The Scots Independent Newspaper Online

DRAGONS’ DEN

On Wednesday last Jim Mather MSP, the SNP’s Shadow Enterprise Minister, took part in the Edinburgh Festival of Politics version of the BBC’s Dragon’s Den. He had a comprehensive victory and is now aiming to take the format across Scotland to allow other businessmen and women to hear the arguments.

dragon Mr Mather hailed the victory as a signal that there is a desire for change in Scotland and that the SNP's plans for government next year with Alex Salmond as First Minister are an appealing prospect for many people in the business community.

Wednesday’s event was hosted by Evan Davis, the BBC's Economics Editor and presenter of the real BBC show "The Dragons' Den", and involved successful business people (three from Scotland and one from England) passing judgment on pitches made by representatives of the five main parties at Holyrood as to which specific policy agenda offered the best opportunity for Entrepreneurs to succeed in Scotland. The Scottish Dragons were Rachel Elnaugh, founder of Red Letter Days, Dundee business woman Amanda Boyle, entrepreneur Chris Gorman OBE, and Edinburgh chef and restaurant owner Tony Singh.

The result was an overwhelming victory for the SNP's Jim Mather, who gained support from all the Dragons and the overwhelming backing of an audience of Scottish business people.

The Scottish Dragons voted: Labour – 0, SNP – 4, Tory – 0, LibDem – 0, Greens - 0

A straw poll of the packed audience also suggested over three quarters support in favour of Jim Mather's arguments:

Jim Mather Mr Mather said:

"This victory was a humbling experience but also an uplifting one. It simply proves that when people engage with the arguments and evaluate all the options that Scotland has most of them opt for the SNP strategy.

Increasingly people now see that the SNP's plans to galvanise Scotland and boost living standards are compelling, contagious and necessary. At last, we seem to have a widespread recognition that the people of Scotland could be much more prosperous, if we were to emulate just some of the simple steps taken by Ireland and Norway and the crucial step of national self-determination.

I will now be contacting Scottish Chambers of Commerce and local organisers for the Federation of Small Businesses suggesting that this new format is an excellent and entertaining way to engage with the local business communities.

Yesterday's comprehensive victory just adds further to the SNP's momentum with the 2007 elections a straight choice between Alex Salmond's SNP and Jack McConnell's Labour party."

SNP TAKES THE LEAD

Scotland on Sunday published a Scottish Opinion Poll which showed the SNP with a lead of four points over Labour.

Scottish Opinion last week polled 1000 Scots and asked them who they would support in next year's Scottish Parliament election. The results* ,excluding don't knows, won't say and won't be voting were:

	Aug 2006	2003 Result	Change	Swing to SNP
SNP	33	24	+ 9
Lab	29	35	-6	7.4
LD	19	15	+4	2.7%
Con	10	17	-7	7.9%
Green	5		+5
SSP	2	6	-4

*Totals were: SNP 19%, Labour 17%, Lib Dem 11%, 6% Conservative, 3% Green Party, 1% SSP. 42% did not give a party preference, of these 12% refused to vote, 22% undecided and 8% refused to answer. The Scottish Opinion polling was commissioned by the SNP as part of its on going programme of focus group research.

Scotland on Sunday logo Alex Salmond said, “The SNP is the only credible challenger to Labour and next year's election is truly a two horse race between the SNP and Labour. However, there is no room for complacency. The SNP remains in a neck and neck contest with Labour for political leadership of Scotland. That is why we are working hard to prepare for government and deliver real leadership that puts the needs and interests of Scotland first.

Depute Leader Nicola Sturgeon MSP added: "The SNP enter this contest from an increasingly strong position. We have the best electoral record in Scotland in the past year, winning local and parliamentary by-elections up and down Scotland. Labour support is haemorrhaging from issues as varied as hospital closures in Lanarkshire to the crisis in the Middle East. Given that we are second to Labour in 36 of their 40 first-past-the-post seats in the Scottish parliament, we are the only party that can break the Labour stranglehold on Scotland and emerge from the election as Scotland's largest party with Alex Salmond as First Minister."

