Tweet
For the latest news from Scotland see our ScotNews feed at:
https://electricscotland.com/scotnews.htm
Electric Scotland News
Well no real change to what is happening in Scotland with the SNP gaining one seat so still a minority government although with the Greens still having an overall majority in the Scottish parliament for Scottish Independence. [In the latest polling it's reported that 58% of Scots would vote NO to Independence whereas only a couple of months ago it was the other way round.]
Looking at the map of the Scottish results...
I noted that should Scotland gain Independence then it's likely that the Orkney & Shetland Islands and the Border counties of Scotland may decide to leave Scotland and thus work with England. In fact after thinking this I noted a news item which also suggested this...
Could an independent Scotland remain unified?
If Scotland votes for independence, some disaffected Unionists may want to break away
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/202...emain-unified/
--------
The world is getting a more dangerous place these days.
I am somewhat concerned about China's increasingly aggressive posture to Australia and Taiwan and also in Hong Kong. They have also been aggressive to Canada with trade sanctions. They are also working with North Korea who are also ramping up on their nuclear attack options.
I noted a report that China is making massive progress in weaponising drones and apparently they have already shown how they have used a swarm of them in a simulated attack situation. How are the various defence departments in NATO handling this new threat?
In a report recently seen by Australian reporter it also appears that China see bio weapons as a legitimate option despite the total ban on research on this issue. This report from China is some 5 years old but it does make you wonder if this was a test by China to get an idea of how successful this might be....
Chinese document discussing weaponising coronaviruses provides 'chilling' information
Sky News host Sharri Markson has assessed "chilling" details from a document produced by Chinese military scientists, in which they discussed weaponising SARS coronaviruses five years before the COVID-19 pandemic hit.
Learn more at:
Then I note the UK's Aircraft Carrier, Queen Elizabeth, taking part in War Games around Australia where tension with China is greatest. A number of countries are participating in this including the USA.
Then we see this week the resurgence of the Israeli and Palestinian conflict Iran is a supporter of Hamas the Palestinian group that is in charge of Gaza.
We also see the resurgence of the Falklands clams by Argentina. Russia building up their forces on the Ukraine border and the new alliance of Russia and Turkey.
And of course the aggressive attacks on the UK by the EU with France threatening to cut of power supply to Jersey. The EU does seem to be in melt down right now with Germany and France both seeing much more serious questioning of the relevance of the EU with Italy now seen as more likely to leave the Euro. That's the big three all showing serious domestic issues.
I can't help but wonder if the NATO countries are doing enough to prepare for aggressive acts to their members. IN many ways the continued bickering between Democrats and Republicans and also by the SNP on Independence seems small fry when you consider these greater world issues.
Scottish News from this weeks newspapers
Note that this is a selection and more can be read in our ScotNews feed on our index page where we list news from the past 1-2 weeks. I am partly doing this to build an archive of modern news from and about Scotland and world news stories that can affect Scotland and as all the newsletters are archived and also indexed on Google and other search engines it becomes a good resource. I might also add that in a number of newspapers you will find many comments which can be just as interesting as the news story itself and of course you can also add your own comments if you wish which I do myself from time to time.
Scottish election 2021: Nicola Sturgeon celebrates historic SNP election win
With all the results in, the SNP has finished on 64 seats - one short of a majority but one more than it won in 2016.
Read more at:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland...itics-57038039
It’s time to give Scotland and Wales a dose of financial reality and rethink the Barnett formula
Professor Ormerod argues that subsidies do not work to strengthen the Union and should be withdrawn
Read more at:
https://www.briefingsforbritain.co.u...arnett-formula
Next stop Africa? Brexit bonanza set to explode as UK eyes new deal with thriving state
BREXIT Britain is ready to target a bumper new trade deal with Nigeria, a Tory MP has claimed.
