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For the latest news from Scotland see our ScotNews feed at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/
Electric Scotland News
I went up to Sarnia last week which is about an hour and twenty minutes drive from my home to stock up on some Scottish Products. I had run out of HP Fruity sauce, black pudding and tinned custard. I also had a hankering for some potato scones, fruit pudding and bridies. So all in all my bill came to over $200 but as luck would have it they were celebrating their 50th anniversary and so I got 20% off and some free tea with my order. This was only on for the Friday and Saturday so I was dead lucky to arrive on the Friday.
I also popped into the British Shoppe there that do an all day breakfast which I enjoyed. I took a scan of their menu and added it to my Canadian Journal at the foot of the page at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/canada_bits.htm if you want to check it out.
Saya
I'm not sure how many of you will know about this Japanese teenager...
She looks like a pretty, but ordinary, schoolgirl but the thing is she's a digital creation. The husband and wife team of graphic artists are now working on a short video using her as the star of the show.
My point in telling you about her is that she is so life like that it begs the question on whether movie stars of the future will be just digital creations or real people. I mean if you consider how much a leading actor or actress is paid then this might be a way to go?
You can read an article about her on the BBC at http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-37548733
Brexit
The UK’s future trading relationship with the EU can now be predicted within a clear range of outcomes. Ideally, we continue trading without tariffs or other barriers. In the worst-case scenario, we would face the EU’s external tariff, which averages 3.6%, rising to 10% on cars and 32% on wine.
How bad would that be? There would be a short-term hit to UK exports (although European business would be hit harder, because they sell us £68 billion more each year than we sell them).
I quote the above simply to bring some sanity to all the Brexit fear stories. Also my story this week is about Australia and the UK working together for a deal post Brexit.
Things Scottish
This company took out an advert in our Classified Directory so I invited Stacy to tell us a bit about her business and here is what she sent me...
I started it in 2003 when, apart from a kilt, I couldn't find anything else available to purchase featuring my clan Armstrong. I have a background in graphic design so making the images wasn't a problem. I faithfully recreate each tartan from scratch and then make the images using my recreations.
The images available are:
There are 573 clan and surnames available. The dress, hunting and other tartans have been added for names that have them. A name with only a badge has over 200 items to choose from. A name with a tartan has between 1050 and 1350 items available depending on whether it also has a badge or not.
There are 39 district tartans available. There are well over 600,000 total items in the shop!
The shop has a Facebook page where I post any updates and take requests for surnames:
https://www.facebook.com/ThingsScottish/
Stacy C.
-----------------------
My Shops:
Celebrate your Scottish heritage:
http://www.cafepress.com/thingsscottish
Show your wacky side:
http://www.cafepress.com/tease_tees
Find your coat of arms:
http://www.cafepress.com/coatofarms
Cross Stitch Shop:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/XedStitches
Sandy Lyle Wins World Hickory Open 2016
After two days of highly-competitive games between many of the world’s top hickory golfers, double Major winner Sandy Lyle has been named the World Hickory Open Champion 2016.
“I’m delighted to have won my fourth Major,” joked Sandy, winner of the 1985 Open and the 1988 Masters and many other titles, including the World Hickory Open 2014. “It’s been a fantastic few days at Panmure with a great championship and great golf.”
Joint runners-up were 2015 World Hickory Open winner, Andrew Marshall from Bawburgh Golf Club, Norfolk and Johan Moberg from Sweden. Rymer Smith from Buckinghamshire won the coveted Archie Baird Trophy, which is presented to the tournament’s top amateur golfer, and Switzerland’s Mauris Lauber won the 55-64 category, with Christopher Homer from Morecambe winning the 65+ category. The Ladies Scratch title was won by Swedish hickory golfer Brita Nord, while Ingrid Lind from the Emirates claimed the Handicap title.
“Once again, everyone involved in the World Hickory Open, whether as an organiser or a competitor, has had a fantastic time in Carnoustie Country,” said Lionel Freedman, Chair of the World Hickory Open, as he presented Sandy Lyle with his trophy. “The enjoyment on everyone’s faces at the prizegiving is testament to what fun it is to play hickory golf, especially when added to the fun is the opportunity to play hickory golf on such a great golf course.”
Although the prizegiving marked the end of the World Hickory Open 2016, many of the competitors stayed to play in an international hickory team match at Arbroath Golf Course, another historic Carnoustie Country course, on 13 and 14 October.
