Farewell Glasgow!

When you leave behind a part of your life…
Images and faces…
Screams and laughters… and sometimes tears;
The roads become memories, and all the non-living things become alive.
And somehow, when you leave and it's late for goodbyes, you cherish the unforgettable flicks that play in your mind.

These are the best days.

Blog Action Day 2008 - Impoverished Glasgow East End: Where Do We Stand?

When I've decided to take part in Blog Action Day, especially with its POVERTY theme this year, I knew this post is not going to be about Africa, or poverty in the developing world; this post is going to be about the East End of Glasgow.



It is hard to wake-up in the East End of Glasgow to a harsh and shocking reality; where in the great nation of Britain and the free lands of Western Europe lies an impoverished community. A reality harder to accept if lived day to day by ordinary people, where decent health care, housing, affordable childcare, access to jobs and benefits have failed them in every way.

The governemnt is to blame, and so are the policies of health inequlities, and plummeting life expectancy rates in the East End.

Where do we stand when a report states that a shocking total of 98% of youngsters in parts of Easterhouse and Barlanark are living in poor families?

Where do we stand when we know that more than than 107,000 children in Glasgow live in poverty?

Where do we stand, and can we really just turn a blind eye on the dire social situation, the slums and the deterorating housing conditions. Is the re-generation that is taking place now, and which is part of the 2014 commonwealth games strategic plan going in the right direction and serving the right people?

Not much can be said, but a lot can be done, and desperately needing to be done.
And the only question left un-answered hangs on the doors of government officials, and policy makers and is written in big bold letters and reads as follows:

WHERE DO YOU STAND?

The Changing New Face of Politics: The Expert Vs the Charismatic Novice

As Labour was struggling to maintain its vision of fairness in Britain at the Labour Party Conference last Monday, Its rather “unpopular” PM Gordon Brown reached out to the crowds by refraining from being too “serious” and getting more up close and personal by engaging anecdotes about his childhood, his wife and children.



But the crack in the Labour Party from within was felt throughout the conference speeches. David Miliband (which is the charismatic clonned version of Tony Blair) and who was - according to some commentators - trying to acclaim Gordon Brown as Blair’s successor rather than challenging for the leadership himself because Labour is determined to close ranks and rout the Tories again. But the opposite interpretation is surely just as possible. Milliband and Co may have calculated that there’s no point in risking their prospects by trying to oust Brown now, when it seems likelier by the day that Cameron’s resurgent Tories will do the job for them at the next election, which explains Ruth Kelly’s stepping down from her cabinet job.



And While David Miliband is considered a novice by Labour themselves, a US foreign policy loyal servant by British people - he might really be Labour’s wild card –after all he’s young, charismatic and if we are acknowledging how the face of politics is changing, and how on the other side of the pond Obama is promoting the “young and charismatic” brand of politics - He is without a doubt their last hope, if Gordon failed to deliver that is – question is, are British people willing to accept yet another 4 or 5 years of Blairite Amercanized policy?! Remains to be decided!

Snap-a-Snooper in Edinburgh with Google Street View: Coming Later to Streets Near You!

As Google Street View is invading the UK, and more specifically Scotland, the Scotsman reports that the Google camera operatives have come under fire amid claims they are invading privacy by photographing everything in sight. But it seems those behind the Google Streetmap project are less than keen on being pictured themselves, apparently fearing reprisals from angry locals.

And for those who don’t know; Google Street View is a feature of Google Maps and Google Earth that provides 360° panoramic street-level views and allows users to view parts of selected cities and their surrounding metropolitan areas at ground level. Google Street View was first introduced in the United States on May 25, 2007, and only covered areas of the United States until July 2, 2008. As of today, images can be seen in five countries. Introductions have generally occurred every 1-3 months, with a group of cities marked by camera icons being added each time.
In some of the later introductions, other cities without such a marking have been added too.[source]

Apparently many people are deliberately taking snaps of the Google mobile-camera operatives, in a snap-a-snooper game.

These pictures of Google snoopers are courtesy of this man here.


