The Rampant Scotland Newsletter - your weekly insight into what has been happening in Scotland, snipped from the Scottish media, for Scots in Scotland and abroad, bringing you news, events plus a Scottish magazine section. Printed with 100% recycled electrons.Previous editions of this Newsletter are available in the Archive> and the Index to the other pages of the Rampant Scotland site is available here>.
The Scottish Snippets Newsletter in its original format began in April 1997 and continued in an unbroken series for 591 issues. Although no longer produced in that format there is now a regular update on the new and updated pages on the Rampant Scotland site and also "Scottie's Diary" on an intermittent basis, To receive this, kust send an e-mail to Scottie with "Subscribe Newsletter" in the subject line.
Current Affairs
Historical Affairs - Topical Items from Scotland's Past
Entertainment
Scots Abroad
Sport
Magazine Section
Where else would you like to go in Scotland?
Facelift Planned for Princes Street
Princes Street used to be Scotland's premier shopping location, but in recent years it has declined and is now 25th in the UK's retail league - with upstarts like Buchanan Street in Glasgow out-ranking the Capital. The City Council (responsible over the years for the planning decisions that took the heart out of the up-market street), has frequently bewailed the decline and announced grandiose plans to revitalise it. Fortunately, projects such as building under Princes Street itself and creating a shopping mall to overlook Princes Street Gardens on the other side, have fallen by the wayside. But this week the City Council announced a "massive facelift" over the next ten years to bring the thoroughfare back to its former position and international reputation. The aim is to tackle one block of the street at a time, in a so-called "string of pearls" approach. The hope is to eventually transform the whole street with more public spaces, restaurants, hotels and more arcades linking through to Rose Street, which runs parallel to Princes Street, one block to the north. But the City Council does not own any of the buildings so it is a question of persuading landlords to invest in upgrading their properties. Inevitably, that could be a long haul.
Energy Institute Disappoints Aberdeen
For many years, Aberdeen's huge involvement in North Sea oil and gas fields, resulted in it being called the "energy capital of Europe" as it has widened its involvement in projects in other parts of the world as well. So there was surprise and disappointment in the Granite City at the selection of Glasgow as the site for a new high profile, UK-wide research institute to study new technologies in the field. It will be funded by energy companies and the government. The decision was made by a group of academics who had been asked by the previous Scottish Executive to recommend the location. They ignored the backing for Aberdeen by both CBI Scotland and the oil and gas industry. The Scottish Executive energy minister, Jim Mather, had also given Aberdeen his support. The minister insisted that he had no say in the decision, which had been made by a committee set up by the previous administration. The Energy Technologies Institute will investigate how to generate electricity while minimising carbon gases which contribute to global warming.
Salad Sales Slide
The latest Scottish Retail Sales Monitor, produced by the Royal Bank of Scotland and the Scottish Retail Consortium, shows that the weather last month had a detrimental impact on retail turnover. June’s "like-for-like" sales increase was only 1.8%, the weakest since March 2006 when the timing of Easter affected the data. The cold wet weather hit food, clothing, footwear, gardening and outdoor DIY. Indoor homewares picked up a little especially in clearance sales and beauty products. For a very long time, Scotland has led the UK in the growth of retail sales but in June the UK like-for-like growth was 3.0%. Total sales (including new outlets) were 6% up on a year ago in Scotland, but this is below the average for the year (8.1%). There was a slump in the sale of seasonal salads, soft fruits and ice cream, with soup and hot chocolate sales up by 25/30% compared with June 2006. Sales of warming spirits such as whisky were also rocketing, with the volume more typical of January than June.
New Low for Jobless Total
Figures released this week show that unemployment in Scotland has fallen to a new low and the number of people in work has reached a new high. The numbers claiming the jobseekers allowance in June fell by 1,700, to reach 76,200 and a record low of 2.8%. On the International Labour Organisation (ILO) measure, which includes those who are not eligible for benefit, unemployment fell by 11,000 over the quarter to 127,000, to reach a historic low of 4.8%. At the same time, the number of people in work rose to a new high of 2.54 million over the quarter, an increase of 25,000 on the previous quarter. At 76.7% of the number of people of employment age, it is the highest employment rate on record and exceeds the figure for the UK and almost all EU countries. Numbers are being swollen not just by the number of women entering the job market as a result of more flexible working arrangements, but by migrant workers from eastern Europe and elsewhere who have become "new Scots". And more people of pensionable age are continuing to work. All these factors are creating a surge in economic growth. The number of people classed as economically inactive, including students, those looking after a sick relative or people who have given up trying to get a job, fell by 1,000 in the latest quarter, to 7.93 million. The Office for National Statistics also reported that average UK earnings increased by 3.5 per cent in the year to May.