THE LONG WALK FOR PEACE

Scotland’s for Peace is an organisation that encompasses Scottish CND, the Churches, some Trades Unions and much of civic Scotland. They are organising Scotland’s Long Walk for Peace which a walk from the Faslane nuclear base to the Edinburgh Parliament, a distance of about 85 miles, in 6 days.

Scotland's for Peace bird against sunrise The Westminster Government is now considering a crucial question – whether or not to build new nuclear weapons to replace Trident. Before the end of the year the Government is expected to publish a White Paper. This is expected to announce that new submarines will be built and that nuclear weapons will be upgraded or replaced. The White Paper is also likely to propose that nuclear weapons should be based in Scotland for the next 40 years.

While the Government decides what to do with Trident, Scots will be considering how to vote in the Scottish election, due in May 2007. The aim of Scotland’s Long Walk for Peace is to urge the Scottish Parliament to speak out against replacing Trident. Although Defence is an issue reserved to Westminster, Holyrood could send a strong message to London.

Along the way there will be meetings held – some in church halls and some in the “open air” - to let people know why they are walking and to answer any questions they might have. It will demonstrate the extent of opposition to nuclear weapons before Westminster MPs make their final decision in 2007.

The Walk will not just focus on the Scottish Parliament. Members of the public will be asked to sign cards which will be delivered to local MPs. Shortly after the walk the political parties hold their annual conferences and there may be an opportunity for them to consider the matter.

Included in parts of the walk will be the Moderator of the Church of Scotland, MSPs and MPs and, determined to do every step of the walk, will be Bruce Kent, that stalwart of CND.

The Walk starts at the North Gate of the Faslane base on Thursday 14 September at 8.30 am and finishes with a rally at the Scottish Parliament at 3.00pm on Tuesday 19 September.

For more information see www.scotland4peace.org.

An ICM poll commissioned by CND shows that 59% of British people oppose the replacement of Trident, Britain’s nuclear weapons system. The poll results demonstrate a 5% increase in public opposition to Trident replacement over an identically phrased question from a Mori/Greenpeace poll from September 2005. Public opposition to Trident has been steadily increasing desite government’s attempts to portray it as necessary to Britain’s future security. But people see through the government’s case. People are increasingly seeing the reality of the situation that replacing Trident will start a new nuclear arms race. If Britain insists that it needs nuclear weapons to ensure its security, other countries will conclude that same, leading to increased proliferation.

1 September 2005
Labour peer Mike Watson, Lord Watson of Invergowrie, pleaded guilty to wilful fire-raising at Prestonfield House Hotel, Edinburgh, following the Scottish Politician of the Year Awards, sponsored by the Herald newspapers, in November 2004. A non guilty plea to starting a second fire was accepted by the Crown. At Edinburgh Sheriff Court, Sheriff Katherine Mackie deferred sentence until 22 September for background reports. Lord Watson resigned as a Labour MSP (Glasgow Cathcart) and as a director of Dundee United Football Club.

2 September 1536
James V, King of Scots, sailed from Kirkcaldy for France with a squadron of five ships. He was to combine an official visit with the search for a bride.

2 September 1989
A cairn was unveiled in a lay-by beside Loch Ness to commemorate the discovery of a Second World war Wellington bomber in the loch in 1985 by a team looking for the ‘Loch Ness Monster’.

4 September 1571
Regent Lennox, Mathew 4^th Earl of Lenox, was killed in a skirmish with Marian supporters. He became Regent in July 1570, on behalf of his grandson James VI, King of Scots, following the assassination of James Stewart, Earl of Moray and Regent and was succeeded by John Erskine, Earl of Mar.

