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For the latest news from Scotland see our ScotNews feed at:
https://electricscotland.com/scotnews.htm
Electric Scotland News
New Update to Theory of Family Relativity
From MyHeritage.com
I’m excited to tell you that MyHeritage has just completed an additional update to the data for our ultimate genetic genealogy tool, Theory of Family Relativity™!
In case you’re still unfamiliar with Theory of Family Relativity™, this feature pulls together billions of data points from across all the family tree profiles and historical records on MyHeritage to bring you theories about how your DNA Matches may be related to you. The calculations are run on a periodic basis, and since our last update, countless new DNA kits, family tree profiles, and historical records have been added to MyHeritage.
This means that the number of theories, the number of DNA Matches that include a theory, and the number of kits that have a theory have all increased significantly — and so have your chances of getting a new theory! As a result of this new update 25,636,711 Theories of Family Relativity™ were added.
Check out our blog post to learn more about this update at:
https://blog.myheritage.com/2022/06/...ly-relativity/
-------
Got an email in from Beth Gay of Beth's Newfangled Family Tree...
Alastair...can you please put this somewhere where everyone can see it? So many of my readers have been so upset about this tiny creature's health and well-being.
I will have an update in my next section, which will come about the 15th of July.
Thank you.
Love,
beth
FINLAY IS BACK BUT HE HAS BEEN DAMAGED
JUN 29, 2022 —
Dear All
On the 14th February 2022, Finlay was seized by the police without warning and we believe without justification. Yesterday at around 4:30pm he was returned to us by the police after a 3 to 4 hour car journey. We received him in a pet carrier. He was detained for four and half months and we, along with our legal team have been fighting as hard as possible for his return.
We are exhausted, emotionally traumatised and deeply upset by the conduct of the police, however it is now clear that Finlay too has suffered both physical and psychological damage at their hands. When he left he was in prime condition, his coat was perfect and so was his body condition. He has never had any illness of any kind throughout the entire period of our care and was a confident, relaxed animal.
However, yesterday we were handed a document by PC Richard Smith, the Officer in Charge from North Wales Police. The notes are extremely disturbing. They show Finlay has developed gastrointestinal issues and has had to have medication. It transpires that he was also shedding a lot which is a common response to extreme stress in animals. The notes also suggest that he has been over grooming and as a result the report states,’ His faecals became small, dark and very dry and when broken open were solid with hair’. The report goes on to say he was seen straining. It seems very clear that the extreme stress and boredom has resulted in overgrooming and a dangerously high ingestion of his own fur. Over grooming sadly occurs in so many zoo animals and is a coping mechanism to deal with the extreme captivity they feel. He never did this in our care. The notes we have, are very sadly evidence of psychological and physiological damage as a result of what has happened to him in his 4 and half month incarceration.
As you have all seen, we housed Finlay in a huge and naturalistic enclosure where he thrived under our care. He had that air of superiority that all happy, healthy cats have. Indeed some of you called him ‘King Finlay’. He was relaxed and at peace and living a stimulating life. The animal we got back yesterday is very different. Gone is the swagger, the confidence, the air of superiority. Instead he is nervous and anxious. We have never heard Finlay yowl before, but yesterday he yowled for hours and nothing we could do would stop him. He was inconsolable. It has had us in tears, it is heart breaking and the thought of what he has endured is almost too much to consider.
However as you all know Finlay is a fighter and we will do all we can to rebuild and fix him so he can be hopefully be happy again.
Throughout this tortuous 4 and half months, in our opinion the police have inflicted unnecessary suffering and cruelty on both Finlay and the people in our team who were looking after him. They have acted recklessly and without due care. The sheer incompetence and lack of compassion they have displayed is astonishing. It is also likely that tens of thousands of pounds of tax payers money have been wasted by the police and the result of all that is a damaged cat that simply did not deserve this.
This cannot happen again to any animal (or the people caring for them) and everybody who has had a hand in causing this suffering needs to be held to account. As you all know, we are not afraid of giving a voice to the voiceless and we are more determined than ever to save the Scottish wildcat and also to get Finlay the Justice he deserves.
We are deeply upset, but extremely focussed, so more updates will follow very shortly. In the meantime, Finlay’s welfare is our absolute priority.
