Current Affairs Scotland's New Parliament Building Opens - Slowly The first batch of staff have relocated to the new £431 million building at Holyrood, across the road from the Queen's official residence in Scotland, the Palace of Holyroodhouse. As 375 employees moved in this week, however, construction cranes were still in place and armies of workers were still swarming over the building in hard hats. Only parts of the building have been given an occupation certificate and it will be the end of September before all the staff (nearly 1,000) are scheduled to move in. Until then, staff will be trying to work between the old and the new buildings - a Royal Mile apart. George Reid, the Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament, who moved in to his new office this week, described the move as "Scotland’s biggest flit". Bearing in mind the major moves by Scotland's financial services companies in the capital over the years, he was perhaps exaggerating for effect. But then, he is a politician. The first session of parliament in the new building is scheduled to start on September 7. Scotland Making Waves The Scottish Executive have unveiled ambitious plans to generate 10% of Scotland's energy needs from wave power by 2020. To help achieve that target, they are likely to commit tax-payers' money to subsidise electricity produced by wave or tide power. The dash for undersea renewable energy comes as the lobby against the proliferation of wind turbines across the countryside blows more strongly by the day. Wave power supporters argue that it could also be more efficient at generating electricity than wind power. A £50 million Marine Renewables Development Fund to make Scotland a "world centre" for wave energy moved forward this week, as the installation of a wave turbine the size of four railway carriages was unveiled. It will link to the national electricity grid via seabed cables. Monument to Maternity - a Giant Nappy-pin The Royal Maternity Hospital in Rottenrow in the centre of Glasgow has a special place in the hearts of many Glaswegians - a lot of whom were born there. But with the increasing centralisation of medical services and with the building in which it was housed 140 years old, the hospital was closed down a few years ago and the old building demolished. Initially, there was talk of Strathclyde University, who own the site, creating a magnificent new building. In the end they have done the opposite - they have created a new Rottenrow Gardens, with terracing and plants, which have won a commendation in the Scottish Design Awards 2004.. The old maternity hospital is not forgotten, either, with important elements of the former maternity hospital, such as the Rottenrow portico and North Portland Street arch kept in place and incorporated into the overall design. The gardens are already extremely popular with students and staff, representing the hub in a network of routes linking the campus. But perhaps the most striking feature in the garden is a giant nappy pin (or diaper, if you live in some parts of the world). This 'Monument to Maternity' is a seven-metre high stainless steel sculpture designed by Scottish artist George Wyllie. It captures George's quirky sense of humour (that looks like a baby bird on top, with its mouth open, waiting to be fed) and will obviously be recognised as commemorating Glasgow's famous maternity hospital. Importantly for Strathclyde University, the sculpture also celebrates the importance of good design and engineering, for which the University is well known. Make That a Big MacPorridge Fast food giant McDonalds is testing out a new breakfast menu featuring porridge, muffins, cereals, yoghurt and premium coffee. But Scots who want to try it out will have to travel to the south of England as the new menu is only available in Bristol, Bath and Swindon. The dish of porridge is based on the Oatso Simple product and is being tested in 22 McDonald restaurants. So far, the porridge is proving to be the second-most-popular dish on the early morning menu. RAF Fly to Rescue Wind Farm The Ministry of Defence have withdrawn their objections to a £200 million windfarm development at Harestanes in the Forest of Ae, north of Dumfries, after Scottish Power created a computer generated simulator of flying fast jets and helicopters in the low-flying training area. The RAF pilots who tested the simulator gave the plan a thumbs up, resulting in the MoD change of heart. But the RAF want 23 of the 94 turbines moved closer to the town of Moffat and residents in the picturesque town are not going to like that. The project requires planning permission from Dumfries and Galloway Council. The Harestanes turbines have the potential to meet around a third of the Scottish Executive target to produce 18% of electricity from renewable resources by 2010. The site is said to be the best in Scotland for wind farm development and each 125 metres high turbine will generate three megawatts of power. Scottish Power now plans to use the computer simulator to persuade the RAF and the MoD about other sites where they have objections. The illustration here shows an RAF Tornado flying low over the windfarm in the Lammermuir Hills in the Scottish Borders. "Don't Panic, Don't Panic" Responding to the threat of global terrorism, the government has been sending out booklets to every household in the country, advising them on what to do in the event of an "emergency"- such as a bomb attack, chemical or biological "incidents" or major conflagrations. These have been dropping through letter boxes during August and there has also been a TV and newspaper advertising campaign highlighting the advice. The booklet lists useful items we should all have available in our homes - such as bottled water, tinned food, a battery radio (with spare batteries), first aid kit and a mobile phone. A wide range of organisations have assisted in its creation to ensure that it offers the best possible available advice in simple terms with practical, common sense information. Unfortunately, given recent floods and landslips, there is no advice in the booklet on how to deal with such natural disasters. One Man Forces Public Enquiry Over 20 Pence An employee of Fife Council from Glenrothes has forced the Scottish Executive to hold a public enquiry into the proposed increase in the tolls on the Forth road bridge from 80 pence to £1, the first increase since 1986. Legislation requires a public enquiry if even one person objects to an increase in tolls - and one person has done just that. However, the public enquiry will not take place until October and will delay implementation of the higher charges. This will cost the Forth Estuary Transport Authority £6,000 a day in lost revenue. The objector is not just fighting the increase - he argues that the construction costs were all paid by 1994 and that no charge is made for use of other main roads. Motorists pay the charge because they have little alternative other than a long detour via Kincardine Bridge (which is free). Campaigners against he toll on the Skye bridge expect to have tolls on their bridge removed by the end of the year. There are under 700,000 vehicles a year on the Skye bridge and 22 million on the Forth road bridge. But increasing tolls on the Forth Bridge is part of a government strategy to encourage motorists in the much busier central belt to leave their cars behind and use the (heavily subsidised) public transport network. Worst Harvest Since 1985? The above average levels of rainfall this summer has had a devastating impact on grain and other crops. Thousands of acres of oil seed have been written off because the seed pods sprouted, making it virtually useless. Spring barley, much of it used to make beer and whisky, is deteriorating in the fields and a lot of wheat has turned black. Many farmers have been unable to cut cereal crops because the ground has