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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
In the First Division, Hamilton stay 3 points ahead of Dundee, with St Johnstone 12 points further behind. Stirling Albion bring up the rear, with 8 points fewer than Livingston.
Although Ross County sit with a two point cushion over Raith Rovers at the top of the Second Division, the northern club has two games in hand and Airdrie on 37 points have played one game fewer than Raith. The margin at the foot is much wider - Berwick with only 12 points, 8 points adrift from Ayr.
East Fife are well out in front of the Third Division, 13 points ahead of Montrose. Forfar trail at the foot of the table, 4 points behind Dumbarton.
In the Scottish Rugby Division One, Boroughmuir have a convincing lead of 19 points over Currie and Ayr. At the other end of the table, Dundee sit uncomfortably 10 points behind Glasgow Hutchesons. Magazine Section
Where else would you like to go in Scotland?
Plans for "Iconic" New Forth Road Bridge
Scotland's biggest construction project for a generation, costing between £3.25 billion and £4.22 billion, has been announced by the Scottish Government's Finance Minister. The decision brings to an end speculation about a possible tunnel under the river Forth. A new crossing is needed because the cables on the present bridge (opened only in 1964) have corroded and there is a prospect of it having to be closed to heavy vehicles by 2013 and all traffic by 2019. The proposed new bridge will have three pylons or towers, with cables running from these supporting the decks. This was estimated to be the cheapest option, as well as one of the quickest to build. Even so, construction will take at least five and a half years. It will run from the northern shore, just west of the existing road bridge, to a point west of South Queensferry. In addition to lanes for cars and trucks, there will be dedicated lanes for public transport.
Ringing In 2008
With adverse weather conditions in recent years having led to the cancellation of New Year's Eve celebrations in two out of the last five years, there was some relief that revellers in cities and towns across Scotland only had rain to contend with this year. Indeed, with temperatures around 6/11C (43/52F) it was a relatively mild night for the end of December. There were around 100,000 people in Princes Street in Edinburgh to celebrate Hogmanay, with tens of thousands elsewhere in the city enjoying spectacular fireworks displays. In Glasgow's George Square a pop concert attracted around 17,000 revellers. Aberdeen, Dundee, Stirling, Perth and Inverness all had their own events and 5,000 people gathered in Oban to celebrate the end of the Highland year of culture. Stonehaven also had its traditional Fireball Festival (where 60 locals swung 20-pound balls of fire above their heads as they proceeded through the town to the harbour where they threw them into the sea).
Festive Slowdown
Retailers across the country experienced a slower than usual start to Christmas shopping this year, with surveys showing that the number of shoppers on the Saturday before Christmas were around 6% lower than the same day in the previous year. That prompted a number of retailers to start their "January Sales" early to boost turnover. The Bon Accord Shopping Centre in Aberdeen had 25% of its shops offering sale prices and shopping malls in Edinburgh and Glasgow were similar. The downturn followed disappointing figures in November, with clothing and footwear outlets experiencing tough trading conditions.
Rail Chaos After New Year
Travellers on the main west coast rail route between Scotland and London faced lengthy delays when services resumed after the New Year break. Engineering works which should have been completed during the shut-down went badly wrong and services on the route did not resume until Friday, 4 January. Alternative bus services were laid on and some travellers were able to switch to the east coast rail network. Rail companies there agreed to accept the tickets from their rivals on the west coast route wherever possible.
Blood Donations at All-time Low
The Scottish Blood Transfusion Service is reporting that the number of blood donors has fallen to a record low, with 10,000 fewer people registered than in the previous year. A high profile campaign in 2007 to recruit new donors - and warnings that the system is in crisis - has had a limited impact. A new campaign to expand the donor base in Scotland to 197,000 to provide blood transfusions for 100,000 patients each year has been launched. Only 15% of donors have managed to give blood three times a year and all are being urged to reach that target.
