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Well Tariffs are back on for Canada at 25% across the board and 10% on Energy. Although the Auto industry has a month long exemption.
As I am a Canadian citizen I do feel the need to stand up for Canada against the USA and so you will certainly see some bias from me in this trade war.
You now can't purchase any American alcohol in Canada and Canada has put tariffs on other goods and energy meaning prices for Americans will now increase. Certainly I'm sure the USA will counter with doing the same for Canadian goods as both countries are patriotic.
As Canadian leaders are saying... we continue to be friends with our American neighbours but it's their President we have issues with so we have no choice other than to fight back.
The problem is that there is now a long term trust issue here. I think Canada will no longer feel it can trust the USA and so will make a permanent switch to trade with other countries. Certainly the new pipe line from Alberta to BC is coming on stream this year so that will allow crude oil exports to Asia. There are also other BC LPG plants coming on stream and again they open up trade to Asia with Japan, Korea and Vietnam markets and also China who are also interested in our oil and gas. We also have LPG plants in Newfoundland and Labrador that can sell to the EU markets.
Canada is rich in natural resources and many countries of the world need the products that Canada has. It is just a shame that the Liberal government was so anti the exploitation of these resources and also wouldn't build pipelines. That is all now changing as is the reduction of barriers to inter Provincial trade. It is ridiculous that it was easier to trade with America than trade in your own country. I tried to purchase Pork Pies from BC but needed to take out a license to do that which in my opinion was just insane.
So I feel this trade war with the USA is actually a good thing for Canada as it has woken us up to all the great possibilities for Canada in the world. We should become a global power player for energy and rare earth minerals and much else in agriculture and other areas. Even Quebec is now looking at reducing barriers and allowing pipe lines to go through their Province.
Sure it's going to hurt for a while but I can certainly see Canada prospering in the world and becoming a much more important global power player.
Looking through X I have seen spats happening with both countries saying the same things like cancelling trips to each others countries. We are both patriotic peoples and it is natural to stick up for your own country. That said we do need some truth in these matters and President Trump in not being truthful in that he says Fentanyl is flooding over the border from Canada and that American banks can't trade in Canada. Both are just wrong. We conclude that the USA is now trying to annex Canada and Canadians are not going to allow that to happen.
I do think that the world exploited the USA just as the world also exploited the British Empire. I feel that now is the time when we might see a diminishing in American power in the world as the trade tariffs are now seeing shifts in relations between countries in the world.
Here is the response from the outgoing Canadian Prime Minister...
Trudeau outlines response to U.S. tariffs. View this video at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83f47jIS_D8
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...
Even EU Shocked By Italy to Replace US With Canada!
In this video, we dive into Canada’s growing partnership with Italy as a means to counter Donald Trump’s tariff threats. We explore how Italian imports could help Canada diversify away from the U.S. market, the benefits of EU/Canada cooperation, and the sweeping scope of a new Roadmap for Enhanced Cooperation between Rome and Ottawa. Is Italy becoming Canada’s new trade bridge to the EU, easing the sting of looming U.S. tariffs?
Watch this video at:
https://youtu.be/Ed0Q3DMo65o?si=ufqTf1Ipn6GKqSD8
Project to restore 'vital' seagrass around Scotland
A £2.4m seagrass planting programme has been launched to help restore the plant in seas around the north of Scotland.
Read more at:
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cd65j7jd3z5o
Conrad Black: Sulky Mark Carney not what we need
He wants to negotiate with Trump by insulting him
Read more at:
https://archive.is/Mwvzf
By the right, long march
How Reform can stand alone and seize the political advantage
Read more at:
https://thecritic.co.uk/by-the-right-long-march/
Secretary of State Marco Rubio just gave one of the BEST interviews I have watched in defense of President Trump's Ukraine policy
President Trump picked a seasoned media veteran like Rubio for moments like these, here is the full interview!
Watch this at:
https://x.com/ACTBrigitte/status/1895671572813496728
Wildlife trust buys massive £17.5m Highland estate
A conservation charity has bought an 18,824-acre (7,618ha) Highland estate for £17.5m after receiving a large private donation
Read more at:
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cr42n0dqqzno
Society on track to preserve history of Scotland’s railways and steaming ahead with new tours
Two centuries ago, the modern railway was born changing the face of Britain and the world forever. And, for more than a quarter of that time, one charity has been powering ahead to keep the history of Scotland’s railway alive.
