Congratulations to Prince William and Kate Middleton following the announcement today of their engagement.
Now a royal wedding is likely either in the spring or summer of next year.
Expect wall-to-wall media coverage as the world watches the couple's every move.
I certainly don't envy them one little bit. It'll be tough going.
Hopefully, the pivotal role St Andrews in Scotland played in bringing the happy couple together won't be forgotten.
They met as students at the town's famous university in 2001.
The people of St Andrews are to be congratulated for allowing the couple the years of space in which their romance blossomed.
Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond was quick to offer his heartfelt congratulations following the announcement of the engagement.
The SNP leader said, "My warmest congratulations to Prince William and Kate Middleton on their wonderful news. Of course this was a match made in St Andrews, and everyone in Scotland will join with me in wishing the Prince and Ms Middleton every happiness as they look forward to their wedding day, and a long and fulfilling married life together."
Showing posts with label Scotland. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Scotland. Show all posts
Tuesday, 16 November 2010
Thursday, 11 November 2010
No Minimum Pricing For Alcohol In Scotland
Alcohol minimum pricing.
Golden opportunity.
Gone.
Rejected by the Scottish Parliament.
Now we can look forward to more drink-related deaths, blighted streets, alcohol-fuelled crime and anti-social behaviour. We see the consequences of boozed-up Scotland every day.
The police made clear their support for alcohol minimum pricing. So did the medical profession and others. But the majority of MSPs chose to ignore calls for the move.
Arch-opponent Jackie Baillie, Scottish Labour health spokesperson, claimed in parliament it was untried, possibly illegal and would put £140 million into the pockets of supermarkets.
She denied Labour opposed minimum pricing on political grounds. They opposed the move because they believed it wouldn't work.
Fair enough. But where's the evidence for such a belief? I've certainly not heard it uttered.
Little wonder the SNP government is accusing Labour of 'politicking'. What else are we to make of Labour's illogical stance?
The SNP government has vowed to continue the alcohol minimum pricing campaign.
Speaking in the parliamentary debate, SNP Health Secretary and Depute Leader Nicola Sturgeon said, "When we have the opportunity to save not just money but lives, then we have a duty to listen and to act.
"That is exactly what people outside this parliament want us to do - people who know what they're talking about. Doctors, nurses, the police, public health experts, children's charities, churches, key players in the alcohol industry, and growing numbers in the population all believe that this is a policy whose time has come.
"And yet inside this parliament we have an obstinate refusal to listen - a mentality that says 'we are right and everyone else is wrong'.
"The truth is that, for Labour, this policy really only has one fatal flaw - and that is that it is proposed by the SNP. It is pathetic, and Labour - a party with such a proud record on public health - should be deeply ashamed of itself today."
I couldn't agree more.
Golden opportunity.
Gone.
Rejected by the Scottish Parliament.
Now we can look forward to more drink-related deaths, blighted streets, alcohol-fuelled crime and anti-social behaviour. We see the consequences of boozed-up Scotland every day.
The police made clear their support for alcohol minimum pricing. So did the medical profession and others. But the majority of MSPs chose to ignore calls for the move.
Arch-opponent Jackie Baillie, Scottish Labour health spokesperson, claimed in parliament it was untried, possibly illegal and would put £140 million into the pockets of supermarkets.
She denied Labour opposed minimum pricing on political grounds. They opposed the move because they believed it wouldn't work.
Fair enough. But where's the evidence for such a belief? I've certainly not heard it uttered.
Little wonder the SNP government is accusing Labour of 'politicking'. What else are we to make of Labour's illogical stance?
The SNP government has vowed to continue the alcohol minimum pricing campaign.
Speaking in the parliamentary debate, SNP Health Secretary and Depute Leader Nicola Sturgeon said, "When we have the opportunity to save not just money but lives, then we have a duty to listen and to act.
