commitment to building a sustainable future for the industry. Points were given to shops according to their use of sustainable species and the measures they have in place to encourage customers to try something new.
Weather in Scotland This Week
There were snow falls of several inches on higher ground in the Scottish Borders and South Lanarkshire at the beginning of the week, disrupting traffic on the main A7 road as cars and trucks got stuck or were abandoned. Later in the week, it was heavy rain and high winds that caused traffic problems. Considerable surface water on the M80 motorway in central Scotland nearly resulted in the trunk road being closed by police. Stornoway in the Western Isles recorded wind speeds of 75mph on Thursday night and Shetland had gusts of 85mph on Friday morning. The week saw a lot of cloud and rain overall, with not much sunshine. Maximum temperatures on Monday were just 4/5C (39/41F) but by Tuesday/Wednesday the thermometer was rising to 12/13C (54/55F). Thursday saw that dropping back briefly to 4/5C, but bouncing back on Friday and Saturday to 9/10C (48/50F), at least in the central Lowlands.
The illustration above shows 16 hungry swans in line astern - pursuing the photographer because he was carrying a plastic bag - a sure sign that bread might be thrown to them!
This Week's Colour Supplement
This week's large format photographs taken in Scotland to show the current season and its flora and fauna include a wintry-looking Edinburgh Castle, with grey skies and the rocks glistening in the rain; Scott Monument in Princes Street Gardens and the five-star Balmoral Hotel; the approaches to Waverley Station; the elegant houses of Ramsay Gardens; St Giles cathedral; hailstones on the ground providing an unusual backdrop to a Skimmia Japonica (see thumbnail here). See This Week's Colour Supplement.
New Tower Trail
Clackmannan may be Scotland's smallest county with a population of only 26,000 but it still hosts a good number of historic buildings. To highlight some of these a Clackmannanshire Tower Trail has been created to give visitors an opportunity to learn all about the county's various 14th and 15th century tower houses and castles. They were often built to provide powerful nobles in Scotland with a residence close to Stirling Castle, the preferred residence of Scottish monarchs at that time. The trail includes Castle Campbell, Clackmannan Tower, Alloa Tower (seen here), Sauchie Tower and Menstrie Castle. Menstrie Castle was owned by a family named Alexander who became Earls of Stirling around 1567. The 1st Earl of Stirling was responsible for establishing the Scottish colony in Nova Scotia. For more information, see Clackmannan Tower Trail.
Rail Carriage Returning to Ballater
The railway line and station at Ballater were built in the 19th century principally to allow Queen Victoria to travel by train to her castle at Balmoral, eight miles away. The passenger service came to an end in 1963 as part of the notorious closures recommended in the controversial Beeching Report of 1963. The station, including its Royal Waiting Room, later became used by the local District Council and is now a popular visitor centre with an exhibition illustrating its history, especially the royal connection. A replica of the railway carriage used by Queen Victoria is to arrive at Ballater next week as a result of prompting by Prince Charles who thought that it would be a good idea for the public to see his great-great-grandmother's favourite way to travel. The carriage was used by Queen Victoria to travel from Windsor to Ballater in the late 1800s. The original is at the National Railway Museum at York, England.
Next Week in Scottish History
Clarinda the Musical
The premiere production of Clarinda the Musical, written by Mike Gibb with music composed by Kevin Walsh, opened on Burns Night, 25 January in Edinburgh. This new Scottish musical play tells the fascinating story of Nancy Mclehose and Robert Burns and their passionate but largely platonic affair that gave rise to an exchange of letters and inspired Burns to write "Ae Fond Kiss". Burns called Nancy "Clarinda" in his letters - and called himself "Sylvander". Burns met Nancy for the last time in Edinburgh on 6 December 1791. Nancy told him she had decided to join her now prosperous husband in Jamaica. Shortly afterwards Burns sent the immortal love song `Ae Fond Kiss' to Nancy from Dumfries, capturing the pangs of lost love in his words in a way that has echoed over the centuries. Though they never met again, 40 years to the day after she had left Burns, Nancy wrote in her journal that she would never forget that day. The musical play is based on these events and relationship and shows Nancy to be witty, courageous, flirtatious and coy. The production goes on tour in February to Glasgow, Cumberbauld, St Andrews and Aberdeen. For more details, see Clarinda the Musical.