And just to clear up some of the misinformation that is floating about. Finlay has not been DNA tested, but more on that later. Beware the trolls, they will be out in force, but is a very sick minded individual indeed, who gloats over an animal’s suffering. Sadly such vile people exist.
Thanks as always.
The Wildcat Haven team and Finlay.
Beth Gay Freeman, Dame - Kingdome of Raknar, CRMC, FSA Scot
Mo Leannon
688 Camp Yonah Road
Clarkesville, GA 30523
House phone: 706-839-3881
Beth's email: bethscribble@aol.com
Beth is editor of: Beth's Newfangled Family Tree
(https://electricscotland.com/bnft)
The Clan Grant - USA - Craigellachie
The Clan Henderson Society - An Canach
You can vote to help get this campaign to over 1 million at:
https://www.change.org/p/scottish-go...est/u/30704460
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.
Nicola Sturgeon piles pressure on Ian Blackford over SNP MP sex pest scandal
Calls have been made for the SNP Westminster leader to quit over his handling of the Patrick Grady case and the impact on the victim.
Read more at:
https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/p...e-ian-27321028
Roe v Wade: US Supreme Court strikes down abortion rights
Millions of women in the US will lose the legal right to abortion, after the Supreme Court overturned a 50-year-old ruling that legalised it nationwide.
Read more at:
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-61928898
Frozen baby mammoth discovered in Yukon excites Canada
A whole baby woolly mammoth has been found frozen in the permafrost of north-western Canada - the first such discovery in North America.
Read more at:
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-61936818
The Boat song sung in Gaelic
Scottish session night at a pub in Knoxville
Listen at:
https://fb.watch/dRBVpO-_vV/
Canada's COVID-19 response was more effective then other G7 nations
Dr. Fahad Razak, survey co-author, discusses a new report showing that Canada's COVID-19 response outperformed most other G7 countries.
Learn more at:
https://youtu.be/i-s1XU2ZSYk
Baby death rate in Scotland at highest for a decade
The National Records of Scotland (NRS) said current birth rates were too low for the population to replace itself.
Read more at:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-61966650
Sex crimes reported in Scotland at 50-year high
The report noted the rise in reported sexual crimes, now at its highest level since 1971, was a long-term, upward trend, with cyber crime and the reporting of historical offences possibly a factor.
Read more at:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-61970165
Why Not Scotland?
Despite the fact that recent opinion polls show that less than a third of Scots actually want it, Nicola Sturgeon has today announced that we are to be treated to a pretendyref on Scottish independence in October 2023.
Read more at:
https://chokkablog.blogspot.com/2022...-scotland.html
Think tank calls to raise and reform taxes in Scotland
Tax in Scotland needs to be both raised and fundamentally reformed, according to a think tank report. Reform Scotland said the needs of an ageing population, at a faster rate in Scotland than elsewhere, mean that it will not be enough to tweak tax rates.
Read more at:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland...itics-61965735
Scotland’s new Patient Safety Commissioner will not have powers of English counterpart
Patients will not be able to directly contact Scotland’s new Patient Safety Commissioner under the role’s proposed remit, we can reveal.
Read more at:
https://www.sundaypost.com/fp/minist...nge-its-remit/
Census: Population of England and Wales grew 6% in a decade
The population of England and Wales has risen to 59,597,300, the first results from the 2021 census have shown.
Read more at:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-61966084
Sturgeon’s independence plan is likely to be blocked but that won’t end the row
Akash Paun argues that while the odds are stacked against Nicola Sturgeon’s bid to hold a referendum next year, the Union will only survive in the long run if based on consent.
Read more at:
https://www.instituteforgovernment.o...ependence-plan
My Conservative Home article
By John Redwood MP. Some Conservatives are taking heart from the fact that in Wakefield and Honiton Conservatives stayed away rather than switching to Labour.
Read more at:
http://johnredwoodsdiary.com/2022/06...e-home-article
Electric Canadian
Canadian Singers and their Songs
A Collection of Portraits and Autograph Poems compiled by Edward S. Caswell (1919) (pdf)
Reading the handwriting could be an issue but an interesting collection for sure which you can get to at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/life...00caswuoft.pdf
Sedna
An Inuit legend in audio [external link]
The Governor-General mentioned this legend in her recent talk so thought you'd like to hear it told at:
https://archive.org/details/podcast_..._1000416843337
Church of St. Mary Magdalene, Napanee (pdf)
You can read this short story at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/hist...chofstmary.pdf
Napanee | Crossroads: Beyond Boom & Bust
A video history about the town.