5 September 1808
Death of John Home, former minister at Athelstaneford, historian and playwright. He was noted as the author of the historical drama ‘Douglas’, first produced in Edinburgh in 1756 to the denunciations of the Edinburgh Presbytery, which led to Home’s resignation from the ministry. He later became secretary to Lord Bute, the Prime Minister, and tutor to the Prince of Wales, and was the last Conservator or Consul for Scottish trade with the Netherlands at Veere.

“The opinion which the Christian Church has always entertained of stage plays and players as prejudicial to the interest of religion and morality is well known, and the fatal influence which they commonly have on the far greater part of mankind, particularly the younger sort, is too obvious to be called in question,”

From the Presbytery’s “Admonition”, 5 January 1757

6 September 1808
Birth of William Livingston, noted Gaelic poet, in Islay. His verse had a strong nationalist slant.

“The inherited houses of those who have left us are cold cairns throughout the land. Gone are the Gaels and they shall not return. The cultivation has ceased; there is no more sowing and reaping. The stones of the melancholy larochs bear witness.”

From his ‘Fios than a’ Bhaird”

6 September 1868
The Scottish Cooperative Wholesale Society commenced business in Glasgow.

6 September 2003
A statute of James Graham, 5^th Earl and 1^st Marquis of Montrose, was unveiled in Montrose. Montrose, originally a supporter of the National Covenant, took up arms in support of Charles I and after initial success was executed in 1650.

7 September 2004
First sitting of the Scottish Parliament was held in the new building at Holyrood.

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 13^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"

This is week 56 of Scottish Quotations and all this week’s quotes have a Jacobite or Highland connection. The quotes total now stands at 229 from 133 sources.

W Oliver Brown (1903-1976)

The real romance of the ’45 was not the charm of the Prince but the morality of the people who were not tempted by the £30,000 which any of them could have claimed for betraying him, The statue at Glenfinnan is not to honour Prince Charlie – but the men who fought and died for him – how glad I was to discover that fact!

(The Wisdom of Oliver Brown – Jacobites – Edited by David R Rollo 1992)

Samuel Johnston (1709-1784)

Their [Highland] chiefs have already lost much of their influence; and as they gradually degenerate from patriarchal rulers to rapacious landlords, they will divest themselves of the little that remains.

(Journey to the Western Islands)

Lord George Murray

Lord George Murray (1694-1760)

My life, my fortune, my expectations, the happiness of my wife and children are all at stake (and the chances are against me), and yet my duty to king and country, outweighs everything.

(1745)

Horatio (Horace) Walpole, 4^th Earl of Oxford (1717-1797)

The duke [HRH William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland], who had conquered the Scotch like an able general, who had punished them like an offended prince, and whose resentments were not softened by the implacability of their hatred to him, was not a little disgusted at seeing measures of favour to them adopted.

(Opposition to the Annexing Bill 1752)

Flagnote: Walpole, like the ‘Butcher’ was opposed to the Annexing Bill which aimed to effect ‘promoting amongst [Highlanders] the protestant religion, good government, industry and manufacturers, and principles of duty and loyalty to his majesty [King George II], his heirs and successors’. The Duke of Cumberland thought the measures smacked of molly coddling rebels.

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

THE MASKIN RUNG
Traditional
Gavin Greig

A farmers daughter and she went out
To milk her daddy's kye;
A young man he got word o' this
And he followed her instantly.

Chorus:
For the holland grows, the holland grows,

The holland grows so green;

And there's nae a tree in a' the land

Like the birk and the holland green.

"Haud aff your hands, young man," she said,

"Oh haud them aff frae me.

And in yon place of the gay green woods

Tomorrow I'll meet with thee."

"Fair ye fa', ye weel-faur'd maid

And ye maun set the time,

And in what place o' the gay green woods

Ye will meet ne at e'en "

"It's doon aside yon mickle birk,

Aside yon little well;

And there I will meet you at e'en,

And that you winna tell."

