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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 422 - 4th July 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
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One of
the invaluable suggestions by Electric Scotland’s Alastair McIntyre
whilst discussing setting up Flag in the Wind was that should be a
weekly section of Scottish History Dates. This was duly done and at
the beginning of June The Flag’s history time-line had reached some
2,100 dates, giving a fascinating glimpse of Scottish History. An
ever-expanding feature it gives an interesting back-up to James
Halliday’s splendid ‘Scotland: A Concise History’
which you can also find in The Flag’s features.
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4 July 1600
Jean Livingstone, Lady Warriston, daughter of John Livingstone of Dunipace,
was beheaded at the foot of the Canongate, Edinburgh, for the murder of her
husband John Kincaid of Warriston.
 5
July 1656
Birth of John Hamilton, 2nd Lord Belhaven, leading opponent of
the 1707 incorporating Union between Scotland and England.
I think I
see a free and independent kingdom delivering up that which all the
world hath been fighting for, since the days of Nimrod; yea, that for
which most of all the Empires, Kingdoms, States and Principalities and
Dukedoms of Europe, are at this time engaged in the most bloody and
cruel wars that ever were, to wit a power to manage their own affairs by
themselves without the assistance and counsel of any other.
(Speech opposing the incorporating Union between Scotland and England 2
November 1706)
5 July
1880
Miss Duthie, noted Aberdeen benefactor, stated her intention of
presenting Aberdeen with a public park to perpetuate the memory of her
uncles and brothers. The Duthie Park was officially opened in 1883 by
Princess Beatrice.
6 July 1820
The eighteen radicals taken prisoner at the Battle of Bonnymuir were
arrainged.
6 July 1919
The British airship R34 arrived at Mineola, New York, from East fortune,
East Lothian, becoming the first airship to cross the Atlantic. The flight
took 108 hours.
6 July 1991
The Piper Alpha memorial, sculpted by Sue Taylor, was unveiled by the Queen
Mother in Hazelhead Park, Aberdeen.
8 July 1760
Death of Lord George Murray, outstanding exiled Jacobite commander, in
Holland.
8 July 2007
Colin Montgomery pulled off his first tour victory in 19 months in winning
the European Open by one stroke at the K Club, Dublin.
8 July 2007
Jamie Murray and Jelena Jankevic won the mixed doubles final at Wimbleton
with a 6-4, 3-6. 6-1 win over Jonas Bjorkman and Alicia Molik. Murray was
the first Scottish winner at Wimbleton since Edinburgh-born Harold Mahoney
(usually referred to as Irish) was singles champion in 1896.
10 July 2007
Police confirmed that more than a thousand antique coins, dating back to
1136 and worth around £500,000, had been stolen from the home of Lord and
Lady Stewarthy at Broughton near Peebles.
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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In
celebration of 4 July and the 1776 Declaration of American
Independence, this week starts with a quotation from John Adams, 2nd
President of the United States of America (1797-1801) and contains
the 350th source of quotations – the outstanding modern
Scottish poet Professor Edwin Morgan. At 88 years young, Edwin
Morgan has just won the £25,000 Sundail Scottish Arts Council Book
of the Year Award for his most recent collection ‘A Book of Lives’.
Not an award for a life-time achievement but simply recognition that
his writing in the words of SAC director of literature Gavin Wallace
- ‘his work still has all the creative daring, energy, eclecticism
and willingness to take risks of an 18-year-old.’
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John Adams
(1735-1826)
Many of them were Scotchmen in their plaids and their music was
delightful. Even the bagpipe was not disagreeable.
Gerry Hasson
Scotland
has become a more confident, diverse society and a place that sees
itself as more of a nation than ever before, and it expects its
government, national politicians and leaders in public life to reflect
this sea change. Alex Salmond has, in a way, been both a product of this
change and aided it, and it is difficult to imagine the office of First
Minister ever going back to the dismal, minimalist politics of Jack
McConnell.
(The Scotsman
19 May 2008)
Flagnote: In
his article Gerry Hasson also correctly predicted that Wendy Alexander would
resign as Leader of the Scottish Labour MSPs.
Annie Lennox
I think
that [an independent] Scotland could take a stand in a wonderful way,
ecologically and morally and ethically. Scotland could stand for
something in the way that Norway has done historically… Scotland could
have some kind of new, ethical, visionary stance and it could take on
some fresh ideas. That could be amazing, really amazing.
(The Scotsman
27 June 2008)
Professor
Edwin Morgan
You’ve got
to write in the way that’s true to you. I leave pessimism to the others.
(The Scotsman
21 June 2008)
Anna (Nan)
Shepherd (1893-1981)
Scotland
is bounded on the south by England, on the east by the rising sun, on
the north by the Arory-bory-Alice, and on the west by Eternity.
(The Quarry
Wood 1928)
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)
AS I WAS A
WAND’RING
As
I was a wand’ring ae midsummer e’enin,
The pipers and youngsters aere makin their game,
Amang them I spyed my faithless fause luver,
Which bled a’ the wounds o’ my dolour again.
Chorus:
Weel , since he has left me, may pleasure gae wi’ him;
I may be distress’d, but I winna complain:
I’ll flatter my fancy I may get anither,
My heart it shall never be broken for ane.
