For the latest news from Scotland see our ScotNews feed at:
https://electricscotland.com/scotnews.htm
Electric Scotland News
Wishing you all a Happy 2022. While this latest variant is spreading much faster than previous variants it certainly seems to be a less virulent one. In my view you still need to take your two vaccine jabs and also the booster shot.
-------
Got in Beth's Video Talk and while the video seems to be hidden behind a sheet of paper the audio is just fine.
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.
CalMac ferries in a pitiful state as SNP accused of abandoning island communities
The Scottish Government has faced severe criticism over repeated delays in the construction of two new vessels for ferry operators Caledonian MacBrayne.
Read more at:
https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/p...e-snp-25814094
Freemasonry behind Auld Lang Syne arm linking at new year
Research has uncovered a Masonic connection to why revellers around the world link arms when they sing Auld Lang Syne at new year.
Read more at:
https://www.scotsman.com/news/people...w-year-3510868
The Corozal: Scottish dredger that helped build the Panama Canal
It was known as a wee ship that went a long way to do a big thing.
Read more at:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-59644117
New Year's Honours 2021: Full list of Scots to be recognised by The Queen
The list includes scientists, athletes, fundraisers and people who have fought the battle against coronavirus.
Read more at:
https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/entert...-full-25826353
Scotland in worst case scenario for Omicron cases
Humza Yousaf has confirmed infections are at the highest level predicted in an evidence paper published in early December. He said the next two weeks were set to be the "most difficult" faced by the NHS in its 73-year existence.
Read more at:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-59893246
Red flags that suggest we’re being deceived by public health zealots
I have had to wait for a real sea change in policy and reasoning behind it before writing anything sensible that is not out of date by the end of day. Omicron has been that sea change.
Read more at:
https://thinkscotland.org/2022/01/re...ealth-zealots/
Europe's Covid crisis laid bare - French cases soar past UK sparking nightmare for Macron
EUROPEAN nations are resorting to new mandates with hopes to curb a devastating rise in Covid infections, including France, which is currently being uniquely devastated by Omicron. The latest figures show rates in the country tower above most of its neighbours.
Read more at:
https://www.express.co.uk/news/world...uel-macron-evg
Electric Canadian
THOUGHTS on a SUNDAY MORNING - 2nd January 2022
By the Rev. Nola Crewe
You can view this at:
http://www.electricscotland.org/foru...22-resolutions
Notes on the Shuswap People of British Columbia.
By George M. Dawson, LL.D., F.R.S., Assistant Director Geological Survey of Canada (1891) (pdf)
You can read about them at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/hist...peopleofBC.pdf
Cape Breton and its Memorials of the French Régime
By J. G. Bourinot, C.M.G., LL.D., D.C.L. (1891) (pdf)
You can read this at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/hist...tonfrench2.pdf
The Beothiks or Red Indians of Newfoundland
By the Rev. George Patterson, D.D. (pdf)
You can read this at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/hist...wfoundland.pdf
Electric Scotland
Beth's Video Talks
January 5th 2022 - Even if you think you are all Scottish I bet you have some English families
You can view this at:
https://electricscotland.com/bnft/index.htm
Small Holdings
By Arthur O. Ruston, B.A., B.Sc. (Lond.), D.Soc (Leeds), Lecturer in Agricultural Economics, The University of Leeds (1926) (pdf)
You can read this at:
https://electricscotland.com/agricul...llholdings.pdf
Forestry: Yesterday, To-Day, and To-Morrow
By Sir George L Campbell of Surcoth, Bt. (1947) (pdf)
You can read this at:
https://electricscotland.com/agricul...stryin1947.pdf
Farm Forestry
By J. H. Milne Home, F.H.A.S., Irvine House, Canonbie (1921) (pdf)
You can read this at:
https://electricscotland.com/agricul...restry1921.pdf
Aberdeen-Angus Cattle
An Historical Sketch by James H. Barclay, Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society (1921) (pdf)
You can read this at:
https://electricscotland.com/agricul...nguscattle.pdf
Sporting Days
By John Colquhoun (1866)
You can read this at:
https://electricscotland.com/history...ortingdays.htm
Seven reasons why Scottish education is under-performing
What exactly is wrong with Scotland’s educational system?
You can read this at:
https://sceptical.scot/2018/01/seven...on-performing/
Who put the lights out?
