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Electric Scotland News
A lost image of Bonnie Prince Charles has been uncovered using X-rays.
It was discovered behind the well known Highlander Portrait, which appears on Jacobite memorabilia.
An X-ray and conservation analysis have revealed that the original portrait of Charles, with brown eyes, was painted on top of what appears to be a Jacobite battle flag.
Doctor Bendor Grosvenor is the Conservator and Art Historian who made the discovery.
Read more and see the image at:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland...lands-66327909
Scottish News from this weeks newspapers
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. Here is what caught my eye this week...
Scots astonished as 15.7 million trees felled by SNP to develop wind farms
Estimations suggest around 15.7 million trees have been cut down since 2000, the equivalent of 1,700 per day.
Read more at:
https://www.express.co.uk/news/polit...farms-scotland
Tweaking council tax won’t solve its fundamental flaws
On Wednesday, the Scottish Government and COSLA released their anticipated (and widely leaked) consultation on Council Tax changes. The proposals set out would see a repeat of the 2017 increases in band multipliers for properties in Band E - H with the consultation seeking views on whether the changes to the mulitpliers should be higher or lower, or not happen at all.
Read more at:
https://sceptical.scot/2023/07/tweak...amental-flaws/
Town celebrates Robert Burns's first book of poems
On Hogmanay his poem Auld Lang Syne is sung among friends across the globe, and his work has been translated into over forty languages. But he may not have become such a celebrated figure if a Kilmarnock publisher had not taken a risk, nearly 240 years ago this week, and printed his first book.
Read more at:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland...-west-66257316
Lady Florence Dixie: The aristocrat who fought for women's football
As the Women's World Cup is held in Australia and New Zealand, many may be unaware of the debt the sport owes to an aristocrat from southern Scotland.
Read more at:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland...tland-66232240
Heatwave in US Southwest region to expand east
A heatwave baking the US Southwest for weeks is set to expand into central and eastern regions.
Read more at:
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-66290589
Faulty concrete fears at 250 NHS Scotland sites
NHS Scotland's review identified 254 buildings that have two or more characteristics which are consistent with the presence of RAAC.
Read more at:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-66298246
Homesick British expats' biggest cravings revealed in top 20 list of exported items
Brits living in Europe are importing comfort foods like M&S crumpets, Bisto Gravy, Robinsons Squash and even flour.
Read more at:
https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/scotla...vings-30546931
UK economy defies forecasts of doom to outperform Germany in big upgrade to growth
Britain will outperform Germany this year despite The International Monetary Fund previously predicting it would do worse than most major economies.
Read more at:
https://www.express.co.uk/news/polit...y-hunt-germany
Scotland's healthy eating schemes slashed after Gov freezes funding
Food Standards Scotland, mainly funded by the Government, has paused or scaled back a number of its campaigns to balance its books.
Read more at:
https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/p...after-30547187
IPCC: Scots professor to lead top global climate body
A Scottish scientist has been chosen to lead one of the world's most influential climate change bodies. Prof Jim Skea, from Dundee, has been elected as chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
Read more at:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-66316923
Seawilding: the Scottish community reviving a loch
Loch Craignish in Scotland is being 'seawilded' with oysters and seagrass meadows: some of the world's most depleted habitats. Could it be a model for wider underwater restoration?
Read more at:
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/2...eviving-a-loch
Humza Yousaf has run out of road on independence and does not know what to do next
Daily Record Political Editor Paul Hutcheon says the Scottish Government has a credibility problem promising a better future when they cannot deliver in the here and now.
Read more at:
https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/p...-road-30567734
SNP humiliated as IEA report says no robust evidence to support alcohol ad ban
SNP policy makers had planned to ban alcohol firms sponsoring sport and live events to the dismay of the drinks industry.
Read more at:
https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/17...lcohol-adverts
Holyrood’s ScotsBorg Collective is an enemy of free enterprise
IN ITS USUAL distemper brush rhetorical approach, the Scottish Government claims it wants to promote a culture of entrepreneurship that will help to grow and diversify Scotland’s business base.
