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Electric Scotland News
I had a wee collision in a local car park this week which meant I had to visit the collision department of the local police to complete documentation. Very minor damage but guess these things happen.
You do have to exchange certain information and there is a web site you can learn more about the process at: https://accsupport.com/
The person at the office takes pictures of the damage which is included in the report they file. They also have a Google street view of the location although I did point out it was out of date.
She did tell me you should provide your name and address, your insurance details and car registration and phone number at the scene.
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The history of the Church in Scotland may be conveniently divided into three distinct periods. The first may be said to extend from the introduction of Christianity to the arrival in Scotland of Margaret, who became Queen of Malcolm Canmore, and died in 1093. The second commenced with the changes introduced by that princess the ecclesiastical division of the country into parishes and dioceses, the appointment of officials to minister to those, and the organisation of the Church in ritual and ecclesiastical polity into strict harmony with the Roman order all which were effected by Margaret, and by her sons, especially David I. The close of this period is marked by the accession to the English throne of the Protestant Elizabeth, and her interference in the affairs of Scotland, which definitely turned the scale in favour of the Reformers. These, in the year 1560, formally repudiated the Catholic Church, and abrogated the jurisdiction of the Roman See over Scotland. The third and last period, in which we now live, was ushered in by the convulsive struggles of that wonderful religious revolution of the sixteenth century, generally known as the Reformation, and whose issues are still mightily affecting the destinies of the world. These three divisions may be with considerable propriety denominated the Celtic, the Mediaeval, and the Modern.
-------
I got a phone call from my eye clinic asking if I could come in right away instead of next week. I agreed and was delighted as I was seen right away instead of waiting some two hours. I did say they could call me any time if it would help them out <grin>
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...
Drugs like Ozempic promise an economic revolution
It’s not just obesity. Drugs like Ozempic will change the world. As they become cheaper, they promise to improve billions of lives.
Read more at:
https://archive.is/tLaw3#selection-971.0-975.65
Inaccurate news and the BBC: its response to our complaint
The BBC faced criticism for uncritically reporting an Aston University study on Brexit’s impact on trade.
Read more at:https://www.briefingsforbritain.co.u...our-complaint/
The Politics of AI
'The Politics of AI’ is a new report from New Zealand-based academic David Rozado which examines the political bias within popular AI-powered Large Language Models (LLMs).
Read more at:
https://cps.org.uk/research/the-politics-of-ai/
Our proud Royal Navy needs thrown a lifebelt
THE ROYAL NAVY has existed as a permanent force since the time of Henry VIII. Some trace its history back to Alfred the Great.
Read more at:
https://thinkscotland.org/2024/10/th...wn-a-lifebelt/
Conrad Black: A disgraceful attack on free speech
Progressives who want to criminalize discussion of residential schools are embarrassing Canada
Read more at:
https://archive.is/IQlLX
Alex Salmond Obituary
A man and a politician of contradictions
Read more at:
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cd13102l9g5o
Seven steps to save Scotland’s creative economy
Who said: cutting arts funding is a false economy? No, it wasn’t Lisa Nandy or Rachel Reeves. And it certainly wasn’t Angus Robertson or Shona Robison. It was George Osborne, who told a friend of mine exactly that at Arts Council England in 2015.
Read more at:
https://sceptical.scot/2024/10/seven...eative-economy
Does Mr Healey have the guts to change the Army?
On his appointment, the current Chief of the General Staff (CGS - the head of the Army), General Sir Roly Walker, stated that the Army needs to double its lethality by 2027 or risk being unable to deter aggressors. That’s masterful understatement.
Read more at:
https://thinkscotland.org/2024/10/do...ange-the-army/
Millionaire's donation helps community buy 7,800 acres
A community group has taken ownership of almost 8,000 acres (3,237 ha) of land near Achiltibuie in the Coigach area of Wester Ross with help from one of the UK's richest men.
Read more at:
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c20gp91wy96o
Why Canada wants more overseas tourists to visit
Canada has launched a new drive to get more overseas tourists to visit the country. Yet staffing shortages, wildfires and a spat with China will not make the task easy.
