AYE IT'S A FUNNY OLD WORLD
It did not enter music lecturer Lynne Black's head that she was likely to incite racial hatred by proudly declaring that she was Aberdeen born and bred.
Mrs. Black was campaigning for a seat on the board of Cults Academy where her two sons are pupils and thought that it was worth pointing out that she was in a minority of parents who had lived in the city all her life. This was a mistake apparently and Council deputy returning officer David Harris, refused to allow the statement to be read as he felt that it was likely to incite racial hatred. Mrs. Black's nomination has been accepted but it is the only one without a supporting statement.
"I am offended, just sick. I am proud of being an Aberdonian and I was not intending to incite any racial prejudice." said Mrs. Black
The Council's stance was described as political correctness gone mad by MSP Brian Adam.
The Council apparently said that it was OK for her to say that she was an Aberdonian but not to say that she was one of the few parents in Cults who had lived there all their lives.
Officials were believed to be concerned about offending incoming "white settlers" who form a high majority of the up market suburb of Cults.
MORE TO YOUR KILT THAN MEETS THE EYE ?
Tartan, in all it's trigonometric glory is more than fancy pattern on cloth. According to a dead Benedictine monk it is the basis of all good architecture. A researcher for the Scottish Tartan Society said the theory was only common sense
"Tartan reflects the kind of proportion and pattern we like, and when architects are deigning buildings they have to be aware of that."
DOME-ESTIC CONTROVERSY
Scotland is to get it's very own day at the Millennium Dome. The St Andrews day spectacular, which it is hoped, will draw famous Scots from all over the world including Sir Sean Connery and Billy Connoly, has received a mixed response.
The New Millenium Experience Company said that Scots living in London would be targeted for the event and Scottish expatriates living abroad would also be encouraged to join in what they think could become a giant reunion party. The Scottish tourist board views the event is a great opportunity to promote Scotland.
Critics believe that the event is being used to boost attendance figures at the 750 million pound dome whilst others say that it is merely a sop to criticism over the massive amount of public money spent on the London attraction.
Some were much less kind however and SNP leader Alex Salmond attacked the event as "Utterly ludicrous." He elaborated further " "It is a giant white elephant that next to nobody from Scotland is visiting. The last thing Scotland wants is to be connected with this monstrosity."
How do they know where us Scots are?