REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY 14th NOVEMBER 2010

REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY 14th November 2010.
The day when those killed in wars from 1914-18 and 1939-45 and later conflicts are commemorated.

WE SHALL REMEMBER THEM.

HOMECOMING SCOTLAND 2014 LATEST NEWS.

HOMECOMING SCOTLAND 2014 LATEST NEWS.

It's official Homecoming Scotland is to be reborn in 2014.

In 2014 the eyes of the world will be on Scotland as the Commonwealth Games comes to Glasgow and Gleneagles hosts the Ryder Cup and Scots at home and abroad mark the anniversary of Bannockburn.

First Minister of Scottish Parliament has just announced today that Scotland would celebrate in the year of the greatest golf Championship, the Ryder Cup when Scotland hosts it in 2014.

As one of the events champions of last years events you can trust we will be even better prepared for this 2014 event.

Watch this space!

THE SCOTTISH LANGUAGE.

THE SCOTTISH LANGUAGE.

The Scottish language is World famous in every country known to man. The earliest story I can recall as a child was about a man who's roots are reputed to descend from the highland Livingstones.
I write about the famous Dr David Livingstone who as well as being one of Scotland's original explorers being from the central belt, ie; Blantyre, Lanarkshire his World famous meeting with Sir Henry Morton Stanley (born:John Rowlands) a Welshman who also became famous for his African explorations and searching the jungle for Dr Livingstone, Sir Henry is supposedly have uttered the statement;
"Dr. Livingstone, I presume?"
Although the authenticity of this now famous greeting is in doubt it seems likely the Scottish language would not have been mistaken, in exactly the same way a Scotsman can tell at once the lilt or dialect of the Welsh language.
Although Scotland's population is over 5 million the visitor to Scotland would be amazed at the differences in the Scottish regional dialects such as Aberdeen, Glasgow, Dumfries to name a few and the visitor should also note that the Scottish regional dialects should not be confused with English regional dialects which are completely different and causes great confusion among those visiting Scotland for the first time.
The Scottish language we all know today comes originally from Gaelic, German, Scandinavian, Angles and Northern Anglo-Saxon and described as; Scots is the traditional Germanic language of Lowland Scotland and the Northern Isles.
For many years and in some quarters today the Scots language is denigrated as bad English or slang which thankfully today recognised academic language experts will tell you is complete and utter nonsense as the two are completely different languages. Take for example English language speaking countries which all have different local,regional,national and international English dialects such as; Australia, New Zealand, U.S.A., Canada, Ireland, England, Wales, Scotland etc...
The majority of listeners will know instantly the difference between an American accent and a Scottish accent although both languages are English and both will understand each other, likewise the rest of these English speaking countries.
So the next time you ask a Scotsman, "speak English", you'll completely understand that he can no longer speak English than you yourself can speak Scottish - it's a language and dialect thing!
Some useful links which will help to clarify the comments made here;
Link to the Scots Language Centre? http://www.scotslanguage.com/

Information on the origin of Scots: http://www.scotslanguage.com/books/view/2/ .

Another useful link is the Scottish Language dictionaries http://www.dsl.ac.uk/dsl/

They also provide a useful resource for schools, the scuil wab http://www.scuilwab.org.uk/
Please note all constructive comments will be appreciated and posted for feedback and information which you may feel relevant for Scotland's future visitors.

Burns biography wins book prize

Burns biography wins book prize

written by,
Robert Crawford
Mr Crawford won the top prize for his biography of Burns

A biography of Robert Burns has won the £10,000 book of the year prize at the 2009 Saltire Society Literary Awards.

Robert Crawford won the award for his book The Bard, against stiff competition from authors AL Kennedy and Janice Galloway.

Other awards went to a history of Scottish philosophy, a biography of John Muir and the Historical Thesaurus of the English dictionary.

The award ceremony was held in Edinburgh on Monday.

The awards were presented by Culture Minister Michael Russell, who said: "It is great to see the prestigious Saltire Society Literary Awards fully involved with the Homecoming Scotland Finale celebrations.

"The awards play a huge part in celebrating Scotland's literary heritage and the incredible strength of talent displayed by our contemporary writers.

"It is fitting that we applaud this talent on St Andrew's Day - our national day - particularly when this year's winning entries reflect the rich cultural, natural and intellectual heritage of this nation."

Martyn Wade, National Librarian, said: "It has been an honour to host these prestigious awards for the 12th time, recognising the wealth of literary talent Scotland has to offer."

The annual awards have been held for the past 27 years.

Report from the BBC

SCOTLAND VOTES ROBERT BURNS THEIR GREATEST EVER SCOT.

SCOTLAND VOTES ROBERT BURNS THEIR GREATEST EVER SCOT.