"That is exactly what people outside this parliament want us to do - people who know what they're talking about. Doctors, nurses, the police, public health experts, children's charities, churches, key players in the alcohol industry, and growing numbers in the population all believe that this is a policy whose time has come.
"And yet inside this parliament we have an obstinate refusal to listen - a mentality that says 'we are right and everyone else is wrong'.
"The truth is that, for Labour, this policy really only has one fatal flaw - and that is that it is proposed by the SNP. It is pathetic, and Labour - a party with such a proud record on public health - should be deeply ashamed of itself today."
I couldn't agree more.
Monday, 8 November 2010
GI Boost For Scotch
Scotch whisky is now officially recognised in China.
It's great news for Scotland's £multi-billion drinks industry.
And it'll help prevent many copycat fraudsters from muscling in and profiting from Scotland's world-famous tipple.
The Chinese announcement today in Beijing recognises Scotch whisky as a GI - a geographic indication. - the highest level of trademark protection.
The move follows a meeting between the UK government's business secretary Vince Cable and China's Zhi Shuping, minister for quality, supervision, inspection and quarantine.
Now only whisky produced in Scotland will be allowed to use the Scotch whisky name.
The Scotch Whisky Association says whisky exports to China are worth an estimated £80 million annually. Some 10 years ago, the figure was a mere £1.5 million.
Scotch whisky is worth around £3 billion annually to the Scottish economy - and growing every year.
It's great news for Scotland's £multi-billion drinks industry.
And it'll help prevent many copycat fraudsters from muscling in and profiting from Scotland's world-famous tipple.
The Chinese announcement today in Beijing recognises Scotch whisky as a GI - a geographic indication. - the highest level of trademark protection.
The move follows a meeting between the UK government's business secretary Vince Cable and China's Zhi Shuping, minister for quality, supervision, inspection and quarantine.
Now only whisky produced in Scotland will be allowed to use the Scotch whisky name.
The Scotch Whisky Association says whisky exports to China are worth an estimated £80 million annually. Some 10 years ago, the figure was a mere £1.5 million.
Scotch whisky is worth around £3 billion annually to the Scottish economy - and growing every year.
Sunday, 7 November 2010
Hit 'Em When They're Down!
Scotland's long-term unemployed 'opting' for a life on benefits are in for a hard time, it would seem.
For the UK's coalition government aims to target them with a choice - work for benefits or lose them for three months.
The scheme, to be unveiled this week, will involve benefit claimants from across the UK 'working' for charities or local councils.
Government ministers deny the scheme is designed to punish or humiliate.
The church is critical of the new scheme. So are the government's political opponents who say there are five people chasing every job in Britain.
It's a ridiculous scheme. From a government filled with millionaires.
It brings a whole new meaning to the phrase 'out of touch'.
Talk about hitting people when they're already down.
For the UK's coalition government aims to target them with a choice - work for benefits or lose them for three months.
The scheme, to be unveiled this week, will involve benefit claimants from across the UK 'working' for charities or local councils.
Government ministers deny the scheme is designed to punish or humiliate.
The church is critical of the new scheme. So are the government's political opponents who say there are five people chasing every job in Britain.
It's a ridiculous scheme. From a government filled with millionaires.
It brings a whole new meaning to the phrase 'out of touch'.
Talk about hitting people when they're already down.
Friday, 5 November 2010
Labour Dumps Woolas
Labour Party worthies moved quickly today to distance themselves from former colleague Phil Woolas.
The one-time immigration minister was unceremoniously dumped by the party after an election court ruled he lied about an opponent during the general election campaign earlier this year.
It's the first time in nearly a century such a ruling has been made.
The ruling sends out a clear signal to all political candidates there is a line which must not be crossed. Otherwise there may be consequences.
Good news for politics in general and for Scotland in particular.
Political campaigns north of the border have been dogged by bitter rivalries in recent years, especially between the SNP and Labour.
Reasoned argument and debate has all but disappeared. Democracy deserves better.
So do the people of Scotland.
