18 July 2009
16 July 2009
Anger at 'war graves picnickers'
Culloden was the last battle fought on British soil. Signs are to be erected at Culloden Battlefield asking visitors to respect the site as a war grave following a complaint about picnickers.
A member of A Circle of Gentlemen, a society which recalls the Jacobite cause, said he was furious at the behaviour of some tourists.
Alasdair MacNeill said he saw a family picnicking on top of one of the grave mounds.
The National Trust for Scotland (NTS) said it was aware of the issue.
Culloden, near Inverness, saw the defeat of the Jacobites in April 1746.
The circle takes its name from a secret society in Edinburgh.
The father was leaning against the headstone eating a Scotch egg and smoking a cigarette
Mr MacNeill said he and other members had complained to the trust.
He said: "A family of four and their two dogs were sprawled across a grave mound having a picnic.
"The father was leaning against the headstone eating a Scotch egg and smoking a cigarette."
The circle member said he would not expect such behaviour to be acceptable at World War I battlefields such as Flanders or Ypres.
Mr MacNeill said Culloden's fallen were hastily buried in wide, but shallow graves, by British soldiers.
'Revered place'
He added: "Many people - especially American tourists, come to Culloden because it is a revered place and to find their relatives."
NTS said it was taking action aimed at encouraging visitors to treat the battlefield with greater respect.
A spokeswoman said: "This is an issue we are aware of and we are currently having signs made up which explain that the battlefield is a war grave and asking visitors to behave accordingly."
Last month, the Queen became the first British monarch to set foot on the battlefield.
Archaeologist and Culloden expert Dr Tony Pollard said her visit was a "landmark" event in the history of the site.
Culloden was the last battle fought on British soil. It brought an end to a major military campaign by Bonnie Prince Charlie to claim the British throne.
A member of A Circle of Gentlemen, a society which recalls the Jacobite cause, said he was furious at the behaviour of some tourists.
Alasdair MacNeill said he saw a family picnicking on top of one of the grave mounds.
The National Trust for Scotland (NTS) said it was aware of the issue.
Culloden, near Inverness, saw the defeat of the Jacobites in April 1746.
The circle takes its name from a secret society in Edinburgh.
The father was leaning against the headstone eating a Scotch egg and smoking a cigarette
Mr MacNeill said he and other members had complained to the trust.
He said: "A family of four and their two dogs were sprawled across a grave mound having a picnic.
"The father was leaning against the headstone eating a Scotch egg and smoking a cigarette."
The circle member said he would not expect such behaviour to be acceptable at World War I battlefields such as Flanders or Ypres.
Mr MacNeill said Culloden's fallen were hastily buried in wide, but shallow graves, by British soldiers.
'Revered place'
He added: "Many people - especially American tourists, come to Culloden because it is a revered place and to find their relatives."
NTS said it was taking action aimed at encouraging visitors to treat the battlefield with greater respect.
A spokeswoman said: "This is an issue we are aware of and we are currently having signs made up which explain that the battlefield is a war grave and asking visitors to behave accordingly."
Last month, the Queen became the first British monarch to set foot on the battlefield.
Archaeologist and Culloden expert Dr Tony Pollard said her visit was a "landmark" event in the history of the site.
Culloden was the last battle fought on British soil. It brought an end to a major military campaign by Bonnie Prince Charlie to claim the British throne.
14 July 2009
12 July 2009
The Pint Remains
Slowly & surely since 1965, the UK has been plodding towards a complete switch to the metric system. Nonetheless, two measurements have remained untouched: the mile and the pint.
Recently British legislators have gotten the green light for an indefinite exemption from the European Union on switching to metric for draft beers, cider, delivered milk, and roadways.
This was a victory for traditionalists throughout the UK and met with uplifted pints throughout Scotland.
“This is a victory for common sense,” said the UK’s minister to the European Union. She was referring to the huge expense of changing road signs and pub glasses throughout the realm.
British pint glasses have a permanent mark on them that indicate a legally dispensed measure of one pint. In the European Union, the glasses are marked at 0.5 liter, or one liter. To serve a patron less than the mark indicates is a violation of the law.
www.memphisbagpipes.com
10 July 2009
Council tells band to pipe down
BBC News Scotland - 7 July 2009
A small pipe band has been ordered to stop practising outside by a council.
Newtonhill Pipe Band's pipers and drummers - aged from 11 to 75 - use the grounds of the local school in Aberdeenshire.
However, members were "shocked" and "amazed" to be told by Aberdeenshire Council they should practise inside.
A council spokeswoman said: "The use of external areas is not permitted as this clearly causes a nuisance for neighbouring residents."
She explained: "We are aware of the issues with Newtonhill Pipe Band practising outside Newtonhill School as we have received complaints from residents who live in the area.
"We have contacted the band to remind them that their permitted use of accommodation at Newtonhill School extends to the use of the school hall and music room only."
Piper Major Domhnull McLennan told the BBC Scotland news website: "To be fair to the council, our let is for rooms in the school.
"However on a hot night, for a decade, we have played outside as there would be concerns for dehydration. We also have to practise marching.
"People pay to hear us play and we do it for free for the people of Newtonhill. Some people come over and dance too. I cannot believe someone has objected."
08 July 2009
Scottish Verse: "Ye Cannae Shove Yer Granny Aff a Bus"
The author of this brief composition turned into song is unknown, but he certainly found a number of followers, particularly in Glasgow. Sung to the melody of the American folk song Coming 'Round the Mountain.
Ye cannae shove yer granny aff a bus,
Oh ye cannae shove yer granny aff a bus,
Ye cannae shove yer granny, for she's yer mammy's mammy,
Ye cannae shove yer granny aff a bus.
Ye can shove yer other granny aff a bus,
Ye can shove yer other granny aff a bus.
You can shove yer other granny, for she's yer daddy's mammy,
Ye can shove yer other granny aff a bus.
06 July 2009
Photo from a neighborhood parade in which I participated, held on July 4th in Memphis.