been too soggy for combine harvesters. Vegetable growers have managed to keep supplies going to supermarkets, but a lot has had to be rejected because it is not of the required quality. Prices are not likely to rise, however, as the rest of Europe, where the harvest is over, have produced good quality crops and imports will keep prices down. Soaring fuel costs will also make the drying of wet grain expensive, even when it can be harvested. Pipers Persecuted By coincidence (surely) the World Pipe Band Championships last Saturday coincided with the 60th anniversary of the foundation of the College of Piping in Pitt Street, Glasgow. The college principal took the opportunity to speak out about the noise control measures which are about to be introduced by the Scottish Executive. Designed to protect people from noisy neighbours and other anti-social behaviour, the principal says they will make it difficult for pipers in Scotland to practice without falling foul of the legislation. He commented that when the Piping College was first set up, there was a complaint from the madame of a brothel upstairs who said the noise was putting off her customers.... Now, he says the Scottish Executive are persecuting pipers in a way "we have not seen since the prohibitions after the Battle of Culloden." Of course, with the Strathclyde Police Pipe Band (seen here at the World Pipe Band Championships) on the side of the pipers, maybe there is no need to be worried? Scottish Drivers Travel 26 Billion Miles Travel by private road vehicles was the most popular form of transport in Scotland, according to the latest Scottish Transport Statistics. Car journeys accounted for 79% of the 6,500 miles the average person travels in Scotland each year. But passenger numbers were 1% up for local bus services and 62.3 million passenger journeys were made on Scotrail services, an increase of 9% over 2002. There were 2.4 million vehicles licensed in Scotland, meaning 47 vehicles for every 100 people. But that is lower than the UK average of 54 per hundred. Bountiful Butterflies Gardeners and conservationists are reporting that there have been larger than normal numbers of butterflies in Scotland this summer, thanks to last year's warm weather followed by a mild winter. But although gardens and hedgerows have been filled with their colourful wings fluttering from flower to flower, the experts are warning that the high rainfall this year will mean that butterfly numbers will decline again next year. Nectar-rich plants have been affected by heavy rain, providing less food for the butterfly population. The butterfly seen in the largest numbers is the lovely Peacock, with its distinctive "eye" spots (as shown here). Migrants such as the Painted Lady and Red Admirals have also been arriving in Scotland from the continent, where they have been enjoying good weather conditions. Historical Affairs Taymouth Castle - Scotland's First Six-Star Hotel Planning permission was granted this week by Perth and Kinross Council to transform 19th century Taymouth Castle, and its 450 acre estate near Kenmore, into Scotland's first six-star hotel. Costs are estimated at £50 million and Toronto-based Four Seasons hotels are in line to take over the development. Plans include the creation of a new wing with 73 suites and construction of holiday lodges on the banks of the river Tay. Historic Scotland have lodged an objection to the extent of the plans and the proposals will now have to go to the Scottish Executive in Edinburgh for final consideration. Entertainment 58th Edinburgh Fringe Festival Begun as an add-on to the main Edinburgh International Festival, the three-week Fringe has outstripped the main festival in many respects, including the number of individual performances - 25,000. It is hoped that ticket sales will top the million mark this year. One of the most publicised shows is a stage adaptation of the prison diaries of disgraced Member of Parliament Jeffrey Archer. The Fringe always manages to stage performances in some unusual venues as every hall, church and theatre is pressed into service. This year there are shows in an Indian restaurant and a sports car. Comedy always makes a big impression - this year there is a political satire named Guantanamo Baywatch. Playfair Project at National Galleries The Playfair Project was formally completed this week by the opening of the Weston Link which joins the National Gallery of Scotland with the Royal Scottish Academy on the Mound in Edinburgh. The Scottish Executive provided £10 million funding towards the £29 million costs of the Playfair Project. Unlike the Scottish Parliament building in another part of the capital, the art gallery project came in on budget and on time. The exhibition which marks the opening of the Playfair project is "The Age of Titian", centering on the painting "Venus Anadyoneme" (Venus Rising from the Sea) which was bought for the National Gallery of Scotland last year. New Radio Station for Glasgow's Over-50s An aging population has meant that Glasgow's newest radio station, which starts broadcasting on September 7, will be targeted at the over 50s. With 80% of the savings held in Scotland belonging to this age group, Saga Radio will no doubt attract a lot of adverts from financial services companies. But, perhaps surprisingly (or perhaps not) over 50% of all beauty products are bought by those over 50. And they have more leisure time so no doubt Saga holidays will feature on the programmes. So people who tune in to 105.2FM in Glasgow will not be the sort of people looking for a "best buy" in zimmer frames and support hose after all. World Pipe Band Championships Glasgow came alive to the sound of Scotland this week and particularly on Saturday, when the World Pipe Band Championships brought the pipes and drums of 8,000 musicians in over 230 bands to Glasgow Green. This is the 19th consecutive year it has been staged in Glasgow and this year it seemed a bit better organised from the point of the 40,000 spectators. In addition to the pipe band championships, Highland dancing and Drum Major competitions, the European Highland Games Heavy Events Championship was held at the same time. Traditional events such as stone putt, throwing the Scots hammer and tossing the caber entertained the crowd. After all the rain this week, it was a relief to enjoy a warm, dry afternoon with the sun making a fleeting appearance every now and then. In the Grade 1 World Pipe Band Championships, Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band of Northern Ireland (pictured here, tuning up before their performance) took first place, followed by Simon Fraser University (Canada). Third place went to last year's winners, House of Edgar Shotts & Dykehead while Strathclyde Police were 4th. See Piper and Drummer for the full results. Glasgow Tower Opens at Last - Then Closes Again The 400ft high Glasgow Tower was supposed to be a major visitor attraction beside the Glasgow Science Centre on the banks of the river Clyde. As Scotland's tallest free-standing building and the only tower in the world which rotates 360 degrees along its entire length, it offers magnificent panoramic views of the city and beyond. But it has been dogged by problems to both its lifts and then its supporting ball-bearing. It opened in October 2001 but has been available to the public for only three months since then. At last, with much publicity, the tower reopened this week - and after less than a day had to close again due to a problem with the lifts which take visitors to the observation platform at the top. It is a great pity that the tower has had so many problems - the view from the top is terrific (if you have a head for heights). You can see some of the views at Places to Visit - Glasgow Tower The photos in this feature were taken from the top before the tower officially opened (and before the lifts were working!)

