Saturday 31 December 2016

Time to Consider


The geography of this Posterlounge photograph is clear - Gada's Stack, Foula, in the foreground with the Noup looking as though it's a volcano in the distance. Chronology on the Shetland island is far from clear. In 1752, Britain adopted the Gregorian calendar. The Foula landlord decided differently and stuck with the Julian calendar. That put them at odds. However, although residents observed the leap year in 1800, they failed to do so in 1900. This omission put them out-of-kilter with the rest of the world, both the Gregorians and the Julians - with Christmas Day on 6 January and New Year's Day on 13 January. So do not worry about having that added second tonight at the end of 23.59 - it's nothing compared with the 'Foula Gap'.

Scottish Islands Explorer - plans to be on time throughout 2017
Digital Edition: split-second timing here

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