The BBC is reporting that five new book sculptures have been hidden around Scotland for the public to find, with clues being released online each day this week as part of Book Week Scotland.

The first clue will be released at 10.30 this morning.

While I'm still interested by this story which I've mentioned before (and I was pleased to see the famous Better Nation quote in the close-up of the new sculpture in the BBC report), this latest development feels a bit contrived. I hope it does actually have the effect of promoting "libraries, books words and ideas" and doesn't lose its intrigue in the process.

Patrick McGoohan has died at age 80. Sadly, I’ve not seen a lot of his work beyond The Prisoner, but that was something a bit special.

On to the ded gois all estatis,
Princis, prelotis, and potestatis,
Baith riche and pur of al degre;
Timor Mortis conturbat me.

Not a big fan of poetry, but Dunbar’s Lament for the Makaris (Number 14 in the linked Complete Works, with notes) is a cracker, and somehow feels appropriate.

Having the guisers round this evening reminded me of the party piece I used to recite when I was going round chapping on doors with a poke for snashters:

The horny golloch is an awesome craitur
Souple and scaly
He has twa horns and a hantle o feet
And a forkie tailie

( English )