Read more at:
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp396g01g6xo
Alex Salmond: A great man with a great flaw
Some hard truths about the former leader of the SNP, who has died aged 69
Read more at:
https://thejaggythistle.substack.com...n-with-a-great
The Budget raises £40bn in taxes - what do we get for it?
Chancellor Rachel Reeves delivered the biggest tax increase in cash terms in modern history.
Read more at:
https://news.stv.tv/scotland/the-bud...-we-get-for-it
Electric Canadian
Hudson's Bay Company Archives Research Centre
Newsletter Number One, February 8, 1985 (pdf)
You can read this newsletter at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/tran...wsletter01.pdf
Residential Schools: Assimilation or Genocide?
By Robin Collins (2024) (pdf)
You can read this article at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/hist.../jan202024.pdf
Under the Chinook Arch
This book is dedicated to the people of the Big Prairie, Cremona, Garfield and Water Valley districts. 1880 - Feb. 1979 Compiled by Alice Whitlow (pdf)
Lots of great wee articles in this book which you can read at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/hist...k-Arch1979.pdf
Sketches of a Tour
Through the Northern and Eastern States, The Canadas & Nova Scotia by J. C. Myers (1849) (pdf)
You can read his Sketches at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/life...our01cgoog.pdf
Thoughts on a Sunday Morning - the 27th day of October 2024 - Halloween
By the Rev. Nola Crewe
You can watch this at:
http://www.electricscotland.org/foru...2024-halloween
Sandi Brock
I am a mom, a wife, and a farmer. In that order (most days). This channel is all about wading the waters of these three versions of me... Learning new things each day, and sharing them with you. Authentically, sheepishly me.
Added this to our Sheep Husbandry in Canada page but you can watch it on YouTube at:
https://www.youtube.com/@SandiBrock
The Beaver Magazine
Added Volume 2 No. 12 (pdf)
You can read this issue at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/tran...ber%201922.pdf
Electric Scotland
Genealogical and Historical Account of the Maitland Family
Compiled from Charters, Deeds, Parish Registers, Wills, and other Authentic Evidences by George Harrison Rogers-Harrison, Windsor Herald (1864) (pdf)
You can read this at:
https://electricscotland.com/history...hist00harr.pdf
The Dramatic Writers of Scotland
By Ralston Inglis (1868) (pdf)
You can read about them at:
https://electricscotland.com/books/d...00inglrich.pdf
Urquhart and Glenmoriston
Olden Times in a Highland Parish by William MacKay, LL.D., (second edition) (1914) (pdf)
You can read this at:
https://electricscotland.com/history...mori00mack.pdf
Ecclesiastical Chronicle for Scotland
By Rev. J. F. S. Gordon, D.D., St. Andrews, Glasgow in 4 volumes (1867)
You can read these volumes at:
https://electricscotland.com/bible/c...orscotland.htm
The Chronicle of Holyrood
Edited by Marjorie Ogilvie Anderson, B.A. (Oxon.) with some additional notes by lan Orr Anderson, L.L.D. (Edin.) (1938) (pdf) The Chronicle of Holyrood is one of the two Scottish monastic chronicles that have survived from the twelfth and thirteenth centuries.
You can read this at:
https://electricscotland.com/history...ofholyrood.pdf
Rev. Alexander MacLeod
Found a small biography of this person published in 1885 in pdf format and have added it to our page about him.
You can see this at:
https://electricscotland.com/bible/m..._alexander.htm
St. Giles Cathedral, Edinburgh
It's history and books about it.
You can get to this at::
https://electricscotland.com/bible/stgiles.htm
Dr. Robert Jamieson
Minister of St. Paul's, Glasgow, A scholar, a theologian, an author
You can learn more about him at:
https://electricscotland.com/history...son_robert.htm
The Monthly Magazine of An Comunn Gaidhealach
Volume 1, Oct., 1905 to Sept., 1906, inclusive
You can read this first issue at:
https://electricscotland.com/gaelic/...aidhealach.htm
History of the Gaelic Society of Inverness from 1871-1971
By Mairi A. Macdonald (pdf)
You can read this at:
https://electricscotland.com/gaelic/...%80%931971.pdf
Jean Kemlo
Got in four poems about Christmas from Stan Bruce by the Poetess Jean Kemlo which I've added to her page at:
https://electricscotland.com/poetry/banff/stoney.htm
Jimmy Reid
Found several videos are no longer available and so have updated his page with new ones.
