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Compiled by Peter D. Wright
[Issue 111 -
19th July 2002]
SUMMERTIME BLUES
The
summer of 2002 has proved to be wet and windy to date, but thankfully, the
summertime blues were slightly lifted during the past weekend when the sun
shone for the many outdoor events such as Highland Games and agricultural
shows. Indeed for once, the many thousands attending T in the Park, the
largest open-air pop festival in Scotland, enjoyed good weather. Past years
have seen the festival site at Balado, Kinross, reduced to a sea of mud as
the July rain teemed down, but not this year. Over 50,000 each day were
able to enjoy the two-day festival in fine weather. The staging of T in the
Park is a credit to the organisers and it is a pleasure to mention a
Scottish success story. For the rest of the news has been more depressing –
the continuing Margo spin; the Gordon Brown Scottish
 squeeze
(see Synopsis – Alex Salmond); the ups and downs (mainly downs) of the Stock
Market and of vital concern to readers of the Flag, Jim Lynch being laid
low. Instead of enjoying himself in the ‘hame o the Turra Coo’ – Turriff –
on a well earned break, Jim inspired by the change of weather, overindulged
in both bowling and gardening which has brought about his own summertime
blues in muscular pain. Keep it until it gets better is the medical advice
but hopefully Jim will be back to full fighting fettle for Flag 112.
MARGO MAKEOVER (TAKE TWO)
Any
hopes the SNP had that its summer campaign of ‘Talking Independence’ would
be making the news in media coverage have been swamped by Margo MacDonald’s
decision (her own decision) to stand down as SNP prospective MSP
candidate for Edinburgh South. It has now been revealed that Margo
MacDonald is suffering from a mild form of Parkinson’s disease and she has
accused the SNP leadership of revealing this to the media in an attempt to
smear her. National Party Convener John Swinney has strongly refuted this
suggestion and gone even further by stating that anyone briefing against the
list MSP would be sacked. The late Dr Robert D McIntyre speaking to the SNP
leadership said ‘Round this table we do not have to love each other but for
the sake of the cause for Independence we have to trust and work with each
other.’ I know John Swinney as a man that the National Party, indeed
Scotland, can trust and work with. You can accept John’s word that the
leadership were not involved in the Margo spin.
On a personal level I wish that Margo MacDonald
had followed the example of Irene McGugan, Michael F Russell and Andrew
Wilson who also dropped down the list, democratically voted, at their
respective selection meetings. They have buckled down to the task of
fighting their first past the post constituencies and put Independence and
the work of the Party first. The Margo MacDonald press spin only aids the
enemies, particularly in the media, of both the Scottish National Party and
our aim of Scottish Independence.
A TALE OF TWO FERRIES
 The Scottish Executive has got itself into a
fankle – after three years you would expect them to stop being so
cack-handed but, of course, they are continually changing the ministerial
chairs. Now they have made a decision which could net a Ferry Director some
£300,000 to £500,000 based on a report provided by his son. The father,
Alastair Ross, is a non-executive director of Western Ferries and he would
benefit from a rise in the company shares if the CalMac car ferry is
withdrawn from the Gourock/Dunoon route as the Scottish Executive has
decided, following a report from his son Gordon. Little wonder that even
one of New Labour’s partners in the Holyrood coalition, the local LibDem MSP
sees a conflict of interest over the appointment and decision. The
Executive claims that European Commission regulations make it impossible to
apply for a subsidy on the CalMac Gourock/Dunoon car ferry, because the
Western Ferries service is unsubsidised.
The question of the subsidy has led SNP MEP
Professor Neil MacCormick to table a question in the European Parliament
asking whether the possibility of a legitimate subsidy to support pedestrian
services on the Gourock to Dunoon route should be made into a barrier which
prevents competition between car ferries. Prof MacCormick told the Flag “I
am not convinced that the restriction of competition in this way is
commensurate with European guidelines. To strip CalMac of the most
profitable part of its operation and hand it over to a private operator
seems to be anti-competitive. It also seems to be an act which is oblivious
of the possible economic ramifications and I am seeking clarification on the
legality of it all. The manner in which the Scottish Executive sneaked this
announcement out just before the summer recess has been far from helpful and
has done a disservice to the people of Cowal. I add my name to those
calling for an extension of the consultative process in order that sense may
prevail.”
