DATES IN
HISTORY
25 May 1996
A
woman swam for four hours to try to get help when a clam dredger sank in the
Firth of Clyde. She survived but her four companions drowned.
25 May 2006
KT Tunstall carried off the prestigious Ivor Novello music award for best
song, ‘Suddenly I See’, at the annual awards event run by the British
Academy of Composers and Songwriters.
26 May 1853
Death of James Chalmers, bookseller, printer, newspaper publisher and
deviser of the adhesive postage stamp.
26 May 2006
Alan McCombes, Press and Policy Co-ordinator of the Scottish Socialist
Party, was jailed for refusing to hand over internal party papers relating
to Tommy Sheridan MSP, the party’s former leader, to the Court of Session.
The News of the World had asked the court to compel Alan McCombes to produce
the documents as part of their defence in an action raised against them by
Tommy Sheridan.
27 May 1940
Operation Dynamo, the evacuation of British and French troops from the
Dunkirk beaches began, and ended on 4 June.
28 May 1746
The
residence of leading Jacobite Donald Cameron of Lochiel, The Gentle Lochiel,
at Achnacarry was destroyed by Hanoverian troops under the command of
Colonel Edward Cornwallis.
29 May 2006
Alan McCombes, Scottish Socialist Party Press and Policy Co-ordinator, was
released from Saughton Prison, Edinburgh, after the party agreed to hand
over internal party documents concerning Tommy Sheridan MSP to the court.
31 May 1701
Birth of Alexander Cruden, author of ‘A Complete Concordance to the
Scriptures of the Old and New Testament’ (first published 1737), in
Aberdeen.
31 May 2006
Standard Life members voted by 98% to 2% to demutulise the 180-year-old
Scottish insurance company and to float the firm.
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
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"
|
As
Scotland settles down to minority government at Holyrood for the
first time, this week’s quotations reflect political hopes, fears
and aspirations over the past 200 years.
Hopefully all 129 MSPs will tak tent o Dr Robert D McIntyre’s
advice. |
Dr John
Arbuthnot (1667-1735)
All
political parties die at last of swallowing their own lies.
John Buchan, 1st
Baron Tweedsmuir of Enfield (1875-1940)
If we are
to have clear and sound thinking, the people must take politics very
seriously and be very well informed about them.
(Address on
‘Literature and Life’ 1910)
Dr Robert D
McIntyre (1913-1998)
If it is good
for Scotland, it is good.
Alexander
(Alex) Elliot Anderson Salmond
In this
century, there are limits to what government can achieve. But one thing
any government I lead will never lack is ambition for Scotland.
(Acceptance
speech on being elected First Minister of Scotland 16 May 2007)
Robert Wodrow
(1679-1734)
I have a
great many melancholy thoughts of living to see this ancient kingdom
made a province, and not only our religious and civil liberties lost,
but lost irrevocably, and this is the most dismal aspect ane
incorporating union has to me, that it puts matters past help.
(Letter to
George Serle 30 May 1706)
See
Scottish Quotations in our Features Section
THE BLUE
TOON SONG BOOK
A selection of popular Scottish songs compiled by Anne Fowler and
published by Peterhead branch of the Scottish National Party in
September 2000.
BORN BEYOND THE BORDERS
Gordon Menzies/Maggie Innes
Diane and
Harry McAllister from Seattle, USA, attending the 2002 Declaration of
Scottish Independence commemoration at Arbroath Abbey. Expatriot Scot Harry
returns home on a regular basis and this year (2007) played the part of a
Scottish noble in the annual commemoration at Arbroath and also attended the
annual Culloden Commemoration on 14 April.
Some set
sail for Africa with bibles in their hands
Some were
forced to the colonies to build a new Heartland
Even those
on the work of the Lord could scarce forbear to weep
But the
bitterest tears were shed by those who made way for the sheep.
Chorus
:
Though
we're born beyond the border don't say we don't belong
We've
a legacy of Bruce and Wallace too
We're
the children of the Clearances the wanderers old and young
And
the heart and soul are Scotland just like you.
