Has Europe Forgotten Caledonia?

The population of Scotland according to the last census is 5,295,000, of which roughly 5% originally come from elsewhere in the EU. Immigration from EU countries is broadly welcomed in Scotland, as the economy and social services greatly benefit from the skills that incomers bring to the labour market, and they integrate very well into society and the communities where they choose to settle.

The economy has an estimated annual GDP of $238 billion, or $44,000 per capita, (broadly similar to the Czech Republic).

Scotland is about the same size in terms of population as Slovakia, Denmark or Finland. It is larger than 9 member states of the EU including Ireland. It has been part of the United Kingdom since 1707. In 1745-46 an insurgent nationalist rebellion and war of independence resulted in defeat of the highland rebels by the English Army, and the implementation of severe ethnic cleansing policies to control the population of the region. Since that time, it has been closely integrated within the United Kingdom.

A referendum on the independence of Scotland held in 2014 was rejected by a small majority of the population.

When the United Kingdom held its referendum on leaving the EU two years later, in June 2016, 62% of Scottish voters (1.6 million electors) voted in favour of remaining in the EU, and 38% voted to leave. These results were even without taking into account the views of the many hundreds of thousands of expatriate Scots living in the EU, and EU passport holders resident in Scotland, who were not allowed to vote in the British referendum.

Scottish electors voted by a significant majority to remain in the EU but now find themselves facing exit from the EU in just over 50 days’ time completely against their will. The referendum to leave the EU was meant to be advisory in nature; there were also illegalities regarding the campaign expenditure leading up to the vote, which raise questions about its validity.

But like rabbits caught in the headlights of oncoming traffic from the notorious UK tabloid press, the two leading political parties in Britain appear to be incapable of deciding other than to implement the results of the referendum without regard to the consequences.

The British Government and the EU are now set to collaborate together on a course of action that will disrespect the voice of the Scottish electorate, and will forcibly remove Scotland from the European Union on 29th March 2019 against the wishes of the majority of the people in Scotland. Special arrangements have been negotiated between the EU and the UK for the Protectorate of Northern Ireland, (where 440,000 voters also voted to stay in the EU), but nowhere else in Britain, irrespective of the wishes of those regions. Is anyone surprised that Europe faces a vacuum of leadership in its politics?

 

The treatment of Scotland and its voters is simply bad politics, and a derogation of responsibility. It is causing terminal divisions of opinion in Britain that cannot be healed, and which will inevitably destroy the unity of the United Kingdom. Scotland is now destined to seek to separate from the rest of Britain within a few years after the UK leaves the EU. Public opinion has been turned around by recent experience with Westminster politics, and a second Scottish independence referendum will almost certainly result in a vote in favour of an independent Scotland when submitted to the popular vote.

The aftermath we all face is clumsy, and destructive, effectively spoiling the prospects of a generation of young people who will be forced to rebuild their destiny from scratch. Scotland will have no representation in Europe after the UK’s exit from the EU, no representation at the European Parliament. The politicians who will have delivered this chaotic situation to the electorate will no longer be there to be held accountable for the result of their failures.

We shall have a new European Parliament in May, a new European Commission in the autumn, and almost certainly a new parliament in Britain when the electorate finally wakes up to the reality of the incompetent debacle that politicians have created there. It will take a generation to set the UK’s ship of state back on course, including the need to create an independent Scotland, and rebuild Scotland’s future relationship with the EU.

But in the meanwhile, the current generation of young people, looking to build their careers in Scotland and in Europe are faced with rudderless leadership which leaves them with little choice but to strike out on their own into an uncertain future.

The post It will take a generation to set the UK’s ship of state back on course appeared first on Brussels Express.

With a population of just over 3,000 inhabitants, there are no less than eight whisky distilleries on this 25 mile long island making it the densest concentration of whisky production in the world. A ninth distillery starts production this month. This concentration is due in part to the natural availability of barley, peat for malting and pure water, which have contributed to making Islay a centre of excellence for whisky. But also, the islanders take a real pride in their product, and have been careful to maintain the highest standards of quality. 

All of the whisky produced on the island is delicious, ranging from heavily peated single malt whiskies such as Bowmore, Laphroaig, Bruichladdich and Lagavullin to subtler and more delicate flavoured drinks like Ardbeg. Most of the distilleries also offer their own tastings and distillery tours, and there is something for every taste. Whilst some production is bottled and sold as single malt, the bulk of the whisky distilled on the island is sold on for blending.