Read more at:
https://www.express.co.uk/news/polit...-Boris-Johnson
Nearly six in ten now OPPOSE 'divisive' Scottish independence - new poll
ALMOST six in ten people living in Scotland OPPOSE independence, a new poll has indicated, delivering a demoralising hammer blow to Nicola Sturgeon just days after Thursday's Holyrood elections
Read more at:
https://www.express.co.uk/news/polit...n-michael-gove
Liz Truss holds vital call with Canada as Brexit Britain eyes new mega-deal
LIZ TRUSS has held a vital phone call with Canada's International Trade Minister Mary Ng as Brexit Britain cements its position on the world stage.
Read more at:
https://www.express.co.uk/news/polit...-Ng-phone-call
China war fears rocket as Beijing threatens Australia with ballistic missile strike
CHINA have threatened to launch ballistic missiles at Australia and its military bases if it gets involved with Taiwan as tensions rocket in the region.
Read more at:
https://www.express.co.uk/news/world...latest-news-vn
Lost Manx shearwater seabirds get a helping hand from CalMac ferry crews
They are astonishing seabirds, capable of covering 120,000 miles in three years without touching land, guided only by the sun, the moon and the stars.
Read more at:
https://www.sundaypost.com/fp/manx-shearwater-calmac/
A major moment of democratic engagement
The Scottish elections attracted major media coverage - not just here, but across the UK and internationally. They have been portrayed as historic and a potential turning point that could decide the fate of the independence question, and ultimately, determine the future of the UK.
Read more at:
https://www.scottishreview.net/GerryHassan570a.html
What Canada can learn from U.S., U.K. about COVID-19 vaccinations and reopening
After 3 strict lockdowns and a brutal second wave of COVID-19, the U.K. appears on the verge of normality
Read more at:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/canad...k-us-1.6017119
Scottish Greens MSP Alison Johnstone to be new presiding officer
Alison Johnstone has been elected as the Scottish Parliament's new presiding officer as MSPs returned to Holyrood after the election.
Read more at:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland...itics-57087382
Scots bakers lose jobs with heritage
As Scotland has found repeatedly, ownership elsewhere means there's little attachment to the company's roots in Scotland, and sentimentality about biscuits does not cut it with shareholders.
Read more at:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland...iness-57084762
Electric Canadian
The Scots who built Canada
Added a video on this topic to our Scottish History page in Canada at the foot of the page at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/hist...land/index.htm
The Mennonites of Manitoba
The Mennonites of Manitoba told the story of a German-speaking group of Dutch farmers from Russia who came in 1874 to the fertile land of Manitoba to create a new life practicing their traditional religion. Added this video to the foot of our Manitoba page at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/hist...toba/index.htm
Gaelic Nova Scotia: A Resource Guide
This guide is for educators and those who wish to learn more about Gaelic language, culture, and identity in Nova Scotia. (pdf)
You can read this at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/hist...urce-guide.pdf
Thoughts on a Sunday morning - the 9th day of May 2021
By the Rev. Nola Crewe
You can watch this at:
http://www.electricscotland.org/foru...g-9th-may-2021
Traditional Plant Foods of Canadian Indigenous Peoples
Nutrition, Botany and Use by Harriet V. Kuhnlein School of Dietetics and Human Nutrition McGill University, Montreal, Quebec and Nancy J. Turner Environmental Studies Program, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia (1996)
You can read this at: http://www.electriccanadian.com/tran.../plantfood.htm
Canadian scientists are trying to make your tomatoes tasty again
As palates have evolved, so have approaches to agriculture. Ann Hui reports on the Canadian quest for a flavour-forward tomato. [External link]
You can get to this article at:
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/life...ticle33421315/
Electric Scotland
Beth's Video Talks
Got in her talk for May 13th 2021 - How big is your Family Tree?
Or perhaps how big could your Family Tree be?