Scotland's people voted today on ST Andrews Day their greatest ever Scot was Scotland's Son; Robert Burns whom the Scottish people considered their greatest ever Scot which was broadcasted tonight on the STV show named, "Greatest Scot".
In the year of "HOMECOMING SCOTLAND", which was also the 250th year of the anniversary of the birth of Scotland's famous poet the acknowledgment and recognition from the Scottish people only served to broadcast to the World how much the Scottish people recognise their own folk, be they at home or abroad.
From loads of nominee's the selection boiled down to five people from different era's with some surprising results. Many World famous names were considered and mentioned but only five came through the voting to be acknowledged tonight. Those mentioned are the STV viewers choices.

In number five(5) the Actor David Tennant (Doctor Who) was recognised.
In number four(4) Scotland's past football manager Jock Stein was recognised.
In number three (3) the man who is reputated to have saved two billion lives Sir Alexander Flemming.
In number two(2) the hero of Scots for over 500 years William Wallace.

In number one (1) the one and only, World famous Scotland's Son;

ROBERT BURNS.

HOMECOMING SCOTLAND - ST ANDREWS DAY 30th NOV 2009.

Finale Celebrations - At A Glance
Monday 30 November - St Andrew's Day

Here is a list of Homecoming Scotland Finale Celebration Events taking place on November 30th, Scotland's national day:

East Renfrewshire’s St Andrew’s Day Festival - Giffnock
This new festival in East Renfrewshire will involve local musicians and internationally renowned Scottish bands performing music and rhythms which explore our linked heritage with other Celtic countries.

Stirling’s St Andrew’s Day Celebrations - Stirling
Stirling celebrates the finale of Homecoming Scotland 2009 by hosting an exciting range of events.

Dear Mister Burns... - Irvine
A unique collection of handwritten letters to Irvine Burns Club from prominent figures, including Dickens, Garibaldi, Roosevelt, and Connery, provides the core for a celebration weekend of ceilidhs, concerts and entertainment across Irvine.

Dumfries Fling – The Reel Thing - Dumfries
Enjoy a feast of music, culture and street theatre in the heart of Dumfries.

St Andrew’s Weekend Homecoming Finale - Ayr, Troon, Prestwick, Girvan
Celebrate Homecoming Scotland’s Finale weekend in the home of Scotland’s national bard.

St Andrews Festival 2009 – Scotland’s Celebration St Andrews
Join us in the historic town of St Andrews to celebrate Scotland’s patron saint.

St Andrew’s Celebrations - Blairgowrie
Celebrate St Andrew’s Day in the picturesque setting of Blairgowrie, Perthshire.

Martin Boyce: ‘What You See Is Where You’re At’ - Edinburgh
In celebration of contemporary Scottish art, the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art marks the beginning of its fiftieth anniversary during Homecoming Year by unveiling a major new work by Scottish artist Martin Boyce.

Renfrewshire Celebrates St Andrew’s Day - Paisley
Experience a truly Scottish series of events featuring a St Andrew’s Farmers’ Market, the Alternative Highland Games, storytelling activities, opportunities to research your family history and an evening of traditional Scottish music and dance at a St Andrew’s ceilidh.

St Andrew’s ‘DO’ - Edinburgh
Edinburgh celebrates Scotland’s National Day and the finale of Homecoming Scotland 2009 with an exciting programme of events.

Land of the Standing Stones: Celebrating St Andrew’s Day - Aberdeenshire
Renowned fiddler Paul Anderson has created a new tune in celebration of the landscape and cultural traditions of the north east.

Aberdeen’s St Andrew’s Day Celebrations - Aberdeen City
On St Andrew's Day, Aberdeen's Beach Ballroom will come alive with a traditional ceilidh featuring all your favourite dances played and sung by top class ceilidh band, Shindig.

Homecoming Borders Banquet - Scottish Borders
Homecoming Borders Banquet is a ten day celebration of the world-class food which comes from this beautiful part of Scotland.

St Andrew’s Day Celebration - Edinburgh
Enjoy the best of traditional Scots and Gaelic instrumental music and song on St Andrew’s Night 2009 in McEwan Hall.

St Andrew’s Day Debating Championships - Edinburgh
Fast becoming one of the main events on the University debating calendar, this year’s St Andrew’s Day Debating Championship has an exciting twist, with each team comprising a University and School speaker, paired together on the day.

Burns Cottage Free Preview - Alloway
An exclusive free preview of the newly refurbished birthplace of Robert Burns.

Burnsong - Edinburgh
Burnsong, Scotland’s song writing competition, celebrates Scotland’s Year of Homecoming with a showcase concert in the Scottish Parliament on St Andrew’s Day.