You can watch this at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/hist...io/Napanee.htm
Thoughts on a Sunday Morning - the 26th day of June 2022
By the Rev. Nola Crewe
You can watch this at:
http://www.electricscotland.org/foru...y-of-june-2022
The Drama of the Forests
Romance and Adventure by Arthur Heming (1921) (pdf)
You can read this book at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/life...tsro01hemi.pdf
Electric Scotland
Beth's Video Talks
June 29th 2022 - Welsh Signers of the Declaration of Independence
You can view this talk at: https://electricscotland.com/bnft
Beth's Newfangled Family Tree
Hi Everyone.
Here's July 2022 Section 1 of BNFT. You'll find many interesting articles contained within these pages, I hope.
We are fortunate to have another of Dr. Pete Hylton's fascinating travelogues in this issue. Congratulations to Dr. and Mrs. Hylton as they have received their dual Scottish citizenship.
You'll find a very interesting story about the Eriskay ponies. They are benefiting from human DNA studies. At one time there were 20 of the Eriskay horses left, with one stallion. Today, their numbers have increased to a more comfortable level.
Our farm is yielding goodies. There's a page showing where we live and our ruffle across the front of the house and the GrowBoxes. Very early in the morning, it is usually very pleasant when I go out to water everything. We had our first lettuce from our little farm today! It was really nice.
I had an adventure this morning. Normally, when the leaves of the plants are so large I can't see the water hole where the water goes into the GrowBoxes, I poke my arm in and then stick my finger in to see how much water, if any, it needs. Thankfully, I did not do that this morning. The yellow squash plant has huge leaves, but I saw how I could poke the water hose nozzle in...and when I did, there were two little bitty black eyes looking at me. I did jump. Then, I realized it was a frog who had gotten into the reservoir and was holding on for all he was worth by his little front legs. I picked up a stick and gently put it behind him and gave him something to push off from. Wow. He went about 2 feet into the air and landed hopping away. We've been home since 2019, in our lives, this does qualify as an adventure!
We've learned that the Tallahassee, Florida, Games are returning next February. We'll have ads in this publication starting with the August 2022 BNFT Section B.
Please remember to keep your email address current with us. Please remember to send news of what your clan is doing and your Flowers of the Forest information. Just send everything to <bethscribble@aol.com>.
Please do stay safe and be careful. The virus is still here. I just read from the CDC that about 71% of the American population has their vaccinations.
Aye,
beth
You can get this section at: https://electricscotland.com/bnft
The Manuscripts of
The Duke of Roxburghe; Sir H. H. Campbell, Bart.; The Earl of Strathmore; and the Countess Dowager of Seafield by the Historical Manuscripts Commission, Fourteenth Report, Appendix, Part III (1894) (pdf)
Some excellent information is provided and anyone with connections with these people will enjoy the read which you can get to at:
https://electricscotland.com/history...00greauoft.pdf
Clan Leslie Society International
Got in a copy of their July 2022 newsletter which you can get to at:
https://electricscotland.com/familyt...eint/index.htm
"Queen O the Border"
1948 Travelogue of Hawick, Scotland, Cashmere & Merino Knit Sweaters
An old movie which you can view at:
https://archive.org/details/85904-qu...he-boarder-vwr
Prince Charlie's Pilot
A Record of Loyalty and Devotion by Evan MacLeod Barron (1913) (pdf). Added this book to the article of the same name which you can read at: https://electricscotland.com/history/charles/pilot.htm
Dun, Sir Patrick
Physician-General to the Army; and sometime President of the College of Physicians in Dublin.
You can read about him at:
https://electricscotland.com/history...atrick_Dun.pdf
Sheriff Watson of Aberdeen
The Founder of Industrial Schools
You can read about him at:
https://electricscotland.com/educati...iff_watson.htm
Story
On his arrival home from Edinburgh, after the trial of the action, he encountered one of his cronies who anxiously enquired how the "case” had gone. In reply, the litigant vouchsafed the information that the judge had taken it to avizandum. “Whaur in a’ the world is that?” was the further query of his puzzled friend. “Weel, I hae just been thinkin’ o’ that,” came the long drawn-out answer, “and the conclusion I hae come to is that it’s somewhere in the neeberhood o' Carlops!"