September 2004

Current Affairs Salmond Leaps to Leadership of National Party As expected, Alex Salmond, who resigned as leader of the Scottish National Party four years ago, won the latest leadership contest by a substantial margin this week, as he sought to had back to the Scottish parliament. He won 76% of the vote and his choice as deputy, Nicola Sturgeon, was also well ahead of her rivals. Ms Sturgeon will lead the party in the Scottish parliament until the next election as Mr Salmond is currently a Member of the UK parliament in London. Photographs courtesy of the Scottish Parliament © Web site. Scots Shop Till They Drop Retail sales growth in Scotland in August once more outshone the UK average, with sales volume 7.6% higher than in the same month in 2003; the UK figure was only 3.2%. Scottish retail sales have now out-peformed the UK average in 13 out of the last 14 months according to Scottish Retail Sales Monitor. Growth was particularly high in the west of Scotland, including Glasgow. But as higher interest rates and slowing house price rises begin to have an impact, economists are predicting that sales will start to decelerate, a pattern already emerging in other parts of the UK. Small shopkeepers outside the main cities are already reporting that August was a poor month. And sales of gardening and outdoor leisure products also suffered from the wet weather. The illustration is of Princes Square Shopping Centre, Glasgow. Scotland's Biggest International Airline is Irish The latest Civil Aviation Statistics have confirmed that budget airline Ryanair, based in Dublin, carried the most international passengers to and from Scotland during 2003 - by a wide margin. Using Prestwick airport in Ayrshire as their main Scottish base, Ryanair carried 1.12 million international passengers, 50% more than the second biggest airline, KLM. British Airways was a poor fourth, which is hardly surprising as BA only flies to Paris from Scotland, while Ryanair currently operates 15 daily international flights from Scotland. And Ryanair is growing fast - this week it announced another four routes to the continent - Dusseldorf, Hamburg, Pisa and Murcia (Spain). Tartan Doesn't Sell Whisky? The chief executive of the giant drinks company Diageo claimed this week that the company's advertising campaigns using traditional Scottish images of tartan, heather and Scottish stags had failed to attract the younger market or the nouveau riche in the UK. Diageo controls over 30% of the whisky industry, including top-selling brands such as Johnnie Walker, Bell's and J&B. But overseas, the iconic images have been most successful, particularly in Italy and France. Swapping Crakow for Castlemilk Aberdeen-based transport company FirstGroup are hoping to recruit 1,000 bus drivers from Poland, over the next eighteen months, to fill vacancies for driving jobs in a number of UK locations, including Glasgow. Apparently, deregulation of services in Poland has made many drivers redundant in a country which has an unemployment rate of 22%. Since May 1 workers in Poland have been free to take up posts anywhere in the European Union. Unemployed drivers in Poland receive only £70 a month unemployment pay and even those who are employed get only £1.60 an hour. They would earn £8 an hour in Glasgow with overtime rates of £9 per hour on weekdays and £10 at weekends. As bus drivers these days also collect the fares, the Poles will have to learn English - as well as adapt to driving on the left side of the road. Lessons on "local dialect" will also be given - so they will have to learn "come on, get aff" and other standard phrases! Filling the Gaps in Dental Care The National Health Service (NHS) is supposed to provide dental care for all, but in recent years a large number of dentists have left the NHS and offer only private health care - with the cost paid by the patient. It has become increasingly difficult in some areas to find a dentist operating under the NHS and government cash incentives of up to £100,000 have are being offered to attract qualified practitioners, but without success. Rural areas have been particularly badly affected. Dentists claim that it is not just that private dentistry is more lucrative. There is more preventative health care in private practise and NHS dentists are now in such short supply that they are grossly overworked. More Births, Fewer Deaths The "Vital Events" quarterly report from the Registrar General for Scotland on births marriages and deaths for the second quarter of 2004 shows that the number of births is 3.4% higher than the same quarter last year. The increase in the birth rate (from 12,905 to 13,343 - the highest quarterly figure since 2000) was immediately seized upon by campaigners trying to halt the closure or downgrading of maternity facilities in various parts of the country. In all but one quarter since the middle of 2002, there have been more births than the same period in the previous year. Part of the justification for a reduction in the number of maternity facilities is the decline in the number of babies being born. The Vital Events report also shows that deaths in the second quarter fell from 14,073 to 13,571 (-3.7%) in the same quarter in the previous year. Despite the changes in the statistics, however, there were still more deaths than births in Scotland in the three months to end June. Desperate Dan Gets a Makeover The "Dandy" is the longest-running comic in Scotland, having been published in Dundee for nearly 70 years. Desperate Dan the cowboy has featured in the comic ever since the first issue but in an attempt to appeal more to the new generation of youngsters he is to be joined by Dreadlock Holmes, a streetwise "cool kid", and Jak, a trouble-making schoolboy. The new story lines are said to "challenge the constraints of political correctness" but with harmless fun - so nothing much is really changing, perhaps. Except that Desperate Dan's personal makeover is to include the removal of his gun (the empty holster will remain) and his spurs will be removed. And his large stomach (a result of eating so many beef pies) is to be slimmed down to accord with current views on obesity. The changes may attract some of today's youngsters but their fathers and grandfathers are more likely to be turned off! The illustration shows the sculpture of Desperate Dan striding out in the centre of Dundee. Historical Affairs Kidnapped in Corstorphine When Alan Breck and David Balfour, the two heroes in the Robert Louis Stevenson's story "Kidnapped", part company at the end of the novel, they do so on Corstorphine Hill, looking over Edinburgh in the distance. Now the Highlander and the Lowlander are together again in Corstorphine, in bronze at least. The 20ft high statues have been unveiled in the grounds of the sponsor of the art work, Scottish & Newcastle brewers, overlooking the busy Corstorphine Road, looking towards the Pentland Hills. The realistic-looking statue shows the two men in a stirring pose, which mirrors well their adventure story origins. The idea for the statue came from the sculptor, Alexander Stoddart (who is also in the process of designing another statue, this time of the economist Adam Smith). Kidnapped tells the story of a Lowlander who is sold into slavery by his uncle and escapes into the mountains of Scotland, accompanied by a Highlander, pursued by English troops. It is thought by some to be one of the finest stories ever told about Scotland, its divisions and its landscape. Dinosaur Saved From Extinction A 14 feet high and 46 feet long Tyrannosaurus Rex, which sits near the entrance to Glasgow University, was under threat of extinction because students kept causing damage by swinging on its tail. The university also thought the annual £2000 maintenance cost for the plastic replica was too high. The model was erected in 2001 to publicise an exhibition "Walking With Dinosaurs" at the Hunterian Museum within the university. Since then, the creature has become quite a tourist attraction and has been nicknamed Millie. Her popularity is such that the university authorities have now relented - and have commissioned a new metal tail instead. Restoration for Dundee's Favourite Building The McManus Galleries in the centre of Dundee has succeeded at last in obtaining a grant of £5 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund. This will allow the building to be restored to its original Victorian splendour. Constructed in the 1860s, it was designed by the architect Sir George Gilbert Scott in a style known as Victorian Gothic. It was built at a time when Dundee had become prosperous (or at least the mill owners and traders were raking in the profits). The building was intended as a monument to Prince Albert, Queen Victoria's husband. The museum will close for two years to allow the renovation work to proceed, at a total cost in the region of £14 million. Entertainment Another Record for Edinburgh Fringe The record wet weather in August may have helped to drive people into the Edinburgh Fringe performances rather than keep them away, but whatever the reason, there were 1,251,997 tickets sold for the three-week festival, an increase of 5.6% on 2003. This year, around 44% of ticket sales were via the Internet. The weather did affect the atmosphere, with less of a "buzz" around the city, perhaps due to a reduction in the number of street performances. Some venues reported significant increases - the Stand Comedy Club experienced a rise of over 38% compared to 2003. Scotland's Biggest Air Show Last Saturday saw around 40,000 spectators attending the annual Battle of Britain Air Show at the Royal Air Force's Leuchars air base in Fife. There was a flying display lasting seven hours with ultra-modern fast jets mixed with historic aircraft from the Second World War. The event culminated in the exciting formation aerobatics by the Red Arrows RAF display team. This is the team's 40th anniversary and instead of flying off to another demonstration, the aircraft landed and allowed the pilots to chat with some of the spectators. The static park was overflowing with aircraft from air forces across Europe and, of course, the US.