“The International Triangulation Match is between teams from the USA, Europe and World Hickory Select and is extremely popular,” said Lionel. “Last year, it was won by the World Hickory Select so it will be very interesting to see which team wins this year.”
To find out more about the World Hickory Open, visit www.worldhickoryopen.com. To find out more about the 34 Carnoustie Country golf courses within a 40-minute drive of Carnoustie Championship, including ‘stay and play’ packages, visit www.carnoustiecountry.com, ‘like’ the Carnoustie Country Facebook page or follow Carnoustie Country on Twitter.
Caption: 2016 World Hickory Open Champion Sandy Lyle with his trophies at Panmure Golf Club. Photo courtesy of CarnoustieCountry.com © Andy Thompson Photography / ATIMAGES
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 as all the newsletters are archived and also indexed on Google and other search engines. I might also add that in newspapers such as the Guardian, Scotsman, Courier, etc. 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.
Glasgow east end massive office park plans unveiled
Plans have been unveiled to build one of the UK's largest office parks on the banks of the River Clyde in Glasgow.
Read more at:
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-...-west-37578259
George Square site in Glasgow earmarked for £70m revamp
Planning proposals have been submitted for a £70m refurbishment of historic buildings at Glasgow's George Square which have lain empty for decades.
Read more at:
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-...-west-37587727
Whithorn Iron Age roundhouse works in full swing
Living history is about to take on a whole new meaning in Whithorn.
Read more at:
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-...tland-37584360
Glasgow on meeting the challenges of Brexit
Glasgow City Council has formally set out the challenges the city faces from Brexit and how it might meet them.
Read more at:
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-37608407
A roundup of the week's good news from around Scotland
From the BBC.
Read more at:
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-37572349
Germany Discovers Some Home Truths About Brexit
Berlin is starting to admit that it needs Britain more than Merkel first let on.
Read more at:
http://www.wsj.com/articles/germany-...xit-1473875500
Britain has a golden opportunity with the Gulf States
Countries like Saudi Arabia are embracing fundamental economic reform
Read more at:
http://www.cityam.com/250987/britain...nd-secure-free
Kate cheered by Dutch crowds on first solo royal trip abroad
The Duchess of Cambridge is making her first solo royal trip overseas, travelling to The Hague and Rotterdam in the Netherlands.
Read more at:
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-37623094
Queensferry Crossing enters Guinness Book of Records
The Queensferry Crossing's centre tower is the largest-ever structure of its type, Transport Scotland announced today.
Read more at:
http://www.scotsman.com/news/transpo...ords-1-4254782
Gaelic wikipedia being developed
The ancient Gaelic language of Scotland is being supported by one of the modern world’s most popular websites in an ambitious initiative to develop it online.
Read more at:
http://www.scotsman.com/heritage/peo...erts-1-4254619
Who were the nine tribes of ancient Scotland?
From the red haired fighters found in Caledonia to the heavily bejeweled people of modern-day Fife
Read more at:
http://www.scotsman.com/news/who-wer...land-1-4254251
Scottish economy falls behind UK
Scotland's economy is still continuing to fall behind the rest of the UK despite an increase in GDP north of the border
Read more at:
http://www.scotsman.com/news/politic...owth-1-4255916
Brexit makes China keener to strike a trade deal with Britain
China wants to do more business with post-Brexit Britain, the country’s ambassador to the UK said, as he praised the City of London and Britain’s financial prowess.
Read more at:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/...th-britain-sa/
Nicola Sturgeon announces new independence referendum bill
A consultation gets under way next week on plans for a second Scottish independence referendum, the SNP's Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed.
Read more at
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-...itics-37634338
The Guardian view on the SNP conference
Scotland’s nationalists continue to rule the political roost, but there is not enough support for a second independence referendum
Read more at:
https://www.theguardian.com/commenti...d-the-dilemmas
Electric Canada
Armory and Lineages of Canada
Comprising the Lineage of Prominent and Pioneer Canadians with Descriptions and Illustrations of their Coat Armor, Orders of Knighthood, or other Official Insignia by Herbert George Todd (1913)
You can read this at: http://www.electriccanadian.com/makers/armory.htm
Electric Scotland
Gleanings from the Records of the Royal Burgh of Peebles
1604 - 1652 by Robert Renwick (1892). Added a link to this book on our Peebles page at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/hiSt...bles/index.htm
The Hebrid Isles
Wanderings in the Land of Lorne and the Outer Hebrides by Robert Buchanan (1883). Added a link to this book at the foot of our page at http://www.electricscotland.com/HISTORY/hebrides/index.htm
The Land of Lorne
Or A Poet's Adventures in the Scottish Hebrides including the Cruise of the Tern to the Outer Hebrides by Robert Buchanan (1871)
You can read this book at: http://www.electricscotland.com/HIST...ides/index.htm
Clan Leslie Society of New Zealand & Australia
Got in their October 2016 newsletter which you can read at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/fami...slie/index.htm
A Voyage to the Hebrides
Or Western Isles of Scotland with Observations on the Manners and Customs of the Highlanders by L.A. Necker de Saussure (1822).