I fear there are not a few people still who have equally hazy notions regarding the geographical position and surroundings of this upland village. For the information of such let me say that Carlops is on the southern slope of the Pentlands. It lies in the northwestern corner of Peeblesshire, and is distant only thirteen miles by road from Edinburgh. Near by is Habbie’s Howe, the scene of Allan Ramsays delightful pastoral—“The Gentle Shepherd.”
One of the oldest and best-known inhabitants of Carlops is William Walkinshaw, whose jubilee as a “carrier” was celebrated a few months ago, and whose honourable career is deserving of a notice in the Border Magazine.
Mr Walkinshaw was born at Carnwath in 1828. Amongst his earliest recollections is that of the enthusiasm evoked by the passing of the Reform Bill in ’32. Like most youths in those days, young Walkinshaw’s acquaintance with school-life was strictly limited, being confined indeed to three months. This was merely the “finish,” however, to a comparatively sound elementary education received from his parents at home.
At the tender age of nine he was sent out to “herd,” and he continued in farm service of one kind or another for about a dozen years. Desirous of making some headway in the world, he was first led to think of becoming a “carrier” by observing that a man of that occupation, who lodged in his mother’s house, seemed always to have a plentiful supply of ready cash. At length an opportunity of starting in this business presented itself, when his “cadger” friend retired, and Walkinshaw decided to make the venture. The route to which he thus succeeded, and which he has now traversed for over half a century, embraces the strip of country that lies between Carnwath and Edinburgh. His transactions are chiefly with farmers and shepherds, whose dairy produce, etc., he purchases and duly disposes of in the Edinburgh market. But Mr Walkinshaw’s business is not, by any means, limited to one department. He accepts parcels for delivery at his various points of call, and also supplies his country patrons, on due notice being given, with goods of any description which they may require from the city. He thus acts as a connecting link between the busy metropolis and the shepherd’s cottage on the lonely moor.
One feature of Mr Walkinshaw’s business methods is that all his dealings are for cash. He pays the seller on the spot for his merchandise and is thus able to buy on the most favourable terms. Another characteristic of the man is his regularity and punctuality. It is said that you can “time” your clock by the tumble of his cart as it passes your door, and those who have goods to despatch or receive may calculate on his arrival to a minute.
During these many years Mr Walkinshaw has not once failed to overtake his round of calls in town or country. He has faced many a “blizzard” and been well-nigh frozen in his cart, but never has he turned back, nor has he ever been kept at home through sickness. Such a record for fifty years is surely unique!
It is needless to say that the carrier has witnessed many changes since first he took to the road. Every farm along the route has changed hands—in most cases, repeatedly. Of all the carriers who made the journey between Edinburgh and Lanarkshire fifty years ago he is the sole survivor. It would appear, indeed, as if, with the extension of railways, the vocation of “carrying” or “cadging” was doomed to extinction. In 1849 thirty carriers stood in the same market at High Street, Edinburgh, selling their “produce.” Now, in spite of the greater population of the city, there are only two — Mr Walkinshaw and another.
Our friend has resided in the same house at Carlops since shortly after he started business. It was, therefore, fitting that on the celebration of his jubilee a short time ago his neighbours and customers should present him with an enlarged and handsomely-framed photograph of his abode, the carrier himself, along with his horse, cart, and dog being in the foreground. The photo is the work of one who is not unknown to readers of the Border Magazine—Mrs Robertson, West Linton (formerly of Peebles)—and it has been greatly admired.
Although Mr Walkinshaw has passed the allotted span of human life he is still in vigorous health, and plies his calling with undiminished zest—a testimony surely to the healthiness of open-air occupation. His favourite pastime for forty years has been draughts, and he is recognised as the most scientific and skilful player in Peeblesshire. He also indulges during the season in curling. In his earlier days he was fond of a game at quoits which, at one period, was an exceedingly popular form of recreation in rural districts. A proud boast of Carlopians thirty or forty years ago was that they possessed amongst them the champion quoiter of the world! This redoubtable personage was a brother of the carrier, but the game has long since fallen into desuetude in Carlops as elsewhere.