Watch this at: https://electricscotland.com/bnft
Also got in the missing two talks as well which you can view in her archive at:
https://electricscotland.com/bnft/videos.htm
Life of Dr. John Reid
Late Chandos Professor of Anatomy and Medicine in the University of St. Andrews by George Wilson, M.D., Author of the "Life and Works of the Hon. Henry Cavendish". (1852) (pdf)
You can read this at: https://electricscotland.com/history...drjohnreid.pdf
Scottish Society of Indianapolis
Have added a copy of their May 2021 newsletter which you can read at:
https://electricscotland.com/familyt...olis/index.htm
Skye Stories
Got in an email telling me that volume 2 of this series is now available for pre-order on Amazon. I have added a link to the page about the book on the page at: https://electricscotland.com/history/skye/Linicro.htm
Finding Scottish Art
By Murdo MacDonald, Professor of History of Scottish Art, University of Dundee, Scotland.
You can read this article at: https://electricscotland.com/art/scottishart.htm
Beth's Newfangled Family Tree
Got in the June 2021 issue 2 which you can read at: https://electricscotland.com/bnft
Story
The Royal Regiment of Scots Dragoons
Now the Scots Greys
AMONGST a number of papers which lately came into the possession of Colonel F. J. Agnew Wallace, late of the Scots Greys, a collection of letters written in the years immediately before the Union by Lord John Hay, Colonel of the Royal Regiment of Scots Dragoons (now the Scots Greys), came to light, and I am indebted to Colonel Wallace for permission to publish a selection of extracts from them. Colonel Wallace is a descendant of the Major Agnew to whom they were written, and it is curious that after so many years the documents should be in the hands of one who had himself commanded the regiment to which they refer. The letters are principally concerned with regimental matters, but Lord John Hay and Major Agnew were personal friends, and after the military affairs are discussed, Lord John fills the paper with social and political news, and as his birth and army rank gave him the intimacy of the prominent men of the time, and as he was writing quite frankly to a trusted correspondent, the letters are often interesting.
You can read the rest of this article here in pdf format at:
https://electricscotland.com/history...s_dragoons.pdf
END.
And that's it for this week and hope you all have a great weekend.
Alastair
https://electricscotland.com/scotnews.htm
Electric Scotland News
Well no real change to what is happening in Scotland with the SNP gaining one seat so still a minority government although with the Greens still having an overall majority in the Scottish parliament for Scottish Independence. [In the latest polling it's reported that 58% of Scots would vote NO to Independence whereas only a couple of months ago it was the other way round.]
Looking at the map of the Scottish results...
I noted that should Scotland gain Independence then it's likely that the Orkney & Shetland Islands and the Border counties of Scotland may decide to leave Scotland and thus work with England. In fact after thinking this I noted a news item which also suggested this...
Could an independent Scotland remain unified?
If Scotland votes for independence, some disaffected Unionists may want to break away
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/202...emain-unified/
--------
The world is getting a more dangerous place these days.
I am somewhat concerned about China's increasingly aggressive posture to Australia and Taiwan and also in Hong Kong. They have also been aggressive to Canada with trade sanctions. They are also working with North Korea who are also ramping up on their nuclear attack options.
I noted a report that China is making massive progress in weaponising drones and apparently they have already shown how they have used a swarm of them in a simulated attack situation. How are the various defence departments in NATO handling this new threat?
In a report recently seen by Australian reporter it also appears that China see bio weapons as a legitimate option despite the total ban on research on this issue. This report from China is some 5 years old but it does make you wonder if this was a test by China to get an idea of how successful this might be....
Chinese document discussing weaponising coronaviruses provides 'chilling' information
Sky News host Sharri Markson has assessed "chilling" details from a document produced by Chinese military scientists, in which they discussed weaponising SARS coronaviruses five years before the COVID-19 pandemic hit.
Learn more at:
Then I note the UK's Aircraft Carrier, Queen Elizabeth, taking part in War Games around Australia where tension with China is greatest. A number of countries are participating in this including the USA.
Then we see this week the resurgence of the Israeli and Palestinian conflict Iran is a supporter of Hamas the Palestinian group that is in charge of Gaza.
