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"    

Wendy Alexander

We [Labour] have no divine right to be elected, no automatic call on the people’s support.

(23 March 2008)

Gerry Hasson

This all leaves Scottish Labour in a state of denial. Having been the political establishment [in Scotland] for the past 50 years, Labour has fallen for its own hype and chosen to believe it has a divine right to rule.

(The Scotsman 28 March 2008)

Hamish Macdonell

Exactly a year ago, the SNP was heading for a narrow election victory. The one-seat margin over Labour was so tight that hardly anyone thought Mr Salmond could form a government, let alone survive for a year. That he has done both, and done so with decisiveness is a credit to the way the SNP has gone about its business in government.

(The Scotsman 29 April 2008)

Alexander (Alex) Elliot Anderson Salmond

I am happy to test support for enhanced devolution, along with support for independence for Scotland.

(26 March 2008)

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)
 

John Anderson my jo, John,
   When we were first acquent;
Your locks were like the raven,
   Your bonie brow was brent;
But now your brow is beld, John,
   Your locks are like the snaw;
But blessings on your frosty pow,
   John Anderson my jo! 

John Anmderson my jo, john,
   We clamb the hill thegither;
And mony a canty day John,
   We’ve had wi’ ane anither;
Now we maun totter down, John,
   And hand in hand we’ll go;
And sleep thegither at the foot,
   John Anderson my jo!

Flagnote:  The ‘drawing-room ‘version of a song celebrating a long and happy relationship – for the raunchier version, more suited for the folk circuit, please consult a copy of ‘The Merry Muses’, as it is too ‘blue’ for the Flag!

See the SING A SANG AT LEAST in our features section

SCOTTISH FOOD, TRADITIONS AND CUSTOMS

The John Mann Park in Carnwath should be a colourful spectacle on Saturday 22 June 2008 as the town celebrates the 500^th anniversary of the famous Red Hose Race. The race usually restricted to Carnwath and the adjoining parishes has been expanded this year to everyone over the age of sixteen living in South Lanarkshire – but the three-mile race will be restricted to 150 runners. A Fun Day has been organised around the race and those attending are encouraged to wear medieval dress in order to mark the event’s origin which goes back to a Charter by James IV, King of Scots, to John, third Lord Somerville ordering that the race winner should be given a pair of red hose. A fast runner, easily identified, was a military necessity, as the runner could quickly bring word to Edinburgh of the approach of any invading English army. The race has continued down five centuries and in 2006 was entered in the Guinness Book of Records as the ‘Oldest Road race’ in the world.

Among the competitions surrounding the race this year will be the opportunity to become the official Red Hose Knitter. This is open to all knitters in South Lanarkshire, and all you have to do is take your pair of red knitted hose along on the 22 June 2008.

Carnwath has a long history – in the middle of its golf course the Libberton Motte is an impressive relic of the earthworks of a fortification possibly built by William de Sommerville (d 1160) who came from Yorkshire, England, to Scotland in the train of David I, King of Scots. The Sommervilles went on to live in the ruined Couthally Castle and founded a collegiate church of which the north aisle (15^th century) survives next to a later parish church. A burgh of barony since 1451, Carnwath underwent industrial development in the 18^th century when two brothers from London called Wilson established an iron foundry (1779) and coalmining followed in the 19^th century. The town’s Market Cross dates from 1516, shortly after the famous Red Hose Race was run for the first.

Red Hose is not on the menu this week but Red Cabbage is – a delicious accompaniment to dishes such as venison or pork,

Red Cabbage and Apples

Serves 10-12

Ingredients:   2 lb (1 kg) red cabbage; 1 lb (450 g) cooking apples, peeled, cored and chopped small;    1 lb (450 g) onions, chopped small; 1 clove garlic, chopped very small; ¼ whole nutmeg, freshly grated; ¼ level teaspoon ground cinnamon; ¼ level teaspoon ground cloves; 3 level tablespoons brown sugar; 3 tablespoons wine vinegar; ½ oz (15 g) butter; salt and freshly milled black pepper

Method:  Pre-heat the oven to gas mark 2, 300°F (150°C). 

First discard the tough outer leaves of the cabbage, cut it into quarters and remove the hard stalk. Then shred the rest of the cabbage finely, using your sharpest knife (although you can shred it in a food processor, I prefer to do it by hand: it doesn't come out so uniform). Next, in a fairly large casserole, arrange a layer of shredded cabbage seasoned with salt and pepper, then a layer of chopped onions and apples with a sprinkling of garlic, spices and sugar. Continue with these alternate layers until everything is in.

Now pour in the wine vinegar, lastly add dots of butter on the top. Put a tight lid on the casserole and let it cook very slowly in the oven for 2-2½ hours, stirring everything around once or twice during the cooking. Red cabbage, once cooked, will keep warm without coming to any harm, and it will also re-heat very successfully. And, yes, it does freeze well so, all in all, it's a real winner of a recipe.