It is the hope of those who know him that the honest and kindly carrier may be spared to enjoy a green old age, and that for him the “last journey” may still be far ahead.
END
Weekend is almost here and hope it's a good one for you and wishing our Canadian readers a Happy Canada Day.
Alastair
https://electricscotland.com/scotnews.htm
Electric Scotland News
New Update to Theory of Family Relativity
From MyHeritage.com
I’m excited to tell you that MyHeritage has just completed an additional update to the data for our ultimate genetic genealogy tool, Theory of Family Relativity™!
In case you’re still unfamiliar with Theory of Family Relativity™, this feature pulls together billions of data points from across all the family tree profiles and historical records on MyHeritage to bring you theories about how your DNA Matches may be related to you. The calculations are run on a periodic basis, and since our last update, countless new DNA kits, family tree profiles, and historical records have been added to MyHeritage.
This means that the number of theories, the number of DNA Matches that include a theory, and the number of kits that have a theory have all increased significantly — and so have your chances of getting a new theory! As a result of this new update 25,636,711 Theories of Family Relativity™ were added.
Check out our blog post to learn more about this update at:
https://blog.myheritage.com/2022/06/...ly-relativity/
-------
Got an email in from Beth Gay of Beth's Newfangled Family Tree...
Alastair...can you please put this somewhere where everyone can see it? So many of my readers have been so upset about this tiny creature's health and well-being.
I will have an update in my next section, which will come about the 15th of July.
Thank you.
Love,
beth
FINLAY IS BACK BUT HE HAS BEEN DAMAGED
JUN 29, 2022 —
Dear All
On the 14th February 2022, Finlay was seized by the police without warning and we believe without justification. Yesterday at around 4:30pm he was returned to us by the police after a 3 to 4 hour car journey. We received him in a pet carrier. He was detained for four and half months and we, along with our legal team have been fighting as hard as possible for his return.
We are exhausted, emotionally traumatised and deeply upset by the conduct of the police, however it is now clear that Finlay too has suffered both physical and psychological damage at their hands. When he left he was in prime condition, his coat was perfect and so was his body condition. He has never had any illness of any kind throughout the entire period of our care and was a confident, relaxed animal.
However, yesterday we were handed a document by PC Richard Smith, the Officer in Charge from North Wales Police. The notes are extremely disturbing. They show Finlay has developed gastrointestinal issues and has had to have medication. It transpires that he was also shedding a lot which is a common response to extreme stress in animals. The notes also suggest that he has been over grooming and as a result the report states,’ His faecals became small, dark and very dry and when broken open were solid with hair’. The report goes on to say he was seen straining. It seems very clear that the extreme stress and boredom has resulted in overgrooming and a dangerously high ingestion of his own fur. Over grooming sadly occurs in so many zoo animals and is a coping mechanism to deal with the extreme captivity they feel. He never did this in our care. The notes we have, are very sadly evidence of psychological and physiological damage as a result of what has happened to him in his 4 and half month incarceration.
As you have all seen, we housed Finlay in a huge and naturalistic enclosure where he thrived under our care. He had that air of superiority that all happy, healthy cats have. Indeed some of you called him ‘King Finlay’. He was relaxed and at peace and living a stimulating life. The animal we got back yesterday is very different. Gone is the swagger, the confidence, the air of superiority. Instead he is nervous and anxious. We have never heard Finlay yowl before, but yesterday he yowled for hours and nothing we could do would stop him. He was inconsolable. It has had us in tears, it is heart breaking and the thought of what he has endured is almost too much to consider.
However as you all know Finlay is a fighter and we will do all we can to rebuild and fix him so he can be hopefully be happy again.
Throughout this tortuous 4 and half months, in our opinion the police have inflicted unnecessary suffering and cruelty on both Finlay and the people in our team who were looking after him. They have acted recklessly and without due care. The sheer incompetence and lack of compassion they have displayed is astonishing. It is also likely that tens of thousands of pounds of tax payers money have been wasted by the police and the result of all that is a damaged cat that simply did not deserve this.
This cannot happen again to any animal (or the people caring for them) and everybody who has had a hand in causing this suffering needs to be held to account. As you all know, we are not afraid of giving a voice to the voiceless and we are more determined than ever to save the Scottish wildcat and also to get Finlay the Justice he deserves.