Read more at:
https://thinkscotland.org/2023/07/th...ee-enterprise/
Electric Canadian
Jean Blewett
By John Macklem from the Canadian Bookman Magazine of April 1927
You can read about her at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/life...an-Blewett.htm
Mazo De La Roche
By John Macklem from the September 2027 edition of the Canadian Bookman Magazine
You can read about her at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/life...a-Roche%20.htm
Lucy Maud Montgomery
By V. B. Rhodenizer from the Canadian Bookman Magazine of August 1927
You can read about her at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/life...Montgomery.htm
The Life of John Graves Simcoe
First Lieutenant-Governor of the Province of Upper Canada 1792-96 by The Honourable William Renwick Riddell, LL.D., D.C.L., Etc., Justice of the Supreme Court of Ontario (1926) (pdf)
You can read about him at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/make...aves00ridd.pdf
Thoughts on a Sunday Morning - the 23rd day of July 2023
By the Rev. Nola Crewe
You can watch this at:
http://www.electricscotland.org/foru...y-of-july-2023
William Wilfred Campbell
By O. J. Stevenson from the Canadian Bookman Magazine of March 1927
You can read about him at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/life...d-Campbell.htm
Electric Scotland
What's in a Tune: Lady Mackenzie of Gairloch
In this episode of What's in a Tune we hear from Margaret Houlihan about the classic strathspey Lady Mackenzie of Gairloch.
You can watch this at:
https://electricscotland.com/music/pipemusic/index.htm
Old Church Life in Ballingry
Being the History of a Fifeshire Parish, based chiefly on its old sessions records, by The Rev. David Jamie, B.D., Minister of Ballingry (1890) (pdf)
You can read this at:
https://electricscotland.com/history...00churgoog.pdf
Pioneer History of Milwaukee
By James Smith Buck (1890) in 4 volumes
You can read these volumes at:
https://electricscotland.com/history.../Milwaukee.htm
A Journey from Edinburgh through parts of North Britain
Containing remarks on Scottish landscape and observations on rural economy, natural history, manufactures, trade and commerce interspersed with anecdotes, traditional, literary, and historical; together with biographical sketches, relating chiefly to civil and exxclesiastical affairs, from the twelfth century down to the present time in two volumes, embellished with forty-four engravings, from Drawings made on the spot, of the Lake, River, and Mountain Scenery of Scotland By Alexander Campbell (1802)
You can read these volumes at:
https://electricscotland.com/lifestyle/jorney.htm
Trial by Fire
Another video by Dr Peter Marshall which I've added to our page about him.
You can watch this at the foot of the page at:
https://electricscotland.com/history...r-marshall.htm
Norman Sinclair
A novel by W. Edmondstoune Aytoun, D. C. L., Author of "Lays of the Scottish Cavaliers", etc. in three volumes (1861)
You can read these volumes at:
https://electricscotland.com/lifesty..._siinclair.htm
Turner, Sir James
A Professional Scottish Soldier
You can read more about him at:
https://electricscotland.com/history...r_sirjames.htm
Story
THE FIRST CANADIAN CHRISTMAS CAROL
By J. Edgar Middleton
There has just been published what is claimed to be the first Christmas carol ever written in Ontario. The author of this carol is Father Jean de Brebeuf, who was a missionary to the Huron Indians in the region between Orillia and Penetanguishene between the years 1626 and 1649. The melody to which this carol was sung was taken by Father de Brebeuf from the first Plagal Mode of the Gregorian Tonality. The Hurons of the district were later almost exterminated by the Iroquois, but a remnant escaped and settled in Loretto, near the City of Quebec, where the descendants of these Hurons preserved this carol, written in 1641. In the eighteenth century Father de Villeneuve translated a version of the carol, which was afterwards printed by Ernest Myrand in his book, Noels Anciens de la Nouvelle France. The original title given to this carol was “Jeseus Ahatenhia.” A short time ago Mr. J. Edgar Middleton introduced it to English-speaking readers by taking the melody of the carol and writing to it words which he conceived would make an appeal to the primitive Hurons. It should not be understood, however, that Mr. Middleton ’s poem is the original one written by Father de Brebeuf. He has apparently taken the melody and with the original translation before him, has attempted to convey in English the sense of the original. Mr. Middleton’s poem is as follows:
’Twas in the moon of wintertime, when all the birds had fled,
That Mighty Gitchi Manitou sent angel choirs instead,
Before their light the stars grew dim,
And wand’ring hunters heard the hymn:
“Jesus, your King, is born;
Jesus is born;
In Excelsis Gloria.”
Within a lodge of broken bark the tender Babe was found,
A ragged robe of rabbit skin enwrapped His beauty round.
And as the hunter braves drew nigh,
The angel song rang loud and high.
The earliest moon of wintertime is not so round and fair
As was the ring of glory on the helpless Infant there,
While chiefs from far before Him knelt,
With gifts of fox and beaver pelt.
O children of the forest free, O sons of Manitou,
The Holy Child of earth and heav’n is born today to you,
Come, kneel before the Radiant Boy
Who brings you beauty, peace and joy.
