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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 407 - 21st March 2008] |
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
21 March
1425
At the order of James I, King of Scots, his cousin Murdoch Stewart, 2nd
Duke of Albany, two of his sons, Walter and Alexander, and Murdoch’s
father-in-law the Earl of Lennox were arrested. They were tried for various
crimes including extortion and beheaded in front of Stirling Castle. A third
son, James, fled into exile in Ireland.
 21
March 1689
The Scottish Convention decided to create a fleet of two frigates, the
Pelican and Janet, both of Glasgow, to patrol the west in order to prevent
supporters coming from Ireland to join James Graham of Claverhouse’s
Jacobite Rising.
21 March
2006
Death of Margaret Ewing, aged 60, outstanding Scottish National Party
parliamentarian at both Westminster and Holyrood, in Moray. She served in
Westminster for East Dunbartonshire from 1974 to 1979 and for Moray from
1987 to 2001. She was elected as MSP for Moray in 1999 and served until her
death and was highly regarded as an outstanding constituency member.
22 March
1868
Birth of Hamish MacCunn, outstanding composer and son of a shipowner, at
Greenock. He became the youngest pupil and one of the first at the newly
founded College of Music in London, and composed his best-known work, the
concert overture, ‘Land of the Mountain and the Flood’, at 17.
22 March
2007
After five years Craig Wright stood down as captain after the Scottish
cricket team suffered a dismal defeat against The Netherlands as the
national team’s World Cup campaign ended in St Kitts. Scotland lost by eight
wickets, which followed defeats to Australia and South Africa.
 24
March 2007
A last-gasp goal in the 88th minute from Craig Beattie gave Alex
McLeish a winning start as Scotland’s manager. Kris Boyd scored the other
counter as Scotland defeated Georgia 2-1 in a Euro 2008 Qualifying game at
Hampden Park, Glasgow.
25 March
1972
Birth of footballer Phil O’Donnell in Bellshill – a first team player at the
top level for 17 years, he won Scottish League and Cup winner’s medals and
played for Scotland – he tragically died after collapsing while captaining
Motherwell against Dundee United on 29 December 2007.
26 March
1934
Car driving tests were introduced.
27 March
2006
Four lorry loads containing a national treasure valued at more than £45
million arrived in Scotland from London. The Murray publishing archive was
brought by the National library of Scotland for the reduced price of £31
million. The archive of 155,000 items, including letters and manuscripts
from Lord Byron, Sir Walter Scott and Dr David Livingstone was collected by
the John Murray publishing house, founded in 1768 by Edinburgh-born John
Murray.
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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Two
of this week’s quotations from Richard J Finlay’s ‘Modern Scotland
1914-2000’ (Profile Books Ltd £12,99) published in 2004, reflect
Scotland in the early days of the 20th century, and the
other two reflect different view-points of Dr Robert D McIntyre’s
time in Westminster as the first-ever Scottish National Party MP in
1945. Richard J Finlay concentrates on the positive contribution
made by Robert McIntyre in his all too brief time in the ‘Lion’s
Den’ while the English establishment figure, Sir Harold Nicholson, a
one-time colleague of fascist Sir Oswald Mosley, obviously has no
conception of the Scottish belief that power resides, and comes
from, the people. Perhaps he never read the Declaration of Scottish
Independence sealed at Arbroath Abbey on 6 April 1320. Richard
Finlay’s excellent book traces the history of the Scottish peoples
in the 20th century, from the First World War which
radically altered the political, social and economic landscape, to
the recreation of a Scottish Parliament as the century drew to a
close.
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George R Blake (1893-1968)
To
labour in drudgery, to remain submerged, to be dumb under hard
conditions of industry and living – these are not traditions with the
working class Scot. He is of a free race, he thinks deeply, he feels
passionately, and acts vigorously, even though these actions are forced
into illogically by the passion that prompts them…The Scottish
labouring-class is a force that must and will assert itself in
self-defence, for that is the inevitable.
