Birth of Burns Marked in Postage Stamps
Among all the many celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns, the Royal Mail has issued two new first class stamps this week.
One depicts the famous Alexander Naismith portrait of Burns and the other quotes from the bard's most famous and enduring poem "A man's a man for a' that".
Burns is the only person outside the Royal Family to feature in three special stamp issues (1966 and 1996 and now in 2009).
The stamps are only available as part of a commemorative sheet, combined with the four every-day Scottish "regional" stamps.
Best Fish and Chips in Britain
The Anstruther Fish Bar and Restaurant in Fife has been once again crowned as the best fish and chip (French fries) shop in Britain.
The outlet, which overlooks the harbour at Anstruther, defeated nine other finalists from around Britain in the "Oscars" of the industry which is run every year by the Sea Fish Organisation.
The various stages of the competition included a mystery inspection, a mystery shopper, tasting tests and shop inspections during which everything is examined including the fish and chips, bookwork, hygiene and customer service.
It was the second year in succession that Scotland carried away the top prize - last year it was Townhead Cafe in Biggar, Lanarkshire.
Robert and Alison Smith have run the Anstruther Fish Bar and Restaurant in Fife since 2003.
Since then they have won the Scottish Fish and Chip Shop of the Year four times and were UK runners-up in 2006.
Haggis Amnesty
No, it's not that the haggis shooting season has been suspended...
It appears that many visitors to Scotland are not aware of the restrictions on exporting meat and arrive at Edinburgh airport with haggis they have bought to take home.
But over this weekend, although their "chieftain o' the puddin' race" will still be confiscated, they will be able to swap their "contraband" for a traditional Burns Supper of haggis, neeps and tatties with a 'wee dram' of whisky, courtesy of the Hilton Edinburgh Airport's restaurant.
So, if they have time before their flight, they can present their own haggis and proof of travel for the free meal.
At least there is a shuttle bus service between the airport and the hotel!
Putting the Flying Scotsman Back on the Rails
The National Railway Museum in York has launched a public appeal seeking a further £250,000 to get Flying Scotsman - "the world's most famous locomotive" - back on the rails to enable it to carry passengers again by next year.
Increased copper prices and the poor state of its boiler have meant that the project needs more finance.
The 86-year-old steam locomotive ran between Edinburgh and London and was saved for the nation in 2004 after an appeal raised £2.6 million.
The lion's share came from the lottery and Sir Richard Branson.
The new "Steam Our Scotsman" appeal is aimed at completing the restoration work by late spring 2010, a year later than previously planned.
Passenger tours will follow and are expected to include Scotland.
The Flying Scotsman, designed by Sir Nigel Gresley in 1923, was the first locomotive to reach 100mph, in 1934.
It operated on the east coast main line until Deltic diesel locomotives took over the route in 1959.
Special Tartan Day for Scottish Homecoming
The celebration of Tartan Day got off to a slow start in Scotland - way behind the events staged each year around the world to celebrate Scottish culture.
Arbroath in Angus, where the event that is commemorated in many Tartan Day celebrations took place, was the first to get involved.
After all, the Declaration of Arbroath was signed there in April 6 1320.
This year, with "Homecoming Scotland 2009" providing an extra stimulus, Arbroath will again have a week-long series of celebrations in Angus.
They will run from April 4 until April 12.
Last year, in addition to the colourful re-enactment of the signing of the Declaration on 6 April, there was a Tartan 10k race, a concert devoted to the music of Scotland, a reunion of the famous Abbey Folk Club - and haggis hurling.