We are deeply upset, but extremely focussed, so more updates will follow very shortly. In the meantime, Finlay’s welfare is our absolute priority.
And just to clear up some of the misinformation that is floating about. Finlay has not been DNA tested, but more on that later. Beware the trolls, they will be out in force, but is a very sick minded individual indeed, who gloats over an animal’s suffering. Sadly such vile people exist.
Thanks as always.
The Wildcat Haven team and Finlay.
Beth Gay Freeman, Dame - Kingdome of Raknar, CRMC, FSA Scot
Mo Leannon
688 Camp Yonah Road
Clarkesville, GA 30523
House phone: 706-839-3881
Beth's email: bethscribble@aol.com
Beth is editor of: Beth's Newfangled Family Tree
(https://electricscotland.com/bnft)
The Clan Grant - USA - Craigellachie
The Clan Henderson Society - An Canach
You can vote to help get this campaign to over 1 million at:
https://www.change.org/p/scottish-go...est/u/30704460
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.
Nicola Sturgeon piles pressure on Ian Blackford over SNP MP sex pest scandal
Calls have been made for the SNP Westminster leader to quit over his handling of the Patrick Grady case and the impact on the victim.
Read more at:
https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/p...e-ian-27321028
Roe v Wade: US Supreme Court strikes down abortion rights
Millions of women in the US will lose the legal right to abortion, after the Supreme Court overturned a 50-year-old ruling that legalised it nationwide.
Read more at:
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-61928898
Frozen baby mammoth discovered in Yukon excites Canada
A whole baby woolly mammoth has been found frozen in the permafrost of north-western Canada - the first such discovery in North America.
Read more at:
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-61936818
The Boat song sung in Gaelic
Scottish session night at a pub in Knoxville
Listen at:
https://fb.watch/dRBVpO-_vV/
Canada's COVID-19 response was more effective then other G7 nations
Dr. Fahad Razak, survey co-author, discusses a new report showing that Canada's COVID-19 response outperformed most other G7 countries.
Learn more at:
https://youtu.be/i-s1XU2ZSYk
Baby death rate in Scotland at highest for a decade
The National Records of Scotland (NRS) said current birth rates were too low for the population to replace itself.
Read more at:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-61966650
Sex crimes reported in Scotland at 50-year high
The report noted the rise in reported sexual crimes, now at its highest level since 1971, was a long-term, upward trend, with cyber crime and the reporting of historical offences possibly a factor.
Read more at:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-61970165
Why Not Scotland?
Despite the fact that recent opinion polls show that less than a third of Scots actually want it, Nicola Sturgeon has today announced that we are to be treated to a pretendyref on Scottish independence in October 2023.
Read more at:
https://chokkablog.blogspot.com/2022...-scotland.html
Think tank calls to raise and reform taxes in Scotland
Tax in Scotland needs to be both raised and fundamentally reformed, according to a think tank report. Reform Scotland said the needs of an ageing population, at a faster rate in Scotland than elsewhere, mean that it will not be enough to tweak tax rates.
Read more at:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland...itics-61965735
Scotland’s new Patient Safety Commissioner will not have powers of English counterpart
Patients will not be able to directly contact Scotland’s new Patient Safety Commissioner under the role’s proposed remit, we can reveal.
Read more at:
https://www.sundaypost.com/fp/minist...nge-its-remit/
Census: Population of England and Wales grew 6% in a decade
The population of England and Wales has risen to 59,597,300, the first results from the 2021 census have shown.
Read more at:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-61966084
Sturgeon’s independence plan is likely to be blocked but that won’t end the row
Akash Paun argues that while the odds are stacked against Nicola Sturgeon’s bid to hold a referendum next year, the Union will only survive in the long run if based on consent.
Read more at:
https://www.instituteforgovernment.o...ependence-plan
My Conservative Home article
By John Redwood MP. Some Conservatives are taking heart from the fact that in Wakefield and Honiton Conservatives stayed away rather than switching to Labour.