THE CANADIAN ANGLE
Only This. A War Retrospect. By James H. Pedley. Ottawa
This is a book that will be read avidly by those who served in the war, and those who were out of it will experience vicariously some of the thrills that were part and parcel of life at the front.
Most of the American books dealing with the war have been too strongly underlined. True, we have had some whose sincerity was patent on every page, but we have had many, also, that portrayed the life in France as .a medley of blasphemy and butchery without the reliefs of rest and fugitive pleasures that helped to color the monotony. Not-that the horror of those four years can be glossed over. Despite the almost incredible optimism-(a word used advisedly) of the troops there are few on whom the war did not claw deep wounds, either physically, mentally or spiritually. But if there could be .no lengthy relief, there were Nepenthean moments when the troops lived gloriously and, human nature being what it is, these are the moments which live most vividly in the memory and surge up to find expression in casual encounters between those who fought together.
Mr. Pedley’s book is, I think, one of the most honest and sincere war books it has been my good fortune to read. Creative values aside, it can take its place beside the best reminiscences of the war.
Without ornate tapestry or trimmings, the book is written in straightforward prose that states everything naturally and simply and neither shrinks from unpleasant details nor lays undue emphasis upon them. That is the secret of the book’s appeal.
Though chronologically it may be a little haphazard, in the essentials it is a kinematic relation that thrills and stirs memories that usually are submerged and quiescent beneath the stream of peaceful pursuits. For, broadly speaking, these experiences were common to the whole army. They had the same reactions, the same uncomfortable touches of “wind-up” and the same battle for orientation towards the alien life of the trenches. That they won through is a weight adequate to balance all this and few, despite their scars, have not had their lives enriched by the experience.
There are touches of genuine lyricism, also, throughout this book, that make one curious to see another and more creative effort by Mr. Pedley. It will be strange if it is not forthcoming. But in this book he has written a valuable record and one that, reading between the lines, throws a creditable light upon the author. I venture to think that those who read it will find it a forthright book that once and for all portrays the war as viewed from the Canadian angle, and it is not too much to say that on its plane it should enrich the Canadian literary output.
T. D. RIMMER.
You can read this book online at:
https://digitalcollections.ucalgary....F1FC41IKB.html
END.
Weekend is almost here and hope it's a good one for you.
Alastair
A lost image of Bonnie Prince Charles has been uncovered using X-rays.
It was discovered behind the well known Highlander Portrait, which appears on Jacobite memorabilia.
An X-ray and conservation analysis have revealed that the original portrait of Charles, with brown eyes, was painted on top of what appears to be a Jacobite battle flag.
Doctor Bendor Grosvenor is the Conservator and Art Historian who made the discovery.
Read more and see the image at:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland...lands-66327909
Scottish News from this weeks newspapers
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. Here is what caught my eye this week...
Scots astonished as 15.7 million trees felled by SNP to develop wind farms
Estimations suggest around 15.7 million trees have been cut down since 2000, the equivalent of 1,700 per day.
Read more at:
https://www.express.co.uk/news/polit...farms-scotland
Tweaking council tax won’t solve its fundamental flaws
On Wednesday, the Scottish Government and COSLA released their anticipated (and widely leaked) consultation on Council Tax changes. The proposals set out would see a repeat of the 2017 increases in band multipliers for properties in Band E - H with the consultation seeking views on whether the changes to the mulitpliers should be higher or lower, or not happen at all.
Read more at:
https://sceptical.scot/2023/07/tweak...amental-flaws/
Town celebrates Robert Burns's first book of poems
On Hogmanay his poem Auld Lang Syne is sung among friends across the globe, and his work has been translated into over forty languages. But he may not have become such a celebrated figure if a Kilmarnock publisher had not taken a risk, nearly 240 years ago this week, and printed his first book.
Read more at:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland...-west-66257316
Lady Florence Dixie: The aristocrat who fought for women's football
As the Women's World Cup is held in Australia and New Zealand, many may be unaware of the debt the sport owes to an aristocrat from southern Scotland.
Read more at:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland...tland-66232240
Heatwave in US Southwest region to expand east
A heatwave baking the US Southwest for weeks is set to expand into central and eastern regions.
Read more at:
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-66290589
Faulty concrete fears at 250 NHS Scotland sites
NHS Scotland's review identified 254 buildings that have two or more characteristics which are consistent with the presence of RAAC.
Read more at:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-66298246
Homesick British expats' biggest cravings revealed in top 20 list of exported items
Brits living in Europe are importing comfort foods like M&S crumpets, Bisto Gravy, Robinsons Squash and even flour.