These cameras have not been spotted in Glasgow yet, but they should be on their way real soon. How would you react in your own street? I would get my camera ready, and treat them to an-eye-for-an-eye response!

Open Doors Festival Diary - Part Deux

Yesterday’s central-city events celebrated the art of conservation and preservation with regards to Scottish materials, traditional skills, their history and current status. The series of lectures which took place at St. Andrews in the square newly renovated building, tackled the conservation of Scottish traditional materials and skills by top Scottish conservation experts.

Tom Morton of ARC Architects spoke about Earth Buildings; how local materials and skills had been employed at their best to present a form of vernacular architecture that stood the test of time, and can still aspire in the realm of modern sustainable solutions. For more information, a fascinating study done by Tom Morton for the Scottish Executive can be found here.

Nicola Ashurst of Adriel Consultancy spoke about the conservation of terracotta, especially the conservation project of the Doulton Fountain; a five year project, that cost nearly 5 million pounds, and brought back to life this sculpture masterpiece, that has been beautifully restored and relocated to the front of the People's Palace.
The Doulton Fountain was gifted to the city by Sir Henry Doulton, and first unveiled at the Empire Exhibition held at Kelvingrove Park in 1888. The fountain was then moved to Glasgow Green in 1890.
A sculptural extravaganza, the fountain was designed to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee of 1887, and celebrate Britain’s Imperial achievements - the fountain is crowded with figurative groups representing Australia, Canada, India and South Africa.


Hentie Louw from The University of Newcastle talked about Sash-Windows; an interesting take on the history and development of the Sash-window and its use in the Britain from late-medieval period to the mid 20th century.

Glasgow Celebrates its Built Heritage in Doors Open Day Festival

This fantastic event is Glasgow's way of celebrating its buildings, its streets, its parks and its people.

From Monday, September 15th to Friday 19th the festival hosts walks, talks, seminars, and exhibitions. Then, on the weekend from Saturday morning to Sunday afternoon more than 135 extraordinary buildings to visit are opened for free for the public to go visit and snoop around.

Some of the seminars provided include some by top directors of important Scottish trusts. Last night Liz Davison, project director of the Merchant City Heritage Initiative, discussed at a seminar evening held at the Glasgow City Heritage Trust, the background and aims of the three year grants project. She also looked at its achievements and progress to date, and what challenges the future holds.

The project is grants-based operated by the Townscape Heritage Initiative, partly funded by Lottery Fund, and partly by the City of Glasgow Council as well as the Scottish Enterprise. It is based on providing grants for small private owners of important heritage buildings in the heart of the city. The work done by the trust is basically regenerating what is most likely to be adding noise to the aesthetic cohesion in the city; this includes shop fronts, façades, signs, paving, and giving more attention to historical architectural details. By preserving the already existing built heritage of some of the most important buildings in the city – some of which are A-listed even in the realm of the UK- the initiative is hoping to restore a sense of place and character, to sometimes forgotten, sometimes abandoned or in dire conditions Scottish heritage symbols.





Also last night Stephen Mullen from the Glasgow Building Preservation Trust presented a fasciating lecture which examined Glasgow's mercantile past from 1660 onwards, with links to tobacco,salvery, and the abolition movemnet and the city's urban environment.

The event is surely not to be missed – especially if you’re nosy enough, and wanting to know where all the Scottish millions are going?!!:D Be sure to visit the event website for more information. See you there!

Tough Economy Times, Farewells to Budget Holidays, and Free Parking in Hospitals...Hurray!

There seems to be non tougher times than this for economy conscious Scots; with the soaring oil prices every thing seems to swing in the wrong direction. As waves of economical wallops rock the boat, political shackles struggle in keeping the balance!

As some of Scottish Airline and travel companies went bust in the past few months - thanks to the record oil prices - 30 more are expected to go bankrupt this year alone.

