Tweet
For the latest news from Scotland see our ScotNews feed at:
https://electricscotland.com/scotnews.htm
Electric Scotland News
Last week I mentioned that I was considering covering the LGBT issues in Scotland and asked for your comments and thanks to those that provided feedback.
The most concern was shown about not wanting to have a discussion on this issue as it was of no interest to them. I did point out that the intention was simply to state the facts so that historical researchers would be able to acquire some information on this topic which seemed to settle most concerns.
I have now added a single page which provides the key legislation on this subject and an overview of progress made on this front. The page can be reached at: https://www.electricscotland.com/lifestyle/lgbt.htm
------
I've not been reporting on all the news items coming out about the UK & EU and the war of words coming out of the EU countries. It's seems they are all keen to see the UK fail after daring to leave the EU. Mind you I have been reporting on the trade deals being done around the world from the UK which seem to be most promising for the UK. I have also noted that a lot of British people are boycotting EU goods.
Scottish News from this weeks newspapers
Note that this is a selection and more can be read in our ScotNews feed on our index page where we list news from the past 1-2 weeks. I am partly doing this to build an archive of modern news from and about Scotland and world news stories that can affect Scotland and as all the newsletters are archived and also indexed on Google and other search engines it becomes a good resource. I might also add that in a number of newspapers you will find many comments which can be just as interesting as the news story itself and of course you can also add your own comments if you wish which I do myself from time to time.
India’s Democracy Is the World’s Problem
Small, rich, homogenous nations do not offer stories of hope. Big, poor, diverse ones do.
Read more at:
https://www.theatlantic.com/internat...ocracy/619144/
Humans have used chaga for thousands of years. But its popularity is shining new light on forest medicinals.
While people in Russia and parts of Asia have been utilising it for thousands of years as a remedy for scores of ailments, chaga has only recently started growing in popularity in more western cultures.
Read more at:
http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/2021...of-immortality
Hard economic reality: Pt 1 Our garden is far from rosy
This is the start of a 6 part series of articles from Think Scotland.
Read more at:
https://thinkscotland.org/2021/06/ha...far-from-rosy/
5 months out of the EU single market - progress so far
By John Redwood MP
Read more at:
https://johnredwoodsdiary.com/2021/0...rogress-so-far
Scots are slowly realising you can’t be independent and in the EU
SNP voters are split on whether an independent Scotland should join the EU, and the leadership hopes the problem will go away if they keep quiet about it. But as Brexit exposes Europe's weaknesses and the opportunities for Britain outside it, unionists have a chance to force a confrontation with reality.
Read more at:
https://capx.co/scots-are-slowly-rea...-and-in-the-eu
GB News goes live, Scottish losses, exodus of female faces on BBC continues, and more
By Hamish MacKay in the Scottish Review
Read more at:
https://www.scottishreview.net/HamishMackay575a.html
Welcome to GB News
GB News will not be yet another echo chamber for the metropolitan mindset that already dominates so much of the media. It is our explicit aim to empower those who feel their stories, their opinions, their concerns have been ignored or diminished
Read more at:
https://www.gbnews.uk/shows/andrew-n...viewers/105106
First Look: Inside the new Glenlivet Distillery visitor centre where you can now try their controversial cocktail capsules
The Glenlivet Cocktail Collection, which took the internet by storm when they were released in 2019, will be available for people to try.
Read more at:
https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/scotla...livet-24315039
UK and Australia agree terms of trade deal in first major post-Brexit agreement
BORIS JOHNSON and Australian Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, have agreed broad terms of the Brexit trade deal, according to reports.
Read more at:
https://www.express.co.uk/news/polit...son-latest-ont
Queen meets Joe Biden at Windsor Castle
Mr Biden said afterwards that the Queen had reminded him of his mother, and he had invited the Queen to visit the White House.
Read more at:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-57461257
Brexit trade win as Norway to approve £20bn deal with UK after backlash in Oslo
NORWAY's £20billion trade deal with the UK is to be passed in the country's Parliament after it achieved backing from a majority of Norwegian politicians.
