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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 420 - 20th June 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
20 June 1922
Dingwall War Memorial was unveiled by Sir Hector Munro of Foulis. Situated
on the burgh’s High Street, the memorial was designed by A G Joass and cast
in bronze by Sir Alex Stevenson of London.
 20
June 1981
After a record five world title wins by a Scot, Jim Watt, Glasgow, lost his
world lightweight title on points to Nicaraguan Alexis Arguello at Wembley,
London, England.
22 June 1772
Slavery was outlawed in Britain.
22 June 2007
Legendary New York-based photographer Harry Benson returned to his hometown
of Glasgow to receive an honorary degree from Glasgow School of Art.
23 June 1867
Death of Glasgow-born Horatio McCulloch, noted landscape painter,
particularly of the Highlands, in Edinburgh. His paintings epitomised the
romantic mid 19th century view of Scotland and as with many
Victorian painters his reputation waned in the early 20th
century.
 23
June 1952
A controversial acquisition, Salvador Dali’s Christ of St John of the Cross,
went on display at Glasgow’s Kelvingrove Art Gallery. It was voted
Scotland’s favourite painting in 2005.
23 June 1967
William Ross, Secretary of State for Scotland, officially opened an
extension at the Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy.
25 June 1746
The banner of the Keppoch Macdonalds was burned at Glasgow Mercat Cross.
Fifteen Jacobite colours had previously been burnt in Edinburgh. Macdonald
of Keppoch led 200 men at Culloden and fell mortally wounded.
26 June 1559
Protestant Reformers took Perth from a French garrison in the wake of John
Knox’s fiery May sermon at St John’s Church, Perth, launching the
Reformation.
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 is the 150th week of this feature and we
celebrate with quotations from two successful American
businessmen – one a native born Scot – Andrew Carnegie - and the
other with a Gaelic speaking Scottish mother – Donald Trump.
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Andrew
Carnegie (1835-1919)
America
would have been a very poor show had it not been for the Scots.
Donald John
Trump
I think
this land is special. I think that Scotland is special.
(Visiting his
mother’s former home at Tung on Lewis 9 June 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)
BRUCE'S ADDRESS AT BANNOCKBURN (SCOTS WHA HAE)
"Scots Wha Hae"
Sung by Gaberlunzie
Scot! 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 celebrate Scotland’s Day – 23 June – and the victory
at Bannockburn than our 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)
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
BANNOCKBURN
Jim McLean
High over Bannockburn, battle of no return.
Bruce ranked his Scottishmen all in good order.
Down on the other side - fifty divisions wide.
Edward had brought his men over the border.
Armoured from head to fist, glimpsed through the morning mist
Soldiers of Robert Bruce awaiting the order.
Down on the lower ground, trumpets and bugles sound
Edward of England had crossed over the border.
Proud was the English king, loud did his harpists sing.
Scatter the Scottishmen all in disorder,
'Death' shouted Robert Bruce, 'Death ere we sign a truce.
Chase the sassenach back o'er the border'.
'Now' shouted Bruce the king 'We'll either die or win.
Into the enemy all in good order.
Freedom for Scotland and death to King Edward's men.
Chase the sassenach back o'er the border'.
Face to face across the Bannockburn ;
Spears and swords are held in good order.
Lines of steel in waves begin to move,
Grim and steady to die for the border.
'On them! On them!' hear the Douglas shout.
'Smash their ranks in utter disorder'.
Shields and spears and swords together clash.
Screams of death are heard o'er the border.
Slashing and clashing the Bannockburn flows with blood.
Horses and soldiers in mangled disorder.
Yelling and felling the grass is a gory red.
Out with the sassenach. Out o'er the border.
Freedom and right was the slogan of Robert Bruce.
Chains for the slaves shouted Edward of England.
Death to the sassenach, we'll be free at last.
Chase the sassenach back o'er the border.
Chase the sassenach back o'er the border.
Footnote:
Every year the Scottish National Party hold a Rally on the field of
Bannockburn to commemorate the regaining of Scottish Freedom in the 14th
century: this year the Rally falls this Saturday.