By having a risky attempt at keeping the balance, and helplessly trying to calm the nerves on the verge of insanely tough economical times; the government decides on scrapping the parking charges at all NHS hospitals in Scotland, how convenient is that! Scrapping the charges though, will cost health boards a whooping £5.5m a year in lost income, how is this going to be compensated for, only God and SNPs will know. Meanwhile, the National Trust for Scotland is suffering a financial near-crisis as the chief executive of the trust is SACKED, in the middle of massive staff redundancies and a deficit of £1.7m.

It seems that the ever-optimistic SNPs and pro-independence Scots will have to keep busy in the coming years; I suggest employing zillion economy experts (for a start), or introducing compulsory economy courses for pupils from primary 1 (hint), or even making the most of their relations with Europe (i.e. sending birthday and christams cards)- all the best of luck!

Will English and Scottish People Ever Drop the Bigotry and Learn to Love Andy Murray?

Look at this face :)
Alas, Andy Murray (21) was defeated by the Swiss Roger Federer (27) last night at the US Open tennis tournament finale that took place in New York, only a day after defeating world number one Rafael Nadal, and surprising millions of people who watched his game. Surely, by getting this far Andy Murray has acquired himself a place on the world’s top four table, alongside Nadal, Federer and Djokovic.

TimesOnline had an interesting article yesterday that urged Britain to love Murray - more specifically for the English to drop their bigotry (incase they had any) against the young Scot, and to start loving him as a Briton and a UK champion.

While the crowds and fans across the pond were cheering Andy Murray’s historical victory – only after four years of lifting the junior cup of the US Open - not the same has been happening here in the UK though, more specifically; in Scotland.

Was it Scotland’s football defeat by Macedonia that had cast its shadows on the Scot’s tennis victory in America? I doubt it. Or was it Celtic fans heartbreak at their team’s defeat by their all time nemesis Rangers on the first old firm game of the season? Apparently, nothing can justify the apathy that Andy Murray’s accomplishments are met with here in Britain, and again more specifically in Scotland - his home country.

The seemingly never-ending feverish obsession with football, and especially football bigotry, is the one and only catalyst for stirring up the Scottish crowds. All other sports seem to matter less or not matter at all, even if it did concern a Scottish champion, who may one day lift up a cup for Scotland not Britain - an SNP’s potential mantra ;)

The Poles are Coming!

Poland has won the 2008 Eurovision dance contest last night - the second dance contest which took place at the SECC in Glasgow - as millions of viewers from 21 countries across Europe tuned to watch the 14 couples dance and compete to win. The Polish dancers Marcin Mroczek and Edyta Herbus were the couple that held the trophy, while Russia and Ukraine finished 2nd and 3rd respectively.




Prior to 2004, Poland was just a country in Eastern Europe (at least for most Scottish and British people, but not anymore)
So, what do the numbers say?

Scotland is currently enjoying a Polish revolution. Since 1 May 2004 when Poland officially joined the European Union and their citizens became eligible to work in Britain, the Polish population in Scotland has swollen by an estimated 10-12,000 to roughly 30,000.

[source]

Polish population in Scotland (30,000) and thats almost 0.60 % of the total population, estimated at(5,116,900) and that's very close to the number of Pakistani population in Scotland (40,000)which makes up nearly 0.65 % of the population.[source]

According to the news and reports, Polish cafes and restaurants are the newest trend in Scotland. Does this entail that some of the popular Polish dishes will soon be top favourites on Scottish dinner menus, alongside Curries and Pakoras? –only time will tell.

On another note, although it was Poland that won the Euro Dance Contest, the Russian couple totally caught my eye! They sort of transform you into a Russian winter-y night of Nabokov, Tolstoy, art, passion, drama, etc.. Love Russian culture!

A Wee Glaswegian Tale

Some call him a “ned”, but he’s not offended. Some in his street call him a “muppet”, but his real name is Stephen; his girlfriend’s name is Gemma, he’s got a wee boy with Gemma, but he thinks that its not his, and so does Gemma, although wee Ryan still calls him daddy.

