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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's grip loosened slightly at the top of the table as a result of Saturday's loss. So Hamilton now sit just two points ahead of Dundee - and 12 points ahead of third place St Johnstone. Stirling Albion bring up the rear, 9 points behind Clyde.
Ross County maintained their 2 point lead over Raith Rovers at the top of the Second Division, with airdrie one point further back. Berwick Rangers, suffering a 9-2 defeat by Peterhead on Saturday, remain fixed at the foot of the table.
In the Third Division, East Fife extended their lead at the top and are now 18 points ahead of Montrose who could only manage a draw on Saturday. Forfar are just 2 points adrift from Dumbarton at the bottom of the Third Division. In the Scottish Hydro Electric Rugby Division One, Boroughmuir's commanding lead is now 26 points - they have lost just one game out of 18 this season. Watsonians are in second place in the table and Currie are just 2 points further back. Dundee remain fixed at the foot of the table, 12 points away from Glasgow Hutchesons. Magazine Section
Where else would you like to go in Scotland?
Scottish Homecoming Launched
Next year marks the 250th anniversary of the birth of Scotland's national poet and cultural icon Robert Burns, whose message of friendship and 'Auld Lang Syne' lives on. And Burns is the inspiration behind a year long celebration of some of Scotland's great contributions to the world. The Scottish First Minister, Alex Salmond formally launched the "Scottish Homecoming" project this week. This is a programme of events which will run throughout 2009, complementing the vast range of world-class attractions already offered in Scotland. From the world's biggest ever Clan Gathering in Edinburgh to Celtic Connections in Glasgow and from the Open Championship at Turnberry to the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival, there's something special for everyone. For more details (though it's early days yet and the programme is still evolving) see Scottish Homecoming.
Report Critical of A&E Closures
In recent years, there has been a drive by local health boards to close accident and emergency (A&E) departments in many parts of the country. They claimed that it allowed resources to be concentrated in larger units, where specialists and their equipment could be provided. Many local communities have protested about the strategy, arguing that it meant longer journeys for patients suffering from life-threatening conditions, but the plans were approved by the previous Labour-led administration. When the Scottish National Party formed the new Scottish Government in May, they also expressed the view that centralisation was wrong and set up a panel of experts to investigate and report. Their official report was published this week. It is critical of the arguments for centralisation put forward by local health boards, describing them as "deeply flawed" and based on studies that were 20 years old and from other countries. The plans to downgrade Monklands A&E in Airdrie and Ayrshire Hospital to a minor injuries unit were put on hold while the expert group looked into their plans. The Health Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said that the local health boards now need to "carefully consider all the available information and agree preferred service proposals later this month." While that may well save these two A&E departments, many other such centralisation proposals, are already well on the road to implementation.
Picture of Monlands Hospital via Wikipedia.
Green Light for UK's Biggest Hospital
Outline planning approval was granted this week by Glasgow City Council for the construction of two new hospitals at the city's Southern General Hospital site, as well as upgrades to existing units. The development is the biggest shake-up of health care services in the west of Scotland since Victorian times and one of the largest public sector healthcare projects in Europe. In-patient services will be concentrated at just three Glasgow hospitals - Southern, Gartnavel and the Royal Infirmary. Victoria Infirmary and Stobhill are being relegated to specialist day services. The moves are being progressed despite concerns about transportation issues (Southern General is notoriously difficult to access, especially by public transport) and the loss of local services in parts of the city. A&E services will be concentrated in just the three large units - with ambulances having to use the congested Clyde Tunnel to take emergencies from the west of the city to the Southern General. When it is completed (in ten years time) full accident and trauma care will be provided at a new 1,110-bed unit at the Southern, while Yorkhill Sick Children's Hospital in the west end will relocate to a 245-bed unit within the same complex. Staff numbers will rise from 4,200 to over 10,000 - a multi-storey car park will be required to provide space for them, patients and visitors.
Squinty Bridge Support Snaps
The Clyde Arc bridge is the newest crossing over the river Clyde in Glasgow and opened to traffic in September 2006. It is known locally as the "Squinty Bridge" as it is built at an angle across the water. It has been much admired architecturally and was built on time and on budget - something that often doesn't happen with public building works. But this week the bridge was closed to all traffic as one of the support cables snapped and landed on the carriageway with a crash, alarming nearby residents who thought it sounded like a bomb. Initially, the incident was dismissed as minor as the individual supports are designed to be removed for maintenance, without threatening the integrity of the structure. But as nobody knew why this one thick cable had collapsed, engineers decided to keep the bridge closed so that the other 13 supports could be examined and a reason could be found for the failure.
