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CAMPAIGNING FOR SCOTLAND
(Owned, Edited and Printed in Scotland since November
1926)
"Promoting all that is best in Scottish
Nationalism and all that is best in Scotland."
Content of the Flag in the Wind Web Site is the copyright of the Scots
Independent Newspaper.
[
Issue 372 - 20th July 2007] |
Compiled by Peter D Wright |
Lots of great information to
read and enjoy under our
Features Section:
Scots
Language | Scottish Food |
Dates in History |
Scot Wit and lots more
DATES IN
HISTORY
20 July 1779
Dougal Graham, storyteller and packman, who followed the Jacobite army
throughout its campaign to Culloden and was later the official Glasgow
bell-ringer, died aged 65.
22 July 1680
Covenanter leader Richard Cameron, ‘The Lion of the Covenant’, and his
brother Michael were killed and his forces defeated after fierce resistance
at the Battle of Airds ( or Airs) Moss, near Cumnock, by government troops
led by Bruce of Earshall. Amongst those taken prisoner was David Hackston of
Rathillet, one of Archbishop Sharp’s murderers and the ablest of the
Cameronian commanders. The head and hands of Richard Cameron were cut off,
taken to Edinburgh and presented to the Privy Council who ordered them to be
displayed at the Netherbow.
 22
July 2005
Death of Lady Anne Shand, widow of the legendary Scottish Country Dance Band
leader Sir Jimmy Shand, at Auchtermuchty, Fife.
23 July 1886
Birth of Sir Arthur Whitten Brown, aviator and companion of Sir John Alcock
on first transatlantic flight in June 1919, in Glasgow.
24 July 1526
Defeat in the battle of Melrose ended an attempt by Walter Scott of
Bransholm to rescue James V, King of Scots, from the control of Archibald
Douglas, 6th Earl of Angus.
24 July 1986
The 13th Commonwealth Games. ‘The Friendly Games,’ were opened by
the Duke of Edinburgh at the Meadowbank Stadium in Edinburgh. Some 32
Commonwealth nations boycotted the games over Westminster’s policy on South
Africa.
24 July 2006
A 20 mph speed limit was imposed to 100 streets in the centre of Aberdeen,
including Union Street.
 25
July 1865
Dr
‘James’ Miranda Stuart Barry died aged 70 in London. At a time when a
career in medicine was forbidden to women, Dr Barry worked her way through
to the highest rank in the British Army Medical Service masquerading as a
man, successfully concealing her gender from everyone until her death – ‘the
most skilful of physicians and the most wayward of men’. As a male she
graduated MD from Edinburgh University in 1812 and joined the army as a
surgeon’s mate the following year and retired in 1864 as Inspector-General
of Military Hospitals in Montreal and Quebec.
25 July 1946
A Forfar-bound train hit a bus with around 20 people aboard after it crashed
through the level crossing at Balmuckety, two miles from Kirriemuir. Seven
passengers, all from Forfar, were killed outright and a further two died
later.
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"
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This
week is devoted to general reflections by leading Scottish writers
but we could not resist adding a quotation this week from the First
Minister of Scotland Alex Salmond speaking in Brussels on the need
to rediscover the sense of internationalism which once defined our
nation. Political life in Scotland is certainly a lot more
interesting and outward looking since the Scottish National Party’s
victory in May 2007. |
Sir Arthur
Conan Doyle (1859-1930)
It has
long been an axiom of mine that the little things are infinitely the
most important.
Neil M Gunn
(1891-1973)
Where all
is compulsion and enforcement, it’s the bully that rules.
(The Silver
Darlings 1941)
James Hogg,
‘The Ettrick Shepherd’ (1770-1835)
Having
been bred amongst mountains I am always unhappy when in a flat country.
Whenever the skirts of the horizon come on a level with myself I feel
myself quite uneasy and generally have a headache.
(Letter to Sir
Walter Scott 25 July 1802)
Alexander
(Alex) Elliot Anderson Salmond
I believe
that it is time to transform the nature of Scotland’s representation and
impact in Europe, tonight my message is clear and unambiguous – this is
time for Scotland to assume our obligations and responsibilities and to
help mould the world around us to rediscover the sense of
internationalism which once defined our nation.
(Speech at
Reception in Scotland House, Brussels 9 July 2007)
Dame Muriel
Spark
How can
you deal with the problem of suffering if everybody conspires to
estrange you from suffering?
(The Only
Problem 1984)
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.
BRUCE'S ADDRESS AT BANNOCKBURN (SCOTS WHA HAE)
Robert Burns
"Scots Wha Hae"
Sung by Gaberlunzie
Scots! wha hae wi' Wallace bled,
Scots! wham Bruce has aften led,
Welcome to your gory bed,
Or to victory!
Now's the day, and now's the hour;
See the front o' battle lour:
See approach proud Edward's power -
Chains and slavery!
Wha will be a traitor knave?
Wha can fill a coward's grave?
Wha sae base as be a slave?
Let him turn and flee!
What for Scotland's king and
law
Freedom's sword will strongly draw?
Freeman stand, or freeman fa'?
Let him on wi' me!
By oppression's woes and
pains!
By your sons in servile chains!
We will drain our dearest veins,
But they shall be free!
Lay the proud usurpers low!
Tyrants fall in every foe!
Liberty's in every blow! -
Let us do or die!
So may God ever defend the
cause of truth and liberty, as He did that day! Amen.
