See Dates in History in our Features Section
 

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 1^st 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 (19^th Century)

From the lone sheiling of the misty island
    Mountains divide us, and the waste of the seas –
Yet still the blood is strong, the heart is Highland,
    And we in dreams behold the Hebrides.

(Canadian Boat Song in Blackwood’s Magazine September 1829)

Dr George Bruce (1909-2002)

I go North to cold, to home, to Kinnaird,
Fit monument for our time.

This is the outermost edge of Buchan
Inland the sea birds range,
The tree’s leaf has salt upon it,
The tree turns to the low stone wall.

(Kinnaird Head)

Andrew Lang (1844-1912)

Just as Cicero said of Athens, that in every stone you tread on history, so on Tweedside by every nook and valley you find the place of a ballad, a story, or a legend.

(Lost Leaders 1889)

Sir Edward Montagu Compton Mackenzie (1883-1972)

Suilven standing up in the west like a huge grape-dark hand, miles away above the desolate moorland. What were the mountains of Switzerland compared with that shape of stone solitary as a mammoth upon the edge of the landscape?

(The East Wind of Love 1937)

Bertrand Arthur William Russell, 3^rd Earl Russell (1872-1970)

We drove home to St Fillans through the gloomy valley of Glencoe, as dark and dreadful as if the massacre [13 February 1692] had just taken place.

(Autobiography 1967-69)

Robert Louis Balfour Stevenson (1850-1894)

I saw rain falling and the rainbow drawn
On Lammermuir. Hearkening I heard again
In my precipitous city beaten bells                  [Edinburgh]
Winnow the keen sea wind.

(To My Wife, dedication of Weir of Hermiston)

See Scottish Quotations in our Features Section 

A selection of popular Scottish songs compiled by Anne Fowler and published by Peterhead branch of the Scottish National Party in September 2000. 

THE DECLARATION OF ARBROATH
Jim McLean

Flagnote: A stirring song commemorating the Declaration of Scottish Independence on 6^th April 1320 – a letter to Pope John XXII asserting Scottish independence, sealed by the Scottish nobles at Arbroath Abbey in the presence of Robert I, King of Scots. The Arbroath letter marked the emergence of Scotland as the first nation-state in Europe in the modern sense. This popular song by Jim MacLean says it all – the words of the Declaration should be etched on every Scot’s heart. Thankfully there are still more than a hundred Scots prepared to stand up for the regaining of full Scottish Nationhood.

See the THE BLUE TOON SONG BOOK in our Features section
 

SCOTTISH FOOD, TRADITIONS AND CUSTOMS 

Brewing in Scotland has a long history and part of that rich tradition will be celebrated later this month at the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) Scottish Traditional Beer Festival in the Assembly Rooms, 54 George Street, Edinburgh, from Thursday 14 June to Saturday 16 June 2007. Beers in Scotland are still referred to as 60/- (Light), 70/- (Heavy), 80/- (Export) and 90/- (Strong Wee Heavy). This dates back to the excise duty levied on each barrel in the 19^th century. One of the CAMRA festival highlights will be the ‘Shilling Experience’ which will celebrate the remaining examples of Scotland’s traditional beer style. The ‘Shilling Experience’ will feature a range of traditional Shilling Ales including Belhaven 60/-, 70/-, 80/- & 90/- and Caledonian 80/- plus a selection of newer interpretations from smaller new breweries including Exciseman’s 80/- from Broughton, Fowler’s Prestonpans 80/- and Stewart’s 80/-.

Now in its fifth year the event showcases 120 of Scotland’s finest cask ales and for the first time NO beers from England will be on sale – some cider, perry and a selection of German bottled beers will however appear in the Assembly Rooms. A surprisingly large number of the real ales on show will come from Scottish islands. During the festival the CAMRA Champion Beer of Scotland will be judged and as in past years competition show prove strong.

Opening hours are – Thursday 4-11pm; Friday & Saturday noon-11pm - and Admission £4 Non-members, £3 Members, except for Friday after 6pm - £5 Non-members, £4 Members. Go along and enjoy a real Scottish pint.

This week’s recipe combines the excellence of Scottish trout and beer and is aptly – Trout in Beer!

Trout in Beer

Ingredients: 2 trout; 1 cup light beer; 1 cup dry white wine; ½ cup vinegar; 4 slices of lemon; parsley to serve

Method: Clean and prepare trout and place in a shallow saucepan. Mix beer, vinegar and white wine together and pour over fish. Bring to the boil and simmer till cooked. Drain and garnish with lemon slices and parsley. Delicious served with new potatoes. Serves 2.