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Electric Scotland News
Got a copy of Donna Flood's obituary which I've posted to her index page on the site at:
https://electricscotland.com/history/america/donna/
-------
Israel are now operating in the last Hamas stronghold in Gaza on the Egyptian border but the US are not happy and have held up supplying weapons to them.
Israel-Hamas war: Israeli govt. on Rafah invasion, ceasefire negotiations
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNvf5kPPufk
also....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fXeUJtNEdo
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 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...
The cost of nationalisation
In light of Labour's recent pledge to renationalise rail if elected, we've republished the introduction to Mahoney's 2018 paper 'The Cost of Nationalisation'. In it, Daniel ran through the eyewatering up-front costs of Jeremy Corbyn's proposed campaign of nationalisation
Read more at:
https://capx.co/the-cost-of-nationalisation/
Conrad Black: Trudeau owes us all an apology
The prime minister led the nation in an almost medieval circular mass pilgrimage of self-flagellation
Read more at:
https://archive.is/sDyup#selection-2073.0-2073.101
Capercaillie lead singer Karen Matheson on 40 years of fun with the band
It is with a sense of disbelief that Karen Matheson sits down to chat about Capercaillie’s 40th anniversary. The thoughtful singer admits she had no expectations when she joined the band and expected it to be a short-lived bit of fun.
Read more at:
https://www.sundaypost.com/fp/karen-...-capercaillie/
Brexiteer hails booming UK trade after EU exit
The Thatcherite MP hit out at Brexit naysayers as he hailed Britain's trade success after cutting ties with Brussels.
Read more at:
https://www.express.co.uk/news/polit...e-john-redwood
The new Scottish cabinet
First Minister John Swinney has announced his new cabinet, which will lead what he promises will be a slimmed-down government
Read more at:
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx7dx43x7gno
Swinney’s Government starts as damaged goods
The Scottish Government is a reputationally challenged disaster-zone, struggling beneath myriad policy-outcome failures. There is a good reason John Swinney has emerged as SNP leader and new First Minister, unopposed. The leadership crown has become something of a poisoned chalice. The SNP has sunk so low nobody with a political future wishes to lead it.
Read more at:
https://thinkscotland.org/2024/05/th...nged-disaster/
Electric Canadian
Siterep
2 Field Engineer Regiment Newsletter for June 2005 (pdf)
You can read this at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/forces/sitrepJune05.pdf
Added two links to our Vietnam page...
Added to the foot of the page at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/history/vietnam.htm
Live Fully in Vietnam, their official tourism site and Canada-Vietnam relations, Learn more from Canada's web site.
Royal Military College of Canada
Added the June 1931 review to our page at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/forc...arycollege.htm
Thoughts on a Sunday Morning - the 5th day of May 2024 - The Charity of Volunteerism
By the Rev. Nola Crewe
You can watch this at:
http://www.electricscotland.org/foru...rism-greetings
The Canadian Annual Review of Public Affairs
Added the 1907 edition which you can read at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/hist...nual/index.htm
Winter in Canada
By Ernest Voorhis (1929) (pdf)
You can read this at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/life...00vooriala.pdf
Electric Scotland
Culture in Early Scotland
By James MacKinnon, M.A., Ph.D. (1892) (pdf)
You can read this book at:
https://electricscotland.com/culture...00mackuoft.pdf
The Deer Forests of Scotland
By A. Grimble (1896) (pdf)
You can read this book at:
https://electricscotland.com/nature/...00grimrich.pdf
Scotland gets investor thumbs up from Valley player
By Bill Magee
You can read this article at:
https://electricscotland.com/magee/article009.htm
Scotland's Work and Worth
An Epitome of Scotland's Story from Early Times to the Twentieth Century, with a Survey of the Contributions of Scotsmen in Peace and in War to the Growth of the British Empire and the Progress of the World by Charles W. Thomson, M.A., F.E.I.S. in two volumes
You can read these volumes at:
https://electricscotland.com/history...rkandworth.htm
The Royal Army in America During the Revolutionary War
The American Prisoner Records by Kenneth Baumgardt, Historian (2008)
You can study this at:
https://electricscotland.com/history.../royalarmy.htm
The Caledonian Magazine
Edited by George Bronson Rea
You can read this at:
https://electricscotland.com/history...edonianmag.htm
The Case for Manchoukuo
By George Bronson Rea, Counsellor to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Government of Manchoukuo (1935)
You can read this at:
https://electricscotland.com/history...BronsonRea.htm
Northwest Scots Honor Guard
Pride in Our Country and Our Heritage [external link]
You can get to this at:
https://northwestscotsguard.com/
Scots in Vietnam
Added this new section to explore some links I have found and you can get to this at:
https://electriccanadian.com/history/vietnam.htm
Scottish Society of Indianapolis
Got in their April/May 2024 newsletter which you can read at:
https://electricscotland.com/familyt...olis/index.htm
How Scottish is Washington DC?