You can read this book at: http://www.electricscotland.com/history/hebrides/
Annals of Lodge Fortrose, No. 108 Stornaway
By J. Campbell Smith. Added a link to this book at the foot of our Stornaway page at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/books/hebrides32.htm
There are tons of names mentioned in this book so could be an excellent genealogy resource.
The Highlands and Western Isles of Scotland
Founded on a series of Annual Journeys between the years 1811 and 1821 By John MacCulloch, M.D., F.R.S., L.S., G.S. &c in Four Volumes (1824)
You can read these at: http://www.electricscotland.com/history/macculloch.htm
Scenery of Dunkeld
As the previous publication starts at Dunkeld I thought I'd add a couple of videos to our Dunkeld page at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/hiSt.../chapter01.htm
Beth's Newfangled Family Tree
Got in Section 2 of the November 2016 issue which you can read at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/bnft/index.htm
The Life of The Rev. James Renwick
The Last of the Scottish Martyrs by The Rev. Robert Simpson (1843)
You can read this book at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...wick_james.htm
The Story
As a lot of our visitors come from Australia I thought I'd highlight this story. I might add that Australia is part of the Commonwealth and so it is quite possible other Commonwealth countries could come to similar arrangements.
Australian negotiators arrive to begin post-Brexit trade talks
By Tim Wallace in the Telegraph
Theresa May met Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull last month, and Australian officials are already in the UK to talk trade.
Australian officials are ready to begin work on a free-trade deal with the UK, and have recently flown in to begin hammering out the details of a landmark pact, the country’s top official in Britain has revealed.
A senior negotiator from Canberra has already arrived in Britain, while top civil servants from Australia have briefed their counterparts in London on the ins and outs of trade deals, High Commissioner Alexander Downer told The Sunday Telegraph.
Theresa May met the Australian prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull, last month, when they agreed to kickstart trade talks imminently, while Australia’s trade minister also met his British counterpart Liam Fox.
A deal could make goods such as wine, beef and dairy products cheaper as UK shoppers would no longer have to pay the EU’s import taxes, while Australia is a big buyer of British cars. [Note: Wine carries a 32% tariff].
Mr Downer said: “We import a lot of Range Rovers and Land Rovers and Bentleys.”
A deal would also cover services such as finance.
Mr Downer said the two countries would soon start scouting out potential disputes and areas of agreement. He insisted Australia would want few barriers: “Our starting point is always that free trade means free trade, to borrow a phrase.”
The two sides have agreed to form a working group, which is expected to prepare the way for formal negotiations. Australia also offered to help Britain by lending the UK some trade negotiators and experts, as Britain has not had an independent trade policy since joining the EU 43 years ago.
Now it has emerged that the two governments followed through on those offers almost instantly, with training from Australia’s experienced negotiators forming the first step. “Two people who were our ambassadors to the World Trade Organisation have been over here talking to British officials,” Mr Downer said. Officials have also arrived from Canberra to clear the way to full negotiations.
Mr Downer said Australian officials had also discussed how Britain could build up its expertise in trade deals. Australia has a system of university courses specialising in negotiations.[Note: Do Scottish Universities have such courses? And if not why not?]
“We are just starting to get in trade experts to work here. We have already brought in an expert, someone who has been involved in a whole series of free trade agreement negotiations,” Mr Downer said. “We will reinforce that team with more trade experts should we get into a free trade negotiation.”
In terms of goods alone, Britain’s exports to Australia amounted to £4bn last year, while imports from Down Under were worth almost £2bn.
Until Brexit takes place the UK is still tied to the EU and cannot sign its own trade deals. But ministers expect to be able to prepare the ground ahead of that day.
END.
And that's it for this week and hope you all enjoy your weekend.