You can get to this at:
https://electricscotland.com/history...reid_james.htm
Kenneth Roy
Added a few editorials on Kenneth Roy and the Scottish Review to the foot of his page at:
https://electricscotland.com/history...ish_review.htm
Scotland working harder on the "digital divide" rural front
Scotland is often described affectionately as a "wee country". It is currently working extra hard out in the field to make sure the well-documented "Digital Divide" doesn't get any bigger. An article by Bill Magee.
You can read this article at:
https://electricscotland.com/magee/article0019.htm
Our future is not in the Commonwealth
By Andrew Lilico, CapX
Some commentators like to fantasise about the UK playing a leading role in the Commonwealth and using it to project our power and values across the world. But there is no basis for that. The assembly is a waste of diplomatic bandwidth. We'd be better off focusing our attention on a different group of allies.
You can read this article at:
https://electricscotland.com/indepen...mmonwealth.htm
Language History as Charter Myth
Scots and the (Re)invention of Scotland by Costa James (2011) (pdf). In this article, I intend to concentrate on one type of process by which Scots has found new legitimation as a language, and how discourses surrounding the issue of Scots might seek to contribute to the creation of a new Scottish society.
You can read this paper at:
https://electricscotland.com/culture...Scotland_1.pdf
The Child of the Moat
A Story for Girls. 1557 A.D., by Ian B, Stoughton Holborn (1916) (pdf)
You can read this book at:
https://electricscotland.com/kids/st...00stouiala.pdf
Children of Fancy
Poems by Ian Bernard Stoughton Holborn (1915) (pdf)
You can read these poems at:
https://electricscotland.com/kids/st...ncyp00stou.pdf
William & Catherine
Added two videos about William and Kate to the foot of our Royal Family page at:
https://electricscotland.com/history/leaves/index.htm
Story
Further North
By Lucy H. Soutar, Author of “A Highland Web,” etc.
All railway routes from the south lead to Inverness, the great gateway of the Northern Highlands. Every Saturday morning during the tourist season there passes through this station the “Further North” express train, with its freight of pleasure and health-seeking passengers, on their way to the northern sporting Meccas lying almost within hail of the Ultima Thule of the ancients.
When in the far north, the charm of the days, which have no night, have passed, the days when the sun scarce dips below the horizon, and the heralds of dawn appear to chase away the lingering twilight which lights up the lofty bens and the wide expanse of ocean, when these days have gone, then it is that the land of “Further North," exerts itself to the utmost and puts forth fresh allurements to entice to its hills and plains town dwellers. In the autumn the deer forests are ablaze with golden and russet bracken, the bills are clothed in purple heather, the trees vie with one another in brilliant colouring, the air is crisp and invigorating, and man is filled to intoxication with the richness of a harvest, sown in a springtime of tears.
Brora, six hundred and sixty-four miles distant from the metropolis, has, by the Iron Horse, been made easily accessible to the southerner, and its golf course appeals as confidently to the golfer as does that of Dornoch.
One could imagine that the writer of the following lines found his inspiration on these northern links:-
“When Caledonia, stern and wild,
Was still a poor unkilted child,
Two simple shepherds clad in skins,
With leathern thongs about their shins,
Finding that dulness day by day
Grew irksome, felt a wish to play;
But where the game? In those dark ages
They couldn’t toss—they had no wages,
Till one, the brighter of the two,
Hit on a something he could do;
He hit a pebble with his crook,
And sent the stone across a brook.
The other tempted then to strike,
With equal ardour played the like!
And on they went with heart and soul
Towards a distant quarry hole,
With new success contented,
'Twas thus the pre-historic Scot
Did wonders by an idle shot;
And Golf was first invented.”