£600 Million Warship Heads for Open Waters
This week, HMS Daring, the Royal Navy's most sophisticated warship, left its berth at Scotstoun, where it has been fitted out after being launched there in early February last year. First of a new generation of warship, she will undergo 18 months of sea trials before entering service in 2009. Costing £605 million, she has the world's most advanced anti-missile system, capable of simultaneously knocking out a cluster of incoming missiles as small as tennis balls. HMS Daring and her sister Type 45 destroyers are the first to use all-electric propulsion. With a range of 7,000 nautical miles, the warships can sail to New York and return to the Clyde without refuelling. The 230 crew have first class living accommodation, with iPod charging points, CD player and internet access for laptops. Another destroyer, HMS Dauntless, was launched this year and will follow Daring down the river after an even shorter fitting out period.
Scots Tycoon Donating £1 Billion to Charity
Sir Tom Hunter, estimated to be Scotland's richest man, has always been generous with his wealth, with £100 million already committed to his charitable foundation to fight inequality in both Scotland and Africa. But his pledge this week to give away at least a billion pounds to charity is thought to be the single biggest philanthropic donation ever made by a Briton. It may take him many years to achieve his goal of using all that cash to reduce the gap between UK rich and poor, but he says that putting his wealth to philanthropic use helps to motivate him as a wealth-creating businessman. He believes that with great wealth comes greater responsibility and he almost needs philanthropy to continue to make money. He jokes that "I'm a Scotsman, so I'm not very good at giving money away." His business career began selling training shoes from the back of a van in 1984. When he sold his Sports Division chain in 1998, he made an estimated £250 million - and has continued to invest wisely in profitable ventures.
An Auld Acquaintance Not Forgotten
To mark the anniversary of the death of Scotland's greatest poet, Glasgow University launched a major new research centre on 21 July 2007, dedicated to the work of Robert Burns. The "Centre for Robert Burns Studies" will be the hub of critical research offering new insights into the work of Burns. One of the main projects taking place at the centre is the AHRC Global Burns Network, which will analyse the impact of Burns outside of Scotland. The research will address questions such as: Why has Burns been marginalized by Anglo-American criticism? How was Burns read and understood in other cultures, such as France, Russia or China? What contribution did Burns make to an understanding of Scottishness in cultures across the world? And how is Burns celebrated internationally today? Future projects at the Centre include the completion of a new ten volume edition of the works of Robert Burns, with particular emphasis on his songs, and an online edition of the letters of James Currie, Burns' first editor. The Centre will include some of the most respected scholars of Robert Burns including Professor G. Ross Roy of the University of South Carolina, who is considered the leading figure amongst Burns scholars.
Journalists Go On Strike
In 2003, the Newsquest group took over Scottish newspapers The Herald, the Sunday Herald and the Evening Times (focusing on Glasgow and west of Scotland news). Since then, there has been disquiet amongst journalists and staff about falling standards, loss of 100 jobs and £3 million of "cost savings". A crunch has come this week with 70% of staff voting in favour of strike action which came into effect on Friday afternoon. Saturday's edition of the Herald was much slimmer than usual, as a result. But the paper still appeared - at full price, too!
Controversial New HQ for Aberdeen City Council
Even though estimated costs have doubled to just over £80 million, Aberdeen City Council voted this week to continue with the controversial plans to adapt the former university building of Marischal College to form its new corporate headquarters. With a new administration elected earlier this year, there was always the possibility that they would opt instead for a green field site or redeveloping the present HQ. But the ruling Liberal Democrat and Scottish National Party administration gained support from the Conservatives to continue with the Marischal College option, paving the way for the eventual demolition of St Nicholas House, the current HQ building.