The SNP MEP pointed out that he had already
succeeded in getting the European Commission to treat peninsulas as ‘virtual
islands’ which meant routes such as Gourock/Dunoon qualified for PSOs
(Public Service Obligations) and he commented “It would be a shame if that
victory were undermined by this dubious decision.”
The Flag looks forward with interest to the
European Parliament reply to Prof Neil MacCormick.
A FERRY SUCCESS
“Scotland is not wholly surrounded by the sea –
unfortunately” wrote National Party of Scotland founder Hugh MacDiarmid –
perhaps not but sea travel has always been of importance to Scotland both
within our coastal waters and, during our free history, our sea-links with
Europe. So hopefully 17 May 2002 will go down as a notable date in Scottish
history with the start of a renewed European ferry link between Rosyth and
Zeebrugge. The early passenger numbers should help to establish the new
ferry with some 70,000 advance bookings over the next five months. The
ferry link is proving popular not only with Scots but increased Continental
bookings ensure that Rosyth is seen as the Sea Gateway to Scotland.
Five years ago SNP member, Jim Watson of Culross,
wrote to his local newspaper urging the establishment of a European ferry
link from Fife and promised to be one of the first passengers when it
commenced. Jim was true to his word and indeed did sail on 17 May complete
with kilt and Saltire. The Superfast ferry should really employ Jim as a
PRO as he waxed eloquently of his maiden voyage experience.
Our thanks to
Jim for the photographs.
An increase in freight numbers is essential for
the long term viability of the route but these, like the passenger numbers,
seem to be heading in the right direction.
INDEPENDENCE IN A NUTSHELL
The Flag is obliged to ‘The Family Tree’ – the
newspaper of the Ellen Payne Odom Genealogy Library in the USA for this
extract from an interview with Magnus Magnusson, the Icelander who has done
so much for Scotland, and Frank R Shaw in the February/March 2002 issue.
Frank Shaw’s penultimate question to Magnus was
“An oft asked question of mine to people of all walks of life in Scotland:
If Scotland ever becomes totally independent, could she support herself in
the custom she finds herself today, enjoying the same services then as she
does today from the crown?”
Magnus Magnusson’s answer puts the case for
Scottish Independence in a nutshell – “Why not? Much smaller countries like
Iceland, have flourished mightily since they became independent. But more
importantly, it allows us to make our own mistakes and to have no one else
to blame except ourselves!”
Well said Magnus, which brings us neatly to this
week’s instalment from ‘Talking Independence’.
TALKING INDEPENDENCE
Independence negotiations
Who will negotiate an Independence settlement?
International human rights law asserts the right of all
peoples to self-determination. Choosing Independence in a referendum would
be an act of self-determination by the Scottish people.
The Scottish Government will negotiate with the UK
Government, with detailed discussion of particular issues being carried
out through appropriate representatives under overall ministerial
responsibility on each side.
What will be up for negotiation?
With a democratic mandate for Independence, the issue
for negotiation is not whether Independence will come about, but how, and
over what time scale. The discussions will centre on the practical
arrangements for ensuring that the transition is as smooth as possible.
The main areas discussed will be the division of the UK's assets (e.g.
public property in the UK and abroad) and also its liabilities. Future
arrangements for the armed forces will be discussed, as will the future of
certain UK non-departmental bodies.
What we seek is a fair agreement on the rights and
responsibilities of both Scotland and England, and the basis for a new and
better relationship between the two countries. International law and
international precedent will ensure that those negotiations are conducted
on a fair basis. Whenever UK politicians predict unfavourable outcomes
from Independence negotiations, we have to ask them this: are they really
saying they would go into these negotiations with the express intention of
doing Scotland down?
What UK assets and liabilities will be divided?
