The Scots Independent Newspaper Online

A BIT MORE INTERNATIONAL

A couple of weeks ago Alastair McIntyre commented that the Flag's political section usually only featured domestic stories that are beyond folk that live outside Scotland.

He went on to say that he would be interested to know about Scotland's participation outside its own borders and what Scotland is doing with other countries, but also commented that such stories are hard to come by.

I agree with Alastair - up to a point. We should be aware of being parochial, but on the other hand the Flag is a means of telling the world-wide Scots community what is happening back home, particularly in the struggle for independence.

I remember Winnie Ewing pointing out that when she went to Brussels as a Euro-MP in the 1970s it was the first time that Scotland, direct from Scotland and not via Westminster, had had a political link with foreign countries since 1707.

I am not aware of the details, but I do believe that the Scottish Executive has opened up offices in Brussels and elsewhere.

There are also individual Scots emigrating, as they always have done, and making good in other lands. I understand that the Estonian capital Tallin is home to quite a number of Scots.

Anyone who has stories about Scotland should send them in to the Flag. I am sure that Jim Lynch will find a way to use them.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARISONS

While we do not know very much about what Scots are doing abroad, we do try to make international comparisons to highlight the position of Scotland. Most comparisons are economic, but it would be very useful if we could be kept informed of the general situation of other independence movements.

I would also like to hear from anyone with experience of smaller countries living next to or ruled by other larger countries.

For example, how do you get on with each other, how are tensions resolved? I am thinking of situations like Canada/USA, Ireland/England, Belgium/France, Holland/Germany, Norway/Sweden, the Baltic states/Russia, Finland/Russia, New Zealand/Australia.

All of these have different histories, but all have the same big neighbour/smaller neighbour situation, and some of the smaller nations have had to fight the larger in the past to win their independence from them.

Of course, when the big neighbour actually rules the smaller, the situation can often be much more tense. Scotland and Wales both have an uneasy relationship with England, as did Norway with Sweden until Norwegian independence a hundred years ago, and there is still a slight legacy of that even today.

Perhaps the worst scenario of all is where there is no democratic way out for the smaller group or nation, as is the case for the Chechens, the Kurds and those who live in Western Sahara under Moroccan rule.

Any comments on these problems would be welcome.

SETTING THE CAT ....

Normally, the Scots Independent newspaper does not like to rock the Scottish National Party boat. This month it has rocked that boat, with knobs on.

In the wake of the disappointing result in Dunfermline West former party high-heid-yins have weighed in with some scathing criticism, some of it justified, some less so.

Former chairman Gordon finds that we have become less of a movement and more just another political party.

He is right.

Perhaps the SNP has not been aware that instead of embodying the spirit of independence, the Party at Holyrood exhibits a predictable knee-jerk reaction and appears fixated, not on its one great belief, but on the personality of the Labour leader and on his party.

At times it seems that we believe that Jack can do no right, and that the great triumph of the SNP in power would be to stop him wearing a funny kilt.

OK, being in opposition is not easy, but do we have to be so narky and petty? We are simply succeeding, not in undermining Jack McConnell, but in undermining ourselves. Voters are not impressed by politicians continually girning at their opponents.

Again, Gordon criticises the Party for not making more of the one hundredth anniversary of Norwegian independence or of the recent revelations about government duplicity in the 1970s This duplicity has led to the present state of relative Scottish poverty, compared to other small northern European states.

Again, Gordon is right, although I think he may well underestimate both the more relentless opposition of the press now than thirty years ago - when it was bad enough - or the sheer reluctance of the media nowadays to give the arguments for independence a platform.

Another nail is hit firmly on the head when he criticises the number of resolutions coming to annual conference from MPs and MSPs. Many ordinary activists feel that their views are not really wanted.

Former chief executive Mike Russell also weighs in, taking a closer look at policies he believes need changing. There is certainly no doubt that many of our policies should come under a severe scrutiny that they are not at present receiving.

My own bugbear is the constant reference to how well our comprehensive schools are performing. In fact, while those academic pupils from middle-class families tend to do fine, those who are not academic have been dreadfully let down by the very system that was supposed to help them, and many schools are in a much worse state than they were thirty years ago. As for state education in Glasgow, some of it does not bear thinking about.

Mike believes that we should be part of NATO and also adopt a tax-cutting programme.

Well, I have sympathy with where he is coming from, but while NATO as a defensive alliance has many attractions, NATO as an offensive world power has not operated in a very clever way.