Read more at:
https://www.express.co.uk/news/polit...rg-Oslo-London
Electric Canadian
Trail Riders of the Canadian Rockies
Including Skyline Hikers Association of the Canadian Rockies Volume 1 No 1 October 1933 (pdf) which you can read at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/maga...nRockies01.pdf
There are numerous other issues on the Internet Archive at:
https://archive.org/search.php?query...ian+Rockies%22
Thoughts on a Sunday morning - the 6th day of June 2021
By the Rev. Nola Crewe
You can watch this at:
http://www.electricscotland.org/foru...13th-june-2021
A Canadian Achievement
The Delivery of Alberta Crude Oil at Sarnia, Ontario, April 24th, 1951. The delivery of western crude oil to Ontario brings many benefits to Canada. It lessens our dependence on outside sources of oil. It saves foreign exchange. It means that money which once went elsewhere for oil is now being spent in our own west. It makes Canada surer of its essential oil supplies in peace or war. (pdf)
You can read this at: http://www.electriccanadian.com/tran...anadianoil.pdf
Electric Scotland
Beth's Video Talks
Got in her talk for June 16th 2021 - Getting started in your own genealogy
You can view this at: https://electricscotland.com/bnft/videos.htm
Jigsaw Puzzles
Added another four jigsaw puzzles under topics: "Scotland Fact File" and "Electric Scotland Greeting Cards" at: https://electricscotland.com/kids/jigsaws/index.htm
Beth's Newfangled Family Tree
Hi Everyone. Whew. The last few weeks have been VERY stressful for me. My old faithful Canon Color Image printer had a serious illness with "paper sensor" problems. I was told to put her out of her misery and purchase another printer. I bought an HP printer I was told would work on my Windows 7 computer. There were difficulties with delivering the HP printer and I was sent another one. Before #2 arrived, the original HP showed up on my front porch. OK. We canceled the second HP. It was delivered right on time with no problems. (I have since learned that our regular UPS fellow had been on vacation when the first printer was delivered to the wrong place.)
After working for several hours installing the original HP printer, we discovered, "NOPE," the scanning parts would not work with a Windows 7. Yikes. So, I had two printers to return.
I called HP and they were very nice and very understanding. The lady to whom I talked found a printer that would work with Windows 7.
I became the owner of an Epson WorkForce 7840 printer. It is a lovely printer, but very, very technical. I am NOT a technical person. So began the quest to make the new printer work. This entailed several days of frustrated techs at Epson and days of very high stress for me.
Not many folks understand the process of producing a publication today. This is how I do it with the equipment I have at my disposal. I print my PageMaker pages each time I complete a page. That way, if there is a computer disaster, my work is not affected. When all the pages are complete and printed, I integrate the ad pages with the copy pages. The publication is proofread by Tom and corrections are made by me and we're off to the races.
Then, I scan in the pages (which create my pdf pages and file) and save the scanned publication in my computer and send them to everyone on this list and to Alastair at electricscotland.com.
A miracle has occurred. I printed this section and also scanned it using Epson WF 7840! I have a few things to still do before I am completely happy with this. To scan with the new printer, I carefully load everything on top of the printer and it automatically scans in all the pages! Boy, howdy! I love that! I notice that a few of the pages this time are a bit unstraight. I will work on that with Epson. I think the ink density could be better. I will work on that. Epson is closed on the weekends.
Both of the HP printers are returned safely. My own blood pressure is down a LOT.
This issue has lots of what I hope you enjoy reading including a recipe for Athol Brose that you can make yourself!
Please remember to let me know when your email changes. Please remember to send me your genealogical queries.
My own genealogical surprises in the last few weeks are that I am cousin to both Ann Boleyn and Katherine Howard - two of King Henry's unfortunate wives. I also found a many times great grandfather who was the Keeper of the Tower of London and another who was "trumpeter" to Queen Elizabeth.
Please continue to be careful. Please urge everyone to have their Covid vaccinations so we may all be safe again. Aye, Beth
You can read Section 2 at: https://electricscotland.com/bnft/index.htm
Podcast - Passing Places Around Scotland
Dunbarton Castle (mp3)
You can listen to this one hour broadcast at:
https://electricscotland.com/travel/...ton-castle.mp3
Eastwood
Notes on the Ecclesiastical Antiquities of the Parish by the Rev. George Campbell, Minister of the Parish (1902) (pdf)
You can read this at: https://electricscotland.com/books/EastwoodNotes.pdf
The Scottish Parliament 1560-1707, Glimpses of old Scots Parish Life and Bishop Norie’s Dundee Baptismal Register, 1722-26
From the Scottish Historical Review which you can read at: https://electricscotland.com/history...nt_article.htm
Scotch Wild Cattle
An interesting article from an old magazine which you can read at: https://electricscotland.com/agricul...wildcattle.htm
Story
SCOTTISH CHARMS AND AMULETS. By GEO. F. BLACK,
ASSISTANT-KEEPER OF THE MUSEUM.