The UK Government owns something in the region of £273
billion worth of assets. We have paid for our share of these, and we are
due for a share of them back on Independence. The 1983 Vienna Convention
establishes principles for the division of the value of such assets during
Independence negotiations. Assets will include publicly owned land,
buildings, gold, and foreign currency reserves and properties for the
provision of UK services (overwhelmingly situated in and around the London
area).
There would also be defence and diplomatic properties
abroad. As England, in her capacity as one of the successor states to the
UK, would presumably wish to retain most of these, a payment would be made
to Scotland for Scotland's share of their value. Liabilities would include
issues like the national debt.
Who gets the oil?
The Scottish sector of the present UK continental shelf
has already been defined by the Continental Shelf Jurisdiction Order 1968
as being bounded on the south by the line of latitude 55 degrees 50'
North, extending directly from the eastern end of the Scottish Border.
Thus, the UK Government has, since 1968, recognised the
jurisdiction of Scots law and the Scots courts over this sector, with this
southern limit on the East Coast. A different dividing line relating to
the jurisdiction over fisheries was imposed in 1999, under protest from
the SNP and from Scottish fishermen. The Scottish sector of the
Continental Shelf accounts for 90% of the UK’s present North Sea oil
revenues.
Even those who claim that territorial waters would need
to be the subject of negotiation (on the basis, say, of the
internationally recognised ‘equidistance principle’, which would require a
median line equidistant from the Scottish and English coasts) still leave
the Scottish oil fields substantially untouched. For instance, Professor
Thomas Walde of Dundee University identified an "80—85%" Scottish share of
North Sea oil revenues (Scotsman 20-4-97).
How long will all this take?
The SNP anticipates negotiations taking between six and
twelve months. Negotiations will conclude with appropriate legislation by
both the Scottish and Westminster Parliaments, with the effect of
transforming the terms agreed into a binding treaty between the two new
states.
Who will govern Scotland during this period?
While Independence negotiations are underway, the
Scottish Parliament and Government will continue to govern in the devolved
matters over which they already have control, and will be negotiating to
transfer to Scotland the powers still held by Westminster.
The Scottish Government and Parliament will also be
laying plans for their policy in the areas for which they will take
responsibility after Independence is declared. They will therefore also be
opening a dialogue with the EU and other international bodies.
What happens when
Independence is declared?
When Independence is declared, Scotland will become a
sovereign country. The dissolution of the 1707 Treaty of Union will come
into effect.
The new constitution will be implemented, and any
existing laws which contradict its articles - the most obvious being the
1707 Union with England Act – will be superseded. Scotland's Parliament
and Government will take over all the areas of Government currently
reserved to the Westminster Parliament and UK Government Departments.
Scotland will take her place in the world and will apply for membership of
the United Nations. A Scottish Delegation will be sent to the EU Council
of Ministers.
ON THE FRINGE
 Like
the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the number of fringe meetings and events at
the Annual National Conference of the Scottish National Party has greatly
expanded over the past few years. This year’s conference, back in
Inverness, 25/28 September, will probably see a further expansion in such
meetings and events in the run up to the 2003 Holyrood elections. The
Scots Independent is sponsoring an unique opportunity to hear SNP
Westminster Parliamentary Leader Alex Salmond in conversation with retired
diplomat, author, Oliver Brown Award winner and a life long Nationalist
Paul H Scott. The conversation will take place on Friday 27 September in
the First Circle, Eden Court, Inverness at 12.30 pm.
Paul H Scott’s
fascinating autobiography ‘A Twentieth Century Life’ (Argyll Publishing
£20) was published in April and is available (post free) from the Scots
Independent.
THEY SAID IT FOR US
Omitted! They censored Rabbie! A shower of lickspittling, spineless,
sleekit, cowrin’, crap-merchant beasties, not fit to lick his boots,
presumed to bowdlerise his words. They presumed too much.
-Jimmy Reid, on the news that ‘A Man’s a Man for A’ That’ had been sung,
with the verses mocking royalty and the aristocracy omitted, at a private
banquet for the main dignitaries following the opening of the Scottish
Parliament – presumably to save Lillibet of England’s blushes!
I’m
sorry. With the benefit of hindsight, we should have thrown in the towel.