Stephen lives with his Gran Anne, she still watches him although he’s 18. His mum can’t be bothered with him any more. He’s never seen his dad since that night on the 23rd when his parents fell oot, and his dad left the house, hauf steamin!

Anne, who is 65 next month, is good to Stephen, he thinks she understaundes him better than anyone. He gets her a packet of 20 fags always; so she’s pleased.

As long as Stephen is not oot with Jamie and his pals, she thinks he’s alright, but once he’s oot with them, she knows he’ll get himself into trouble, that’s why the polis will be battering her door at 2 a.m. She’s not asleep Anne though; she’s still up watching “The Steamie”, for the 2nd time that night, with her warm house-coat on!

“Sorry to bother you at this time”, the officer would say, and he notices that she’s been greeting! Must be from watching “The Steamie”!! Poor soul!

At last he’s there Stephen; 6 o’clock in the morning!!

“That’s it!” Anne says, “I’m phoning your uncle John on the morrow, you’re to go and have that wee job he told you aboot, I am not having any of this anymore Stephen!”

“For god’s sake, Anne, you’re killing your self, put down that fag will ye?” her pal Trisha would say, but Anne is too worried aboot Stephen, she doesnnae give a hook aboot what Trisha hinks!

“Aye, John, he’ll be there at 9, don’t worry aboot it, right, Cheerio!” and she hangs-up.

She’s going up’stairs to Stephen’s room, with a cup’o’tea in one hand and a crispy roll in the other. She staunds there by the door, with a strange grudge in her stomach! Stephen is not in his bed, he must have spent the night ootside the house!

She hears the bell ring, it’s almost 10 past. She takes her steps doon the stairs to get the door, it’s the officer, the same one from the other night!

She drops the tea cup, the roll. Her heart sinks, then she collapses onto the hall’s floor!

It will be in the EveningTimes that day, an 18 year old stabbed 11 times in the local park. A few people will talk aboot it, and then 2 weeks will pass, and his memory will cease to exist, but not for Anne. She still takes a cup of tea, and a crispy roll to his bed every morning till this day.

Scottish Built Heritage: Who Has The Last Say?

While the Scots are struggling hard in attempting to rescue their political freedom from its virtual reality, or in trying to have the last say on their political destiny - it seems that they still to claim many of decision making and control privileges as well. It looks like the course of true freedom will never run smooth for Scotland.

Sadly, major developmental schemes in Edinburgh were called to a halt last week as Koïchiro Matsuura (Director-General of Unesco) called for an investigation into the city’s world heritage status to be carried out.[source]

According to Unesco, the major schemes in the city; such as the £300 million Caltongate project masterplanned by Allan Murray and the £200 million Haymarket project by Richard Murphy, could damage Edinburgh’s skyline. Unesco claims that Edinburgh should be placed on its “at risk” list of “endangered sites”.

Apparently, the Scottish architects are enraged – and who can blame them! Imagine someone coming to interfere with the way you decorate your own living room!
If Scottish architects and designers are not to trust with the decisions they take in transforming the urban environment they inhabit, how can some decision makers behind their desks in Unesco - who probably never been to Edinburgh before - be trusted?!

Caltongate development - Allan Murray’s masterplan


Haymarket tower - Richard Murphy’s 17-storey hotel

The fact that Edinburgh was made a World Heritage Site by the organisation in 1995, allows its inspectors to investigate and may consequently issue a critical report, which means that the city could lose its status.
The real sad part in all this controversy is not the fact that these schemes might affect the historic skyline of Edinburgh, or the risk of it loosing its heritage status; or the credibility of Scottish architects per se, but the big lobbying campaigns that start behind doors for the mere purpose of pocketing more money by labour or the nationalists or others!

Scottish Independence: A Matter of England Letting Go, or Scots Wanting So?

Apparently, not too many Scots are keen on getting their independence and celebrating a free Scotland! While discussing (referendum) with many of my Scottish friends; it seems that the debatable subject – if not disregarded by many apathetics – is laughed at, discouraged or strongly opposed!
The argument for those who are totally against a Scottish referendum is mainly in the form of an attack against those who promote it; which many of the anti-independence – usually civil servants, consider the pro-independence to be allies with England – rich merchants and others whose financial and economical statuses are unlikely to be altered whether a referendum took place or not.