Brora Links have ever been a land of shepherds and sheep, and the bents have from time immemorial been a feeding ground for flocks and herds, a burrow for the wild rabbit and a haunt of game; but these were indeed the attractions of pre-historic times in this district, and it is only within recent years that Brora has awakened to the fact that modern golf is to raise her fame far beyond what sheep and shepherds, coal-pits, Brochs, modern wool-mills, unsurpassed salmon fisheries, and the “raal thing” from Clynelish distillery, have ever done.
In 1892 the original golf course was laid out, and so keenly was the game taken iip by the inhabitants of the place, that in a few years time the nine hole course was extended to the orthodox eighteen. About the year 1905 Brora realised the pleasant sensation of knowing that she had become an acknowledged golfing resort. Larger hotels sprung up to supply the wants of the visitor, pretty villas dotted along the braehead to accommodate entire familes, the natives opened their doors to strangers and discovered a new means of livelihood, and once again Brora Golf Club looked to their new golfing links and improved them, so that to-day the course has been brought up-to-date; new holes have been made and old ones left out, the form changed from the figure eight to a circular course. The grass, like on most sea-side courses, is short and crisp, the greens are varied, several are elevated, while others lie in the flats or hollows, the bunkers are in full view, and the player is delighted with the good sporting features of the green. The hazards are of natural formation and lend themselves to good play; the grass not being so trodden down as is the general case on most southern courses, there is little run for the ball; but the bent grasses only obstruct at one hole. Such authorities as F. H. Taylor and Willie Fernie, of Troon, were not sparing in their praise of this course, in fact, it has been declared one of the finest natural golf courses in Scotland.
On the one side, the course lies open to the sea and is skirted with a wide belt of clean sands, and on the other side, solemn-looking hills rise high and dark. Of these hills Hugh Millar says: “ I have had my doubts regarding glacial agency in Scotland, but* after visiting this locality, I found doubt impossible, and I would now fain recommend the sceptical to suspend their ultimate decision on the point until such time as they shall have acquainted themselves with the grooved and polished rocks of Braamberry and the parallel moraines that stretch out around its base.”
There are few places in the British Isles which yield wider scope for the geologist than in and around the village of Brora. The heather-patched old red-sandstone range of Braamberry bear unmistakable evidence of glacier birth, and are veritable sculpture galleries of the ancient fauna and flora of the district. Fossils of great variety have been found imbedded in tne Hare Hill Quarries, marking the various epochs of the formation of these rocks.
The volitic coalfields of Brora are of peculiar interest to the geologist, and were opened as long ago as 1529. In 1798 they were re-opened in connection with salt-making, and for a short time were worked with profit; but on the abolition of the salt tax, salt-making was no longer a paying industry, and was done away witn; the coal not being required by a peatburning population, the pits were again closed, and remained so for nigh a century, when the late Duke of Sutherland had them again opened, and these furthest north coal-pits in the British Isles have been worked ever since with more or less success. The fuel bums readily, but gives off a peculiar odour, and is quickly changed into a white ash: such bespeak its vegetable origin rather than the mineral which time has converted it into.
The village of Brora is situated on both banks of the river Brora, a water noted for its salmon, many of which find their way to the London and Manchester markets. Far up among the higher hills of this mountainous county the river takes its birth from burns which huddle down their courses, foaming and eager, over rocky beds, to mingle their Waters in a broad, tawny river, which, after a fourteen miles’ course, joins the Blackwater, another stream of considerable size, rising at the foot of the lofty Ben Armin. The mated rivers spread out into a wide sheet of water some four miles in length and form an exquisite picture of grand beauty. The water appears like three separate lochs, in which are reflected the mountains, rising stern and bold from the water’s edge, and the scented birch trees and bog myrtles, which fringe part of the loch. In these wilds the rod and the gun find plenty game, and the pic-nicker a scene of beauty to feast his eyes upon and dream over by his winter fire, when winds howl around the beus and slash the waters into turbulent waves, or, with a calm which is scarce earthly, the White King clothes the mountains in snow and seals up the waters in ice.
END
Weekend is almost here and hope it's a good one for you. I note the clocks go back 1 hour this Saturday which I got wrong in my last newsletter saying it was the Sunday of last week. . Also hope you enjoy your Halloween celebrations. I might add that Nola's Thoughts on Sunday were about Halloween which you might want to watch.