Big Rises in Fuel Bills
World oil prices rising once more is not only having an impact on fuel prices at the pumps as we fill the tanks on our cars, but are also prompting utility companies to once again raise their tariffs. The Npower company, with 90,000 customers in Scotland, is leading the way this week with increases in gas and electricity prices of up to 15% and other companies are set to follow. Npower, which is owned by a German multi-national, has increased its bills to new customers by 17%. British Gas parent company Centrica last month announced increases to its market tracker price, increasing bills by 13% for gas and 15% for electricity. It has also warned that wholesale prices left the energy industry facing a "difficult environment" in 2008, signalling that prices were set to rise across the board. Wholesale prices in the UK are believed to have been driven higher as European firms turn for supplies to the more-liberalised UK market as a cheaper alternative.
Record Number of Centenarians
More and more Scots are reaching the age of 100 and a report from the Registrar General shows that there are now a record number of 680 people in Scotland who have reached that milestone. At the start of the 20th century centenarians were extremely rare, but by the start of the 21st century there were more than 500. That number has grown markedly since then. The overwhelming majority of those living longer are female, with approximately 600 women over the age of 100, but only 80 men.
Gain Some, Lose Some
Budget airline Ryanair has announced that it is to fly to five new European destinations from Edinburgh in March. The new routes will be direct to Alicante in Spain, Bremen and Frankfurt in Germany, Marseille in France and Pisa in Italy. The airline is predicting that the new services will result in an extra 220,000 passengers a year and create 200 jobs. Currently, Irish-based Ryanair operates only to Dublin and Shannon from Edinburgh. But it was not all good news as another low-cost carrier, bmi, announced that it was to suspend its service from Inverness to London Heathrow in March. Travellers from Inverness can still fly to London (Gatwick) and London (Luton) airports but those wanting to travel on via Heathrow services have a lengthy road journey across parts of London.
Marine Task Force to Make Waves
The Scottish government environment secretary has announced that a special unit is to be set up to look at ways to protect Scotland's coastline and nearby seas. The "Sustainable Seas Task Force" will represent the main users of these coastal waters (such as fishermen, salmon producers and existing coastal forums) and consider proposals for a new Marine Bill. Scotland has 11,000 kilometres (6,800 miles) of coastline and they generate millions of pounds a year for the economy. And wildlife enthusiasts from around the world come to see the internationally significant species of birds, seals and dolphins that live in and around our waters. The aim of the new body, among other things, is to introduce a new system of planning for the sea and better nature conservation. It will also look at what additional powers should be devolved to Scotland - a key objective of the Scottish Nationalist administration.
School Leaves Historic Home
Donaldson's College, which has taught deaf children in Edinburgh and the surrounding area for over 150 years, has finally closed its doors with a lavish fireworks party. The school is moving to a modern, custom-built campus in Linlithgow with the distinctive, architectural masterpiece by William Henry Playfair being converted to apartments. Queen Victoria once described Donaldson's College for the Deaf as grander than many of her palaces. The exterior of the building, which currently has 264 rooms, will be preserved, but a further 73 futuristic looking homes, in a crescent shape, are to be built in the grounds of the college. The facilities at the new school building are magnificent, with special equipment to help the deaf and hard of hearing pupils as well as a gym, swimming pool, fitness room, dining room and library.
Let Battle Commence
After lengthy delays and postponements, the new Culloden Battlefield centre has re-opened for visitors following an £8 million facelift. It should have been ready in April 2007 on the anniversary of the conflict in 1746. Designed to immerse visitors in the history of the confrontation between Bonnie Prince Charlie and his Highland army and the government forces, the new visitor centre was the largest construction project ever undertaken by the National Trust for Scotland. It features a special interactive exhibition following real life character through the years of the Jacobite rebellion. There is a 360 degree "total immersion" film which plunges visitors into the heart of the battle itself and it was the new technology which held back the opening, which only just made it as part of the Highland Year of Culture in 2007. An official opening will take place later in 2008.