The subject of Scottish charms and amulets, although one of great interest, has scarcely as yet been touched upon by antiquaries. With the exception of two or three brief notices of individual charms, the only special article of any importance is the paper of the late Sir James Young Simpson, published in the fourth volume of our Proceedings. In the present paper it is purposed to describe in detail all the known specimens of Scottish amulets and charms, accompanied by such extracts from various sources as are calculated to shed light on their uses and on the motives which induced the people to believe that such objects possessed the power to protect them from innumerable dangers, avert evil from themselves, or cause evil in others.
Although the words amulet and charm, as now used, are synonymous, yet each has its own clearly defined and distinct meaning.
The earliest known writer who uses the word amulet is Pliny, and it is employed by him with the same meaning that we attach to it, namely, as a preservative against poison, witchcraft, and sorcery ("venoficiorum amulets," Historia Naturalis, lib. nix, cap. xix). The derivation of the word is not known, but by some a Latin origin is assigned to it as being that "quod malum amolitur." By others the word is derived from amula, "vas lustrale." The etymology from the Arabic himälah (= "that which is carried ") usually assigned to the word in modern dictionaries is wrong, the resemblance between the two words being purely fortuitous.
The word charm, from the Latin carmen, a song, was in later times understood to mean a form of words possessing some occult power for good or evil, more often the former. Charms were of two kinds, written and recited. Of the former, the toothache charms described below are typical examples, and of the latter the Shetlandic incantation for the cure of a sprained joint or sinew is an instance:-
That certain stones possessed curative properties of an occult nature was formerly the common belief of the people throughout Scotland, and even at this day is not quite extinct among us. With the exception of the crystal balls already described, the greater number of these curing-stones are merely naturally-formed pebbles, such as may be found in the bed of any stream, or picked up on the sea-shore. Some of these curing-stones are known by name, and have acquired a more than local celebrity from their association with particular individuals. Of these the chief is the Curing-Stone of St Columba, the virtues of which have been recorded by Adamnan as follows:-
Curing-Stone of St Columba.—" About the same time the venerable man, from motives of humanity, besought Broichan the Druid to liberate a certain Scotic female slave, and when he very cruelly and obstinately refused to part with her, the saint then spoke to him to the following effect:—‘ Know, O Broichan, and be assured, that if thou refuse to set this captive free, as I desire thee, that thou shalt die suddenly before I take my departure again from this province.’ Having said this in presence of Brude, the king, he departed from the royal palace and proceeded to the river Nesa (the Ness); from this stream he took a white pebble, and showing it to his companions said to them :— "‘Behold this white pebble, by which God will effect the cure of many diseases among this heathen nation.’
"Having thus spoken, he instantly added, ‘Broichan is chastised grievously at this moment, for an angel being sent from heaven, and striking him severely, hath broken into many pieces the glass cup in his hand from which he was drinking, and hath left him gasping deeply for breath, and half dead. Let us await here a short time, for two of the king’s messengers, who have been sent after us in haste, to request us to return quickly and help the dying Broichan, who, now that he is thus terribly punished, consenteth to set the girl free.’
"Whilst the saint was yet speaking, behold there arrived, as he had predicted, two horsemen, who were sent by the king, and who related all that had occurred to Broichan in the royal fortress, according to the prediction of the saint—both the breaking of the drinking goblet, the punishment of the Druid, and his willingness to set his captive at liberty; they then added, ‘The king and his friends have sent us to thee to request that thou wouldst cure his foster-father Broichan, who lieth in a dying state.’
"Having heard these words of the messengers, St Columba sent two of his companions to the king with the pebble which he had blessed, and said to them, ‘If Broichan shall first promise to set the maiden free, then at once immerse this little stone in water, and let him drink from it, and he shall be instantly cured; but if he break his vow, and refuse to liberate her he shall die that instant.’
"The two persons, in obedience to the saint’s instructions, proceeded to the palace, and announced to the king the words of the venerable man. When they were made known to the king and his tutor Broichan, they were so dismayed that they immediately liberated the captive, and delivered her to the saint’s messengers. The pebble was then immersed in water, and in a wonderful manner, contrary to the laws of nature, the stone floated on the water, like a nut or an apple, nor, as it had been blessed by the holy man, could it he submerged. Broichan drank from the stone as it floated on the water, and instantly returning from the verge of death, recovered his perfect health and soundness of body.
