Think of scottish country dancing and ceilidh music and many think of BBC Radio Scotland’s Robbie Shepherd. The man himself came to the shores of Loch Ness recently to broadcast his programme from the Invermoriston Millennium Hall in Invermoriston by Loch Ness.

See below for his recent article from the Press & Journal writen in the Doric about his experience (Doric is Scots dialect from the Aberdeenshire area - to find out more about Doric click HERE)

Great Show Robbie - I was listening while cooking my tea overlooking Loch Ness! The Mince & Tatties came out better for it and all!

The Doric Column

Lead me to the old songs

sung again for me,

Lead me to the dance time

swinging loud and free.

Lead me to the Northland – Andy Stewart

By Robbie Shepherd

Published: 25/04/2009

NORTHLANDS it wis for me on Widnesday as far’s Inverness syne, turnin roon the neuks an crannies at’s the streets o the city, it wis doon the Northside o the River Ness tae Invermoriston.

Man it wis a gran hurl, me sittin in the back seat like Lord Muck, wi Loch Ness sae calm wi jist the antrin ripple, the different shades o green hyne up the hillsides an the cherry blossom in full bloom forbye the funn busses.

I hae aften pass’t throwe Glenmoriston bit aye haikit tae be farrer west wi little time tae spare, as it’s ere that ye either tak the road tae Skye or aance veer left on the A82 heidin for Fort William.

The ‘Take The Floor’ team were takkin up the invitation o the community volunteers tae record wir programme fae the fantoosh Glenmoriston Millennium Hall, biggit in 1999 wi the support o the Millennium Commission an celebratin its tenth anniversary.

Es replac’t the aal hall an it did yer hairt gweed tae see foo sic a scatter’t community hae gotten thegither tae mak eese o aa the facilities. I aye thocht o the Glenmoriston Arms Hotel as a stoppin place for toorists an the Store at the ither side o the road caterin for tenters an caravanners – papers, groceries an ither eerands for the sma bourachies roon aboot.

Damn the fear. There wis evidence aa roon acknowledgin the efforts an the dedication o a hanfu o fowk determin’t tae keep the community speerit alive. Oh, there’s mony ither plaicies, wi nae sae generous backin, I cwid name that dee the same – bit again I cwid reel aff the aul hallies bit a ghost o yestereer.

Noo, as aften happens in sic recordins, it disna tak lang for somebody or anither tae come up an link me tae days gyan by, so it wis es time roon.

We stoppit for a bite tae aet jist ootside Inverness fin es lady cam in aboot till’s.

‘Would you, would you be Robbie?’ Jist as weel I hid twa deems wi’s or aance the rumours micht hae startit bit I wis on safe grun fin the lady introduc’t hersel as Shirley at I hidna seen since God ken’s fan – the dother o oor gweed freens, James an Jessie Hepburn fae Mallaig, takkin’s back tae ma days in the fishsellin side o Claben.

Tae the nicht an the hall hoatchin wi the dancers furlin an hoochin tae the music o Nicky MacMichan an’s Band, we hid guest spots fae the verra talentit gaelic singer, Rachael Walker an the gran fiddle player o ‘Capercaillie’, Charlie McKerron fa I hae kent fae awa back fin I ees’t tae compère the Daily Record Golden Fiddle Concerts, an the eer in the early auchties fin he won the tap solo award.

Bit hold on! Fa shid be playin the fiddle as pairt o Rachael’s trio bit a young strappin loon bi the name o Ewan Henderson. The Henderson faimily are amang the maist talentit in the Hielans and their faither is Alan Henderson, fa wis in Walker’s Fishsellin Office in Mallaig as assistant tae neen ither than James Hepburn. Losh bit I kent Alan fin he wis coortin an noo he’s Provost o Fort William.

It’s a sma warl an I’m nae deen yet, cis efter the recordin, at ye can hear the nicht on Radio Scotland at five-past sivven, I wis haein a quaet dram at the bar fin I heard es distinctive vyce an a rug o the shooder made me turn roon tae half recognise the face an the maist welcomin hairty lauch.

‘Michty, Robbie, bit I see ye ilka eer at the Lonach – Willie Robertson!’ Losh, he soondit sae like his late brither Tam an jist as sociable.

I leuch tae masel as I held up the stairs o the hotel tae ma bed, myndin on the gran nicht we hid an Willie’s naitural tongue an thinkin o a hallie up Donside wi the lad jist rarin for a dance, haulin his wife on tae the fleer wi the band in full flight, ‘Lowse yer styes Muggie, I’m jist foo o music’.

See ye neist wikkeyn.

You can listen to this broadcast by clicking HERE

So where’s the mystery? Why haven’t we heard that great voice before…….

Where’s the Monster? Her Talent!  

The world has taken a singer from Scotland who appeared on an entertainment show called ‘Britains Got Talent’ to their hearts - with over 100 million hits on Youtube, facebook fanpages that have members joining at a dizzying rate of knots, and people and the media from all over the world facinated by her story.