Alastair
I had a wee collision in a local car park this week which meant I had to visit the collision department of the local police to complete documentation. Very minor damage but guess these things happen.
You do have to exchange certain information and there is a web site you can learn more about the process at: https://accsupport.com/
The person at the office takes pictures of the damage which is included in the report they file. They also have a Google street view of the location although I did point out it was out of date.
She did tell me you should provide your name and address, your insurance details and car registration and phone number at the scene.
-------
The history of the Church in Scotland may be conveniently divided into three distinct periods. The first may be said to extend from the introduction of Christianity to the arrival in Scotland of Margaret, who became Queen of Malcolm Canmore, and died in 1093. The second commenced with the changes introduced by that princess the ecclesiastical division of the country into parishes and dioceses, the appointment of officials to minister to those, and the organisation of the Church in ritual and ecclesiastical polity into strict harmony with the Roman order all which were effected by Margaret, and by her sons, especially David I. The close of this period is marked by the accession to the English throne of the Protestant Elizabeth, and her interference in the affairs of Scotland, which definitely turned the scale in favour of the Reformers. These, in the year 1560, formally repudiated the Catholic Church, and abrogated the jurisdiction of the Roman See over Scotland. The third and last period, in which we now live, was ushered in by the convulsive struggles of that wonderful religious revolution of the sixteenth century, generally known as the Reformation, and whose issues are still mightily affecting the destinies of the world. These three divisions may be with considerable propriety denominated the Celtic, the Mediaeval, and the Modern.
-------
I got a phone call from my eye clinic asking if I could come in right away instead of next week. I agreed and was delighted as I was seen right away instead of waiting some two hours. I did say they could call me any time if it would help them out <grin>
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...
Drugs like Ozempic promise an economic revolution
It’s not just obesity. Drugs like Ozempic will change the world. As they become cheaper, they promise to improve billions of lives.
Read more at:
https://archive.is/tLaw3#selection-971.0-975.65
Inaccurate news and the BBC: its response to our complaint
The BBC faced criticism for uncritically reporting an Aston University study on Brexit’s impact on trade.
Read more at:https://www.briefingsforbritain.co.u...our-complaint/
The Politics of AI
'The Politics of AI’ is a new report from New Zealand-based academic David Rozado which examines the political bias within popular AI-powered Large Language Models (LLMs).
Read more at:
https://cps.org.uk/research/the-politics-of-ai/
Our proud Royal Navy needs thrown a lifebelt
THE ROYAL NAVY has existed as a permanent force since the time of Henry VIII. Some trace its history back to Alfred the Great.
Read more at:
https://thinkscotland.org/2024/10/th...wn-a-lifebelt/
Conrad Black: A disgraceful attack on free speech
Progressives who want to criminalize discussion of residential schools are embarrassing Canada
Read more at:
https://archive.is/IQlLX
Alex Salmond Obituary
A man and a politician of contradictions
Read more at:
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cd13102l9g5o
Seven steps to save Scotland’s creative economy
Who said: cutting arts funding is a false economy? No, it wasn’t Lisa Nandy or Rachel Reeves. And it certainly wasn’t Angus Robertson or Shona Robison. It was George Osborne, who told a friend of mine exactly that at Arts Council England in 2015.
Read more at:
https://sceptical.scot/2024/10/seven...eative-economy
Does Mr Healey have the guts to change the Army?
On his appointment, the current Chief of the General Staff (CGS - the head of the Army), General Sir Roly Walker, stated that the Army needs to double its lethality by 2027 or risk being unable to deter aggressors. That’s masterful understatement.
Read more at:
https://thinkscotland.org/2024/10/do...ange-the-army/
Millionaire's donation helps community buy 7,800 acres
A community group has taken ownership of almost 8,000 acres (3,237 ha) of land near Achiltibuie in the Coigach area of Wester Ross with help from one of the UK's richest men.
Read more at:
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c20gp91wy96o
Why Canada wants more overseas tourists to visit
Canada has launched a new drive to get more overseas tourists to visit the country. Yet staffing shortages, wildfires and a spat with China will not make the task easy.