I
could na get sleepin till dawin, for greetin;
The tears trickl’d down like the hail and the rain:
Had I na got greetin, my heart wad a broken,
For Oh, luve forsaken’s a tormenting pain!
Although he has left me for greed o’ the siller,
I dinna envy him the gains he can win:
I rather wad bear a’ the lade o’ my sorrow,
Than ever hae acted sae faithless to him.
Flagnote: I
was reminded of this bonnie sang when listening to BBC Scotland’s ‘Take The
Floor’ on Saturday night – beautifully sung - unfortunately I missed the
singer’s name! Two versions of this are given as the work of Robert Burns,
but Burns expert James Kinsley asserts that only the last verse is by Burns.
At worst this is yet another song saved by our National bard for the Nation.
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
THE GALLANT
MURRAY
Traditional
Wha will ride wi' gallant Murray
Wha will ride for Geordie's sel'
He's the flower o' Glen Isla
And the darlin' o' Dunkeld
See the white rose in his bonnet
See his banner o'er the Tay
His guid sword he now has drawn it
And has flung his sheath away
Every faithfu' Murray follows
First of heroes, best of men
Every true and trusty Stewart
Blythely leaves his native glen
Athol lads are lads of honour
Westland rogues are rebels a'
When we come within their border
We may gar the Campbell's claw
Menzies he's our friend and brother
Gask and Strowan are nae slack
Noble Perth has ta'en the field
And a' the Drummonds at his back
Let us ride wi' gallant Murray
Let us fight for Charlie's crown
From the right we'll never sinder
Til we bring the tyrants down
MacIntosh the gallant sodger
Wi' the Grahams and Gordons gay
They have ta'en the field of honour
Spite of all their chiefs could say
Point the musket Bend the rapier
Shift the brog for Lowland shoe
Scour the durk and face the danger
MacIntosh has all to do
Repeat first verse
Footnote: A song about the byous Lord George Murray, the outstanding
Jacobite commander, which was published in Hogg’s Jacobite Relics. Lord
George Murray (1694-1760), son of John Murray, 1st Duke of
Atholl. Was out in both the 15 and 19 Jacobite Ridings and after a few
years fighting abroad he was pardoned and returned to Scotland in the
late 1720s. In spite of many reservations he joined Prince Charles
Edward Stewart in Perth during the 45 Rising. His relationship with the
Prince was always fragile, In spite of the comment by Fitzroy Maclean
that Lord George was “the military genius of the 45”, the Prince
listened to others!. He proved his military skill at Prestonpans, the
retreat from Derby and Clifton, and the last major Jacobite victory at
Falkirk, Murray didn’t want to fight at Culloden, but the right wing,
under his command, was the only section to leave the field in reasonably
good order and he proceeded to Ruthven. On receiving the order to
disband he went to France and died in exile on 8 July 1760. I have little time
for BPC but hold Lord George Murray, and the men who fought out of
loyalty and for Scotland, in the highest regard.
SCOTTISH FOOD, TRADITIONS
AND CUSTOMS
The inspiration for this 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.'
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)
Lammas: Term starting on 1st August
The news frae Moidart cam yestreen
Will soon gar
mony ferlie;
For ships o war hae juist come in,
And landit
Royal Chairlie.
COMPLETE POEM
Dandie
by W D Cocker
Click here to
listen to this in RealAudio read by Marilyn P Wright
Cocker was born in Glasgow and
worked there as a journalist on the Daily Record, but his poems
mostly evoke the Stirlingshire farms of his mother’s family.
Come in ahint, ye wan’erin’ tyke!
Did ever a body see yer like?
Wha learnt ye a’ thae poacher habits?
Come in ahint, ne’er heed the rabbits!
Noo bide there, or I’ll warm yer lug!
My certie! ca’ yersel’ a doug?
Noo ower the dyke all’ through the park:
Let’s see if ye can dae some wark.
Way wide there, fetch them tae the fank!
Way wide there, ‘yont the burn’s bank!
Get roon’ aboot them! Watch the gap!
Hey, Dandie, haud them frae the slap!
Ye’ve got them noo, that’s no sae bad:
Noo bring them in, guid lad! guid lad!
Noo tak’ them canny ower the knowe —
Hey, Dandie, kep that mawkit yowe!
The tither ane, hey’, lowse yer grip!
The yowe, ye foumart, no’ the tip!
Ay, that’s the ane, guid doug! guid doug!
Noo haud her canny, dinna teug!
She’s mawkit bad; ay, shair’s I’m born
We’ll hae tae dip a wheen the morn.
Noo haud yer wheesht, ye yelpin’ randie,
An’ dinna fricht them, daft doug Dandie!
He’s ower the dyke — the de’il be in’t!
Ye wan’erin’ tyke, come in ahint!
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
Words Without End
A noted Minister invited to preach at a
country kirk was asked by the beadle
"Hae ye skrievit yir sermon?"
When
the reverend gentleman replied that he had, the beadle exclaimed -
"A'm fell gled, because whan you fowk cum
wi a paper, we ken ye'll stap whan it staps, bit whan ye hae nae paper,
the Guid Lord hislane disnae ken whan ye're likelie fir ti
feenish."
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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