-New Labour MP Peter Mandelson on the ill-fated Dome
You
don’t need a guide dog for hind-sight.
-English Home Secretary David Blunkett. Perhaps, in future, he will
consult Peter Mandelson
The
business pages of American newspapers should not read like a scandal
sheet.
-US President George W Bush. Pots and kettles come to mind
Help
the Aged is pleased that the Scottish Parliament has recognised that free
personal care is no less than older people deserve, and no less than a
caring society should provide.
-Jonathan Ellis Health Policy Officer of the charity Help the Aged
It was
not helpful (last year) that no premises could be culled until a phone
call was made to London. We think that a vet in Scotland organising a
team up here with the minister would be a more effective, and a more rapid
way, of controlling an outbreak.
-Professor Ian Cunningham, Chairman of The Royal Society of Edinburgh team
which investigated the 2001 outbreak of foot-and-mouth, commenting in
their report which called for the use of vaccination instead of mass
culling. Action which had been opposed by the Scottish Executive
SYNOPSIS
GOVERNMENT WARNED OVER EURO REFERENDUM TIMING
Friday 12 July 2002
 The
Electoral Commission today warned the Government not to hold a referendum
on the euro on the same day as next year's local and Scottish Parliament
elections as it would cause "significant confusion" among voters. Although
the timing of a referendum on the single currency is being kept a
closely-guarded secret by the Government, there has been much speculation
that it will be on May 1, 2003, to coincide with other polls. Interest in
the euro referendum could also take over and compromise the electorate's
will to vote in polls for local councils and the Scottish Parliament,
Welsh and Northern Ireland assemblies, the Commission said. The SNP
welcomed the report, claiming it would be "sheer madness" to hold a euro
referendum on the day of the Scottish general election. SNP campaign
coordinator Nicola Sturgeon said: "This was only ever mooted as a way for
Labour to deflect attention away from their record ahead of the Scottish
elections. It is inconceivable that the referendum would be allowed to
clash with a Westminster election and the Electoral Commission have done
the right thing by opposing this cynical plan. Now it only remains for the
Government to take the common sense approach by accepting the Electoral
Commission's view and ruling out any clash with next May's election."
SWINNEY - MCCONNELL FACES CRUCIAL TEST OF LEADERSHIP OVER COUNCIL PR
Sunday 14 July 2002
 SNP
Leader John Swinney MSP today called for Jack McConnell to make a clear
commitment to proportional representation for local councils after
Labour's Scottish Executive voted to oppose such plans and maintain the
current discredited system. Describing the move as a "clear slap down" for
Mr McConnell, Mr Swinney slammed the Labour Party for not being able to
see "beyond its own narrow self interest" to the wider interests of
Scotland. "The challenge for Jack McConnell now, is to demonstrate whether
he is first and foremost leader of the Labour Party or whether his
responsibilities as First Minister will take precedence," said Mr Swinney.
"This is a crucial test of his leadership. Jack McConnell is a dyed in the
wool Labour machine politician but this issue is now the litmus test that
will show whether he can rise above his background and take on the mantle
of First Minister." Mr Swinney said Mr McConnell must make clear he will
back PR for local councils, "We must have no more weasel words, no more
kicking the issue into the long grass. It is time for a decision. It is
time for Jack McConnell to show some leadership." Mr Swinney said the
decision showed Jack McConnell's deal with Jim Wallace wasn't worth the
paper it was written on saying, "The only way forward is for all MSPs who
back a fair voting system to support the private members bill on PR that
is currently before the Parliament."