Read more at:
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp396g01g6xo
Alex Salmond: A great man with a great flaw
Some hard truths about the former leader of the SNP, who has died aged 69
Read more at:
https://thejaggythistle.substack.com...n-with-a-great
The Budget raises £40bn in taxes - what do we get for it?
Chancellor Rachel Reeves delivered the biggest tax increase in cash terms in modern history.
Read more at:
https://news.stv.tv/scotland/the-bud...-we-get-for-it
Electric Canadian
Hudson's Bay Company Archives Research Centre
Newsletter Number One, February 8, 1985 (pdf)
You can read this newsletter at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/tran...wsletter01.pdf
Residential Schools: Assimilation or Genocide?
By Robin Collins (2024) (pdf)
You can read this article at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/hist.../jan202024.pdf
Under the Chinook Arch
This book is dedicated to the people of the Big Prairie, Cremona, Garfield and Water Valley districts. 1880 - Feb. 1979 Compiled by Alice Whitlow (pdf)
Lots of great wee articles in this book which you can read at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/hist...k-Arch1979.pdf
Sketches of a Tour
Through the Northern and Eastern States, The Canadas & Nova Scotia by J. C. Myers (1849) (pdf)
You can read his Sketches at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/life...our01cgoog.pdf
Thoughts on a Sunday Morning - the 27th day of October 2024 - Halloween
By the Rev. Nola Crewe
You can watch this at:
http://www.electricscotland.org/foru...2024-halloween
Sandi Brock
I am a mom, a wife, and a farmer. In that order (most days). This channel is all about wading the waters of these three versions of me... Learning new things each day, and sharing them with you. Authentically, sheepishly me.
Added this to our Sheep Husbandry in Canada page but you can watch it on YouTube at:
https://www.youtube.com/@SandiBrock
The Beaver Magazine
Added Volume 2 No. 12 (pdf)
You can read this issue at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/tran...ber%201922.pdf
Electric Scotland
Genealogical and Historical Account of the Maitland Family
Compiled from Charters, Deeds, Parish Registers, Wills, and other Authentic Evidences by George Harrison Rogers-Harrison, Windsor Herald (1864) (pdf)
You can read this at:
https://electricscotland.com/history...hist00harr.pdf
The Dramatic Writers of Scotland
By Ralston Inglis (1868) (pdf)
You can read about them at:
https://electricscotland.com/books/d...00inglrich.pdf
Urquhart and Glenmoriston
Olden Times in a Highland Parish by William MacKay, LL.D., (second edition) (1914) (pdf)
You can read this at:
https://electricscotland.com/history...mori00mack.pdf
Ecclesiastical Chronicle for Scotland
By Rev. J. F. S. Gordon, D.D., St. Andrews, Glasgow in 4 volumes (1867)
You can read these volumes at:
https://electricscotland.com/bible/c...orscotland.htm
The Chronicle of Holyrood
Edited by Marjorie Ogilvie Anderson, B.A. (Oxon.) with some additional notes by lan Orr Anderson, L.L.D. (Edin.) (1938) (pdf) The Chronicle of Holyrood is one of the two Scottish monastic chronicles that have survived from the twelfth and thirteenth centuries.
You can read this at:
https://electricscotland.com/history...ofholyrood.pdf
Rev. Alexander MacLeod
Found a small biography of this person published in 1885 in pdf format and have added it to our page about him.
You can see this at:
https://electricscotland.com/bible/m..._alexander.htm
St. Giles Cathedral, Edinburgh
It's history and books about it.
You can get to this at::
https://electricscotland.com/bible/stgiles.htm
Dr. Robert Jamieson
Minister of St. Paul's, Glasgow, A scholar, a theologian, an author
You can learn more about him at:
https://electricscotland.com/history...son_robert.htm
The Monthly Magazine of An Comunn Gaidhealach
Volume 1, Oct., 1905 to Sept., 1906, inclusive
You can read this first issue at:
https://electricscotland.com/gaelic/...aidhealach.htm
History of the Gaelic Society of Inverness from 1871-1971
By Mairi A. Macdonald (pdf)
You can read this at:
https://electricscotland.com/gaelic/...%80%931971.pdf
Jean Kemlo
Got in four poems about Christmas from Stan Bruce by the Poetess Jean Kemlo which I've added to her page at:
https://electricscotland.com/poetry/banff/stoney.htm
Jimmy Reid
Found several videos are no longer available and so have updated his page with new ones.