But there is much more to the island than whisky distilleries. There are spectacular golden beaches and the island is an ornithologist’s paradise, with viewing opportunities for golden eagles and migrating geese. It is one of the few areas in Europe where the rare Corncrake has made a successful comeback, thanks to the re-introduction of more environmentally friendly methods of farming.

Finlaggan on Islay was the original home and base of Macdonald of Macdonald, the Lord of the Isles, whose dynasty ruled the hebridean islands in the 14th and 15th centuries when most of Scotland was most easily accessed by sea. They defended their territory against the kings of Norway, Ireland and Scotland.

Islay is also a good base from which to visit nearby Jura, where George Orwell wrote the novel 1984 in a remote farmhouse, to take a boat trip to see the whirlpool of Corryvreckan, and to explore the island of Colonsay which is a spectacular and unspoilt wildlife sanctuary nearby.

Islay can be reached by flights from Glasgow or by the Caledonian MacBrayne ferry from Kennacraig, which has several sailings daily. For places to stay on the island there are many options advertised for booking accommodation on the website of the local newspaper “Ileach”. If you decide to go by car, it is a real pleasure to drive on the single track roads on the island, as all drivers are courteous and wave to great each other as the cars cross.

This year Islay commemorates the tragic loss of life following the sinking of the troop ship SS Tuscania which was torpedoed in 1918; the Islanders braved heavy seas and freezing waters to rescue as many victims as they could from the waters. It is a tribute to the caring nature of the hebrideans that overnight they made by hand a stars and stripes flag copied from an illustration in a book in the library of Islay House so that the American soldiers who died when the troop ship sank could be buried with honour under their own flag. The flag is displayed in the Smithsonian Museum in Washington DC.

Once you have visited this magical island, you will appreciate your glass of single malt even more as the taste will remind you of the complex flavours and aromas that are somehow distilled into the whisky-making it a distinctive spirit of true hospitality.

The post Welcome to Islay: the land of Whisky appeared first on Brussels Express.

For three years in a row now the show has delighted Belgian audiences and the good news is that it is set to return for another airing early in the New Year.

On 20 January, this spectacular production will be performed again at Forest National in Brussels, the first time it’s appeared at the venue.

Music Show Scotland is the largest Scottish indoor show in the world and features a programme of Celtic music and dance, combining entertainment with humour.

In a sublime setting, more than 200 bagpipers, drummers, dancers, musicians and singers present a dazzling spectacle. The imposing « Highland Valley Castle » – 40m wide and 15m high – was designed specifically for the show. Comprising several floors, towers and battlements, the castle is unique in the world and can be adjusted to fit any location.

Audiences are often left breathless when the huge fanfare of musicians in uniform passes the “castle” gates. Legendary melodies such as « Amazing Grace » and « Highland Cathedral » are just a small part of this three-hour show. The Castle band plays a mix of traditional music and pop-rock songs like « You Are The Voice » and « Music », all making for an unforgettable night.

The spectacle has already proved to be a hit across Germany and the Netherlands, where it has entertained an audience of 8,000 people.

In front of and on top of the enormous castle decorum, the artists present all facets of the Scottish culture in a varied music show. The impressive sound of the pipes and drums batters through the hall, accompanied by a 15-piece woodwinds and brass ensemble.

Apart from traditional bagpipe music, modern rock music will also blend in, performed by the house band. In beautiful costumes the Highland dancers and Irish step dancers take on the stage, to perform both traditional and modern choreographies.

The participating bands include the Highland  Valley Dancers, Celtic Stepfire and the McArthur Dancers. But the “star” of the show is, arguably, the bagpipe but a question often posed is: is this originally a Scottish instrument? The answer is No.

The “Great Highland Bagpipe” is the most famous bagpipe, but the instrument has probably come into existence about well over 2,000 years ago in India, Pakistan and Iran. Because of the journeys of Alexander the Great, die instruments came to the west and during the Roman Empire and spread all over Europe. Even today, they are a part of the German, Scottish, Irish, Spanish, Serbian and Albanian music culture.

The hardest thing when playing on it, is that you have to make all pipes sound together, without being able to blow on them separately. Another consequence of this technique is, that it can only be played “legato” or without any breaks in between.

The show, though, is unashamedly full on Scotland and brings together Highland dance and Irish dance, popularized among others by Riverdance. Groups of dancers perform traditional and modern dances, to the sound of live music, through a magical setting – enough to immerse you in the Scottish Highlands themselves!

Good to know:

The show starts at 7.30pm on 20 January and further info, including ticket prices,is available via www.musicshowscotland.com

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