Alastair
http://www.electricscotland.com/
Electric Scotland News
I went up to Sarnia last week which is about an hour and twenty minutes drive from my home to stock up on some Scottish Products. I had run out of HP Fruity sauce, black pudding and tinned custard. I also had a hankering for some potato scones, fruit pudding and bridies. So all in all my bill came to over $200 but as luck would have it they were celebrating their 50th anniversary and so I got 20% off and some free tea with my order. This was only on for the Friday and Saturday so I was dead lucky to arrive on the Friday.
I also popped into the British Shoppe there that do an all day breakfast which I enjoyed. I took a scan of their menu and added it to my Canadian Journal at the foot of the page at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/canada_bits.htm if you want to check it out.
Saya
I'm not sure how many of you will know about this Japanese teenager...
My point in telling you about her is that she is so life like that it begs the question on whether movie stars of the future will be just digital creations or real people. I mean if you consider how much a leading actor or actress is paid then this might be a way to go?
You can read an article about her on the BBC at http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-37548733
Brexit
The UK’s future trading relationship with the EU can now be predicted within a clear range of outcomes. Ideally, we continue trading without tariffs or other barriers. In the worst-case scenario, we would face the EU’s external tariff, which averages 3.6%, rising to 10% on cars and 32% on wine.
How bad would that be? There would be a short-term hit to UK exports (although European business would be hit harder, because they sell us £68 billion more each year than we sell them).
I quote the above simply to bring some sanity to all the Brexit fear stories. Also my story this week is about Australia and the UK working together for a deal post Brexit.
Things Scottish
This company took out an advert in our Classified Directory so I invited Stacy to tell us a bit about her business and here is what she sent me...
I started it in 2003 when, apart from a kilt, I couldn't find anything else available to purchase featuring my clan Armstrong. I have a background in graphic design so making the images wasn't a problem. I faithfully recreate each tartan from scratch and then make the images using my recreations.
The images available are:
- plain tartan
- Clan badge, for names that have one
- Celtic cross
- Celtic knot
- Rampant lion (in honor of Scotland's coat of arms)
- Monogram initial
- My Heart Is [surname]
- map of Scotland
- Scottish terrier
- Thistle
- Unicorn (in honor of Scotland's coat of arms) - this one is brand new and still being added to the shop
There are 573 clan and surnames available. The dress, hunting and other tartans have been added for names that have them. A name with only a badge has over 200 items to choose from. A name with a tartan has between 1050 and 1350 items available depending on whether it also has a badge or not.
There are 39 district tartans available. There are well over 600,000 total items in the shop!
The shop has a Facebook page where I post any updates and take requests for surnames:
https://www.facebook.com/ThingsScottish/
Stacy C.
-----------------------
My Shops:
Celebrate your Scottish heritage:
http://www.cafepress.com/thingsscottish
Show your wacky side:
http://www.cafepress.com/tease_tees
Find your coat of arms:
http://www.cafepress.com/coatofarms
Cross Stitch Shop:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/XedStitches
Sandy Lyle Wins World Hickory Open 2016
After two days of highly-competitive games between many of the world’s top hickory golfers, double Major winner Sandy Lyle has been named the World Hickory Open Champion 2016.
“I’m delighted to have won my fourth Major,” joked Sandy, winner of the 1985 Open and the 1988 Masters and many other titles, including the World Hickory Open 2014. “It’s been a fantastic few days at Panmure with a great championship and great golf.”
Joint runners-up were 2015 World Hickory Open winner, Andrew Marshall from Bawburgh Golf Club, Norfolk and Johan Moberg from Sweden. Rymer Smith from Buckinghamshire won the coveted Archie Baird Trophy, which is presented to the tournament’s top amateur golfer, and Switzerland’s Mauris Lauber won the 55-64 category, with Christopher Homer from Morecambe winning the 65+ category. The Ladies Scratch title was won by Swedish hickory golfer Brita Nord, while Ingrid Lind from the Emirates claimed the Handicap title.
“Once again, everyone involved in the World Hickory Open, whether as an organiser or a competitor, has had a fantastic time in Carnoustie Country,” said Lionel Freedman, Chair of the World Hickory Open, as he presented Sandy Lyle with his trophy. “The enjoyment on everyone’s faces at the prizegiving is testament to what fun it is to play hickory golf, especially when added to the fun is the opportunity to play hickory golf on such a great golf course.”
Although the prizegiving marked the end of the World Hickory Open 2016, many of the competitors stayed to play in an international hickory team match at Arbroath Golf Course, another historic Carnoustie Country course, on 13 and 14 October.