The challenge of maintaining electricity supply in a Scotland outside the United Kingdom. A report commissioned by Scotland Matters and published by ThinkScotland.org. Written by Paul Spare CEng FEI FIMechE (2021) (pdf)
You can read this at:
https://electricscotland.com/indepen...t-01.11.21.pdf
Dr. William Butchart and "The Milne Treatment"
Honour for a Scotch Superintendent (1912) (pdf)
You can read this at:
https://electricscotland.com/history...m_butchard.pdf
From the Scientific American Magazine
Scotch and American Yankees
You can read this at:
https://electricscotland.com/history...ch_yankees.htm
Scottish Society of Indianapolis
Got in their December 2021 newsletter.
You can read this at:
https://electricscotland.com/familyt...olis/index.htm
Story
An Ancient Scottish Custom - Wives on Trial
January 27, 1911
According to tradition, an annual fair was held at a spot where the Black and White Esk meet, and which, was remarkable for its peculiar marriage associations. At this fair all the unmarried of either sex assembled, and each chose a companion with whom they had to live until the next fair. This ceremony was known as "hand-fasting" or "hand-in-fist." The man took his chosen companion home, and each enjoyed the privileges of the married state all the year; and they attended the next season's fair, and if mutually pleased with their choice they were held to be properly joined together in matrimony for life. But if either of the two who had lived together during the time of probation was dissatisfied, they separated and were free to provide themselves with another partner. From the neighbouring monasteries priests were sent to look after those couples who had been "handfasted," and to join together those who were pleased with their bargain.
This singular custom was known to have been taken advantage of by many persons of rank. We may quote Lindsay, the Scottish historian, to prove this. In his account of the reign of James II., he says that, "James, sixth Earl of Murray, had a son by Isabel Innes, daughter of the Laird of Innes, Alexander Dunbar, a man of singular wit and courage. This Isabel was bul 'hand-fasted' to him, and deceased before the marriage."
All children born during the year of trial, in event of a separation following, were taken care of by the father, and ranked with his lawful children, next to his heirs.
This apprenticeship in matrimony reflected no disgrace on the lady concerned, and if her character was otherwise good she was entitled to an equal match as though nothing had occurred.
"Hand-fasting" was deemed a great irregularity by the Reformers, and they used every means in their power to abolish it. In the year 1562 the Kirk-Session of Aberdeen decreed that all "hand-fasted" persons should marry at once, so the custom must have been general throughout Scotland; but, it ceased to exist shortly after the Reformation.
John Wight,
Balthanigie, Turriff.
END.
Wishing you all a Happy New Year in 2022 and hopefully a much better one than 2021.
Alastair
https://electricscotland.com/scotnews.htm
Electric Scotland News
Wishing you all a Happy 2022. While this latest variant is spreading much faster than previous variants it certainly seems to be a less virulent one. In my view you still need to take your two vaccine jabs and also the booster shot.
-------
Got in Beth's Video Talk and while the video seems to be hidden behind a sheet of paper the audio is just fine.
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.
CalMac ferries in a pitiful state as SNP accused of abandoning island communities
The Scottish Government has faced severe criticism over repeated delays in the construction of two new vessels for ferry operators Caledonian MacBrayne.
Read more at:
https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/p...e-snp-25814094
Freemasonry behind Auld Lang Syne arm linking at new year
Research has uncovered a Masonic connection to why revellers around the world link arms when they sing Auld Lang Syne at new year.
Read more at:
https://www.scotsman.com/news/people...w-year-3510868
The Corozal: Scottish dredger that helped build the Panama Canal
It was known as a wee ship that went a long way to do a big thing.
Read more at:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-59644117
New Year's Honours 2021: Full list of Scots to be recognised by The Queen
The list includes scientists, athletes, fundraisers and people who have fought the battle against coronavirus.
Read more at:
https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/entert...-full-25826353
Scotland in worst case scenario for Omicron cases
Humza Yousaf has confirmed infections are at the highest level predicted in an evidence paper published in early December. He said the next two weeks were set to be the "most difficult" faced by the NHS in its 73-year existence.
Read more at:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-59893246
Red flags that suggest we’re being deceived by public health zealots
I have had to wait for a real sea change in policy and reasoning behind it before writing anything sensible that is not out of date by the end of day. Omicron has been that sea change.
Read more at:
https://thinkscotland.org/2022/01/re...ealth-zealots/
Europe's Covid crisis laid bare - French cases soar past UK sparking nightmare for Macron
EUROPEAN nations are resorting to new mandates with hopes to curb a devastating rise in Covid infections, including France, which is currently being uniquely devastated by Omicron. The latest figures show rates in the country tower above most of its neighbours.
Read more at:
https://www.express.co.uk/news/world...uel-macron-evg
Electric Canadian
THOUGHTS on a SUNDAY MORNING - 2nd January 2022
By the Rev. Nola Crewe
You can view this at:
http://www.electricscotland.org/foru...22-resolutions
Notes on the Shuswap People of British Columbia.