Added this video to our American history section around two thirds down the page which you can get to at:
https://electricscotland.com/history/america/index.htm
Clan Munro of Australia
Got in their Spring 2024 newsletter which you can read at:
https://electricscotland.com/familyt...unro/index.htm
Scots asking what's up with WhatsApp
Scots numbering at least one million, probably many more, have been put on high cyber alert following a series of fresh reports and research warning of a growing threat to their privacy when using WhatsApp for work or leisure.
You can read this article by Bill Magee at:
https://electricscotland.com/magee/article008.htm
History of the Water Supply to Glasgow
From Commencement of present Century with descriptions of the Water Works projected, executed, and from time to time in operation and an appendix by John Burnet (1869) (pdf)
You can study this at:
https://electricscotland.com/history...er-gorbals.pdf
From whence come Wars?
An Enquiry into the Origin, with a View of the Progress and Effects, of War. A Sermon preached in the Church of Govan on the public fast, February 9th, 1779 by the Reverend William Thom, A.M., Minister of Govan (pdf)
You can read this at:
https://electricscotland.com/bible/w...e-wars1782.pdf
Wild Life of Scotland
By J. H. Crawford, F.L.S. (1898) (pdf)
You can read this book at:
https://electricscotland.com/nature/...00crawrich.pdf
Story
John Mackenzie
“The Beauties of Gaelic Poetry.” [By Fionn.]
John Mackenzie, whose name is ever associated with this “magnum opus,” was born at Mealan Thearlaich, parish of Gairloch, in 1806. He was the son of Alexander Mackenzie, who belonged to the branch of the clan known as “Sliochd Alasdair Chaim.” He was educated first in the Parish School of Gairloch, and afterwards in Tain Academy. From his earliest youth he manifested a delight in reading and music. He also indicated considerable taste and ingenuity in making a fiddle for himself; and his mother purchased a set of bagpipes for his amusement from a company of strolling players, to which he attached great value, ana ultimately became a proficient performer on the bagpipe. Afterwards he made similar musical instruments, and his parents, supposing that his tastes lay that way, engaged him as an apprentice to a Dingwall joiner. This occupation not being congenial to his mind, he soon left it and returned to his native parish, where he employed himself in collecting material for the publication of the poems of William Ross, the Gairloch bard, which he issued in 1832. It was doubtless at this time that he conceived the idea of publishing the “Beauties of Gaelic Poetry, and the Lives of the Highland Bards,” the preparation of which occupied the best portion of twelve years, the greater part of which he spent throughout the Highlands collecting facts and materials for compiling this valuable work. In 1836 he accepted the situation of book-keeper in the Glasgow University Printing Office. Deeming the publishing of his “Beauties” too arduous an undertaking on his own account, he disposed of the copyright to Messrs. Macgregor, Polson, & Coy., then publishers in Glasgow, at the same time undertaking to superintend the work through the press. The extra labour he thus undertook, and for which he was afterwards but indifferently remunerated, undermined his health. The “Beauties” were published in 1841, completed to the original design, and in 408 pages contained the poetry in Gaelic, and biographies of thirty-six different bards, together with an appendix containing a number of fugitive Gaelic songs. Mackenzie was afterwards employed by the firm of Maclachlan & Stewart, Edinburgh, in translating Bunyan's works, and in editing enlarged editions of the works of Duncan Ban Macintyre and Alexander Macdonald (Mac Mhaighstir Alasdair). His last-completed work was the English-Gaelic Dictionary, which was published in 1845, and which is usually bound with MacAlpine’s Gaelic Dictionary. In 1847 he issued the prospectus of an enlarged edition of the “Beauties of Gaelic Poetry,” to contain the biographies of forty-six bards. For Messrs. Collie & Son, Edinburgh, he prepared a Gaelic history of Prince Charlie and the ’45, which was published in 1844. Mackenzie, in all, composed, translated, or edited above thirty