10% of Scotland's Farmland for "Energy Crops"
Energy provider ScottishPower announced this week that it wants to sign up farmers to produce 250,000 tonnes of energy crops, such as fast growing cereals or willow coppice, to displace coal burned at its Cockenzie and Longannet power plants. Carbon-neutral biomass such as woodchips are already being burnt at coal-fired power stations, but the company is planning a major increase in that. It is estimated that the plans will eventually result in 12% of Scotland's farming land being used for this purpose. The extra demand created is being welcomed by the National Farmers Union, of course, although ScottishPower says it will have minimal effect on land use for food crops, at least initially. Last year, Europe produced 268 million tonnes of cereal, but only 3.5 million tonnes of that was used to produce such things as bioethanol for cars and trucks.
Hovercraft Popularity
The hovercraft trial, being operated across the Firth of Forth between Kirkcaldy and Fife and Portobello in Edinburgh by the Stagecoach bus company, has proved to be so popular that most trips of the 130-seat vessel have been full. The company has squeezed in extra sailings made possible because the ten-mile crossing is being completed in 15 minutes instead of the scheduled 20 minutes and the craft has been leaving as soon as it gets full. In the first week of the trial, 8,200 people used the service.
More Postal Strikes
Royal Mail postal workers staged their first 24-hour stoppage last month and another took place a week ago. Their trade union has now announced a two-week rolling programme of walk-outs, beginning on Wednesday, 25 July. Staff will go on strike at different post office locations, in order to create the maximum amount of disruption with the minimum cost to staff in lost pay. Royal Mail has offered a 2.5% pay increase this year, saying that it is all they can afford. The union is also concerned about the group's modernisation plans to meet the competition, which has been taking market share since Royal Mail lost its monopoly over postal deliveries. There are fears that the plans could lead to job losses of around 40,000 amongst postal workers.
Excitement Builds for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Bookstores across Scotland (and across the world as well, no doubt) opened till after midnight on Friday as the seventh and last Harry Potter book by Scottish-based author JK Rowling began to fly off the shelves. A price war broke out amongst the big book sellers in the UK. These days, at least for popular books, that includes the supermarkets and Asda (part of the WalMart group). They have decided on a loss-making price of £5 (for a book that has a "recommended price" which is over three times that in the UK). Bloomsbury, a previously obscure publisher that produces the Harry Potter books, has been transformed as result of Harry Potter. They announced a record-breaking 12 million copies for the first print run of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" in the U.S. alone. In 2001, Ms Rowling purchased a luxurious 19th century estate house, Killiechassie House, on the banks of the River Tay, near Aberfeldy, in Perth and Kinross. Later that year she married Neil Murray, an anaesthetist, in a private ceremony at their new home.
EasyJet in Pole Position
Budget airline easyJet has announced that it is to start a four times a week service from Edinburgh to the Polish city of Krakow. The growing Polish population in Edinburgh and the rest of Scotland will no doubt find the new air link of great help. Krakow is also a vibrant and historic city and it will no doubt prove to be a popular tourist destination for Scots.
Backing for Photo Museum
It has been talked about for many years, with very little progress being made, but there is renewed hope that a national photography centre at the former Royal High School at Calton Hill will become a reality. The former First Minister, Jack McConnell, refused to support the project, with the then Executive insisting that sites other than the High School be considered. There was more than a suspicion that this was because the Scottish Nationalist Party (SNP) had long campaigned for a Scottish Parliament in that building. Now, that the SNP form the current Executive, and even Edinburgh-born Sir Sean Connery is understood to be lobbying First Minister Alex Salmond and Culture Minister Linda Fabiani to support it. This week, the leader of the new Edinburgh City Council pledged to back a bid to persuade the Scottish Executive to provide £20 million for the project. Edinburgh has had a long history of involvement with photography going back to the days of David Octavius Hill and Robert Adamson. They produced some of the finest photographic portraits of the mid-19th century at a time when photography was in its infancy.The pioneer photographers worked near Calton Hill in the 1840s, so the site for the new museum is very appropriate. One of Scotland's most important archive of photographs, held by St Andrews University, and a collection by art impresario Richard de Marco, covering much of the 20th century, would be available as the basis for a Scottish photo museum.