It just goes to show you that when you look hard enough, work hard enough and try hard enough- even the best kept secrets are revealed!!

‘Nessie’ would be proud! Take it away Susan! Click HERE

On a day when the world turns Irish, many people don’t realise that St Patrick may have actually been a Scot!

Many have it that Patrick was born around 385 in Scotland, probably Kilpatrick. As a boy of fourteen or so, he was captured during a raiding party and taken to Ireland as a slave to herd and tend sheep. It is widely thought that Saint Patrick, the Patron Saint of Ireland, drove the snakes out of Ireland into the sea. He can’t really take credit for that, as the Ice Age took care of snakes long before St. Patrick came along, but he can take credit for converting many Celtic pagans to Christianity during his life.

But he isnt alone! The patron saint of Scotland - Saint Andrew, was born in  Bethsaida on the Sea of Galilee & Saint George, patron saint of England, was probably born in Palestine.

Which leaves us with St David - Patron saint of Wales who, for a change,  was actually born in Wales. Not very imaginative in the light of the other 3!

Finally - St Columba, who is said to have warded off the Loch Ness monster with the sign of the cross, was….wait for it…. Irish.

So all in all a fair trade!

A Scot gave the world one of the most widely celebrated Saint’s days in the world , and an Irishman helped launch the mystery of the Loch Ness Monster - one of the moth famous legends in the world!  Both synonymous with their adopted countries.

So regardless if you wear green or tartan, a shamrock or a thistle today in celebration of Saint Patrick day, have a good one!

Many people around the world can trace their name back to the Clans of the Highlands of Scotland.

From time to time Ill stick a bit of info gleaned from the web about clans that have affiliation to the Loch Ness area

Clan Grant come from two great glens of the Highlands: Strathspey and Glenurquhart. The first recorded Clan Chief was Sir Lawrence le Grant in the year 1263. The Present Clan Chief, Lord Strathspey, 33rd Chief of Grant, is his direct descendant.

The Strathspey seat of the Clan was Castle Grant near Grantown-on-Spey.

The Grants of Glen Urquhart and Glen Moriston are associated with the awesome Castle Urquhart which overlooks Loch Ness at the very spot where the Monster is often claimed to have been sighted.

For more details on the history of Clan Grant, go to the  Clan Grant Society of the U.K. or and  Clan Grant History site run by clan researchers and historians in the U.K.

Many Grants still live in the area - why not take advantage of the Year of Homecoming  and come see for yourself!

Late on a Monday evening on the eve of the inauguration of the 44th president of the United States, and coming up to the 250th anniversary of the birth of of Robert Burns, out of curiosity (and as there is nothing on Telly), I did a quick google search of the terms ‘Obama Loch Ness’ and found a return of 260,00 entries.

Some were tenuous,  most referred in some way to things being as unlikely as a sighting of the Loch Ness monster, but in a round about way I ended up picking the following from another blog to share.

It’s from  GungHaggisFatChoy ‘ an ‘Asian Canadian adventures in inter-cultural Vancouver and home of Toddish McWong’s Robbie Burns Chinese New Year Dinner’  (which is just plain wonderful in itself) and was penned on November 5th this year.

Before you click through and read it - give a thought to one of Mr Burns (that’s the poet folks - not the Simpsons’ character) most famous poems….

So - 250 years (give or take a couple days) 3 countries, several cultures yet it all still boils down to the same thing. …..take it away Robbie!

A MAN’S A MAN FOR ALL THAT
by Robert Burns - 1795

Is there for honest poverty
That hangs his head, an’ a’ that
The coward slave, we pass him by
We dare be poor for a’ that
For a’ that, an’ a’ that
The rank is but the guinea’s stamp
The man’s the gowd for a’ that
What though on hamely fare we dine
Wear hoddin grey, an’ a’ that
Gie fools their silks, and knaves their wine
A man’s a man, for a’ that
For a’ that, an’ a’ that
Their tinsel show an’ a’ that
The honest man, though e’er sae poor
Is king o’ men for a’ that
Ye see yon birkie ca’d a lord
Wha struts an’ stares an’ a’ that
Tho’ hundreds worship at his word
He’s but a coof for a’ that
For a’ that, an’ a’ that
The man o’ independent mind
He looks an’ laughs at a’ that
A prince can mak’ a belted knight
A marquise, duke, an’ a’ that
But an honest man’s aboon his might
Gude faith, he maunna fa’ that
For a’ that an’ a’ that
Their dignities an’ a’ that
The pith o’ sense an’ pride o’ worth
Are higher rank that a’ that
Then let us pray that come it may
(as come it will for a’ that)
That Sense and Worth, o’er a’ the earth
Shall bear the gree an’ a’ that
For a’ that an’ a’ that
It’s coming yet for a’ that
That man to man, the world o’er
Shall brithers be for a’ that

if you want a ‘translation’ , it can be found here

and the link to the blog I mentioned is  here: (note - Toddish McWong  - you’re a legend!)