Read more at:
http://johnredwoodsdiary.com/2022/06...e-home-article
Electric Canadian
Canadian Singers and their Songs
A Collection of Portraits and Autograph Poems compiled by Edward S. Caswell (1919) (pdf)
Reading the handwriting could be an issue but an interesting collection for sure which you can get to at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/life...00caswuoft.pdf
Sedna
An Inuit legend in audio [external link]
The Governor-General mentioned this legend in her recent talk so thought you'd like to hear it told at:
https://archive.org/details/podcast_..._1000416843337
Church of St. Mary Magdalene, Napanee (pdf)
You can read this short story at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/hist...chofstmary.pdf
Napanee | Crossroads: Beyond Boom & Bust
A video history about the town.
You can watch this at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/hist...io/Napanee.htm
Thoughts on a Sunday Morning - the 26th day of June 2022
By the Rev. Nola Crewe
You can watch this at:
http://www.electricscotland.org/foru...y-of-june-2022
The Drama of the Forests
Romance and Adventure by Arthur Heming (1921) (pdf)
You can read this book at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/life...tsro01hemi.pdf
Electric Scotland
Beth's Video Talks
June 29th 2022 - Welsh Signers of the Declaration of Independence
You can view this talk at: https://electricscotland.com/bnft
Beth's Newfangled Family Tree
Hi Everyone.
Here's July 2022 Section 1 of BNFT. You'll find many interesting articles contained within these pages, I hope.
We are fortunate to have another of Dr. Pete Hylton's fascinating travelogues in this issue. Congratulations to Dr. and Mrs. Hylton as they have received their dual Scottish citizenship.
You'll find a very interesting story about the Eriskay ponies. They are benefiting from human DNA studies. At one time there were 20 of the Eriskay horses left, with one stallion. Today, their numbers have increased to a more comfortable level.
Our farm is yielding goodies. There's a page showing where we live and our ruffle across the front of the house and the GrowBoxes. Very early in the morning, it is usually very pleasant when I go out to water everything. We had our first lettuce from our little farm today! It was really nice.
I had an adventure this morning. Normally, when the leaves of the plants are so large I can't see the water hole where the water goes into the GrowBoxes, I poke my arm in and then stick my finger in to see how much water, if any, it needs. Thankfully, I did not do that this morning. The yellow squash plant has huge leaves, but I saw how I could poke the water hose nozzle in...and when I did, there were two little bitty black eyes looking at me. I did jump. Then, I realized it was a frog who had gotten into the reservoir and was holding on for all he was worth by his little front legs. I picked up a stick and gently put it behind him and gave him something to push off from. Wow. He went about 2 feet into the air and landed hopping away. We've been home since 2019, in our lives, this does qualify as an adventure!
We've learned that the Tallahassee, Florida, Games are returning next February. We'll have ads in this publication starting with the August 2022 BNFT Section B.
Please remember to keep your email address current with us. Please remember to send news of what your clan is doing and your Flowers of the Forest information. Just send everything to <bethscribble@aol.com>.
Please do stay safe and be careful. The virus is still here. I just read from the CDC that about 71% of the American population has their vaccinations.
Aye,
beth
You can get this section at: https://electricscotland.com/bnft
The Manuscripts of
The Duke of Roxburghe; Sir H. H. Campbell, Bart.; The Earl of Strathmore; and the Countess Dowager of Seafield by the Historical Manuscripts Commission, Fourteenth Report, Appendix, Part III (1894) (pdf)
Some excellent information is provided and anyone with connections with these people will enjoy the read which you can get to at:
https://electricscotland.com/history...00greauoft.pdf
Clan Leslie Society International
Got in a copy of their July 2022 newsletter which you can get to at:
https://electricscotland.com/familyt...eint/index.htm
"Queen O the Border"
1948 Travelogue of Hawick, Scotland, Cashmere & Merino Knit Sweaters
An old movie which you can view at:
https://archive.org/details/85904-qu...he-boarder-vwr
Prince Charlie's Pilot
A Record of Loyalty and Devotion by Evan MacLeod Barron (1913) (pdf). Added this book to the article of the same name which you can read at: https://electricscotland.com/history/charles/pilot.htm
Dun, Sir Patrick
Physician-General to the Army; and sometime President of the College of Physicians in Dublin.