Again, Mike seeks a radically different, tax-cutting programme which seeks to reduce the size of government (something that every voter knows is too big), get business moving and the economy (and employment) growing).

Yes, certainly, reduce the size of government and so on, but Mike seems to have fallen for the hex that Margaret Thatcher has put on British politicians and the public to simply reduce tax.

We need to be much more specific than simply call out Reduce taxes. Vital aspects of the economy depend on taxes and that is a lesson that many seem to have forgotten.

A simple call for tax reduction sits very ill with our normal practice of holding up the quality of life enjoyed in Scandinavia as our aim. Such quality of life seems to go hand in hand with higher taxes than we pay at the moment.

If you want really good quality of life, somehow it has to be paid for.

SEAN CONNERY AND THE WHINE

Sean Connery is one of the most famous actors Scotland has ever produced. He also believes that Scotland should be an independent nation.

He has supported independence at the very least since Winnie Ewing's victory in Hamilton in November 1967. He has been a valuable financial contributor to the Scottish National Party. He has made broadcasts for the SNP.

Sean Connery He is also greatly admired by the international film community. He has contributed considerably to promoting Scottish film makers.

In my book, he is an all-round good guy.

Recently, however, Sean wrote an article for the Sunday Post newspaper about the Westminster web of deceit over the value of Scottish North Sea oil. It is an excellent article, a call to the Scottish people to realise that there is as much oil still under our seas as there has been taken out, and to have the guts to do something about it.

Great, you might think, that should start a great debate on the place and future of Scotland.

The following week the Sunday Post published only one letter relating to the article. It was written by a G. Hussey, of Paisley. Here it is:

Once more Sir Sean Connery is telling us how we should live in Scotland. I don't mind businessmen like Sir Arnold Clark, Sir Tom Farmer or Sir Tom Hunter putting their points of view, but Sir Sean - what has he ever done? Read lines someone else writes for him. Do what the director tells him. Go where he's told to go. The other three men have at least made and kept their money in Scotland and they still stay here. Sir Sean should come and stay here or get lost.

Very sad, really. Ignorance, nastiness, envy, cringing and whinging - all in five lines. Maybe I should have ignored it altogether.

The Working Life of Linda Fabiani MSP

Click here to read SNP MSP Linda Fabiani's working diary.

SYNOPSIS

Sunday, March 5, 2006

STURGEON: NEED FOR McKIE INQUIRY OVERWHELMING

SNP Holyrood Leader, Nicola Sturgeon MSP, has said that the need for a full independent inquiry into the Shirley McKie case was now overwhelming.

Nicola Sturgeon Ms Sturgeon was commenting following reports which show that the Lord Advocate was not aware of the doubts surrounding the McKie case when he moved for a prosecution, fingerprints experts are at odds with the SCRO over the evidence and a crucial document relating to the case was not signed off personally by all the fingerprint experts working on the case.

Ms Sturgeon said:

The issues raised by the McKie case go the heart of Scotland's justice system. These latest revelations underline the fact that there is an overwhelming need for a full public inquiry into this affair.

Ministers' claims that the issues and questions this case throws up can be answered and addressed with internal investigation and re-organisation of the bodies involved are staggering.

Ms McKie deserves justice, and the people of Scotland deserve answers. No-one who has nothing to hide has anything to fear from the truth being told, and Ministers must now abandon their head-in-the-sand attitude and instigate a full public inquiry.

Sunday, March 5, 2006

SALMOND: ATOM SPLITS LIB DEMS - PARTY IN DISARRAY OVER NUCLEAR STANCE

SNP Leader Alex Salmond has said it was clear that the atom had split the Liberal Democrats.

Mr Salmond was commenting following reports that divisions have opened up within the Lib Dems over the possibility of new nuclear power stations. The reports suggest John Thurso MP has threatened to quit the Lib Dem front benches to pursue a pro-nuclear agenda, while environment spokesman Norman Baker, who is opposed to nuclear power, resigned over the divisions.

Alex Salmond Mr Salmond said:

It is clear that the atom has now split the Lib Dems. The Prime Minister has lured them into his snare with his energy review, and the party is now in disarray.

Scotland has the potential to become Europe's renewables powerhouse. We produce seven times as much gas as we use, are self-sufficient in oil many times over and have 25 per cent of Europe's offshore wind energy and tidal power resources at our disposal.