October 2004

Current Affairs Scottish Parliament Opened - At Last If the Queen was watching the last minute preparations across the road from her Palace of Holyroodhouse as workmen worked through the night to get the Scottish Parliament ready for the official opening on Saturday, she probably breathed a sigh of relief that the noisy building works were at last coming to an end. Well, almost, workers will return on Monday to add some finishing touches. At least the scaffolding, dumper trucks and cranes were not in sight as the traditional procession of dignitaries, Members of the Scottish Parliament, jugglers, actors and celebrities (difficult sometimes to tell which were which) marched down the Royal Mile from the old parliament building beside St Giles to the new one. The opening ceremony included, in addition to the usual speeches, performances from BBC Young Musician of the Year, violinist Nicola Benedetti, a Gaelic choir and the singing of Auld Lang Syne. In an unscripted gesture, those in the debating chamber were invited to sing the last chorus - which they did with gusto. The Scottish Crown, the oldest in the UK, left its usual display cabinet in Edinburgh Castle to journey down to the other end of the Royal Mile as a symbol in the new building. But it had competition from a new sculpture entitled the "Honours of Scotland", unveiled by the Queen and gifted by the Incorporation of Goldsmiths of the City of Edinburgh. Scottish Executive Budget Soars to £30 Billion The spending plans of the Scottish Executive for the next three years were announced in Parliament this week by the finance minister, Andy Kerr. They show that in the wake of the UK spending review announced earlier by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in London, the Scottish budget will rise to £30.4 billion by 2007/8, up from £25.5 billion this year. Annual spending on the National Health Service will exceed £10 billion over the next few years and Transport spending will increase to £1.9 billion. Capital spending will account for much of that, with new airport rail links, motorway improvements and support for international air routes. By 2007 the government will extend free bus, rail and ferry travel for pensioners to the disabled and all young people in full-time education. The amount allocated to universities will also rise, reaching over £1 billion by 2007. Scotland Says "Bonjour" A major drive to attract more French visitors to Scotland has produced a record response according to results published this week. VisitScotland's French Spring campaign this year has doubled the number of people - to 80,000 - asking for information about a holiday in Scotland. Responses were measured by the number of information pack requests and visitors to VisitScotland's French website. Commenting on the figures, Tourism Minister Patricia Ferguson (currently in Marseilles where she is taking part in a series of events celebrating Entente Cordiale) said "France is one of our most significant tourism markets, but there is further potential for growth. Historical alliances and close cultural links coupled with improving transport links provide opportunities to exploit this lucrative market, and raise Scotland's profile as a must-visit destination." In 2002, France was the third overseas market in terms of total trips, behind USA (390,000) and Germany (134,000) with 124,000 French trips to Scotland. Black Watch to Join US Troops Near Baghdad Following a request from US military leaders, 650 members of the Black Watch Regiment, equipped with Warrior armoured vehicles, plus 200 support personnel, will move soon from Basra to an area south-west of the Iraqi capital of Baghdad. Despite moving into a US-controlled area, the Scottish regiment will act under British military rules of engagement. This will free-up US troops for an anticipated assault on the rebel stronghold of Falluja. There had been speculation for some time about such a move, which came as a disappointment to many of the soldiers as they were scheduled to return home soon. However, the Prime Minister announced in Parliament that the deployment was for a limited period and he assured concerned relatives that they would still be "home for Christmas". There remains a suspicion that although the deployment is said to be for "military reasons", it is politically motivated in the run-up to the US Presidential elections. The illustration shows the band of the Black watch performing at the Military Tattoo at Edinburgh Castle. Seaplane Service from River Clyde? The company operating the UK's first charter and pleasure seaplane service (from Loch Lomond) has launched an ambitious plan to start a scheduled seaplane service from the river Clyde in Glasgow to Arran, Bute and Highland destinations. Loch Lomond Seaplanes has been awarded a £15,000 Tourism Innovation Development Award from Scottish Enterprise to help progress the proposal. A three hour car journey to Lochgilphead in Argyll can be completed by seaplane in 15 minutes and it needs no runway other than the water for landing and take-off. The Clyde has a long association with seaplanes - nearly 300 massive Sunderland flying boats were built at Dumbarton during the war. For more on Loch Lomond Seaplanes, see Places to Visit - Loch Lomond Seaplanes. Bid to Take Back Berwick The town of Berwick, at the mouth of the river Tweed in Northumberland, changed hands between Scotland and England at least 13 times between 1296 and 1482. It finally became part of England - with the border between the two countries creating an artificial enclave north of the river. In the days of horse-drawn transport this gave England a convenient bridgehead in the event of invasion - which was to happen on a number of occasions over the next few hundred years. Some months ago, with his tongue stuck firmly in his cheek, the leader of the Scottish Borders Council suggested that Berwick should once again be part of Scotland, to produce tourism and economic benefits. The idea has apparently sparked off a debate in the area and now it is being suggested that a referendum should take place to see what the residents think. A Berwick Borough Councillor has suggested "In Berwick, 25% of people think of themselves as Scottish, 25% as English and 50% as Berwickers." If Berwick became part of