Scottish Pictorial Calendar
It is always interesting to see which of the pictures in the annual Rampant Scotland Pictorial Calendar prove to be the most popular. Edinburgh Castle at night in January was the most viewed page (though that may have been due to it being the first of the four available that month). The Christmas lights in Glasgow's George Square were popular in December and the River Tummel at Pitlochry was the most accessed page in July, while it was the Lighthouse at the Mull of Galloway that took the honours in February. The separate slideshow of all the pictures doesn't show any particular trends in popularity - clearly most folk are following the slideshow of all 48 pictures of Scotland from start to finish! If you've missed these publications so far, the print-your-own calendar is at here and the Slideshow is here.
New Year Loony Dook
The traditional New Year's "Loony Dook" event at South Queensferry attracted about 500 people who turned up in fancy dress and braved the freezing rain and fog to take a dip in the chilly waters of the river Forth. This was the 22nd charity event in the shadow of the Forth Rail Bridge. There was the usual wide range of costumes - including a couple who had married just two days previously, who donned duplicate wedding outfits to mark the occasion.
Weather in Scotland This Week
Scotland may have again missed a white Christmas but the snow eventually turned up this week on Thursday and Friday, with the first heavy snows of the winter falling on a number of areas of the country, causing problems on roads and railways. Aberdeenshire, Perthshire, Edinburgh and Lothian and the Scottish Borders were all affected, with only Glasgow and the west escaping with only a few light falls on higher ground. The bad weather resulted in the cancellation of the ferry service between Aberdeen and the Northern Isles. Just as the ski slopes were looking forward to welcoming skiers to the slopes, high winds above 50mph meant that Cairn Gorm ski resort had to close for a spell. Earlier in the week had been mainly cloudy, with some rain and temperatures ranging from 6/10C (43/50F). Saturday again saw a return to milder temperatures of 6/7C (43/45F) but with more heavy rain in the west.
The picture shows the "Winter Wonderland" skating rink in Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh, with the Bank of Scotland behind.
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 Swans swimming along in line-astern formation surrounded by ice (see thumbnail); an injured swan being rescued by the SSPCA; a section of Edinburgh's Royal Mile including the Tron Kirk; the distinctive spire of St Giles Cathedral; the full Moon on 24 December. See This Week's Colour Supplement
University Tribute to Lord Kelvin
The University of Glasgow marked on 17 December the 100th anniversary of the death of the scientist Lord Kelvin, who was one of its most famous students and professors. William Thomson, who later became Lord Kelvin, was taught by his father (he never went to school) and entered the University at the age of 10. He was appointed Professor of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy at Glasgow University, where he developed the second law of thermodynamics and formulated the "Kelvin" scale of absolute temperature. He invented the mirror galvanometer, a telegraph message receiver and supervised the laying of the first trans-Atlantic insulated electric telegraph cable which revolutionised world communications. He invented an electric strain gauge, an improved ship's compass, the Kelvin ampere balance and an electrostatic voltmeter amongst a host of other developments. Kelvin published 660 scientific papers, the first at age 16. But he was not just an academic scientist - he was a champion rower and founded the Glasgow University Music Society. He was knighted in 1866 for his contribution to telegraphy and created Baron Kelvin of Largs 1892. He is buried in Westminster Abbey.
Scottish Aviation Pioneer Remembered
Percy Pilcher was a pioneer aviator who was inspired by Otto Lilienthal, the leading expert in gliding in Germany, to design, build and fly gliders in the hills above Cardross, north of the river Clyde. He became the first man to achieve controlled flight in a heavier-than-air craft, which he built during a break from his job as a lecturer at Glasgow University. That was in June 1895 and he went on to he break the world distance record when he flew 250 metres (820 feet). He built a powered triplane which he was going to demonstrate to sponsors and onlookers in September 1899. But the engine broke down, so he flew his glider instead so as not to disappoint his guests - but crashed and was killed. If he had succeeded with his powered aircraft, he would have done so four years before the Wright brothers. Now a ten-year project to reconstruct his first glider has been completed. The replica, made of Douglas Fir, cotton fabric, hemp twine and galvanised steel wire, and weighing just 50lbs, has been unveiled in a small aviation factory by the runway of Prestwick airport. The glider will be displayed in Glasgow's forthcoming Riverside Museum, due to be completed in 2010.