Scotty Beaming Down On Linlithgow
Linlithgow has satisfied itself that it is (or will be) the birthplace of Star Trek's Scottish engineer Montgomery Scott - better know as "Scotty" - who beamed Captain Kirk down to his destinations. A memorial plaque is to be erected to mark the event (in the year 2222) and the family of the late actor James Doohan, who played the part, will be the guests of honour at the new "James Doohan Memorial Exhibition" which is to open its doors in Annet House museum. It tells the story of the Canadian-born actor and his role in the cult sci-fi series. The Doohan family have provided photographs and personal items for display and Doohan's props, including his original Star Trek costume. Star Trek models and personal memorabilia will be featured too. The links between Doohan's character and Linlithgow emerged from a reference in a book by Dorothy C Fontana, who wrote many of the original Star Trek episodes. The museum already has a section devoted to Mary Queen of Scots (seen here).
Thief Caught on Camera
Cameras at a newsagent and confectioners in Aberdeen have caught a thief slipping in to a display of snacks and walking off with a packet of cheesy Doritos. Nothing unusual in that, perhaps, but thief keeps returning, day after day, for a packet of those cheesy Doritos. So he must have a strong stomach as well as a lot of cheek. He's got it down to a fine art, waiting until there are no customers around and staff are standing behind the till - then he raids the place. Staff have failed to apprehend the "regular customer" That's because the thief can fly away - it's a crafty seagull that has found a new source of food. As long as nobody actually chases after the bird (now named Sam by amused locals) the packet is ripped open on the pavement outside and its contents consumed. Sam has become so notorious (a phone-camera video is now on YouTube) BBC Scotland sent a camera team and reporter to Aberdeen to interview him and show his exploits in the TV evening news. When confronted by the camera evidence and the reporter's accusations, Sam pled the 5th amendment and flew off - leaving the local pigeons to commit a felony by dealing (and eating) in stolen goods...
Weather in Scotland This Week
Yet again, the weather has been largely cloudy with some showers and rain. And once again Scotland largely escaped the monsoon-like rains that affected parts of England this week, causing further flash floods, road closures (including motorists stranded overnight on the motorway) and damage to houses and businesses. By the time the rain clouds reached Scotland, however, they had dropped most of their moisture south of the Border. By the time the weather fronts had reached the Western Isles, even the clouds had disappeared and Stornoway had brilliant sunshine from Thursday to Saturday. But Scotland couldn't avoid the downward dip in temperatures this week. After reaching a daytime maximum of around 20C (68F) at the start of the week, temperatures dropped to around 12/14C (54/57F) on a number of days at the end of the week. The changeable weather is forecast to continue, though the thermometer may recover from the coolness we have been experiencing in recent days.
This Week's Colour Supplement
This week's large format photographs taken in Scotland to show the current season and its flora and fauna include Greater spotted woodpecker tucking into the peanut feeder (see thumbnail here); magnificent archway entrance to Scone Palace near Perth; sailing ship "Tenacious" beside Finnieston Crane; the massive new Glasgow Harbour development; a white peacock in full display. See This Week's Colour Supplement.
Dark Ages in Pollok Park
Excavations have been started in the grounds of Pollok Park in the south side of Glasgow in the hope of uncovering remains of settlements which are thought to have been located there in the "Dark Ages" (roughly 500AD to 1000AD). The dig is being carried out by members of Glasgow Archeological Society, as part of its current 150th anniversary events. The work will centre on two large earth banks with ditches around them. They are about 100 feet in diameter and are thought to be the site of a primitive fortified settlement dating back over 1,000 years. Already the archaeologists have uncovered bits of stone rampart and the walls of what is probably a round building. The society is also planning further research on other sites in the grounds, including the remains of the original 16th century Pollok House, the first of three castles built by the Maxwell family. The first and second castles are most likely to have stood on the site of the present stables at Pollok House. The mansion and the estate (the grounds also house the world-famous Burrell Collection) is now administered by the National Trust for Scotland.