We are a world leader in clean coal technology and will soon be a world leader in carbon capture technology. With such an abundance of renewable and clean options, it is ludicrous to suggest we need more nuclear power stations.

Nuclear power is dirty, dangerous and unwanted in Scotland. We must ensure that Scotland is not forced down the nuclear road by Labour Ministers who take their orders from London and their Lib Dem colleagues, who are more concerned with staying in office than doing what is best for Scotland.

Monday, March 6, 2006

MATHER ON STEEL COMMISSION REPORT

Commenting on the report of the Steel Commission, which has called for greater powers for the Scottish Parliament - including a move to fiscal federalism - SNP Shadow Enterprise Minister, Jim Mather MSP, said:

Any move which recognises the pressing need for Scotland to gain full economic control is to be welcomed, as it is only when we have those powers that we can begin to meaningfully grow Scotland's economy.

The Steel Commission has potentially started the Lib Dems on the right path, but until they publicly accept that Scotland can only fully compete and grow with full independence, then this will be seen as another delaying tactic that can only prolong Scotland's low-growth agony.

The authors of the Fraser of Allander paper on fiscal federalism have reached that view and concluded that fiscal autonomy is the only valid option for Scotland. Scotland needs the powers to set and collect all our own taxes. In short, Scotland needs independence.

Monday, March 6, 2006

CALL FOR MINISTERS TO INTERVENE OVER ABBOTSFORD HOUSE THREAT

SNP MSP Christine Grahame has written to Culture Minister Patricia Ferguson calling on her to visit Sir Walter Scott's historic house at Abbotsford to see for herself the unique collection of Scottish artifacts and to get behind a campaign to keep the collection intact.

Abbotsford is visited by around 31,000 visitors a year, some from as far a field as Japan and discussions are underway between the National Trust and the Executors of Dame Jean Maxwell Scott who died two years ago without an heir.

Christine Grahame Ms Grahame said:

There is potentially a real threat to this unique collection which gives the visitor a very good insight into the character and personality of Sir Walter Scott who has an internationally recognised reputation.

Abbotsford is also a major attraction in terms of tourism in the Borders and if this collection were broken up then we would lose a major attraction and asset, one the economy can ill afford to lose.

I am hoping that the Culture Minister can come down to the Borders with me and see for herself the importance of this collection not just to the Borders but to Scotland. The collection at Abbotsford is a vital part of our cultural and literary heritage and one which must be kept together for future generations to enjoy.

In support of that I have lodged a parliamentary motion which highlights the importance of the collection which is a reflection of Sir Walter Scott and his work to ensure that it is preserved and maintained in its current state. I do hope that the Minister can support this campaign and add her weight to the discussions currently underway surrounding its future.

Gordon & Carmen Wright

Second-hand, Fine & Rare Scottish Books.

Regular catalogues issued by email. To subscribe, email us at: Gordon.Wright11@btopenworld.com

Gordon Wright’s Scottish Photo Library

Spanning forty-five years and featuring a wide variety of illustrations in colour and black and white covering all aspects of Scottish life from Orkney to the Border country. Thousands of personality portraits.

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SNP Bannockburn Branch are holding a Haddie Tea in the Terraces Hotel Stirling on Sunday 19th March 2006 - 2.30 for 3 pm; tickets £10.00, include entertainment by Hame Brew from 4pm - 6 pm.

Tickets for the entertainment only are £3.00: Telephone Alastair Walker - 01786 814523.

Concert for Congo

Crossing Borders

Au-delà des frontières

Songs of France, Scotland and Ireland

The Byrnes in concert

Glasgow, 18 & 19 March

The Byrnes – Anne-Marie, Eileen, Michel and Patrick – will be in concert on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 March 2006, at 7 p.m. at the James Arnott Theatre, in the Gilmorehill G12 Centre (9 University Avenue), Glasgow.

Tickets: £12 (concession £6)
from box office: 0141 330 5522
boxoffice@gilmorehillg12.co.uk

The four musicians will perform songs from France, Scotland and Ireland, their countries of origin, and accompany themselves on guitars, keyboards, whistles, mouth organ and drums (bodhrán, djembe and cajón). The programme will include a variety of types of music: traditional and more recent songs, in French, English and Gaelic.