Landslip Closes Railway Line
The rail service from Dumbarton to Helensburgh is one of the busiest commuter rail routes in the country, but it had to be closed on Tuesday this week due to a landslip and concerns that a wall of a cutting could collapse. The rail service is being replaced by a bus service - causing delays and confusion as passengers from Helensburgh (used to boarding their train at the terminus) try to squeeze on packed carriages after a bus journey to Dumbarton. The line goes further north from Helensburgh to Crianlarich, 33 miles away, and a bus service along the twisting road beside Loch Lomond is having to be provided. Engineers are now hoping that the line can be re-opened at the weekend. Commuters will be hoping that they are right!
HECToR Unveiled
HECToR - the contrived acronym for High-End Computing Terascale Resources is the most powerful computer in the UK and amongst the biggest and most advanced in Europe. This week the University of Edinburgh, where it is based, unveiled their new toy. The Cray XT4-based supercomputer is capable of 50 million calculations a second, covers an area of 1,800 square feet and cost £113 million. A university spokesman said: "HECToR will provide UK researchers with the means to undertake increasingly complex computer simulations across a range of scientific disciplines. This will include work in forecasting the impact of climate change, fluctuations in ocean currents, projecting the spread of epidemics, designing new materials and developing new medicinal drugs." It is also expected to support the development of innovative computer technologies and encourage industry and business to make effective use of so-called high-end computing.
US Library Reverses Decision on Scots Literature
Last month, the US Library of Congress announced that 700 years of Scottish literary output was to be reclassified as a subsection of English literature. So the classic novel "The Thirty Nine Steps" by Scottish author John Buchan and Robert Louis Stevenson's "Kidnapped" would be listed under "Adventure Stories - English." Even Robert Burns would have been classified as "Poetry - English." Quite apart from the impact in America, there were concerns that the US library's decision would influence other libraries around the world. A strenuous campaign has been mounted and in what has been described as "a victory for common sense" the US Library of Congress has reversed the decision.
Picture of US Library of Congress via Wikipedia.
A Forth Road Bridge Wire Snaps Every Month
Acoustic monitoring instruments, using microphones to detect the breaking of wires within the cables supporting the Forth Road Bridge, are revealing that more than one wire a month is snapping. 22 wires have broken since August 2006, on top of the 86 wires that were found had parted company during an inspection four years ago. Officials claim that the wire breaks were within "expectations" and that with a total of 11,618 wires, the bridge is still safe. The monitoring should reveal if there is any change in the pattern of the breakages in the future. A system to dry out the rusting wires is due to be installed by October 2009.
First Day of Tay Salmon Season
Heavy rain and melting snow meant that the river Tay was running high and strong this week as the salmon fishing season got under way. The traditional opening ceremonies took place at Killin and Kenmore, with the Vale of Atholl Pipe Band leading the procession to the river bank. The new season will see new conservation methods being introduced. Between 15 January and 31 May, the first salmon caught each day by each individual angler should be released and anglers should then have the option of keeping one subsequent fish only, per day. From 1 June to the end of the season all female fish should be released as well as at least 50% of male fish, particularly those over 15 lbs. On the other hand, the Tay Board Hatchery has three million salmon eggs on the hatching trays to replenish stocks - but many will not return from the ocean.
Hotel Plan for Former BBC HQ Approved
Despite strenuous protests from a large number of local residents, Glasgow City Council granted approval this week for the former BBC HQ building in Queen Margaret Drive in the city's West End to be redeveloped as a hotel. Campaigners had argued that the area was already "saturated" with nightspots and a new hotel would exacerbate the situation. The plan is for 185 apartments and three town houses to be built alongside the historic A-listed building used by the BBC. That will become a five-star 85-bedroom "boutique" hotel - but it will also include a bar with a capacity for 400 customers. It was originally built as a suburban hideaway for an eccentric Victorian pottery magnate John Bell, and was partly designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh.