"This remarkable pebble, which was afterwards preserved among the treasures of the king, through the mercy of God effected the cure of sundry diseases among the people, while it in the same manner floated when dipped in water. And what is very wonderful, when this same stone was sought for by those sick persons whose term of life had arrived, it could not be found. Thus on the very day on which King Brude died, though it was sought for, yet it could not be found in the place where it had been previously laid."
Curing-Stones of St Fillan.—In a niche in the wall of the mill at Killin, Perthshire, there are preserved a number of stones, which are locally known as the healing or curing stones of St Fillan, and considered to be efficacious in cases of insanity and rheumatism. The stones are merely small boulders of quartzite taken from the bed of the river, but are marked by small, shallow, rounded cavities on their faces. They are now known to be nothing more than the "socket stones in which the spindle of the upper millstone used to work before the introduction of the improved machinery." It is stated that a niche has always been made in the wall of the new mill which succeeded the old one down to the present day, as a resting-place for the stones; and that on the saint’s day in 1879, the villagers assembled and put clean straw under them. The precise manner in which the stones were used in effecting a cure is not clear, but it is stated that water poured over them was used by the patient—whether outwardly or inwardly is not known. A correspondent of the late Dr John Stuart, in a letter dated March 1865, also refers to the stones, and adds that each one "was supposed to have the power of healing a particular disease. The tradition of the country points them out as the identical stones blessed by the saint, and used for healing disease through so many centuries, almost to our own time. One was called the ‘heart stone,’ another the ‘thumb stone.’ "
In a paper communicated to the Society some years ago by the Rev. Dr Hugh Macmillan, the writer describes two curing-stones of white quartz which lie on a tombstone in an old burying-ground known as Cladh Davi, on the shore of Loch Tay. These curing-stones, like those at Killin already described, were also originally socket stones. Dr Macmillan says:—"These stones are said to cure pectoral inflammation when the water is applied to the nipples; and not long since a woman, who was thus afflicted, came a considerable distance, from the head of Glen Lochay, to make use of this remedy. In all likelihood the stones belong to the series which is carefully preserved in the modern mill at Killin, as relics of St Fillan. It is said that some of the stones in the collection at the mill were lost. In all likelihood the stones in Cladh Davi are the missing ones, though how or why or when they were brought to the latter spot there is no record to tell."
Curing-Stone of St Molio.—Martin is the only writer who describes this stone, which appears to have been held in great repute in Arran in his day for removing stitches from the sides of sick people, and for securing victory in battle to Macdonald of the Isles. The stone has now disappeared. Martin’s description is as follows:-
"I had like to have forgot a valuable Curiosity in this Isle, which they call Baul Muluy,’ i.e. Molingus his Stone Globe: this Saint was Chaplain to Mack-Donald of the Isles; his Name is celebrated here on the account of this Globe, so much esteem’d by the Inhabitants. This Stone for its intrinsick value has been carefully transmitted to Posterity for several Ages. It is a green Stone much like a Globe in Figure, about the bigness of a Goose-Egg. The Vertue of it is to remove Stitches from the sides of sick Persons, by laying it close to the Place affected; and if the Patient does not out-live the Distemper, they say the Stone removes out of the Bed of its own accord, and è contra. The Natives use this Stone for swearing decisive Oaths upon it. They ascribe another extraordinary Vertue to it, and ‘tis this: The credulous Vulgar firmly believe that if this Stone is east among the Front of an Enemy, they will all run away; and that as often as the Enemy rallies, if this Stone is east among them, they still lose Courage, and retire. They say that Mack-Donald of the Isles carried this Stone about him, and that Victory was always on his side when he threw it among the Enemy. The Custody of this Globe is the peculiar Privilege of a little Family called Clan-Chattons, alias MackIntosh; they were antient Followers of Mack-Donald of the Isles. This Stone is now in the Custody of Margaret Miller, alias Mack-Intosh: she lives in Baellmianich, and preserves the Globe with abundance of care; it is wrapped up in fair Linen Cloth, and about that there is a piece of Woollen Cloth, and she keeps it still look’d up in her Chest, when it is not given out to exert its qualities."
END.
If you would like to learn more on this topic see our page at: https://electricscotland.com/history...les/charms.htm
And that's it for this week and hope you all have a great weekend.
Alastair
https://electricscotland.com/scotnews.htm
Electric Scotland News
Last week I mentioned that I was considering covering the LGBT issues in Scotland and asked for your comments and thanks to those that provided feedback.
