The Daily Thistle
The Daily Thistle – News From Scotland
Friday 1st September 2017
"Madainn Mhath” …Fellow Scot, I hope the day brings joy to you…. Friday has arrived, it seems like only seven days ago we arriving at the same point… this morning the clouds of the past week are evaporated into heavens and all that’s left are stars in the night sky, I enjoyed the rain, but I’m glad it’s gone and the warm clear skies are with us once again.. Bella is full of energy this morning and elects to go up towards the hermitage at the top of the hill, we climb the gentle hill under the arbor of branches and emerge at the top, I stand at the entrance to the old cemetery and look across the Mediterranean towards Africa in the distance, it’s so clear this morning I can see the lights twinkling in Morocco…. Bella must be hungry this morning as she pulls in the direction of home, maybe she can smell the coffee? …..
ORKNEY FIDDLE RETURNS HOME AFTER 100 YEARS…. A fiddle which was made from the wreckage of a sunken battleship almost 100 years ago has been played in St Magnus Cathedral after being returned to Orkney for restoration. The instrument was made in Flotta from wood from HMS Vanguard. Its history emerged after Gayle Duggan, from Edinburgh, bought the old battered fiddle for ￡20 at a car boot sale. She found a scrap of paper stuck inside, which took months to decipher due to water damage. It turned out that the fiddle had been made in 1919 by Thomas Sutherland from Flotta, and that the wood had come from HMS Vanguard.
More than 800 people died when the battleship sank in Scapa Flow in July 1917 after a series of internal explosions. Gayle decided to take the instrument back to Orkney, where it was restored by Colin Tulloch. She then asked Douglas Montgomery if he would play it in the cathedral, which he did on Saturday morning. Gayle said: "Once I realised the history behind it, I knew I had to get it to Orkney to be repaired - it needed to make a bit of a pilgrimage really. "I was holding back the tears when I heard it played properly."
MARINE WILDLIFE 'BEING THREATENED BY BOATS'…. Marine wildlife in Scotland is being put at risk by boats straying too close, a wildlife group has claimed. The Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime in Scotland said those responsible could be breaking international law. Several incidents have been reported to them across the summer in Shetland and at locations down the east coast. The group said taking boats too close could endanger the animals and the people watching them. In Shetland, a photographer was allegedly seen circling a pod of killer whales so closely that it split the pod. Boats have been reported very near to humpback whales at St Cyrus, and there has been concern about the impacts on dolphin populations at Chanonry Point in the Moray Firth and around Aberdeen harbour. Police Scotland wildlife crime co-ordinator Sgt Andrew Mavin said: "These animals are extremely powerful and people shouldn't get too close for obvious reasons; there is also a possibility of injury to the animals themselves from boats and other marine craft. "There are clear guidelines available for watching marine wildlife, so ignorance of the law is not an excuse. "I encourage anyone witnessing a suspected crime to contact police Scotland on 101 as soon as possible.
"Details of the boat or craft are essential to help us identify the operator." Whales, dolphins and porpoises are protected under law from disturbance, whether reckless or accidental. Anyone found guilty of an offence would be fined up to ￡5,000.
Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) marine ecology advisor Fiona Manson said: "I'd encourage anyone visiting the coast for wildlife watching to read the Scottish Marine Wildlife Watching Code.
QUEENSFERRY CROSSING 'COULD LAST 150 YEARS'…. The new ￡1.35bn Queensferry Crossing could still be operating in 150 years, according to its technical director. Mike Glover, who has managed the bridge project for the decade since it was first approved, told the BBC its design would make it easy to maintain. The new 1.7 miles (2.7km) crossing over the river Forth will open to traffic for the first time on Wednesday. It will take most of the vehicles that currently travel over the 53-year-old Forth Road Bridge.
The existing suspension bridge will be adapted to be used by lighter traffic such as cycles, pedestrians and public transport.
Mr Glover told the BBC Radio Four documentary Gordon Goes Forth that despite the Forth Road Bridge being replaced because of issues about its safety and reliability, it could last another 50 years if it was properly maintained.
NEW RUM DISTILLERY OPERATING ON ORKNEY'S LAMB HOLM ISLAND…. An uninhabited Orkney island is to become one of the smallest rum-producing areas in the world. The tiny island of Lamb Holm is best known as the location for the Italian Chapel but it is now also home to one of Scotland's few rum distilleries. J. Gow Rum hopes to be able to produce between 12,000 and 15,000 bottles a year. The first are due to go on sale in the autumn. A second variety of barrel-aged rum is expected to be ready in a few years.
The man behind the venture is Colin van Schayk, whose family own a wine business - Orkney Wine - also based on Lamb Holm.
The rum project started two years ago and distilling began soon after licences were obtained in March this year.
Barrels In 1725, Gow, who was brought up in Stromness, was arrested and eventually tried and hung, following a failed attack on Carrick House on the island of Eday. Mr Van Schayk said: "I really love rum. It was when my father, who owns the Orkney Wine Company was trying to get me to take over the wine business I thought, I'm not going to take over your business but I'll take half your building and start my own business."It's a light golden rum with hints of orange, cinnamon and vanilla. Ultimately we want it to be super smooth so you can drink it without mixer, because if you have to buy a spirit that needs to be mixed - that's just a bit silly - you should be able to drink it straight or drink it with your favourite mixer."
ABERDEENSHIRE HOME OVERLOOKING GRAVEYARD ATTRACTS INTEREST AFTER GOING ON MARKET FOR ￡80,000…. A property overlooking a graveyard has been put on the market for offers over ￡80,000. Cemetery Lodge in Ellon is up for sale, but far from its spooky view putting off potential buyers Aberdeenshire Council – which owns the – said it has already attracted a number of inquiries. The council said the house needed a “complete refurbishment”. Gillian Owen, councillor for Ellon and District, said: “The spot is well known in Ellon, it is pretty much part of the furniture. “It has been empty for a number of years so I think putting it on the market so it can be used or that can get a family into it is a good idea. “They will probably have to do it up a bit I think it could be a great property and have it brought back into use in Ellon.” Aberdeenshire Council last month granted permission to change the use of a plot of land at the western end of Ellon Cemetery in the garden of Cemetery Lodge to allow for up to 209 graves.
Formartine area committee deemed the lodge surplus to requirements in 2010. A brochure for the site was inviting offers of more than ￡80,000 for the property. It said: “The former Cemetery lodge comprises a detached one storey and attic traditionally built dwelling house. “The property requires complete refurbishment throughout. “Alternatively it may be possible to redevelop the site with a new house, subject to receipt of planning permission and all other necessary consents. “We understand the site is served with mains electricity and water.” A spokesman for Aberdeenshire Council said: “We can confirm that Cemetery Lodge, Ellon was listed on the market for sale on August, 22. “Since coming on the market, the estates team has received a considerable number of inquiries from interested parties. “It is hoped the property will be sold soon as we receive an offer that meets expectation.”
On that note I will say that I hope you have enjoyed the news from Scotland today,
Our look at Scotland today is of Scuddry Ness Light House Angus...
A Sincere Thank You for your company and Thank You for your likes and comments I love them and always try to reply, so please keep them coming, it's always good fun, As is my custom, I will go and get myself another mug of "Colombian" Coffee and wish you a safe Friday 1st September 2017 from my home on the southern coast of Spain, where the blue waters of the Alboran Sea washes the coast of Africa and Europe and the smell of the night blooming Jasmine and Honeysuckle fills the air…and a crazy old guy and his dog Bella go out for a walk at 4:00 am…on the streets of Estepona…
All good stuff....But remember it’s a dangerous world we live in
Be safe out there…
Robert McAngus