Aberdeen's Lemon Tree Saved
The Lemon Tree music venue in Aberdeen struggled for years to meet its costs and gradually built up a large mountain of debt. Late last year it had to close its doors, with the loss of 50 jobs and leaving a gap in the cultural scene of Aberdeen and the north-east. This week, however, just before liquidators were about to auction off the centre's assets, the city council voted to hand over the running of the centre to Aberdeen Performing Arts, a charitable trust which already manages His Majesty's Theatre and the Music Hall in the city. They are now making plans to restore the Lemon Tree's reputation as a venue for innovative drama, theatre, music and comedy. But the trust also aims to ensure that this time it has sound marketing and financial management.
From Saturn to Glasgow
The programme for Glasgow's third annual literary festival, Aye Right!, has been launched and it features Hollywood actress Kathleen Turner and Gerry Anderson, the creator of the TV "Thunderbirds" series. The festival aims to encourage a love and enthusiasm for reading - and the Herald newspaper arranged for its readers to get a free copy of "From Saturn to Glasgow", a new compilation of 50 of Edwin Morgan's most treasured poems. This is to be this year's "City Read" and will be the centre of a series of events, readings and workshops. It will also be used for educational purposes, before and during the festival which runs from March 7 to 15.
Burns and a' That
The Scots Language Centre has put together links to lots of information about Burns, plus a selection of some great Burns related videos from YouTube as well as audio of Scottish actress Dawn Steele performing his poem "Tae a Louse". Then there are pointers to poems, songs and everything else you ever wanted to know about Burns from the BBC. See www.scotslanguage.com.
Scottish Culture Around the World
The main focus of the Scottish Snippets is news items, usually about Scotland. But the "Scots Abroad" section, invites folk to write in about Scottish-related events in their part of the world. It allows publicity for them and an appreciation by others of just how much Scottish culture is perpetuated in every corner of the globe.
Port Adelaide Caledonian Society
The Society was founded on 26th January 1883 and has prospered since then - it is the only Caledonian Society in South Australia to own its own hall. This is well used by the Society's Scottish Country Dance Class, Caledonian Choir and Highland Dance Class - which has had representatives at two recent Edinburgh Military Tattoos ( 2004 & 2007). There's at least one (sometimes more) major function a month, a Highland Dancing Championship in September and a Competition in November. A Piping Competition in association with the Clan MacLeod Society of South Australia was instituted last October. To mark the 125th anniversary, a dinner party is being held in the hall on Saturday January 26th, with entertainment from the Burnside Ceilidh Band, the P.A.C.S. Choir and Highland Dancers, Craig Masson, the Chief's Piper and the fine Scottish tenor, Donald Macaulay, interspersed with historical snippets and anecdotes. Their Burns Night will be held later, on February 9th. See also Port Adelaide Caledonian Society
Music and Dance at Alabama Celtic Association
Alabama is home to a wide variety of Celtic organizations and interests. There are several Scottish and Irish Dance schools, Pipe and Drum Bands, Scottish Highland Games, Irish Events, Celtic bands and musicians, as well as Celtic Heritage organizations and Clan Societies. The non-profit Alabama Celtic Association provides enrichment scholarships in dance and music. To help fund these prizes, it organises events which see a host of area musicians and dancers sharing their talents in a showcase format. The next such evening of music and dance takes place on 15 February at Bottletree Café in Birmingham, Alabama. For reservations, see Bottletree Café. For more on the Alabama Celtic Association, see www.celticalabama.net.
Sunday and Mid-Week Football Results
Inverness Caledonian Thistle 0 Rangers 1
Scottish Cup - Fourth Round
Aberdeen 3 Falkirk 1
Motherwell 1 Heart of Midlothian 0
Partick Thistle 2 Dunfermline 1
Cove Rangers 2 Ross County 4
Rangers 6 East Stirling 0Clydesdale Bank Premierleague Results - 26 January 2008
Aberdeen 0 Heart of Midlothian 1
Kilmarnock 1 Dundee United 2
Rangers 4 St Mirren 0
Hibernian v Gretna and Motherwell v Inverness Caledonian Thistle were postponed due to waterlogged pitches.