We also see the resurgence of the Falklands clams by Argentina. Russia building up their forces on the Ukraine border and the new alliance of Russia and Turkey.
And of course the aggressive attacks on the UK by the EU with France threatening to cut of power supply to Jersey. The EU does seem to be in melt down right now with Germany and France both seeing much more serious questioning of the relevance of the EU with Italy now seen as more likely to leave the Euro. That's the big three all showing serious domestic issues.
I can't help but wonder if the NATO countries are doing enough to prepare for aggressive acts to their members. IN many ways the continued bickering between Democrats and Republicans and also by the SNP on Independence seems small fry when you consider these greater world issues.
Scottish News from this weeks newspapers
Note that this is a selection and more can be read in our ScotNews feed on our index page where we list news from the past 1-2 weeks. I am partly doing this to build an archive of modern news from and about Scotland and world news stories that can affect Scotland and as all the newsletters are archived and also indexed on Google and other search engines it becomes a good resource. I might also add that in a number of newspapers you will find many comments which can be just as interesting as the news story itself and of course you can also add your own comments if you wish which I do myself from time to time.
Scottish election 2021: Nicola Sturgeon celebrates historic SNP election win
With all the results in, the SNP has finished on 64 seats - one short of a majority but one more than it won in 2016.
Read more at:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland...itics-57038039
It’s time to give Scotland and Wales a dose of financial reality and rethink the Barnett formula
Professor Ormerod argues that subsidies do not work to strengthen the Union and should be withdrawn
Read more at:
https://www.briefingsforbritain.co.u...arnett-formula
Next stop Africa? Brexit bonanza set to explode as UK eyes new deal with thriving state
BREXIT Britain is ready to target a bumper new trade deal with Nigeria, a Tory MP has claimed.
Read more at:
https://www.express.co.uk/news/polit...-Boris-Johnson
Nearly six in ten now OPPOSE 'divisive' Scottish independence - new poll
ALMOST six in ten people living in Scotland OPPOSE independence, a new poll has indicated, delivering a demoralising hammer blow to Nicola Sturgeon just days after Thursday's Holyrood elections
Read more at:
https://www.express.co.uk/news/polit...n-michael-gove
Liz Truss holds vital call with Canada as Brexit Britain eyes new mega-deal
LIZ TRUSS has held a vital phone call with Canada's International Trade Minister Mary Ng as Brexit Britain cements its position on the world stage.
Read more at:
https://www.express.co.uk/news/polit...-Ng-phone-call
China war fears rocket as Beijing threatens Australia with ballistic missile strike
CHINA have threatened to launch ballistic missiles at Australia and its military bases if it gets involved with Taiwan as tensions rocket in the region.
Read more at:
https://www.express.co.uk/news/world...latest-news-vn
Lost Manx shearwater seabirds get a helping hand from CalMac ferry crews
They are astonishing seabirds, capable of covering 120,000 miles in three years without touching land, guided only by the sun, the moon and the stars.
Read more at:
https://www.sundaypost.com/fp/manx-shearwater-calmac/
A major moment of democratic engagement
The Scottish elections attracted major media coverage - not just here, but across the UK and internationally. They have been portrayed as historic and a potential turning point that could decide the fate of the independence question, and ultimately, determine the future of the UK.
Read more at:
https://www.scottishreview.net/GerryHassan570a.html
What Canada can learn from U.S., U.K. about COVID-19 vaccinations and reopening
After 3 strict lockdowns and a brutal second wave of COVID-19, the U.K. appears on the verge of normality
Read more at:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/canad...k-us-1.6017119
Scottish Greens MSP Alison Johnstone to be new presiding officer
Alison Johnstone has been elected as the Scottish Parliament's new presiding officer as MSPs returned to Holyrood after the election.