Assault Course for Pollok Country Park
The plan to create an aerial assault course and walkways in a secluded woodland area of Pollok Country Park has infuriated the ancestral family owners of what is now a public park. The Maxwells gifted the area to the citizens of Glasgow in 1969, but the creation of an adventure playground by a private developer is described as "totally inappropriate" and the Maxwell family doubt if it is within the spirit of the terms of their gift. Leisure operators "Go Ape" would charge £20-£25 for access to their course of rope bridges, swings and zip slides in a quiet area of the park. The National Trust for Scotland, the guardians of Pollok House, have already lodged an official objection.
Kirkcaldy Sea Wall Under Threat
For some years now, the condition of the sea wall along the front at Kirkcaldy has been a matter of concern. Kirkcaldy is on the coast of Fife, facing the North Sea. While it is not subjected to the same forces as those on the western coasts of Scotland, which are subjected to North Atlantic storms, it is still battered by strong winds and tides. A marine consultant's report published this week suggests that significant work needs to be done to ensure that the sea defences are strengthened, as it is in danger of being breached in three places and has a remaining lifespan of less than five years. The report also highlights that climate change will increase the incidence of flooding as sea levels rise and the frequency and intensity of storms increase. New commercial and residential developments are in the pipeline along the esplanade as part of Kirkcaldy's regeneration. These include a cinema, a swimming pool and retail space and these are not achievable if the coastal defences are not improved.
Glasgow Clipper Reaches Indonesia
The round-the-world racing clipper with the cumbersome name of "Glasgow: Scotland with Style" is part of an international Clipper 07-08 Round the World Yacht Race. When the yacht left Fremantle in Western Australia on New Year's Day, it was lying in overall second place. But a mistake off the coast of Singapore forced the Glasgow team to double back as the headed towards Batam in Indonesia on the fifth leg of the race. So they arrived in sixth place on this section, which will mean they are likely to slip down the overall table.
Charity Auction of Harry Potter Books
Author JK Rowling has signed a set of seven first edition Harry Potter books and donated them to a rugby club that had its facilities and archives destroyed by fire. At an auction this week, they were bought by an unnamed Scottish bidder for £6,960. It is thought to be the first time that a full set of signed Harry Potter books had been sold
Weather in Scotland This Week
There has been a fair amount of rain again this week, some it quite heavy and with strong winds too. There was some sunshine as well, though, especially on Wednesday and Saturday. Earlier in the week, maximum daytime temperatures reached only 4/6C (39/43F). But by Friday, a weather front had pushed that up to over 10C (50F) for the first time this year - Edinburgh and Glasgow's maximum that day was 12/13C (54/55F).
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 the Forth Rail Bridge; a shark at Deep Sea World, North Queensferry; stingray undulating across the roof of an underwater tunnel (see thumbnail here); feeding time for a grey seal named "Heather"; Forth Road Bridge silhouetted against the setting sun. See This Week's Colour Supplement
Burns Museum to Miss 250th Anniversary
It's not as if the 250th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns has crept up suddenly, but the National Trust for Scotland, which took over the museum beside the cottage where he was born, has warned that the much-needed refurbishment of the museum in Alloway, Ayrshire, will not be completed in time for the anniversary on 25 January 2009. Indeed it may not be completed until 2010. After the usual delays in obtaining financial support for the project from the previous Scottish Executive (£5.5 million) and from the National Lottery Fund (£5.8 million), funding for a new museum was formally announced a year ago. Even so, further finance still has to be organised. The intention had been to have everything ready for a grand opening in January 2009, kickstarting the much-vaunted Year of Homecoming, a Scottish Government-backed initiative to encourage foreign-based Scots back to the country.
Submarine Gives Up Its Secrets
The First World War German submarine U12 sank in the North Sea off the coast of Scotland at Eyemouth in the Scottish Borders in 1915. It had been attacking cargo ships off the British coast but was hunted down and rammed by a Royal Navy warship. The precise location of the vessel - the first to have an aeroplane carried on its deck - has always been a mystery. But after five years of work by two amateur Scottish divers it has been found - 25 miles off the coast. The site has been reported to the German authorities as 19 sailors died in the attack (ten survivors escaped). It has been declared an official war grave and it will remain untouched.
