Scotland Correspondent Issue 25

Iolaire - a century of tears

Following the Scottish Samurai

Borders beauty and southern charms

Mob boss returned from the dead

Teeing up for golf season

Airport braced for expansion

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inside this issue 10 Island

in mourning

A century after the Iolaire tragedy a community remembers.

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22 Southern

seduction

Experience the charm of south Scotland.

40 Enlightenment

2.0

Scientists, innovators and inventors working for the world.

56 Tribute

an icon

to

First statue of Charles Rennie Mackintosh unveiled in Glasgow.

68 Going

lupine

Humans behaving like wolves to protect the environment.

78 Honouring

the Scottish Samurai

The young Scots following in the steps of Thomas Blake Glover.

62 Timeless

achievement

The clock that helped make ocean travel safer.

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90 Fairways

Heaven

to

Global golfers flock to play Scottish courses.

112 Sharing

knowledge

the

Edinburgh’s part in the education revolution.

118 Aiming for

change

Shooting sports attract more women.

104 Burns

a’ that

and

Celebrating the 260th birthday of Robbie Burns. p6

130 Antique

hunting with Roo Irvine The art of fakes.

136 Paws

thought

for

The ancient species under threat from domestic cats.

142 Return

of the mob boss

Forgotten hero of the people brought back to life.

160 New

attitude at high altitude

Raising the stakes for wildlife conservation.

148 Flight

luxury

of

Aberdeen airport ready for influx of new passengers.

166 Anniversary

vaults

What’s worth celebrating and commemorating this month.

Date 4 Your Diary 172

What’s on in Scotland and beyond this January.

Cover Photo

Photo by Kenny Lam/ VisitScotland Threave Castle.

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Always remembered

His Majesty’s Yacht Iolaire

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by Scott Aitken

N

ew Year’s Day 1919 should have been one of celebration in the Western Isles. After four years of bloody conflict fathers, sons and husbands who had survived the horrors of the First World War were returning home.

It had been more than a month since the guns had finally fallen silent on the 11 November, calling a halt to one of the worst conflicts in human history that had claimed the lives of almost 40 million people. The families of those who had lived through the war to end all wars had every right to look forward to a peaceful future with their loved ones.

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Photo by Phil Smith (CC BY-SA 2.0) The Iolaire Plaque

As the dawn of a new world, free from the violence and suffering of the previous four years, rose over the island of Lewis His Majesty’s Yacht HMY Iolaire hove into view of Stornaway.

News of the imminent arrival quickly spread through the town and people flocked to the harbour to welcome home their boys.

But, as excitement mounted at being reunited with their loved ones triumph turned to tragedy before their eyes. Just 20 yards from shore the Iolaire struck a cluster of rocks called the Beasts of Holm, at the entrance to Stornoway Harbour, and sank.

Some 284 men went into the water - just 79 survived. It was the worst peacetime shipping disaster since the Titanic and one of the most devastating tragedies in Scottish maritime history.

Described by the island newspaper

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the Stornoway Gazette at the time as “the blackest day in the history of the island” scarcely a family was left untouched in the close-knit communities of Lewis and Harris.

“The homes of the island are full of lamentation - grief that cannot be comforted,” reported The Scotsman on January 6, 1919, less than a week after the tragedy. ”Carts in little processions of twos and threes, each bearing its coffin from the mortuary, pass through the streets of Stornoway on their way to some rural village, and all heads are bared as they pass.”

So many people died the island ran out of coffins and they had to be brought in from elsewhere to bury the dead.

Worst of all for the families was their men had not been killed in the heat of battle but by carelessness and incompetence. The ship had run aground on a well known reef in

weather conditions that could not be considered particularly bad. The island never fully recovered.

To mark the centenary of the tragedy Prince Charles and Scotland’s First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, joined descendants of those killed for a special service of commemoration.

They were joined by hundreds of islanders and relatives of the dead, along with Rear Admiral John Weale, Scotland’s most senior Naval Officer, and Norman A Macdonald, convener of Western Isles Council, at the Iolaire Memorial in Stornoway.

As part of the service, conducted by the Very Rev Dr Angus Morrison, Prince Charles unveiled a new bronze sculpture recognising the heroic efforts of islander of John Finlay Macleod who swam ashore with a rope and rescued 40 of the 79 men who survived.

The new art work also bears the names of those lost and the

Photo by JJM (CC BY-SA 2.0) Beasts of Holm lying close to the entrance of Stornoway Harbour Illustration from the Stornoway Gazette 1919

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communities they came from.

“It is beyond our comprehension that over 200 men perished so close to home after surviving the war in what remains one of the worst UK maritime disasters of the 20th century,” said Professor Norman Drummond, chairman of the Scottish Commemorations Panel. ”When you look out from the Iolaire Memorial to where HMY Iolaire hit the rocks of The Beasts of Holm, you are struck by just how close they were to shore.

“It is hard to imagine the relief and excitement of the men and their families on their return and then the sorrow that was to follow.”

Even a century after the tragedy impact of the events of that day is still profoundly felt throughout the islands. This year’s commemorations have been marked by a new exhibition at Stornaway Museum, a live-streamed service of

Photo by Nicholas Mutton (CC BY-SA 2.0) The Iolaire Memorial

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remembrance and even the launch of a special tweed tartan to mark the occasion.

Norman A MacDonald, Chairman of the Iolaire Working Group described the commemoration as being of major significance for the Islands.

“The events of that terrible night in January 1919 impacted on communities throughout the Western Isles and remain a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by our young men in the service of their country.

It is the worst tragedy to befall our Islands and its effect reverberates to this day,” he said.

Historian Malcolm Macdonald, whose grandfather was killed in the disaster, has co-written a book about the tragedy, ‘The Darkest Dawn’’, which tracked the stories of all those on board HMY Iolaire.

He said that in the aftermath of the tragedy the grief was so overwhelming many people didn’t talk about it.

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“Two ships left that night bound for Stornoway, one HMY Iolaire, the other SS Sheila which left later.

There are many sad tales of those that swapped places to ensure that friends could get home to their families earlier,” he said.

“I had no inkling of my family’s own connection to the disaster until the memorial was erected at Holm in

Photo by WW100 Scotland Anne Frater

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1960. I knew my grandfather had died in the war but I had no idea that it was so close to home as it was never talked about, a story that is true across the island.”

when he was lost in the accident. He had been on his way home for the baptism of the youngest of his five children, a daughter he would never see.

Anne Frater was another islander whose family was indelibly affected by the disaster. Her great grandfather, John Macleod, was serving in the Royal Navy Reserves

“My Granny, at 10, was the oldest child and she was helping her mother get ready for her father’s return. What struck me about her story was how her father was even

taken out of her identity. Until then, she had been known as Màiri Iain Mhurch’ Chaluim (Mary, daughter of John, son of Murdo, son of Malcolm), but after the Iolaire, people started calling her Màiri bheag Catrìona (Catherine’s wee Mary),” said Anne.

“Only recently did I find out that another great grandfather may have been one of the survivors. If he was,

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it wasn’t ever spoken about.”

It was a similar story in the family of Iain Maciver, Port Manager for CalMac Ferries in Stornoway. His grandfather also perished on the Iolaire and his remains were never recovered.

“My father was very young when he lost his father on the Iolaire and, like so many others here, his mother never talked about it,” said Iain.

Photo by WW100 Scotland Iain Maciver

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“It is particularly poignant that our vessels pass the site at the entrance to the harbour daily, highlighting how close they were to home.�

In addition to the island commemoration researchers from Abertay University and the University of the Highlands and Islands have marked the event by creating a digital visualisation revealing the untold stories of those who tragically died.

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Photo by Stephen Branley (CC BY-SA 2.0) Iolaire Memorial

The online application, Visualising the Iolaire, provides a virtual map of the disaster, details of those that died and identifies the communities directly and indirectly impacted.

“The original aim of the project was to look at how the impact of a single

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event can transform a community,” said Dr Iain Donald from the School of Design and Informatics at Abertay University, who led the project.

“The story of the Iolaire is especially poignant as it occurred after the war was over and was bringing sailors

home to be with friends and family for New Year in 1919.

“This project has demonstrated what a heavy price the Western Isles paid during the war, and the Iolaire tragedy was sorrow heaped upon sorrow.”

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The beautiful south

Photo by Kenny Lam/VisitScotland Birdwatching at St Abbs Head

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by Helen Lloyd

A

two-year promotion to encourage more visitors to explore the south of Scotland has been launched with a new video extolling the virtues of an area so often overlooked.

The ‘See South Scotland’ campaign wants to champion the region to a world wide audience as a holiday destination.

More than £500,000 has been invested in the project which focusses on the attraction of the area’s spectacular beauty with a particular emphasis on coastal and forest activities.

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To launch the campaign a new video

by Phil Wilkinson follows a family of four as they take a road trip through the Scottish Borders and Dumfries & Galloway and embark on a series of adventures, including adrenalinefuelled cycling at 7Stanes Glentress in Peebles.

The video also follows them as they explore the rugged coastline of Mull of Galloway in the west to St Abb’s National Nature Reserve in the east.

It joins them on a visit to the Cairn Holy Chambered Cairns in Newton Stewart and watches them take part in an aerial escapade at Go Ape Glentress before gazing in wonder at the stars above the Dark Sky Park at Galloway Forest Park.

Photo by Damian Shields/VisitScotland Loch Ken

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“This film really does bring to life the dark skies, dramatic coastline and some of the world’s best walking and cycling routes on offer across the

south of Scotland,” said Paula Ward, VisitScotland Regional Leadership Director.

“The time is right now for tourism businesses in the Scottish Borders and Dumfries & Galloway to get involved and help encourage visitors from across the world to See South Scotland for themselves.�

The south of Scotland has much to offer visitors from romantic locations and ancient monuments to wildlife watching and star gazing.

Picturesque communities dotted throughout the region are just waiting to be explored, from coastal communities to the historic settlements around Loch Ken in the Galloway Forest Park.

Photo by Kenny Lam/VisitScotland Burrow Head Coastal Circuit at the Isle of Whithorn

This nine mile long freshwater loch in Kirkcudbrightshire, popular for

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water skiing, fishing, and sailing is surrounded by the villages of Glenlochar at the south, Laurieston and Mossdale to the west, Crossmichael and Parton on the east, and New Galloway to its north.

Coastal settlements such as St Abbs, a small fishing village on the

Photo by Kenny Lam/VisitScotland St Abbs seen from St Abbs Head

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southeastern coast, are equally stunning. The community takes its name from a rocky promontory north of the village which was named after the 7th century saint Æbbe of Coldingham, and is a favourite for walkers and ‘twitchers’.

The area is renowned for its birdlife

and is popular among divers who take to the unusually clear seas to explore the underwater scenery, including the wreck of HMS Pathfinder, the first Royal Navy ship to be sunk by a U-boat when it was torpedoed on 5 September 1914.

Other villages, such as Rockcliffe

near Dalbeattie are equally enticing, especially as it lies close to the site of vitrified 5th century Dark Ages hill fort called the Mote of Mark.

On the western shore of the Rhins of Galloway peninsula lies Portpatrick, a pretty little 700-year-old village of pastel-coloured houses situated

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around a small bay fed by the Gulf Stream, which creates a pleasant climate suitable for all kinds of subtropical plant life. The area was used as one of the locations in the 1952 film ‘Hunted’ starring Dirk Bogarde.

Once a major port between Scotland and Northern Ireland the village used to be a magnet for eloping

Photo by Kenny Lam/VisitScotland Portpatrick Lighthouse and Harbour

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lovers from Ireland, much like Grenta Green was for English couples.

Runaway sweethearts would jump on a boat for the short crossing from Donaghadee to Portpatrick, get married, and be back on the boat home as husband and wife within an hour.

Today this peaceful holiday resort marks the start of the 21-mile long

Southern Upland way and is a popular destination for sea anglers and castle lovers who can take a short stroll to Dunskey Castle.

Located on the south side of the village the 16th century ruin can be reached via a steep path, although access within the castle walls is strictly controlled.

Photo by Kenny Lam/VisitScotland Dunskey Castle

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Photo by Kenny Lam/VisitScotland Threave Castle

If castles are your thing the forbidding island fortress of Threave, built by Archibald the Grim in 1369, may hold a certain attraction.

Approachable only by boat across the River Dee this 30m tall tower house, once a stronghold of the Black Douglases, became a royal castle but has been a ruin since the early 20th century.

Gardens are also a major attraction in an area of the country where the weather is usually much milder than in the north.

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Photo by Kenny Lam/VisitScotland Threave Estate walk near Castle Douglas

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Photo by Kenny Lam/VisitScotland Logan Botanic Garden

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Logan Botanic Garden at the southwestern tip of Scotland is unrivalled as the country’s most exotic paradise with groves of eucalyptus and palm trees surrounded by plant treasures from South and Central America, Southern Africa and Australasia.

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Photo by Kenny Lam/VisitScotland Castle Kennedy and Gardens

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Similarly, Castle Kennedy Gardens is regarded as a showpiece of Galloway and one of Scotland’s most important historical landscaped gardens with its collection of rhododendrons, championship trees and rare species.

