St John's Toun

I see that Perth has been made a city- although it was one until local government reorganisation in 1975.  I have fond memories of swimming up there and have visited many times. A work colleague lives there, although she is originally from Inverness. Each summer we head up there for a Bluegrass festival in the nearby village of Guildtown. Don't suppose it will make a great deal of difference to its people- its provost will now be a Lord Provost though. It is interesting how settlements get city status, until medieval times a cathedral was the sole criterion but since then it is in the gift of the Crown.
So small places like Dunblane, Dunkeld, Brechin, Dornoch,St Andrews still call themselves cities and why not? Will look forward to my next trip and entering a place with an enhanced status.
Meanwhile today I visited, with my human parents, the National Museum of Scotland and the Royal College of Surgeons' Museum on the Bridges. Very impressed, particularly with the former, which will require a return visit. Of note were the growing number of consulates. Edinburgh is beginning to look and feel like a European capital. Perth you will never be a capital city again( I know you once were!) But well done anyway.

Breaking Up Britain

On glancing today at the newspaper stand the Daily Mail noted that the SNP is to set "attack dog Cybernats" off the leash. I wonder if I am one of these? Despite being a seal, preferring cats and not being in the SNP I suppose I could come under the umbrella. Now being vilified by the Daily Mail may count as a badge of honour- by the way, the upcoming referendum debate will have Labour people side by side with the Daily Mail and even the BNP, perhaps it may make them think.
However the phrase "breaking up Britain" has an interesting ring. Obviously post independence Britain will still be there physically but the political entity will be much altered and will have been delivered a fatal blow. Whilst fully in favour of Scottish Independence one by-product for me will be the freedom to call myself British again. I've touched on this before but the current political set up puts off so many from feeling British( more so in Ireland). The end of the UK state will result, I believe, in a positive revaluation of our identity on these islands which will result in a warmer, more respectful relationship from Cork to Kent, St Ives to Shetland. Far from breaking up we will form closer ties which will include Ireland, North and South. Perhaps I'm being too positive but the future looks good to me.

Malta

One of the funnier sideshows in our Independence debate, other than the No side's constant use of the word "separation"( Should we now rename the conflict which led to Bannockburn as the War of Separation?) are the comparisons made as to which country Scotland would be like should the vote be positive. Albania was the choice of old(been there, interesting would be the politest thing to say) but there have been others more and more hysterical now being listed, South Sudan being the latest. However the other day Malta was given its chance as Scotland would be seen as having its influence in the EU if independent.
Must say I love Malta. In 1975 our family's first holiday abroad was there. A long journey to Heathrow from the old Turnhouse Airport, then on to Gatwick waiting 6 hours on the plane. We got free tickets as my dad was a BEA/British Airways employee. What a great experience for an 11 year old. The island was sunny, full of great historical sights and had that wonderful outdoors Med life which is so affirming. Lots of half built houses and old BMC Green buses with religious pictures abounding. Never been back since but maybe I should.. to see what life may be like post 2014.

Tonight was going to feature an erudite analysis of an aspect of the Independence debate but that would be boring( or to be honest, beyond me). So this little flag message will do.

China

After starting this blog my mind became curious as to its readers. To the loyal band I say thank you! The stats showed an early visitor from China which surprised me on a few levels not least of which was the government there banning internet access to any sites which it deems unhealthy. The record on Human Rights of that government is horrible but am I paranoid in thinking its government was monitoring me? The stats are available to me but, on looking today, I see that the visit from China has been deleted, no other visits from anywhere else in the world were deleted. Anyone know what could be going on?

Paul McBride RIP

Perhaps this is a post is one I should not make. Just heard the news of the death of Paul McBride a brilliant Scottish lawyer. Although he was a member of both the Labour then Conservative parties( perhaps they should merge) I sensed an active questioning mind never at home with labels, although his accusation of supporters of my team, Hibs, singing pro IRA songs was risible,. But why, in all the media comment over his views, was there no comment on his partner being another man. Like David Cairns the former Greenock MP, the truth is only available following a tragic death, although I presume well known to those who knew him. For anyone who knows me, my former partner was a man. Why, oh why, is it only cancer or a sudden death which reveals the truth- what is wrong with honesty. Paul: I don't blame you. Your cultural background made this difficult and I honestly mourn your passing- I sense a fellow soul unhappy with labels.
Cardinal O'Brien, I'm sure you will lead the tributes but will you address the issues you raised today with reference to Paul.
Rest in Peace Paul.

Engine Oil

My apologies for the lack of postings over the last few days. The reason may be found entirely in the picture. I was persuaded to attend a Wetherspoons Pub in Livingston on Thursday with the incentive being a pub quiz. Well it was a quiz  but its content was entirely pop music from the past couple of years and the result for our team was poor. However such pubs offer beer at good prices and., as a lover of dark beers, I thought the above may be of interest, Only four were taken and I have been ill ever since. And my mobile was lost resulting in a friend( named Seal Pup) being roused at an ungodly hour( do atheists have Godly hours?)To be logical, for once, I suppose diabetes is not a friend of such consumption but, even so, its impact was disproportional. However I've now recovered and have noted a local Labour MP has been headbutting other MPs and behaving in a boorish matter. Quel surprise! Off now to relax- with more beers.