different publications; but being naturally of delicate constitution, the labour which he bestowed on his last work brought on a severe stomach complaint from which he never recovered. He went home to his native parish, and died in his father’s house, Lon-dubh, Inverewe, 19th August 1848. He was buried in the old chapel in the Churchyard of Gairloch, where in 1878, chiefly through the energy of the late Alex. Mackenzie, Inverness, a handsome monument was erected to his memory. The following is the English inscription on the monument:—“In memory of John Mackenzie (of the family of Alister Cam of Gairloch), who compiled and edited ‘The Beauties of Gaelic Poetry' and also compiled, wrote, translated, or edited, under surprising difficulties, above thirty other works. Born Mellan Charles, 1806; died at Inverewe, 1848. In grateful recognition of his valuable services to Celtic literature, this monument is erected by his fellow-countrymen. 1878.”
Mackenzie is said to have been of medium height, slightly built, with fair hair, and a rather pale complexion. We are not aware that any likeness of him is extant. He left some MS., which have since, unfortunately, disappeared; among them a Gaelic translation of the Scriptures, on which he was engaged at the time of his last illness, also several Gaelic sermons, intended for some of the Highland clergy.
You can read the fifth edition of his work at:
The Beauties of Gaelic Poetry
https://electricscotland.com/gaelic/...00mackuoft.pdf
And Lives of the Highland Bards with historical and critical notes, and a comprehensive glossary of provincial words by John MacKenzie, Esq. with an historical introduction containing an account of manners, habits, etc. of the ancient Caledonians by James Logan, Esq., F.S.A.S. (fifth edition) (1882) (pdf)
END
Weekend is almost here and hope it's a good one for you.
Alastair
Got a copy of Donna Flood's obituary which I've posted to her index page on the site at:
https://electricscotland.com/history/america/donna/
-------
Israel are now operating in the last Hamas stronghold in Gaza on the Egyptian border but the US are not happy and have held up supplying weapons to them.
Israel-Hamas war: Israeli govt. on Rafah invasion, ceasefire negotiations
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNvf5kPPufk
also....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fXeUJtNEdo
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 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...
The cost of nationalisation
In light of Labour's recent pledge to renationalise rail if elected, we've republished the introduction to Mahoney's 2018 paper 'The Cost of Nationalisation'. In it, Daniel ran through the eyewatering up-front costs of Jeremy Corbyn's proposed campaign of nationalisation
Read more at:
https://capx.co/the-cost-of-nationalisation/
Conrad Black: Trudeau owes us all an apology
The prime minister led the nation in an almost medieval circular mass pilgrimage of self-flagellation
Read more at:
https://archive.is/sDyup#selection-2073.0-2073.101
Capercaillie lead singer Karen Matheson on 40 years of fun with the band
It is with a sense of disbelief that Karen Matheson sits down to chat about Capercaillie’s 40th anniversary. The thoughtful singer admits she had no expectations when she joined the band and expected it to be a short-lived bit of fun.
Read more at:
https://www.sundaypost.com/fp/karen-...-capercaillie/
Brexiteer hails booming UK trade after EU exit
The Thatcherite MP hit out at Brexit naysayers as he hailed Britain's trade success after cutting ties with Brussels.
Read more at:
https://www.express.co.uk/news/polit...e-john-redwood
The new Scottish cabinet
First Minister John Swinney has announced his new cabinet, which will lead what he promises will be a slimmed-down government
Read more at:
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx7dx43x7gno
Swinney’s Government starts as damaged goods
The Scottish Government is a reputationally challenged disaster-zone, struggling beneath myriad policy-outcome failures. There is a good reason John Swinney has emerged as SNP leader and new First Minister, unopposed. The leadership crown has become something of a poisoned chalice. The SNP has sunk so low nobody with a political future wishes to lead it.