SNP DEMAND PUBLICATION OF DOSSIER OF 'EVIDENCE' OVER IRAQ ATTACK PLANS
Sunday 14 July 2002
 Commenting on media reports today that detailed plans for an invasion
force of 250,000 troops have been drawn up in Washington for an attack on
Iraq and that Scottish troops are to make a substantial contribution, the
SNP's Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs Angus Robertson MP said that he
is tabling a Commons Motion demanding the immediate publication of the
dossier justifying an attack on Iraq. "There is enormous opposition on
Labour's benches to an attack on Iraq and strong cross-party support for
the position advanced by the SNP, that action against Iraq cannot be
morally justified without the explicit mandate of a new United Nations
Security Council Resolution," said Mr Robertson. "At every stage, Tony
Blair has said that 'no decisions' to launch such an attack have been
taken, yet credible media reports are detailing plans drawn up in
Washington for an invasion force of 250,000, with a major involvement by
Scottish and UK troops. If such detailed plans are being drawn up, key
decisions on attacking Iraq clearly HAVE been taken. And Tony Blair is
seriously misleading the people and parliament by saying otherwise." Mr
Robertson said Mr Blair had promised a detailed dossier of evidence would
be published justifying action against Iraq and that the SNP were
demanding the so-called dossier be published and that a full parliamentary
debate on Iraq takes place before the Commons recess.
MacASKILL CALLS FOR POST CHARGE TRIALS TO BE SCRAPPED
Sunday 14 July 2002
Shadow Communications Minister Mr Kenny MacAskill MSP today called for
trials of new delivery charges to be scrapped after it was revealed that
Consignia had been forced to reduce the charges and may offer
compensation. "Consignia is in full retreat. They are facing enormous
opposition to their ludicrous plan to charge for deliveries before 9.00
am, said Mr MacAskill. "Their trials are a precursor to privatisation.
This will see services to the public be cut in favour profits for
shareholders. There is no doubt that the Post Office has to become more
efficient but this must not be at the expense of the service it provides.
It is time to dump this plan now and end the move towards privatisation."
ALEX SALMOND IN CALL FOR FINANCIAL FREEDOM
Monday 15 July 2002
Government spending in Scotland is set to rise by more than 4 billion
pounds in the next three years as a result of the chancellor's spending
review. Gordon Brown unveiled across-the-board increases in government
spending on Monday in an effort to improve public services south of the
border, such as education. Under the Barnett funding formula - which
governs the allocation of Treasury cash north of the border - any
additional cash is included in Scotland's block grant. However, the
Scottish National Party said the "Barnett squeeze" meant spending would
increase by less in Scotland than in England. Westminster group leader
Alex Salmond said: "The only guarantee for Scotland is that our share of
UK spending will continue to fall - and that London control will continue
to pauchle Scotland's budget. While spending on English education will go
up by 6% a year, the Scottish increase will be little over half that - and
rises in English health spending will be well above Scots health spending
too. Overall, the funding gap between Scotland and England will be 2% -
the equivalent of 300 pounds for every man, women and child in Scotland
over the CSR period." He also said that Mr Brown had failed to rule out
any further changes to the Barnett Formula which would reduce Scotland's
share. Mr Salmond argued that the Scottish Parliament needed full
financial independence.
EXPERTS CALL FOR GREATER FOOT-AND-MOUTH FREEDOM
Monday 15 July 2002
 Scotland should be given greater freedom to tackle any future
foot-and-mouth outbreak in the UK, a leading think-tank said today. The
Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE) said Scotland should have its own chief
veterinary officer as well as a "veterinary territorial army" specialised
in combating the epidemic. A special laboratory for testing for
foot-and-mouth disease should also be established north of the border,
according to members of a special RSE committee. SNP shadow rural
development minister Fergus Ewing backed the RSE's call for greater
Scottish autonomy on agricultural and veterinary matters. He said it was a
"farce" that Westminster had ultimate power over Scotland agricultural
sector and said Ross Finnie should implement the report's proposals. Mr
Ewing said: "We must ensure that we are never again beholden to distant
London ministers, whether the subject at issue is foot-and-mouth or the
Common Agricultural Policy or any other area of vital interest. It is time
to introduce real power and real decision making into Scotland. Only then
will we avoid the catalogue of errors that are revealed by the Royal
Society's report."