Flagnote:
No song is
more appropriate to finish the songs from ‘The Blue Toon Song Book’ than
the Scottish National Anthem. At Primary School in Aberdeenshire I was taught two National
Anthems, the Scottish and French, which given the following comment by the
late Dr David Murison was very appropriate :-
'Scots wha hae', which was written about
the same time, has the same background in the ferment of the French
Revolution and one can hear echoes of 'La Marseillaise' in it. Here Burns
is striking the attitude of the patriot, and doubtless it was intended as
a kind of national anthem of a nation that may even yet find the moral
courage to sing it.
from 'The Language of
Burns'; contributed to 'Critical Essays on Robert Burns' - edited by
Donald A Low (1975)
The Flag’s
grateful thanks, once again, to Anne Fowler and the Peterhead Branch of
the Scottish National Party for allowing us to reprint their splendid
collection of Scottish songs. A new selection of Scottish songs will
start next week.
See the
THE BLUE TOON SONG BOOK in our
Features section
SCOTTISH FOOD, TRADITIONS
AND CUSTOMS
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During the holiday period we will repeat some of our
earlier Scottish recipes –
this was the very first in this now, quite lengthy, feature. |
The inspiration for this new column came
from the historic canoe journey made by Oliver Brown Award winners,
Sir Alastair M Dunnett and James ( Seumas ) Adam, from Bowling on the
Clyde to Skye in 1934. The expedition led to them being known as The
Canoe Boys and the foodstuff which provided the back-bone of their
diet, a foodstuff which had sustained Scots for centuries, was
oatmeal. They preferred to have it, at least twice a day, in the form
of oatmeal brose rather than as porridge. An account of how they made
their brose was provided by Sir Alastair M Dunnett in 'Quest By
Canoe', the story of their adventure published in 1950 and reprinted
in 1995.
 Oatmeal brose was the true
foundation of the expedition, and the correct method of making it must
be put on record. A quantity of coarse oatmeal - with salt 'to taste'
as they say - is placed in a bowl and boiling water poured over it.
The water must be boiling hard as it pours and there should be enough
of it to just cover the oatmeal. A plate is immediately placed over
the bowl like a lid. You now sit by for a few minutes, gloating. This
is your brose cooking in its own steam. During this pause, slip a nut
of butter under the plate and into the brose. In four or five minutes
whip off the lid, stir the mass violently together, splash in some
milk and eat. You will never again be happy with the wersh and
fushionless silky slop which passes for porridge. This was the food
whose devotees staggered the legions of Rome; broke the Norsemen; held
the Border for five hundred years; and are standing fast on borders
till. It is a dish for men. It also happens to taste superbly. We ate
it twice a day, frequently without milk, although such a
simplification demands what an Ayrshire farmer once described to me as
a 'guid-gaun stomach'. He is a happy traveller who has with him a bag
of oatmeal and a poke of salt. He will travel fast and far.'
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)
guddle: grope with hands for fish ; do
dirty work; meddle
hap: cover; wrap; blanket; shawl; screen
whyles: now and then; sometimes
Aweill, we staund bareheidit in the haar,
murnin a man that gaed back til the pool
twa-hunner year afore our time. The glaur
that haps his banes glowres back strang,
present dool
ruggs at my hairt. Lichtlie this gin ye daur:
here Robert Burns knelt and kissed the mool.
COMPLETE POEM
Daughter of a Perthshire Jacobite,
Carolina Oliphant married William Nairne and called herself ‘Mrs
Bogan of Bogan’ to write her songs, many of which are still widely
popular today, including ‘Caller Herrin’, ‘Will ye no come back
again?’ and ‘The Auld Hoose’.
The
Puddock
by J M Caie
Click
here to listen to this in RealAudio read by Marilyn P Wright
Born and educated In the North-East, Caie
was a lecturer in agriculture who became a senior civil servant in the
Department of Agriculture. His poems come from his upbringing in the
country around Fochabers in Banffshire. ‘The Puddock’ has long been
a favourite recitation piece for schools.
A puddock sat by the lochan’s
brim,
An’ he thocht there was never a puddock like him.
He sat on his hurdies, he waggled his legs,
An’ cockit his heid as he glowered throu’ the seggs.
The bigsy wee cratur’ was feelin’ that prood,
He gapit his mou’ an’ he croakit oot lood:
‘Gin ye’d a’ like tae see a richt puddock,’ quo’ he,
‘Ye’ll never, I’ll sweer get a better nor me.
I’ve fem’lies an’ wives an’ a weel-plenished hame,
Wi’ drink for my thrapple an’ meat for my wame.
The lasses aye thocht me a fine strappin’ chiel.
An’ I ken I’m a rale bonny singer as wed.
I’m nae gyaun tae blaw, but the truth I maun tell —
I believe I’m the verra MacPuddock himsel’.'
A heron was hungry an’ needin’ rae
sup,
Sae he nabbit th’ puddock and gollup’t him up;
Syne runkled his feathers: ‘A peer thing,’ quo’ he,
‘But — puddocks is nae fat they eesed tae be.’
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
The Grass is Greener
The old shepherd was being reproached by the
minister about his absence from his usual place in the Kirk.
"A wis at Mr Doig's Kirk" was the defence.
But the minister was not to be be easily placated.
"Well" the minister went on "I don't care
much for this running away to strange Kirks - even to hear Mr Doig. How
would you like to see your sheep straying into strange pastures?"
"Dod, Sir" came the caustic reply. "A
wadna gie a docken gin it wis better girse."
Click here to listen to this joke Read and listen to Jokes in our
Scot Wit section
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.
Images for reproduction.
Prints for collectors.
Gordon.Wright11@btopenworld.com
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