Read more at:
https://thinkscotland.org/2024/05/th...nged-disaster/
Electric Canadian
Siterep
2 Field Engineer Regiment Newsletter for June 2005 (pdf)
You can read this at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/forces/sitrepJune05.pdf
Added two links to our Vietnam page...
Added to the foot of the page at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/history/vietnam.htm
Live Fully in Vietnam, their official tourism site and Canada-Vietnam relations, Learn more from Canada's web site.
Royal Military College of Canada
Added the June 1931 review to our page at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/forc...arycollege.htm
Thoughts on a Sunday Morning - the 5th day of May 2024 - The Charity of Volunteerism
By the Rev. Nola Crewe
You can watch this at:
http://www.electricscotland.org/foru...rism-greetings
The Canadian Annual Review of Public Affairs
Added the 1907 edition which you can read at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/hist...nual/index.htm
Winter in Canada
By Ernest Voorhis (1929) (pdf)
You can read this at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/life...00vooriala.pdf
Electric Scotland
Culture in Early Scotland
By James MacKinnon, M.A., Ph.D. (1892) (pdf)
You can read this book at:
https://electricscotland.com/culture...00mackuoft.pdf
The Deer Forests of Scotland
By A. Grimble (1896) (pdf)
You can read this book at:
https://electricscotland.com/nature/...00grimrich.pdf
Scotland gets investor thumbs up from Valley player
By Bill Magee
You can read this article at:
https://electricscotland.com/magee/article009.htm
Scotland's Work and Worth
An Epitome of Scotland's Story from Early Times to the Twentieth Century, with a Survey of the Contributions of Scotsmen in Peace and in War to the Growth of the British Empire and the Progress of the World by Charles W. Thomson, M.A., F.E.I.S. in two volumes
You can read these volumes at:
https://electricscotland.com/history...rkandworth.htm
The Royal Army in America During the Revolutionary War
The American Prisoner Records by Kenneth Baumgardt, Historian (2008)
You can study this at:
https://electricscotland.com/history.../royalarmy.htm
The Caledonian Magazine
Edited by George Bronson Rea
You can read this at:
https://electricscotland.com/history...edonianmag.htm
The Case for Manchoukuo
By George Bronson Rea, Counsellor to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Government of Manchoukuo (1935)
You can read this at:
https://electricscotland.com/history...BronsonRea.htm
Northwest Scots Honor Guard
Pride in Our Country and Our Heritage [external link]
You can get to this at:
https://northwestscotsguard.com/
Scots in Vietnam
Added this new section to explore some links I have found and you can get to this at:
https://electriccanadian.com/history/vietnam.htm
Scottish Society of Indianapolis
Got in their April/May 2024 newsletter which you can read at:
https://electricscotland.com/familyt...olis/index.htm
How Scottish is Washington DC?
Added this video to our American history section around two thirds down the page which you can get to at:
https://electricscotland.com/history/america/index.htm
Clan Munro of Australia
Got in their Spring 2024 newsletter which you can read at:
https://electricscotland.com/familyt...unro/index.htm
Scots asking what's up with WhatsApp
Scots numbering at least one million, probably many more, have been put on high cyber alert following a series of fresh reports and research warning of a growing threat to their privacy when using WhatsApp for work or leisure.
You can read this article by Bill Magee at:
https://electricscotland.com/magee/article008.htm
History of the Water Supply to Glasgow
From Commencement of present Century with descriptions of the Water Works projected, executed, and from time to time in operation and an appendix by John Burnet (1869) (pdf)
You can study this at:
https://electricscotland.com/history...er-gorbals.pdf
From whence come Wars?
An Enquiry into the Origin, with a View of the Progress and Effects, of War. A Sermon preached in the Church of Govan on the public fast, February 9th, 1779 by the Reverend William Thom, A.M., Minister of Govan (pdf)
You can read this at:
https://electricscotland.com/bible/w...e-wars1782.pdf
Wild Life of Scotland
By J. H. Crawford, F.L.S. (1898) (pdf)
You can read this book at:
https://electricscotland.com/nature/...00crawrich.pdf
Story
John Mackenzie
“The Beauties of Gaelic Poetry.” [By Fionn.]