Guided Tours of Heritage Sites
Historic Scotland staff are to provide a series of free guided tours at East Lothian's Dirleton Castle and Seton Collegiate Church near Cockenzie. Dirleton Castle (seen here) is one of the oldest surviving castles in Scotland and is famous for its gardens, which contain the world's longest herbaceous border. Seton Collegiate Church used to support a monastic community in the 15th century. The 45-minute walks run every Saturday from July 21 until August 11.
Next Week in Scottish History
Edinburgh Art Festival
One of the newer festivals in the Capital, the Edinburgh Art Festival, runs from July 26 to September 2, so much of it coincides with the "main event" of the Edinburgh International Festival in August. This year's programme is dominated by the work of Pablo Picasso, with exhibitions at the National Museum of Scotland and The Dean Gallery. There is also an Andy Warhol retrospective at the National Gallery. Living artists are well represented too, with Turner Prize-nominated Nathan Coley from Edinburgh displaying new work alongside past winner Rachel Whiteread. See also www.edinburghartfestival.org.
First Elton John Concert in Highland Capital
Sir Elton John gave his first-ever concert in the Highland Capital last weekend to mark the start of "InvernessFest", a two week long celebration of traditional and contemporary culture in Inverness. The event was part of Highland 2007, the year-long celebration of Highland culture. The concert at the Inverness Caledonian Thistle Stadium caused huge traffic jams on the Kessock Bridge as fans from all over Scotland flocked to see the megastar. Inverness airport was kept open late, so that Sir Elton could fly out after the gig. The cost was a snip at £1,000.
Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival
The brother/sister foursome "The Magic Numbers" will headline on Friday 10 August in what is a Scottish festival exclusive for the fourth Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival at Belladrum Estate, Beauly, Inverness-shire. And any Scottish fans of "James" unable to get tickets to their sell-out appearances this year, will get another chance to see the band this summer at Beauly. Scots indie talent on show at Bella includes "the 1990s", whose music has been likened to "a blonde getting out of a car" and other indies groups include psychedelic pop exponents "The Earlies". Johnny Cash’s original "Tennessee 3" make their first appearance in Scotland since the early 1990s and "The Alabama 3" (a British acid house, blues, country and gospel music band) make a welcome reappearance at the festival. For all the details of these and many more performers, see www.tartanheartfestival.co.uk.
Aberdeen's Tartan Day
Although Tartan Day is predominantly celebrated around April 6 each year (to mark the signing of the Declaration of Arbroath in 1320, which asserted Scotland's sovereignty in the face of English territorial claims), some locations focus on different days. Aberdeen in Scotland, for example, is celebrating on August 4 and this year it will feature knights in 15th-century armour, accompanied by their ladies, recreating the visit to the city by King James IV of Scotland and his young wife, Margaret Tudor. Horses from Aberdeen's Hayfield Equestrian Centre are playing a major role in the event, which is being organised and performed by Aberdeen historical re-enactment group, Schiltron.
Skating at Dynamic Earth
The "Our Dynamic Earth" visitor attraction in Edinburgh has installed a skating rink outside the building to tie in with its International Polar Year and the Polar Extremes exhibition. But even in Scotland in summer, it would require a lot of energy to keep an ice rink frozen. So the "environmentally friendly" rink is made from coated tiles that mimic the smooth gliding motion of ice. It is claimed that it is almost impossible to tell the difference between the artificial surface and skating on ice. The aim was to provide visitors with an outside attraction in the warmer months. The way the weather has gone this summer, however, users will be glad of the exercise so they can get up some heat...
Scottish Culture Around the World
The main focus of the Scottish Snippets is news items, usually about Scotland. But the "Scots Abroad" section, invites folk to write in about Scottish-related events in their part of the world. It allows publicity for them and an appreciation by others of just how much Scottish culture is perpetuated in every corner of the globe.
