January 2018 (Vol. 41, Number 07)
The Banner Says…
January-Celebrating two great Scots
A New Year has again come around and with the hopes of health, happiness and hopefully some fortune to be had! For some January is a month of setting goals and catching up after the busy festive period and for the Scottish community there are a few big events to celebrate.
Robert Burns
This month thousands of Scots will of course honour Scotland’s national poet Robert Burns, whose work has permeated everyday life and is still recognised as some of the most important written works in history. Burns was born on 25 January 1759 in Alloway and his works about the ordinary man, love and social inequalities have given him an international following. As a child I somewhat felt I grew up knowing Robert Burns. Now you may be asking how I could have known a poet from Scotland who died in 1796, clearly I am not (quite) that old nor was it my childhood imagination running rife.
In fact I knew of Robert Burns because of my Uncle, John Cairney, who was considered as one of the world’s leading interpreters of the works of Robert Burns. As a small child of course you do not know any different than what I did, and that was seeing people pack theatres to see him perform the works of Robert Burns. When I did get to see him perform I was usually dragged up on stage for a moment of the show by him, much to my horror. I am sure my red face of embarrassment was one of the very few moments the audience took their eyes off my Uncle and his engaging performances as he portrayed the brilliant works of Robert Burns, which have been enjoyed by many for hundreds of years.
So as you can imagine Robert Burns was a part of the family’s growing up. When Uncle John came to town we all chipped in and helped where we could with the shows. It was only a little later in childhood I realised that not all my friends were dragged up on stages by a famous Uncle and probably none knew who Robert Burns was.
As many people around the world, and most certainly many Scottish Banner readers, will celebrate the great Robert Burns, I will too raise by glass to both the national poet of Scotland and also the man who was for me the living Burns of my youth.
Greyfriars Bobby
Around the time of my theatrical debut (as mentioned above!) I also started a small dog walking service. Each day after school I would pick up local dogs and walk them for neighbours so I could get some pocket money. We already had dogs in our family and my lifelong love for our four legged friends started at a very young age. So I am always interested to see the special place the city of Edinburgh has for one faithful dog called Bobby, and each year the Scottish capital honours a Skye Terrier known today as Greyfriars Bobby on January 14th.
The story of Greyfriars Bobby is one that has captured generations of people across the world. In 1850 a gardener named John Gray arrived in Edinburgh with his family looking for a better life. Unable to find work as a gardener he ended up joining the Edinburgh Police Force as a night watchman. To keep him company through the long winter nights John took on a partner, the Skye Terrier called Bobby. Together John, or Auld Jock has he was sometimes known, and Bobby became a familiar sight walking along the ancient cobbled streets of Edinburgh. They became each other’s friend and family ‘pack’ member and patrolled the streets year round as companions and work partners.
Sadly John Gray passed away from tuberculosis on 15 February 1858 and was buried in an unmarked grave in Greyfriars Kirkyard, leaving Bobby behind. Once Auld Jock was buried Bobby began a new career which involved protecting his master’s grave. Bobby carried on to protect his master’s grave for the next 14 years in all weather and out of true love and devotion. Bobby’s fame spread throughout Edinburgh and many people took on roles to help Bobby by feeding him and looking out for him. The then Lord Provost of Edinburgh, Sir William Chambers, ensured Bobby’s freedom by buying a licence and dog collar, allowing him to roam the graveyard. Bobby continued to protect Auld Jock’s grave up until his death in 1872 and his poignant memorial reads: ‘Let his loyalty and devotion be a lesson to us all.’
Today the statue of Greyfriars Bobby is one of the most popular visited sites in Edinburgh (please don’t rub his nose however) and the story has crossed over into books and film and surely must be considered one of the great stories about ‘mans best friend’ ever.
In this issue
2018 is now amongst us and Scotland is again ready to welcome visitors to a nation that keeps offering something to come back to. We look at some of the highlights of both the Scottish tourism and piping calendar in 2018. With new attractions opening, anniversaries and pipe band competitions being held throughout the year it nearly wants to make you want to pack your bags today!
Winter has now set in across Scotland and we learn about how technology is helping the Highland ski resorts create the perfect ski run for visitors who will be taking to the slopes right into spring amongst some of the most stunning scenery in the Scotland.
The Scottish Snowdrop Festival will begin later this month and this heralds in the first floral sign of growth for Scotland. And whilst not quite spring it provides locals and visitors a sure sign that spring will come with each new bloom across the country.
This month is also the anniversary of one of the most prolific and celebrated Scottish historical further Nigel Tranter. Tranter wrote over a hundred books and let Scotland’s story set the stage for a read which was hard to put down. It was wonderful to see he also inspired one of our very own writers, David C Weinczok, who though separated by several generations cherishes his works and uses them today to help him to tell the story of Scotland in a modern way. Many readers will also remember Nigel was a contributor and supporter of the Scottish Banner and we know few international publications can say that.
January is a great month to reset yourself and take stock of where you are. It is also a month that we remember some great Scots and hope that some of their lasting legacy helps us in the year ahead, Happy New Year!
How are you celebrating Burns Night or do you have any plans that involve Scotland in 2018? Share your story with us by email, post or at www.scottishbanner.com/contact-us