You can get to this at:
https://electricscotland.com/history...reid_james.htm
Kenneth Roy
Added a few editorials on Kenneth Roy and the Scottish Review to the foot of his page at:
https://electricscotland.com/history...ish_review.htm
Scotland working harder on the "digital divide" rural front
Scotland is often described affectionately as a "wee country". It is currently working extra hard out in the field to make sure the well-documented "Digital Divide" doesn't get any bigger. An article by Bill Magee.
You can read this article at:
https://electricscotland.com/magee/article0019.htm
Our future is not in the Commonwealth
By Andrew Lilico, CapX
Some commentators like to fantasise about the UK playing a leading role in the Commonwealth and using it to project our power and values across the world. But there is no basis for that. The assembly is a waste of diplomatic bandwidth. We'd be better off focusing our attention on a different group of allies.
You can read this article at:
https://electricscotland.com/indepen...mmonwealth.htm
Language History as Charter Myth
Scots and the (Re)invention of Scotland by Costa James (2011) (pdf). In this article, I intend to concentrate on one type of process by which Scots has found new legitimation as a language, and how discourses surrounding the issue of Scots might seek to contribute to the creation of a new Scottish society.
You can read this paper at:
https://electricscotland.com/culture...Scotland_1.pdf
The Child of the Moat
A Story for Girls. 1557 A.D., by Ian B, Stoughton Holborn (1916) (pdf)
You can read this book at:
https://electricscotland.com/kids/st...00stouiala.pdf
Children of Fancy
Poems by Ian Bernard Stoughton Holborn (1915) (pdf)
You can read these poems at:
https://electricscotland.com/kids/st...ncyp00stou.pdf
William & Catherine
Added two videos about William and Kate to the foot of our Royal Family page at:
https://electricscotland.com/history/leaves/index.htm
Story
Further North
By Lucy H. Soutar, Author of “A Highland Web,” etc.
All railway routes from the south lead to Inverness, the great gateway of the Northern Highlands. Every Saturday morning during the tourist season there passes through this station the “Further North” express train, with its freight of pleasure and health-seeking passengers, on their way to the northern sporting Meccas lying almost within hail of the Ultima Thule of the ancients.
When in the far north, the charm of the days, which have no night, have passed, the days when the sun scarce dips below the horizon, and the heralds of dawn appear to chase away the lingering twilight which lights up the lofty bens and the wide expanse of ocean, when these days have gone, then it is that the land of “Further North," exerts itself to the utmost and puts forth fresh allurements to entice to its hills and plains town dwellers. In the autumn the deer forests are ablaze with golden and russet bracken, the bills are clothed in purple heather, the trees vie with one another in brilliant colouring, the air is crisp and invigorating, and man is filled to intoxication with the richness of a harvest, sown in a springtime of tears.
Brora, six hundred and sixty-four miles distant from the metropolis, has, by the Iron Horse, been made easily accessible to the southerner, and its golf course appeals as confidently to the golfer as does that of Dornoch.
One could imagine that the writer of the following lines found his inspiration on these northern links:-
“When Caledonia, stern and wild,
Was still a poor unkilted child,
Two simple shepherds clad in skins,
With leathern thongs about their shins,
Finding that dulness day by day
Grew irksome, felt a wish to play;
But where the game? In those dark ages
They couldn’t toss—they had no wages,
Till one, the brighter of the two,
Hit on a something he could do;
He hit a pebble with his crook,
And sent the stone across a brook.
The other tempted then to strike,
With equal ardour played the like!
And on they went with heart and soul
Towards a distant quarry hole,
With new success contented,
'Twas thus the pre-historic Scot
Did wonders by an idle shot;
And Golf was first invented.”