“The International Triangulation Match is between teams from the USA, Europe and World Hickory Select and is extremely popular,” said Lionel. “Last year, it was won by the World Hickory Select so it will be very interesting to see which team wins this year.”
To find out more about the World Hickory Open, visit www.worldhickoryopen.com. To find out more about the 34 Carnoustie Country golf courses within a 40-minute drive of Carnoustie Championship, including ‘stay and play’ packages, visit www.carnoustiecountry.com, ‘like’ the Carnoustie Country Facebook page or follow Carnoustie Country on Twitter.
Caption: 2016 World Hickory Open Champion Sandy Lyle with his trophies at Panmure Golf Club. Photo courtesy of CarnoustieCountry.com © Andy Thompson Photography / ATIMAGES
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 as all the newsletters are archived and also indexed on Google and other search engines. I might also add that in newspapers such as the Guardian, Scotsman, Courier, etc. 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.
Glasgow east end massive office park plans unveiled
Plans have been unveiled to build one of the UK's largest office parks on the banks of the River Clyde in Glasgow.
Read more at:
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-...-west-37578259
George Square site in Glasgow earmarked for £70m revamp
Planning proposals have been submitted for a £70m refurbishment of historic buildings at Glasgow's George Square which have lain empty for decades.
Read more at:
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-...-west-37587727
Whithorn Iron Age roundhouse works in full swing
Living history is about to take on a whole new meaning in Whithorn.
Read more at:
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-...tland-37584360
Glasgow on meeting the challenges of Brexit
Glasgow City Council has formally set out the challenges the city faces from Brexit and how it might meet them.
Read more at:
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-37608407
A roundup of the week's good news from around Scotland
From the BBC.
Read more at:
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-37572349
Germany Discovers Some Home Truths About Brexit
Berlin is starting to admit that it needs Britain more than Merkel first let on.
Read more at:
http://www.wsj.com/articles/germany-...xit-1473875500
Britain has a golden opportunity with the Gulf States
Countries like Saudi Arabia are embracing fundamental economic reform
Read more at:
http://www.cityam.com/250987/britain...nd-secure-free
Kate cheered by Dutch crowds on first solo royal trip abroad
The Duchess of Cambridge is making her first solo royal trip overseas, travelling to The Hague and Rotterdam in the Netherlands.
Read more at:
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-37623094
Queensferry Crossing enters Guinness Book of Records
The Queensferry Crossing's centre tower is the largest-ever structure of its type, Transport Scotland announced today.
Read more at:
http://www.scotsman.com/news/transpo...ords-1-4254782
Gaelic wikipedia being developed
The ancient Gaelic language of Scotland is being supported by one of the modern world’s most popular websites in an ambitious initiative to develop it online.
Read more at:
http://www.scotsman.com/heritage/peo...erts-1-4254619
Who were the nine tribes of ancient Scotland?
From the red haired fighters found in Caledonia to the heavily bejeweled people of modern-day Fife
Read more at:
http://www.scotsman.com/news/who-wer...land-1-4254251
Scottish economy falls behind UK
Scotland's economy is still continuing to fall behind the rest of the UK despite an increase in GDP north of the border
Read more at:
http://www.scotsman.com/news/politic...owth-1-4255916
Brexit makes China keener to strike a trade deal with Britain
China wants to do more business with post-Brexit Britain, the country’s ambassador to the UK said, as he praised the City of London and Britain’s financial prowess.
Read more at:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/...th-britain-sa/
Nicola Sturgeon announces new independence referendum bill
A consultation gets under way next week on plans for a second Scottish independence referendum, the SNP's Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed.
Read more at
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-...itics-37634338
The Guardian view on the SNP conference
Scotland’s nationalists continue to rule the political roost, but there is not enough support for a second independence referendum
Read more at:
https://www.theguardian.com/commenti...d-the-dilemmas
Electric Canada
Armory and Lineages of Canada
Comprising the Lineage of Prominent and Pioneer Canadians with Descriptions and Illustrations of their Coat Armor, Orders of Knighthood, or other Official Insignia by Herbert George Todd (1913)
You can read this at: http://www.electriccanadian.com/makers/armory.htm
Electric Scotland
Gleanings from the Records of the Royal Burgh of Peebles
1604 - 1652 by Robert Renwick (1892). Added a link to this book on our Peebles page at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/hiSt...bles/index.htm
The Hebrid Isles
Wanderings in the Land of Lorne and the Outer Hebrides by Robert Buchanan (1883). Added a link to this book at the foot of our page at http://www.electricscotland.com/HISTORY/hebrides/index.htm
The Land of Lorne
Or A Poet's Adventures in the Scottish Hebrides including the Cruise of the Tern to the Outer Hebrides by Robert Buchanan (1871)
You can read this book at: http://www.electricscotland.com/HIST...ides/index.htm
Clan Leslie Society of New Zealand & Australia
Got in their October 2016 newsletter which you can read at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/fami...slie/index.htm
A Voyage to the Hebrides
Or Western Isles of Scotland with Observations on the Manners and Customs of the Highlanders by L.A. Necker de Saussure (1822).