This former home to the Earls of Stair was virtually destroyed by fire in 1716 but the gardens remained and have been cultivated and sculpted over 300 years.

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Photo by Kenny Lam/VisitScotland Broughton House and Garden in Kirkudbright

Broughton House & Garden in the heart of the historic town of Kirkcudbright also provides an impressive place to visit.

For those who enjoy walking the trek to the Cairn Holy Chambered Cairns is suitably rewarded with fine views over Wigtown Bay.

The interior of the house is dedicated to the artist, and former owner, E A Hornel. He was one of the early 20thcentury ‘Glasgow Boys’ and an avid collector. His vast library includes one of the world’s largest collections of works by Robert Burns.

The two Clyde Cairns that sit atop the hill were built in the 4th millennium BC and one of them is said to be the final resting place of the mythical Scottish king Galdus who fought the Roman invasion of Scotland.

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History seeps from almost pore of the region. At Glen Trool, where Robert, The Bruce won a small but significant victory against the English King, Edward II, in1307 a giant granite boulder commemorate the guerrilla tactics of Scotland’s hero in the wars of independence.

Photo by Kenny Lam/VisitScotland Cairn Holy Chambered Cairns

Photo by Damian Shields/VisitScotland Bruce Stone

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Photo by Guy Phillips

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Making a difference

University of Glasgow Gilbert Scott Building

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by Paul Watson

F

or centuries Scotland has been at the forefront of innovation and research.

Scots have played a big part in some of the world’s greatest medical, scientific and technological developments and breakthroughs.

From the discovery of penicillin to the invention of television Scotland can claim to have some part in making the world a better place - and we’re still doing it.

Every day Scottish scientists, engineers and technicians from the country’s many universities, colleges, institutions and commercial organisations continue to make advances in solving some of the world’s greatest problems.

The Scottish Enlightenment, when the country was responsible for an outpouring of intellectual and scientific accomplishments, may have started in the 18th century but it’s not over yet…

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Breakthrough in the fight against childhood leukaemia

 Breakthrough research from the University of Glasgow has identified differences between adult and childhood leukaemia which could transform the way the disease is treated.

Paediatric acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is one of the major causes of death in children.

Photo by Mike Peel University of Glasgow

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AML affects both children and adults and has the worst survival rates of all the leukaemias.

Until now treatment for children with the condition has been based on therapies extrapolated from adult practice. But new research from the University of Glasgow’s Institute of Cancer Sciences has discovered AML is different in young cells compared to older cells.

“Our findings are important because

we have identified and modelled a distinct biology for paediatric AML. We show that, in fact, the disease in children is distinct from the disease in adults,” said Dr Karen Keeshan from the University’s Paul O’Gorman Leukaemia Research Centre.

“Historically children with AML have received treatment based on adult practice, and we need better treatments specifically for children with AML.

“Our work has identified a distinct paediatric gene profile and paediatric gene targets; and by identifying targetable features of the disease in children, we can pursue new and better strategies to treat paediatric AML.”

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New weapon to combat killer malaria Scots scientists may have found the key to new methods of controlling a deadly disease that affects millions of people a year.

Malaria remains one of the most

significant threats to human health with approximately 216 million cases annually and over 400,000 deaths worldwide.

It is caused by the Plasmodium parasite, which has a complex lifecycle involving transmission to humans via the Anopheles mosquito. Â

Photo by James Gathany (CDC PD-USGov-HHS-CDC) Anopheles albimanus mosquito

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New experimental research by the University of Glasgow and the Wellcome Sanger Institute has found a regulator protein, AP2-G, could hold the key to finding new approaches to prevent this potentially devastating disease.

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Photo by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Malaria endemic countries

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Liquid battery could revolutionise electric cars

A new type of energy storage system could revolutionise the renewable industry and drop the charging time of electric cars from hours to seconds.

Chemists from the University of Glasgow have developed a flow battery system using a nanomolecule that can store electric power or hydrogen gas.

The new system means electric

cars could be charged in seconds roughly the same length of time as it takes to fill up petrol cars with fuel.

“For future renewables to be effective high capacity and flexible energy storage systems are needed to smooth out the peaks and troughs in supply,” said Professor Leroy (Lee) Cronin, the University of Glasgow’s Regius Chair of Chemistry.

He said the new electrochemical approach could increase the range of electric cars.

Photo by Flag Media Charging points like these could eventually be overtaken by a new type of rapid chargers

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Laser advances for chemical security

New laser technology to identify unknown white powders has been developed by scientists from HeriotWatt University in Edinburgh.

Mystery substances can create major problems for crime scene investigators unable to do their jobs until proper identification rules out

Photo by Kim Traynor (CC BY-SA 3.0) Old College quadrangle, University of Edinburgh

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whether a substance is dangerous.

But new research has found all white powders have a unique “fingerprint” which allows them to be identified instantly, using portable laser technology.

“The instant, accurate identification of white powders could be useful in a range of scenarios, such as detecting counterfeit pharmaceuticals, conducting foodstuff analysis or

identifying hazardous material like explosive residue,” said Professor Derryck Reid.

Each powder is made up of different chemical bonds which affects how they absorb light and no two are the same. Like a fingerprint each substance has its own unique colour signature which can be detected using a process known as spectrometry.

“We know that there is an appetite for portable crime scene technology that can reduce the risks faced by personnel while providing accurate and instant results.”

“By analysing the contrast between the infrared light we beam at the powders, compared to what colours come back, we can identify individual chemicals and compounds,” said Prof. Reid.

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Photo by Bill Harrison (CC BY-SA 2.0) University of Aberdeen

Antibody discovery could save millions of lives Aberdeen scientists are a step closer to developing a new way to diagnose, treat and protect against stealth fungal infections that claim more than 1.5 million lives a year.

Every year millions of people get seriously ill or die after fungal infections get into their blood.

Even if the problem is diagnosed quickly and treated with antifungal drugs patients are still at risk as increasingly these infections are becoming resistant to treatment.

However, a new technique developed within the Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology at the University of Aberdeen is the first to successfully use antibodies that are cloned from patients who have recovered from an infection caused

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by the fungus Candida.

In addition to causing thrush in more than one hundred million every year, this fungus is also the fourth leading cause of serious life-threatening bloodstream infections in developed countries.

In laboratory experiments, the research team used these cloned antibodies to successfully protect animals from Candida bloodstream infections and demonstrate their potential in both treating and diagnosing Candida infections.

“There is an urgent need to develop better ways for diagnosing and treating life-threatening fungal infections,” said Dr Fiona Rudkin, who led the research and is currently heading up the creation of an Aberdeen-based spinout company to conduct the next phase of therapeutic development.

“Human antibodies have revolutionised the way many cancers are treated and diagnosed.

This research marks a huge step towards using similar antibodybased approaches to tackle fungal infections. These antibodies will now be developed as novel antifungal drugs through the creation of mycoBiologics – a new spin out company based in Aberdeen focused on improving the outcome of patients suffering from life-threatening fungal infections.”

Solar-powered light could cut waste Families without access to mains electricity in low-income countries could benefit from a solar-powered, sustainable lamp developed by researchers at the University of Edinburgh.

A portable light built from recycled

plastics and ethically-sourced electronic components – known as the Solar What?! – is powered using widely available mobile phone batteries. It can be repaired with nonspecialist tools and charged from a range of second-hand solar modules.

New device to identify deadly diseases

Designed by the University’s School of Social and Political Science the Solar What?! could help address emerging challenges around electronic and plastic waste, particularly in Sub Saharan Africa and South Asian countries where demand is high.

The first project will develop new ways to rapidly diagnosis the blood-borne condition sepsis affects around 300,000 patients in Vietnam each year, leading to 50,000 premature deaths.

Rapid treatment is essential, as patients’ risk of death rises eight percent with every passing hour of infection, but the best diagnostic technique currently available can take hours or days to return a result.

Annual sales of off-grid solar lighting products are forecast to reach 70 million devices, worth US$8n in revenue, by 2022.

More than 25 million off-grid solar devices were thrown away in 2017, creating large amounts of plastic and battery waste, according to a report by the World Bank’s Lighting Global Programme.

University of Glasgow engineers are to develop new medical diagnostic technologies to help treat infectious diseases in Africa and Vietnam.

The new system involves coating paper in a special water-resistant wax and then folding it, origami style, so that when and sample fluid is directed into channels in the paper the DNA of the pathogens can be detected and infections diagnosed..

The same paper origami platform is to be used to help combat highly prevalent diseases such as malaria and schistosomiasis in Uganda.

Malaria is the leading cause of death for children under five years of age in sub-Saharan Africa, while schistosomiasis infects 100 million people. The combined effect of these diseases perpetuates a cycle of poverty, illness and mortality, with significant economic impact.

The University of Glasgow team will work with researchers from Ona, a social enterprise whose mission is to ensure equitable access to services for those who need them most, together with researchers from Makerere University in Uganda.

The aim is use the new low-cost, easy-to-use and connected paper origami molecular diagnostic device to rapidly identify infections in rural communities, enabling faster treatment.

Photo by Wellcome Images, part of the Wellcome Trust (CC BY 4.0) An allegory of malaria

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Another first for Charles Rennie Mackintosh A

lmost a century after his death the world’s first public sculpture celebrating the life and work of Charles Rennie Mackintosh has been unveiled in Glasgow.

Created by renowned artist Andy Scott, the man behind the world famous Kelpies art installation, the larger-than life statue of Mackintosh was unveiled tho mark the 90th anniversary of the great man’s death.

The work was commissioned

by Sanctuary Group to mark the completion of the affordable housing provider’s £60 million regeneration of Anderston, Glasgow.

“Most of my memories as a Glasgow School of Art student have Mr Mackintosh’s beautiful building as a backdrop. His distinctive architectural styling and the sculpted detailing of that building undoubtedly influenced my career path,” said Andy Scott.

“I am immensely proud to have created this distinctive bronze statue of him, especially here in his home city. There can’t be many Scots who deserve recognition more than Charles Rennie Mackintosh, a view

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I am delighted to say is shared by Sanctuary Group.”

blocks demolished and replaced with 540 high quality, affordable homes.

Mr Scott created the sculpture in clay before it was cast into bronze. The completed statue weighs three tons, is 2.8 metres tall and sits atop a 2.2 metre plinth. It shows Mackintosh sat on the famous high-backed chair he designed for Glasgow’s Argyle Street Tea Rooms.

“We believe Andy’s statue is a fitting way to mark the completion of Sanctuary’s regeneration of Anderston,” said Craig Moule, Sanctuary Group’s Chief Financial Officer, who will become the organisation’s Chief Executive on 1 January.

The statue faces west from a section of Argyle Street reinstated during Sanctuary’s regeneration of Anderston.

“We couldn’t have asked for a more apt artwork to acknowledge all that is great about Glasgow.

Mr Scott said: “What better time to formally recognise this humble but brilliant Glaswegian than at the end of the year celebrating the 150th anniversary of his birth?

“I hope the sculpture becomes a much-loved local and city-wide tribute to this genius of Scottish architecture.”

Sanctuary Scotland Housing Association worked with the local community, Scottish Government and Glasgow City Council to transform Anderston’s housing stock.

The 10-year project saw many 1960s

“The thousands of people who’ll pass the statue each day will help to ensure Mackintosh’s memory lives on.”

Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon formally unveiled Mackintosh’s statue before paying tribute to the renowned artist, architect and designer.

“This magnificent new Charles Rennie Mackintosh statue is a fantastic addition to Glasgow and recognises the incredible legacy of one of Scotland’s most iconic architects, designers and artists,” she said.

Andy Scott with the completed clay original of the sculpture, prior to its casting in bronze

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Andy Scott’s statue of Charles Rennie Mackintosh

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“It is a privilege to officially unveil Andy Scott’s installation, which now stands in pride of place in Anderston – an area transformed through the 10-year regeneration project.”

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Time to honour Scotland’s contribution to seafaring solution

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A

n extremely rare and valuable time piece, instrumental in helping to solve the problem of establishing longitude at sea, has been acquired by the National Museums of Scotland.

The historic Bruce-Oosterwijck longitude pendulum sea clock played an important role in the quest for a practical way of allowing seafarers to determine longitude at sea and helped make sea voyages safer.

Made in 1662 it is one of only two such clocks which survive today.

It represents the first attempt to establish longitude at sea with a purpose-made mechanical timepiece, nearly 100 years before this was famously achieved by John Harrison.

The acquisition has been made possible with a grant of £36,000 from the National Heritage Memorial Fund (NHMF) and £15,000 from Art Fund.

The clock was purchased with the assistance of the fine art auctioneer Dreweatts 1759.

The ‘longitude problem’ is famous as an exemplar of scientific endeavour with a truly global effect, however the early Scottish contribution is less well-known.

Photo by National Museums Scotland The Bruce-Oosterwijck longitude pendulum clock

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Photo by National Museums Scotland Senior Curator Tacye Phillipson with the Bruce-Oosterwijck longitude pendulum clock

Alexander Bruce, Earl of Kincardine commissioned the mechanism for this clock from the Dutch maker Severyn Oosterwijck in 1662.

