Odds & Ends of Scottish information

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SKYE BRIDGE
(13/01/07)
Built at a cost of around £25million and opened to the public on 16th October, 1995, the Skye Bridge is one of the most controversial structures ever erected in Scotland.
The bridge was one of the first private finance initiatives in Scotland and was built by a consortium of Miller Construction, Dywidag International and the Bank of America.
The consortium was then allowed to charge a toll for crossing the bridge.
The cost (more than £10 per round trip ) proved unpopular with tourists and locals alike, and the Scottish Executive bought the bridge - for £27milion - in December 2004 and abolished the toll.

Hamish Haswell-Smith left Skye out of later editions of his book,
" The Scottish Islands", saying, "I must admit to having misgiving about omitting Skye from a book on the Scottish islands. But rules are rules and, having decided that a bridge destroys insularity, there was no option.

TRAPRAIN LAW
East Lothian
(12/01/07)
Traprain Law is a rather mundane lump of rock which stands 221 metres in height and is fairly prominent in the county of East Lothian. It has been extensively quarried in the past for road metal. It was formed about 320 million years ago and it can be described as a LACCOLITH, which is the result of when MAGNA pushes upwards to reach the surface, but instead of forming a volcano it pushes up the rock above it to form a musroom shape with a flat domed top.The MACMA hardened and we have the hill we know today

ROADS
(06/01/07)
The longest steep hill in the UK is the road from Lochcarron to Applecross. In six miles it rises from sea-level to 2054 feet, an average gradient of 1 in 15.4

The highest classified road in the UK is the A93 Cairnwell Pass between Blairgowrie and Braemar. It reaches a height of 2199 feet.

The highest driveable road in UK ie the unclassified estate track reaching to the Cairngorms summit of Ben a' Bhurid (3860 feet).

LORD OF THE ISLES
(03/01/07)
Clan Donald, the Lords of the Isles, were for generations the most powerful clan in Scotland, especially on the lands by the western seaboard. Great seafarers, they controlledthe sea lanes with their oared galleys about which there were many songs and tales. The power of Clan Donald was finally broken before the end of the fifteenth century, their power having brought them into conflict with the crown.

TATTIE SCONE.
(02/01/07)
The TATTIE SCONE is a staple part of the full Scottish breakfast, appearing on plats alongside such other morning favourites as sausage,bacon, fried egg and black pudding. But is it really a scone? Some say the circular savoury snacks - which are normally served as quarters - are too thin to be related to the traditional high tea treats.
The versatile Potato scone - which can be served with butter and jam and eaten as it is, or heated in the frying pan - is said to closely resemble a girdle scone and is similar to the Irish potato bread.
Tattie scones are made from floury potatoes, which have been boiled and then mashed with a generous helping of butter and seasoning. When the mash has cooled, flour and a little more butter is added to make a dough. This is then rolled out into a circle and cut into four pieces before being fried in butter for a couple of minutes on each side. eat when ready, or keep for eating later.

ZOO
(02/01/07)
Edinburgh Zoo opened it gates on 22nd July 1913, introducing Scots to a range of exciting and unusual creatures. The Zoo, which is home to a wide range of animals, occupies an 85 acre site on Corstorphine Hill, in the west of Edinburgh.
It received its royal charter during its opening year and was visited by king George V1 in 1948, the same year in which he granted permission for the Zoological Society of Scotland, which was founded in 1909, to add "Royal" to its name. Edinburgh remains the only Zoo in the country to have a royal charter.
Today, the Zoo, which is one of Scotland's most visited attractions, not only provides the opportunity to look and learn about exotic and native animals, it is an important centre for international research, conservation, and environmental education as well as a haven of real delight, enjoyed by the millions of visitors that have flocked through it's gate for the past 100 years (well almost )

BIRCH
(02/01/07)
The lovely and widespread birch tree formerly had a valuable place in the Scottish domestic economy. The wood was used for many household utensils, the branches for shinty sticks, and the fine spray for brooms, ropes, and withes. The leaves and twigs yeilded bright yellow dye, while the bark was rolled into candles and beaten into paper. Birch leaf tea was drunk to relieve rheumatism, and fresh birch sap is a oleasant drink, believed by Highlanders to be beneficial for kidneys and bladder; it also makes delicious wine. It was considered unlucky `to pu' the birks so green `, and seeing green birch in a dream presage ill. Birch growing with briars on the graves of two lovers indicated that death had not divided them.

ACHAVANICH
(02/01/07)
A horseshoe setting of 30 standing stones ( out of what may have originally have been a total of 54 ), Achavanich overlooks Loch Stemster, Caithness, and dates from about 2000 BC. It significance remains obscure, since it does not appear to be associated with a burial, nor can any astronomical purpose be detected.

HIGHLAND CATTLE
(02/01/07)
You can't miss them, with their red shaggy coats and their long pointy horns, Highland Cattle are an essential part of the Scottish landscape. They are said to be one of the oldest breeds in the UK and have written records that go back to the 18th century. The Highland Cattle Society, which, ironically is based in Dumfriesshire, published its first Highland Cattle Herd Book in 1885. The society, which has the Queen as its patron, has sister organisations all over Europe, from Austria to Sweden. It also lists folds - the name given to herds of Highland Cattle - as far afield as New Zealand and the high slopes of the Andes.
Producers use the label "guaranteed pure Highland beef" if their meat comes from pure pedigree Highland Cattle. The beef is said to be leaner than other cattle's, because the Highland Cattle rely on their coats, more than fat, for warmth .

LOST LEGION ?
(02/01/07)
The ninth legion of the Roman army was composed of 4,000 elite troops, some of the finest fighting men in the entire empire. In around 120 AD, while Hadrian's wall was being built, the soldiers of the ninth strapped on their helmets, picked up their weapons and marched towards the Scottish border, never to be seen again....or were they ?
Historians continue to argue over the story of the lost legion: although there is evidence to suggest the ninth was stationed in Eburacum- now York - in 71 AD, there is little or no proof that the soldiers marched into the untamed lands of Caledonia. Some argue that the ninth was indeed sent into Scotland, but the legion suffered such a crushing defeat it was erased from Roman History.
The legion is known to have fought in Spain in 24 BC before serving in Germany, Hungary and Africa. Many believe the ninth would have been part of the 40,000-strong invasion force that crossed the Channel to take Britain in 43 AD.
The ultimate fate of the legion is unknown after its posting to Britain, though it may have been sent to the east or disbanded.

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