(Scotland
of the Scots 1919)
Professor
Richard J Finlay
The
Scottish National Party won its first parliamentary seat at Motherwell
[and Wishaw], in April 1945. The candidate, Robert McIntyre, managed to
push labour into second place, no doubt benefiting from Tory and Liberal
voters. McIntyre used his short spell in parliament to good effect, with
a number of interventions regarding social and health policy – he was a
well-known public-health specialist – and was offered a safe Labour seat
if he was prepared to switch sides. He refused. McIntyre also had the
distinction of raising the ire of Winston Churchill after his refusal to
accept sponsorship to take his seat in the Commons.
(Modern
Scotland 1914-2000, 2004)
Sir Harold
George Nicholson (1886-1968)
A young
man of the name of McIntyre has been elected as Scottish nationalist for
Motherwell [and Wishaw]. He refused to be introduced by any sponsor,
since he does not recognise the Mother of Parliaments and wishes to
advertise himself. He advanced to the Bar without sponsors and the
Speaker told him that he could not take his oath, as it was contrary to
standing orders. At which many members rose offering to sponsor the cub
and put an end to the shaming incident, but he refused. He was therefore
told to go away and think it over, which he did, shrugging vain
shoulders. Next day he thought better of it and accepted sponsors; but
even then, as he reached the box, he said, ‘I do this under protest’,
which was not liked at all. He is going to be a sad nuisance and pose as
a martyr.
(Diaries
and Letters 1966)
Flagnote:
Nicholson was an English establishment figure – for a more balanced view of
Dr Robert D McIntyre’s time in the House of Commons see quotation by
Professor Richard J Finlay.
 Mary
(Molly) Weir (1910-2004)
The
mere whisper of ‘fever’, that infant scourge, sent our mothers sick with
dread. With twelve families to a close, infection could spread like
wildfire, and the sight of the fever van struck a chill into our hearts.
But curiosity among us children was always stronger than fear and we
would gather on the pavement to catch a glimpse of a swathed figure on
its way through the close to the ambulance, and shudder with relief that
it wasn’t one of us on the stretcher.
(Shoes Were
for Sunday 1970)
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)
Chorus:
The weary pund, the weary pund,
The weary pund o' tow,
I think my wife will end her life
Before she spin her tow.
I bought my wife a stane o' lint,
As gude as e'er did grow;
And a' that she hae made o' that,
Is ae poor pund o' tow.
There sat a bottle in a bole,
Beyont the ingle lowe ;
And aye she took the tither souk,
To drouk the stourie tow.
Quoth I, for shame, ye dirty dame,
Gae spin your tap o' tow !
She took the rock and wi' a knock
She brak it o'er my pow.
At last her feet, I sang to see't -
Gaed foremost o'er the knowe;
And 'or I wad another jad,
I'll wallop in a tow.
Footnote: Robert Burns modelled this song on
an older one with the same title.
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
S.N.P.
- SCOTTISH NAVAL PATROL
by Jim McLean
We'll keek in every corner roon the North
Sea tae the Clyde.
For naebody will stowaway when we sail wi
the tide.
We'll mke sure the Duke of Edinburgh is on
the other side,
When Scotland sails away.
Chorus :
We'll dig a trench along the border
We'll dig a trench along the bordere
We'll dig a channel frae the Solway tae the
Tweed
And we'll sail away from England wi the SNP.
We'll steer for warmer waters far away frae
England's freeze;
And them wi queazie bellies may remain
wher'er they please;
And strut aboot in London toun showin aff
their knees;
When scotland sails away.
We'll maroon the tartan tories on an island
in the mist
Wi copies of Sir Walter Scott and then if
they insist,
We'll gie them Andy Stewart for their Desert
Island disc
When Scotland sails away.
There's sailors doun in Cumbernauld and up
in Stornoway,
There comin in frae Aberdeen, Dundee and Inver'ay,
In Glasgow you can hear them roar
"Anchors away".
When Scotland sails away.
Footnote: This song, a favourite of Margaret Ewing MSP, who
tragically died two years ago (21 March 2006), reminds me of the
splendid verse by the late Irish writer Brendan Behan –
The sea, O the sea, a gradh gheal mo
chroidhe.
Oh long may you roll between England and me,
God help the poor Scotsmen - they'll never
be free
But we're entirely surrounded by Water!