Bruce lived in the Netherlands as part of the Stuart court in exile and was one of the founder members of the Royal Society. This Scottish-Dutch collaboration continued for several years, though it was ultimately abandoned as an unsuccessful attempt at solving the longitude problem.

The Dutch mathematician and astronomer Christiaan Huygens (1629–95) invented the first practical pendulum clock in 1656 before turning his attention to the creation of an accurate sea-clock for the determination of longitude.

He collaborated with Bruce on the project, with the Scot introducing a number of new features to Huygens’ designs before having four seaclocks made, two of them by Severyn Oosterwijck.

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By the end of 1662, Bruce’s initial sea-trials were proving promising.

More formal sea-trials were carried out, with reports suggesting that the clocks had performed exceptionally well.

However these reports eventually proved to be inaccurate and despite the optimism of the 1660s and extensive discussions over patents and profits, the new marine timekeepers turned out not to be the solution that had been hoped for.

It was another century before the English clockmaker John Harrison would famously solve the longitude problem.

“Establishing longitude at sea was absolutely critical for enabling accurate and safe navigation, and sea-faring nations like the Dutch, English and Scottish were desperate to crack the longitude problem,” said Dr Tacye Phillipson, Senior Curator of Modern Science at National Museums Scotland.

“Though it did not ultimately offer the longed-for solution, the BruceOosterwijck clock represents a first and significant attempt towards it. This rare and important piece of history is an incredibly exciting acquisition and will be a centrepiece of National Museums Scotland’s internationally significant navigation collection.”

The Bruce-Oosterwijck longitude pendulum sea clock will go on permanent display in the Earth in Space gallery at the National Museum of Scotland.

“As one of the earliest surviving scientific instruments designed by a Scot, the Bruce-Oosterwijck clock is of outstanding importance to the history of science in Scotland. Not only is it an incredibly rare survival, it also brings Scottish scientific endeavour back into the longitude story,” said Sir Peter Luff, Chair of NHMF. “It is wonderful news that the clock

Photo by Broomhall Home Farm Partnership Alexander Bruce by Jan Mytens c1660

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will go on display at the National Museum of Scotland giving the public an opportunity to appreciate its importance in that story.”

Stephen Deuchar, director of Art Fund said the organisation was proud to support the acquisition of this important piece so it can go on public display and enjoyed.

“The Bruce-Oosterwijck clock reminds us that trial and error often precede revolutionary invention, in this instance adding to a rich narrative of sea navigation and exploration,” he said.

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Tracking a human wolf pack

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by Helen Lloyd

A

revolutionary project to protect Scotland’s ancient woodlands from overgrazing by using humans to mimic wolves has been documented by an award-winning film maker.

Project Wolf is a beautifully shot documentary following volunteers in the Scottish Highlands as they take part in a unique experiment.

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Scottish filmmaker Lisa Marley spent over a year planning, filming and editing a visual record of a ‘human wolf pack’ at work.

The 30-minute video examines in detail the pioneering study run by charity Trees for Life looking at ways of re-wilding historic woodland with a vision as to how they would like it to look 250 years in the future.

The project involved a diverse group of volunteers spending weeks in a remote part of the Caledonian Forest, mimicking the behaviours and disturbance patterns of large predators, like wolves. Their aim was to curb overgrazing of saplings and new growth by the native red deer population in as natural a way as possible.

Alan Watson Featherstone, founder of Trees for Life, explains in the film that Project Wolf is seeking to replicate some of the functionality of the eco system that has been missing from Scotland for at least

Lisa Marley

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250 years, since wolves, bears and lynx were hunted to extinction.

By using humans to patrol the edge of the forest in the same way wolves would the deer is forced to keep moving so they don’t concentrate in one place eating everything that is there.

Lisa, aged 27, originally from Aberdeenshire and now based in Bristol, was immediately drawn to the project after her mother sent her a newspaper clipping.

After meeting with the charity, she knew this was a story she had to tell and successfully funded the documentary through a crowdfunding campaign in early 2017, which was supported by BBC star and conservationist Chris Packham.

“It’s been over a year since I launched the crowdfunding campaign for Project Wolf, and since then I have been living and breathing

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this film. I am so thrilled to finally be able to share it,” she said.

“Although I’ve always had a strong affinity with the natural world, making Project Wolf has really opened my eyes to the history of the woodlands that I encounter, most prominently how many non-native species are widespread even in older areas of forest. It has been fascinating to follow Trees for Life’s efforts to preserve the ancient Caledonian Forest – maintaining our landscape’s wonderful natural heritage – in such an unusual way.”

Volunteers around the campfire

Volunteers on wolf patrol

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When Lisa initially ventured out into the forest to join the ‘human wolf pack’ she admits she really didn’t know what to expect.

“I had no idea about the diversity of reasons that compelled the volunteers to become involved in the project, and how profoundly their time in the Highlands would affect

them,” she said.

“Rewilding is a topic that is often misunderstood. It’s not always about reintroducing a species to an

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environment; it’s also about reflecting on the way we look at and interact with the landscape around us. All too often we become consumed by our phones and technology, however there is so much to be gained from reconnecting with natural world around us.

“Meeting the people involved in the study and uncovering the conversations that are happening around rewilding in Scotland has been an incredibly rewarding

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experience. I am so excited to be able to share that journey.�

Project Wolf follows on from Lisa’s last film, Red Sky on the Black Isle.

The acclaimed short documentary about the mass poisoning of red kites in the Highlands has been translated into multiple languages and screened around the world at scientific conferences and film festivals, including in Spain, France and the USA.

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“Trees for Life undertook Project Wolf in 2016 and 2017 with the aim of mimicking the behaviour of large predators to reduce deer browsing pressure on young seedlings in the Caledonian Forest fragments at our Dundreggan Conservation Estate,” said Steve Micklewright , Chief Executive of Trees for Life.

“Early monitoring results showed that the volunteers were successful in disturbing the deer and moving them on – an important feature of the predator-prey relationship.

“We are grateful to the volunteers who gave up their time to work on this pilot project – and to Lisa Marley, whose film shines a light on the experiences of the volunteers during their time at Dundreggan.”

For more information, visit www.lisamarley.co.uk

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Following the Scottish Samurai

by Paul Watson

M

ore than 100 years after his death a new generation of Scots are vying for a chance to follow in the footsteps of a pioneering businessman dubbed the Scottish Samurai.

Thomas Blake Glover was born on 6 June 1838 in Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire, the son of a coastguard officer he moved with his the family to Bridge of Don, Aberdeen while a young child.

His big break came when he was just 21 and he got a job with the Scottish trading company Jardine Matheson who sent him to Nagasaki, Japan in 1859.

A serial entrepreneur he was hugely successful in a variety of fields, from tea trading and beer brewing to mining and engineering. He played a major part in the modernisation of Japan during the 19th century and is credited with introducing the first railway locomotive to the country as

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Photo by PD Thomas Blake Glover

Photo by PD The Glover family

well as influencing the development of Mitsubishi as an industrial conglomerate.

As a valued counsellor to senior politicians he helped overthrow the Shogun to return the Emperor to the throne, gaining the nickname the Scottish Samurai as a result, and became the first non-Japanese recipient of the prestigious ‘Order of the Rising Sun’.

Despite doing more than most to unite the two cultures almost 6,000 miles apart Glover is much better known in Japan than Scotland.

Although there is a dedicated tourist trail for visitors to the North East, featuring about 10 locations associated with the tycoon, and a permanent exhibition at Aberdeen Maritime Museum there are no statues to the man in his home country.

Photo by PD Glover with the brother of the founder of Mitsubishi, around 1900

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Photo by Houjyou-Minori Grave of the Glover family at the Glover House

By comparison there are several monuments in the adopted country where he spent most of his life. After he died, aged 73, the mansion he built in Nagasaki, which is thought to be the setting for Puccini’s opera Madame Butterfly, became a national monument. The Thomas Glover House and Gardens attracts more than two million visitors a year.

Now, 107 years after his death in December 1911, the search is on to find a worthy candidate among Scottish students who would relish a chance to win a prestigious scholarship to study in Japan.

Past winners of the Thomas Blake Glover ASI Scholarship have described how the opportunity to advance their knowledge and understanding of a culture and language so very different from their own has given them a different outlook on life.

Initiated by the Japan Society of Scotland and sponsored by Aberdeen Standard Investments,

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Photo by Stanley Howe The Glover House, Balgownie

the scholarship offers a fully funded place on an intensive language course at a Japanese university.

The winner studies in Kyoto and has opportunities to gain a unique insight to the country’s business and customs. They visit Aberdeen Standard Investment’s office in Tokyo with the opportunity to visit Osaka, Japan’s commercial centre, in a programme customised to maximise business and cultural exposure and considering the successful candidate’s interests.

The 2019 scholarship will take place during July and August 2019 at the International Christian University (ICU), a highly accredited institution located in Mitaka City, a suburban community adjacent to Tokyo.

The scholarship, which was created in recognition of the work of Glover, aims to provide Scottish students with the opportunity to learn about business and culture in the hope of further improving Scotland’s historic links with Japan.

The scholarship attracts a strong field of candidates attending universities across Scotland, students with a demonstrable interest in Japan.

Past winners have been students studying a diverse range of subjects, including law, medicine, artificial intelligence and computer science.

Caroline Marshall celebrated her 21st birthday in Japan after winning the scholarship in 2015. She said it helped her bridge the gap between east and west and gave her a greater understanding – and admiration – of the nation.

A former pupil of Trinity High School and Stone law High School, Rutherglen, Caroline was a law student at the University of Edinburgh when she applied for the scholarship, and had hopes of pursuing a career in international commercial law.

“I was the only Scottish person at ICU and I was also the only

Caroline Marshall

European girl, however, this was not a negative thing - I went there to meet new people from other countries who could teach me about their own cultures whilst sharing with

me a love of everything Japanese.

That’s exactly what I found, and I can’t imagine gaining this kind of experience anywhere else,” said Caroline.

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Improving language skills and gaining first-hand experience of the country’s game industry were the high points of Edinburgh University graduate Alex McMillan’s time in Japan. With a First-Class Honours Degree in Artificial Intelligence and Computer Science from Edinburgh, Alex was in the final year of a Master’s degree in Sound Design at the same university when he won the scholarship in 2016.

“Culturally, I really liked Japan.

There’s an unspoken respect for other people and for the environment that I don’t always feel back home, and you can guarantee that nearly all the places you go are likely to be clean and well-maintained. Being exposed to the consumer-facing side of the game industry and seeing how it differs from the industry back home was a unique experience,” said Alex, a former pupil of Stewarts Melville School in Edinburgh.

Alex McMillan

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Mark Livingstone, an alumnus of Whitburn Academy, was studying digital media at Edinburgh’s Napier University when he won the 2017 scholarship, crediting it with helping him become a confident Japanese speaker, and making connections that standing him in good stead for his future career.

Mark applied for the scholarship

Mark Livingstone

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to support his ambition of working in 3D design and animation in the entertainment industry, an area in which Japan is recognised as a global leader. “I had the best time of my life, and words can’t express how grateful I am for having had the opportunity to go on this scholarship and experience life in Japan,� he said.

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The 2018 recipient was Alex Donald, who, just like Thomas Blake Glover, set off on an adventure of discovery from the Granite City to Japan.

This was the first time University of Aberdeen psychology student Alex, aged 24, had ever been overseas and enjoyed it so much so that he is seriously considering returning to study for his PhD there, after his masters.

He developed a curiosity in the country through his love of Japanese Ghibli films and four years ago began to self-study the language as a hobby.

He found Tokyo to be a safe city, the people friendly and welcoming, and says he made good contacts

Alex Donald

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for his future study plans, as well as gaining first-hand knowledge of studying abroad and learning all about a culture that has always held a fascination for him. Through the intensive language course at the ICU university, he improved his vocabulary and grammar and gained confidence to speak conversational Japanese.

“I was amazed at how safe it feels at night, the way everyone is extremely polite and very welcoming. I really want to go back in the future, and I am talking to Japanese academics, as well as ones in Scotland, about options for my PhD. This was my first time travelling outside the UK and it was a complete eye opener, the best experience I have had,” said Alex.

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Photo by PD Glover statue in Nagasaki

Links between Scotland and Japan are numerous as the two cultures share many common traits. Both are deeply romantic and prone to sentimentality hidden behind a gruff exterior.

Japan is Scotland’s 13th largest food and drink export market. Their love for whisky and golf is legendary. The movie Braveheart, about William Wallace and the struggle for Scottish independence, was a major hit in Japan and it’s not unusual to find emotional Japanese businessmen

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singing the ‘Skye Boat Song’ in Tokyo karaoke bars.

Many Japanese school uniforms feature tartan kilts for the girls and matching ties or trews for the boys.

The Tokyo Pipe Band was formed in 1974 and every year the capital city plays host to its own Highland Games.

Martin Gilbert, co-chief executive of Aberdeen Standard Investments, said: “Scholarship winners follow in the footsteps of Scottish

entrepreneurs like Thomas Blake Glover and it is a great chance to experience Japanese education, industries and culture which can differ greatly from our own.

“The experience of past scholarship winners demonstrates that this is a special opportunity for learning language skills and building confidence while bringing eastern and western cultures closer together.”

