Pic: BBC

The BBC reports that archaeologists have uncovered a small - but vital - clue to the use of a chariot in Moray. The piece for a horse harness was found during the latest dig at an Iron Age site at Birnie, near Elgin. Dr Fraser Hunter, of the National Museums of Scotland, said it was further evidence of the high status of its inhabitants.

Excavations would have been unlikely at Birnie if not for the discovery of Roman coins 10 years ago.

Glass beads that may have been made at Culbin Sands, near Nairn, in the Highlands, a dagger and quern stones for making flour have also been found previously.

An army of archaeologists, students and volunteers have slowly been excavating two roundhouses that date back to 2,000 years ago.

Read the full story at the BBC.

Pic: BBC

The BBC reports that a bagpipe player sparked a security alert at the Olympics - after Chinese police mistook his musical instrument for “some kind of weapon”. Charity walker Andrew Aitken, from Galashiels, arrived in Beijing on the same day as the opening ceremony. He decided to warm-up his pipes near the stadium, not realising he was close to a major electricity station.

A police car pulled up and Mr Aitken said it was only thanks to a passing tourist guide that he avoided arrest. Mr Aitken said: Continue Reading »

The Daily Post in Wales reports that the Welsh flag has been banned from official venues at the Beijing Olympics in a crackdown by Chinese authorities. Supporters and competitors travelling to the Games face a strict ban on waving the Ddraig Goch in celebration. Only the flags of the 205 Olympic nations, including Great Britain, can be taken into the showpiece arenas, according to “house rules” published by the organising committee for the Games.

The rule, believed to be aimed at potential Tibetans, independence demonstrators, effectively vetoes the Welsh and Scottish flags., traditionally seen atinternational events.

Cathy Owens, Welsh director of Amnesty International, said:

It would be a terrible shame if the Welsh flag were banned from the Olympics, but with so many domestic activists silenced, I’m not surprised the Chinese authorities want to control what can be seen at venues.

To us, in Wales it’s absurd we can’t fly our flag at the Olympics. For people in China the repression of free speech is much more serious. Saying the wrong thing can land you in prison and many journalists and activists have been arrested.

The Beijing rules for spectators state: To avoid delays at security and to maintain an orderly flow, please DO NOT bring the following articles to any venue: flags of non-members of the Olympics or Paralympics; flags or banners larger than 2 m x 1 m; flagpoles; any banners, slogans, fliers, brochures or samples.

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Pic: BBC

The BBC have just reported that a major archaeological investigation is getting under way at one of Western Europe’s most impressive prehistoric sites. The Ring of Brodgar in Orkney is the third largest stone circle in the British Isles, but little is known about it.

The project will involve the re-excavation and extension of trenches dug in 1973. Geophysical surveys will also be undertaken to investigate the location of standing stones.

Dr Jane Downes of the Archaeology Department, Orkney College, UHI, and Dr Colin Richards of the University of Manchester are the project directors.

Dr Downes said:

Because so little is known about the Ring of Brodgar, a series of assumptions have taken the place of archaeological data.

The interpretation of what is arguably the most spectacular stone circle in Scotland is therefore incomplete and unclear.

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Pic: Haggis hurling

The Chicago Daily Herald tells us that on June 20-21 the Highland Games will be in full fling in Chicago. When it comes to celebrating Celtic culture around Chicago, people of Scottish descent always seem to be overshadowed by the Irish. There’s no national holiday like St. Patrick’s Day when “everyone is Scottish for one day.” It would also be impossible to dye the Chicago River plaid.

Yet Scottish culture and traditions strongly persevere locally, thanks to efforts of the Illinois St. Andrew Society, a nonprofit charity organization dating back to 1854. The society’s biggest and highest-profile event is the annual Scottish Festival and Highland Games, now celebrating its 22nd year.

Continue Reading »

The Fairies of Scotland are represented as a diminutive race of beings, of a mixed, or rather dubious nature, capricious in their dispositions, and mischievous in their resentment. They inhabit the interior of green hills, chiefly those of a conical form, in Gaelic termed Sighan, on which they lead their dances by moonlight; impressing upon the surface the marks of circles, which sometimes appear yellow and blasted, sometimes of a deep green hue; and within which it is dangerous to sleep, or to be found after sunset. The removal of those large portions of turf, which thunder-bolts sometimes scoop out of the ground with singular regularity, is also ascribed to their agency.

Cattle, which are suddenly seized with the cramp, or some similar disorder, are said to be elf-shot, and the approved cure is, to chafe the parts affected with a blue bonnet, which, it may be readily believed, often restores the circulation. The triangular flints, frequently found in Scotland, with which the ancient inhabitants probably barbed their shafts, are supposed to be the weapons of Fairy resentment, and are termed elf arrow-heads.