You can read about him at:
https://electricscotland.com/history...atrick_Dun.pdf
Sheriff Watson of Aberdeen
The Founder of Industrial Schools
You can read about him at:
https://electricscotland.com/educati...iff_watson.htm
Story
William Walkinshaw, an old Scotch Carrier
By the Rev. George W. Taylor, M.A., Carlops
A GALASHIELS WORTHY, many years ago, had the misfortune to be involved in litigation which necessitated his appearance at the Court of Session.By the Rev. George W. Taylor, M.A., Carlops
On his arrival home from Edinburgh, after the trial of the action, he encountered one of his cronies who anxiously enquired how the "case” had gone. In reply, the litigant vouchsafed the information that the judge had taken it to avizandum. “Whaur in a’ the world is that?” was the further query of his puzzled friend. “Weel, I hae just been thinkin’ o’ that,” came the long drawn-out answer, “and the conclusion I hae come to is that it’s somewhere in the neeberhood o' Carlops!"
I fear there are not a few people still who have equally hazy notions regarding the geographical position and surroundings of this upland village. For the information of such let me say that Carlops is on the southern slope of the Pentlands. It lies in the northwestern corner of Peeblesshire, and is distant only thirteen miles by road from Edinburgh. Near by is Habbie’s Howe, the scene of Allan Ramsays delightful pastoral—“The Gentle Shepherd.”
Mr Walkinshaw was born at Carnwath in 1828. Amongst his earliest recollections is that of the enthusiasm evoked by the passing of the Reform Bill in ’32. Like most youths in those days, young Walkinshaw’s acquaintance with school-life was strictly limited, being confined indeed to three months. This was merely the “finish,” however, to a comparatively sound elementary education received from his parents at home.
At the tender age of nine he was sent out to “herd,” and he continued in farm service of one kind or another for about a dozen years. Desirous of making some headway in the world, he was first led to think of becoming a “carrier” by observing that a man of that occupation, who lodged in his mother’s house, seemed always to have a plentiful supply of ready cash. At length an opportunity of starting in this business presented itself, when his “cadger” friend retired, and Walkinshaw decided to make the venture. The route to which he thus succeeded, and which he has now traversed for over half a century, embraces the strip of country that lies between Carnwath and Edinburgh. His transactions are chiefly with farmers and shepherds, whose dairy produce, etc., he purchases and duly disposes of in the Edinburgh market. But Mr Walkinshaw’s business is not, by any means, limited to one department. He accepts parcels for delivery at his various points of call, and also supplies his country patrons, on due notice being given, with goods of any description which they may require from the city. He thus acts as a connecting link between the busy metropolis and the shepherd’s cottage on the lonely moor.
One feature of Mr Walkinshaw’s business methods is that all his dealings are for cash. He pays the seller on the spot for his merchandise and is thus able to buy on the most favourable terms. Another characteristic of the man is his regularity and punctuality. It is said that you can “time” your clock by the tumble of his cart as it passes your door, and those who have goods to despatch or receive may calculate on his arrival to a minute.
During these many years Mr Walkinshaw has not once failed to overtake his round of calls in town or country. He has faced many a “blizzard” and been well-nigh frozen in his cart, but never has he turned back, nor has he ever been kept at home through sickness. Such a record for fifty years is surely unique!
It is needless to say that the carrier has witnessed many changes since first he took to the road. Every farm along the route has changed hands—in most cases, repeatedly. Of all the carriers who made the journey between Edinburgh and Lanarkshire fifty years ago he is the sole survivor. It would appear, indeed, as if, with the extension of railways, the vocation of “carrying” or “cadging” was doomed to extinction. In 1849 thirty carriers stood in the same market at High Street, Edinburgh, selling their “produce.” Now, in spite of the greater population of the city, there are only two — Mr Walkinshaw and another.
Our friend has resided in the same house at Carlops since shortly after he started business. It was, therefore, fitting that on the celebration of his jubilee a short time ago his neighbours and customers should present him with an enlarged and handsomely-framed photograph of his abode, the carrier himself, along with his horse, cart, and dog being in the foreground. The photo is the work of one who is not unknown to readers of the Border Magazine—Mrs Robertson, West Linton (formerly of Peebles)—and it has been greatly admired.
It is the hope of those who know him that the honest and kindly carrier may be spared to enjoy a green old age, and that for him the “last journey” may still be far ahead.
END
Weekend is almost here and hope it's a good one for you and wishing our Canadian readers a Happy Canada Day.
Alastair