Next Week in Scottish History
Europe's Largest Laughter Fest Launched
Scotland's Queen of Comedy, Karen Dunbar, this week launched the programme for Magners Glasgow International Comedy Festival 2008. The most impressive line-up to date boasts live shows featuring household names (at least in the UK) such as Jimmy Carr, French and Saunders, Omid Djalili, Jerry Sadowitz, Sean Lock, Rich Hall and Dara O'Briain. The programme comprises an impressive 350 shows in over 40 venues and runs from Thursday 6 to Sunday 23 March 2008. There are 99,000 tickets available this year so record audiences are expected. One disappointment is that international gigastar (as she likes to be known) Dame Edna Everage has had to call off due to ill health.
Celtic Connections Kicks Off with Sell-out
Celtic Connections, Scotland's largest winter music festival, began this week with a sell-out opening concert at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall. Several other shows in the popular roots, traditional and folk music festival have "house full" signs too. The event runs for two weeks and features over 1,000 artists. A second performance by singer songwriter Mindy Smith has been scheduled as her first gig at Ňran Mór on January 26 sold out - the second performances will be at Ňran Mór on January 31. Another highlight is the premiere of a Gaelic orchestral epic by the composer Ronald Stevenson - which took 40 years to write. The hour-long work "Ben Dorain" is based on an 18th-century poem by Duncan Ban MacIntyre.
Classical Concert to Close Clyde Tunnel?
A charity which is trying to raise money to light up the tunnel which runs under the river Clyde and turn it into a more attractive gateway to the city, is proposing to hold a concert which will involve 1,000 choristers in the tunnel itself. It would obviously involve closing at least one (but possibly both) of the twin roadways. The aim, say the organisers, is to emphasise the "cathedral-like qualities" of the tunnel and would include a performance of a new work by Glasgow-based composer Gareth Williams and Taiko drummers from Japan.
Batman, Superman Flying to Inverness
Despite having superhuman powers, local hotels in Inverness are receiving calls for help on accommodation from a number of Batmen, Supermen and Spidermen who are descending on the Highland capital to attend the Highland International Comic Expo: Hi-Ex! The event, which is being staged at the Eden Court Theatre on 2-3 February, will see comic book superheroes and their fans enjoying themselves in workshops and cinema shows - all three Spiderman movies are being shown back-to-back. The event is being organised by a non-profit making organisation which celebrates and manufactures accurate costumes from movies and comic books. Not all those dressing up for the event are in the superhero category, however. There are going to be at least a dozen Stormtroopers from Star Wars attending.
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.
Toronto, Canada
Last week there was an entry relating to a Burns celebration event on Sunday, 27th January at the Royal Botanical Gardens (which locals will know is 35 miles from Toronto, Ontario). A number of readers wanted to follow up on this, but there was no local link provided. I am now informed that anyone wishing to obtain further details should telephone 905-637-0980. But you'll need to hurry - numbers have to be finalised by Monday 21st.
More Burns Events in British Columbia
Due to the large concentration of residents with Scottish connections, there are a large number of Burns suppers in locations across southern British Columbia. In addition to those listed last week, the Fraser Valley Pipe Band Society has one on the 26th January at Evergreen Hall, Chilliwack starting at 6.p.m. There are three pipe bands -, Chilliwack & District, Fraser Valley Youth Pipe Band and Fraser Cheam Regional Pipe Band. All three Bands will perform, and culminate in a massed Band. There are also Highland Dancers from the Aberdeen Dance School. Tickets still available, contact briansc@shaw.ca
Toddish McWong's Robbie Burns Chinese New Year Dinner
This is the tenth such event being held at Floata Chinese Restaurant, Keefer St. Vancouver, British Columbia. Something special is created each year with traditional and contemporary performances featuring everything in-between and beyond! Food is described as a "quirky fusion/mix/buffet of Scottish Canadian and Chinese Canadian culture 10 course Chinese banquet dinner". Whew! The Gung Haggis Won-Ton included haggis served with plum or sweet and sour sauces in 2004 and in 2005 it was haggis lettuce wrap... More surprises are promised for 2008! See www.gunghaggisfatchoy.com.