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Driving golf tourism to the fore

Photo by VisitScotland Opening hole at Machrihanish

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by Scott Aitken

T

he importance of golf to Scotland has never been greater. The game, which was invented in Scotland and is now played by more than 60 million people around the world, is a major benefactor to the Scottish economy.

Such is the continuing rise in popularity of the game that experts behind Scotland’s National Golf Tourism Strategy have extended the industry’s target for the value of the sector to £325 million.

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Five years ago the ambition was to grow the value of golf to Scotland from from £220 million in 2013 to £300 million by 2020. But, recent figures have shown the value of the golf tourism industry in Scotland

Photo by VisitScotland Playing at Machrihanish

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had already soared to £286 million annually by 2016, indicating that the sector was on course to smash its original target ahead of 2020.

The updated strategy has now set

an ambitious target of £325 million by 2020 through a number of fresh objectives, including encouraging more promotion of the game to tourists.

“The results of the 2016 study into the value of golf tourism indicated that Scotland was well on its way to achieving its target of £300 million by 2020, having already reached £286 million annually,” said Allan Minto,

Project Manager with Golf Perthshire, which was part of the team reviewing the strategy.

“Scotland is known around the world as the Home of Golf and factors

such as increased accessibility via air routes, exchange rates, international media profile from major events and the continued development of Scotland’s world-class golf tourism product are all expected to see

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the industry maintain this excellent growth and hit a renewed target of £325 million by 2020.

“These figures outline the importance of the golf tourism industry to Scotland’s economy and with £5 spent elsewhere for every £1 a golf visitor spends playing golf, the ripple effect is felt far and wide across the visitor economy in shops, hotels, restaurants and other tourism attractions.”

Trump International Golf Links, Aberdeen

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The revised strategy also outlines the importance of attracting more women and young people to play golf in Scotland, with a particular focus on utilising The 2019 Solheim Cup at Gleneagles, to market Scotland as a golf destination open and accessible to all. “Visitor revenue has become an increasingly important income stream as clubs diversify away from the reliance on membership recruitment and retention to grow their business,�

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said Ross Duncan, Development Director with Scottish Golf.

The updated strategy comes as new economic research revealed the 147th Open at Carnoustie generated a £120 million benefit to Scotland.

The Open attracted a record 172,000

The 147th Open at Carnoustie

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fans last July and delivered an economic impact of £69 million according to the study by Sheffield Hallam University’s Sport Industry Research Centre.

Scotland also benefited from £51 million in destination marketing activity thanks to The Open being

broadcast on television to more than 600 million households in 193 countries worldwide.

The study - which was commissioned by golf’s governing body The R&A, VisitScotland and Angus Council - also concluded that the Angus area alone received a

£21 million injection of new money from The Open, which was won by Francesco Molinari for the first time.

He won by two shots ahead of Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Kevin Kisner and Xander Schauffele.

Almost half of the spectators who attended last July’s championship

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(49.8%) travelled from outwith Scotland, while the overwhelming majority of Scottish fans (84.8%) came from outside Angus. The research found 62% of non-Angus residents indicated they would return to the region for a break within 12 months.

The 147th Open at Carnoustie won by Francesco Molinari

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The Open is golf’s original championship and it is held in Scotland more often than any other country. The tournament was being played at Carnoustie for the first time since 2007 and this year’s attendance surpassed the 157,000 total set in 1999.

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Machrihanish

A key aim of The R&A is to attract a younger audience to the Championship, and more than 20,000 spectators under the age of 25 attended this year.

“The Open has a proven track record of generating substantial economic benefit for the host country in which it is staged thanks to the tens of thousands of spectators who attend each year,” said Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive of The R&A. “The return of The Open to Carnoustie has been a great success. We enjoyed a memorable week in which we welcomed a record number of fans to one of golf’s great championship venues to witness Francesco Molinari create history by becoming the first Italian to lift the iconic Claret Jug.”

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Player on the practice range at Trump International Golf Links, Aberdeen

Trump Turnberry, Ayrshire

Cruden Bay, Aberdeenshire

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Many happy returns for Burns

Photo by Kenny Lam/VisitScotland Burns’ cottage

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by Scott Aitken

A

fter 260 years the birthday celebrations of Scotland’s national poet get bigger and better every year.

Throughout the world January 25 is known as Burns Night when for one evening at least ‘…man to man the world o’er shall brothers be for a’ that.’

What started as an intimate celebration of the Bard by a group of his friends five years after Burns

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Photo by VisitScotland Dummies of Robert Burns and his wife on display in the bedroom of the Burns House Museum

died has now turned into a global event in which Scots and their friends can toast his legacy and celebrate Scotland with a wee dram and a traditional supper of haggis, neeps and tatties.

For anyone visiting Scotland a trip to Burns country has got to be high on the list for must see destinations.

No other poet is so internationally revered - only Queen Victoria has more statues around the world.

Locations with a Burns connection are fascinating and certainly worth a visit, including the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum in Alloway, South Ayrshire. There is also an opportunity to visit the home of Souter Johnnie, who was immortalised in a famous Burns poem, in Kirkoswald.

Other Burns attractions in Ayrshire include the Bachelors’ Club in Tarbolton, the 17th century thatched cottage where Burns established his debating club, and the Burns House Museum in Mauchline where Robert

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Photo by VisitScotland Interior of the Burns House Museum, Mauchline, East Ayrshire

Burns lived and worked between 1784 and 1788.

Burns enthusiasts, or anyone simply interested in seeing a beautiful corner of Scotland, can take a trip to Dumfries & Galloway. Burns’ former home Ellisland Farm, built in 1788, is now a museum where some of his original writings and possessions are on display.

A welcome sight for those in search of warmth and comfort, and

perhaps a whisky, the Globe Inn in Dumfries is notable in that it is one of the country’s oldest hostelries, established in 1610, and used to be frequented by Burns himself. It is rumoured that anyone who dares sit in Burns’ old chair, which is still at the bar, is challenged to recite a line of his poetry and buy everyone a drink at the bar.

While in Dumfries visitors can also spend an afternoon at Burns’ final home, Robert Burns House,

Photo by VisitScotland The Globe Inn - frequented by Robert Burns on the High Street, Dumfries

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Photo by VisitScotland Exhibits inside the Robert Burns House Museum, Dumfries

on the aptly named Burns Street.

Discover the famous Kilmarnock and Edinburgh editions of Burns’ work and take a look around the study where he wrote some of his bestloved poems.

The Burns Mausoleum, the final resting place for Burns, his widow Jean, and five of their children, is also only a short walk away in St Michael’s Kirkyard.

Robert Burns’ connections with Scotland’s capital have long been celebrated. On 28 November 1786 when Robert Burns arrived in Edinburgh its gates were flung open to him. He stayed in Baxter’s Close in a house which has been demolished and is now Deacon Brodie’s Tavern on the Royal Mile.

Also based on the city’s Royal Mile, the Writers’ Museum has a permanent Robert Burns collection which is recognised to have national significance. Displayed in the museum is a collection of portraits

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Photo by VisitScotland Robert Burns Mausoleum at the eastern end of St Michael’s Church yard

of Burns along with the writing desk from his Dumfries home at which he wrote some of his best-known work.

While in Edinburgh, fans of Burns will be able to see one of the most famous portraits at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery - Alexander Nasmyth’s portrait of Robert Burns.

Every year Scotland plays hosts

to many Burns Night events in January, including the biggest Burns celebratory festival, Dumfries’ Big Burns Supper, headlined by KT Tunstall this year.

The annual celebration of the Bard with a twist runs for 11 days at the end of January in the vibrant capital of South Scotland, Dumfries.

The festival takes place in venues,

Photo by VisitScotland Inside the Robert Burns House Museum, Dumfries

Burns Supper being celebrated at Prestonfield House

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bars, art galleries, museums and has an 800 capacity Spiegeltent which includes a strong roster of international names taking place.

The line-up for 2019 includes KT Tunstall, burlesque performers Le Haggis, comedy from Ed Byrne and Hardeep Singh Kohli, the Bootleg Beatles and award-winning singer songwriter, Hazel O’Connor. And yes, there will be haggis, too. For more information go to http:// bigburnssupper.com/ Scotland’s capital city will be holding a new festival this year. Burns and Beyond, which runs from 22 - 27 January at various venues is a celebration of Scottish culture from Burns to the present day.

Highlights of events include Museum of the Moon at the iconic St Giles Cathedral on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile: a new touring artwork by UK artist Luke Jerram which is a fusion of lunar imagery, moonlight and surround sound. Measuring seven metres in diameter and featuring detailed NASA imagery of the lunar surface, each centimetre of the internally lit spherical sculpture represents 5km of the moon’s surface.

Also featured in Burns and Beyond is Red Red Rose Street, a week of celebrations in the city centre that includes a Burns Supper, a free family Ceilidh and Burns Club comedy nights.

Museum of the Moon is free to attend. For more information on other events in the programme and tickets, please visit www.burnsandbeyond. com Getting closer to the man and his life has never been easier with a visit to his home town for the annual festival, Burns an’ a’ that.

Now in it’s 18th year the month long celebration of the ploughman poet is held throughout January at various venues in Alloway, South Ayrshire New for this year is ‘Burns Hame

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Portrait of Robert Burns

Toun’ along with ‘The Robert Burns Humanitarian Awards’, ‘Burns Birthday Celebrations’, at the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum, the world’s first Burns Supper Drive Thru plus the only Burns supper in the world to take place in Burns Cottage, where it all began.

For more information visit www. burnsfestival.com Other events on this year in Scotland include the Royal Yacht Britannia, Burns Supper in Edinburgh.

The special event is being held on two nights, 25 and 26 January, aboard the famous ship.

Guests will be welcomed aboard

by Britannia’s piper to experience an unforgettable Scottish evening during which a delicious four-course menu will be served in the State Dining Room by Britannia’s butlers.

Featuring the very best Scottish ingredients, dinner will be prepared

by Executive Chef Mark Alston and his team in the original Royal Galleys.

Traditional Scottish music will be played throughout dinner by Britannia’s musicians and, the highlight of the evening, the Address to a Haggis will be followed by a

Whisky Tasting in the State Drawing Room.

More information available from www.royalyachtbritannia.co.uk The Isle of Raasay Distillery is also hosting a special Burns and Whisky Weekend which involves a two-night stay for two, including all meals.

Guests can check in on Friday 25th January and leave on Sunday 27th after a weekend of fine dining at the distillery on Friday evening and a hearty lunch on Saturday an exclusive whisky tasting and warehouse tour with the distillery’s co-founder, Alasdair Day. The weekend will finish in style with a traditional Burns supper on the Saturday evening, featuring traditional Scottish dishes, from traditional haggis to rhubarb cranachan with homemade shortbread and whisky fudge.

More information can be found here (https://raasaydistillery. com/raasay-distillery-blog/burnswhisky-weekend-at-raasay-distillery/)

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Long before anyone had heard of Google…

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n the days before ‘to goggle’ became a verb and electricity, let alone the Internet, could only be regarded as magical fantasy the way most people learned things was from books.

And, of all the reference books and volumes of encyclopediae that emerged in the 18th century the most famous by far is probably the Encyclopaedia Britannica.

First published 250 years ago in Scotland the multi-volume text book of amazing facts, figures and wonderment was for generations of scholars and students the ‘search engine’ of its day.

Now, to celebrate the anniversary, the National Library of Scotland has published online a rare first edition of Encyclopaedia Britannica.

Britannica was conceived, compiled, printed and published entirely in Edinburgh, and on 10 December 1768, the first pages were published.

Subscribers were scandalised by explicit engravings. For the first edition, Bell produced three full pages of anatomically accurate depictions of dissected female pelvises and of foetuses in wombs for the midwifery article.

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Photos by NLS Encyclopaedia Britannica

These illustrations so shocked King George III that the Crown commanded that the pages be ripped from every copy.

However, the National Library has a complete copy in its collections and, thanks to a successful fundraising campaign for its digitisation, has made the first edition available online for all to view.

Rare Books Curator Robert Betteridge said Britannica is one of the enduring achievements of the

Scottish Enlightenment.

“By the 20th century Britannica was a household name throughout the English-speaking world, and what is especially interesting about this publication was that it had a distinctly Scottish viewpoint. The first edition emphasised two themes – modern science and Scottish identity, including ground-breaking and controversial articles on anatomy and Scots Law,” he said.

“Britannica became viewed as an

Britannica front page

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The solar system as depicted by the early Encyclopaedia Britannica

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All about camels

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authoritative source of facts about the world. Its first editor believed strongly in the democratisation of knowledge – that it should be accessible to all who sought self-improvement, regardless of background. We adhere to this belief at the Library, which is why we are working to digitise and make available as many early editions as possible.”

The first edition of Encyclopaedia Britannica was undertaken at considerable financial risk by three young tradesmen, none of whom had published anything previously.

The two principal partners, who would retain the copyright of its first three editions, were printer Colin Macfarquhar (1744-1793) and engraver Andrew Bell (1753-1832).

Macfarquhar, a wigmaker’s son, had just opened his printing firm in 1767.

Bell, a baker’s son and an apprentice of Scotland’s leading engraver Richard Cooper, established his reputation as an engraver through pioneering work for Scots Magazine.