Read more at:
https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/scotla...vings-30546931
UK economy defies forecasts of doom to outperform Germany in big upgrade to growth
Britain will outperform Germany this year despite The International Monetary Fund previously predicting it would do worse than most major economies.
Read more at:
https://www.express.co.uk/news/polit...y-hunt-germany
Scotland's healthy eating schemes slashed after Gov freezes funding
Food Standards Scotland, mainly funded by the Government, has paused or scaled back a number of its campaigns to balance its books.
Read more at:
https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/p...after-30547187
IPCC: Scots professor to lead top global climate body
A Scottish scientist has been chosen to lead one of the world's most influential climate change bodies. Prof Jim Skea, from Dundee, has been elected as chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
Read more at:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-66316923
Seawilding: the Scottish community reviving a loch
Loch Craignish in Scotland is being 'seawilded' with oysters and seagrass meadows: some of the world's most depleted habitats. Could it be a model for wider underwater restoration?
Read more at:
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/2...eviving-a-loch
Humza Yousaf has run out of road on independence and does not know what to do next
Daily Record Political Editor Paul Hutcheon says the Scottish Government has a credibility problem promising a better future when they cannot deliver in the here and now.
Read more at:
https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/p...-road-30567734
SNP humiliated as IEA report says no robust evidence to support alcohol ad ban
SNP policy makers had planned to ban alcohol firms sponsoring sport and live events to the dismay of the drinks industry.
Read more at:
https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/17...lcohol-adverts
Holyrood’s ScotsBorg Collective is an enemy of free enterprise
IN ITS USUAL distemper brush rhetorical approach, the Scottish Government claims it wants to promote a culture of entrepreneurship that will help to grow and diversify Scotland’s business base.
Read more at:
https://thinkscotland.org/2023/07/th...ee-enterprise/
Electric Canadian
Jean Blewett
By John Macklem from the Canadian Bookman Magazine of April 1927
You can read about her at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/life...an-Blewett.htm
Mazo De La Roche
By John Macklem from the September 2027 edition of the Canadian Bookman Magazine
You can read about her at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/life...a-Roche%20.htm
Lucy Maud Montgomery
By V. B. Rhodenizer from the Canadian Bookman Magazine of August 1927
You can read about her at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/life...Montgomery.htm
The Life of John Graves Simcoe
First Lieutenant-Governor of the Province of Upper Canada 1792-96 by The Honourable William Renwick Riddell, LL.D., D.C.L., Etc., Justice of the Supreme Court of Ontario (1926) (pdf)
You can read about him at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/make...aves00ridd.pdf
Thoughts on a Sunday Morning - the 23rd day of July 2023
By the Rev. Nola Crewe
You can watch this at:
http://www.electricscotland.org/foru...y-of-july-2023
William Wilfred Campbell
By O. J. Stevenson from the Canadian Bookman Magazine of March 1927
You can read about him at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/life...d-Campbell.htm
Electric Scotland
What's in a Tune: Lady Mackenzie of Gairloch
In this episode of What's in a Tune we hear from Margaret Houlihan about the classic strathspey Lady Mackenzie of Gairloch.
You can watch this at:
https://electricscotland.com/music/pipemusic/index.htm
Old Church Life in Ballingry
Being the History of a Fifeshire Parish, based chiefly on its old sessions records, by The Rev. David Jamie, B.D., Minister of Ballingry (1890) (pdf)
You can read this at:
https://electricscotland.com/history...00churgoog.pdf
Pioneer History of Milwaukee
By James Smith Buck (1890) in 4 volumes
You can read these volumes at:
https://electricscotland.com/history.../Milwaukee.htm
A Journey from Edinburgh through parts of North Britain
Containing remarks on Scottish landscape and observations on rural economy, natural history, manufactures, trade and commerce interspersed with anecdotes, traditional, literary, and historical; together with biographical sketches, relating chiefly to civil and exxclesiastical affairs, from the twelfth century down to the present time in two volumes, embellished with forty-four engravings, from Drawings made on the spot, of the Lake, River, and Mountain Scenery of Scotland By Alexander Campbell (1802)
You can read these volumes at:
https://electricscotland.com/lifestyle/jorney.htm
Trial by Fire
Another video by Dr Peter Marshall which I've added to our page about him.