One also wonders, why now? After all this time?! Is it really Scottish people’s wish to be free or is it England’s wish to let go Scotland now – which indicates that Scotland is representing a political and economical burden for Britain, and England is better off without the Scots – after all, state benefits; un-employment; corruption and many other social problems, are too much for an aging queen and a troubled government down south to be concerned with anymore! Reminds me of the time Israel granted the Palestinians a free state in Gaza; after Gaza proved to be an annoying matter for Israel to be bothered with.

The issue of independence falls like thunder on the ears of the Scottish economic conscious; how shall Scotland survive? Is the Scottish political and economical system ready for such a major split!?

The Scottish National Party et al, believe strongly in the referendum; they cherish the historical dream of independence; and they go on to prove for Scotland that it will definitely work, but will it?
If they really work hard to provide, and walk the walk of independence, then may be it will lure some of those who still believe in a free and democratic Scotland - as I do myself, although I am an outsider - Otherwise, it will be hard for those who are used to being dependent on England for so long, to give up the comfort zone and step into the tinsely-glitzy and patriotic path of free Scotland. I have my doubts that they will, but I wish that they do!

Glasgow’s Strike is Actually a Labour’s Toddler Tantrum against SNPs

"Thousands of council workers today took part in a one-day strike, causing disruption to schools, rubbish collections and ferry services.
Up to 200,000 local authority employees across Scotland were expected to take part in the 24-hour walk-out. The dispute, over a 2.5% pay offer, left schools closed, bins left unemptied, day care and sports centres shut, and libraries closed."[source]
While pay is the mask behind which labour is attacking the SNPs represented by First Minister Alex Salmond - especially after their historical winning in the last election in Glasgow East, which left Labour shocked - I think this strike is the first of a series of Labour tantrums that we will be watching from now on!

Glasgow’s East End Tourist Gems (2): Parkhead Cross and Tollcross Park

In July 2005, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) approved a £1.4 million grant to conserve and regenerate Parkhead Cross. The HLF grant is part of a £4 million funding package for the Cross, which includes money from Glasgow City Council and Scottish Enterprise Glasgow.




The Parkhead Cross Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI) is a grants programme aimed at regenerating the historic heart of Parkhead. The scheme, which runs to the end of 2010, is an example of heritage funding working within a broader strategic context of regeneration and economic development.

The aim of the Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI) in the Parkhead Cross Conservation Area is to regenerate key buildings, bring vacant floor space back into use and improve the public realm. The THI project will improve the character of this exciting area and transform it into an attractive destination for shopping and cultural pursuits as well as a popular place to live and work.

Less than a mile a way from the cross is the elegant Forge Market and Forge Shopping Centre , the land in which the glass pyramids stand belonged in the past to The Parkhead Forge; the largest steelworks in Scotland, specialising in the manufacture of armaments and armour plate for warships; a family business that was established by Reoch Brothers & Co c 1837 and acquired by Robert Napier in 1841 to make forgings and iron plates for his shipyard. William Beardmore became a partner in the business in the 1860s and was joined by his brother and son, William Jr, who became sole partner and then founded William Beardmore & Co in 1886.

"An aerial view from the north-west of the vast iron and steel works of William Beardmore & Co at Parkhead Forge, 1950."


Parkhead Forge was a major employer in the East End, the number of workers reaching a peak of over 20,000 during the First World War. There was a slump during the 1920s and 1930s, a revival during the Second World War and then more hard times as the world-wide demand for warships and armaments declined. The Parkhead Forge finally closed in 1976. The Forge shopping centre was later built on the site, opening in 1988 and subsequently joined by a retail park and a market hall.

Parkhead Library is an example of exotic architecture; as the case of all library buildings round Glasgow. It was built circa 1906 as part of a grant to the city of Glasgow to build a series of branch libraries, given by Andrew Carnegie; a Scottish ex-pat in the United States.