Read more at:
https://www.sundaypost.com/fp/scotti...ation-society/
The slow, inexorable death of television news
Traditional broadcasters find themselves adrift in a radically different twenty-first century
Read more at:
https://thecritic.co.uk/issues/march...levision-news/
Trump’s new tariffs are his most extreme ever
Donald Trump had long threatened to impose tariffs on Canada and Mexico, but as of 12:01am EST today, levies of 25% on his neighbours came into effect. While his first-term tariffs came against a backdrop of economic growth, with the US economy looking like it does now, Trump will have to keep fears over inflation at bay.
Read more at:
https://archive.is/qrDWi
Trudeau outlines response to U.S. tariffs
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, speaking from Parliament Hill on Tuesday, says Canada will immediately start imposing tariffs on $30 billion worth of U.S. goods. Trudeau said tariffs will be imposed on the remaining $125 billion of American products in 21 days as a response to U.S. tariffs that went into effect on Canada Tuesday.
Watch this at:
https://youtu.be/83f47jIS_D8?si=et7yhwxq0nG5JgDf
Hillforts
A perspective from the Pentland Firth to the Western Mediterranean. A video from the Society of Antiquaries Scotland.
Watch this at:
https://youtu.be/nJMc5UGAl8Y?si=uZ70ZRvIbJhm8gLN
Markets are ignoring the disastrous consequences of Trump’s economic vandalism
The president’s tariffs will have sobering consequences that are becoming harder to sugar-coat
Read more at:
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business...omic-vandalism
Trumps NEWEST Tariffs on Chinese Imports
The ongoing trade war between the US and China has just escalated, with President Trump announcing his newest tariffs on Chinese imports. In this video, we'll break down what these tariffs mean for American businesses and consumers, particularly those in the construction industry who rely on Chinese-made machinery such as mini skid steers.
Watch this at:
https://youtu.be/O80ViQUT1NQ?si=WVw6z6ANR7FBuQxb
Ontario hits back at US Tariffs
Listen to Doug Ford laying it out.
Watch this at;
https://youtube.com/shorts/zuxTklv0x...hX3OVxmbb6dFA8
Betrayed’: Alberta Premiere Danielle Smith takes ‘Team Canada’ approach after Trump’s 25% tariffs
Alberta Premiere Danielle Smith has taken a ‘Team Canada’ stance after months of measures that could help prevent the looming 25% tariffs. The provincial head of US’s largest energy trade partner from Canada also visited Trump in Mar-a-Lago in January before his swearing-in in a bid to ease threats. Smith had previously attacked Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and Ontario Premier Doug Ford over their counter-tariff threats. After the March 4 tariffs of 10% on energy and 25% on industry-wide produce, Smith criticised Trump for his 51st state jibe and listed a series of measures as part of Alberta’s approach to buy local and from Canada instead of relying on the US.
Watch this at:
https://youtu.be/LIRCgWTpi0E?si=J93ucNcJssRYJ9Ug
Tesla Stock & Sales IMPLODE as Anti-Elon Protests SURGE
The Art of Value host JJ discusses the ongoing Tesla stock (TSLA) crash and significant Tesla EV sales decline, in relation to the surging protests against Elon Musk and DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency). The numerous protests at Tesla locations seem to have a great deal of momentum now, with the hashtag #teslatakedown being and important part of the Tesla boycott.
Watch this at:
https://youtu.be/AOifH_2tWvw?si=X4T4MzNIUCt6GR-f
Tariff war: Canadian cross-border shoppers hit with 25% surtax on purchases
From pants to pasta, even your cross-border shopping trip is now subject to 25 per cent tariffs.
Read more at:
https://archive.is/DjcQX#selection-2255.0-2255.96
Britain’s tariff confusion
It’s madness to have high tariffs on things we can’t make ourselves
Read more at:
https://thecritic.co.uk/britains-tariff-confusion/
Electric Canadian
The Anglo-American Magazine
Added Volume 7 July 1855
You can read this at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/maga...loamerican.htm
The World's Work
Added volume 9 where they feature The Lessons of the Great Harvests, etc.
