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A Pictish standing stone with unique carvings has been discovered in an old burial ground near Dingwall (Scottish Gaelic: Inbhir Pheofharain) in the Highlands of Scotland. The 1,200-year-old standing stone has carvings never before seen on a Pictish stone. The discovery of the stone was originally made by a member of North of Scotland Archaeological Society (NOSAS) and was then referred via a regional archeaoligist to Historic Environment Scotland and the Pictish Arts Society.

The below response from Natural England has been received in response to our email of 4th October, 2019. Other individuals and groups have also written to the said quango!

In accordance with the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities, it is important that we stand up fully and clearly for our indigenous rights afforded us by the Convention.

Jackson, Tess <Tess.Jackson@naturalengland.org.uk> 8 October 2019 at 18:42

London Manx Society (Manx: Yn Cheshaght Manninagh Lunnin) held their Mhelliah Service at St Bride's Church in London's Fleet Street on Monday 14th October. This was followed by a celebration lunch in the nearby Punch Tavern in Fleet Street. The Society was thrilled to be joined by the Manx Bard Zoë Cannell  who had travelled from the Island and presented two poems, one of which was the first time it had been heard in public.

The Mòd, a festival of Scottish Gaelic language and culture organised by An Comunn Gàidhealach (The Gaelic Association), is underway this week in Ghlaschu (Glasgow). Mòd Ghlaschu - Mod Glasgow runs until Saturday 19th October 2019. Yesterday a new Gaelic festival in Na h-Eileanan Siar (Western Isles) was announced at the Mòd.

The Scottish National Party (SNP; Scottish Gaelic: Pàrtaidh Nàiseanta na h-Alba) conference 2019 is underway in Aberdeen (Obar Dheathain). Taking place between the 13th - 19th October it comes at a time when a new opinion poll finds support for Scottish independence has risen to 50%. Nicola Sturgeon, First Minister of Scotland and leader of the Scottish National Party has made it clear she wants to hold a new Scottish referendum on independence in the second half of 2020. However, the current UK government has repeatedly refused to countenance allowing a new independence vote.

There is no shortage of discredited politicians being given publicity at the moment. They are often rolled out by sections of the media to give support to one cause or another. The latest to be given maximum coverage is Tony Blair, despised British ex-Prime Minister. His latest "intervention" is that a future Labour Government should not enter into any negotiation with the Scottish National Party (SNP) in regard to a second Scottish independence referendum. The SNP is the largest political party in Scotland, which holds most Scottish parliamentary seats in the Parliament of the UK. 

Next week the Mòd, a festival of Gaelic language and culture, is returning to the city of Glasgow (Scottish Gaelic: Ghlaschu) after an absence of more than 30 years. Mòd Ghlaschu - Mod Glasgow will take place in Glasgow from Friday 11th to Saturday 19th October 2019. The Mòd is run by An Comunn Gàidhealach (The Gaelic Association) and is a festival celebrating Scottish Gaelic language, literature, song, arts and culture. 

The Island's largest free festival of heritage and cultural events, known as the Isle of Man Heritage Open Days, has blossomed since its inaugural year which included just three events and this year celebrates its tenth anniversary, with a burgeoning list of events scheduled for two weekends during October.

As a result of the Westminster Government announcing plans to repair and rebrand the coastal path around England, KMTU has been in contact with National Trails and Natural England in order to request they recognise Cornish difference.

The email sent appears below:

Kernow

4 Mys Hedra 2019

In English

To: Natural England & National Trails

Dear Sirs and Mesdames

National Trails - 'England's Coast Path'

A new State of Nature report has found that almost 300 wildlife species in Ireland face extinction. The main threats to biodiversity across Ireland are changes in farming methods, the impact of climate change and pollution, which affects species abundance, distribution and habitat. The report, which is published every three years, points out that of 2,450 species of conservation concern in Ireland, 272 are threatened with extinction.