SCOTTISH FOOD, TRADITIONS
AND CUSTOMS
 This
weekend at Scotland’s largest agricultural show – the Royal highland Show
2008 – you can see everything from the gentle giants, the massive Clydesdale
down to the slightly smaller ferret. Some 150,000 people are expected to
attend the show at its Ingliston home in Edinburgh from Thursday 19 to
Sunday 22 June. The record crowd was in 1957 at Dundee when 163,917 paid at
the gate – with good weather could this long standing record be beaten in
2008? The four-day event is staged by the Royal Highland and Agricultural
Society of Scotland (RHASS) which can trace its history back to meeting in
the autumn of 1783 in the Royal Exchange of Edinburgh – the building which
is now the City Chambers. The Highland Show used to tour Scotland with a
different venue every year but has had a settled venue at Ingliston since
1960. For the past few years the possibility of a move has hung over the
venue, depending on expansion at the nearby Edinburgh airport, but the RHASS
has a contingency plan in place to move to a new site.
 Meantime
we can enjoy the Show in its present location with something for all the
family including a discovery centre for the bairns. Visit
www.royalhighlandshow.com for full details of this fabulous event.
With over 1,000 exhibitors and more than 4,000 animals there is plenty to
see and as you would expect at an agricultural show food, drink and cooking
plays a major part. As Scotland produces some of the best beef in the world
our recipe this week - Scotch Beef Balmoral
- takes full advantage of this fact.
Scotch Beef Balmoral
Ingredients:
700g (1lb 9oz) Scotch fillet of Beef or rolled rib eye of
Scotch beef; 1 tbsp olive oil; 1 large onion or 6 shallots, finely chopped;
6 tbsp whisky liqueur such as Drambuie; 150ml (1/4 pt) Scottish double
cream; 2 tbsp wholegrain Highland or Arran mustard; 1 tbsp freshly chopped
parsley or chives; salt and freshly ground black pepper
Method: Place the meat in a
roasting tin, season with some pepper and drizzle a little
of the olive oil. Cook in a preheated oven 220’C / 200’C Fan
/ Gas 8 for 20 minutes per 500g for rare or 25 minutes per
500g for medium rare.
Remove the cooked meat and wrap in foil to rest whilst you
prepare the sauce. Transfer the roasting tin to the hob and
add the remaining olive oil and chopped shallots to the pan
juices. Cook gently for 3-4 minutes, loosening any tasty
meat residue then stir in the liqueur, cream and mustard
Bring to a gentle simmer to reduce slightly. Season
to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Slice the meat onto warmed plates and spoon some sauce over
the slices. Garnish with a scattering of fresh parsley and
serve at once. Good with rice or new potatoes.
Serves 4
See
our
Scottish Food, Traditions and Customs
in our Features section
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)
dirl: clatter; pierce; reverberate; throb;
blow; vibration
Paint Scotland greetan owre her thrissle,
Her mutchkin stowp as toom's a whissle;
An' damn'd Excise-men in a bussle,
Seizan a Stell,
Triumphant crushan't like a mussel
Or laimpet shell.
COMPLETE POEM
Be Waukrife, Scotland!
by W D Cocker
Click here to listen to this in RealAudio read by
Marilyn P Wright
This poem appeared in the March 1931
issue of the Scots Independent. W D Cocker was born in Glasgow and
worked there as a jounalist on the Daily Record, but his poems
mostly evoke the Stirlingshire farms of his mother's family.
Wae's me ! auld Scotland's in a dwam ;
The Lion Rampant's lost his smeddum,
An' coories like a frichtit lamb,
Puir dwaibly cratur, wha would dread 'm?
Be waukrife, Scotland ! Up an' roar,
An' get ye into fechtin' fettle ;
Dinna be blate, in days o' yore
Ye were na feart to show your mettle.
Ower lang ye've tholed the Saxon rule,
A "Union" that but meant suppression,
Ye've learned, in bitter days o' dool,
What England gets by that concession.
They've ryped your pooch, an' taxed ye sair,
They've taen the last bite frae your mooth ;
They've strippit puir auld
Scotland bare,
An' spent the siller in the sooth.
Wi' alien croods your toons are thrang,
Your industries hae dwined awa',
Your sons ayont the seas maun gang,
Or thowless-like the "dole" maun draw.
An' what's cam' ower the glens an' hills,
Whaur bonnie crofts the e'e did cheer?
To mak' a sport for feckless fules
They've laid bare for droves o' deer.
Gude kens, we wish the Empire weel,
We'll no' ding doon the Constitution,
Gin we're respeckit - wha the deil
Thinks Scotland's sons want Revolution?