The proceeds of both evenings, entitled 'Crossing Borders – Au-delà des frontières', will go to a reconstruction project in Kinkala, in the part of Congo-Brazzaville worst hit by successive civil wars between 1997 and 2003. Sales of the Byrne family's CD, also entitled 'Crossing Borders' (September 2004), have so far raised a total of over £12 000 for the same project.

In the concerts on 18 and 19 March, which are sponsored by the Alliance Française de Glasgow, the Byrnes will be accompanied in some pieces by Elodie Malanda (from Luxembourg) on the flute and Orna Gilchrist (from Edinburgh) on the fiddle. The programme will include songs from their 'Crossing Borders' CD, but also a number of other items from their multicultural repertoire.

* * *

Anne-Marie, Michel and Patrick Byrne, whose mother is French and father Scottish/Irish, were born and bred in Glasgow. With their four other brothers and sisters, they began at an early age to sing songs and play music from their three countries of origin and to perform in public. Although the three of them see less of each other nowadays, scattered as they are (Anne-Marie in the Lake District, Michel in Edinburgh and Patrick in Luxembourg), they haven't lost the urge to sing as a group. They have got together at regular intervals over the last few years to work on new material and to devise their own arrangements. Patrick's eldest daughter, Eileen, who grew up in Luxembourg, joined them for the first time on stage in 2003 and is now a fully-fledged member of the group

9 March 2005
Launch of new weekly pro-Scottish Independence weekly newspaper – The Scottish Standard. The newspaper closed after only seven issues due to lack of sales.

Sir Alexander Fleming 10 March 1915
The German submarine U12 launched an attack on several naval trawlers off the Isle of May. The German U-boat was chased by three Royal Navy destroyers: she tried to evade them but was rammed and sunk by HMS Ariel.

11 March 1955
Death of Sir Alexander Fleming, born near Darval 1881, discoverer of penicillin 1928, and Nobel prize-winner in 1945.

13 March 1395
Death of John Barbour, student of Oxford and Paris, Auditor of Exchange, Archdeacon of Aberdeen, author of The Brus,

A! Fredome is a noble thing!
Fredome mayss man to haiff liking;
Fredome all solace to man giffis,
He levys at es that fely levys.
A noble hart may haiff nane es
Na ellys nocht that may him ples
Gyff fredome failyhe.

From The Brus 1.

13 March 1941
First night of the bombing raid by the German Luftwaffe on Clydebank, known as The Clydebank Blitz.

13 March 2005
Wales slammed Scotland 44-26 to record their highest ever score against the Scots in a rugby international. Their victory at Murrayfield kept the Welsh on track for their first Grand Slam in 27 years which they achieved the following week after defeating Ireland 32-20.

14 March 1941
Second night of The Clydebank Blitz by the German Luftwaffe, which left the town devastated with an estimated 500 fatalities.

16 March 1309
Robert 1, King of Scots, convened his first Parliament at St Andrews.

See Dates in History in our Features Section

SCOTTISH QUOTATIONS

I like to have quotations ready for every occasions - they give one's ideas so pat and save one the trouble of finding expression adequate to one's feeling.

Robert Burns

We continue our new Feature in this section of the Flag - Scottish Quotations - statements in prose and verse which reflect all aspects of Scottish life and outlook from the 14^th century to the present day. New quotes added every week. The quotations are not restricted to native Scots but include observations from abroad which help us, in the words of our National Bard, Robert Burns, "To see oursels as others see us!

Anonymous (16^th Century)

Brissit brawnis and brokin banis,             (torn mucles, broken bones)
Stride, discord and waisite wanis;             (broken homes)
Crukit in eild, syne halt withal-                 (old age)
Thir are the bewties of the fute-ball.

(The Bewties of the Fute-ball)

George Gordon Byron, 6^th Lord Byron (1788-1824)

….They never fail who die
In a great cause. The block may soak their gore;
Their heads may sodden in the sun: their limbs
Be strung to city gates and castle walls,
But still their spirits walk abroad!

Charles Henry Pearson Charles Henry Pearson (1830-1894)

He (Wallace) was the first man who fought, not to support a dynasty, but to free Scotland, and the first general who showed that citizens could be an over-match for trained soldiers. No reproach of cruelty or self-seeking attaches to his term of Government, and the enemy of his country selected him as its first martyr.

(History of England During Early and Middle Ages 1867)

John Prebble (1915-2001)

Darien is now a scar on the memory of the Scots, and the pain of the wound is still felt even where the cause is dimly understood.