Bell was somewhat of a character.

He was just 4 foot 6, had crooked legs and an enormous nose that he would sometimes augment with a papier-mâché version whenever anyone stared at him. Despite his small stature he insisted on always riding the tallest horse available and used a ladder to mount and dismount.

It was while he was working at the Scots Magazine that Bell met William Smellie (1740-1795), himself a master printer, and editor of the magazine from 1760 to 1765.

Smellie agreed to compile the Britannica’s first edition for a fee of £200, more than Diderot received for his efforts editing the Encyclopédie, but nothing like the approximately £25,000 Bell and Macfarquhar would jointly accrue from the Britannica’s first three editions.

After Macfarquhar died in 1793, Bell bought out his heirs and became sole owner of the Britannica until his

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All about dogs

death in 1809.

The early edition of Britannica remains a riveting read, not least at some of the ‘facts’ have since been extensively revised with the advantage of scientific advances.

The first edition said Humans were divided into five categories: European, American, Asiatic, African and Monstrous.

The US state of ‘Callifornia’ was spelt with two ‘L’s’ and was described as ‘a large country of the West Indies and it was stated that it was unknown whether it was an island or a peninsula.

The solar system was described as having six planets as Uranus, Neptune and Pluto had yet to be discovered.

“Britannica holds a special place in people’s memories. Many donors to our appeal have told us how, in childhood, it piqued their curiosity about the world around them and helped with their homework in the days before Google. They are fascinating time capsules of human knowledge and society’s values at particular points in our history and with the public’s help, we hope to make many more editions available for free online,” said Lucy Clement, Head of Development.

The first edition of Encyclopaedia Britannica will form part of the National Library’s major exhibition on the Scottish Enlightenment, due to open in the summer of 2019.

To view the online copy for free, visit www.nls.uk

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Sex change for country sports stereotype

Sheila Eastwood and Justine Muir grouse shooting on Forneth Moor, Perthshire

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by Helen Lloyd

O

nce the preserve of middleaged men in tweed suits shooting is increasingly finding favour among female country sports enthusiasts.

New figures have revealed the number of women taking part in both clays and game shooting, such as grouse, in Scotland has risen steadily over the past few years, breaking the stereotypical male dominated image.

The British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC) has welcomed the influx of women in recent years and now has almost 11,000 lady members, up 10 per cent on last year’s numbers. Grouse shooting in Scotland has seen an increase in female participation in line with this trend.

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The latest UK Home Office figures reveal that 5.87 per cent of certificate holders in the UK are now female, equating to 35,367 people. It is estimated that there are around 3,000 women shotgun certificate holders in Scotland.

The establishment of organisations including the Scottish Ladies Shooting Club and Glad Rags & Cartridge Bags has been a catalyst in terms of increasing participation by women in Scotland.

Glad Rags and Cartridge Bags

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Glad Rags & Cartridge Bags was founded by Mhairi Morriss four years ago with the aim to make it easier for novice shots and women from all backgrounds to progress in the sport. Over the past four years Mhairi has organised over 54 events with 1300 attending and over 370 individual ladies having shot with the club. “Everyone is welcome at one of our events, from ladies who have never taken a shot to more experienced

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guns,” said Mhairi.

“Shooting sports is becoming much more popular among women and we provide all the equipment and tuition needed, so it’s easy and affordable for anyone to come along and join in.”

Group of female guns at a Glad Rags & Cartridge Bags event, Aberdeenshire

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Throughout the country there are many events organised through ladies shooting clubs which provide an ideal opportunity for novice shots to join more experienced like-minded guns to gain companionship and encouragement.

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“Glad Rags and Cartridge Bags is the only group organising events for ladies in venues that are not traditional shooting grounds, we are like a roving syndicate which adds a whole new unique element to the day,” added Mhairi.

For shooting enthusiast Cara Richardson, a a member of BASC Council and BASC Scottish committee chair the increase in female interest is welcome but not surprising.

A lunchtime conversation she had with a fellow lady gun at a BASC Ladies game day in 2013 led to the formation of the Scottish Ladies Shooting Club. The way in which the club has grown since then is proof of the increased interest in shotgun shooting from women of all ages and backgrounds.

“When I started shooting almost 30 years ago, it was unusual to see a woman in a clay or game day lineup. I’m thrilled to see how this has changed as the years have passed,” said Cara.

Cara Richardson, BASC Council member and BASC Scottish committee chair

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“Equipment manufacturers have recognised this as a developing client base and it is now possible to find women’s ranges in both shooting apparel and shotguns.

“As a sporting agent, I’m very pleased to see an increasing number of women shooters and hunters in the field. The UK is behind our Scandinavian and European neighbours in terms of the percentage of the population involved in country pursuits, but we are catching up. Long may the trend continue.”

Co-founder and leader of the Scottish Ladies Shooting Club agrees that the number of novices entering the sport or taking an interest by just joining in to help is exciting.

“We are witnessing a large increase in the number of ladies getting involved in the Scottish shooting sport scene. We tend to find novices start off shooting clays to perfect the skill of shooting before embarking on a walked-up day of game shooting. Many also get involved through beating or loading as an

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Preparing for a shoot in Aberdeenshire

introduction to the sport and to gain an understanding of the terrain and what the day involves,” said Lesley.

“A day’s walked up grouse shooting is now proving extremely popular and is the perfect way to step up from shooting clays. It allows you to put all your experience of shooting simulated targets into action when shooting game. Confidence is key in grouse shooting and a ladies’ shoot day gives you the chance to try out the sport in a fun friendly and relaxed environment breaking down boundaries associated with it being male dominated.

“It is great that the number of women getting involved in shooting is growing organically. We now host at least one event a month allowing us to build the community of women in shooting even further.”

A growing number of ladies shooting clubs, along with sporting estates throughout the country, now offer a variety of different shooting packages

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designed to cater for varying levels of experience and interests, from clay shoots to mixed game including grouse, pheasant, partridge and deer stalking.

“I am a former city chick having grown up in Edinburgh and working as an accountant, which I still do, but my husband and I had a hankering seven years ago to move to the countryside to embrace rural living,” said Justine Muir from Cupar, Fife who has been shooting game for the past three years.

“It’s then that I first got into clays as my husband shot clays and it looked fun. I shot on and off but not regularly until I joined the Scottish Ladies Shooting Club. This allowed me to build experience and confidence and move onto game shooting. The safety aspect when shooting grouse is imperative and a real step up from clays as you need to understand the positioning of the dogs, beaters and gun safety, and that’s where joining the lady’s shooting club has been

invaluable.

“Shooting is now very much a big part of our family life. It is an excellent leisure activity in a highly sociable and fun environment and my two young boys are very keen and have been shooting clays through the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC) and the Scottish Youth and The Countryside Education Trust (SYCET). I would encourage any lady thinking about trying shooting to have a go, I’m sure you’ll become hooked like me.”

Fellow covert to the sport Sheila Eastwood from Bankfoot in Perth got into the sport four years ago by shooting clays before moving on to grouse about two years ago.

“A lot of people still think shooting is for the elite, but it absolutely is not about money or class,” said Sheila.

“I lived in a small village in Fife until my 20s and then moved to the city of Perth to pursue a career in

Photo by Perth Picture Agency On the grouse moor

banking. I was always interested in country pursuits, attending the game fair most years but had never picked up a gun. When I started working for an independent Scotch Whisky merchant and took on the role of organising corporate days for overseas clients, which included a day’s shooting, I was fascinated from the word go.

“My husband has been involved in shooting for many years and encouraged me to apply for my shotgun certificate two years ago and we now go out shooting together.

“The establishment of ladies shooting clubs has really broken-down barriers, encouraging more ladies to participate in the sport. I have also found that on mixed shoot days male guns are very encouraging. There is very much a wide range of age and ability, with a lot of young girls becoming increasingly interested in the sport which is fantastic.”

The growth in interest from a new

audience is a welcome boost for many sporting estates which have invested heavily over recent years in vital moorland conservation.

Peatland restoration programmes and habitat management is producing positive results for rare upland species.

“Estate owners have taken two major steps which are now having a noticeable effect on our biodiversity,” said Tim Baynes, director of the Scottish Moorland Group.

“Over the long term they have invested considerable sums to manage habitats of benefit to ground-nesting birds and other wildlife. We have seen the success of this investment in places like Strathbraan, where black grouse numbers have rebounded from single figures to 50 this year.”

Scientists from Game Conservancy Germany recorded 103 different bird species at Glenogil Estate in May 2018. The habitat management

undertaken by the estate was seen as the key reason for this abundant biodiversity. Other estates have recorded similar level of biodiversity and are involved in conservation work which includes woodland planting, grazing reduction, rotational heather burning and bracken control.

Peatland restoration programmes have been undertaken on grouse moors for the last few years, helping to conserve ideal conditions for rare birds, mammals and plants.

“These crucial projects will help to restore and conserve these uplands so that future generations can enjoy our amazing peatland and blanket bogs,” said Lydia Nibbs of Tomatin Moorland Group.

“A significant part of our work, year on year, is to create the right habitat for grouse, other ground-nesting bird species and the mammals, plants and other birds which thrive on our iconic Scottish moorland.”

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Antique hunting with Roo Irvine

Imitation may be the sincerest form of flattery but…

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f you were to ask me which area of antiques is a world unto itself I would have to say “Art”. This ittybitty word was worth $63Billion in 2017 alone.

We are entering a world in which millions of pounds are spent on a single item, in much the same way most of us would buy a lamp at auction for £40. Astoundingly, wealthy buyers snap up works of art from thousands of miles away for many reasons aside from a fundamental love of art.

It could be a newly discovered piece, deemed lost to the world forever, or a work that needs to be returned ‘home’ to its mother country. Often, it can be purely for nothing more than bragging rights - which can backfire in spectacular fashion.

The world groaned at the razor-sharp wit and arrogance of Banksy when

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VanMeegeren’s The Disciples at Emmaus

Photo by Nationaal Archief NL (GaHetNa) VanMeegeren in 1945 with his work of Jesus among the Doctors, also called Young Christ in the Temple in the style of Vermeer

the infamous ‘Girl with balloon’ was shredded as the hammer came down at $1.4million. It could have been a legal nightmare but the buyer was savvy enough to realise his new purchase will go down in history and may even be worth much more in years to come.

Art can be the Holy Grail of the antique world. There is always a chance of finding a lost masterpiece or forgotten gem. The real skill is telling genuine artistic discoveries from a forgery. Master forgers have fooled the art world for centuries.

To put the scale of forgery into perspective it is estimated by experts that up to half of the art on the international market could be fake.

Can you imagine being a wealthy buyer, shelling out millions on a piece, which is in effect, worthless?

One of the most notable historical

cases is of master forger Han van Meegeren. He sold $60million worth of fake Vermeer’s to a wide-wide clientele ranging from the Nazis to the Dutch government. He was a lover of art and a very skilled legitimate painter. Mere opportunity gave way to greed and so Van Meegeren spiralled into the dark arts of the art world.

Forgers can ‘recover’ from their addiction once caught and actually make a successful career. In the 1980’s John Myatt advertised in Private Eye “Genuine fakes.

Nineteenth and twentieth century paintings from £150”.

As a youngster at art school Myatt discovered a talent for mimicking the styles of other artists. At first he only produced copies for the amusement of friends, But after he and his wife split a few years later he needed extra cash to look after his children

so started offering his ‘genuine fakes’.

He was completely honest about his paintings which soon caught the eye of a man called John Drewe who quickly became a regular customer as he was selling them on as originals. After selling an “Albert Gleizes” copy by Myatt for £25,000 the two men embarked on “the biggest art fraud of the 20th century”.

Police estimate Myatt painted about 200 forgeries of which only about 60 have been recovered. They were sold through auction and to art dealers around the world netting a profit in the region of £25million, although Myatt said he only ever earned about £275,000.

After serving four months of a 12 month sentence for conspiracy to defraud Myatt returned to his work as an honest forger producing clearly

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identified fakes which sell for up to £45,000 a time. He has also hosted his own art show on television and often works alongside law enforcement to expose fraudsters.

Art forgers are the most intelligent, talented thieves to ever exist. These people can paint as well as the masters, yet their paintings don’t sell for millions. How do they manage to

fool expert eyes?

Van Meegeren showed incredible intelligence and craftiness in his methods. As someone born in the late 1880’s he was famed for forging Vermeers originally painted in the 1600’s. He started with the basic foundation, the canvas. He would buy inexpensive 17th century

Photo by Rob C Croes, Fotocollectie Anefo, Nationaal Archief NL. CC BY-SA 3.0 Painting “The Last Supper I” by Han van Meegeren in style of Vermeer

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paintings, and laboriously remove the paint to be left with an original canvas.

He made badger hide brushes for period authenticity. In the 1600’s, paints were made by hand. Now we are lucky to have every shade available in a convenient tube. Van Meegeren mixed his own colours to

match those used by Vermeer.