Read more at:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland...itics-57087382
Scots bakers lose jobs with heritage
As Scotland has found repeatedly, ownership elsewhere means there's little attachment to the company's roots in Scotland, and sentimentality about biscuits does not cut it with shareholders.
Read more at:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland...iness-57084762
Electric Canadian
The Scots who built Canada
Added a video on this topic to our Scottish History page in Canada at the foot of the page at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/hist...land/index.htm
The Mennonites of Manitoba
The Mennonites of Manitoba told the story of a German-speaking group of Dutch farmers from Russia who came in 1874 to the fertile land of Manitoba to create a new life practicing their traditional religion. Added this video to the foot of our Manitoba page at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/hist...toba/index.htm
Gaelic Nova Scotia: A Resource Guide
This guide is for educators and those who wish to learn more about Gaelic language, culture, and identity in Nova Scotia. (pdf)
You can read this at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/hist...urce-guide.pdf
Thoughts on a Sunday morning - the 9th day of May 2021
By the Rev. Nola Crewe
You can watch this at:
http://www.electricscotland.org/foru...g-9th-may-2021
Traditional Plant Foods of Canadian Indigenous Peoples
Nutrition, Botany and Use by Harriet V. Kuhnlein School of Dietetics and Human Nutrition McGill University, Montreal, Quebec and Nancy J. Turner Environmental Studies Program, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia (1996)
You can read this at: http://www.electriccanadian.com/tran.../plantfood.htm
Canadian scientists are trying to make your tomatoes tasty again
As palates have evolved, so have approaches to agriculture. Ann Hui reports on the Canadian quest for a flavour-forward tomato. [External link]
You can get to this article at:
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/life...ticle33421315/
Electric Scotland
Beth's Video Talks
Got in her talk for May 13th 2021 - How big is your Family Tree?
Or perhaps how big could your Family Tree be?
Watch this at: https://electricscotland.com/bnft
Also got in the missing two talks as well which you can view in her archive at:
https://electricscotland.com/bnft/videos.htm
Life of Dr. John Reid
Late Chandos Professor of Anatomy and Medicine in the University of St. Andrews by George Wilson, M.D., Author of the "Life and Works of the Hon. Henry Cavendish". (1852) (pdf)
You can read this at: https://electricscotland.com/history...drjohnreid.pdf
Scottish Society of Indianapolis
Have added a copy of their May 2021 newsletter which you can read at:
https://electricscotland.com/familyt...olis/index.htm
Skye Stories
Got in an email telling me that volume 2 of this series is now available for pre-order on Amazon. I have added a link to the page about the book on the page at: https://electricscotland.com/history/skye/Linicro.htm
Finding Scottish Art
By Murdo MacDonald, Professor of History of Scottish Art, University of Dundee, Scotland.
You can read this article at: https://electricscotland.com/art/scottishart.htm
Beth's Newfangled Family Tree
Got in the June 2021 issue 2 which you can read at: https://electricscotland.com/bnft
Story
The Royal Regiment of Scots Dragoons
Now the Scots Greys
AMONGST a number of papers which lately came into the possession of Colonel F. J. Agnew Wallace, late of the Scots Greys, a collection of letters written in the years immediately before the Union by Lord John Hay, Colonel of the Royal Regiment of Scots Dragoons (now the Scots Greys), came to light, and I am indebted to Colonel Wallace for permission to publish a selection of extracts from them. Colonel Wallace is a descendant of the Major Agnew to whom they were written, and it is curious that after so many years the documents should be in the hands of one who had himself commanded the regiment to which they refer. The letters are principally concerned with regimental matters, but Lord John Hay and Major Agnew were personal friends, and after the military affairs are discussed, Lord John fills the paper with social and political news, and as his birth and army rank gave him the intimacy of the prominent men of the time, and as he was writing quite frankly to a trusted correspondent, the letters are often interesting.
You can read the rest of this article here in pdf format at:
https://electricscotland.com/history...s_dragoons.pdf
END.
And that's it for this week and hope you all have a great weekend.
Alastair