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Remains of the world’s largest Jurassic pterosaur found on Isle of Skye given a Gaelic name

The Isle of Skye (Scottish Gaelic: An t-Eilean Sgitheanach) is the largest and northernmost of the major islands in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. Now fossil hunters have announced that 170m years ago the Isle of Skye was home to an enormous flying reptile called Jurassic pterosaur (pterodactyl) with a wingspan of about 8 feet (2.5 metres) or larger. 

Inverclyde councillors vote for Scotland’s flag to be flown on council buildings all year round

Inverclyde (Scottish Gaelic: Inbhir Chluaidh) councillors have voted in favour of Scotland’s flag being flown on council buildings all year round. The national flag of Scotland (Scottish Gaelic: Bratach na h-Alba) is a white cross against a blue background. It is known as the Saltire and it is hard to imagine any other country in the world having to vote on flying their national flag.  However, it needed Alba councillor Chris McEleny to succeed in having the matter discussed at a full meeting of the council and passed. 

Infamy of the Massacre of Glencoe 13th February 1692

The Massacre of Glencoe (Scottish Gaelic: Mort Ghlinne Comhann) took place 330 years ago but the memory of the horror and infamy of the events that took place early in the morning of 13 February 1692 remain poignant. One of the most beautiful places in Scotland Glen Coe (Scottish Gaelic: Gleann Comhann) takes its name from the River Coe that winds and tumbles its way through the glen. It is hard for those who visit this area of great beauty today to think that it was the site of such a treacherous act of murder and brutality against the Clan MacDonald of Glencoe.

Dublin's Glasnevin “Inappropriate and Insulting” Necrology Wall Discontinued After Further Attack

A memorial wall in Dublin's Glasnevin Cemetery is to be "discontinued" after it was physically attacked for a third time. Dublin Cemeteries Trust has stated that : "it is the firm view of Dublin Cemeteries Trust that if the wall were to be repaired for a third time it would be vandalised again." The memorial wall was always controversial after being first unveiled in April 2016, during the centenary commemoration of the Easter Rising.

Missing Scottish Hillwalker Leaves Messages in the Snow for Rescuers

A missing hillwalker was clever enough to leave clues in the snow so that rescuers would know where to search. The walker had set out across the Cairngorms (Scottish Gaelic: Am Monadh Ruadh) a mountain range in the eastern Highlands of Scotland. His plan had been to reach Aviemore (Scottish Gaelic: An Aghaidh Mhòr) but was reported as overdue at his accommodation. Although the man had left details of his planned route and was well equipped, once missing the Braemar and Cairngorm mountain rescue teams were deployed to search for him.

Report finds 'collusive behaviours' by RUC officers over Belfast murders

A Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland police inquiry has found significant investigative and intelligence failings and "collusive behaviours" by  Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) officers linked to a series of loyalist murders in Belfast in the 1990s. The report investigated nine attacks by the Ulster Defence Association (UDA) a proscribed terrorist group, in which 11 people were murdered. The report also found evidence that eight UDA members had been working as informants and that between them they had been linked by intelligence to 27 murders or attempted murders.

50th Anniversary of Bloody Sunday

Bloody Sunday happened on 30th January 1972 in the Bogside area of Derry, in the north of Ireland. British soldiers belonging to the 1st Battalion, Parachute Regiment (1 PARA) shot 26 unarmed civilians during a civil rights protest march. Fourteen people were killed, thirteen outright, while another man died of his injuries four months later. Some of the victims were shot when attempting to flee from the soldiers, others were shot while trying to help the wounded. Some protesters were injured by rifle butts and rubber bullets, while two were run down by army vehicles.

Campaign continues for the return to Isle of Man of the Chronicles of the Kings of Mann and the Isles

The Chronicles of the Kings of Mann and the Isles were written in Latin in 1261 or 1262. They record, year-by-year from 1016, the significant events in Manx history of that time. There has been a long standing campaign for the return of the Chronicles of the Kings of Mann and the Isles to the Island. The manuscript is currently being 'held' (for want of a better word), in English hands at the British Library in London. Recently the campaign gained new publicity when a questionnaire was circulated on the subject.

Nigel Crowe receives the RBV Manx cultural honour award 2022

Media release from Culture Vannin:

Nigel Crowe receives the RBV cultural honour

21 January 2022

Edinburgh commemorates150 years since the death of Greyfriars Bobby

Recently commemorations were held to mark 150 years since the death of Greyfriars Bobby. The story of the dog whose devotion became famous across the world. It is centred in Greyfriars Kirkyard the graveyard surrounding Greyfriars Kirk in the Scottish capital city of Edinburgh (Scottish Gaelic: Dùn Èideann). Greyfriars takes its name from the Franciscan friary that was on the site, where the monks used to wear grey habits, and was dissolved in 1560. The churchyard was subsequently founded in August 1562.

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