PAY-OUT DEAL FOR MINERS
Tuesday 16 July 2002
 Miners who lost their jobs when Scotland's last deep mine closed are to
receive compensation of 5,000 pounds each from the UK Government. The
miners at Longannet, in Fife, lost their jobs in March and received no
compensation because the company went into liquidation. The Scottish
colliery became flooded with millions of gallons of water earlier this
year and it was decided that it would not be economically viable to reopen
it. Mid Scotland & Fife SNP MSP Bruce Crawford said the compensation was
"measly". He said: "On the face of it, this is a less than generous
gesture from a Labour government to the Longannet miners - many of whom
had given a lifetime's service to the coal industry. The total payout of 1
million pounds does seem a lot of money but once you start to divide that
up between 400-500 men, for some, it will be equivalent to a couple of
weeks' wages." Meanwhile SNP leader John Swinney accused Labour of a
"betrayal" of Scottish miners, following UK Coal's decision to close three
north Yorkshire pits today. The cost of the redundancy package there will
be 40 million pounds, 10 million pounds of which will come from the
government. The SNP leader said: "The Yorkshire miners will receive up to
27,000 pounds each yet Scots miners are to get just 5,000 pounds. It would
be a travesty of natural justice if Longannet's men were to be denied
their full pay-out simply because they work in a Scottish pit rather than
at Selby."
HEALTH STATS MUST BE WIDENED - NICOLA STURGEON
Tuesday 16 July 2002
Scotland's senior medical chief today said that the country's "laddish
culture is alive and well" as new figures revealed that alcohol-related
deaths were on the increase. Dr Mac Armstrong, Scotland's Chief Medical
Officer, also admitted that the Scottish Executive's health promotion
advertisements were not succeeding in improving the nation's lifestyle. Dr
Armstrong spoke out at the publication of the latest set of statistics on
Scots' survival rates. The clinical outcome indicators report showed that
in 1990, one in every 100 deaths in Scotland was alcohol-related. The SNP
called for the figures to be widened to include death rates for all
hospital consultants. Shadow health minister Nicola Sturgeon said patients
should have the right to know their doctor's track record before they
agree to be treated. "This is one of the key measures that we need to take
to empower patients and end the old paternalistic culture that has so
damaged the relationship between doctor and patient", she said. She said
consultants themselves had suggested the information could be published
but the Executive has consistently refused. And a move by health minister
Malcolm Chisholm to publish individual outcomes for cardiac surgeons was
welcome but did not go far enough. "If cardiac patients have the right to
know exactly what they are facing then so should every other patient,"
said Ms Sturgeon. "The minister has conceded the principle, it only now
remains for him to get on and deliver the same rights to every other
patient."
SNP
WARNS OF FURTHER SPENDING CUTS
Tuesday 16 July 2002
 Chancellor Gordon Brown has been forced to defend the UK Government's
public spending policy. Addressing claims that public services north of
the border would suffer, the chancellor told BBC Radio's Good Morning
Scotland programme that the country was in good shape. SNP Westminster
group leader Alex Salmond said Scotland's share was diminishing and would
impact negatively on public services. Under the Barnett funding formula -
which governs the allocation of Treasury cash north of the border – any
additional cash is included in Scotland's block grant. But the SNP has
claimed that while Scotland may enjoy a rise in terms of public spending
it will not match the increase enjoyed south of the border. Mr Salmond
said: "Scotland's share of UK spending is falling - and Gordon Brown
refuses to rule out changes that would make it fall further still. Instead
of being trapped in a Westminster straightjacket, the Scottish Parliament
needs full financial independence, so that we can invest all of Scotland's
resources in our public services."
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SCOTTISH
FOOD, TRADITIONS AND CUSTOMS
(if you have any suggestions on what you'd like us to include
email peter@scotsindependent.org)
Interest in Robert Burns is not restricted, thank goodness, to the
traditional celebrations which surround the anniversary of his birth each
25 January. The many visitors throughout the year to the Electric Scotland
splendid Burns section and to the SI website
Burns Supper is evidence
of our National Bard's continuing appeal. In the run-up to the anniversary
of his death ( 21 July 1796 ) it is interesting to note that a handwritten
copy of his song 'Bonnie Jean' has just fetched, on 11 July 2002, £13,145
at a Sotheby's sale in London, England. This was double the amount that
the manuscript was expected to reach. The manuscript is dedicated to Miss
Jean McMurdo, eldest daughter of John McMurdo of Drumlanrig, who in 1799
married John Innes Crawford of Bellfield. Burns held McMurdo and his
family in high regard and was a welcome visitor to their home.
