Douglas MacQueen's blog

A panel from the Great Tapestry of Scotland depicting the Western Isles' Iolaire disaster of is to be displayed on Lewis (Leòdhas) in the Outer Hebrides (Na h-Eileanan Siar) of Scotland. The panel forms one part of the 143 metres long tapestry, which is one of the longest in the world. The 160 detailed panels capture unique moments in time during Scotland’s 420 million year history. The vessel Iolaire was carrying home hundreds of sailors after the end of World War One.

Stornoway (Scottish Gaelic: Steòrnabhagh) is the main settlement of the Western Isles and the capital of Lewis and Harris in Scotland. Local newspaper, Stornoway Gazette, had a report today about a group of Islanders who travelled from Lewis and Harris to take part in the 14,000 strong march in support of independence last Saturday. The rally in Inverness was one of the largest demonstrations ever seen in the Highland capital. The article reported a spokesperson for the group who said: “Many of us had never been involved in such a large gathering and we had a great day. 

In one of a series of events organised by All Under One Banner, thousands of people took part in a march and rally at Inverness today. Similar events have already been held in Dumfries, Glasgow and Bannockburn. Further marches are planned later in 2018. All Under One Banner (AUOB) state that: 

European wildcats arrived in Scotland some 9000 years ago at the end of the last Ice Age. Now Scottish Wildcats are endangered and face extinction. They are under threat from cross-breeding with domestic cats, disease and habitat loss. In an attempt to save the Wildcat, sometimes referred to as the Tiger of the Highlands, the Scottish Wildcat Conservation Action Plan was launched in 2013.

Stockbridge in Edinburgh became the gathering point for the Edinburgh Sunday Assembly. This is the first Assembly group in Scotland. The Sunday Assembly movement was founded by people who liked the elements of traditional worship and the community around it, but did not believe in God. So they created a movement which combined the parts they enjoyed without it being affiliated to any doctrine or religion.

The Scottish press reported yesterday that Glasgow was running out of Croatia shirts as football fans in Scotland continued to back England’s opponents, whoever they were, in the Football World Cup. Shops had been inundated with requests from customers who sought to purchase the chequered kit before England's semi-final match last night. It seems to have done the trick as England were outclassed and beaten by their Croatian opponents. They are now set to meet France in the final which is being played on 15th July.

The Loch Ness Monster is rarely out of the news. Despite all attempts to dismiss tales of a monster in Loch Ness (Scottish Gaelic: Loch Nis) there appears to be no end to claimed sightings of Nessie, as the creature is affectionately known. In an interview last month Scottish First Minister Nicola Surgeon said she believed in Nessie. Over many years people have claimed to have seen Nessie in the Loch and their descriptions have led to speculation that, if it exists, it could be related to the plesiosaurs.

Archaeologists searching for a lost Scottish monastery linked to the famous Book of Deer, have unearthed a rare Norse artifact. Archaeologist Alison Cameron and her team have found a stone gaming board which would have been used to play the Norse strategy game Hnefatafl. Hnefatafl is a board game with an odd number of playing spaces. The pieces would have been set out on the board with the king on the central square, surrounded by his defenders. The attacking pieces would have been asymmetrically placed around the edge of the board. 

In one of a series of events organised by All Under One Banner an estimated 15,000 people took part in a march and rally at Bannockburn yesterday. This is the site of the Battle of Bannockburn on 24 June 1314, which was a significant Scottish victory in the First War of Scottish Independence against the English forces of King Edward II.

Research by the tourist attraction Edinburgh Dungeon has found a majority of Scots (72%), would support a day to celebrate William Wallace with 42% declaring him "the bravest Scot ever". This has now led them to launch a campaign to introduce a new national holiday to William Wallace. The survey was conducted across Scotland online by Censuswide between June 8 and 11. During the Campaign votes will be taken via social media polls @EdinDungeon for the National Wallace Day.