THE SGIAN DHU

Edinburgh Castle Brightens Up

sgiandubh — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 18:31:18 +0000

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

sgiandubh — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 18:30:45 +0000

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?

sgiandubh — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 18:30:04 +0000

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

sgiandubh — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 18:29:24 +0000

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

sgiandubh — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 18:28:15 +0000

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

sgiandubh — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 15:42:03 +0000

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

sgiandubh — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 15:40:32 +0000

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.

Whisky Heated Hospital

sgiandubh — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 16:15:52 +0000

Whisky distilleries use a lot of heat in their processes and normally that heat just gets lost in the atmosphere. But Pulteney Distillery in Wick in the far north of Scotland is already piping its waste heat to local homes and from October, Caithness General Hospital will be connected to the system – making it the first in the UK to become heated by a whisky distillery.The plant is already using an environmentally friendly biomass, wood-burning power source to provide the heat used in the distilling processes.

Edinburgh’s Highland Fling

sgiandubh — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 16:14:14 +0000

The biggest Highland Games ever staged in Scotland will be held at Holyrood Park (seen here) in Edinburgh in 2009. It will be part of a year of “Homecoming Scotland” events aimed at attracting people from around the world to visit or emigrate to Scotland. The games are being scheduled for the same weekend as a massive “gathering of the clans” when 7,500 clan members from around the world are expected to travel to the city for what is being billed as the world’s biggest clan gathering. The Highland Games will have the traditional displays of piping, dancing, athletics and heavy events, featuring 2000 competitors and performers. Additionally, there will be a food and drink fair, live music and an exhibition allowing visitors to trace their ancestry. The event is being held on July 25 and 26, 2009. On the first day, all the clan members will take part in a parade up the Royal Mile from Holyrood Park to Edinburgh Castle. The seats in the arena for that year’s Tattoo will be available for a huge pageant to be staged on the castle forecourt.

Fire Closes Princes Street

sgiandubh — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 16:13:36 +0000

Edinburgh’s principal shopping street was closed on Friday as a result of a fire on the third floor of the historic Romanes and Paterson store in Princes Street. Police sealed off the surrounding area and it took firefighters four hours to bring the blaze under control. Firemen had to fight hard to stop the blaze spreading to adjoining buildings. It was some time after that before the section of Princes Street between Jenners department store and The Mound could be reopened. Considerable damage was done to the Romanes and Patterson store, which is a kilt and tartan specialist and also has a restaurant. The elegant building, with tartan draping its windows, is one of the more traditional buildings still left on Princes Street and conservationists will be hoping that it can be restored and does not have to be demolished.