She's ta'en her milk-pails on ker heid,

And she's gane singing hame; And she's mindit her a' the leelang

nicht

How she wad beguile the young man.

Noo she's gane me a widow wife

An' borrowed a suit o' clothes,

An, she's buskit them on the maskin rung,

An' awa' tae the green wood goes.

Her middle was made o' the apple tree,

Her arms o' the willow wand;

On every finger a gay gold ring

For tae shine in the young man's hand.

She's gane on tae the gay green woods,

Tae the gay green woods gaed she;

An' there she's placed the maskin rung

Below the birken tree.

The laddie be cam' through the woods,

He whistled an' be sang,

"Oh, l see my true love loves me weel

For she hasnae tarried lang."

"But I wonder what can ail my love

For, oh, but she is meek

And aye she smiles intae my face

But ne'er a word she'll speak."

So he's lifted up her petticoat

A little below the knee,

But there's naething there but the maskin rung

And the fair maid was awa'.

"A false maid has been my true love,

False has she been tae me;

If I had her in this green wood

She wadna gang maiden free."

The maid being in a bush near by,

She heard him mak' his moan,

Says, "Here am I in this green wood,

An' I'll gang maiden home."

Then oot there spak' the auld woman,

Sat in the hoose nearby,

What want ye wi' my claes, young man,

That I hung oot tae dry?"

Near Edinburgh toon this trick was played

That I sing in my song;

An' a' ye young men that go tae woo,

Beware o' the maskin rung.

Footnote: The maskin rung of the title refers to the pole with which the whisky malt was stirred. It was among the 3,000 songs collected by the great Aberdeenshire folk song collector Gavin Greig (1856-1914).He was distantly related to Robert Burns on his mother’s side, and on his father’s to the Norwegian composer and Nationalist Edvard Grieg (1843-1907).He collaborated with the Rev James Bruce Duncan (1848-1917) and their collection is one of the most important sources of traditional Scottish song. Greig used a weekly column in the ‘Buchan Observer’ to print samples of the songs he collected.

See the SING A SANG AT LEAST in our features section

A BURNS COLLECTION

For your next Burns Supper
Compiled by Peter D Wright

It is never to early to plan ahead for your next, or indeed first, Burns Supper, and the intention of this new feature is to give you a ready accessible collection of the National Bard’s material for the 25^th of January each year. Over the next few months we will give you a variety of items by Robert Burns, which should prove useful to you.

Interest in the life and work of Robert Burns has never faltered and, indeed, as we now approach the 250^th anniversary of his birth in 2009, this should grow apace. He holds a special place in the hearts of his countrymen and his appeal spans the continents. A genius, he spoke for his people and captured their hopes and fears, their joys and sorrows, in poetry and song. The Flag collection will reflect this.

WEEK THREE

This week we have a song which should be a must at any Burns Supper – ‘Rantin’ Rovin’ Robin’ – an autobiographical song by the National Bard and a short poem - ‘The Henpecked Husband’ -which may prove of some use to the unfortunate male who has been brow-beaten into proposing the ‘Toast to the Lassies’!

RANTIN' ROVIN' ROBIN

There was a lad was born in Kyle,

But whatna day o' whatna style,

I doubt it's hardly worth the while'

To be sae nice wi' Robin

Chorus

Robin was a rovin' boy -

Rantin' rovin', rantin' rovin' -

Robin was a rovin' boy -

Rantin' rovin' Robin !

Our monarch's hindmost year but ane

Was five-and-twenty days begun,

'Twas then a blast o' Janwar win'

Blew hansel in on Robin.

Robin was, & c.

The gossip keekit in his loof,

Quo' she, 'Wha lives will see the proof,

This waly boy will be nae coof,

I think we'll ca' him Robin.

Robin was, & c.

'He'll hae misfortunes great and sma',

But ay a heart aboon them a' ;

He'll be a credit till us a',

We'll a' be proud o' Robin.

Robin was, & c.