The one-time immigration minister was unceremoniously dumped by the party after an election court ruled he lied about an opponent during the general election campaign earlier this year.
It's the first time in nearly a century such a ruling has been made.
The ruling sends out a clear signal to all political candidates there is a line which must not be crossed. Otherwise there may be consequences.
Good news for politics in general and for Scotland in particular.
Political campaigns north of the border have been dogged by bitter rivalries in recent years, especially between the SNP and Labour.
Reasoned argument and debate has all but disappeared. Democracy deserves better.
So do the people of Scotland.
Tuesday, 2 November 2010
Mind Map Mind Game?
I'm not one for conspiracy theories. I want to make that clear right from the off. And I know next to nothing about map projections, except to say it's a complicated subject. Even after spending an hour or so reading up on map projections in Wikipedia, it's all still pretty much a mystery.
But my research, although superficial, left me in no doubt even the map makers themselves have problems drawing up a map. Maps, it would seem, are full of compromises. Here's a little quote from Wikipedia:
"Map projections are necessary for creating maps. All map projections distort the surface [of the earth] in some fashion. Depending on the purpose of the map, some distortions are acceptable and others are not; therefore different map projections exist in order to preserve some properties of the sphere-like body at the expense of other properties."
So what's all this mind map, mind game business? Perception, in a word. Let me explain.
Every night, after the main BBC national news, we get the UK weather forecast. And, of course, a map is used. No problems there. Or is there?
Notice how, when the weather man or woman zooms in for a more detailed close-up, Wales, for example, appears about the size of Scotland? And Devon and Cornwall almost completely fill the screen? London and the Home Counties appear gargantuan!
It's all down to the map's projection, I hear the BBC say. The map has built-in distortion, the sort you'd get if you were up in space and actually looking down on Britain at a lowish angle. Scotland, to the north, would appear smaller as it disappeared into the distance. And, of course, the BBC would be quite right.
But here's the rub. Imagine a viewer in London looking at the weather map day after day, for months, even years, on end. The south of Britain looms large. Scotland always appears much smaller than it actually is. And each time, the perception is reinforced that the one is 'greater' or 'more significant' than the other.
We're talking subliminal here, certainly subconscious, where the distortion becomes completely accepted as the true reflection of reality. Nobody gives it a second thought. The mind map becomes as fixed as the image of the Houses of Parliament or Buckingham Palace.
Trouble is, the subconscious can trickle through and affect the conscious mind in all sorts of ways, with all kinds of consequences real and imagined.
Mind game? I told you I didn't believe in conspiracy theories. The BBC could fix the problem in an instant given the talented software programmers and technicians it surely has.
So what would the satellite view look like from an Edinburgh perspective? Imagine a zoomed-in Fife filling the whole of the television screen, with London appearing no larger than a postage stamp!
I don't think so.
But my research, although superficial, left me in no doubt even the map makers themselves have problems drawing up a map. Maps, it would seem, are full of compromises. Here's a little quote from Wikipedia:
"Map projections are necessary for creating maps. All map projections distort the surface [of the earth] in some fashion. Depending on the purpose of the map, some distortions are acceptable and others are not; therefore different map projections exist in order to preserve some properties of the sphere-like body at the expense of other properties."
So what's all this mind map, mind game business? Perception, in a word. Let me explain.
Every night, after the main BBC national news, we get the UK weather forecast. And, of course, a map is used. No problems there. Or is there?
Notice how, when the weather man or woman zooms in for a more detailed close-up, Wales, for example, appears about the size of Scotland? And Devon and Cornwall almost completely fill the screen? London and the Home Counties appear gargantuan!
It's all down to the map's projection, I hear the BBC say. The map has built-in distortion, the sort you'd get if you were up in space and actually looking down on Britain at a lowish angle. Scotland, to the north, would appear smaller as it disappeared into the distance. And, of course, the BBC would be quite right.
