With the Scots Independent volunteers all busy packing for the 70th Annual National Conference of the Scottish National Party, thoughts are very much focused on the various activities on behalf of the newspaper next week in Inverness.

 

As always these will focus around the traditional SI stall in the marquee beside the Eden Court Theatre where the Conference takes place (22 - 25 September 2004). The stall offers a wide range of new Scottish, bargain and second-hand books, Saltires and badges, Scottish made soap (Caurnies of Kirkintilloch), Cds and much more. Sharing the stall space will be the Celtic League, with Alba Branch secretary Iain Ramsay in attendance. Iain is keen to sign up new members - so be warned. See Links for details of the Celtic League. 

 

Included among the books is one hot off the press and published by the Scots Independent - 'Andrew Fletcher The Patriot' by Kenneth Fraser. History graduate and retired Librarian Kennth Fraser will be in attendance at the book's launch on Thursday 23 September 2004 in the Lounge Bar of the Haugh Bar, Inverness, at 12.30pm.The book tells the life-story of the greatest opponent of the 1707 Union - Andrew Fletcher of Saltoun - and publication was ensured through a well supported subscription list. The Haugh Bar is within easy walking distance of the Eden Court. Walk across the Infirmary Bridge (footbridge near Eden Court), pass the War Memorial (worth a visit) onto Haugh Road, head towards Inverness Castle and you will find the welcoming Haugh Bar. Distinguished author Paul Henderson Scott has been invited to speak at the launch. The book costs £7.99 plus £1 p&p - available from Scots Independent (Newspapers) Ltd, 51 Cowane Street, Stirling FK8 1JW.

 

An opportunity to meet the new Scots Independent editorial team - Professor James and Dr Jennifer Taggart - takes place on Friday 24 September 2004 at 5.30pm in the Cinema, Eden Court. Enjoy a glass of wine and meet the new team in a relaxed, but hopefully, stimulating discussion session. The views of readers, indeed non-readers, are very important for the paper's future.The 2004 Inverness Conference will see a major sales drive for new postal subscribers and the October issue of the SI will be available from Friday afternoon onwards.

 

Conference is a busy time for all those attending but we would, weather permitting, recommend a walk which all delegates, observers, media folk, stallholders etc should enjoy. From the Eden Court, you can wander about a mile to the peaceful Ness Islands, an attractive public park reached and linked by Edwardian bridges. Laid out with mature trees and shrubs, the islands are a favourite spot for anglers and the perfect place to recharge your batteries during a break from the hectic activity of Conference.

 

As the City of Inverness is the Capital of the Highlands, this week our recipe has a Highland flavour - Hatted Kit - indeed it is a very old Highland dish. But as you need your own cow, it is probably a bit impractical for the average 21st century family! It is taken from the SWRI Jubilee Cookery Book with our grateful thanks.

 

Hatted Kit

 

Warm slightly over the fire 2 pints of buttermilk. Pour it into a dish and carry it to the side of a cow, Milk into it about 1 pint of milk, having previously put into the dish sufficient rennet for the whole. After allowing it to stand for a while, lift the curd, place it on a sieve, and press the whey through until the curd is quite stiff. Season with sugar and nutmeg before serving, whip some thick cream, season it also with a little grated nutmeg and sugar and mix gently with the curd.

 

The contributor of the recipe to the SWRI pointed out that the dish can be quite well made without milking the cow into it, although her mother always considered that direct milking put a better hat on the kit.