Douglas MacQueen's blog

Archaeologists in Orkney have discovered what is thought to be a Viking drinking hall that dates back to the 10th Century. The site, at Skaill Farmstead in Westness, Rousay, may have been used by the chieftain Sigurd. Stone walls, benches, pottery and a fragment of a Norse bone comb were found during the excavation. Further work will be undertaken to gain an insight into the life of those in Orkney from the Norse period to the 19th Century. Westness is mentioned in the Orkneyinga Saga as the home of Earl Sigurd, a powerful 12th Century chieftain.

A major new poll has revealed that Scottish voters would back independence and they want another referendum on the issue in the next two years. The Ashcroft poll finds that excluding those who said they did not know or would not vote, that 52% to 48% would vote for an independent Scotland. Such a result in another independence referendum would mark the biggest shock to the United Kingdom since Irish independence a century ago. At the present time the "so called" United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland includes England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

In many countries throughout the world, wherever there are Scottish connections, Highland Games take place. There are about 100 Highland Games in Scotland between May and September every year. Most recently, on 28th July, a successful St Andrews Highland Games was held. This was the Scottish town of St Andrews (Scottish Gaelic: Cill Rìmhinn) 35th games, but the history of such events in Scotland go back much further. The story of the Scottish Highland Games date back many centuries. 

George Skene of Fintray (1619–1707) was a Scottish merchant who served as elected Provost (convener) of the city of Aberdeen (Scottish Gaelic: Obar Dheathain) from 1676 to 1685. George Skene is now probably most famous for his house, which is a tourist attraction in Aberdeen. Built in 1545, the house was bought by him in 1669. In 1953 it was opened to the public and is now a museum and free to the public. More information can be obtained from Aberdeen Art Gallery and Museums website.

Botanists from the Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh (RBGE) are trying to find out where three rare and endangered species of plants grow in Scotland. In doing so they have requested the help of climbers and hillwalkers to report the sightings so that they can be better studied. The Cicerbita alpina (alpine blue-sowthistle), Saxifraga cespitosa (tufted saxifrage) and Alectoria ochroleuca (alpine sulphur tresses) are under threat of extinction and protected by law.

Steven Lewis Simpson is an independent film and documentary filmmaker from Aberdeen, Scotland. In 2016 he released the film "Neither Wolf Nor Dog", which is an adaption of the award winning book, with the same name, by Kent Nerburn. Steven Lewis Simpson's film's film festival premiere was at the Edinburgh International Film Festival in 2016. He took the unusual step of releasing the film directly into US cinemas in 2017. It continues in first-run cinemas in 2019, making it the longest first-run theatrical release in the US in over ten years.

In prehistoric times artificial islands were created in the waters of lochs, rivers and sea inlets of Scotland and Ireland. On these island were built ancient loch dwellings, known as crannogs. Some prehistoric crannogs were originally timber-built roundhouses supported on piles or stilts driven into the loch bed. However, in other places, a massive amount of work was undertaken.

Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has called for a new Scottish independence referendum in the second half of 2020. She made the statement when on a visit to Ireland this week where she met the Taoiseach (Ireland's prime minister) in Dublin (Irish: Baile Átha Cliath).

Standing next to the famous Isle of Man TT motorcycle road-racing circuit is a stone cairn. It is to the west of North Barrule (Manx: Baarool Twoaie) which is the second highest peak in the Isle of Man (Manx: Mannin) at 1,854 ft (565 metres). This cairn is a memorial to the 1930's Scottish motorcycling legend Jimmie Guthrie. He was six times Isle of Man TT winner. When looking north from this beautiful location the valley of Gen Auldyn stretches below towards the northern Manx plain. The most northerly point on the Island is the Point of Ayre (Manx: Kione ny h-Ayrey).

Over the years in the Scottish coastal town of Stonehaven (Scottish Gaelic: Cala na Creige) in Aberdeenshire, a number of unsigned metal sculptures have appeared. Placed around the Bay they include a seal, Viking boat, two fishing boats, lighthouse and sea creatures. Local people have appreciated the works of art and at the same time have respected the artist's decision to remain anonymous. Now the mystery artist has revealed his identity and has spoken to BBC Scotland's arts programme Loop.