The rude brazen battle-axes of the ancients, commonly called celts, are also ascribed to their manufacture. But, like the Gothic duergar, their skill is not confined to the fabrication of arms; for they are heard sedulously hammering in linns, precipices, and rocky or cavernous situations, where, like the dwarfs of the mines, they busy themselves in imitating the actions and the various employments of men.

The Brook of Beaumont, for example, which passes, in its course, by numerous linns and caverns, is notorious for being haunted by the Fairies, and the perforated and rounded stones which are formed by trituration in its channel are termed, by the vulgar, fairy cups and dishes.

It is sometimes accounted unlucky to pass such places, without performing some ceremony to avert the displeasure of the elves. There is, upon the top of Minchmuir, a mountain in Peeblesshire, a spring called the Cheese Well, because, anciently, those who passed that way were wont to throw into it a piece of cheese, as an offering to the Fairies, to whom it–was consecrated.

The usual dress of the Fairies is green; though. on the moors they have been sometimes observed in heath-brown, or in weeds dyed with the stoneraw, or lichen. They often ride in invisible procession, when their presence is discovered by the shrill ringing of their bridles. On these occasions they sometimes borrow mortal steeds; and when such are found at morning, panting and fatigued in their stalls, with their manes and tails dishevelled and entangled, the grooms, I presume, often find this a convenient excuse for their situation; as the common belief of the elves quaffing the choicest liquors in the cellars of the rich might occasionally cloak the delinquencies of an unfaithful butler.

Scottish Fairy and Folk Tales
by Sir George Douglas
[1901]

Pic: EASE Archaeology

The BBC reports that there are plans to excavate and reconstruct an historic but eroding burnt mound on Bressay that have been awarded more than £70,000 of funding. Bressay History Group’s plans at Cruester follow coastal erosion threatening the site.

Detailed plans have been made and, during June and July, archaeologists will excavate and dismantle what remains of the structures that make up the site.

The stones will be labelled and transported to a plot next to the heritage centre where the site will be reconstructed into a visitor attraction, a centre for experimental research, and offer an education programme.

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The distilled spirit Whiskey has been associated with Scotland and Ireland for Hundreds of years. Whiskey is brewed in both countries and regularly drunk in homes and Pubs. In Ireland Whiskey is often drunk as a “chaser” to Irish Stout, and an Irish Coffee made with Irish Whiskey and fresh cream is a drink not to be missed. The earliest record of distilling Whiskey in Scotland appeared in the Exchequer Rolls as long ago as 1494. “Eight bolls of malt to Friar John Cor wherewith to make “aqua vitae”-water of Life (Latin)

This was sufficient to produce almost 1500 bottles. By this time distilling was almost certainly an established practise among the Scottish peoples.

According to Legend St Patrick introduced distilling to Ireland in the fifth century AD. It is believed that the secrets of the distilling process were introduced to Scotland some 1500 years ago when settlers from Ireland began to populate the west coast of Scotland which they named Dalriada - which is now Argyll.

Known as “Usque Baugh” in Scotland and “Uisce Beatha” in Ireland, in both languages the names translate as “Water of Life”. Whiskey was commonly made in monasteries, and chiefly used for medicinal purposes, being prescribed for the preservation of health, and a general cure-all. There were monastic distilleries in Ireland in the late-12th century.

The spirit’s perceived medicinal benefits were formally endorsed when, in Edinburgh in 1505, the Guild of Surgeon Barbers was granted a monopoly over the manufacture of “aqua vitae” – reflecting the practice of barbers undertaking minor medical procedures.

In 1661 all private distillation not specificlly licenced by state was outlawed. This law included Scottish and Irish moonshine. To evade the authorities many stills were set up in ancient cairns; burial chambers known as Faerie hills. Others took their equipment to islands in the middle of lakes, the better to see the authories coming.

Meanwhile the brewing of beer was becoming a major buisness. The English then introduced a penal law at the begining of the 18th century, that stopped breweries importing hops from anywhere but England, which mean’t that suppiers could charge whatever they liked. Higher taxes were levied on Irish beer exported to England, while English beer sold to Ireland got a reduced rate.

In response to these new laws the Irish, paricularly the poor began to distill more their own Moonshine (Poteen). It provided income for the distiller and solace for the community. In the face of their misfortunes the Irish poor had a continued appetite for music and dancing, their exuberance fueled by the sudden availabilty of Poteen.

