Celtophile Monday

Ghost-Like White Stag Spotted
A mythical and ghostly creature has appeared in the wilds of the Scottish Highlands -- and has been caught on camera. The rare white stag, from the red deer species, is believed to be among just a tiny handful living in Britain, according to a conservation group. The John Muir Trust is now keeping the stag's location secret for fear of poachers. White stags are seen as a magical and powerful force in many mythologies. The animal's ghostly glow comes from a recessive gene which causes leucism, a condition which reduces the normal brown coloring in hair and skin. They are not albinos, which have red eyes due to lack of pigment. In Celtic traditions, white stags represent messengers from the afterlife. Arthurian legend has it that the creature can never be caught -- King Arthur's pursuit of the animal represents mankind's spiritual quest. Read more

Grave Might Be First Historical Evidence of Druids
The first historical evidence of the existence of a mysterious ancient sect known as the Druids, might have been found in the form of a series of graves discovered in a gravel quarry at Stanway near Colchester, Essex, in UK. According to a report in Discovery News, these graves have been dated to 40-60 AD, and at least one of the burials, it appears, may have been that of a Druid. Read more

Celtic Music Discovery of the Week
Peat Bog Faeries - A softer version of Wolfstone, this band does a pleasing-to-the-ear fusion of trad/rock/jazz. Verra nice! :) Found 'em on MySpace.

Weekly Scotland Outdoors Podcast
Hear the best of Out of Doors, Grassroots, and Landward, compiled weekly by Euan McIlwraith. Download Outdoors' weekly podcast, with features to interest anyone taking part in outdoor activities or working the land. It's ideal listening, even if you're one of those who prefers to enjoy the Scottish countryside from the comfort of your armchair! Be across the issues in the news, stay up to date with concerns over access or the environment and hear about the latest initiatives affecting our great outdoors. Read more

Blog of the Week
Arnish Lighthouse - " have been in Lewis since late 2004 and am observing life on this fascinating island from an outsider's perspective. I look out at the lighthouse every day - as it looks out over the island and the sea."

In Search of Scotland
I might have posted this one before, but it's a nice page... :)

Warm Up For The Frostbite!
Cornish surfers are being told to warm up for the second leg of the Frostbite Session that was previously scheduled to take place in Polzeath. (That's right, folks, surfing in Cornwall. In winter. Read more by Simon Alexander

Having a Ba' in Jedburgh
The townsfolk of Jedburgh squared up to each other yesterday for the annual Jethard HandBa'. The traditional ball game, which has been played in the Border town for 250 years, pits the Uppies (residents of the higher part of Jedburgh) against the Doonies (residents from the bottom half of the town). The game uses a leather ball stuffed with straw and decorated with ribbons. It is then thrown into the group of men which gather together in a scrum and then manhandle it through the streets. Legend has it that the origin of this game came from a particularly bloody battle between the Scots and the English, the victorious Scots used the head of a fallen English general as a ball. Read more and watch a video