Page 45 - James Pirie News

Lucky Underpants Help Andy to Be World Number 1 –

Is He the Greatest Individual Scottish Sportsman Ever?

Well it happened and I was wearing my lucky socks and underpants, clean mind you to help roar him on. It was all over in two sets, which is lucky because the great Scot was clearly out on his feet at the end after terribly tiring bouts with Nishikori and Raonic, both of which were of record setting...

Scots Wha Hae –

And They want us to be Worried About Black Friday

'Now's the day, an now's the hour:

See the front o battle lour,

See approach proud Edward's power -

Chains and Slaverie

Robert Burns, Scots Wha Hae

Did you know that Robert Burn’s publisher in Edinburgh was also Beethoven’s? Yes, I was taught by a descendent of his called George and he told me so. The song was written in tempestuous...

Movie Stars Enlisted to Save Gallery –

‘ Jedi’  Star Ewan McGregor Leads Fight to Save Art Space

Hollywood A-listers, rock stars and the director of one New York’s Guggenheim Museum have all entered the fray save an Edinburgh contemporary gallery. The lead singer of Indie band Travis Fran Healy, Val Kilmer and Ewan McGregor have all joined more than 200 world renowned people trying to save the capital’s...

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them -

Golden Eagle the Birdie that’s Above Par

The great news is that golden eagle numbers are soaring, with 500 breeding pairs in some parts of Scotland which is great news for the species, but the cloud has a leaden lining. The raptor is still missing from over a third of its original traditional territories. The creatures are now deemed safe, from extinction...

In Canada Beware of Full Regalia -

Piper in Full Fig Fined by Police

 Piper Jeff McCarthy from Montreal, Quebec has been penalised by the police for having his Scottish ceremonial knife, his sgian-dubh, tucked in his sock.  The knife which is an essential part of highland garb saw the piper land a $221 Canadian dollar fine.  Now you know my feelings on pipers being a race apart so you won’t be...

The New Time Man

Dundee Man is New Voice of the Speaking Clock

Alan Steadman, 69, a retired civil servant from Dundee is the new voice of BT’s speaking clock saw his name displayed on London’s BT Tower. His voice will be the first non English since the speaking clock was first introduced way back in 1936.

Fifth Voice of the Service

 Alan had is appointment made public on the BBC’s The One Show after...

Soots Us Fine-

Scotland’s Latest Innovation, More Chimney Sweeps

Chim chiminey, chim chiminey
Chim chim cher-oo

A sweep is lucky and you can be too

Business is booming for the chimney sweeps of Scotland. The modern trend for wood burning stoves, I have one myself successfully cleaned by a lady sweep just last week, has meant that there are now great opportunities for this once dying trade. Since the...

Monarch of the Glen May Be Offski –

Famous Highland Painting Up for Grabs

The incredibly well known Landseer painting of a twelve prong stag, called The Monarch of the Glen is up for auction in December at Christie’s of London. It was originally painted in 1851 and was bought by those chaps at John Dewar’s Whisky in 1916 a hundred years ago at the height of World War 1. Dewar’s have since become Diageo...

Not Enough Bees in Our Bonnets

Save Our Scottish Bees

The unreliable weather has been causing problems for Scotland’s bees.  Scottish beekeepers have said that this year’s crop of honey was a virtual failure following after yet another wet and changeable summer. If you want Scottish honey, now you will have to pay through the nose for it

Go and Be a Beekeeper

So the cry has gone out to get more people...

Caithness to Build Iron Age Jewel –

A New Broch for the Future

When I first read this story I thought the good people of Caithness had lost it and were raising a million quid to buy or make a “Broach”, but then I read more carefully and it was a broch, not a broach. As you might know a broch is an Iron Age drystone structure with hollow walls. And they are only found in Scotland. The theory used to...