Falkirk v Celtic will be played on Sunday and Motherwell v Celtic next Wednesday.Irn-Bru Scottish Football League First Division Results - 26 January 2008
Clyde 2 Hamilton 3
Dundee 2 Queen of the South 3
Dunfermline 2 Greenock Morton 0
St Johnstone 2 Stirling Albion 1Irn-Bru Scottish Football League Second Division Results - 26 January 2008
Alloa 1 Airdrie United 2
Ayr United 3 Queens Park 1
Brechin City 3 Peterhead 1
Cowdenbeath 2 Ross County 4
Raith Rovers 3 Berwick Rangers 0Irn-Bru Scottish Football League Third Division Results - 26 January 2008
Arbroath 0 East Fife 1
Elgin 2 Montrose 1
Forfar 1 Stenhousemuir 2
Albion Rovers v Stranraer was postponed.Scottish Hydro Electric Rugby Division One Results - 26 January 2008
Boroughmuir 27 Currie 6
Dundee 21 Hawick 22
Edinburgh Academicals 6 Watsonians 31
Glasgow Hawks 26 Glasgow Hutchesons 7
Melrose 38 Ayr 7
Stirling County v Heriots - postponed.League Tables
Rangers increased their lead at the top of the Scottish Premier League to 7 points on Saturday, though Celtic have a game in hand. Dundee United are 8 points behind Celtic in third place. However, Motherwell are only three points further back - and have played two games less that Dundee United. Gretna still trail at the foot of the table, 9 points adrift from Kilmarnock.
New Stadium Plans for Hearts
Heart of Midlothian Football Club's plans for their new stadium at Tynecastle in Edinburgh have been submitted to the city planners. Costing an estimated £51 million, seating capacity would be expanded eventually to 23,000. The club hopes to begin work in implementing the building work this summer, but it would be 2010 before it could be completed. Hearts already have debts of £30 million and the project will add to that. But they hope that - eventually - the improved facilities will mean a gradual reduction in those debts.
New Scotland Football Manager
George Burley, currently manager of Southampton Football club in the south of England, has been appointed to take charge of the Scotland international football team. During his career, the 51-year-old Scot has managed Colchester, Ipswich, Derby and Heart of Midlothian. When he left Hearts after a disagreement with the club's owner, the club had made a superb start to the 2005-06 season. Scotland has failed to qualify for a major international football tournament for ten years and the next opportunity will be the World Cup 2010.
Friendly International With Croatia
The Scottish Football Association has confirmed that Scotland will face Croatia in a friendly at Hampden Park on 26 March. Scotland have played Croatia twice before - drawing both games during the 2002 World Cup qualifying campaign. Croatia are ranked 10th in the world rankings and ended England's hopes of progressing to the Euro 2008 finals with a 3-2 victory at Wembley.
Gridiron to Return to Murrayfield?
Scottish Rugby Union bosses are in talks over using the Murrayfield stadium in Edinburgh to stage an official NFL American football match. Last year, the game between the New York Giants and the Miami Dolphins at Wembley in London was a sell-out. This was the first NFL match played outside North America and attracted a crowd of 80,000 as well as a large TV audience. Discussions are ongoing and no decision on the venue has been made yet. Murrayfield was the part-time home of the former Scottish Claymores American Football team between 1995 and 2004 in the so-called World League.
Caledonian Challenge
The Royal Bank of Scotland sponsored Caledonian Challenge will take place this year from Saturday 14 to Sunday 15 June. With some justification, this is billed as Britain's most spectacular physical and mental challenge, involving as it does the equivalent of two marathons in two days along the 54 mile long West Highland Way from Fort William, all of which must be completed in 24 hours. The route takes in some stunning highland scenery through Glen Coe, Rannoch Moor, Bridge of Orchy down to Auchtertyre and finally on to the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond where the Challenge finishes at Ardleish. Walkers are then whisked over the loch by boat to the finish at Ardlui. Around 1,500 people will be taking part and the objective is to raise funds for the Scottish Community Foundation, a Scottish charity that supports local charities and community groups across Scotland. Since its inception 12 years ago, the RBS Caledonian Challenge has raised over £9 million.