the Scottish Borders, it would become the largest town in the region. But if, as seems likely, a North East Assembly is created in England, Berwick would be on the periphery of that larger unit. Glasgow Fort Opens the Doors The latest shopping park in Glasgow opened its doors in Easterhouse this week. 23 stores opened at Glasgow Fort and another 50 shops will open by Christmas. The park will eventually offer 400,000sq ft of shopping as a major part of the regeneration of the city's east end residential area. The £200 million development is aimed at adding to Glasgow's status as the best shopping location outside of London. It is estimated that 10 million shoppers will flock to Glasgow Fort every year from all over the central Scotland belt. Situated beside the main motorway linking to Edinburgh, it should attract bargain hunters from the capital as well as local Glaswegians. New Challenge for Highlands - Success For centuries, the Highlands have faced depopulation, unemployment, economic stagnation and has been propped up by injections of tax-payers' money from the UK and Europe. But now, according to the chairman of Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), it is facing a new challenge - success. Unemployment in the area is well below the Scottish average (which, by historical standards, is also at a low level) and there is a currently a shortage of workers and housing. In 1993, unemployment in the Morayshire town of Forres, for example, was 17%; it is currently 1.7%. The Highlands lost European Union support grants in recent years because it was calculated that it was above the wealth threshold. The city of Inverness, the capital of the Highlands, is running against the downward trend for Scotland overall with a growing population. So HIE says that the new situation requires a change of strategy, particularly to address the shortage of affordable housing. Whisky Exports Hit Six-Year High The world's love affair with Scotch whisky is strengthening according to figures published by the Scotch Whisky Association. Sales rose by 2% in the first half of 2004 to £982 million with growth in emerging markets such as Brazil (up by 54% by volume) and Greece (16% higher) rising even faster. France and Spain are now the biggest markets by volume but the US is still the highest by value, as it takes more of the premium-priced malt whiskies. Other large importers of whisky include South Korea, Thailand and Germany. Go-Ahead for "Squinty" Bridge A £10 million project to build a bridge across the river Clyde has been delayed for a year by a legal campaign by a lone objector who took his case to the High Court in Edinburgh. But this week the project to create the diagonal bridge between the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre and the new media office development at Pacific Quay got the green light as the case was thrown out. The diagonal design has meant that is has been dubbed the "squinty bridge" by local Glaswegians. The bridge was a condition of the BBC to move its HQ from Queen Margaret Drive to the new media centre on the south bank of the Clyde. Historical Affairs World Heritage Status for Arthur's Seat? A review of the World Heritage site of Edinburgh's Old and New Towns has suggested that the area covered should be extended to include Holyrood Park, an area which is dominated by Arthur's Seat, the remains of an extinct volcano and which looms over the city. The document also calls for the Royal Botanic Gardens to be included and the creation of a "buffer zone" around the site to ensure that intrusive buildings on the fringes are not built, spoiling views to and from areas like Calton Hill. The existing World Heritage site covers 4,600 buildings, 75% of them listed by Historic Scotland. Development Plan for Donaldson's College Unveiled When it was announced last year that Donaldson's College for the Deaf, one of Edinburgh's finest architectural masterpieces, was to be sold to a developer and converted into apartments, there was some concern expressed about the loss of heritage. The building was designed by William Henry Playfair and completed in 1851, with fine views of the building from the main road leading into Edinburgh from the west. Queen Victoria once described the building as grander than many of her palaces. However, the sale, for £15 million, would allow the college to move to new modern premises in Linlithgow. Now the developer, Cala Homes, has unveiled its detailed plans for the building. There will be 63 luxury flats in the original building with a further 72 modern, futuristic homes built from stone and glass, built in a crescent shape behind it. The former chapel is to be turned into a private cinema and there will be an underground car park. The distinctive grassland in front of the college will remain although landscape improvements are planned. Back to the Future with Endeavour Shipyard workers on the river Clyde in Glasgow, working on the latest warships for the Royal Navy, were surprised to see a blast from the past as a large sailing ship made her way serenely up the river. The vessel was an exact replica of HMS Endeavour, the ship which carried Captain Cook on his journey round the world, during which he stopped off at such mysterious places as Australia and New Zealand in 1769. The ship, which now acts as a training centre, berthed at the Glasgow Science Centre for a week. Entertainment The Royal National Mod 2004 This year's annual Gaelic Mod is taking place from 8th -16th October in Perth. This is a competition-based festival, celebrating Gaelic through music, dance, drama, arts and literature. It was first held in Oban in 1892 and has grown over the years to become the second biggest festival in Scotland, attracting visitors and competitors from throughout the UK, Ireland, Australia, Canada and the USA. This year's event will see in excess of 2000 competitors including 82 choirs, taking part in over 200 competitions throughout a variety of venues within the city centre. There are lots of "Fringe" events or 'Fèis a' Mhòid' such as a Fiddlers' Rally in Perth City Hall, storytelling, songs & poetry for children of all ages, beer tasting at Greyfriar's hosted by the Inveralmond Brewery and the Mod Shinty Cup Final at McDiarmid Park (the home of the local St Johnstone Football Club).