The most concern was shown about not wanting to have a discussion on this issue as it was of no interest to them. I did point out that the intention was simply to state the facts so that historical researchers would be able to acquire some information on this topic which seemed to settle most concerns.
I have now added a single page which provides the key legislation on this subject and an overview of progress made on this front. The page can be reached at: https://www.electricscotland.com/lifestyle/lgbt.htm
------
I've not been reporting on all the news items coming out about the UK & EU and the war of words coming out of the EU countries. It's seems they are all keen to see the UK fail after daring to leave the EU. Mind you I have been reporting on the trade deals being done around the world from the UK which seem to be most promising for the UK. I have also noted that a lot of British people are boycotting EU goods.
Scottish News from this weeks newspapers
Note that this is a selection and more can be read in our ScotNews feed on our index page where we list news from the past 1-2 weeks. I am partly doing this to build an archive of modern news from and about Scotland and world news stories that can affect Scotland and as all the newsletters are archived and also indexed on Google and other search engines it becomes a good resource. I might also add that in a number of newspapers you will find many comments which can be just as interesting as the news story itself and of course you can also add your own comments if you wish which I do myself from time to time.
India’s Democracy Is the World’s Problem
Small, rich, homogenous nations do not offer stories of hope. Big, poor, diverse ones do.
Read more at:
https://www.theatlantic.com/internat...ocracy/619144/
Humans have used chaga for thousands of years. But its popularity is shining new light on forest medicinals.
While people in Russia and parts of Asia have been utilising it for thousands of years as a remedy for scores of ailments, chaga has only recently started growing in popularity in more western cultures.
Read more at:
http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/2021...of-immortality
Hard economic reality: Pt 1 Our garden is far from rosy
This is the start of a 6 part series of articles from Think Scotland.
Read more at:
https://thinkscotland.org/2021/06/ha...far-from-rosy/
5 months out of the EU single market - progress so far
By John Redwood MP
Read more at:
https://johnredwoodsdiary.com/2021/0...rogress-so-far
Scots are slowly realising you can’t be independent and in the EU
SNP voters are split on whether an independent Scotland should join the EU, and the leadership hopes the problem will go away if they keep quiet about it. But as Brexit exposes Europe's weaknesses and the opportunities for Britain outside it, unionists have a chance to force a confrontation with reality.
Read more at:
https://capx.co/scots-are-slowly-rea...-and-in-the-eu
GB News goes live, Scottish losses, exodus of female faces on BBC continues, and more
By Hamish MacKay in the Scottish Review
Read more at:
https://www.scottishreview.net/HamishMackay575a.html
Welcome to GB News
GB News will not be yet another echo chamber for the metropolitan mindset that already dominates so much of the media. It is our explicit aim to empower those who feel their stories, their opinions, their concerns have been ignored or diminished
Read more at:
https://www.gbnews.uk/shows/andrew-n...viewers/105106
First Look: Inside the new Glenlivet Distillery visitor centre where you can now try their controversial cocktail capsules
The Glenlivet Cocktail Collection, which took the internet by storm when they were released in 2019, will be available for people to try.
Read more at:
https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/scotla...livet-24315039
UK and Australia agree terms of trade deal in first major post-Brexit agreement
BORIS JOHNSON and Australian Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, have agreed broad terms of the Brexit trade deal, according to reports.
Read more at:
https://www.express.co.uk/news/polit...son-latest-ont
Queen meets Joe Biden at Windsor Castle
Mr Biden said afterwards that the Queen had reminded him of his mother, and he had invited the Queen to visit the White House.
Read more at:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-57461257
Brexit trade win as Norway to approve £20bn deal with UK after backlash in Oslo
NORWAY's £20billion trade deal with the UK is to be passed in the country's Parliament after it achieved backing from a majority of Norwegian politicians.
