Douglas MacQueen's blog

A documentary is due to be aired soon about the search for lost treasure from the Jacobite rising of 1745. The programme relates to the story of the gold being carried in Bonnie Prince Charlie’s ship The Hazard, or as it had been renamed Le Prince Charles Stuart. It was sent by King Louis XV of France to aid the Jacobite cause. Along with 160 men and some supplies, gold coins to the value of £13,000 were onboard the vessel, which translates to over £1.5 million in today’s money.

Loch Arkaig (Scottish Gaelic: Loch Airceig) is in Lochaber, Scotland, to the west of the Great Glen (Scottish Gaelic: An Gleann Mòr). It is a freshwater loch and approximately 12 miles (19 km) in length and a maximum depth of about 300 feet (91 m). At the eastern end of the loch are two small islands. The largest of which, Island Columbkill, is the site of a ruined chapel dedicated to St Columba which is the former burial ground of the Camerons of Locheil. 

The unusually named Devil's Porridge Museum in southern Scotland explores the history of  World War One, World War Two and the Cold War. It commemorates HM Factory Gretna, the largest munitions factory in the world during the First World War and explores the wider history of the Solway Coast during the Second World War and beyond.

Many of the celebrations of Scotland's national bard Robert Burns will be held online in 2021 due to coronavirus restrictions. Robert Burns was born in the scottish village of  Alloway (Scottish Gaelic Allmhaigh) on January 25, 1759. The eldest of the seven children of  William Burnes (1721–1784), a tenant farmer from Dunnottar in the Mearns, and Agnes Broun (1732–1820), the daughter of a Kirkoswald tenant farmer.

Despite the difficulties caused by the coronavirus pandemic the Gaelic short film competition FilmG  has seen a record number of entries. It has been undertaken on-line in 2020. This is the competition’s thirteenth year, which is run by MG ALBA and Skye-based media company CGS, to encourage the growth of Gaelic media talent. FilmG has developed into an important platform for many people now working within the Gaelic TV and film industry.

Dunnottar Castle (Scottish Gaelic: Dùn Fhoithear) stands on a rocky headland in the northeast of Scotland. Surrounded by steep cliffs above the North Sea only a narrow strip of land gives access to the Castle. Although it is not known when the first fortification was built on the headland, evidence of Picts living on the sea stack of Dunnicaer, just north of the castle, has been found by a team of archaeologists from the University of Aberdeen. Carbon dating shows this to be the oldest Pictish fort ever discovered dating to the 3rd century AD.

Many Scottish castles are reputed to be haunted. Some are remote and set in brooding landscapes, adding to that sense of something sinister lurking within their walls. However, stories of ghosts are often linked to the old buildings of all types found in Scotland's town and cities. Many old castles, often in ruins, can also be found in the heart of these urban communities. One such place is Strathaven Castle, where the ghost of "The White Lady" is said to haunt. White Lady ghost legends are found in many places.

A new poll published today (17th December) by Savanta ComRes for the Scottish newspaper The Scotsman has revealed that support for an independent Scotland has equalled its record level of 58 per cent. This is also the 17th poll in a row showing a majority of Scottish voters would vote Yes to independence. In addition to the poll showing a consistent desire for Scottish independence there is also a boost in support for the Scottish National Party (SNP). 

A new law has come into effect in Scotland to fight against cruelty to animals. The new measures will increase the maximum penalty for animal cruelty to up to five years in prison and result in the Courts having the power to impose unlimited fines for the most serious cases. The new rules are part of The Animals and Wildlife (Penalties, Protections and Powers) (Scotland) Act, which was passed on 30 November and a range of serious crimes against wildlife will also be covered.

St. Andrew's Day (Scottish Gaelic: Là Naomh Aindrea) is Scotland's official national day celebrated on 30th November. St Andrew has been the patron saint of Scotland from at least the mid tenth century and legend says long before. He was born in the village of Bethsaida on the Sea of Galilee in the early 1st century and is the brother of St Peter. According to the Gospel of St John, Andrew was a follower of the preacher John the Baptist and then became a disciple of Jesus who he recognised as the Messiah. The name Andrew is Greek in origin.