Barcelona Burns Club Supper
The Barcelona Burns Club has been meeting and holding events since the year 2000. Their Burns Supper on 26th January will be held in Viladrau in Catalunya, a spectacular and beautiful jewel located in the shadow of the majestic Montseny Natural Park. Previous suppers have included a performance of Tam o'Shanter and the music of the City of Barcelona Pipe Band. See also Barcelona Burns Club.
Sunday and Mid-Week Football Results
Gretna 1 Rangers 2
Livingston 2 Cowdenbeath 0 (Scottish Cup, 4th Round)
St Johnstone 3 Raith Rovers 1 (Scottish Cup, 4th Round)Clydesdale Bank Premierleague Results - 19 January 2008
Celtic 1 Kilmarnock 0
Dundee United 3 Aberdeen 0
Gretna 2 Falkirk 0
Heart of Midlothian 1 Hibernian 0
St Mirren 3 Motherwell 1
Inverness Caledonian Thistle v Rangers is scheduled for Sunday.Irn-Bru Scottish Football League First Division Results - 19 January 2008
Clyde 1 Dundee 1
Dunfermline 0 St Johnstone 1
Greenock Morton 0 Queen of the South 3
Partick Thistle 3 Hamilton 0
Stirling Albion 1 Livingston 4Irn-Bru Scottish Football League Second Division Results - 19 January 2008
Ayr 3 Alloa 1
Brechin City 0 Cowdenbeath 1
Peterhead 9 Berwick Rangers 2
Queens Park 0 Raith Rovers 1
Ross County 3 Airdrie United 2
Irn-Bru Scottish Football League Third Division Results - 19 January 2008
Albion Rovers 2 East Stirling 2
Arbroath 2 Elgin 0
East Fife 3 Forfar 0
Stenhousemuir 0 Montrose 0
Stranraer 2 Dumbarton 0Scottish Hydro Electric Rugby Division One Results - 19 January 2008
Ayr 19 Boroughmuir 28
Currie 16 Edinburgh Academicals 23
Glasgow Hutchesons 16 Melrose 16
Hawick 19 Glasgow Hawks 3
Heriots 15 Dundee 7
Watsonians 29 Stirling County 24League Tables
Rangers remain at the top of the Scottish Premier, one point ahead of Celtic but with a game in hand. Dundee United and Motherwell are in joint third position, 11 points behind Celtic. Despite recording a win on saturday, Gretna remain at the foot of the SPL, 9 points adrift from Kilmarnock.
Aberdeen Manager Agrees New Contract
Aberdeen fans had been concerned about the protracted negotiations between the club and manager Jimmy Calderwood over a new contract. The worry escalated last week when two key players decided that they would leave and other players are undecided about new contracts. But the club, which has been successful this season despite the perennial lack of finance, has agreed an extension of three-and-a-half years with Calderwood. Willie Miller, the club's director of football, says that Calderwood has brought back respectability to Aberdeen. This season, in particular, he has put the club back on the map in Europe and is having a successful time domestically.
Hearts Go Digital
Heart of Midlothian's Gorgie stadium is the first in Scotland to install new digital advertising boards around the pitch, in place of the static ones. The ever-changing boards with moving graphics are common across Europe and have been adopted by some clubs in England. They are claimed to deliver four times the value of static advertising. Hearts have agreed a one-match trial. They can be distracting, of course, but if Hearts continue to perform badly, fans may end up watching the boards instead of the antics on the field.
Ski Slopes Have Busiest Day for Years
The ski resorts in Scotland have been struggling for many years due to a lack of snow. So it was no surprise that the recent fall of the white stuff in the Highlands created the best skiing conditions for many years. That attracted over 13,000 skiers, boarders and sightseers last Saturday. It was described as the best day for six or seven years as the crowds enjoyed blue skies and plenty snow. Glenshee was the busiest, with 3,500 people and, as the car park became full, others were turned away.
Murray Unbowed by Defeat
Scots tennis star Andy Murray crashed out of the Australian Open in the first round, slumping to a 7-5 6-4 0-6 7-6 (7-5) defeat by Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, a Frenchman ranked 38th in the world. But he said afterwards that he still has the potential to win a Grand Slam title and that he wasn't completely out-played. He admitted he had hit a couple of "silly shots" but insisted that nothing had gone badly wrong for him in ther match. Murray will now prepare for Britain's Davis Cup first-round match in Argentina at the beginning of February.