(The Darien Disaster 1968)

See Scottish Quotations 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

WEE WILLIE WINKIE
William Miller

Wee Willie Winkie

Wee Willie Winkie rins through the toun,

Upstairs and doonstairs in his nicht-goun,

Tirlin' at the window, cryin' at the lock,

'Are the weans in their bed, for it's noo ten o'clock?'

'Hey, Willie Winkie, are ye comin' ben?

The cat's singin' grey thrums to the sleepin' hen,

The dog's spelder'd on the floor, and disna gi'e a cheep,

But here's a waukrife laddie that winna fa' asleep!'

Onything but sleep, you rogue! glow'ring like the mune,

Rattlin' in an airn jug wi' an airn spune,

Rumblin', tumblin' round about, crawlin' like a cock,

Skirlin' like a kenna-what, waul'nin' sleepin' fock.

'Hey, Willie Winkie - the weans in a creel!

Wambling aff a bodie's knee like a verra eel,

Ruggin' at the cat's lug, and ravelin' a' her thrums -

Hey, Willie Winkie - see, there he comes!'

Wearit is the mither that has a stoorie wean,

A wee stumpie stoussie, that canna rin his lane,

That has a battle aye wi' sleep before he'll close an ee -

But a kiss frae aff his rosy lips gies strength anew to me.

Footnote: A song this week for the bairns – it started life as a poem by William Miller of Parkhead, Glasgow in the 19^th century. Willie Winkie is supposed to be a kindly fairy who helps to send children to sleep.

See the SING A SANG AT LEAST in our features section

SCOTTISH FOOD, TRADITIONS AND CUSTOMS

Scots have no sense of humour if we are to believe Canon Sydney Smith (1771-1845) who said of our forebears –

‘It requires a surgical operation to get a joke into a Scotch understanding.’

Glasgow Comedy Festival 2006 The Englishman lived for a number of years in Edinburgh, indeed he was the first editor of The Edinburgh review in 1802, and perhaps he did find his Edinburgh companions to be dour and douce! Glasgow on the other hand has always had a reputation for humour and laughter will be very much to the fore over the 17 days. The Dear Green Place kicked off the 4^th Glasgow International Comedy Festival yesterday (Thursday 9 march 2006) and it will run till Saturday 25 March 2006. A staggering 70,000 tickets are available for the shows featuring over 230 performers. Top Scottish comedians Ronnie Corbert, Karen Dunbar, Elaine C Smith, Arnold Brown and Bruce Morton will rub shoulders with stars such as Jimmy Carr and Paul Merton from England and Ireland’s Dara O’Briain.Visit www.glasgowcomedyfestival.com for full details of the 17 days of fun.

The comedy festival should ensure a smile on the face of Glaswegians and this week’s recipe for Toffee Yoghurt Cake should ensure a smile in your tummy! Our grateful thanks to Caroline Graham for supplying this delicious recipe to The Flag.

Toffee Yoghurt Cake

Ingredients: 125 ml pot toffee yoghurt; 150 g brown sugar; 40 g desiccated coconut; 1 med egg; 125 g self-raising flour; 2 tabs olive oil; large pinch baking powder

Method: Place all ingredients in bowl, stir together with wooden spoon as quickly as possible. Tip into 500 g loaf tin, buttered and lined on base, Bake in pre-heated oven at Gas Mark 4, 180°C, 350°F for 35-40 minutes. Leave to cool completely before removing from tin. Cut in thick slices.

See our Scottish Food, Traditions and Customs 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)

baxter: baker
corbie: raven; rook
corbie steps: steps on house gable-end
gallowses: trouser braces
hirple: hobble
mools: earth; grave

Seek yir saw whaur ye got yir sair: Seek redress from the person who wronged you

As I was walking all alane
I heard twa corbies making a mane:
The tane unto the tither did say
"Whar sall we gang and dine the day?"

"In behint you auld fail dyke.
I wot there lies a new slain knight;
And naebody kens that he lies there
But his hawk, his hound, and his lay fair.

frae "The Twa Corbies" ( Ballad)

COMPLETE POEMS

Coronach
by Andrew D Lowe

In Memorandum Andrew D Lowe 1919 - 2000

The greatest asset of the SNP according to the late John McAteer when National Organiser, was "body heat". The death of Andrew D Lowe, on 10th February, has robbed us, of yet another of those Nationalists who provided that "body heat". I first knew Andrew, a stalwart of the Aberdour Branch, when I chaired the then West Fife Constituency Association SNP. He played an enthusiastic and valuable part in the campaign leading up to the 1970 General Election, when James Halliday carried the SNP Banner in West Fife.