 ENJOY!

Homecoming Scotland 2009

The year 2009 will be one when everyone who lives in Scotland, and everyone who is part of Scotland’s extended family, are invited to join in national celebrations.

2009 marks the 250th anniversary of the birth of the National Bard and and international cultural icon Robert Burns whose message of friendship and ‘Auld Lang Syne’ lives on. 2009 will be a celebration of not only Burns but some of Scotland’s great contributions to the world: Burns, Golf, Whisky, The Enlightenment and innovation, as well as a rich culture and heritage which lives on at home and through the many people of Scots descent who live elsewhere.

The Homecoming Scotland programme will involve a calendar of exciting and inspirational events and activities throughout 2009.

So whether you are Scottish or simply love Scotland, you are invited to come home - home to the land of your ancestors so you can experience a living culture.

Find out more at Homecoming Scotland 2009

Great site all about the elusive haggis - and check up on the facts file to find out what links it has…or hasn’t…. to the Loch Ness Monster. PLUS link to the live webcam over Loch Ness.

Enjoy!

Click HERE

First Minister Alex Salmond hopes President-elect Barack Obama, who has Scottish roots on his mother’s side, will come to Scotland for the Homecoming Festival next year.

Mr Obama’s ancestor, Edward FitzRandolph, is said to have emigrated to America in the 17th century. According to genealogists, his ancestry can also be traced to William the Lion, who ruled Scotland from 1165 to 1214.

The Homecoming Festival, aimed at enticing expatriates back to Scotland, is being held between Burns night, on January 25, and St Andrew’s Day, on November 30 2009.

It is inspired by the 250th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns, and is intended to give Scots around the world an opportunity to reconnect and engage with their heritage.

Many who visit the Loch Ness area search for something that many think is just a dream.

This week - Mr Obama did what some thought was impossible and made many people’s dreams come true.

Maybe you too can find what your looking for!

TELL US WHAT YOU THINK!

DOVE Visitor feedback project – Loch Ness

DOVE: Delivering an Outstanding Visitor Experience.

We welcome feed back of your experience in the Loch Ness area.

Please take a few moments to complete the short online questionnaire to help us learn how we can do better by listening more effectively to YOU our customers.

Visit www.highlandfeedback.com to access the survey.

Thanks!

Loch Ness and the Loch Ness  area is often the venue for a wonderful array of fundraising and awareness raising events from all over the world.

This week we have seen a large group from Ireland raising money by swimming accros the Loch. They join the many who have chosen to swim, canoe, kayak, sail, run, walk, cycle, dive, snorkle, windsurf, fly and more accross and around Loch Ness before them, and there will of course be many who will follow them in the future.

Its a testament to the hold that Loch Ness has in people’s imagination that they choose this location to come to to help them raise money for their favourite charity - especially when the cause is often based far away.

Whatever the charity - fundraisers always have a personal involvement, and the pleasure that they get from completing their challenge can only be mirrored by the feeling of support from the recipiants of thier hard work.

I came accross a news story this week that was a little closer to home.  It is about a little two year old girl called Phoebe who lives in the village of Lochend at the northern end of Loch Ness.  Pheobe has her own Monster to deal with in the form of an agressive childhood cancer. 

The article, and the link to Phoebe’s website which shows how you can help, is below.

Weekend home visit for brave Lochend toddler
Press & Journal By Samantha Chetwynd, Published: 14/07/2008

A  Lochend toddler who is getting gruelling treatment for a rare and aggressive cancer returned home at the weekend for a brief visit.

Two-year-old Phoebe Macaskill is fighting neuroblastoma, having been diagnosed earlier this year.

For the last 14 weeks she has been getting a variety of invasive procedures at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Glasgow. After 80 days of chemotherapy and a stem-cell transplant, doctors agreed to let the toddler return home to Lochend for the weekend.

Yesterday her mother Rhona, 30, who has two other children Jude, 5, and Laina, 4, said Phoebe’s latest scan showed her tumour has shrunk considerably.

“There is still a long way to go but this is really good news,” said the mother. “We’re just pleased to have been able to bring her home. We’re just spending time with family and friends. When we turned into Lochend she said ‘home, my home’. It’s really nice to have her home, although she seems just happy as long as mummy or daddy is there. She’s excited at being able to sleep in her own bed. We’ve had to bring all her feeding equipment home which is in her bedroom and Jude said its Phoebe’s own hospital.”

Neuroblastoma, a cancer of the nervous system, strikes around 100 children every year and has a survival rate of only 20%.

Phoebe was returning to hospital today for further treatment, including surgery on the tumour and more high-dose chemotherapy.

If necessary Mrs Macaskill and her husband, self-employed builder Chris, 36, will take Phoebe to New York for a special antibody treatment at a cancer centre, where there is a 60% success rate.

This will cost £250,000 and family and friends have started a fundraising drive which includes a tour on Loch Ness on August 9.

To find out more about the campaign visit www.phoebemacaskill.com.