'But sure as three times three mak' nine,

I see by ilka score and line,

This chap will dearly like our kin',

So leeze me on thee, Robin.

Robin was, & c.

'Guid faith,' quo' she, 'I doubt you gar

The bonie lasses lie aspar ;

But twenty fauts ye may hae waur,

So blessin's on thee, Robin !

Robin was, & c.

THE HENPECKED HUSBAND

Curs’d be the man, the poorest wretch in life,
The crouching vassal to the tyrant wife!
Who has no will but by her high permission;
Who has not sixpence but in her possession;
Who must to her his dear friend’s secret tell,
Who dreads a curtain-lecture worse than hell!
Were such a wife had fallen to my part,
I’d break her spirit, or I’d break her heart;
I’d charm her with the magic of a switch,
I’d kiss her maids, and kick the perverse bitch.

SCOTTISH FOOD, TRADITIONS AND CUSTOMS

If you are a flower show of food fan, Dundee’s annual Flower and Food Festival in Camperdown Country Park is the venue for you this weekend. Now in its 18^th year the organiser’s promise that this show which starts today (Friday 1 September 2006) and runs till Sunday will be best ever. This year will be of particular interest to potato growers as the World and Scottish Potato Championship will be part of the show. A feast of colour will be guaranteed as the Scottish Begonia Championship and the World Gladioli Championship will also feature.

Camperdown Country Park As a food feature we note with interest that the Food Festival, sponsored by an English supermarket chain which we won’t advertise, has cookery demonstrations on all three days. Today’s chef will be top Scottish chef Nick Nairn, son of Jimmy Nairn of One o’Clock Gang fame and a leal Nationalist, who will be demonstrating amongst other dishes the venison dish he created for the English Queen’s recent 80^th birthday.

Of particular interest to this compiler is the Real Ale section which includes a range of excellent Scottish beers including Inveralmond Brewery’s Ossian Ale 4.1%; Traquair House Brewery’s Stuart Ale 4.5%; Strathavon Brewery’s Claverhouse 4.5%; and Prestoungrange Gothenburg Brewery’s Prestonpans 80/- 4.2% and Gothenburg Porter 4.4%. A wide choice to suit all logo tastes and quench all thirsts!

The Festival has something for all the family and if you look at last week’s recipe – Rhubarb and Ginger Jam – you will find details of opening times. We hope that the sun shines on Dundee all weekend, unlike Aberdeen last Sunday when a monsoon hit the Wallace Commemoration. However the event went on and an excellent Wallace Address was given by J Derrick McClure of Aberdeen University.

Before Dundee was redesigned as The City of Discovery, it was known to generations as the City of Jute, Jam and Journalism. Jute and jam has gone but journalism continues to thrive in the form of The Courier and Telegraph. Dundee was particularly famous for marmalade and this week’s recipe is marmalade based – Marmalade cream Tart.

Marmalade Cream Tart

Ingredients: butter for greasing; flour for rolling pastry; 225g sweet shortcrust pastry; 2-3 tablespoons marmalade; 3 eggs; 100g caster sugar; 600ml double cream; zest of 1 small orange; icing sugar to glaze

Method: Preheat oven to 200C. Butter 20 x 3.5cm flan ring. Roll pastry 2 mm thick. Place flan ring onto baking tray covered with greaseproof paper and line ring with pastry. Leave excess to hang over. Refrigerate for 20mins. Prick pastry base with a fork and line with greaseproof paper. Fill with dried baking beans or rice and cook in oven for 20-30mins. Remove from oven, lifting the paper carefully. If pastry base is still soft return the oven at a cooler setting for a further 6-8 minutes. Cut away excess pastry when cool. Spread the marmalade on the base. To make the filling, mix together the eggs, cream and orange zest. Pour into tart case and bake at 170C for 30-40mins until just set. The cream should maintain a soft texture. Remove from oven and leave to cool at room temperature. Brule the tart and dusk with icing sugar.

