Mystery Solved
The mystery surrounding the burial of Robert the Bruce may have been solved by an amateur historian. Stuart Smith claims the king's internal organs were buried in a tiny chapel in Dumbarton. Bruce's heart is believed to be in a container which was interred at Melrose while his body was buried in Dunfermline Abbey more than 600 years ago. Stuart, who has spent 30 years studying the country's most famous monarch, claims he has finally proved Bruce's internal organs received a royal burial in St Serf's chapel. The discovery has safeguarded the future of the ruin after Historic Scotland declared it a national monument. Stuart, traced financial records from Dumbarton Castle which detail a modest burial service for the king, who died in 1329, at what was his parish church. Stuart said he was delighted his research had been recognised and said the years of work had been made worthwhile. West Dumbartonshire Council is now planning to install a special plaque at the site.
Entertained by a 100 Year Old
Instead of being entertained by her guests on her 100th birthday, Chrissie Mackay, of Shepherd's Cottage, Marybank, near Stornoway, decided to entertain them by playing a few tunes on her button accordion. All day, relatives and friends dropped in at the house on the outskirts of Stornoway to offer her their congratulations. She received hundreds of cards, including one from Social Security Secretary Alastair Darling and one from the convener of the Western Isles Council. Mrs Mackay was born in Tarbert in Harris and then lived for a spell in Glasgow. The family returned to the island when she was 10 and lived at Baranahuie before moving to the castle grounds. From there, she used to walk to her work in Newall's Harris Tweed mill. After that, she lived in the gardener's cottage and it was there that she married her husband, John. He died in 1995. Mrs Mackay retired from full time work in 1961 but worked part time as head darner in the mill run by the late Elizabeth Perrins. Mrs Mackay has a son and a daughter, two grandchildren and one great grandchild.
Nature Reserve Future Secure
The future of Insh Marshes Nature Reserve in Strathspey looks secure, as the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) Scotland has announced that it has finalised a management plan for the area for the next five years. The plan covers April 2000 to March 2005. A thorough consultation process was carried out before the plan was finalised. Tom Prescott, reserve warden said: "We were pleased to be supported throughout the consultation process by local representatives Alasdair Macleod of Kincraig Community Council and Gordon MacPherson, Kingussie. "We are also grateful to everyone who contributed to the consultation process. "We have taken on board many of the suggestions and have already implemented some of the ideas, such as appointing Chris Donald as a field teacher to work with schools." A draft management plan for Abernethy Forest Nature Reserve is currently underway. It is hoped that management plans of this kind will help to ensure the long term protection of Scotland's wildlife.
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Major Book Collection
Skye Gaelic medium college Sabhal Mor Ostaig announced recently it has acquired what is arguably one of the finest collections of antiquarian Gaelic and Highland books in existence. The MacCormaig Collection represents the life work of antique bookseller and collector Donald MacCormick. It has been brought to Sabhal Mor after a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund. The news has been welcomed by Donnie Munro, the musician and Skye Gaelic college principal. The collection, brought to the college after the lottery grant and assistance from the Dunfermline Building Society, Skye and Lochalsh Enterprise and the UHI Millennium Institute of Higher Education's strategic development fund, totals more than 1,800 volumes and cover subject matter from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. Colin MacLean, the Heritage Lottery Fund's manager for Scotland, said: "Language provides a marvellous insight into a country's history and culture. "In Scotland, we have a colourful diversity of languages that allows us a glimpse at how ordinary people lived over the centuries. "At the Heritage Lottery Fund we recognise how important it is not only to protect and treasure this aspect of our cultural heritage but also to make it accessible to everyone." Titles among the collection include Queen Victoria's copy of "Carmina Gadelica", Andrew Carnegie's "Sar Obair nam Bard Gealach" and Martin Martin's "Description of the Western Island's of Scotland" as well as numerous other first editions which cannot even be found in the National Library of Scotland.
Bringing History Back to Life
Fort George is soon to become a venue for historic drama sessions allowing school children across the Highlands the chance to learn more about their history. Site custodian Historic Scotland is running a series of educational programmes at castles, abbeys and monuments throughout the country over the course of this year. The first session for Fort George is a living history presentation on the life of a government soldier, developed especially for the venue. Historic Scotland education manager Marion Fry said: "Our drama sessions are increasingly popular providing an opportunity for children to learn about medieval lifestyles through costume, games and music. "Under the educational visits scheme, we are having more than 60,000 school children visit our properties every year. The programme is growing and we are devoting more resources to this important part of our operations."
Museum Award
TV personality Lloyd Grossman, patron of the Association for Heritage Interpretation (AHI) presented recently the Highland Folk Museum in Kingussie with and Interpret Britain Award, at a ceremony held in Leamington Spa, England. Councillor Bill Smith, chairman of Highland Council's cultural and leisure services committee said: "In addition to winning the Scottish Museum of the Year Award, the Countess of Perth Trophy (Best Museum in Scotland) and the Scottish Tourist Boards Thistle Award for Best Customer Care, I am delighted that we were presented with the UK's Premier Interpretation Award. "This is yet another recognition of the success of this Highland Council facility and we are grateful for the support of Moray Badenoch and Strathspey Enterprise, as well as the dedication and hard work of all the staff involved."
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