Douglas MacQueen's blog

Woolly mammoth bone found on south-west Scottish coastline

The woolly mammoth is an extinct species of mammoth that lived during the Ice Age. Of all the prehistoric animals the appearance and behaviour of this species are among the best studied. This is due to the discovery of frozen carcasses in Siberia and Alaska, as well as skeletons, teeth and stomach contents. There are also depictions of the woolly mammoth from life in prehistoric cave paintings. The woolly mammoth was well adapted to living in the cold environment experienced during the last ice age.

Trying to unlock the mystery of prehistoric rock art in Scotland

Prehistoric rock art is more commonly known as cup and ring markings. There are about 2,400 prehistoric carved rocks known in Scotland, such as those at Drumtroddan, and it is likely many more have yet to be discovered and recorded. Little is understood about why they were made or what they meant to the people that carved them. They date back over 5,000 years, and were created by the people that lived in the Neolithic and Early Bronze Age.

Scottish bridge awarded "Project of the Decade"

On 6th June 2018 Queensferry Crossing was named as "Project of the Decade" at the Ground Engineering (GE) award ceremony. The bridge opened on 30 August 2017 and was formally opened on 4 September 2017. It one of ten projects shortlisted in a special category to mark the GE Award’s 10th anniversary.

Importance of early Gaelic manuscripts in National Library of Scotland recognised in Unesco register

The National Library of Scotland (Leabharlann Nàiseanta na h-Alba) has the largest collection of Scottish Gaelic manuscripts in the world from a period between the 14th and 18th century. Now these early Gaelic manuscripts have been recognised for their historical and linguistic significance and are being inscribed in the Unesco Memory of the World Register, which highlights archive and library items of outstanding historical value.

Scottish National Party Conference 2018 underway

The Scottish National Party (SNP) 2018 Conference is taking place from Friday 8th June - Saturday 9th June 2018 in the Aberdeen Exhibition & Conference Centre (AECC). The gathering comes at a time of a remarkable eleven years of SNP government in Scotland. About 2,000 delegates are expected to attend the two-day conference in Aberdeen and the Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, the party's leader, will speak on Saturday afternoon. In her welcome notes in the conference guide, she says the event "marks the start of a new chapter in Scotland's road to independence".

Value of Highland Games to Scotland placed at around £25m every year

All around the world people participate or are spectators at Scottish Highland Games. Seen as a way of celebrating Scottish customs it is one of Scotland’s biggest cultural exports. Features of the Games include competitions in piping and drumming, dancing, heavy athletics, as well all kinds entertainment and exhibits related to many aspects of Scottish and Gaelic culture.

Thousands march through Dumfries in support of Scottish independence

Thousands of Scottish independence supporters marched through the streets of Dumfries (Scottish Gaelic: Dùn Phris) in south-west Scotland on Saturday. The event was one of a series being organised by All Under One Banner across the country. The demonstration had a police estimated 10,000 attending. The Dumfries event followed a similar march in Glasgow last month and further ones in different parts of Scotland are planned in the weeks to come.

 

Important discoveries made at site of ancient Pictish fort on Moray Firth coast of Scotland

A number of important Pictish artefacts has been discovered in the remains of an ancient fort near Burghead (Scottish Gaelic: Am Broch) on the Moray coast (An Cuan Moireach). The building is thought to have been destroyed by fire in the 10th century during the Vikings invasions. As well as a complex layer of oak planks in a wall, archaeologists have uncovered jewellery and animal bones. Samples of the well preserved wood found at the fort is being sent for carbon dating.

Scottish Borders Common Riding Tradition: 2018 Season Set To Begin

Towns across the Scottish Borders are about to begin the annual season of Common Ridings and festivals. Common Riding is an annual event celebrated in Scottish Border towns and other locations. It is a tradition that dates back to the lawless times of the 13th and 14th centuries. Being on the border there was not only the continual land border wars with England to contend with, but the need for protection against other clans. It was necessary in those times for riders to protect the clan's boundaries, or "marches".

People urged to follow Scottish Marine Wildlife Watching Code

Boat owners who sail too close to whales, dolphins and other cetaceans in the Moray Firth could face criminal charges and fines. The warning along with the launch of a poster campaign came after an increase in the number of incidents involving the mammals in the waters off Inverness. Reports of boats and kite surfers getting too close to whales and dolphins have been received. Police Scotland and partner agencies have urged people out in boats and enjoying other sporting activities to respect the marine wildlife off Scotland's coast. 

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