DATES IN
HISTORY
9 February
1784
The Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland was formed in Fortune’s
Tontine Tavern, Edinburgh. The objects were defined on 11 January 1785:
-
An enquiry into the present state of the Highlands and
Islands of Scotland, and the condition of their inhabitants.
-
2. An enquiry into the means of improvement of the
Highlands by establishing towns and villages; by facilitating
communication through different parts of the Highlands of Scotland; by
roads and bridges, advancing agriculture and extending fisheries,
introducing useful trades and manufactures; and by an exertion to unite
the efforts of the proprietors, and call the attention of the Government
towards the encouragement and production of these beneficial purposes.
The Society
shall also pay a proper attention to the preservation of the language,
poetry, and music of the Highlands.
9
February 1853
Owing to ill-health Alan Stevenson resigned as Chief Engineer to the
Northern Lighthouse Board. He had succeeded his father, Robert Stevenson, to
the post in 1844 and was responsible for the design and construction of ten
new lights including Skerryvore in Argyll. He was, in turn, succeeded by his
brother David Stevenson.
9 February
1990
Evelyn Glennie, musician, and Sir James Black, scientist, were named Scots
of the Decade.
9 February
2006
Liberal Democrat candidate Willie Rennie pulled off a surprise win in the
Dunfermline and West Fife Westminster by-election following the death of
Labour MP Rachel Squire.
13 February
1784
William Burness, father of Robert Burns, died at Lochlea. His son wrote his
epitaph:
“The
pitying Heart that felt for human Woe;
The dauntless heart that fear’d no human Pride;
The Friend of Man. To vice alone a foe;
For ‘ev’n his failings lean’d to Virtue’s side’.”
From
his tombstone in Alloway Churchyard.
13 February
1931
The Scottish Youth Hostels Association was formed.
14
February 2006
After a 0-0 draw Gretna defeated First Division side Clyde (3rd
round victors over Cup holders Celtic) in a 4th round Scottish
Cup replay at Raydale Park, Gretna. The Second Division club reached the
last eight of the Scottish Cup after only being in the Scottish League for
four years.
15 February
2006
Singer KT Tunstall, St Andrews, took the award for Best British Female Solo
Artist at the annual Brit Awards held at Earl’s Court Arena in London.
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 1st 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
week the quotations are from four Scottish poets whose work
will be featured during the 10th annual poetry festival,
StAnza,
to be held in St Andrews, Fife, from 14 to 18 March 2007.
Visit
www.stanzapoetry.org for full details of the packed five days
programme. Marion Angus wrote mainly in the Scots found in Angus,
and her contemporary Violet Jacob
drew on traditional ballads for her inspiration.
Her ‘The Wild Geese’ was set to music by Jim Reid and is both
popular in verse and song. Alan Bold, a major figure in his own
right, is best remembered for his
excellent biography of Hugh MacDiarmid, Sorley MacLean was the
greatest Gaelic poet of the 20th century. |
Marion Emily
Angus (1865-1946)
I am
sometimes told my poetry is pretty pagan, with no religious message in
it and this I believe to be true. Somehow I cannot tackle big ideas
altho’ I am not a heathen.
(Letter 1929)
Alan Bold
(1943-1998)
It is so
In Scotland, land of the omnipotent No.
(A Memory of
Death)
Violet Jacob
(1863-1946)
“Oh tell
me fit was on your mind ye roarin Norland wind?
As ye come blawin frae the land that’s never frae ma mind.
Ma feet they traivel England but I’m deein for the North.”
“Ma man, I saw the siller tides rin up the Firth o Forth.”
(The Wild
Geese)
Sorley
MacLean (Somhairle MacGill-Eain) (1911-1996)
Thai ad
fhathast ann a Hallaig,
Clann Ghill-Eain ‘s Clann MhicLeoid,
Na bh’ ann ri linn Mhic Ghille-Chaluim;
Chunnacas na mairbh béo.
They are
still in Hallaig,
MacLeans and MacLeods,
All who were there in the time of MacGille Chaluim;
The dead have been seen alive.