Crucially, oils can take over a 100yrs to fully dry. A swift alcohol swab on recent paint will allow colour to be removed. Van Meegeren created a technique using chemicals from then recently discovered Bakelite. By ‘varnishing’ his work with this mix, he ‘baked’ it in ovens, allowing the paint

to set and dry, like a 300 year old painting would, and also the natural cracks ‘aged’ the work.

per painting perhaps paid off in the long run… until he was caught of course!

The sheer effort that went into forging an Old Masters painting is phenomenal. The thought of going to that extent, considering the risks involved, is dedication at its finest.

Being paid the equivalent of £1million

For any of you fine folk that may have some paintings in the attic, look for the above clues! For those of you now contemplating a new career…. steer clear!

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Domestic threat to endangered wildcats

Photos by RZSS Wildcat and kitten

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T

hey have wandered the highlands of Scotland for thousands of years but the Scottish Wildcat is now on the verge of extinction as a result of the humble moggy.

New research by conservation experts at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland have revealed the extent of hybridisation within the wild population of wildcats in a new scientific study.

The results of the latest research, published in the journal of evolutionary applications, concludes very few Scottish wildcats living in the wild meet the genetic or physical standards used to tell the difference between a wildcat and a hybrid.

“The Scottish wildcat is one of the most endangered mammals in the UK and we are working with our partners to try to give this

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iconic species a future,” said Dr Helen Senn, the charity’s head of conservation and science.

“Crossbreeding with domestic feral cats has long been known to be a major threat to the Scottish wildcat.

“Having tested almost 300 wildliving and captive wildcats, we now have genetic data which confirms our belief that the vast majority of Scottish wildcats living in the wild are hybrids to one extent or another.

“While it is disappointing to see such high levels of hybridisation in the wild, it is encouraging that the genetic pool within the captive population is much stronger.”

Scottish wildcats have been roaming the rural parts of the country since the British isles was connected by land to mainland Europe - around d 11,000 years ago.

Once common across the the whole of the UK the animals were

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hunted as vermin and persecuted to protect game birds such as grouse.

By the early 20th century the only populations left of wildcats in the country were confined to just the north of Scotland. Today the animals, of which only a few hundred are possibly pure bred wildcats, can be found in parts of the Cairngorms, Aberdeenshire, the Black isle, Ardnamurchan and the Angus Glens.

Scottish Wildcat Action, the national conservation partnership which includes more than 20 members across Scotland, has commissioned a review by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), which will recommend further measures to be taken to help protect the species.

“We welcome Dr Helen Senn’s research report on the extent of hybridisation between Scottish wildcats and domestic cats. It provides the project with vital information with which to inform our ongoing conservation work,” said

Allan Bantick OBE, Chairman of the Scottish Wildcat Action Steering Group.

“It is another example of the Scottish Wildcat Action partnership producing credible, scientific and constructive evidence from its work. This and other research carried out by the project has been shared with the world’s leading cat scientists from the IUCN cat specialist group, who we have asked to independently evaluate the work of our project and make recommendations.

“We want to ensure we have the best information and advice going forward so that we can preserve the Scottish wildcat for future generations.”

The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland’s Highland Wildlife Park recently welcomed a litter of wildcat kittens born in a specially designed habitat which is not on view to the public to retain the cats’ wild instincts.

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Mob leader who tamed Edinburgh’s unruly ‘beast’ is back A notorious 18th century rabble rouser has returned to Edinburgh in the form of a life-sized model cast from his skeleton.

Less than four-feet tall and with a body ravaged by rickets and a lack of calcium, ‘Bowed Joseph’ Smith is an unlikely hero and one often forgotten despite being among the most influential characters from Edinburgh’s past.

In the second half of the 1700s Edinburgh was a thronging hive of activity with 25,000 people of all classes crammed together in tenements only a few feet apart and up to 14 storeys high on either side of the High Street which runs down from the castle to the Canongate.

Rioting was commonplace and the reputation of the Edinburgh mob, known as the ‘Great Beast’ was renowned throughout the country.

In 1492 the mob forced supporters of the Duke of Albany to release King James III who was being held against his will.

They famously took to the streets in 1637 to support Jenny Geddes, who had thrown a stool at the head of the minister in St Giles Cathedral in protest over his introducing the Scottish Episcopal Book of Common Prayer.

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The Edinburgh mob lynching Captain Porteus

In 1707 renowned novelist Daniel Defoe watched in horror as the mob rioted against the hated Act of Union with England.

In probably the beast’s most infamous show of power thousands of angry citizens marched on the Tollbooth jail in 1736 to snatch the captain of the town guard, John Porteus, who had ordered his men to open fire on a protest and killed six people.

Bowed Joseph as recreated by Lynn Morrison

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Photo by PD A depiction of life in 18th century Edinburgh

Although Porteous had been sentenced to death for his actions the crowed wanted their own justice.

They dragged him from his prison cell and hanged him from a dyer’s pole in the Grassmarket.

The unruly Edinburgh mob was a force to be reckoned with and woe betide any office or organisation that incurred its wrath as there were few who could tame it.

One man who did have the power to reason with or whip up the crowd at will was “Bowed Joseph”.

A humble cobbler who lived in the Cowgate with his wife he was a man unafraid to speak his mind or stand up against unfairness and could assemble a crowd of 10,000 strong within an hour.

Despite his deformity he had very muscular arms and would walk through the streets banging a drum, with his wife a few paces behind him,

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calling on the mob to rise up and protest whenever there was some king of injustice.

In 1763 he started a demonstration against the anti-Scottish writings of the John Wilkes’s North Briton journal and, on another occasion, he used the crowds to seek justice for a man evicted by a heartless landlord.

When he heard a man had committed suicide after falling behind on his rent, his entire family being evicted and their possessions sold Joseph summoned the mob to march on the landlord’s house.

Although the landlord they took all his belongings and burned them in the street.

Probably his most infamous clash with the authorities was when a food shortage saw unscrupulous dealers hiking up the price of meal. Joseph and the mob demanded fairer prices and succeeded in reaching an agreement with at least one dealer.

However, when that trader later boasted he had tricked the people by selling short measures the mob, under Joseph lead, forced the man to make up the difference, beat him up and ransacked his shop as a lesson to others.

Such was Joseph’s influence the City Council would frequently ask him to act on their behalf as a go between with the people to settle the grievances of the Edinburgh citizens.

Despite his popularity and power Joseph never sought office or financial gain. Each time a demonstration was over he would quietly return to his business mending shoes and making belts.

Unfortunately, Joseph’s life came to a sudden and unexpected end in 1780 when, on his return from a day at Leith races where he had a few too many drinks, the fell from the top of a stage-coach and was killed.

Now, 239 years later, a life-sized

model of Joseph beating his drum has gone on display, until 10 January, alongside his skeleton in the University of Edinburgh’s Anatomical Museum where his bones have been preserved to honour his service to the city.

The model was produced by Lynn Morrison as part of her studies in forensic art at the University of Dundee and brings to life a faithful reconstruction of what Joseph probably looked like.

“I thoroughly enjoyed working on this project and learning about Joseph’s life. He was quite a character,” said Lynn.

“Despite the pain he must have suffered as a result of his condition, he was relentless in his pursuit of justice for the poor in 18th century Edinburgh. I really hope my reconstruction will help put him back in the public eye and give him the recognition he deserves as an important figure in Edinburgh’s history.”

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Prepare for take-off The new improved and expanded duty free experience at Aberdeen airport

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by Paul Watson

A

New Year, new look and a bright new future lies ahead for Scotland’s third largest airport and the biggest commercial heliport in the world.

The final stage of an ambitious £20 million pound refurbishment of Aberdeen International is due to be completed this summer which will future-proof the transport hub for increasing passenger capacity over the next 25 years and open up the north east of Scotland for more international visitors.

It’s all a far cry from the early days of 1934 when the airport was first established by Eric Gandar Dower at Dyce, then a outlying village of Aberdeen, to fly mail and passengers

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to the northern islands of Scotland.

With the outbreak of World War II RAF Dyce played an important role in protecting convoys and photographic reconnaissance.

With the discovery of oil in Scottish waters the airfield became Europe’s largest commercial heliport, with operations to ferry men and cargo to the rigs in the North Sea beginning in 1967. Indeed, if it hadn’t been for the existing runway and facilities Dundee could easily have become the oil capital of Europe instead of Aberdeen.

Now, more than half a century later the airport is now the north-east of Scotland’s major transport hub and a vital economic driver for the region, contributing more than £110 million a year to the local economy.

In 2017 more than 3.1 million passengers, including helicopter travellers, passed through the airport - a figure which the operators aim to increase by 50 per cent in the next few years.

Currently home to 20 airlines serving up to 50 destinations worldwide with some of the best domestic connectivity in the UK it is hoped that once the three-year development

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Bigger and better facilities make passenger arrivals quicker and smoother

project is completed even more routes will open up.

Phase one of the project was completed in 2017 and included new domestic and international arrival areas, baggage reclaim hall and two passenger lounges, including the luxury Northern Lights executive sanctuary.

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The upgraded lounge provides a panoramic view of the runway

With its spectacular runway views, locally-inspired decor and a menu of Aberdeenshire delicacies created by Kilted Chef Craig Wilson, along with a selection of Brewdog craft beers, Gordon Castle gins and stunning variety of whiskies, the lounge is an ideal place to while away the time waiting for a flight.

Downstairs from the lounge a purpose built extension of the terminal, has greatly improved both international and domestic baggage reclaim halls along with better passport control and immigration facilities.

High quality local ingredients are showcased in a wide ranging menu of delicacies

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As you’d expect in the heart of whisky country there’s lots to whet the appetite

Plenty of refreshments for waiting passengers in the lounge area

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Improved security means more efficiency and less waiting times for passengers

The second phase opened on 19 June last year with new security search hall, equipped with the latest screening technology to move passengers through more efficiently, and World Duty Free area double the size of the old facility.

The extra space and improved design of the shopping area has allowed the for the introduction of a host of exciting new beauty brands including Urban Decay and By Terry and extend our sunglasses range, with the addition of brands such as Armani, Hugo Boss, Polaroid and Bloc A highlight of the new retail zone is the World of Whiskies shop where customers can discover iconic local brands such as Glenfiddich, Balvenie, Old Pulteney, Macallan, Highland Park and Bowmore.

There is even chance to sample some drams at a specially created tasting-bar and find out more about the different brands using the latest interactive technology.

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Top brands available in the Duty Free shopping area

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The third and final phase of the project has involved expanding the airside area to increase further the number of shops and restaurants.

Work on this last part of the project is expected to be completed in time for Offshore Europe 2019, one of the world’s biggest oil and gas industry events.

Around 70 per cent of current users are business travellers, many of them being involved in the oil and gas sector, but the airport has an eye on attracting more leisure passengers.

Aberdeen enjoys good connections through some of the world’s busiest hub carriers, including Amsterdam Schiphol, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Dublin, Heathrow and Gatwick.

While year round flights from Bergen, Oslo, Stavanger, Copenhagen, and Esbjerg are already popular airport bosses are working on establishing new direct routes to Malaga, Faro, Malta and Alicante. Already planned for this summer are services to destinations including Reus, Tenerife, Dalaman, Corfu, Ibiza, Majorca and Rhodes.

Increasing attempts to diverse the economy of Aberdeen and the north-east is helping to create a new boom time for the airport as tourism chiefs work to promote the area as a romantic getaway and top destination for golfers, whisky lovers and history buffs attracted by the region’s abundance of castles.

Gareth Bristo, Head of Capital Projects and Engineering at Aberdeen International Airport

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High altitude forest to aid wildlife

Photo by Mark Medcalf Mountain hare

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A

new high-altitude forest of 10,000 rare mountain trees supporting wildlife including golden eagles and mountain hares is to be planted near Loch Ness.

The waist-high trees form a unique and important wildlife-rich habitat called montane scrub. This should be common between woodlands and open hilltops, but it has now almost disappeared from Scotland – largely due to grazing pressure from sheep and high deer numbers over the centuries.

The project, by Trees for Life, involves collecting seed from trees such as dwarf birch and downy willow on precipitous mountain ledges and rocky crags, sometimes with the help of qualified climbers.

Planting the woodland itself will be challenging because the location – at Beinn Bhan on the charity’s Dundreggan Conservation Estate in Glenmoriston – lies at more than 500 metres above sea level.

But the site is perfect for the tough small trees – known as ‘montane’ species because they can grow near mountain summits, despite high winds and dramatic temperature changes.

“This exciting initiative will address the sad loss of these special wee trees, which form a vital

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Photo by Mark Hamblin Golden eagle

but vanishing part of Scotland’s woodlands – while creating a home for golden eagle, black and red grouse, ring ouzel, and mountain hare. We’re urging members of the public to support this project and help make it happen,” said Steve Micklewright, Trees for Life’s Chief Executive.

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Trees for Life has launched a fundraising appeal to raise £20,000 to help create the new upland forest, which could also play a role in reducing localized flooding by retaining soils.

As well as asking for help from the public, Trees for Life has

been awarded a grant by Forestry Commission Scotland in support of the new forest. Doug Gilbert, Trees for Life’s Operations Manager at Dundreggan, said: “We’ve made maximum use of the forestry grantaid, but to create a bigger, richer forest environment we need the public’s support.”