John Mackenzie, whose name is ever associated with this “magnum opus,” was born at Mealan Thearlaich, parish of Gairloch, in 1806. He was the son of Alexander Mackenzie, who belonged to the branch of the clan known as “Sliochd Alasdair Chaim.” He was educated first in the Parish School of Gairloch, and afterwards in Tain Academy. From his earliest youth he manifested a delight in reading and music. He also indicated considerable taste and ingenuity in making a fiddle for himself; and his mother purchased a set of bagpipes for his amusement from a company of strolling players, to which he attached great value, ana ultimately became a proficient performer on the bagpipe. Afterwards he made similar musical instruments, and his parents, supposing that his tastes lay that way, engaged him as an apprentice to a Dingwall joiner. This occupation not being congenial to his mind, he soon left it and returned to his native parish, where he employed himself in collecting material for the publication of the poems of William Ross, the Gairloch bard, which he issued in 1832. It was doubtless at this time that he conceived the idea of publishing the “Beauties of Gaelic Poetry, and the Lives of the Highland Bards,” the preparation of which occupied the best portion of twelve years, the greater part of which he spent throughout the Highlands collecting facts and materials for compiling this valuable work. In 1836 he accepted the situation of book-keeper in the Glasgow University Printing Office. Deeming the publishing of his “Beauties” too arduous an undertaking on his own account, he disposed of the copyright to Messrs. Macgregor, Polson, & Coy., then publishers in Glasgow, at the same time undertaking to superintend the work through the press. The extra labour he thus undertook, and for which he was afterwards but indifferently remunerated, undermined his health. The “Beauties” were published in 1841, completed to the original design, and in 408 pages contained the poetry in Gaelic, and biographies of thirty-six different bards, together with an appendix containing a number of fugitive Gaelic songs. Mackenzie was afterwards employed by the firm of Maclachlan & Stewart, Edinburgh, in translating Bunyan's works, and in editing enlarged editions of the works of Duncan Ban Macintyre and Alexander Macdonald (Mac Mhaighstir Alasdair). His last-completed work was the English-Gaelic Dictionary, which was published in 1845, and which is usually bound with MacAlpine’s Gaelic Dictionary. In 1847 he issued the prospectus of an enlarged edition of the “Beauties of Gaelic Poetry,” to contain the biographies of forty-six bards. For Messrs. Collie & Son, Edinburgh, he prepared a Gaelic history of Prince Charlie and the ’45, which was published in 1844. Mackenzie, in all, composed, translated, or edited above thirty different publications; but being naturally of delicate constitution, the labour which he bestowed on his last work brought on a severe stomach complaint from which he never recovered. He went home to his native parish, and died in his father’s house, Lon-dubh, Inverewe, 19th August 1848. He was buried in the old chapel in the Churchyard of Gairloch, where in 1878, chiefly through the energy of the late Alex. Mackenzie, Inverness, a handsome monument was erected to his memory. The following is the English inscription on the monument:—“In memory of John Mackenzie (of the family of Alister Cam of Gairloch), who compiled and edited ‘The Beauties of Gaelic Poetry' and also compiled, wrote, translated, or edited, under surprising difficulties, above thirty other works. Born Mellan Charles, 1806; died at Inverewe, 1848. In grateful recognition of his valuable services to Celtic literature, this monument is erected by his fellow-countrymen. 1878.”
Mackenzie is said to have been of medium height, slightly built, with fair hair, and a rather pale complexion. We are not aware that any likeness of him is extant. He left some MS., which have since, unfortunately, disappeared; among them a Gaelic translation of the Scriptures, on which he was engaged at the time of his last illness, also several Gaelic sermons, intended for some of the Highland clergy.
You can read the fifth edition of his work at:
The Beauties of Gaelic Poetry
https://electricscotland.com/gaelic/...00mackuoft.pdf
And Lives of the Highland Bards with historical and critical notes, and a comprehensive glossary of provincial words by John MacKenzie, Esq. with an historical introduction containing an account of manners, habits, etc. of the ancient Caledonians by James Logan, Esq., F.S.A.S. (fifth edition) (1882) (pdf)
END
Weekend is almost here and hope it's a good one for you.
Alastair