Read more at:
https://www.express.co.uk/news/polit...rg-Oslo-London
Electric Canadian
Trail Riders of the Canadian Rockies
Including Skyline Hikers Association of the Canadian Rockies Volume 1 No 1 October 1933 (pdf) which you can read at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/maga...nRockies01.pdf
There are numerous other issues on the Internet Archive at:
https://archive.org/search.php?query...ian+Rockies%22
Thoughts on a Sunday morning - the 6th day of June 2021
By the Rev. Nola Crewe
You can watch this at:
http://www.electricscotland.org/foru...13th-june-2021
A Canadian Achievement
The Delivery of Alberta Crude Oil at Sarnia, Ontario, April 24th, 1951. The delivery of western crude oil to Ontario brings many benefits to Canada. It lessens our dependence on outside sources of oil. It saves foreign exchange. It means that money which once went elsewhere for oil is now being spent in our own west. It makes Canada surer of its essential oil supplies in peace or war. (pdf)
You can read this at: http://www.electriccanadian.com/tran...anadianoil.pdf
Electric Scotland
Beth's Video Talks
Got in her talk for June 16th 2021 - Getting started in your own genealogy
You can view this at: https://electricscotland.com/bnft/videos.htm
Jigsaw Puzzles
Added another four jigsaw puzzles under topics: "Scotland Fact File" and "Electric Scotland Greeting Cards" at: https://electricscotland.com/kids/jigsaws/index.htm
Beth's Newfangled Family Tree
Hi Everyone. Whew. The last few weeks have been VERY stressful for me. My old faithful Canon Color Image printer had a serious illness with "paper sensor" problems. I was told to put her out of her misery and purchase another printer. I bought an HP printer I was told would work on my Windows 7 computer. There were difficulties with delivering the HP printer and I was sent another one. Before #2 arrived, the original HP showed up on my front porch. OK. We canceled the second HP. It was delivered right on time with no problems. (I have since learned that our regular UPS fellow had been on vacation when the first printer was delivered to the wrong place.)
After working for several hours installing the original HP printer, we discovered, "NOPE," the scanning parts would not work with a Windows 7. Yikes. So, I had two printers to return.
I called HP and they were very nice and very understanding. The lady to whom I talked found a printer that would work with Windows 7.
I became the owner of an Epson WorkForce 7840 printer. It is a lovely printer, but very, very technical. I am NOT a technical person. So began the quest to make the new printer work. This entailed several days of frustrated techs at Epson and days of very high stress for me.
Not many folks understand the process of producing a publication today. This is how I do it with the equipment I have at my disposal. I print my PageMaker pages each time I complete a page. That way, if there is a computer disaster, my work is not affected. When all the pages are complete and printed, I integrate the ad pages with the copy pages. The publication is proofread by Tom and corrections are made by me and we're off to the races.
Then, I scan in the pages (which create my pdf pages and file) and save the scanned publication in my computer and send them to everyone on this list and to Alastair at electricscotland.com.
A miracle has occurred. I printed this section and also scanned it using Epson WF 7840! I have a few things to still do before I am completely happy with this. To scan with the new printer, I carefully load everything on top of the printer and it automatically scans in all the pages! Boy, howdy! I love that! I notice that a few of the pages this time are a bit unstraight. I will work on that with Epson. I think the ink density could be better. I will work on that. Epson is closed on the weekends.
Both of the HP printers are returned safely. My own blood pressure is down a LOT.
This issue has lots of what I hope you enjoy reading including a recipe for Athol Brose that you can make yourself!
Please remember to let me know when your email changes. Please remember to send me your genealogical queries.
My own genealogical surprises in the last few weeks are that I am cousin to both Ann Boleyn and Katherine Howard - two of King Henry's unfortunate wives. I also found a many times great grandfather who was the Keeper of the Tower of London and another who was "trumpeter" to Queen Elizabeth.
Please continue to be careful. Please urge everyone to have their Covid vaccinations so we may all be safe again. Aye, Beth
You can read Section 2 at: https://electricscotland.com/bnft/index.htm
Podcast - Passing Places Around Scotland
Dunbarton Castle (mp3)
You can listen to this one hour broadcast at:
https://electricscotland.com/travel/...ton-castle.mp3
Eastwood
Notes on the Ecclesiastical Antiquities of the Parish by the Rev. George Campbell, Minister of the Parish (1902) (pdf)
You can read this at: https://electricscotland.com/books/EastwoodNotes.pdf
The Scottish Parliament 1560-1707, Glimpses of old Scots Parish Life and Bishop Norie’s Dundee Baptismal Register, 1722-26
From the Scottish Historical Review which you can read at: https://electricscotland.com/history...nt_article.htm
Scotch Wild Cattle
An interesting article from an old magazine which you can read at: https://electricscotland.com/agricul...wildcattle.htm
Story
SCOTTISH CHARMS AND AMULETS. By GEO. F. BLACK,
ASSISTANT-KEEPER OF THE MUSEUM.
