Edinburgh Castle Brightens Up

The floodlighting which has bathed Edinburgh Castle after dark was installed in the 1970s. It was based on aging sodium lamps, which gave a yellowish orange tinge to the stonework – as in the picture here. But this week Historic Scotland switched on 93 modern, energy-efficient ceramic metal halide lamps, which produce a natural white light. The new system also slashes electricity costs by 50%. The changeover of all the bulbs was done by a team of electricians in one day – quite a feat, considering that in many cases they had to abseil down the rock faces to reach the lamps. It is claimed that the new lights will also bring a lot more definition to the castle, highlighting the stonework and the architectural detail.

Biofuels from Whisky

Researchers at the University of Abertay’s School of Contemporary Sciences have been awarded a Carnegie Trust grant to investigate turning residues from brewing and distilling into biofuel. The Dundee-based researchers will look at new ways of turning grain used up in the distilling process into bioethanol, an environmentally-friendly alternative to fossil fuels. Most biofuels are produced from sugar cane and maize starch. But this uses up land which could be farmed for other crops and in Brazil tropical forests are being destroyed to create fields of sugar cane. Turning waste products into biofuels is a more complicated process, but could become an even more environmentally friendly alternative.

Black Watch Play to Tour US?

The controversial “Black Watch” play, presented by the National Theatre of Scotland, is a due to premiere in Los Angeles on 21 September for a four-week run. It then moves to New York’s St Ann’s Warehouse, where the opening night has already sold out. Now the British Council, which has helped Black Watch into the US market, says that there is considerable interest from theatres in other states of America such as Virginia and Ohio. The play is based on interviews with former soldiers who served in Iraq. It is told from the soldier’s perspective, and what it’s like to be part of the “war on terror” and coming back home.

Polish Bar Opens in Edinburgh

Dillon Doyle is as Irish as a four-leafed clover, so you might have expected him to open an Irish-themed bar in Edinburgh. But instead, he has created the first traditional Polish bar in the capital. Of course, his Polish girlfriend might have influenced that decision, but with a range of Polish vodkas and beers, “U Soltysa” has built up a loyal customer base of both Polish and Scottish drinkers. Polish brewers made about 7% of the entire European production volume in 2005, but is growing faster than the European Union average for the product.

Bats in the Palace

Hundreds of Daubenton and Pipistrelle bats have taken up residence in Linlithgow Palace – and the protected creatures are being treated like royalty. Mary, Queen of Scots, was born Linlithgow Palace in 1542 and when Bonnie Prince Charlie stayed there during the Jacobite Uprising of 1745/46, the fountain in the courtyard was said to have flowed with wine. Visitors to the palace don’t often see the bats as they are hidden away in chimneys and gaps in the brickwork. But they come out to feed at dusk and now Historic Scotland are running “bat patrols” for visitors at night, so that more people can see them. The next such event is scheduled for 1 September at 7pm.

4.5 Litres of Whisky in One Bottle

Ardbeg distillery on Islay has announced the sale of 1,000 bottles of whisky with a difference. Each one weighs 6.5kg (14lb), is 52cm (20.5in) high, and will be priced at £350. Ardbeg Mór 10-year-old is 57.3% cask strength and is claimed to be the largest bottles of single malt on sale anywhere in the world. Normal size (a mere 0.7 litres) bottles of Ardbeg 10-year-old have been on sale for many years. The picture here shows the two sizes of bottle.

Rabbie’s Hip Flask Auction

An 18th century hip flask, which once belonged to poet Robert Burns, is to be auctioned in Edinburgh later this month. No doubt it was well used when it was owned by Scotland’s hard drinking national poet. He gave it to a Captain Rutherford at Hunthill, near Jedbirgh, in the Scottish Borders, when the poet was on his first tour of Scotland collecting songs and poems. Subsequent generations of Rutherford descendants, who continued to live in the same house, retained the flask for sentimental reasons. But the house was sold recently and the flask was bought at that time.