But yet oor ain affairs we'll redd,
An' guide oorsels. Then dinna swither,
By Wallace an' the bluid he shed,
For Scotland's richts, let's staun thegither!
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
Life's Brief Candle
The day of the funeral had come and gone and
the old widow was receiving a visit of condolence from some of her friends
in the village who were reminding her that brief life was here our
portion.
"Its juist the wey o the warld, Mistress
McKay" said one of them putting in her word of comfort. "Here the day an
gane the morn!"
"Ay!" was the matter-of-fact reply "juist
like a bloomin circus!"
Click here to listen to this joke Read and listen to Jokes in our
Scot Wit section
Concert in
St Giles Friday 4 Jul 2008
"Fredome is a nobill thing!" cried the poet John Barbour in 1375 near the
outset of his epic poem "The Bruce". Those words will be heard, sung to
magnificent music by Ronald Stevenson, who is eighty this year, at the end
of a historic and uniquely Scottish choral concert in St Giles Cathedral on
Friday 4th July, starting at 8 p.m. The world famous ensemble Cappella Nova
are singing a programme entitled "Voices of Scotland", consisting of music
written as early as 800 AD and as recently as 2002, setting poetry by
fifteen Scottish poets - written between 597 AD and 1580. The poets include
not only John Barbour and Blind Harry, author of "The Wallace", but George
Buchanan and Mary Queen of Scots, as well as several anonymous poets writing
in Latin. The programme covers the whole of´ Scotland, with music from the
Northern Isles (the Hymn to St Magnus of Orkney, c.1100) to Lincluden in
Ayrshire and Sprouston in the Borders, and from Iona and Glasgow (hymns to
St Kentigern) in the west to St Andrews in the east. Edinburgh is
represented by a setting of Ps.126 in Latin by Patrick Douglas, who was a
priest of St Giles Cathedral before the Reformation of 1560. This will be
the first time his music has been heard in St Giles since that time.
Part One of the concert
opens with plainchant for St Columba, preserved in a manuscript from
Inchcolm Abbey in the Firth of Forth, and a work dating from 2000 by Rebecca
Rowe, "Elegy for Colum Cille". This sets a lament for the death of St
Columba by his disciple Dallan Forgaill, as paraphrased by the modern St
Andrews-based poet Brian Johnstone. Patrick Douglas's psalm 126 of c.1550
speaks of the joy of exiles returning to their homeland. The first half ends
with Gabriel Jackson's 2002 piece "Warldis Vanitie: ane mirroure for Marie
Stuart", which sets five different poems chronicling the life of Mary Queen
of Scots, including one by the queen herself. Starting in a blaze of light
and optimism, Jackson’s cycle ends in deep darkness.
Part Two moves back towards the light, with music for St Magnus and
plainchant for St Kentigern. and a radiantly beautiful piece from 1530 by
David Peebles of St Andrews Cathedral. George Buchanan's wonderful poetic
paraphrases Ps.19 and Ps.72, set to music by the German Statius Olthoff in
1585, lead joyfully to all the optimism of the royal wedding between
Scotland and Norway in 1281, with the Latin hymn "From thee the light
arises, O sweet Scotland". The death of the Maid of Norway was what led to
the conquest of Scotland by Edward I of England, and so this leads straight
into Ronald Stevenson's great "Mediaeval Scottish Triptych" of 1967.
Stevenson found his three texts in Hugh MacDiarmid's incomparable "Golden
Treasury of Scottish Poetry". The first is "When Alexander our king was
dead", the second "Wallace’s Lament for the Graham" by Blind Harry, and the
third is Barbour's "Fredome". Ronald Stevenson, who is 80 this year, is one
of Scotland's senior creative artists. A personal friend of poets like
Sorely MacLean, Hugh MacDiarmid, Sidney Goodsir Smith and Norman MacCaig, he
has taken a lifelong interest in all of Scotland's history and poetry. He
has set over 200 Scottish poems to music, in Scots, Gaelic and English. This
whole remarkable concert programme is a celebrating of his beloved Scotland
and her poetry and her music. Tickets are only £10, £7 concessions,
available from the Queens Hall Box Office, Edinbúrgh (tel. 0131 668 2019).
boxoffice@queenshalledinburgh.org , or at the door on the night.
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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