November 2004

Current Affairs Scotland to Stub Out Smoking Prior to the announcement this week by the Scottish Executive on their legislation to curb smoking in public buildings, there had been concerns amongst the anti-smoking lobby that the proposals would allow smoking to continue in bars and private clubs Instead, it was decided that a comprehensive ban on smoking in all enclosed public places in Scotland would be a clear signal, easier to enforce and simpler to understand than other options that would fall short of that. The only exceptions will be care homes for the elderly and psychiatric hospitals. Private houses are also exempt, even when a cleaner or home help is employed. Licensees of bars or employers who fail to enforce the law will face fines up to a maximum of £2,500 and owners of licensed premises who persistently refuse to comply with the law will face the ultimate sanction of losing their liquor licence. Individuals who persistently break the law will face a maximum fine of £1,000. It is estimated that smoking causes the premature death of around 13,000 Scots each year, with 1,000 of these resulting from passive smoking. And every year, 35,000 Scots are treated for smoking-related diseases. Voters Unconvinced by Devolution A survey by the National Centre for Social Research suggests that only 30% of Scots feel that a Scottish Parliament has improved the government of the country. The majority of those responding to the poll felt that devolution had just not made any difference and only a minority of voters believe that the Scottish Executive has been responsible for improvements in key areas such as health and education. Edinburgh University Ranked in World Top 50 The University of Edinburgh was the only Scottish higher education institution ranked in the top 50 universities of the world in a recent survey of 1,300 academics in 88 countries. Edinburgh came 48th and there were seven other universities in England which came higher. The table was dominated by American universities with Harvard, Berkeley in California, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and California Institute of Technology leading the way. Other Scottish entries in the table were: St Andrews (70); Glasgow (112); Dundee (168), and Aberdeen (194). Fall in Number of Primary School Pupils Figures published this week by the Scottish Executive illustrate clearly the demographic shift in Scotland's population. They show the number of pupils attending primary schools (age 5-11) shrinking by 7,700 in one year, to 397,853. Projections suggest that the numbers will continue to fall, reaching 350,000 over the next ten years. Rural areas have seen the biggest reductions - Dumfries & Galloway fell by 9.1% between 2003 and 2004 and Argyll & Bute by 9.5% (the illustration shows Luss Primary School, Argyll). The Orkneys had the biggest percentage fall of 9.7%. Although the primary school roll in Glasgow only fell by 4.4%, that meant nearly 2,000 fewer pupils. Inevitably, the falling number of pupils will lead to the closure of more schools. Last Post for Historic Scottish Regiments As men of the Black Watch stormed key strongholds in Iraq's "Triangle of Death," military sources were being quoted as saying that the Army Board had decided that in order to make financial savings demanded by government ministers, single-battalion regiments could not continue. As a result, despite strenuous campaigns to save them, the Black Watch and the other five Scottish infantry regiments will be merged into one "super-regiment" - probably called the Royal Scottish Regiment. In recent weeks, Prime Minister Tony Blair had appeared to endorse a compromise proposal that would have allowed the Scots units to keep their regimental status. But according to the Army Board that would not have achieved the required level of savings. A final decision is expected in the next few weeks - by which time the Black Watch soldiers may be on their way home from Iraq, as promised by the Prime Minister. Scotland's Lottery Wins The National Lottery began ten years ago and the media have been looking back at what has been achieved in that time. Of course, it has created a fair number of winners - in addition to a host of smaller prizes, there have been 177 people in Scotland who have won over a million pounds for a £1 stake. The largest individual winner was a lucky lady from Glenrothes who scooped £11,157,490. But it's the lottery money which has been distributed to 22,300 good causes across Scotland to the tune of £1.4 billion that has had the greatest impact. Charities have been the biggest beneficiaries but the arts, heritage and sports have also been major recipients. Major Scottish projects have included the Glasgow Science Centre, Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh, the Falkirk Wheel and the University of the Highlands and Islands Millennium Institute. To achieve all the money for these and many more projects, Scots have purchased £4.3 billion in lottery tickets. While we have received back winnings and contributions to good causes amounting to £2.1 billion, £2.2 billion has gone to the government and to Camelot, the company which runs the lottery. Scotland - Full of Energy Government targets are always easy to announce but are often more difficult to achieve. So there was perhaps an element of justified satisfaction this week when Jack McConnell, the Scottish First Minister, announced to an audience of leading industry figures and academics in Aberdeen this week that the Scottish government has already granted approvals for projects which, when built, would be sufficient to meet Scotland's 2010 target of having 18% of electricity generated from renewable sources. Of course, the country had a flying start in meeting such targets by having a good number of hydro-electric power schemes, which have been in operation for many decades. But it is the wind power turbines which have boosted that figure in recent years - despite the resistance by those who see them as a blight on the landscape. The First Minister claims that the schemes already in the pipeline will form an important first step towards an even more ambitious target of generating 40% of our electricity from renewable sources by 2020. The title of Jack McConnell's lecture was "Scotland - Full of Energy". Cabbies Get Customer Care Lessons Glasgow's 6,000 taxi and private car hire drivers are to get lessons in customer care which, it is hoped, will turn them into ambassadors for the city. The training will include improving courtesy, dealing with foreign visitors, providing better services for the disabled and learning basic first aid. They will also be given training on "selling" Glasgow to tourists and improving their knowledge of the city's attractions. When drivers' three-year licence comes up for renewal, the drivers will be required to take the one-day course. Historical Affairs Chief Donates Clan Lands The Macneils of Barra have lived on that island in the Western Isles for over 1,000 years and a 9,000 acre crofting estate on Barra has belonged to the clan chief for generations. But now the 46th chief of Clan McNeil, who is a 74-year-old American law professor, has transferred the property to the Scottish Executive. They will manage the land until a community takeover is organised. The Executive already owns land on Barra and the neighbouring island of Vatersay so the arrangement could see 16,000 acres in total passing to public ownership. The islands have a population of 1,300 and have 440 crofts and two working quarries. Many local people see the transfer as a great opportunity but the transition could be a slow one as there is no pressure on the residents to take up what others see as a challenging prospect. Chronicle of the City of Aberdeen A fascinating new display has been unveiled at the Aberdeen Art Gallery. The colourful exhibit is a celebration of the influences which have made Aberdeen the city it is today, and highlights many of the businesses and organisations which have helped build its outstanding national and international profile. The portable display labours under the title of "The History and Economic Development Chronicle of the City of Aberdeen". It portrays the history of the City of Aberdeen, and how it has developed from eighth century fishing settlement to thriving, global energy centre. It focuses on themes such as