In 1770, the Crown tried once more to clamp down on this spirited trade. By kingly writ of George III, the making of Poitin became illegal. With the flourish of a pen, most of the inhabitants of Eire became instant criminals.

Scotch whisky distilleries could become officially licensed in 1822 (re: licensed by the British government under the Illicit Disillation (Scotland) Act), many refused to do so simply because they felt they were being taxed against their will. The highlanders at this point were mostly gaelic speakers who kept out of the way of government agents and revenue collectors. As distillation was outlawed by the English government, “sheep dip” became slang for Scottish moonshine.

Folklore and Faeries

Leprechaun are frequently to be found in an intoxicated state, caused by home-brew Poteen. However they never become so drunk that the hand which holds the hammer becomes unsteady and their shoemaker’s work affected. Occasionally, especially after a wee bit too much Poteen, he will offer a human not only a drink but some of his treasure.

Poteen made in faerie hills was seen as magical. It was used as a cure for painfull rheumatic joints, one half cup given to the ill person morning and night was said to cure all ailments.

Poteen was said to especailly potent if a housewife left fresh cream and bread by the fairy mound at night and petitioned the faeries for a cure for illness, More often than not a cup of Poteen would be found outside the door,left by the faeries to heal the sick. Whiskey or Poteen made from water from faerie springs or wells also gave the spirit healing properties and was widely used by wise women in medicinal cures.

Be cautious about leaving Faeries your own whisky or Poteen…Traditionally faeries love alcohol, but can become rowdy and dangerous when drinking.

Drinking Whiskey on a Faerie Knoe in Scotland is said to call the faeries to you, and they’ll give you a wish in return for a sip of your whisky, Allow them too much and you’ll end up a permanent guest in Faerieland.

If you would like to know more about Whiskey, join our friends Jeff, Chip, & Michael at The Scotchcast as they discuss and taste “The Water of Life”

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Skara Brae - click

A LONG-TERM strategy is planned to protect one of Europe’s most important archaeological sites from erosion, says news.scotsman.com. Skara Brae is vulnerable to coastal erosion. A Historic Scotland spokesman said: “When the settlement was built 5,000 years ago, it was at least 1km from the coast. The remains are now right on the edge of Skaill Bay, and … there is evidence to suggest that the rate of erosion has accelerated in recent years.”

Archaeology is one of the main attractions for visitors to Orkney, and last year Skara Brae had 74,000 visitors and Maeshowe had 25,000. Measures have been put in place to reduce visitor wear.

Historic Scotland says careful management is required to ensure the WHS is conserved while also protecting wildlife, including birds on the RSPB Ring of Brodgar Reserve.

More detail can be found here.

Half-nude, red-painted revelers at the Beltane Fire Festival reenact an ancient, annual Celtic ritual heralding the May 1 arrival of summer—”Beltane” being Celtic for “May.” Revived in the 1980s, the festival is part of an effort by modern Celts to celebrate the lost cultures of their ancestors, who dominated Europe some 2,000 years ago. [National Geo]

Beltane kicks off the merry month of May, and has a long history. This fire festival is celebrated on May 1 with bonfires, Maypoles, dancing, and lots of good old fashioned sexual energy. The Celts honored the fertility of the gods with gifts and offerings, sometimes including animal or human sacrifice. Cattle were driven through the smoke of the balefires, and blessed with health and fertility for the coming year. In Ireland, the fires of Tara were the first ones lit every year at Beltane, and all other fires were lit with a flame from Tara.

Today’s Pagans and Wiccans celebrate Beltane much like their ancestors did. A Beltane ritual usually involves lots of fertility symbols, including the obviously-phallic Maypole dance. The Maypole is a tall pole decorated with flowers and hanging ribbons, which are woven into intricate pattern by a group of dancers. Weaving in and out, the ribbons are eventually knotted together by the time the dancers reach the end.

In some Wiccan traditions, Beltane is a day in which the May Queen and the Queen of Winter battle one another for supremacy. In this rite, borrowed from practices on the Isle of Man, each queen has a band of supporters. On the morning of May 1, the two companies battle it out, ultimately trying to win victory for their queen. If the May Queen is captured by her enemies, she must be ransomed before her followers can get her back.

There are some who believe Beltane is a time for the faeries — the appearance of flowers around this time of year heralds the beginning of summer and shows us that the fae are hard at work. In early folklore, to enter the realm of faeries is a dangerous step — and yet the more helpful deeds of the fae should always be acknowledged and appreciated. If you believe in faeries, Beltane is a good time to leave out food and other treats for them in your garden or yard.

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