Douglas MacQueen's blog

The Deskford Carnyx was found at a farm in Deskford, Banffshire, (Scottish Gaelic: Deasgard, Siorrachd Bhanbh) in the North East of Scotland in 1816. The Celtic Iron-Age trumpet dates from between 80-200AD. Now the Carnyx will be shown at The Treasures of Historic Banffshire exhibition which opens to the public on Saturday 29th October at Duff House in Banff (Scottish Gaelic: Banbh) and will run until the end of February 2017. 

Aberfoyle (Scottish Gaelic: Obar Phuill) is a village that lies inside the Lomond & Trossachs National Park (Scottish Gaelic: Pàirc Nàiseanta Loch Laomainn is nan Tròisichean). Seen as a gateway to the Trossachs, Aberfoyle is situated on the River Forth (Abhainn Dubh) at the foot of Craigmore. Loch Ard (Loch na h-Àirde) , Loch Chon, Loch Arklet and Loch Lomond (Loch Laomainnare) to the West, Loch Katrine (Loch Ceiteirein), Loch Achray and Loch Venachar (Loch Bheannchair) to the North and the Lake of Menteith (Loch Innis Mo Cholmaig), to the East.

The latest poll of Scottish voters shows that the Scottish National Party has retained a commanding lead in the polls since the Scottish Parliament elections in May. A BMG poll has shown that constituency support for the nationalists stands at 40 per cent, the Conservatives on 16 per cent, Labour on 14 per cent and the Liberal Democrats on only 6 per cent. Scotland's First Minister and SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon remains the most popular leader in Scotland, with an approval rating of +16.

The Scottish government has published a draft bill on holding a second referendum on Scottish independence. Another referendum will not definitely be held, however, Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said that Scotland should be ready to hold a vote prior to the UK leaving the European Union if it is thought necessary to protect Scottish interests. If Scottish Ministers decide to go ahead with a referendum it would then be for the Scottish Parliament to consider the bill and decide whether a vote should be held.

Alistair Urquhart was a former prisoner-of-war. He was serving in Singapore with the Gordon Highlanders' Second Battalion during the Second World War when the island was captured by Japanese forces. He was among thousands taken prisoner and ended up being forced to build the notorious Burma-Siam railway. He was one of those put to work under atrocious conditions in what became known as "Hellfire Pass", where men had to cut through solid rock using hand tools and dynamite. It is estimated that some 13,000 Allied PoWs died on the railway. 

Scotland's First Minister First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is attending the Arctic Circle Assembly 2016 in Iceland's capital Reykjavik. Delegates from 50 countries are attending the conference to discuss the development and protection of the Arctic region.The first minister is addressing the Assembly on the topic of climate change. Whilst there she has also announced an agreement between tourist organisations in Scotland and Iceland.

A rare bottle of Glenfiddich whisky has been sold for a record-breaking £68,500 ($86,435) at Bonhams Whisky Sale in Scotland's capital Edinburgh (Scottish Gaelic: Dùn Èideann) yesterday (Wednesday 5 October). The bottle was laid down in cask 843 at the Glenfiddich Distillery at Dufftown, Moray (Gaelic: Baile Bhainidh, Moireibh), in 1937 and was bottled 64 years later in 2001. It was described as highly unusual for a single malt Scotch Whisky of this age to have kept its strength, which made the 60 bottles from cask 843 so desirable.

Amateur metal detectors have discovered some very rare objects buried in the grounds of Ardkinglas Estate. Ardkinglas Estate, which covers about 4800 hectares, is situated on the shores of Loch Fyne a sea loch on the west coast of Argyll and Bute (Scottish Gaelic: Earra-Ghaidheal agus Bòd). The finds include three bronze axe heads, dating back more than 4,000 years. Other discoveries spanned the centuries and included coins, a coin weight, a silver buckle buckle from the 16th century and a gold insular mount dating from the 8th or 9th century.

An interesting programme is being screened tonight on S4C the Welsh-language public-service television service broadcast throughout Wales. 'Rebels Iwerddon 1916 gyda Lyn a Dylan Ebenezer' sees broadcaster Lyn Ebenezer and his son and fellow broadcaster Dylan embark on a special journey to trace the history and hear the experiences of people who were instrumental in the history of establishing the Republic of Ireland.

News from the Celtic League:

We highlighted the plight of the Scottish cadet officers who were stranded when the vast Korean Hanjin shipping corporation went into liquidation.

Their ship was eventually able to dock in Singapore so a happy ending for them (link);

http://www.bbc.co.uk/…/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-375066…