You can read this at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/maga...worldswork.htm
The Seats of the Mighty
Being the memoirs of Captain Robert Moray, sometime an officer in the Virginia Regiment and afterwards of Amherst's Regiment by Gilbert Parker (1896) (pdf)
You can read this book at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/hist...ei00park_3.pdf
Thoughts on a Sunday Morning - the 2nd day of March 2025 - Lent is coming
By the Rev. Nola Crewe
You can watch this at:
http://www.electricscotland.org/foru...lent-is-coming
My Canadian Experience
Completed my report for January/February 2025
You can read this at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/canada_add18.htm
The Beaver Magazine
Added Volume 4 No. 7 (pdf)
You can read this issue at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/tran...-April1924.pdf
In this video, we dive into Canada’s growing partnership with Italy
See this video at the foot of our Italy page at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/history/italy/index.htm
Electric Scotland
Scouting for Boys
A Handbook for Instruction in good citizenship by Robert Baden-Powell, K.C.B., K.C.V.O., LL.D. (seventh edition) (1915) (pdf)
You can read this at:
https://electricscotland.com/kids/Sc...ys--Ed-7th.pdf
The Scottish Tourist and Itinerary
Being a guide to the Scenery and Antiquities of Scotland and the Western Islands (eighth edition) (1842) (pdf)
You can read this book at:
https://electricscotland.com/travel/...isti08edin.pdf
The Scottish Pulpit
From the Reformation to the Present Day by William M. Taylor, D.D., LL.D. (1887) (pdf)
You can read this book at:
https://electricscotland.com/bible/s...00tayluoft.pdf
Scottish and Irish Diaries
From the sixteenth to the nineteenth century with an Introduction by Arthur Ponsoby, M.P. (1927) (pdf)
You can read this book at:
https://electricscotland.com/lifesty...ia0000arth.pdf
Scottish Society of Louisville
Got in their March 2025 newsletter which you can read at:
https://electricscotland.com/familyt...ille/index.htm
Sketches of Old Virginia
By A. G. Bradley (1897) (pdf)
You can read this book at:
https://electricscotland.com/history...dv0000agbr.pdf
Two Hundred Years
The History of The Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge 1698-1898 By W. 0. B. Allen, M.A., and Edmund McClure, M.A., Secretaries of the Society (1898) (pdf)
You can read this book at:
https://www.electricscotland.com/bib...sh0000alle.pdf
A Short History of S.P.C.K.
By W. K. Lowther Clarke, B.D., Editorial Secretary of the Society (1919) (pdf)
You can read this at:
https://electricscotland.com/bible/s...00clarrich.pdf
Stuart McFarlane
Got in two new poems which I've added to his page at:
https://electricscotland.com/poetry/...mcfarlanel.htm
Selections from the Writings of Lord MacAulay
Edited with occasional notes by the Right Hon. Sir George Otto Trevelyan, Bart. (New Impression) (1903) (pdf)
You can read this book at:
https://electricscotland.com/lifesty..._maccauley.pdf
Seigneur Davie, A Sketch Life of David Riccio
(Rizzio) By A. Francis Steuart, Advocate (1922) (pdf)
You can read this book at:
https://electricscotland.com/lifesty...00steurich.pdf
The Public Records of Scotland
By J. Maitland Thomson, LL.D. (1922) (pdf)
You can read this at:
https://electricscotland.com/history...00thomuoft.pdf
Records of Clan Campbell in the Military Service of the Honourable East India Company 1600 - 1858
Compiled by Major Sir Duncan Campbell of Barcaldine, Bt., C.V.O., FSAScot., F.R.G.S. with a Foreword and Index by Lt.-Col. Sir Richard C. Temple, Bt., C.B., C.I.E., F.S.A., V.P.R.A.S. (1925) (pdf)
You can read this at:
https://electricscotland.com/webclan...ncam00camp.pdf
Reminicences and Documents relating to the Civil War during the Year 1865
By John A. Campbell, Baltimore (1887) (pdf)
You can read this at:
https://electricscotland.com/history...sdoc00camp.pdf
Story
From the book A Fisherman’s Reflections on a beautiful but troubled world
Peter Buchan – “Oxo” to his friends, - was a fisherman from Peterhead who served on line boats, steam drifters, and seine net boats, the family ones named Twinkling Star, and Sparkling Star. He possessed a natural gift for poetry which he wrote mostly in the ‘Doric’ tongue, the dialect of the Aberdeen / Buchan area. Peter Buchan is to the fishing communities of north-east Scotland, what Charles Murray of “Hamewith” fame is to the farming towns of the same region. I was privileged to be involved in the publication of some of his poetical works which were published under the title “Mount Pleasant” after a location where he spent many happy boyhood days.
Among his best loved poems are; The Mennin’ Laft; Not to the Swift; Best o’ the Bunch; Home Thoughts at the Haisboro’; The Skipper’s Wife; Hame Comfort, and Buchan Beauty. Peter also wrote some couthy stories, and contributed to local publications on the Doric dialect. It is very difficult to select a few lines from Peter’s work, since each poem has merit. But here are four verses from Home Thoughts that describe the close of the annual herring fishery off Yarmouth and Lowestoft in the late autumn of the years from 1890 to 1930. For the sake of non-Aberdeenshire people, this poem is in English!
November’s moon has waned; the sea is dreary,
December’s greyness fills the lowering sky;
But we are homeward bound, our hearts are cheery
For far astern the Ridge and Cockle lie.