It was a very popular number at many a late
night Nationalist ceilidh and was recorded by Alastair McDonald amongst
others.
See the
SING A SANG AT LEAST in our
features section
SCOTTISH FOOD, TRADITIONS
AND CUSTOMS
The custom of giving eggs at the time of
the Spring Equinox was known to the early Egyptians, Persians, Greeks,
Romans, Gauls and many other people. This ancient fertility symbol was
adapted by early Christianity in connection with the miracle of the
Resurrection and the Feast of Eggs became attached to the celebration
of Easter. In Scotland eggs were also used in the Beltane rites ( 1
May ), and like bannocks, were rolled downhill in imitation of the
movement of the sun. In Christian times, the rolling of the egg is
supposed to represent the rolling away of the the stone from the tomb
of the risen Christ.
The practice of colouring the eggs is also
ancient. The Persians dyed theirs red, and still use coloured eggs
representing the flowers of the field. In Scotland, country bairns
used to gather whin blossoms and other growing things with which to
dye their eggs. Commercial Easter Eggs seem to dominate now-a-days but
it is far more fun for bairns, of all ages, to make the real thing!
Eggs are traditionally given out on Easter Sunday and lets revive the
practise of rolling your Pasch ( Scots for Easter ) Egg.
Easter Eggs - take as many eggs as
necessary, 1 pt of water, 2 teaspoonfuls salt and for decoration:
onion skins, flower petals, cochineal or other colouring matter for
dyeing. Put eggs, dyeing material and salt in a pan - bring to the
boil slowly and simmer for about 20 minutes. The dyed eggs can be
further decorated with paint and crayons with drawings and patterns.
Just use your imagination. Sinsyne awa an rowe yir Pasch Egg!
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)
As I was walking all alane
I heard twa corbies making a mane:
The tane unto the tither did say
"Whar sall we gang and dine the
day?"
"In behint you auld fail dyke.
I wot there lies a new slain knight;
And naebody kens that he lies there
But his hawk, his hound, and his lay fair.
COMPLETE POEM
My Hoggie
by Robert Burns
Click here to listen
to this in Real Audio read by Caitlin Wallace
What will I do gin my Hoggie
die?
My joy, my pride, my Hoggie!
My only beast, I had nae mae,
And vow but I was vogie!
The lee-lang night we watch'd the fauld,
Me and my faithfu' doggie;
We heard nocht but the roaring linn,
Amang the braes sae scroggie.
But the houlet cry'd frae the castle wa',
The blitter frae the boggie;
The tod reply'd upon the hill,
I trembled for my Hoggie.
When day did daw, and cocks did craw,
The morning it was foggie;
An unco tyke, lap o'er the dyke,
And maist has kill'd my Hoggie!
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
East Fife Training
At the
beginning of the 2007-2008 football season Flag contributor 11-year-old
Caitlin Wallace offered the under-noted advice to her favourite team –
East Fife. The advice worked as East Fife wrapped up the Third Division
League Championship on Saturday past (15 March 2008) with a 3-0 away win
over East Stirlingshire, becoming the first team in Scotland, indeed one
of the first in Europe, to secure a league title this season. Wild
celebrations followed, especially as it is 60 years since The Fife’s
only other League Championship success in 1948. Hopefully Caitlin will
not to wait so long to see another Fife Championship success!
"Now lads, this is a ba'. You kick ba'. Next slide
please."
Postscript- Caitlin, with a
little assistance from her Granda Peter, manning the new East Fife Club Shop on
its opening day – Saturday 8 March 2008. We are grateful to East Fife
photographer James Corstorphine for permission to use the photograph. We also
note that local Scottish National Party MSP Tricia Marwick laid down a motion on
17 March 2008 in the Scottish Parliament calling on her colleagues to
congratulate East Fife. The motion reads –
‘That the Parliament congratulates East Fife FC for winning promotion to
division two, notes that they are the first team in Britain to achieve promotion
in season 2007/08 and applauds the efforts of the players, management and
coaches for their magnificent achievement which has brought such joy to the
people of the Methil area who can look forward to further success next season.’
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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