You can read this book at: http://www.electricscotland.com/history/hebrides/
Annals of Lodge Fortrose, No. 108 Stornaway
By J. Campbell Smith. Added a link to this book at the foot of our Stornaway page at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/books/hebrides32.htm
There are tons of names mentioned in this book so could be an excellent genealogy resource.
The Highlands and Western Isles of Scotland
Founded on a series of Annual Journeys between the years 1811 and 1821 By John MacCulloch, M.D., F.R.S., L.S., G.S. &c in Four Volumes (1824)
You can read these at: http://www.electricscotland.com/history/macculloch.htm
Scenery of Dunkeld
As the previous publication starts at Dunkeld I thought I'd add a couple of videos to our Dunkeld page at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/hiSt.../chapter01.htm
Beth's Newfangled Family Tree
Got in Section 2 of the November 2016 issue which you can read at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/bnft/index.htm
The Life of The Rev. James Renwick
The Last of the Scottish Martyrs by The Rev. Robert Simpson (1843)
You can read this book at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...wick_james.htm
The Story
As a lot of our visitors come from Australia I thought I'd highlight this story. I might add that Australia is part of the Commonwealth and so it is quite possible other Commonwealth countries could come to similar arrangements.
Australian negotiators arrive to begin post-Brexit trade talks
By Tim Wallace in the Telegraph
Theresa May met Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull last month, and Australian officials are already in the UK to talk trade.
Australian officials are ready to begin work on a free-trade deal with the UK, and have recently flown in to begin hammering out the details of a landmark pact, the country’s top official in Britain has revealed.
A senior negotiator from Canberra has already arrived in Britain, while top civil servants from Australia have briefed their counterparts in London on the ins and outs of trade deals, High Commissioner Alexander Downer told The Sunday Telegraph.
Theresa May met the Australian prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull, last month, when they agreed to kickstart trade talks imminently, while Australia’s trade minister also met his British counterpart Liam Fox.
A deal could make goods such as wine, beef and dairy products cheaper as UK shoppers would no longer have to pay the EU’s import taxes, while Australia is a big buyer of British cars. [Note: Wine carries a 32% tariff].
Mr Downer said: “We import a lot of Range Rovers and Land Rovers and Bentleys.”
A deal would also cover services such as finance.
Mr Downer said the two countries would soon start scouting out potential disputes and areas of agreement. He insisted Australia would want few barriers: “Our starting point is always that free trade means free trade, to borrow a phrase.”
The two sides have agreed to form a working group, which is expected to prepare the way for formal negotiations. Australia also offered to help Britain by lending the UK some trade negotiators and experts, as Britain has not had an independent trade policy since joining the EU 43 years ago.
Now it has emerged that the two governments followed through on those offers almost instantly, with training from Australia’s experienced negotiators forming the first step. “Two people who were our ambassadors to the World Trade Organisation have been over here talking to British officials,” Mr Downer said. Officials have also arrived from Canberra to clear the way to full negotiations.
Mr Downer said Australian officials had also discussed how Britain could build up its expertise in trade deals. Australia has a system of university courses specialising in negotiations.[Note: Do Scottish Universities have such courses? And if not why not?]
“We are just starting to get in trade experts to work here. We have already brought in an expert, someone who has been involved in a whole series of free trade agreement negotiations,” Mr Downer said. “We will reinforce that team with more trade experts should we get into a free trade negotiation.”
In terms of goods alone, Britain’s exports to Australia amounted to £4bn last year, while imports from Down Under were worth almost £2bn.
Until Brexit takes place the UK is still tied to the EU and cannot sign its own trade deals. But ministers expect to be able to prepare the ground ahead of that day.
END.
And that's it for this week and hope you all enjoy your weekend.
Alastair
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