Zig Zag: The Paths of Robert Burns - Glasgow
For the first time ever, some of the 36,000 objects from Scotland's national collection of treasures associated with Robert Burns will be brought together in a major touring exhibition.

This Is Who We Are - Edinburgh
This exhibition demonstrates the strong influence of Scots abroad when they travelled and named 1000 Canadian towns after their homeland.

Homecoming Trad Music Sessions - Across Scotland
Over 300 Homecoming Trad Music Sessions will take place across the country throughout the year celebrating the contribution of traditional music to Scottish culture.

ST ANDREWS DAY COUNTDOWN 29th Nov 2009.

Finale Celebration Events - At a glance - Sunday 29 November

List of Homecoming Finale Celebration Events taking place on Sunday November 29.

Shindig 2009 - Glasgow
Shindig 2009 extends the musical celebration launched by Homecoming Live - The Final Fling! into the heart of Glasgow with a weekend of free music and dance in George Square.

To Bo’ness and Beyond - Falkirk
The Hippodrome, Scotland's first purpose-built cinema, presents playful glimpses of Scottishness with screenings including I Know Where I'm Going and Gregory's Girl.

East Renfrewshire’s St Andrew’s Day Festival- Giffnock
This new festival in East Renfrewshire will involve local musicians and internationally renowned Scottish bands performing music and rhythms which explore our linked heritage with other Celtic countries.

Stirling’s St Andrew’s Day Celebrations - Stirling
Stirling celebrates the finale of Homecoming Scotland 2009 by hosting an exciting range of events.

Dear Mister Burns… - Irvine
A unique collection of handwritten letters to Irvine Burns Club from prominent figures.

Scots Trad Music Awards - Dumfries
Scots Trad Music Awards are promoting an amazing weekend of music in Dumfries.

Dumfries Fling – The Reel Thing - Dumfries
Enjoy a feast of music, culture and street theatre in the heart of Dumfries.

West Dunbartonshire St Andrew’s Homecoming Festival - Dumbarton and Clydebank
St Andrew's Homecoming Festival presents the best of traditional and contemporary Scottish music, sourced from local talent, emerging and established Scottish artistes.

St Andrew’s Weekend Homecoming Finale - Ayr, Troon, Prestwick and Girvan
Celebrate Homecoming Scotland's Finale weekend in the home of Scotland's national bard.

St Andrews Festival 2009 – Scotland’s Celebration - St Andrews
Join us in 2009 in the iconic town of St Andrews to celebrate our nation's Patron Saint.

St Andrew’s Day Celebrations – Blairgowrie
Celebrate St Andrew's Day in the picturesque setting of Blairgowrie, Perthshire.

Martin Boyce: ‘What You See is Where You’re at’ - Edinburgh
In celebration of contemporary Scottish art, the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art marks the beginning of its fiftieth anniversary during Homecoming Year.

Renfrewshire Celebrates St Andrew’s Day - Paisley
Experience a truly Scottish series of events featuring a St Andrew's Farmers' Market, the Alternative Highland Games, storytelling activities, opportunities to research your family history and an evening of traditional Scottish music and dance at a St Andrew's ceilidh.

Kilmarnock’s Tartan Tidings - Kilmarnock
A weekend of traditional and contemporary entertainment.

National Museums Scotland Homecoming Finale Celebration - Edinburgh
Celebrate St Andrew's Day and the climax of the Year of Homecoming Scotland 2009 with music, dance, tours and trails across the weekend.

St Andrew’s ‘DO’ - Edinburgh
Edinburgh celebrates Scotland's National Day and the finale of Homecoming Scotland 2009 with an exciting programme of events.

Lights on the Loch - Motherwell
Enjoy a fun-filled day at scenic Strathclyde Country Park.

BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra (SSO) - Edinburgh
Join Neil Oliver and the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra for a special concert for St Andrew's Weekend featuring music from the highly acclaimed TV series A History of Scotland written by Paul Leonard-Morgan.

The Saltire - Athelstaneford and Haddington
East Lothian, birthplace of Scotland's national flag, celebrates St Andrew's Day with a programme of free events from noon.

Homecoming Borders Banquet - Scottish Borders
A ten day celebration of the world-class food which comes from this beautiful part of Scotland.

Zig Zag: The Paths of Robert Burns - Glasgow
For the first time ever, some of the 36,000 objects from Scotland's national collection of treasures associated with Robert Burns will be brought together in a major touring exhibition.

This Is Who We Are - Edinburgh
This exhibition demonstrates the strong influence of Scots abroad when they travelled and named 1000 Canadian towns after their homeland.

Homecoming Trad Music Sessions - Across Scotland
Over 300 Homecoming Trad Music Sessions will take place across the country throughout the year celebrating the contribution of traditional music to Scottish culture.