The conservation charity has already begun growing tree seeds it has collected from Glen Affric – but to boost genetic diversity for stronger trees that are resistant to disease, it needs to do more. Expert climbers have to brave difficult terrain and rocky outcrops to collect cuttings from the rare species.

Trees for Life’s volunteers will begin planting the new woodland at Beinn Bhan – the White Mountain – in the Spring, against a backdrop of sweeping views to Glen Affric and its surrounding mountains.

Donations to Trees for Life’s Beinn Bhan forest appeal will enable the

charity to collect seed and cuttings from the rare montane trees, and then grow these species in its tree nursery at Dundreggan for planting in the new woodland.

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This month in history A

search of the anniversary vaults reveals there are a lot of occasions for Scots all over the world to celebrate and commemorate this month.

Some great people have been born in January, including Scotland’s national bard, several great inventors and founding personalities of both Canada and Australia, while others have departed this world.

Here’s a brief guide to some of the events and dates worth remembering this January.

Births

Robert Burns

1759 January 25 - Poet, lover, tax man and international icon Robert Burns came into this world in Alloway on this day. Despite humble beginnings he rose to become a celebrated poet, especially after his death at the age of just 37. The world’s first Burns Supper took place on his birthday in the humble room where he was born less than five years after his death and is now celebrated internationally. Read more https://bit.ly/2qL3VF5

James Watt

1736 January 19 - James Watt, mathematical instrument maker, developer of the steam engine and the man who invented the condenser and copying machine was born in Greenock, Renfrewshire.

Watt didn’t invent the steam engine but it was his improvements that turned it into the mechanical workhorse of the Industrial Revolution.

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1761 January 31 - Lachlan MacQuarie, often regarded as the “Father of Australia” was born on Ulva in the Inner Hebrides the son of carpenter cum crofter. A career soldier he saw service in Canada, the US and India before eventually becoming Governor of New South Wales in 1810. He held the office for 12 years during which time he earned a reputation as an enlightened and progressive governor who helped establish Australia as a country. His grave on Mull is maintained by the National Trust of Australia.

Lord Byron

Lachlan MacQuarie

1788 January 22 - George Gordon Byron, later to become Lord Byron, was born in London. His father, Captain John ‘Mad Jack’ Byron, had married Catherine Gordon, heiress to the Gight estate, Aberdeenshire.

By the age of four young Byron had moved to Aberdeen with his mother where he received his early educating at the city’s Grammar School.

father was a master builder in Leith where Rod’s two older brothers and sisters were born before the family moved to London. Rod, who was born eight years after his youngest sibling, is one of the best-selling music artists of all time, having sold over 100 million records worldwide.

John a MacDonald

1815 January 11 - John A MacDonald was the first, and longest serving, Prime Minister of Canada and is often considered one of the founding fathers of modern Canada. Born the third of five children in Brunswick Lane, Glasgow he had quite a tough upbringing but worked hard to become a lawyer and then politician. A colourful character he was renowned for being fond of a drink or three and was frequently castigated for being the worse for wear during debates although his quick wit endeared him to the public.

Photo by Smart Community Fife CC BY 2.0 Jimmy Shand

1908 January 28 - Scottish country dance band leader Jimmy Shand, was born one of nine children in East Wemyss in Fife. The son of a ploughman turned miner he started off playing the mouth organ and fiddle but later switched to the accordion which is forever associated with him. Shand, whose statue stands in Auchtermuchty where he grew up is credited with writing over 330 compositions and he recorded more tracks than the Beatles and Elvis Presley combined

Deaths

603 January 13 - St Mungo, founder and patron saint of Glasgow. Born the grandson of a King who ruled the area around Lothian. He is the patron saint of salmon fishermen, those accused of infidelity and anyone standing up to bullies.

1707 January 8 - John Dalrymple, 1st Earl of Stair, died 15 years after the massacre of Glencoe for which he was largely responsible and almost overwhelmingly scapegoated.

Blamed for exceeding the wishes of King William his political career never fully recovered after the atrocity which he had been instrumental in orchestrating.

Compton Mackenzie

1883 January 17 - The creator of one of the most well known comic stories about life in Scotland was born on this day. Compton Mackenzie wrote Whisky Galore, one of the best loved Scottish stories of the 20th century. Whisky Galore has spawned two comedy movies and a tourist trail across Scotland http://bit.ly/2DkUqnJ 1888 January 3 - O H Mavor was a distinguished physician and prolific Glasgow playwright, screenwriter and author who wrote under the pen name of James Bridie. One of the leading lights of his generation he was a founder of the Citizens’ Theatre, Glasgow, in 1943. During his lifetime he wrote 40 plays.

Moira Shearer

1926 January 17 Ballet dancer and film star Moira Shearer was born in Dunfermline. Most famous for her first film role as Victoria Page in the Powell & Pressburger 1948 balletthemed movie The Red Shoes.

1945 January 10 - Pop star Sir Rod Stewart was born in London. His Photo by Helge Øverås CC BYSA 3.0 Rod Stewart

James Stewart

1766 January 1 - James Stuart the “Old Pretender” died in Rome. The son of King James VII of Scotland (King James II of England) he had been in exile since 1688 and despite several attempts to regain the throne, including the ill-fated Jacobite Rebellion of 1715.

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in Edinburgh and selling them for dissection. http://bit.ly/2DLezEs Photo by Maciek Szczepaniak Greyfriars Bobby

John Pringle

1782 January 18 - Sir John Pringle, President of the Royal Society from 1772-1778 and physician to King George III, died aged 74. His work on ant-septics and the treatment of soldiers earned hm the title of “father of modern military medicine”.

1872 January 14 - Greyfriars Bobby, the little Skye Terrier who stayed by his dead master’s grave for 14 years becoming a favourite of the people of Edinburgh, died. A statue to the city’s favourite dog is located outside the gates of the cemetery as an example to all of loyalty and devotion.

a time when the birth of twins was considered an evil curse.

Superstitious villagers believed twins meant the mother was guilty of a great sin and one of the babies must be the offspring of an evil spirit.

Unable to tell which one was ‘bad’ both babies would often be left in the bush to starve or eaten by wild animals.

Slessor worked hard to educate the local people and adopted every abandoned baby she found - saving the lives of hundreds of children as a result.

Kirkpatrick MacMillan

Bonnie Prince Charlie

1788 January 31 - Charles Edward Stuart, aka Bonnie Prince Charlie died in Rome. The son exiled James VII, who died in the same month 22 years earlier, he is best remembered for the failed 1745 Jacobite Rebellion which resulted in the devastation of the old clan society.

1878 January 26 - Kirkpatrick McMillan, the blacksmith from Dumfries who is widely credited with inventing the world’s first pedal cycle, died aged 65. He never patented the idea and was largely unconcerned about all the fuss his invention caused. There are now an estimated two billion bicycles currently in use around the world.

Photo by Wellcome Execution of William Burke

Mary Slessor

1829 January 28 - William Burke, murderer and body snatcher of “Burke and Hare” fame, was executed in front of a baying crowd for his part in killing up to 30 people

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1915 January 13 - Mary Slessor known to many as “Ma”, died in Calabar. The Aberdeen born missionary dedicated her life to the children of Nigeria where she saved the lives of hundreds of children at

John Buchan

1940 January 12 - John Buchan, former Governor General of Canada and author of one of the greatest spy thrillers of the 20th century - The Thirty-nine Steps, died in Montreal, Canada. The Perth-born writer wrote over 30 books but his best known has never been out of print since it first appeared in 1915 and spawned many film, television, radio adaptations and even a video game.

1973 January 15 - Writer Neil M Gunn, author of “The Silver Darlings” and many other books and short stories capturing the essence of Highland life, died aged 81 in Inverness. Regarded as possibly the most important Scottish novelist of the early twentieth century he is recognised as one of the major contributors to the renaissance of Scottish literature. The Dunbeath Heritage Centre in Caithness has a permanent exhibition of his life and work.

oppressed, and a thorn in the side of the 18th century establishment.

Activities which saw him transported to Botany Bay, Australia for sedition.

Read more https://bit.ly/2BnNkM6

A J Cronin

1981 January 6 - The death of A.J. Cronin, author of the novel ‘Country Doctor’ which was turned into the long-running BBC radio and TV series Dr. Finlay’s Casebook. Born in Cardross near Helensburgh on 19 July 1896 Cronin became a doctor and worked as Medical Inspector of Mines for Great Britain in the 1920s. His reports on conditions in the mines helped establish the link between coal dust inhalation and pulmonary disease.

His 1937 book ‘The Citadel’, about the struggles of a Welsh mining company doctor, helped incite the establishment of the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK.

Notable events

Photo by Mike Peel Glasgow University

1451 January 7 - The University of Glasgow founded at the request of James II and Bishop Turnbull making it the fourth oldest university in the UK.

Photo by James Allan CC BY-SA 2.0 Falkirk Muir memorial

1746 January 16 - On this day Bonnie Prince Charlie’s retreating Jacobite army of 7,000 men won their last battle against 8,000 Hanoverian troops at the Battle of Falkirk Muir. Unfortunately the Jacobite failed to capitalise on their win and the next major engagement was Culloden.

1783 January 1 - On this day a draft constitution and set of rules was presented at The Town House in Glasgow establishing the first Chamber of Commerce in the English speaking world with continuous records.

The chamber was set up by merchants to pool their resources and promote shared interests in the wake of the American War of Independence which had impacted the tobacco trade on which Glasgow had been so involved. Prior to the war some 75 per cent of all tobacco consumed in Europe was dealt with

by Glasgow merchants.

Thomas Muir

1792 January 2 - Thomas Muir, lawyer and political activist, arrested and charged with sedition. Often regarded as the ‘father of democracy’ Muir was a champion of the poor and

1811 January 9 - The first women’s golf tournament took place in Scotland, at Musselburgh between local fisherman’s wives from Musselburgh and Fisherrow.

The winner received a creel and a shawl while the runner up got two handkerchiefs from Barcelona.

Photo by JC Frye PD One o’ clock gun

1861 January 26 - Edinburgh’s world famous ‘One O’Clock Gun” was fired for the first time from the ramparts of the castle so that ships in the Firth of Forth could set the maritime clocks they needed to navigate the world’s oceans. It is still fired at 1pm every day except Sundays, Christmas Day and Good Friday.

Alexander Graham Bell

1878 January 14 - On this day Edinburgh born inventor Alexander Graham Bell demonstrated his telephone to Queen Victoria at the royal residence of Sandringham on the Isle of Wight.

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wages and working conditions.

Some 19 policemen and 34 workers were injured what became known as “Bloody Friday”. The British Government, fearful of a Russianstyle revolution, called in troops and tanks to patrol the streets of Glasgow.

1926 January 27 - Helensburghborn inventor John Logie Baird gave his first public demonstration of television. Read more https://bit. ly/2Eqe6qp

1st Glasgow Scout troop

1908 January 26 - The 1st Glasgow Scout troop became the first registered, troop in the world. Others may claim to have been meeting earlier but no other Scout troop has official documentation that pre-dates Glasgow.

Iolaire

1919 January 1 - On this day the naval yacht HMY Iolaire struck struck rocks near the entrance to Stornoway Harbour in the early hours of the morning. Despite being only 20 yards from shore, 205 out of 260 of the passengers and crew were killed.

Tanks in Glasgow

1919 January 31 - A mass rally of 60,000 strikers and their families, including women and children, held a peaceful rally in George Square Glasgow which turned into a riot after baton-wielding police charged protestors who were seeking better

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1963 1 January - The Beatles opened a 5-day tour of Scotland to promote their first single “Love Me Do.” 1993 January 5 - The 89,000-tonne Liberian-registered Braer oil tanker, carrying 84,500 tonnes of crude oil, lost power in heavy seas and ran into

John Logie Baird

rocks on the Shetland Isles causing widespread environmental pollution.

2017 January 1 - The first issue of Scotland Correspondent magazine was published.

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Date 4 ur diary

Scotland

Until 2 January Stirling Winter Festival Stirling.

Stirling, the perfect place to visit during the festive season, bring some sparkle to your season in Stirling.

Join us for an outstanding programme of events for the whole family to enjoy, including Carol Concerts, Christmas shopping, and a fantastic range of bars and restaurants to visit, all set against a sparkling festive backdrop.There really is no better place to enjoy at this special time of year. http://www.stirlingwinterfestival.com Until 5 January Edinburgh’s Christmas Edinburgh Edinburgh’s Christmas is a spectacular, six-week season of festive entertainment in the heart of the city providing lots of fun for all the family. http://www.edinburghschristmas.com/#stq=&stp=1 Until 31 January ‘My Stylist & Me’ exhibition The Image Collective Gallery Management Suite, 2nd Floor Ocean Terminal Shopping Centre Leith EH6 6JJ A unique photo exhibition exploring the special bond that exists between a client and their hairdresser.