By George M. Dawson, LL.D., F.R.S., Assistant Director Geological Survey of Canada (1891) (pdf)
You can read about them at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/hist...peopleofBC.pdf
Cape Breton and its Memorials of the French Régime
By J. G. Bourinot, C.M.G., LL.D., D.C.L. (1891) (pdf)
You can read this at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/hist...tonfrench2.pdf
The Beothiks or Red Indians of Newfoundland
By the Rev. George Patterson, D.D. (pdf)
You can read this at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/hist...wfoundland.pdf
Electric Scotland
Beth's Video Talks
January 5th 2022 - Even if you think you are all Scottish I bet you have some English families
You can view this at:
https://electricscotland.com/bnft/index.htm
Small Holdings
By Arthur O. Ruston, B.A., B.Sc. (Lond.), D.Soc (Leeds), Lecturer in Agricultural Economics, The University of Leeds (1926) (pdf)
You can read this at:
https://electricscotland.com/agricul...llholdings.pdf
Forestry: Yesterday, To-Day, and To-Morrow
By Sir George L Campbell of Surcoth, Bt. (1947) (pdf)
You can read this at:
https://electricscotland.com/agricul...stryin1947.pdf
Farm Forestry
By J. H. Milne Home, F.H.A.S., Irvine House, Canonbie (1921) (pdf)
You can read this at:
https://electricscotland.com/agricul...restry1921.pdf
Aberdeen-Angus Cattle
An Historical Sketch by James H. Barclay, Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society (1921) (pdf)
You can read this at:
https://electricscotland.com/agricul...nguscattle.pdf
Sporting Days
By John Colquhoun (1866)
You can read this at:
https://electricscotland.com/history...ortingdays.htm
Seven reasons why Scottish education is under-performing
What exactly is wrong with Scotland’s educational system?
You can read this at:
https://sceptical.scot/2018/01/seven...on-performing/
Who put the lights out?
The challenge of maintaining electricity supply in a Scotland outside the United Kingdom. A report commissioned by Scotland Matters and published by ThinkScotland.org. Written by Paul Spare CEng FEI FIMechE (2021) (pdf)
You can read this at:
https://electricscotland.com/indepen...t-01.11.21.pdf
Dr. William Butchart and "The Milne Treatment"
Honour for a Scotch Superintendent (1912) (pdf)
You can read this at:
https://electricscotland.com/history...m_butchard.pdf
From the Scientific American Magazine
Scotch and American Yankees
You can read this at:
https://electricscotland.com/history...ch_yankees.htm
Scottish Society of Indianapolis
Got in their December 2021 newsletter.
You can read this at:
https://electricscotland.com/familyt...olis/index.htm
Story
An Ancient Scottish Custom - Wives on Trial
January 27, 1911
According to tradition, an annual fair was held at a spot where the Black and White Esk meet, and which, was remarkable for its peculiar marriage associations. At this fair all the unmarried of either sex assembled, and each chose a companion with whom they had to live until the next fair. This ceremony was known as "hand-fasting" or "hand-in-fist." The man took his chosen companion home, and each enjoyed the privileges of the married state all the year; and they attended the next season's fair, and if mutually pleased with their choice they were held to be properly joined together in matrimony for life. But if either of the two who had lived together during the time of probation was dissatisfied, they separated and were free to provide themselves with another partner. From the neighbouring monasteries priests were sent to look after those couples who had been "handfasted," and to join together those who were pleased with their bargain.
This singular custom was known to have been taken advantage of by many persons of rank. We may quote Lindsay, the Scottish historian, to prove this. In his account of the reign of James II., he says that, "James, sixth Earl of Murray, had a son by Isabel Innes, daughter of the Laird of Innes, Alexander Dunbar, a man of singular wit and courage. This Isabel was bul 'hand-fasted' to him, and deceased before the marriage."
All children born during the year of trial, in event of a separation following, were taken care of by the father, and ranked with his lawful children, next to his heirs.
This apprenticeship in matrimony reflected no disgrace on the lady concerned, and if her character was otherwise good she was entitled to an equal match as though nothing had occurred.
"Hand-fasting" was deemed a great irregularity by the Reformers, and they used every means in their power to abolish it. In the year 1562 the Kirk-Session of Aberdeen decreed that all "hand-fasted" persons should marry at once, so the custom must have been general throughout Scotland; but, it ceased to exist shortly after the Reformation.
John Wight,
Balthanigie, Turriff.
END.
Wishing you all a Happy New Year in 2022 and hopefully a much better one than 2021.
Alastair
Comment