You can watch this at the foot of the page at:
https://electricscotland.com/history...r-marshall.htm
Norman Sinclair
A novel by W. Edmondstoune Aytoun, D. C. L., Author of "Lays of the Scottish Cavaliers", etc. in three volumes (1861)
You can read these volumes at:
https://electricscotland.com/lifesty..._siinclair.htm
Turner, Sir James
A Professional Scottish Soldier
You can read more about him at:
https://electricscotland.com/history...r_sirjames.htm
Story
THE FIRST CANADIAN CHRISTMAS CAROL
By J. Edgar Middleton
There has just been published what is claimed to be the first Christmas carol ever written in Ontario. The author of this carol is Father Jean de Brebeuf, who was a missionary to the Huron Indians in the region between Orillia and Penetanguishene between the years 1626 and 1649. The melody to which this carol was sung was taken by Father de Brebeuf from the first Plagal Mode of the Gregorian Tonality. The Hurons of the district were later almost exterminated by the Iroquois, but a remnant escaped and settled in Loretto, near the City of Quebec, where the descendants of these Hurons preserved this carol, written in 1641. In the eighteenth century Father de Villeneuve translated a version of the carol, which was afterwards printed by Ernest Myrand in his book, Noels Anciens de la Nouvelle France. The original title given to this carol was “Jeseus Ahatenhia.” A short time ago Mr. J. Edgar Middleton introduced it to English-speaking readers by taking the melody of the carol and writing to it words which he conceived would make an appeal to the primitive Hurons. It should not be understood, however, that Mr. Middleton ’s poem is the original one written by Father de Brebeuf. He has apparently taken the melody and with the original translation before him, has attempted to convey in English the sense of the original. Mr. Middleton’s poem is as follows:
’Twas in the moon of wintertime, when all the birds had fled,
That Mighty Gitchi Manitou sent angel choirs instead,
Before their light the stars grew dim,
And wand’ring hunters heard the hymn:
“Jesus, your King, is born;
Jesus is born;
In Excelsis Gloria.”
Within a lodge of broken bark the tender Babe was found,
A ragged robe of rabbit skin enwrapped His beauty round.
And as the hunter braves drew nigh,
The angel song rang loud and high.
The earliest moon of wintertime is not so round and fair
As was the ring of glory on the helpless Infant there,
While chiefs from far before Him knelt,
With gifts of fox and beaver pelt.
O children of the forest free, O sons of Manitou,
The Holy Child of earth and heav’n is born today to you,
Come, kneel before the Radiant Boy
Who brings you beauty, peace and joy.
THE CANADIAN ANGLE
Only This. A War Retrospect. By James H. Pedley. Ottawa
This is a book that will be read avidly by those who served in the war, and those who were out of it will experience vicariously some of the thrills that were part and parcel of life at the front.
Most of the American books dealing with the war have been too strongly underlined. True, we have had some whose sincerity was patent on every page, but we have had many, also, that portrayed the life in France as .a medley of blasphemy and butchery without the reliefs of rest and fugitive pleasures that helped to color the monotony. Not-that the horror of those four years can be glossed over. Despite the almost incredible optimism-(a word used advisedly) of the troops there are few on whom the war did not claw deep wounds, either physically, mentally or spiritually. But if there could be .no lengthy relief, there were Nepenthean moments when the troops lived gloriously and, human nature being what it is, these are the moments which live most vividly in the memory and surge up to find expression in casual encounters between those who fought together.
Mr. Pedley’s book is, I think, one of the most honest and sincere war books it has been my good fortune to read. Creative values aside, it can take its place beside the best reminiscences of the war.
Without ornate tapestry or trimmings, the book is written in straightforward prose that states everything naturally and simply and neither shrinks from unpleasant details nor lays undue emphasis upon them. That is the secret of the book’s appeal.
Though chronologically it may be a little haphazard, in the essentials it is a kinematic relation that thrills and stirs memories that usually are submerged and quiescent beneath the stream of peaceful pursuits. For, broadly speaking, these experiences were common to the whole army. They had the same reactions, the same uncomfortable touches of “wind-up” and the same battle for orientation towards the alien life of the trenches. That they won through is a weight adequate to balance all this and few, despite their scars, have not had their lives enriched by the experience.
There are touches of genuine lyricism, also, throughout this book, that make one curious to see another and more creative effort by Mr. Pedley. It will be strange if it is not forthcoming. But in this book he has written a valuable record and one that, reading between the lines, throws a creditable light upon the author. I venture to think that those who read it will find it a forthright book that once and for all portrays the war as viewed from the Canadian angle, and it is not too much to say that on its plane it should enrich the Canadian literary output.
T. D. RIMMER.
You can read this book online at:
https://digitalcollections.ucalgary....F1FC41IKB.html
END.
Weekend is almost here and hope it's a good one for you.
Alastair