On 2 July 1793 Robert Burns wrote to George Thomson, song-publisher, of
his song 'Bonnie Jean' - "I have just finished the following ballad, and
as I do think it is in my best style, I send it to you. The heroine is
Miss McMurdo, daughter of Mr Macmurdo of Drumlanrig, one of your
subscribers."
You can well imagine the joy with which Jean McMurdo received the copy of
'Bonnie Jean' dedicated to her by Scotland's National bard -
There was a lass and she was fair,
At kirk and market to be seen;
When a' the fairest maids were met,
The fairest maid was bonie Jean;
And ay she wrought her mammie's wark
And ay she sang sae merrilie;
The blythest bird upon the bush,
Had ne'er a lighter heart than she.
- his words would have charmed any young damsel.
But although Scots, at home and abroad, do much to celebrate Robert Burns
every January, by comparison his death goes largely uncommemorated. There
is an opening here for the Scottish Tourist Board, or whatever their
new-fangled name is, to promote July events which would attract Scots and
overseas visitors to Dumfries to pay tribute to Robert Burns. Certainly
Dumfries is always worth visiting and no visit is complete without seeing
Burns' House and the Burns Mausoleum within St Michael's Parish Church
Kirkyard.
On 21 July we can all note the anniversary of the poet's death and raise a
glass to his memory and enjoy a meal in his honour. As an alternative to
the normal commercial Haggis, this week's recipe offers an equally tasty
alternative in the form of Pan Haggis. Tak aff yir dram.
Pan Haggis
Ingredients : 8 oz ( 250 g ) liver; 4 oz ( 125 g ) chopped suet; 1 large
par-boiled onion; a teacup oatmeal; 1 cup water; seasoning
Boil liver and onion in a little water for 40 minutes. Pour the liquid
into a basin. When liver is cold, mince it and mix with the chopped onion.
Brown the oatmeal carefully in a pan, mix with the liver, onion, suet and
seasoning and moisten with some of the liver liquor. Stew slowly for about
1 1/2 hours, or steam in a greased basin for 2 hours.
See our
Scottish Food, Traditions and Customs in our Features section
DATES IN
HISTORY
19 July 1736
The Edinburgh mob broke into the Tolbooth, seized John Porteous and hung
him from a dryer's pole in the Grassmarket. As Captain of the City
Guard, Porteous had ordered the guard to open fire when on duty at the
execution of a smuggler, Andrew Wilson, in the Grassmarket. Deaths and
injuries ensued and Porteous stood trial for murder, was found guilty
but granted a Royal pardon. His death, in what became known as The
Porteous Riots, was used by Sir Walter Scott in his novel 'The Heart of
Midlothian'.
22 July 1298
Scottish army commanded by Sir William Wallace defeated by English
forces under Edward I, King of England, at Battle of Falkirk. Sir
William Wallace subsequently resigned as Guardian of Scotland.
25 July 1990
Crew of two and four oil workers were killed when helicopter hit crane
on Brent Spar North Sea oil platform and plunged into the sea.
See Dates in History in our
Features Section
SING
A SANG AT LEAST
(compiled by Peter D Wright)
"That I for poor auld
Scotland's sake
Some useful plan or book could make
Or sing a sang at least ........"
- Robert Burns
As I cam' by the Garioch land
And doon by Netherha',
There were fifty thoosand
Hielanmen
A-marchin' tae Harlaw.
Chorus :
Singin' di-dee-i-o,
Sing fal la do,
Sing di-dee-i-o-i ay
It's did ye come frae the
Hielans, man
Or did ye come a' the wey,
An' did ye see MacDonald an' his
men
As they marched frae Skye?
For I've come frae the Hielans,
man,
An' I've come a' the wey,
An' I saw MacDonald an' his men
As they marched frae Skye.
It's wis ye near and near
enough,
Did ye their numbers see?
