Blogs

George Skene of Fintray (1619–1707) was a Scottish merchant who served as elected Provost (convener) of the city of Aberdeen (Scottish Gaelic: Obar Dheathain) from 1676 to 1685. George Skene is now probably most famous for his house, which is a tourist attraction in Aberdeen. Built in 1545, the house was bought by him in 1669. In 1953 it was opened to the public and is now a museum and free to the public. More information can be obtained from Aberdeen Art Gallery and Museums website.

Botanists from the Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh (RBGE) are trying to find out where three rare and endangered species of plants grow in Scotland. In doing so they have requested the help of climbers and hillwalkers to report the sightings so that they can be better studied. The Cicerbita alpina (alpine blue-sowthistle), Saxifraga cespitosa (tufted saxifrage) and Alectoria ochroleuca (alpine sulphur tresses) are under threat of extinction and protected by law.

These days there is much concentration on the issue of climate change. The main debate now is focused on the issue of Global Warming and the current warming of the Earth's climate being due to human activities. However, research of geological records going back millions of years, have indicated that there have been a large number of variations in the Earth’s climate. A variety of natural factors have caused this, including the Earth’s orbit, changes in the sun, volcanoes and CO2 levels.

Steven Lewis Simpson is an independent film and documentary filmmaker from Aberdeen, Scotland. In 2016 he released the film "Neither Wolf Nor Dog", which is an adaption of the award winning book, with the same name, by Kent Nerburn. Steven Lewis Simpson's film's film festival premiere was at the Edinburgh International Film Festival in 2016. He took the unusual step of releasing the film directly into US cinemas in 2017. It continues in first-run cinemas in 2019, making it the longest first-run theatrical release in the US in over ten years.

Now in its forty first year, the Yn Chruinnaght Celtic Gathering is firmly established in its role as an annual celebration of music, song, dance, language and culture in Peel, and is recognised as one of the longest-running Celtic festivals in Europe - which later this month will present a packed programme of entertainment from both at home and abroad.

In celebration of The International Year of Indigenous Languages 2019 and the Manx Gaelic language, Isle of Man Post Office (Manx: Oik Postagh Ellan Vannin) recently produced a presentation pack of six stamps. The issue also coincides with the 120th anniversary of the Manx Language Society (Yn Cheshaght Ghailckagh) and is produced in conjunction with Culture Vannin and  Manx artist Mary Cousins.  Details can be found on the Isle of Man Post Office website.

At a hearing of the Court of Appeal in Belfast (Irish: Béal Feirste) last week, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI; Irish: Seirbhís Póilíneachta Thuaisceart Éireann) were ordered to conduct an independent investigation into alleged state collusion with a loyalist gang. Lord Chief Justice Declan Morgan rejected an appeal by former PSNI chief constable George Hamilton against a 2017 judgement that the police's failure to conduct an overarching examination of state collusion with the Glenanne Gang was inconsistent with its human rights obligations. 

WATCHED BY TV CAMERA CREWS, ASTONISHED SENIOR COUNCILLORS SPEAK WITH PROTESTORS

On the day that a full Council Meeting occurs, hundreds of peaceful but angry protestors arrived at the Truro 'Kremlin Kernow' HQ of Cornwall Council to protest at the appalling way upcountry developers are altering Cornwall, its landscape, heritage, public services and indigenous makeup.

New government funding to preserve Cornish culture language and heritage welcomed by Cornwall Council - Cornwall Council Media Release 

A new £200,000 fund will help support and preserve Cornwall’s rich language, heritage and culture, Communities Minister Lord Bourne announced on 5th July 2019.

Isle of Man Post Office (Manx: Oik Postagh Ellan Vannin) have issued a set of stamps called 'The Age of Rebellion'. They remember events that unfolded in the seventeenth century and feature Manx hero Illiam Dhone. Illiam Dhone (14 April 1608 - 02 January 1663) also known as William Christian was a Manx politician and patriot. For his part in the Manx rising of 1651 he was executed by firing squad at Hango Hill in the Isle of Man on 2nd January 1663.