Next Week in Scottish History
Camera Ban in Rosslyn Chapel
In 2007, the magnificent carvings within Rosslyn Chapel attracted 160,000 history to see the building which was created by Sir William St Clair in the 15th century. Many of those visiting the building (which had a starring role in the Da Vinci Code film) took their own pictures of the ornate carvings which cover pillars, walls and ceilings. But it seems that one or two of the photographers fell on uneven slabs in the dimly lit chapel while gazing at the screens on their cameras. So on health and safety grounds the trustees brought in a ban on photography from 2 January. That will be a great disappointment to the many who want their own mementos of their visit, especially as the outside of the building has been covered for many years in an ugly iron roof to help to dry out the stonework.
Stanley Baxter Returns for Birthday Show
Legendary comedian Stanley Baxter retired in 1991, after a sparkling career over 60 years that made him a household name in Scotland and the rest of the UK too. When he left show business, he vowed that he would not return, but at the age of 81 he has been persuaded to do the voice-over for the commentary on the TV show on Christmas Eve which commemorated the 50 years of Scottish Television (STV). The TV retrospective included clips from the station's first show, "This Is Scotland," in which Baxter appeared with David Niven, Deborah Kerr and Jimmy Logan. There were also highlights from "Francie and Josie", the long-running Scottish soap "High Road" and the drama "The Steamie".
First Scot to Top Christmas Pop Charts
The X Factor talent show was won last month by Leon Jackson from West Lothian. The win meant that he went on to release a debut single "When You Believe" - which immediately shot to the number one spot in the UK pop chart for Christmas. It was the fastest-selling single of 2007 with sales rapidly exceeding 300,000, outselling all the rest of the top ten combined. Jackson is the first Scottish artist to achieve a Christmas number one. Some stores in Scotland reported that they had sold out, but the popular singer (who celebrated his 19th birthday on 30 December) has also won over audiences across the UK. Leon was mentored in the final stages of the talent show by Dannii Minogue and in the final, he performed a duet with mega-star Kylie Minogue.
New HQ for National Theatre of Scotland
Currently, the National Theatre of Scotland has many of its core staff located in central Glasgow and its rehearsal space and other staff in a new building in Easterhouse, a housing estate on the edge of the city. The new building has proved to be too small for the successful theatre company and now the present minister of culture has announced that the organisation's main offices, rehearsal space and store will be located in a former Harland and Wolff engineering shed in Govan. The premises in Easterhouse will be retained, however, as a centre for its new Emerging Artists scheme. The company has produced a number of commercial and artistic successes, including plays such as Black Watch, The Bacchae and Wolves in the Walls.
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.
The Centre for Scottish Studies at the University of Guelph
This unique Scottish cultural organisation is once again gearing up for the Burns supper season in Ontario, Canada. The week kicks off with a special 'Burns Day' at the Guelph Civic Museum on January 20th featuring dancing, a talk by PhD student Andrew Hinson, some piping, and of course plenty of haggis. Dr Graeme Morton, Director of the Centre for Scottish Studies, will be speaking on the life of Burns the next day at Victoria Park Seniors Centre (10.30am) in the very Scottish town of Fergus. On the 25th January the Centre's major collaboration with the Scottish Studies Foundation and the Robert Burns Club of Toronto will be - as ever - a major draw. Held in the sumptuous surroundings of Toronto's Granite Club (think curling!), over 300 will be gathered to enjoy one of the most entertaining Burns Suppers of the season. With free dancing lessons in the weeks prior to the main event, it is a lively and fun-filled evening, full of surprises. There is little doubt that Ontario is the place to be for a great Burns Supper. See Scottish Studies at the University of Guelph.