Brora Links have ever been a land of shepherds and sheep, and the bents have from time immemorial been a feeding ground for flocks and herds, a burrow for the wild rabbit and a haunt of game; but these were indeed the attractions of pre-historic times in this district, and it is only within recent years that Brora has awakened to the fact that modern golf is to raise her fame far beyond what sheep and shepherds, coal-pits, Brochs, modern wool-mills, unsurpassed salmon fisheries, and the “raal thing” from Clynelish distillery, have ever done.
In 1892 the original golf course was laid out, and so keenly was the game taken iip by the inhabitants of the place, that in a few years time the nine hole course was extended to the orthodox eighteen. About the year 1905 Brora realised the pleasant sensation of knowing that she had become an acknowledged golfing resort. Larger hotels sprung up to supply the wants of the visitor, pretty villas dotted along the braehead to accommodate entire familes, the natives opened their doors to strangers and discovered a new means of livelihood, and once again Brora Golf Club looked to their new golfing links and improved them, so that to-day the course has been brought up-to-date; new holes have been made and old ones left out, the form changed from the figure eight to a circular course. The grass, like on most sea-side courses, is short and crisp, the greens are varied, several are elevated, while others lie in the flats or hollows, the bunkers are in full view, and the player is delighted with the good sporting features of the green. The hazards are of natural formation and lend themselves to good play; the grass not being so trodden down as is the general case on most southern courses, there is little run for the ball; but the bent grasses only obstruct at one hole. Such authorities as F. H. Taylor and Willie Fernie, of Troon, were not sparing in their praise of this course, in fact, it has been declared one of the finest natural golf courses in Scotland.
On the one side, the course lies open to the sea and is skirted with a wide belt of clean sands, and on the other side, solemn-looking hills rise high and dark. Of these hills Hugh Millar says: “ I have had my doubts regarding glacial agency in Scotland, but* after visiting this locality, I found doubt impossible, and I would now fain recommend the sceptical to suspend their ultimate decision on the point until such time as they shall have acquainted themselves with the grooved and polished rocks of Braamberry and the parallel moraines that stretch out around its base.”
There are few places in the British Isles which yield wider scope for the geologist than in and around the village of Brora. The heather-patched old red-sandstone range of Braamberry bear unmistakable evidence of glacier birth, and are veritable sculpture galleries of the ancient fauna and flora of the district. Fossils of great variety have been found imbedded in tne Hare Hill Quarries, marking the various epochs of the formation of these rocks.
The volitic coalfields of Brora are of peculiar interest to the geologist, and were opened as long ago as 1529. In 1798 they were re-opened in connection with salt-making, and for a short time were worked with profit; but on the abolition of the salt tax, salt-making was no longer a paying industry, and was done away witn; the coal not being required by a peatburning population, the pits were again closed, and remained so for nigh a century, when the late Duke of Sutherland had them again opened, and these furthest north coal-pits in the British Isles have been worked ever since with more or less success. The fuel bums readily, but gives off a peculiar odour, and is quickly changed into a white ash: such bespeak its vegetable origin rather than the mineral which time has converted it into.
The village of Brora is situated on both banks of the river Brora, a water noted for its salmon, many of which find their way to the London and Manchester markets. Far up among the higher hills of this mountainous county the river takes its birth from burns which huddle down their courses, foaming and eager, over rocky beds, to mingle their Waters in a broad, tawny river, which, after a fourteen miles’ course, joins the Blackwater, another stream of considerable size, rising at the foot of the lofty Ben Armin. The mated rivers spread out into a wide sheet of water some four miles in length and form an exquisite picture of grand beauty. The water appears like three separate lochs, in which are reflected the mountains, rising stern and bold from the water’s edge, and the scented birch trees and bog myrtles, which fringe part of the loch. In these wilds the rod and the gun find plenty game, and the pic-nicker a scene of beauty to feast his eyes upon and dream over by his winter fire, when winds howl around the beus and slash the waters into turbulent waves, or, with a calm which is scarce earthly, the White King clothes the mountains in snow and seals up the waters in ice.
END
Weekend is almost here and hope it's a good one for you. I note the clocks go back 1 hour this Saturday which I got wrong in my last newsletter saying it was the Sunday of last week. . Also hope you enjoy your Halloween celebrations. I might add that Nola's Thoughts on Sunday were about Halloween which you might want to watch.
Alastair