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"    

George Burley

As a Scotsman I have a vision to do well for my country and I can’t ask for more than the opportunity to take it to the World Cup finals. There is a tingle of excitement running through me just thinking about it.

(The Scotsman 25 January 2008)

Jack House, ‘Mr Glasgow’ (1906-1991)

English football players have been quoted as saying that the Hampden Roar is the equivalent of two goals for Scotland. Unfortunately this has not always proved true.
 

 

Archie MacPherson

Queen’s Park against Forfar – you can’t get more romantic than that.

Patrick (Pat) Kevin Francis Michael Nevin

My abiding memories of the year [2007] will include watching the Scottish fans blast out the national anthem before the home game against Ukraine, It was a physical experience as well as an emotional one and it had a huge impact on the opposition.

(Scotland on Sunday 30 December 2007)

Flagnote: Scotland won the Euro 2008 qualifying game 3-1 in front of 50,589 fans at Hampden 13 October 2007.

William (Bill) Shankley (1913-1981)

Someone said “Football is more important than life and death to you” and I said “Listen it’s more important than that.

(Granada Television Chat-Show 1981)

Alan Sharp

I always experience a profound identity crisis about Scotland’s [international football] games. Profound is maybe too profound a word. Extreme is nearer the mark. For a time before, throughout and after I have the feeling that my personal worth is bound up with Scotland’s success or failure.

(We’ll Support You Evermore 1976)

See Scottish Quotations in our Features Section 

SONGS OF ROBERT BURNS

A collection of some of the best known songs by Scotland's greatest songwriter and National Bard, Robert Burns (1759 - 1796)

MY HANDSOME NELL

O once I lov’d a bonnie lass,
   Ay, and I love her still;
And whilst that virtue warms my breast,
   I’ll love my handsome Nell. 

As bonnie lasses I hae seen,
   And mony full as braw;
But for a modest gracefu’ mien,
   The like I never saw.

A bonnie lass, I will confess,
   Is pleasant to the e’e;
But without some better qualities,
   She’s no’ a lass for me.

But Nelly’s looks are blythe and sweet,
    And what is best of a’,
Her reputation is complete,
   And fair without a flaw.

She dresses aye sae clean and neat,
   Both decent and genteel;
And then there’s something in her gait
   Gars ony dress look weel.

A gaudy dress and gentle air
   May slightly touch the heart;
But it’s innocence and modesty
   That publishes the dart.

‘Tis this in Nell’s pleases me.
   ‘Tis this enchants my soul;
For absolutely in my breast
   She reigns without control.

Flagnote:  This song (his first) arose from the habit of young couples working together at the hairst and the poet falling for his partner Nelly Kilpatrick in 17773. In his first Commonplace Book Robert Burns wrote of the song in August 1783 –

I never had the least thought or inclination of turning Poet till I got once heartily in love, and the rhyme and song were, in a manner, the spontaneous language of my heart. The following composition [Handsome Nell, 1774] was the first of my performances. It is, indeed, very puerile and silly; but I am always pleased with it, as it recalls to my mind those happy days when my heart was yet honest, and my tongue was sincere.

See the SONGS OF ROBERT BURNS 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

See the SING A SANG AT LEAST in our features section

SCOTTISH FOOD, TRADITIONS AND CUSTOMS  

Tomorrow (2 February 2008) is Candlemas, the first of the Scottish Quarter Days. It was traditionally the day that pupils used to give gifts to their schoolmasters – originally peat for heat or candles for light but this in time became siller or a cockerel.

Candlemas was originally a festival for the return of Spring held by the Romans in honour of Februa, the daughter of Mars. They carried torches through the city on February the first (the same date which was celebrated by the Celts as the first day of Spring). This festival was Christianized as the Purification of the Virgin Mary and was held on February the second. In medieval Scotland it was a day of pageants, processions and religious plays in honour of Our lady, as we can see from the Burgh Records of Aberdeen for 30 January 1505 –

‘The provest and baillies statut and ordanit that the said craftsmen and thair successoris sal in order to the Offering in the Play pass twa and twa togedir socialie; in the first the flesheris, barbouris, baxteris, cordinaris, skineris. Couparis, wrichtis, hatmakeris and bonatmakaris togider; walcaris, litstaris, wobstaris, tailyeouris, goldsmiths, blaksmithis, and hammermen; and the craftsmen sal furnyss the Pageants.’

Also from the North-East comes a rhyme to help us fix the date of Easter (alternatively just contact Jim Lynch!) –

‘First comes Cannlemas and syne the new meen,
The neist Tyesday efter that is Festern’s Een;
That meen out and the neist meen’s hicht,
And the neist Sunday efter that’s aye Pace richt.’

As this is being compiled on a cranreuch caul day prior to Candlemas, it is too early to know the outcome of the bittie Scottish weather lore which goes –

‘If Candlemas day be dry and fair,
The half o the winter’s to come and mair;
If Candlemas day be wet and foul,
The half o the winter’s gane at Yule.’

February can be a snell month so this week’s recipe is designed to heat us all up! Carrot and Orange Soup is just the ticket.

Carrot and Orange Soup

Ingredients:  1 chopped onion; 1lb (450g) sliced carrots; 2 ozs (65 g or ½ stick) butter; 2 ozs (65 g or ½ cup) plain flour; 1 pint (600ml or two and a half cups) chicken stock; 1 pint (600ml or 2½ cups, scant) milk; 1 orange (juice and rind); Salt and pepper; 1 teaspoon nutmeg; 1 oz (one rounded tablespoon); chopped parsley

Method:  Melt the butter and add the onions and carrots. Cook gently (without colouring) then stir in the flour and cook for a further 1/2 minutes. Gradually add the milk and chicken stock. Season with salt, pepper and nutmeg. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly, then simmer for 20/30 minutes. Liquidise before adding orange juice (including shredded rind) and reheat - but do not boil. Serve sprinkled with parsley.