Sunday and Mid-Week Football Results
Aberdeen 1 Inverness Caledonian Thistle 0
Dundee United 4 Heart of Midlothian 1
Kilmarnock 0 Falkirk 1
Hamilton 1 Queen of the South 0
Livingston 0 Dunfermline 2
Partick Thistle 1 Clyde 1
St Johnstone 1 Dundee 1
Stirling Albion 1 Greenock Morton Clydesdale Bank Premierleague Results - 5 January 2008
Falkirk 0 Aberdeen 0
Heart of Midlothian 1 Kilmarnock 1
Inverness Caledonian Thistle 3 Gretna 0
Rangers 2 Dundee United 0
St Mirren 2 Hibernian 1
St Mirren v Rangers is scheduled for Tuesday.Irn-Bru Scottish Football League First Division Results - 5 January 2008
Dundee 0 Dunfermline 0
Hamilton 0 Stirling Albion 0
Livingston 6 Greenock Morton 1
Queen of the South 3 Clyde 1
St Johnstone 2 Partick Thistle 0Irn-Bru Scottish Football League Second Division Results - 5 January 2008
Airdrie United 2 Peterhead 0
Alloa 1 Queens Park 2
Berwick Rangers 2 Brechin City 2
Cowdenbeath 2 Ayr United 0
Raith Rovers 0 Ross County 1Irn-Bru Scottish Football League Third Division Results - 5 January 2008
Albion Rovers 3 Stenhousemuir 3
East Stirling 4 Forfar 1
Elgin 1 East Fife 2
Stranraer 0 Montrose 2Scottish Hydro Electric Rugby Division One Results - 5 January 2008
Ayr 10 Edinburgh Academicals 10
Glasgow Hutchesons 8 Currie 5
Hawick 16 Boroughmuir 17
Heriots 16 Melrose 15
Stirling County 18 Dundee 6
Watsonians 32 Glasgow Hawks 17League Tables
Rangers regained the top of the SPL table on Saturday, with 44 points, one ahead of Celtic - and with a further game in hand. Motherwell are in third position, 8 points behind Celtic. Gretna continue to trail at the foot of the SPL, 11 points behind Hearts, who at least managed to achieve a draw on Saturday after a series of poor results.
Aberdeen Through to Next Round of Uefa Cup
When Copenhagen arrived to play Aberdeen in the qualifying stage of the Uefa Cup, they only need a draw to go through. But on the night it was Aberdeen that swept them aside to advance to the last 32 despite only achieving four points. But third position in Group B was enough to get them to the knock-out stage.
Motherwell Captain Dies
THere was shock throughout Scotland last weekend when Motherwell's popular captain Phil O'Donnell collapsed and died from heart failure during the club's 5-3 victory over Dundee United. The tragedy resulted in a number of scheduled SPL games being cancelled on 2 January as a mark of respect.
Dunfermline Appoint New Manager
Dunfermline were second from the foot of the First Division when manager Stephen Kenny was sacked on 4 December. Since then, under care-taker manager Jim McIntyre, the club has achieved four straight wins and climbed to fourth in the table. McIntyre got his reward this week when he signed a two-and-a-half year deal with the club as first-team manager. He will also continue in his capacity as an important striker for Dunfermline.
Andy Murray Wins Qatar Open
Scots tennis star Andy Murray began 2008 with a confident series of wins in the early rounds of the Qatar Open Tennis Championship, starting with a 1-6, 6-0, 6-1 win in the second round, despite a bad early start. In the next round he defeated Thomas Johanson 7-6, 6-0 and followed that up with a 6-4, 6-3 win over the number one seed in the tournament, Nikolay Davydenko. The final was against Stanislas Wawrinka. Murray has lost his two previous matches against the Swiss player, but that was earlier in his career. Murray was playing some of his best tennis and won the match 6-4, 4-6, 6-2, his fourth career tournament title. The win will mean that he will move back into the top ten rankings of world tennis.