The
names, the songs, the stories and the measure of their loss
Formed
lullabies for children born beneath the Southern Cross
All
across the mighty Rockies to the wide Pacific shore
The
names of home, old towns reborn, spring into life once more.
So
when you sing of the Great White Sheep this you must also know
While
Scotland mourns her tragedy it was us had to go
In
exile now far away from the land of our Race's birth
We're
the living flag of Andrew scattered all across the Earth.
Flagnote: One
of the very best modern songs written about the Scottish dispora. It sums of
the feelings of many of those of Scottish descent spread across the globe.
The splendid words were composed by Maggie Innes to a tune by Gordon Menzies.
The song was featured by Gordon Menzies and his singing partner Robin
Watson, Gaberlunzie, on their CD ‘Twa Corbies’. For well over 30 years
Gaberlunzie have been regular visitors over the pond, reminding folk of
their Scottish roots.
See the
THE BLUE TOON SONG BOOK in our
Features section
SCOTTISH FOOD, TRADITIONS
AND CUSTOMS
To most folk
abroad, and indeed many at home, the best known arts festival in Scotland is
the Edinburgh Festival in August, but over the past few years many others
have sprung up all over our beautiful country.
Today (Friday 25 May 2007)
sees the start of one such festival – The Dumfries and Galloway Arts
Festival – which runs until Saturday 2 June 2007. Visit
www.dgartsfestival.org.uk for details of the many events and
exhibitions but for Flag readers two events should be a must see! On Sunday
27 May 2007 a talk will be given by prominent historian Professor Ted Cowan
on ‘The Union of 1707: Ending Ane Auld Sang?’ in The Chrichton Church,
Bankend Road, Dumfries, at 6.30pm (tickets £6). Professor Cowan will examine
the history of the incorporating Union aided and abetted by Wilson Ogilvie
reading from contemporary accounts. English spy Daniel Defoe, author of
‘Robinson Crusoe’ is bound to feature. The other event on Thursday 31 May
2007 will feature author Billy Kay, Rod Paterson, Derek Hoy and Norman
exploring ‘The
Scottish World’ in St John’s Town of Dalry High School at
7.30pm (tickets £6). An evening of music, poetry, story and song which
celebrates the Scottish diaspora and its influence all over the world. The
programme is a celebration of the enormous contribution the Scots have made
to the modern world. Billy Kay’s book ‘The Scottish World’ (Mainstream
Publishing 2006 £16.99) is a must for all those interested in the Scottish
diaspora. He quotes the auld Scots saw –
Thaim wi a guid Scots tung I thair heid are fit tae gang owre the warld.
The book and
event proves the truth of that proverb.
Dumfriesshire
and Galloway contain some of the bonniest scenery in Scotland and an ideal
area in which to enjoy a picnic – pack Yum Yum Cakes to add to your picnic
treat.
Yum Yum Cakes
Ingredients:
2oz brown sugar; 3oz margarine; 2 egg yolks; 1tsp vanilla or almond
essence; 5oz self-raising flour; 2 egg whites; 4oz castor sugar; 2oz
walnuts; 2oz cherries
Method:
Pre-heat oven to 375 deg F/ Gas Mark 5. Cream margarine and sugar. Add
beaten egg yolks and flour. Add essence and mix to a stiff paste. Place in a
deep Swiss roll tin, flatten and spread lightly with apricot jam. Beat egg
whites until stiff. Fold in sugar, nuts and cherries. Spread evenly over
cake mixture. Cook in a moderate oven for 20-30 minutes.
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)
Me - fashed? I dinna gie a docken
ye thrawn, carnaptious,
misbegotten deevil o ill-luck.
Ye picked the wrang lass
gin ye thocht I'd show the warld
a sair begrutten hert. Forby
tulziesom tykes aye hirple hame
an fine I ken, at the hinner end,
I'll hae ye back, ye scunner!
Gordon
Wright’s Scottish Photo
Library