Isla St. Clair at Fresno
The 30th Annual Fresno Highland Gathering & Games will be at a new location - Fresno’s Roeding Park- on Saturday, September 15th. Entertainment this year will feature the SF/Bay Area Celtic Rock group Tempest, which has a strong Central Valley following. Also featured are Isla St. Clair (one of Scotland’s best-loved singers) and traditional Celtic and folk singer, Peter Daldry. With Isla will be Piper John Spore, who was official piper to the late Queen Mother. Local performers Harps At Play and Pipe on the Hob will also be performing, along with the Fresno Stag & Thistle Pipe & Drum Band. A major feature will be professional Scottish Heavy Athletics (caber toss, hammer throw, etc), including the North American Hammer Throw Championship. Clans are well represented with over 45 clan and society tents. The Living History Stage will have storytellers and re-enactors, including Mary, Queen of Scots, poet Robert Burns and the Gordon Highlanders and the 78th Frazier Highlander Regiment re-enactment groups. Of course, there are Scottish and Celtic food vendors, with meat pies, fish & chips, haggis and bangers (sausages). The Fresno Highland Gathering & Games are sponsored by the Scottish Society of Central California (SSCC). See www.scottishsociety.org/games.html.
Friendly and Warm-Up Football Match Results
Queens Park Rangers (England) 1 Celtic 5
SV Lippstadt 08 (Germany) 2 Rangers 4
Hannover 96 (Germany) 1 Rangers 1
Heracles Almelo (Holland) 1 Heart of Midlothian 5
Heart of Midlothian 0 Moroka Swallows (South Africa) 1
Falkirk 1 Millwall (England) 0
Gretna 0 Greenock Morton 2
Livingston 0 Hibernian 2
Raith Rovers 2 Kilmarnock 1SPL Sign Deal with BBC
The Scottish Premier League has signed a five-year deal with BBC Scotland that should ensure that football fans will be able to enjoy a 30-minute midweek highlights programme, featuring all the goals and the best of the action from every Clydesdale Bank Premier League game. And the BBC will offer a chance to view on demand on online PCs the goals and key moments from all the weekend matches for up to seven days. The free service will only be available in the UK through the new BBC iPlayer service, which launches on Friday 27 July. The BBC will also be providing a live radio commentary on every league game using split frequencies and localised opt-outs.
Sponsorship for Scottish Football League
The Scottish Football League (covering the First to the Third Divisions) was without a sponsor last season, after Bell's ended their links at the end of the 2005/06 season. So there was some satisfaction this week when a new £3 million sponsorship deal was agreed with AG Barr, the manufacturer of soft drinks such as Irn-Bru. The arrangement may bring to an end any lingering doubts about the formation of a break-away "SPL2". That was voted down by the 30 clubs earlier this year, but some clubs were still pushing for it.
Celtic Lose to American MLS All-Stars
It may have been that they were not used to the sunshine and the 90 degree heat, or they were holding back in case of injury just before the start of the new season, but Celtic disappointed a lot of their US fans with a lack-lustre performance in a glamour match against MLS All-Stars on Thursday. Colombians Juan Pablo Angel and Juan Toja scored against the Scottish champions in Denver. Although the Glasgow team did better in the second half, they failed to score. Celtic's manager shrugged off the defeat saying "That was a great work-out and I think the summer is officially over [for the players]. But the MLS can be proud of themselves. They played well." Celtic have games against Chicago Fire, Newcastle United and Parma to come before the Scottish Premier League resumes on 4 August.
The Open
Defending champion Tiger Woods was grouped with former winner Paul Lawrie and Justin Rose for the first two rounds of The Open at Carnoustie. The fourth and final round takes place on Sunday. One popular local Scot who will not be there on the last day is Colin Montgomerie - he didn't make the cut at the end of the second day. Neither did Paul Lawrie, who sensationally won the event when it was last played there in 1999. After three rounds, it's Spain's 27-year-old Sergio Garcia who leads the field by three strokes from Steve Stricker (US). The chasing pack, including Ernie Els, (South Africa), Padraig Harrington (Irleland), and Chris DiMarco (US), is a further three strokes behind that.
Andy Murray for Washington
20-year-old Scot Andy Murray, who missed both the French Open and Wimbledon due to injury, is to return to competitive tennis at the end of this month at the Legg Mason Tennis Classic in Washington.
Inaugural Scotland v England Cricket International
Cricket Scotland and the England and Wales Cricket Board have announced that agreement has been reached for the staging of an inaugural One-Day International between the two sides in 2008 (provisionally on Monday, 18 August), and a further game has been pencilled in for 2012. As part of an agreement between the two countries' Boards, the Scottish Saltires and the Scotland A team will also continue to participate in the domestic structure in England and Wales for the foreseeable future.