More from the Scottish magazines. A full-page ad proclaimed that an
unidentified “we” are “unlocking the secrets of an ancient Scottish pinewood".
This set off a grump. I don’t know if it’s genetic or what, but now and
then…maybe more often than that…I feel the urge to grump. “Why is it,” I asked
myself, “that to be interesting nowadays, to the average odd and sod, the past
must have ‘locked secrets’ and ‘hidden treasures’? Couldn’t it just be the
past, plain and simple?” Not if fundraising is the issue. No secret what’s
going on: to plunge the pick into your pocket and summon up dosh, those who
want to help Scotland buy a Pine forest urge contributions at
woodlandtrust.org.uk <http://woodlandtrust.org.uk/>
I’m also grumpy about adding “learning centers” in “world-class experiences.”
The National Museum of Flight has, the magazine explains, been “transformed
into a world-class experience.” Holyrood Palace is getting a “learning
centre.” “We’re investing in the visitor experience, right from the arrival,
where everyone will feel more welcome, and we’re going to interpret the palace
more fully.” What is it, exactly, that one learns from royal treasures? And
how did the less full interpretation go?
By the way, you know that puzzling little propellor on the nose of the ME 163B
Komet, one of Germany’s earliest jet fighters…its function was to power the
instruments when the plane was gliding down. I looked it up.
At the annual haggis tossing event the world record was challenged, but not
broken. Competitors stand on a half a whisky barrel and see how far they can
toss a haggis without splitting it open. The world record is 214 feet, 9
inches. There’s an article on what effect the election of Donald Trump might
have on piping. Trump’s mother was a MacLeod from the village of Tong. J.K.
Rowling flew three hundred miles, from Edinburgh to drop in on a library book
group’s discussion of her novel, “The Cuckoo’s Calling.” “Everyone was really
quite gobsmacked,” said the librarian. I’ll bet.
Plunging oil prices are blamed for the Scottish government now running a
deficit of fourteen point nine billion pounds, but a small squib suggests
another contribution—the Scottish Parliament has added beekeeping to its tasks.
They’ve installed two colonies of bees in the garden area of parliament. Fear
not though, parliamentary honey will soon be on sale in the gift shop.
Adding to the experience.
Carry on,
David Ritchie,
Portland, Oregon