1 January The Loony Dook South Queensferry In the shadow of the Forth Bridges, the dippers in fancy dress, scantily clad or even fully clothed from the night before will brave the chill to raise money for charities while shaking off their Hogmanay hangover. https://www.facebook.com/events/2212964578728501/ 1 January The Ba’ (1st January) Kirkwall, Orkney, KW15 1NW Every Christmas and New Year’s Day the “Ba’” is contested in the streets of Kirkwall. The game has been played in its present form since about 1850 and is a must see spectacle for visitors. http://www.bagame.com 11 January Burning of the Clavie Burghead, Morayshire, IV30 5UD A fire festival unique to Burghead, which greets the New

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If you have a future event you would like included in our diary please email details to news@scotlandcorrespondent.com Year. http://www.burghead.com/clavie/ 11 January Scalloway Fire Festival Scalloway, Shetland.

The first Viking themed fire festival in Shetland’s annual fire festival season, taking place in the first weeks of January . It is similar to the well-known Lerwick Up Helly Aa festival. http://scalloway.net/events/fire-festival/ 17 January - 3 February Celtic Connections Glasgow Celtic Connections is the largest winter music festival of its kind and the UK’s premier celebration of celtic music.

Some 2,100 artists and 300 events in 20 venues. https://www.celticconnections.com/Pages/default.aspx 19-20 January Strathpuffer 24 Strathpeffer, Ross-shire, IV14 9DW When it comes to mountain bike challenges, they don’t come much tougher or more rewarding than the Strathpuffer - the legendary 24 hour mountain bike endurance event held every year in the Highlands of Scotland in the middle of winter. https://strathpuffer.co.uk 19 January Banff Mountain Film Festival - Edinburgh 13-29 Nicolson St, Edinburgh, EH8 9FT The best new films from the world’s most prestigious mountain film festival. https://www.banff-uk.com 21 January Banff Mountain Film Festival - Glasgow 297 Bath Street, Glasgow, G2 4JN The best new films from the world’s most prestigious mountain film festival. https://www.banff-uk.com 24 January - 4 February Big Burns Supper Festival Dumfries, Dumfries and Galloway, DG1 2RS Big Burns Supper Festival runs for 11 days at the end of January in the vibrant capital of South Scotland, Dumfries. The festival takes place in venues, bars, art galleries, museums and includes an 800 capacity Spiegeltent which includes a heady roster of international names taking place. http://bigburnssupper.com

26-27 January Aviemore Sled Dog Rally Glenmore, Aviemore, Scotland, UK Every year since 1984, mushers from across the UK have gathered in the forests around Aviemore for the biggest event in the British sled dog racing calendar, The Siberian Husky Club of Great Britain Aviemore Sled Dog Rally. In 2019 we celebrate our 36th anniversary of the race on 26 and 27 January. http://siberianhuskyclub.org.uk/2015-shcgb-aviemorerally/ 29 January Up Helly Aa Lerwick, Shetland, ZE1 0HL Up Helly Aa, which takes place in Lerwick, Shetland, on the last Tuesday in January every year involves a series of marches and visitations, culminating in a torch-lit procession and the burning of a galley. https://www.uphellyaa.org 29 January - 2 February Rebus: Long Shadows Theatre Royal Glasgow, Glasgow City Centre Ian Rankin is bringing his beloved creation to the stage for the very first time, don’t miss Rebus: Long Shadows at the Theatre Royal Glasgow! https://www.atgtickets.com/venues/theatre-royalglasgow 30 January Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour-Stirling University of Stirling, Stirling, FK9 4LA The best new films from the world’s most prestigious mountain film festival. https://www.banff-uk.com 31 January Banff Mountain Film Festival - Inverness Bishops Rd, Inverness, IV3 5SA The best new films from the world’s most prestigious mountain film festival. https://www.banff-uk.com

Australia

1 January The Maryborough Highland Gathering Maryborough, VIC Now in its 158th year the Maryborough Highland Gathering is Australia’s oldest continuous running sporting event. www.highlandsociety.com.au 19 January Hunter Valley Scots Burns Night Argenton, NSW Australia A night of celebrations to honour the birthday of The Bard, Robert Burns. https://www.facebook.com/huntervalleyscotsclub/

25 January A Night of Robert Burns Tracy Village Social and Sports Club 28 Tambling Terrace Lyons, NT 0810 Celebrating the life and works of Scotland’s National Poet, Robert Burns, in poetry, song and dance. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-night-of-robert-burnstickets-52244541831?aff=ebdssbdestsearch 25 January Burns Night Hobart, TAS Our always popular Burns Night is held in January, usually on Robert Burns’ birthday, the 25, conveniently the day before Australia Day. So join us to toast the Immortal Memory. Whisky, haggis, bagpipes, The Iain MacLeod Ceilidh Band, dancing for everyone, fine company and excellent craic! https://www.cohhpb.org.au/band-events 25 January St Andrew Society of Western Australia Burns Supper Perth, WA Our 2018 Burns Night festivities will once again be held at the Parmelia Hilton, Perth. The event is open to everyone, members and non-members, so why not come and join us – you can then spend the rest of the Australia Day long weekend recovering! https://saintandrew.org.au/2019-burns-supper/

Canada

1-31 January OttScot Festival Ottawa, Ontario The Scottish Society of Ottawa plans to emphasise our role and mission in further connecting people in our city with Scottish culture, folklore and history through the 2019 OttScot Festival. This month-long celebration will be kicked-off with Hogman-eh!, and feature the Great Canadian Kilt Skate, our Gala Burns Supper & Ceilidh and a number of community organisation partnership events through January 2019. https://ottscot.ca/ott-scot-festival

13 January The Great Canadian Kilt Skate Seven Oaks Sports Complex 725 Kingsbury Ave Winnipeg, Manitoba R2V 3H9 The Great Canadian Kilt Skate is indelibly Scottish and undeniably Canadian. It speaks to the Scottish contribution to Canada’s multicultural heritage, and in 2019, it will be bigger than ever. www.kiltskate.com

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19 January Gala Burns Supper & Ceilidh Ottawa, Ontario Join us on January 19th, 2019 as we celebrate the life and poetry of Scotland’s national bard, Robert Burns. https://ottscot.ca/burns-supper-ottawa 19 January Sir John A’s Great Canadian Kilt Skate 333 Rue de la Commune O, Montréal, QC H2Y 2E2 Montreal, Quebec The Great Canadian Kilt Skate is indelibly Scottish and undeniably Canadian. It speaks to the Scottish contribution to Canada’s multicultural heritage, and in 2019, it will be bigger than ever. www.kiltskate.com 24 January St Andrew’s Society of Montreal Burns Supper Mount Royal Club, Montréal, Quebec Join us for the Society’s Annual event that celebrates Robbie Burns who came to fame as a poet when he was 27 years old, and whose lifestyle of wine, women and song made him famous all over Scotland. Share a wee dram with friends, enjoy a traditional Scottish meal (with a gourmet flair) and raise your glasses in a toast to the lads and lassies. http://www.standrews.qc.ca/burns-supper.html 24 January A Traditional Robbie Burns Supper Latvian Canadian Cultural Centre, 4 Credit Union Drive Toronto, Ontario Traditional Scottish fare, including haggis, cock-a-leekie soup, needs and tatties accompanied by the songs of Robbie Burns. https://www.torontoeastrotary.com 25 January Calgary Burns Club Burns Supper Telus Convention Centre, Calgary, Alberta www.calgaryburnsclub.com 26 January Burns Supper & Dance Cobourg Lions Community Centre, 157 Elgin St E, Cobourg, Ontario join us for our Robert Burns Dinner including Roast Beef Dinner with Haggis, salad, turnip & carrots, also Trifle and shortbread cookies for dessert, served buffet style by the Lions Centre staff, with live entertainment by Madman’s Window, The Lindsay Rose Highland Dance Company and the Cobourg Legion Pipes and Drums. www.cobourghighlandgames.ca 26 January Burns Ceilidh 2019 St Joe’s Church Hall, 174 Wilbrod St. Ottawa, Ontario.

Come and enjoy a 128 year old tradition celebrating the

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life and work of Robert Burns. http://www.sospb.com 26 January The Guelph Pipe Band Burns Supper Rockmosa Community Hall, 110 Rockmosa Drive, Rockwood, Ontario www.guelphpipeband.com 26 January The Halifax Burns Club Burns Supper Delta Halifax, Halifax, Nova Scotia Join us for the premier Robbie Burns event in the city!

The Halifax Burns Club is hosting its 22nd annual Burns Supper. We will celebrate the anniversary of the birth of the world’s greatest romantic poet with music, poetry and good fellowship in the name of the bard. www.halifaxburnsclub.org 27 January Great Canadian Kilt Skate January 27, 2019 Ottawa, Ontario The Great Canadian Kilt Skate is indelibly Scottish and undeniably Canadian. It speaks to the Scottish contribution to Canada’s multicultural heritage, and in 2019, it will be bigger than ever. www.kiltskate.com 27 January The Great Canadian Kilt Skate Toronto, Ontario The Great Canadian Kilt Skate is indelibly Scottish and undeniably Canadian. It speaks to the Scottish contribution to Canada’s multicultural heritage, and in 2019, it will be bigger than ever. www.kiltskate.com

New Zealand

1 January Waipu Highland Games Caledonian Park Main Road Waipu.

1 JANUARY every year, come join the Waipu Highland Games, a great family day out since 1871. http://www.waipugames.co.nz 20 January Robbie Rocks Dunedin 2019 Concert Octagon, Dunedin Robbie Burns may be the greatest songwriter in history.

He was certainly the outstanding ‘rock star’ of 18th century Scotland and love for his poems and songs has spread around the world ever since. Yet everyday people pass his statue in the Octagon without any thought for the man or his music.

It’s time for Dunedin musicians to show some respect for the Master! Let’s see what you can do with some Burns’

classics – songs which have been popular for centuries, but maybe need a few tweaks to really connect with a modern generation. We want to see Robbie’s work rocking Dunedin. www.toituosm.com/whats-on/events/robbie-rocksdunedin-2019 24 January Burns Supper Malt Public House 442 Richmond Road, West Lynn, Auckland, 1021 This is a truly Scottish celebration of the life & literature of the famous Scotsman Robbie Burns! We will have Scottish food specials including Haggis, Neeps & Tatties as well as Scotch Whisky specials, Tennents Lager, Irn Bru & few other Scottish surpises! www.facebook.com/events/191234865154600

26 January Burns Supper Daniel island Club, 600 Island Park Drive, Charleston, SC a celebration of the life and works of Scotland’s Poet Laureate, Robert Burns. Join us for a wonderful meal, entertaining toasts, haggis, and the installation of our new Officers and Members of our Board of Directors.

This is truly a memorable evening and one of the greatest traditions in all of Scottish culture. www.charlestonscots.org 26 January Saint Andrew’s Society of Los Angeles Burns Supper Altadena Town & Country Club, Victoria Room, 2290 Country Club Drive, Altadena, CA 91001 Robert Burns Supper with all the traditional elements. www.saintandrewsla.org

26 January Turakina Highland Games Turakina Domain, Cameron Road, Turakina Come and enjoy a great day out for all the family at the 155th Turakina Highland Games - New Zealand’s longest running Highland Games. www.turakinahighlandgames.co.nz

26 January 25th Sarasota Highland Games & Celtic Festival Sarasota County Fairgrounds, 3000 Ringling Boulevard, Sarasota, FL 34237 The sound of the pipes, the beating of drums, Food Vendors, Merchandise Vendors, Dancing and Athletic events reminds all Scots of our ancient and glorious heritage. Gather up your family and friends and come discover the rest of your clan. www.sarasotahighlandgames.com

18 January The 24th Burns Night Gala Celebration University Club, New York City, New York The American-Scottish Foundation® invites members and friends to join for the 24th Annual Burns Night celebration, held in association with the University Club, New York. http://americanscottishfoundation.com/events/2019burns-night.html

26 January Robert Burns Supper Orangebrook Golf and Country Club 400 Entrada Drive, Hollywood, FL. Join the Scottish American Society of South Florida in a celebration of the life and work of Scotland’s National Poet, Robert Burns, commemorating the 260th Anniversary of his birth. Tickets include dinner, fiddle & bagpipe concert, Scottish country and social dancing, and the full traditional Burns Supper program with The Selkirk Grace, Piping in the Haggis, Address to a Haggis, Immortal Memory, Toasts, and of course, your own wee taste of haggis, neeps & tatties! www.sassf.org

USA

19-20 January Central Florida Scottish Highland Games Central Winds Park, Winter Springs, Florida Experience traditional highland athletics, dance, art, music, culture, food and a Gaelic spirit that will we hope will awaken your soul! www.flascot.com 25 January Robbie Burns Night 534 Main Street, Bethlehem, PA 18018 Red Stag Pub’s Robbie Burns Night, Celebrating Scotland’s National Bard with Haggis and Whiskey! Join us on January 25, 2019, at 7pm in McCarthy’s Red Stag Pub’s Great Room for a dinner party to celebrate the life and times of Scotland’s most famous historical figure, Robbie Burns. Come dressed in your best Scottish or Formal Gear to honor the occasion. www.redstagpub.com

26 January 2019 Scottish Universities Burns Night & Ceilidh Grand Ballroom, Willard Intercontinental Hotel, Washington, DC. The Alumni Clubs of Edinburgh, Glasgow and the University of St Andrews, with the support of the Scottish Government, invite you to our annual Burns Night Supper & Ceilidh. events@eduni-dc.org

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