(Hallaig)
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 GALLANT
MURRAY
Traditional
Wha
will ride wi' gallant Murray
Wha will ride for Geordie's sel'
He's the flower o' Glen Isla
And the darlin' o' Dunkeld
See the white rose in his bonnet
See his banner o'er the Tay
His guid sword he now has drawn it
And has flung his sheath away
Every faithfu' Murray follows
First of heroes, best of men
Every true and trusty Stewart
Blythely leaves his native glen
Athol lads are lads of honour
Westland rogues are rebels a'
When we come within their border
We may gar the Campbell's claw
Menzies he's our friend and brother
Gask and Strowan are nae slack
Noble Perth has ta'en the field
And a' the Drummonds at his back
Let us ride wi' gallant Murray
Let us fight for Charlie's crown
From the right we'll never sinder
Til we bring the tyrants down
MacIntosh the gallant sodger
Wi' the Grahams and Gordons gay
They have ta'en the field of honour
Spite of all their chiefs could say
Point the musket Bend the rapier
Shift the brog for Lowland shoe
Scour the durk and face the danger
MacIntosh has all to do
Repeat first verse
Footnote: A
song about the byous Lord George Murray, the outstanding Jacobite commander,
which was published in Hogg’s Jacobite Relics. Lord George Murray
(1694-1760), son of John Murray, 1st Duke of Atholl. Was out in
both the 15 and 19 Jacobite Ridings and after a few years fighting abroad he
was pardoned and returned to Scotland in the late 1720s. In spite of many
reservations he joined Prince Charles Edward Stewart in Perth during the 45
Rising. His relationship with the Prince was always fragile, In spite of the
comment by Fitzroy Maclean that Lord George was “the military genius of the
45”, the Prince listened to others!. He proved his military skill at
Prestonpans, the retreat from Derby and Clifton, and the last major Jacobite
victory at Falkirk, Murray didn’t want to fight at Culloden, but the right
wing, under his command, was the only section to leave the field in
reasonably good order and he proceeded to Ruthven. On receiving the order to
disband he went to France and died in exile in 1760. I have little time for
BPC but hold Lord George Murray, and the men who fought out of loyalty and
for Scotland, in the highest regard.
See the
SING A SANG AT LEAST in our
Features section
SCOTTISH FOOD, TRADITIONS
AND CUSTOMS
A notable
date this week is, of course, engraved on the hearts of romantics world-wide, St Valentine's Day, on 14th February. Scotland can
claim a close affinity to the Saint as his remains lie in a Glasgow Church
- the church of Blessed John Duns Scotia in the Gorbals. The notorious
'Glasgow Kiss' has nothing to do with the Saint or with romance, indeed
quite the opposite!
Scotland's most famous romantic poet, Robert Burns, wrote of St
Valentine's Day in his poem 'Tam Glen'
"Yestreen at the valentines' dealing
My heart to my mou' gied a sten' ;
For thrice I drew ane without failing,
And thrice it was written - Tam Glen."
And our most famous novelist, Sir Walter Scott, wrote of St Valentine's
Day in 'The Fair Maid of Perth' -
"Tomorrow is St Valentine's Day, when every bird chooses her mate. I will
plague you no longer now, providing you will let me see you from your
window tomorrow when the sun first peeps over the eastern hill, and give
me right to be your Valentine for the year."
A romantic time of year requires a romantic recipe - love and chocolate
traditionally go together so why not make for your Valentine the 'naughty
treat' Death by Chocolate. But remember this is a calorie loaded traybake
and that a little goes a long way!
Death by Chocolate
Ingredients: 1.5 oz (35 g) Ratafia Biscuits; 2.5 tablespoons liquid
glucose; half pint (330 ml) double cream; 8 oz (225 g) plain chocolate;
2,5 tablespoons Rum.
Method: Crush biscuits and sprinkle over base of seven inch
square tin. Melt together chocolate, glucose and rum. Beat cream and
fold in chocolate mixture. Pour in tin. Cover with cling film and set in
refrigerator. Cut in VERY small pieces - remember calorie count!
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)
"Scotland, my auld, respected mither
!
Tho whiles ye moistify your leather,
Till whare ye sit on craps o
heather,
Ye tine your dam ;
Freedom and whisky gang thegither !
Tak aff your dram."
Gordon
Wright’s Scottish Photo
Library