The two-storey red sandstone library was built to a well proportioned asymmetrical design with a dome over the north-west corner.
The central entrance has a pedimented portico with Ionic columns flanking the doorway and a group of statues above.
The library is a striking example of the libraries constructed with Carnegie's 1901 gift to Glasgow. It was designed by the Inverness architect, James Robert Rhind. In the closing years of the 19th century Rhind had practised in Montreal, Quebec, for a decade before returning to Scotland. This is perhaps the source of the French Beaux-Arts influences evident in his Glasgow libraries.

Tollcross Park includes a magnificent piece of architecture known as the Mansion House, which dates back to the year 1843, when James Dunlop commissioned by the Architect, David Bryce, to design a new mansion house in the Jacobean style for the estate. The new 'A' listed Scottish baronial house with crow stepped gables, corbelled turrets and pointed roofs was set on the summit of the estate and approached by a drive off Tollcross Road.



Prior to that, the lands of Tollcross Park were recorded as far back as 1290 when Roger Corbett, a local baron, lived in the area. In 1580 a “Gabriel Corbart” was granted land in Towcorse.
Towcorse was originally an area of countryside separating the village of Tollcross from Shettleston. James Dunlop was actively involved in landscaping the surroundings to the Mansion House, particularly in the design of the sweeping Lime Tree Avenue leading to the house and the introduction of exotic tree species into the Glen.

Robert Burns and the Rights of Women

Burns documented the Scottish transitional society of 1792, when he portrayed how the women should be treated and respected in his famous poem (The Rights of a Woman); although mainly addressed to male recipients. It should convey some of his deep admiration for women and their rights against the shadows of the revolutions in Europe and the state of chaos that changed monarchies and states, women were taking the lead along side men in this delicate times of revolution from the 1790s onwards.

Here are the full verses:
-

The Rights Of Woman
Spoken by Miss Fontenelle on her benefit night, November 26, 1792.

While Europe's eye is fix'd on mighty things,
The fate of Empires and the fall of Kings;
While quacks of State must each produce his plan,
And even children lisp the Rights of Man;
Amid this mighty fuss just let me mention,
The Rights of Woman merit some attention.

First, in the Sexes' intermix'd connection,
One sacred Right of Woman is, protection. -
The tender flower that lifts its head, elate,
Helpless, must fall before the blasts of Fate,
Sunk on the earth, defac'd its lovely form,
Unless your shelter ward th' impending storm.

Our second Right-but needless here is caution,
To keep that right inviolate's the fashion;
Each man of sense has it so full before him,
He'd die before he'd wrong it-'tis decorum. -
There was, indeed, in far less polish'd days,
A time, when rough rude man had naughty ways,
Would swagger, swear, get drunk, kick up a riot,
Nay even thus invade a Lady's quiet.

Now, thank our stars! those Gothic times are fled;
Now, well-bred men-and you are all well-bred-
Most justly think (and we are much the gainers)
Such conduct neither spirit, wit, nor manners.

For Right the third, our last, our best, our dearest,
That right to fluttering female hearts the nearest;
Which even the Rights of Kings, in low prostration,
Most humbly own-'tis dear, dear admiration!
In that blest sphere alone we live and move;
There taste that life of life-immortal love.
Smiles, glances, sighs, tears, fits, flirtations, airs;
'Gainst such an host what flinty savage dares,
When awful Beauty joins with all her charms-
Who is so rash as rise in rebel arms?

But truce with kings, and truce with constitutions,
With bloody armaments and revolutions;
Let Majesty your first attention summon,
Ah! ca ira! The Majesty Of Woman!

Glasgow’s East End Tourist Gems (1) : Scottish Industrial Treasures

There are no more than 5 miles stretch between Parkhead and Uddington, and yet this part of the east end of Glasgow is home to some Scottish world-famous-enterprises. Some are more than 150 years old.
While the east end of the city is stereotyped as the home of neds, Billy Boy sectarianism and some of the worst deteriorating housing schemes in Europe. It is without a doubt rich in its history, and the true sense of the declined Industrial Glasgow magic.