Come tell to me, John Hielanman,
What micht their number be?
For I was near and near enough
An' I their number saw:
There were fifty thoosan
Hielanmen
A-marchin' tae Harlaw.
For they went on an' furder on
An' doon an' by Balquhain:
It's there they met Sir James
the Rose,
Wi' him Sir John the Graham.
"If that be's true," said Sir
James the Rose,
"We'll no come muckle speed.
We'll call upon oor merry men
An' we'll turn oor horses' heids."
"Oh nay, oh nay," said Sir John
the Graham,
"Sic things we maunna dee:
For the gallant Grahams were
never bate
An' we'll try fit they can dee."
For they went on an' further on
An' doon an' by Harlaw:
They fell full close on ilka
side,
Sic strikes ye never saw.
They fell full close on ilka
side,
Sic strikes ye never saw,
They fell close on ilka side,
Sic strikes ye never saw.
They fell full close on ilka
side,
Sic strikes ye never saw,
For ilka sword gied clash for
clash
At the battle o' Harlaw.
But the Hielanmen wi' their lang
swords
They laid on us fu' sair;
They drove back oor merry men
Three acres breadth an' mair.
Lord Forbes tae his brither did
say
"O brither, dinna ye see?
They beat us back on every side,
An' we'll be forced to flee."
"O nay, O nay, my brither dear,
O nay, that maunna be.
Ye'll tak' your guid sword in
your hand
An' ye'll gang in wi' me."
For the twa brithers brave
Gaed in amangst the thrang;
They struck doon the Hielanmen
Wi' swords baith shairp an'
lang.
The first strike Lord Forbes
gied
The brave MacDonald reeled;
The second strike Lord Forbes
gied
The brave MacDonald fell.
What a cry amangst the Hielanmen
When they seed their leader fa';
They lifted him an' buried him
A lang mile frae Harlaw.
Gin onybody speir at you
For them that cam' awa',
Ye can tell them plain an' verra
plain
They're sleepin' at Harlaw.
Footnote :This song commemorates 'Bloody Harlaw' ( 24 July 1411 ) fought
between Donald, Lord of the Isles, and his Highland host and the crown
forces led by the Earl of Mar. The battle ended in a stale-mate, but
with a loss of one thousand of his best warriors including the chiefs of
the MacLeans and the Mackintoshes, Donald retreated, leaving
the lowlanders in command of the field. The lowland force lost some five
hundred men including Sir Robert Davidson, the Provost of Aberdeen. The
song inaccurately tells of the death of Donald, Lord of the Isles, in
the battle - he lived on, but acquiesced the following year to Albany,
Regent of Scotland, uncle of the young James !, King of Scots. Donald
dropped his claim to the earldom of Ross and agreed to become a vessal
of the crown.
See the
SING A SANG AT LEAST in our
features section
A KIST O
FERLIES
A Keek at the Guid Scots
Tung
By Peter & Marilyn Wright
(Note: All words underlined in
this section are RealAudio links)
Ti keep a calm souch:
To hold one's tongue - good advise that my mother passed on to me,
which I usually ignore to my own cost.
A' ye wha live by sowps o' drink,
A' ye wha live by crambo-clink,
A' ye wha live and never think
Come mourn wi' me
Our billie's gien us a' a jink,
An' owre the Sea.
Lament him a' ye rantan core,
Wha dearly like a random-splore;
Nae mair he'll join the merry roar,
In social key;
For now he's taen anither shore,
An' owre the Sea.
Complete Poem
To A Mountain Daisy
by Robert Burns
See Scots Language in
our Features Section
for other poems, stories, songs, sayings and words in the Scots language
THE MONTHLY PRIZE
CROSSWORD
Each month the Scots Independent Newspaper
offers a prize crossword and we're now offering this online in the Flag in the Wind as
well. Should you complete the crossword by the deadline you can fax it over to
the SI and the first correct one opened on the closing date will win a £10.00 book token.
SI Prize Crossword No.
31 JULY 2002
[Click here to bring up the crosswords]
AND
AS WE CONTINUE...
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