The subject of Scottish charms and amulets, although one of great interest, has scarcely as yet been touched upon by antiquaries. With the exception of two or three brief notices of individual charms, the only special article of any importance is the paper of the late Sir James Young Simpson, published in the fourth volume of our Proceedings. In the present paper it is purposed to describe in detail all the known specimens of Scottish amulets and charms, accompanied by such extracts from various sources as are calculated to shed light on their uses and on the motives which induced the people to believe that such objects possessed the power to protect them from innumerable dangers, avert evil from themselves, or cause evil in others.
Although the words amulet and charm, as now used, are synonymous, yet each has its own clearly defined and distinct meaning.
The earliest known writer who uses the word amulet is Pliny, and it is employed by him with the same meaning that we attach to it, namely, as a preservative against poison, witchcraft, and sorcery ("venoficiorum amulets," Historia Naturalis, lib. nix, cap. xix). The derivation of the word is not known, but by some a Latin origin is assigned to it as being that "quod malum amolitur." By others the word is derived from amula, "vas lustrale." The etymology from the Arabic himälah (= "that which is carried ") usually assigned to the word in modern dictionaries is wrong, the resemblance between the two words being purely fortuitous.
The word charm, from the Latin carmen, a song, was in later times understood to mean a form of words possessing some occult power for good or evil, more often the former. Charms were of two kinds, written and recited. Of the former, the toothache charms described below are typical examples, and of the latter the Shetlandic incantation for the cure of a sprained joint or sinew is an instance:-
"The Lord rade, and the foal slade;
He lighted, and he righted,
Set joint to joint, bone to bone,
And sinew to sinew, heal in the Holy Ghost’s name."
Curing-StonesHe lighted, and he righted,
Set joint to joint, bone to bone,
And sinew to sinew, heal in the Holy Ghost’s name."
That certain stones possessed curative properties of an occult nature was formerly the common belief of the people throughout Scotland, and even at this day is not quite extinct among us. With the exception of the crystal balls already described, the greater number of these curing-stones are merely naturally-formed pebbles, such as may be found in the bed of any stream, or picked up on the sea-shore. Some of these curing-stones are known by name, and have acquired a more than local celebrity from their association with particular individuals. Of these the chief is the Curing-Stone of St Columba, the virtues of which have been recorded by Adamnan as follows:-
Curing-Stone of St Columba.—" About the same time the venerable man, from motives of humanity, besought Broichan the Druid to liberate a certain Scotic female slave, and when he very cruelly and obstinately refused to part with her, the saint then spoke to him to the following effect:—‘ Know, O Broichan, and be assured, that if thou refuse to set this captive free, as I desire thee, that thou shalt die suddenly before I take my departure again from this province.’ Having said this in presence of Brude, the king, he departed from the royal palace and proceeded to the river Nesa (the Ness); from this stream he took a white pebble, and showing it to his companions said to them :— "‘Behold this white pebble, by which God will effect the cure of many diseases among this heathen nation.’
"Having thus spoken, he instantly added, ‘Broichan is chastised grievously at this moment, for an angel being sent from heaven, and striking him severely, hath broken into many pieces the glass cup in his hand from which he was drinking, and hath left him gasping deeply for breath, and half dead. Let us await here a short time, for two of the king’s messengers, who have been sent after us in haste, to request us to return quickly and help the dying Broichan, who, now that he is thus terribly punished, consenteth to set the girl free.’
"Whilst the saint was yet speaking, behold there arrived, as he had predicted, two horsemen, who were sent by the king, and who related all that had occurred to Broichan in the royal fortress, according to the prediction of the saint—both the breaking of the drinking goblet, the punishment of the Druid, and his willingness to set his captive at liberty; they then added, ‘The king and his friends have sent us to thee to request that thou wouldst cure his foster-father Broichan, who lieth in a dying state.’
"Having heard these words of the messengers, St Columba sent two of his companions to the king with the pebble which he had blessed, and said to them, ‘If Broichan shall first promise to set the maiden free, then at once immerse this little stone in water, and let him drink from it, and he shall be instantly cured; but if he break his vow, and refuse to liberate her he shall die that instant.’
"The two persons, in obedience to the saint’s instructions, proceeded to the palace, and announced to the king the words of the venerable man. When they were made known to the king and his tutor Broichan, they were so dismayed that they immediately liberated the captive, and delivered her to the saint’s messengers. The pebble was then immersed in water, and in a wonderful manner, contrary to the laws of nature, the stone floated on the water, like a nut or an apple, nor, as it had been blessed by the holy man, could it he submerged. Broichan drank from the stone as it floated on the water, and instantly returning from the verge of death, recovered his perfect health and soundness of body.