The famous Tunnock’s factory is situated on Old Mill Road in Uddington - Birth place of the famous Tea Cakes, Wafer Thins and Caramel Bars.



The BARR's IRN-BRU company factory - sadly now demolished - was in Parkhead’s Gallowgate.


Dewar’s Scottish whiskey factory is located on London Road, Parkhead. Dewar’s is a Scotch whiskey brand created by John Dewar in 1846.

McVitie's Biscuit factory works are also located in Parkhead’s Maukinfauld Road. While taking a stroll in Parkhead; one can still smell the mouth-watering baking aromas of yummy McVitie & Price original products - that were founded in 1830.



It’s amazing how such an enormous portion of Scottish and Glaswegian heritage is present on the streets of the East End, and yet no governmental active involvement is taking place. Although, some individual initiatives, mostly charitably or privately funded do exist now, but their extended efforts are not translated into actual benefits yet.

The True Song of Scotland?!

The two most popular Scottish songs you'd most likely hear at sport ceremonies and other local or international events to represent the national anthem of Scotland; are "Flower of Scotland" and "Scotland the Brave", a new version of which can be found here. Although there are so many other patriotic Scottish songs; like "Loch Lomond" for example, but the media apparently, tries to cut down on the ultra patriotic ones, especially these songs that convey direct hatred towards English monarchy, with stories of historical bloodshed and fighting, which are more likely to be pro-referendum chants. The trend is to popularize Scottish songs that call attention to Scottish natural beauty; like glens, lochs and rivers, and to overlook the real patriotic tunes of the Scottish highlands and glens.
Although the finale verses of the English or British national anthem (also overlooked by the media) speak proudly about the English attempts at suppressing the Scottish rebellion in:

“Lord grant that Marshal Wade
May by thy mighty aid
Victory bring.
May he sedition hush,
And like a torrent rush,
Rebellious Scots to crush.
God save the Queen!”

Irn-Bru - If...

I've never felt patriotically passionate about Scotland before; but having lived here for almost four years now, I can say that I was really moved by the latest Irn- Bru advert.
It really sums so many things about Glasgow. Real cracker this one!

Ofcourse the lyrics to this advert is just a spoof of the original poem "IF" by Rudayrd Kipling - the famous English poet- here are the full verses:

IF you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:
If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: 'Hold on!'

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
' Or walk with Kings - nor lose the common touch,
if neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!

and here's the IRN-BRU spoof advert words:

If you can bounce in six inch heels all night,
and still walk home in your bare feet;

If you can keep two passions burning bright;
and see if there's still some romance in defeat,

If you can hit a foreign beach without a tan,
or brave the howling sleet in just a shirt,

If you know you're easily the better man,
when side by side with suits in just a skirt;

If you can party in the summer rain,
with kamakaze midgies in the mud,

Or grit your teeth and put up with the pain,
of seeing in the new year in the scud;

If you can wait and wait for 1p change,
then proudly give the lot to charity;
and know for certain it's not strange,
to call yer lunch dinner and yer dinner tea,

If you can handle folk to call you Jock,
then you'll have really earned your irn bru,

You'll thank your mum for keeping you in stock,
and what is more
You'll FEEL PHENOMENAL too!!

UEFA Cup Final- Rangers vs Zenit: What a Blow!!

The Old Firm Game 2008

Rangers fans Vs Celtic Fans… Protestants Vs Catholics…Blue Vs Green… West Vs East… Ibrox Vs Parkhead…all Glaswegian; all very Scottish, very local…It was all in the city for the love of the game? Or the hatred of the other??!

Very disturbing banners were carried and posted by the fans in Parkhead. Celtic won the game. But, ironically, the two players who scored the two goals for Celtic amid the near bloodshed Scottish fans rivalry were:

1- Shunsuke Nakamura (Japanese)

2- Vennegoor of Hesselink (Dutch)


Well…