“Boy! What a windy day!” said my friend who had dropped by to visit during the holiday season. Yet, as I looked out of the window, I was a little surprised, as boughs on the trees seemed to be hardly moving at all.

After putting a warm cup of tea in her hand, (she clamping both hands on the mug to help warm them), I told her about the weather report I had just read that very morning from Scotland. If it was windy here, then I wouldn’t wish her what Scotland had been experiencing over the last few days.

Being a small island, in the middle of a (very) robust Atlantic Ocean, can be a little difficult on the inhabitants sometimes, and after reading this latest weather report, I had to share it with my friend. Scots were experiencing severe winds of nearly 90 mph, this, along with heavy rain battering parts of the country, caused widespread travel disruption for commuters returning to work after the Christmas holidays.

Bridges were closed to traffic and ferry services to and from the islands, ceased to sail for a few days. Many flights were cancelled, and, airports were not where anyone wanted to be, with the country in chaos as a result of the foul weather.

Many of the county’s larger bridges were also closed to vehicles due to the high winds. These included The Forth Road Bridge, Skye Bridge, Erskine Bridge, and more - all due to treacherous winds – some gusting to as high as 136 miles an hour!

Falling trees and football cancelled!

Of course these brought other problems with them... There were trees falling down across the country. This in turn, caused even more traffic problems. In Glasgow shoppers ran for cover in busy Sauchiehall Street, when a pane of glass fell 40 feet from a window, and, in spite of the pedestrian thoroughfare being covered in glass, no one was injured. If all this wasn’t enough, the Scottish Premier League football match at Motherwell had to be postponed due to structural damage in the stands and was rescheduled to January 24^th. Those that know Scots also know that nothing stops there football matches - unless it is really, very, very, serious!

Across the country the Met office issued amber alerts due to the terrible weather conditions, and even Edinburgh Castle was closed as a result of high winds.

Now, what was that my friend said about a “windy day?” Even she had to agree with me, that we had little to complain about. Incidentally, as we go to press, those awful weather situations have improved - but, knowing Scots, they will just take it all in their stride, and still be prepared for the next ‘Amber Alert’ - whenever that comes there way.

Here at the Banner office, we have had what we might call a couple of our own ‘amber alerts’ this past month.

Many readers will know by now, that we have moved our office from Florida to Rhode Island. Although the move has not been easy, it was made for the very best reason possible. To be near our lovely, brand new granddaughter- Hope. This little girl arrived as quite a surprise, as her parents had long since believed that experiencing parenthood would never happen for them. Now, and after many years, Hope is a blessing to us all. Sharing her first Christmas was a wonderful experience, and she is certainly worth all the disruption of our move to Rhode Island. Those wishing to contact us should take note of our new address and other details.

Should Scotland ditch Flower of Scotland?

A call has been made by Donald Glass, a leading piper in Scotland to ditch the song Flower of Scotland as the Scots national anthem, as it is too ‘politically embarrassing’. Not having its own anthem in 2004 Scots MSPs legislated on this issue and Flower of Scotland, by Roy Williamson of folk group The Corries in ‘67, won the day.

The words tell of Robert the Bruce’s defeat of Edward the Second at Bannockburn in 1314. Now Mr Glass thinks Scotland should have a ‘more uplifting’ piece of music reflecting a modern Scotland.

He recently stated, “In two years’ time we’ll be hosting the 2014 Commonwealth Games, which will mean a really high profile for the nation.  A new anthem should be a quicker 4/4 march composed first and foremost on the pipe and have words that people can easily sing along to and have a melody which is easily remembered.”

Here at the Banner we welcome views from our readers on this important issue. To help you decide we have also printed words of this and other tunes which have previously been suggested as possible anthems.

The letter from ‘Tom’

Yet, as with many things, the move also brought some sadness to me personally. It was while going through some old mail that I came upon a letter written to me about a year ago. It was from a man who I will call Tom, a delightful person who I became good friends with. I didn’t see him a lot, but was always overjoyed when I did, perhaps at a Highland Games, or some other Scottish event. In this letter he told me how his health had taken a turn for the worse, and he was ailing. I do recall writing back to him at the time I received it, but finding this letter reminded me that I had not heard any more from him. With his letter in my hand, I immediately sent him an e-mail, wishing him the best of the season, and also enquiring after his health.

Imagine how sorry I was when my e-mail was returned, with a no such address found notice. I could only think the worst, and felt so sorry. So, Tom, who lived in West Virginia, if you read this, please drop me a line, as I would love so much to hear from you again, and to know that you are doing well.

Wishing all our readers a fabulous month and remember your sweetheart on the 14^th.