But here's the rub. Imagine a viewer in London looking at the weather map day after day, for months, even years, on end. The south of Britain looms large. Scotland always appears much smaller than it actually is. And each time, the perception is reinforced that the one is 'greater' or 'more significant' than the other.
We're talking subliminal here, certainly subconscious, where the distortion becomes completely accepted as the true reflection of reality. Nobody gives it a second thought. The mind map becomes as fixed as the image of the Houses of Parliament or Buckingham Palace.
Trouble is, the subconscious can trickle through and affect the conscious mind in all sorts of ways, with all kinds of consequences real and imagined.
Mind game? I told you I didn't believe in conspiracy theories. The BBC could fix the problem in an instant given the talented software programmers and technicians it surely has.
So what would the satellite view look like from an Edinburgh perspective? Imagine a zoomed-in Fife filling the whole of the television screen, with London appearing no larger than a postage stamp!
I don't think so.
What A Bunch Of Softies!
It's autumn time, don't you know, season of mists and all that poetic romanticism. Most of us, I bet, don't even notice the kaleidoscope of colours all around. Breathtaking.
Instead, the usual reaction is to hit the central heating switch and turn the thermostat way up, too far up in most cases. I suppose I'm just as guilty.
But when the raw wind starts howling and the ice-cold rain stings the face, I don't just turn up the heating. I also remember. And for a brief moment or two I'm back in time, almost four decades, a Black Watch soldier once more.
The regiment was marching through the darkness and heading into the Scottish mountains on a military exercise. A full-blown gale drove sleet and snow horizontally into faces hour after hour, mile after mile. No one talked as the wind grew in strength with every passing step. No one had the strength to talk as we marched ever higher into the hills.
That night was the first time I ever saw grown men cry with the cold. By the early morning light, more than 20 had succumbed to hypothermia and had to be taken down from the hills.
But the rest of us had made it through sheer grit and determination. Now ahead of us lay three days of standing up to our knees in mud-filled trenches on snow-covered moorland.
Looking back on the experience so many times over the years has made me appreciate the toughness of the highland clansmen of old.
Edward Burt, author of Letters from a Gentleman in the North of Scotland, noted nearly three centuries ago how the highlander would sleep in the open air even in the severest winter.
“The highlanders were so accustomed to sleep in the open air, that the want of shelter was of little consequence to them. It was usual before they lay down to dip their plaids in water, by which the cloth was less pervious to the wind, and the heat of their bodies produced a warmth, which the woollen, if dry, could not afford."
Tough or what? What a bunch of softies we are today!
Instead, the usual reaction is to hit the central heating switch and turn the thermostat way up, too far up in most cases. I suppose I'm just as guilty.
But when the raw wind starts howling and the ice-cold rain stings the face, I don't just turn up the heating. I also remember. And for a brief moment or two I'm back in time, almost four decades, a Black Watch soldier once more.
The regiment was marching through the darkness and heading into the Scottish mountains on a military exercise. A full-blown gale drove sleet and snow horizontally into faces hour after hour, mile after mile. No one talked as the wind grew in strength with every passing step. No one had the strength to talk as we marched ever higher into the hills.
That night was the first time I ever saw grown men cry with the cold. By the early morning light, more than 20 had succumbed to hypothermia and had to be taken down from the hills.
But the rest of us had made it through sheer grit and determination. Now ahead of us lay three days of standing up to our knees in mud-filled trenches on snow-covered moorland.
Looking back on the experience so many times over the years has made me appreciate the toughness of the highland clansmen of old.
Edward Burt, author of Letters from a Gentleman in the North of Scotland, noted nearly three centuries ago how the highlander would sleep in the open air even in the severest winter.
“The highlanders were so accustomed to sleep in the open air, that the want of shelter was of little consequence to them. It was usual before they lay down to dip their plaids in water, by which the cloth was less pervious to the wind, and the heat of their bodies produced a warmth, which the woollen, if dry, could not afford."
Tough or what? What a bunch of softies we are today!
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