Five days before his death. Andrew wrote to me (his last letter) reflecting on his SNP activity —"I look back with real pleasure to events in which I could and did play a useful part — chairing an election meeting, supplying and running a garden stall at sales of work, organising an Aberdour Branch Burns Supper, running a candidate around the constituency, canvassing in many towns on the East Coast — for me they have been thirty glorious years. Now I hope that Scotland and her reconvened Parliament will be found worthy of those generations of happy warriors and foot soldiers. It is up to them now to build on that and carry us forward to Independence".

Andrew Lowe was among the best of those "happy warriors and foot soldiers". No job went undone when Andrew turned his hand to it — if he said he would do something, it was done and always with humour, joy and enthusiam.

He was, as his minister described him at the Thanksgiving Celebration in a packed Warriston Crematorium, "an artist, poet, gardener, successful businessman, true patriot, loving family man and a real gentleman in the truest sense of the word". That he was.

After moving to Edinburgh in 1985, Andrew kept in touch with his many friends in Fife and was a regular attender at the Alexander III Commemoration at Pettycur, Kinghorn. Indeed he once chided me that he wasn’t coming because I had not invited him in Scots! That year Andrew not only attended but after laying the wreath read his splendid poem "Coronach" in memory of the dead King.

Due to his interest in the Guid Scots Tung, Andrew and his wife Irene were among the supporters of the Scots Poetry events held by "Scots Gladnost" and then "Merchants o Renoun" in Edinburgh.

Andrew’s belief in a Free Scotland never wavered nor did his strong Christian faith, which sustained him through his long illness. He died peacefully in the bosom of his loving family.

Andrew D Lowe will be missed but remembered with affection by all who knew him. Andrew’s life was a shining example of all that is best in Scotland, the Scottish people and Scottish Nationalism.

Scots Independent Newspaper April 2000

Peter D Wright

Andrews at the Alexander III Commemoration at Petticur, listening to guest speaker James Halliday.

Coronach

Ae wild March nicht lang syne
a storm ragit roun the castle craig.
The north wind, chairgit wi sleet an snaw,
thunnert owre the lofty pile
wi sic interperate sa vagerie
as wad gar the bravest fear
at Juidegment Day wis like tae daw.

On this faroushie nicht a companie
o fowr weel-mountit chiels
cam clappering thru Embro toun
an aen the gait til the Queen ‘s ferrie.

As they cam skelpin doun
thru the dark o the Hawes Brae
thir herts froze at the sicht an soun
o Forth’s jawin waves an fleein spray
but wadna be hinnrt bi the angry tide
an laundit unskaithed on tither side.

Nae mune nor fient a stairn
tae gie them licht
as they drave on
thru drumlie cleuch an mirky howe,
bi knarled pine an jimpy birk
at huddled roun St. Bridget’s kirk
as tho tae guard it frae the storm.

Straucht thru the Barony o Aberdour
bi the burn an the strong tower
they rade wi ne’er a word til tither
up the stey brae, droukit an forforn.

The waur pairt o thir journie owre
an scarce twa mile frae Kinghorn ‘s tower,
Wi promise o the marriage bed,
ae moment pairted frae his fieres,
his fair forfechen mount
stoitert owre the scaurs
an the King o Scots lay deid.

Andrew Lowe

Listen to this poem here in Real Audio

See Scots Language in our Features Section
for other poems, stories, songs, sayings, jokes and words in the Scots language

SCOT WIT

Enjoy a Scottish Joke every week and listen to it as well

Loyalty

A well known trainer to a prominent Scottish League Club had stuck faithfully to the club for very many years, through good times and bad, although many tempting offers had been made for his services.

When his fame was at its height, he was being interviewed by an important English Club who were offering him very attractive terms to make a change. At last the visiting Chairman put the final question to the much sought after Scot.

"Now" he concluded "these are the terms. But if there is anything else you want, we will certainly try to meet you."

"Weill" came the reply "it's a graun offer, an A'll accept - bit on ae condeetion."

"And what is the condition?" smilingly asked the Chairman.

"The anerlie condeetion" replied the faithful one firmly "is that A get hame ilka Setterday fir ti see ma ain team."

Click here to listen to this joke

Read and listen to Jokes in our Scot Wit section