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)

deoch-an-dorus: stirrup cup; parting drink
donnert: stupefied: stupid
gash-gabbit: glib-tongued
hing: hang; knack; burden
juist: just
juist that: precisely; quite so

A fiddler's biddin: A last-minute invitation

Juist a wee deoch-an-doris,
Juist a wee yin, that's a',
Juist a wee deoch-an-doris
Afore we gang awa.

frae "Juist a Wee Deoch-an-Doris" - Harry Lauder

COMPLETE POEMS

MAVIS
by J K Annand
Click here to listen to this in Real Audio

Mavis, mavis,
Rinnin owre the gress,
Cock your lug, gie a tug,
Ae worm less!

Sing a sang at dawnin
On the highest tree,
Sing again at gloamin
A bonnie wee sang for me.

Sing it aince for pleisure,
Sing it twice for joy,
Sing it thrice to shaw us
That ye’re the clever wee boy.

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

Go Back!

When the Roman Legions invaded Scotland they were faced by the Picts and had great difficulty in subduing the blue woad painted warriors.

The story goes that one Roman Legion marching near Bennachie saw through the mist a lone lone Pictish warrior on the hillside. The Roman Commander immediately dispatched two men to capture him. They failed to return but the Pictish warrior was spotted once again. He sent four men but they too failed to return. Once again the Pictish warrior was seen making his way along the hillside. The Commander then sent eight men. The sound of battle echoed through the mist and eventually a blood-stained Roman Legionairre staggered back to his waiting companions with these alarming words -

"Go back! Go back! Its an ambush - there's two of them."

Click here to listen to this joke

Read and listen to Jokes in our Scot Wit section

AND AS WE CONTINUE...

If you read our first issue of The Flag in the Wind you will know that this is a weekly Internet commentary on the Scottish political scene; if you desire further erudition click on Archives.

SOME OF OUR FEATURE SECTIONS....

About Us
Our mission is to fight for an Independent Scotland and to promote its history, heritage and culture. Learn all about us here.
The Scots Language
A great introduction to the Scots Language, produced by Peter and Marilyn Wright, and added to each week both in text and RealAudio. Enjoy listening to words, poems and stories told in a real Scots accent!
Scottish Quotations
A variety of quotations in prose and verse reflecting all aspects of Scottish life and outlook.
The Rebels Ceilidh Songbook
An excellent introduction to traditional songs from Scotland.
Sing A Sang At Least
Our collection of Scottish songs. A new song is added to the collection each week.
Scottish Food, Traditions and Customs
Enjoy our collections of recipes and our comments on them.
Notable Dates in History
Each week we add three new notable dates in history building this into an historic timeline for Scottish history.
Features
Lots more stories, recipes, historical articles and even whole books are added here on a regular basis.
The Oliver Brown Award
An annual award given to an outstanding Scot(s) each year. Also included picture galleries from the annual lunch.

THE SCOTTISH NATIONAL PARTY

The Scots Independent Newspaper is independent of the Scottish National Party, but we support the Party in its drive for Independence; while space precludes us commenting on all the issues raised by the 27 MSPs, 5 MPS and 2 MEPs, also the Party Office Bearers, we have provided a link to the SNP Website.

THE FLAG IN THE WIND

The above was the title of a book written in the early Fifties by John MacDonald MacCormick, one of the founder members of the Scottish National Party in 1934. The sub-title was "The Story of the National Movement in Scotland". His comment in the book said "It is perhaps in the symbols which men use that their deepest sentiments are most readily expressed. Flags as well as straws show which way the wind is blowing". A fuller account appears under Features.

WE WOULD WELCOME YOUR FEEDBACK

The Flag in the Wind would welcome your feedback on what you think of this weekly service. Happy to receive any comments or suggestions. Simply email webmaster@scotsindependent.org.

The Working Life of Linda Fabiani MSP