Douglas MacQueen's blog

A Clyde-built ship is to return home after years spent as a visitor attraction in Hawaii. The Falls of Clyde is the last surviving iron-hulled, four-masted full-rigged ship, and the only remaining sail-driven oil tanker. Built in 1878 by Russell and Company in Port Glasgow, the Falls of Clyde is currently moored in Honolulu harbour, but over recent years her condition has deteriorated. The Falls of Clyde transported sugar from Hawaii to America’s west coast during the early part of her life before being converted into a bulk oil tanker. 

The Engine Shed (Scottish Gaelic: An Seada Einnsein) is a dedicated building conservation centre in Scotland. It is run by Historic Environment Scotland. They have an exhibition, which runs until 12 April 2019, on the 'Scots Who Built the White House'. In particular they look at how in 1794, a group of Scottish stonemasons left Edinburgh New Town for Washington DC to help build the official residence of the President of the United States. At this time Scottish stonemasonry was held in high regard and Scottish stonemasons carried out elaborate carvings on the facade of the structure.

The Tarradale Through Time project, is a North of Scotland Archaeology Society (NOSAS) led project that commenced in 2017. Supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Historic Environment Scotland as well as private donors, it encourages community engagement with archaeology in the Highlands of Scotland. They have been investigating the history of continuous occupation from the very first settlers through to the end of subsistence agriculture in the Black Isle (Scottish Gaelic: an t-Eilean Dubh), a peninsula within Ross and Cromarty, in the Scottish Highlands.

It has long been recognised that that there is a hostility towards Scottish independence by the mainstream media. Overwhelmingly the press has been hostile to the Scottish National Party (SNP). This is as obvious now as it was during the time of the referendum held on Scottish independence. This includes the broadcast media, and the BBC has often been criticised for its lack of balanced reporting on the issue. It is, of course not just the BBC.

What better time of year to hold a storytelling festival than the days leading upto the Celtic celebration of Halloween. Halloween (Hop tu Naa in Isle of Man) has its origins in the Celtic lands and marks the end of the summer and the beginning of winter. The festival is associated with the Celtic feast of Kala-Goañv (Breton), Calan Gwaf (Cornish), Samhain (Irish), Sauin (Manx Gaelic), Samhuinn (Scottish Gaelic) and Calan Gaeaf (Welsh).

The Royal National Mòd (Scottish Gaelic: Am Mòd Nàiseanta Rìoghail) is the most important of several annual  major Mòds. It is the main festival of Scottish Gaelic literature, song, arts and culture and often referred to as the Mòd. The festival began in Dunoon (Scottish Gaelic: Dùn Omhain) on Friday night, with a special celebration honouring Scotland's Year of Young People. During the next eight days, (12 - 20th October) more than 200 competitions and events in Highland dancing, sport, literature, drama, Gaelic music and song will be held.

Nicola Sturgeon, First Minister of Scotland and leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP) will close the three day SNP Conference in Glasgow today with a message of "hope and optimism".  Her speech will have a constitutional theme and point to the opportunities offered by an independent Scotland. She will say: "The Westminster government stumbles from day to day and disaster to disaster. It's hard to watch that unfolding calamity and feel anything other than despair.

"So it is up to us - now more than ever - to offer optimism and hope.

The world's most expensive bottle of whisky has been sold for £848,000 at auction in Edinburgh. The bottle of 1926 Macallan Valerio Adami was particularly sought after due to its rarity, vintage and unique Valerio Adami artwork. It is 60 years old, having been created in 1926 and remained in a vat until bottled in 1986. Macallan commissioned artists Peter Blake and Valerio Adami to design labels for a limited edition of 24 bottles; 12 by each artist.

The 2nd October 1263 is the date of the Battle of Largs. It was an important point in Scotland's history as an expanding state. Although it was an indecisive engagement between the kingdoms of Norway and Scotland, it signalled the beginning of the end of Scandinavian influence over Scotland. For centuries the Norse - Gael kingdoms of the Hebrides and Isle of Man came under the influence of Norway, as did the Northern Isles of Shetland and Orkney.

Last year The McManus: Dundee's Art Gallery and Museum celebrated its 150th anniversary. This year The McManus is celebrating another anniversary associated with the Scottish city of Dundee (Scottish Gaelic: Dùn Dè). The children's comic the Beano is celebrating its 80th birthday and is published by the Dundee based publisher DC Thomson. The comic first appeared on 30 July 1938. Its characters include Dennis the Menace, Minnie the Minx, The Bash Street Kids, The Numskulls, Roger the Dodger, Billy Whizz and Tricky Dicky.