education, industry and, in particular, the developing energy sector. The display can be seen at Aberdeen Art Gallery until November 24, after which it will go on show at other council venues, before being made available for loan to companies and organisations in the city. Lost - One Papal Bull You would think that the document authorising the founding of a university in 1451 is not the sort of thing that they would lose easily. But Glasgow University has launched a world-wide search for the Papal Bull, signed by Pope Nicholas V, which launched the institution in Scotland's largest city. During the Reformation, when anything connected with the Catholic Church was likely to be destroyed, it was taken to Paris in 1560 for safe keeping. Clearly it wasn't kept very safely and the only document which establishes under law that the university has the power to grant degrees is missing. After the French Revolution, the Scots College in Paris was forced out of the French capital and its documents scattered across France and overseas. It is thought that it may be mouldering in some archive somewhere and so the University of Glasgow is writing to academic institutions around the world asking them to explore their archives in the hope of uncovering it. Victorian Landmark Sold When the Victorian architect William Leiper had a number of his proposals for the design of a carpet factory in the east end of Glasgow rejected by the city council, he came up with the idea of making it look like the Doge's Palace in Venice - it is not clear whether he was being serious but the council approved. So in 1892 his extravagant edifice of polychromatic brick - orange, yellow, blue, with turrets and arches and circular windows became a reality as the Templeton Carpet Factory. Over the years, additions have been made - some, such the one made in the 1930s, as colourful as the original. It is no longer a carpet factory but has become a business centre instead. Last year, the planning authorities rejected a plan to build a skyscraper at the corner of the listed building as part of a redevelopment - critics described the proposal as "architectural vandalism". Now the building has been sold to developers Old Mill Studios whose architects agree that it is one of Glasgow's most iconic and important historic buildings. They say that their plans will ensure that it retains its cultural significance. Inside, they will create 143 residential flats, a specialist micro-brewery, a visitor centre and part of the business centre will be retained. Entertainment 1500 Tonnes of Snow for Xscape Further details of the plans for the £60 million Xscape leisure complex were released this week. Scotland's first indoor ski slope will have over 1500 tonnes of real snow on a 120 ski slope, climbing walls, an aerial assault course, a multiplex cinema, a 24-lane 10-pin bowling alley, shops and bars on a site overlooking the river Clyde and beside the Braehead Shopping centre at Renfrew. The complex is aimed at attracting over three million visitors a year from all over Scotland, the north of England and Northern Ireland. Construction work on the site started in September and is due to open in April 2006. Extras Wanted for Greyfriar's Bobby Movie The local Jobcentre in Edinburgh was the focus of budding actors this week as the producers of "The Adventures of Greyfriars Bobby" set about recruiting hundreds of extras to work on location in Edinburgh, Stirling and the Scottish Borders. The movie will tell the well-known story of Bobby, the Skye terrier who refused to leave his master's grave in historic Greyfriar's churchyard in the 19th century. Bobby came to prominence in the 1890s when Eleanor Atkinson, an American, wrote a book about the dog which became a first reading book for a generation of many Americans. Production has started and filming by actors such as Christopher Lee will continue until early next year. Nelson Theme for Tattoo The victory of Admiral Lord Nelson at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805 will be a feature of the programme for next year's Edinburgh Military Tattoo performed as usual on the esplanade (forecourt) of Edinburgh Castle. The Royal Marines will be joined by military personnel from Russia, Norway and the USA. The Russian Cossack State Song and Dance Ensemble will be among more than 1,000 performers in the 56th year of the event. It is always a sell-out for its three week run and this year 211,000 tickets were sold in record time. As usual, the 200-strong Massed Pipes and Drums will start the proceedings. Tickets for next year's Tattoo go on sale next week.

December 2004

Current Affairs Edinburgh's Capital Christmas 2004 The month-long programme of events leading up to (and beyond!) Hogmanay in Edinburgh got off to a flying start with a traditional German Christmas Market this week, offering food and souvenirs, mainly from Bavaria. The market takes place in Princes Street Gardens, overlooked by a giant ferris wheel, covered in Christmas lights and providing a different view of the city below. The Winter Wonderland skating rink in the lower gardens at Princes Street is also in full swing. "Golden Hello" Fails to Attract Dentists There is an acute shortage of National Health Service (NHS) dentists in rural areas of Scotland, as large numbers move over to private practise instead. This prompted the Scottish Executive to offer up to £100,000 to lure qualified dentists from England or even from the European Union countries such as Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic. But the "temporary fillings" have failed to attract new dentists, leaving large areas with no NHS cover. Dentists claim that it is not just that private dentistry is more lucrative. There is more preventative health care in private practise (paid for by the patients) and NHS dentists are now in such short supply that they are grossly overworked. Rail Passengers' Misery Increases As if trains running late was not enough, the new rail franchise operator in Scotland has announced an average 4% increase in fares, roughly double the present rate of inflation. First Scotrail took over the network in October and, since then, punctuality has plummeted even further, with some areas experiencing the worst performance for years - and that is quite an achievement, considering the record of the previous franchisee. On average, 20% of trains do not arrive on time and the figures have been around that level for some years. It is argued that fares have to rise to pay for the huge investment being planned to improve services - but that is a story that has been heard frequently over the years. Vodka Pushing Whisky Under the Table? A report by market analysts Datamonitor, suggests that within five years the number one spirit consumed in the UK will no longer be Scotch whisky but Russian vodka. The report says that the average Briton drinks 1.2 litres (just over a bottle and a half) of whisky each year, accounting for over 30% of overall British consumption of spirits. But sales have been falling in the UK in recent years, particularly of the cheaper blended varieties. Vodka sales in the UK were negligible until the 1960s but are now almost as high as whisky, at just under a litre per person a year, on average, and the analysts expect sales to match whisky by 2008 and then surpass it. The UK spirits market is worth over £9 billion a year. One of the problems faced by whisky is that vodka and rum are often drunk with mixer drinks, while many people still regard it tantamount to sacrilege to add lemonade or cola to whisky. Meantime, over in Russia, whisky sales are growing strongly... Too Many Bars in Edinburgh The Lothian and Borders Deputy Chief Constable has claimed this week that the large number of bars in Edinburgh are a contributory factor to the growing number of arrests of people being drunk and incapable in the Capital over the last five years. He pointed out that Edinburgh has twice as many pubs per head of population than Glasgow (which will come as a surprise to many Glaswegians). He says that Edinburgh has become a popular destination for "stag" and "hen" nights or even weekends, as prospective grooms and brides celebrate their last nights of "freedom" before tying the knot. The drinking culture has certainly changed over the years and "binge" drinking is a major issue. The number of actual arrests for being "drunk and incapable" has increased from 57 in 1999 to 257 last year, though it is hard to work out whether this is due to more alcohol being consumed or the police cracking down on noisy revellers who are causing a nuisance and alarm to others. For Whom the Bell Tolls Campaigners have fought since the opening of the Skye road bridge in 1995 to have the tolls on the crossing removed. The bridge has helped economic development and tourism and Skye is one of the handful of areas of the Highlands where the population is increasing. But the bridge was built under a private finance arrangement and this, combined with a relatively low level of traffic, has produced one of the highest bridge toll charges in Europe. One of the conditions imposed by the Liberal Democrats in agreeing to a coalition government in the Scottish Parliament was the removal of the toll on the Skye bridge by buying out the owners. The hope is that a deal will be concluded by the end of the year. Of course, the removal of tolls on the Skye bridge then turns the spotlight on other bridge tolls. Politicians in Renfrewshire and West Dunbartonshire, linked by the Erskine Bridge, have also fought for years to have charges removed there. This bridge over the lower Clyde estuary carries 8.2 million vehicles a year (22,500 a day) compared with the 665,000 (1,800 a day) using the Skye crossing. Although the charges on the Erskine Bridge are lower, the extra traffic means that the tolls generate a far higher income. Meantime, charges on the Forth road bridge (22 million vehicles a year) are likely to rise next year. The Blue, Blue Robin Comes Bob Bob Bobbin' Along Perhaps it was because the robin is so associated with Christmas cards that TV and newspapers this week highlighted the story of a single blue-throated robin that had been spotted in the RSPB nature reserve at Loch of Strathbeg in Aberdeenshire. The bird usually inhabits the birch forests of Asia and Scandinavia and it is thought this was the first time that one of the species has spent the festive season in Britain. Of course, it helped that the RSPB warden had managed to obtain a brilliant picture (seen here) of the bird with its bright blue throat. Which was just as well, as TV crews and reporters who went to cover the story in Aberdeenshire returned empty-handed, having failed to spot the bird - but that's so typical of bird-watching. The bird is occasionally seen on the coast of Britain in the spring but this was the first time it had been spotted so early. Historical Affairs Gala Tribute for William Wallace A gala dinner is to be held in the Great Hall of Stirling Castle next August to mark the 700th anniversary of the execution of William Wallace. First Minister Jack McConnell is expected to attend and it will be the main event in Stirling's programme to remember Scotland's national hero. Wallace's most famous victory was at Stirling Bridge in 1297. Wallace was captured and brutally executed for treason in London on August 23, 1305. Efforts are being made to persuade the government in London to issue a "pardon" for the treason verdict. The illustration shows the statue of Wallace on the side of the Wallace Monument on Abbey Craig, above the site of the Battle of Stirling Bridge. Historic Milestone for Scotsman The Edinburgh-based Scotsman newspaper has been published for over 187 years and now the organisation has launched a digital archive of every issue from 25 January 1817 to 1900. This web-based electronic archive displays each article as it originally appeared and will shortly be extended to 1950 and eventually to the present day. History, whether on the world stage or about individuals will be available. The assassination of President Lincoln, the death of Sir Walter Scott, the trial of Burke and Hare or the exploits of the Light Brigade at Balaclava sit side-by-side with genealogical information about our Scottish forebears who made it to the pages of the Scotsman for one reason or another. The Scotsman claims to be the first paper in the UK to do this. Of course, the service is not free - a 24 Hour Pass will initially cost around £6 or a 48 Hour Pass provides two full days of unlimited access for around £10. These introductory rates will last until January 2005. See archive.scotsman.com. Entertainment A "Oui" Celebration at Hogmanay There will be a French flavour at Edinburgh's New Year celebrations this year, with spectacular street theatre, music, dance, film screenings, food and drink, all with Gallic undertones. The festival is also being billed as a final fling of this year's Entente Cordiale celebrations, which marked the 100th anniversary of the signing of the treaty between France and the UK. Officials unveiled a "joi de vivre"-packed programme of events which will include entertainment from Paris, Lyon, Brittany and Nantes which will take centre stage at the Night Afore International - the free carnival which takes place on George Street on December 30. The Edinburgh Filmhouse is to show a number of French classic movies and local French restaurants are adding to the heady mix with Hogmanay festival menus - and free wine for diners. The traditional fireworks display, with Edinburgh Castle as the backdrop and which is such a feature of the festivities, is being produced this year by the French pyrotechnics company. They staged the spectacular displays on the Eiffel Tower on Millennium night and this year's opening ceremony at the Olympic Games in Athens. Actress Molly Weir Dies Aged 94 The popular Glasgow-born actress and author Molly Weir died this week at the age of 94. Her career began in radio as Tattie Macintosh in the " It's That Man Again" (ITMA) comedy show in the 1940s with Tommy Handley and as Ivy McTweed in The McFlannels. She was "Aggie" in "Life With The Lyons" featuring the real-life family group of Ben Lyon and Bebe Daniels which transferred later to TV. Her best-known role was as Hazel McWitch in "Rentaghost" in the late 1970s, staying with the series until it ended in 1984. The 4ft 10in tall actress also appeared in many films and wrote her Trilogy of Scottish Childhood (Shoes Were for Sunday, Best Foot Forward and Toe on the Ladder) and she was always bubbling over with fun and energy. She was the sister of the naturalist, climber and broadcaster Tom Weir (a youngster of 90) whose original TV series "Weir's Way" about Scotland (some going back to black and white TV days) has had a renaissance in recent years. Pantomime Crisis as Jack Falls from Beanstalk The pantomime at Glasgow's Pavilion Theatre was threatened with closure and potential losses of £1 million when one of the veteran stars of the show, Wee Jimmy Krankie, was badly injured in an accident on stage. The beanstalk on which Krankie had been climbing collapsed, causing serious head injuries to the popular star and another performer on stage. The Krankies (played by husband and wife team Ian and Janette Tough) are now aged 57. Janette, who is only 4ft 5in tall, still plays the part of the "wee boy" Jimmy Krankie and fell ten feet onto the stage with the heavy beanstalk on top of her. Janette's husband, Ian Tough, has also withdrawn from the pantomime but in the best theatrical traditions of "the show must go on", three performers from the BBC Scotland TV soap "River City" will fill in at short notice from next week. But the telescopic beanstalk has been cut down to size and will be replaced by a rope-style prop which no-one will climb. Hogmanay Celebrations Around Scotland Bringing in the New Year will not be confined to the major celebrations in Edinburgh and Glasgow which get media attention and TV coverage. Aberdeen's Hogmanay Street Party boasts a star studded line up, including Deacon Blue, Hue and Cry and David Sneddon. . This year's party at Stirling Castle is headlined by Lulu who is supported by the Jimi McRae Band and the Royal Burgh of Stirling Pipe Band. The legendary Stonehaven Fireball Festival results in local people celebrating the arrival of the New Year by lighting wire casks filled with paraffin, and then swinging them around as they walk up and down the old town High Street. In the Scottish Borders "The Land, The Light, The Locals" runs from 28th December 2004 - 2nd January 2005 and sees over 100 musicians and performers from all over the Borders, in sessions, concerts and ceilidhs.

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