"This remarkable pebble, which was afterwards preserved among the treasures of the king, through the mercy of God effected the cure of sundry diseases among the people, while it in the same manner floated when dipped in water. And what is very wonderful, when this same stone was sought for by those sick persons whose term of life had arrived, it could not be found. Thus on the very day on which King Brude died, though it was sought for, yet it could not be found in the place where it had been previously laid."
Curing-Stones of St Fillan.—In a niche in the wall of the mill at Killin, Perthshire, there are preserved a number of stones, which are locally known as the healing or curing stones of St Fillan, and considered to be efficacious in cases of insanity and rheumatism. The stones are merely small boulders of quartzite taken from the bed of the river, but are marked by small, shallow, rounded cavities on their faces. They are now known to be nothing more than the "socket stones in which the spindle of the upper millstone used to work before the introduction of the improved machinery." It is stated that a niche has always been made in the wall of the new mill which succeeded the old one down to the present day, as a resting-place for the stones; and that on the saint’s day in 1879, the villagers assembled and put clean straw under them. The precise manner in which the stones were used in effecting a cure is not clear, but it is stated that water poured over them was used by the patient—whether outwardly or inwardly is not known. A correspondent of the late Dr John Stuart, in a letter dated March 1865, also refers to the stones, and adds that each one "was supposed to have the power of healing a particular disease. The tradition of the country points them out as the identical stones blessed by the saint, and used for healing disease through so many centuries, almost to our own time. One was called the ‘heart stone,’ another the ‘thumb stone.’ "
In a paper communicated to the Society some years ago by the Rev. Dr Hugh Macmillan, the writer describes two curing-stones of white quartz which lie on a tombstone in an old burying-ground known as Cladh Davi, on the shore of Loch Tay. These curing-stones, like those at Killin already described, were also originally socket stones. Dr Macmillan says:—"These stones are said to cure pectoral inflammation when the water is applied to the nipples; and not long since a woman, who was thus afflicted, came a considerable distance, from the head of Glen Lochay, to make use of this remedy. In all likelihood the stones belong to the series which is carefully preserved in the modern mill at Killin, as relics of St Fillan. It is said that some of the stones in the collection at the mill were lost. In all likelihood the stones in Cladh Davi are the missing ones, though how or why or when they were brought to the latter spot there is no record to tell."
Curing-Stone of St Molio.—Martin is the only writer who describes this stone, which appears to have been held in great repute in Arran in his day for removing stitches from the sides of sick people, and for securing victory in battle to Macdonald of the Isles. The stone has now disappeared. Martin’s description is as follows:-
"I had like to have forgot a valuable Curiosity in this Isle, which they call Baul Muluy,’ i.e. Molingus his Stone Globe: this Saint was Chaplain to Mack-Donald of the Isles; his Name is celebrated here on the account of this Globe, so much esteem’d by the Inhabitants. This Stone for its intrinsick value has been carefully transmitted to Posterity for several Ages. It is a green Stone much like a Globe in Figure, about the bigness of a Goose-Egg. The Vertue of it is to remove Stitches from the sides of sick Persons, by laying it close to the Place affected; and if the Patient does not out-live the Distemper, they say the Stone removes out of the Bed of its own accord, and è contra. The Natives use this Stone for swearing decisive Oaths upon it. They ascribe another extraordinary Vertue to it, and ‘tis this: The credulous Vulgar firmly believe that if this Stone is east among the Front of an Enemy, they will all run away; and that as often as the Enemy rallies, if this Stone is east among them, they still lose Courage, and retire. They say that Mack-Donald of the Isles carried this Stone about him, and that Victory was always on his side when he threw it among the Enemy. The Custody of this Globe is the peculiar Privilege of a little Family called Clan-Chattons, alias MackIntosh; they were antient Followers of Mack-Donald of the Isles. This Stone is now in the Custody of Margaret Miller, alias Mack-Intosh: she lives in Baellmianich, and preserves the Globe with abundance of care; it is wrapped up in fair Linen Cloth, and about that there is a piece of Woollen Cloth, and she keeps it still look’d up in her Chest, when it is not given out to exert its qualities."
END.
If you would like to learn more on this topic see our page at: https://electricscotland.com/history...les/charms.htm
And that's it for this week and hope you all have a great weekend.
Alastair