The silver harvest of the knoll’s been gathered;
The teeming millions from their haunts have flown,
From Ship to South-Ower Buoy, the sea’s deserted,
And we have reaped whereof we had not sown.
When snow lies deep, in cosy loft a-mending
Our nets, the times of danger we’ll recall,
The days of joy, the nights of disappointment,
Each silver shimmer and each weary haul.
And children, sitting chin-in-hand, will listen –
Forsaking for the moment, every toy;
For there’s a deep and wondrous fascination
In sea tales, for the heart of every boy.
Here is another story from him partly in the Dorric language...
Sample Extract...
The Ghost in the Fite Seemit
Skipper Bob McTurk 'The Turk' had suffered a major defeat at the hands of his better half.
For years she had begged him to change into lighter clothing when the bonny days came round, but her pleas had fallen on deaf ears.
Now, her patience finally exhausted, she sailed in with all guns blazing.
'Ye great greasy clort that ye are! Ilkie time I wash yer shift the claes-tow braks wi the wecht.
'Ye should ging up to Jimmy Reid's an get a horse then get a soord an a battle axe fae the museum. I'll gie ye my ain coal-pail for a helmet but ye winna need armour! Nae wi a shift like that! Then ye can flee the hills like Sir Lancelot'
Under such an onslaught, the poor Turk wilted. But on one point he was adamant. He would on no account wear shorts.
'They micht dee for liftin a het kettle but they wid nivver hap me!'
Neither would he visit a shop. So, in view of his enormous girth, nothing would suffice but to get a sicht o drawers an seemits fae the shop so that he could wale among them at his leisure.
But still there was one great problem. Any drawers that fitted his middle would need a fathom cut from the legs: if they fitted his legs they would need a yard of elastic at the top! No seemit would fit him athoot a great muckle gushet shued into the front.
Fit a maneer! Claes aa ower the place, like a stallie on the Broadgate!
It took a long time to reach a happy compromise but at last the mannie wis riggit oot and the unwanted garments were baled in readiness for their return to the shop.
On the Monday morning our gallant hero left the house to go to the harbour.
Oh boys this wis fine! Pure fresh air wis circulating where fresh air had seldom been afore.
This wis life, this wis freedom as if a door had been opened!
Then in one blinding second panic filled his breast.
There couldna possibly be such a free flow of air unless there wis a doorie open!
Good grief! Had he forgotten to fasten certain vital buttons?
A quick downward glance would reassure him, but his washin-hoose biler o a belly decreed that this wis impossible.
He could hardly ficher wi buttons in the street so he would turn back.
Turn back on a Monday? Never! All the bad luck in Scotland would be his if he did that.
He could stop a passing boy with a question, 'Hey my loon! Is my shoppie door open?' but he didna like.
Were he to venture up a close for a quick check, some wifie would be sure to doubt his intentions and would chase him wi a broom bidding him, 'Ging an dee that at yer ain gate en'!'
The situation was critical but not entirely out of hand.
The Turk's mither wit led him to the nearest shop window where his own reflection assured him that all was well.
So the gentle breezes were part and parcel of his new found freedom? Great!
Thus, in a happier mood, he reached the pier where his own darling Meadowsweet awaited him.
Oh, fit a steer! Horses an cairts by the score.
At least a hunner crews busy at their nets.
Coal-heavers walking the precarious planks with ten stone bags of coal on their backs, just like black ballet dancers on a heaving stage, dropping their load with unerring aim into the pit of the drifter's bunker.
Message boys with their baskets and watermen with their hoses; it was all go, for the armada was preparing to sail in the afternoon.
Fit a bonny day it wis! Half the toon wis on the pier to see the shippies gaan oot.
Since it wis Monday, the guttin quines half day, scores of them were doon to wave cheerio to their lads and husbands.
Even Mrs McTurk wis there, wi twaa bairns at her tail an twaa in the coach (Pram).
As the Meadowsweet rounded the jetty, the Turk stuck his arm out of the house window to wave to his excited offspring and in so doing he got a welcome blast of fresh air aneth his oxter.
Late that evening the Meadowsweet lay at her nets some forty miles east-by-north off Peterhead. She lay head to wind at the leeward end of a mile of nets which hung like a great curtain two fathoms below the surface. The shippie was tethered by a thick tarry rope which ran the whole length of the nets and on this rope she would be heaved ahead in the morning when the process of hauling would begin.
It was a lovely evening with the sun sinking behind a low bank of dark cloud, a sure sign of westerly wind to come.
Close astern a great white carpet of birds had settled on the calm waters to await their breakfast from the nets. Now and then the silence was gently broken by the soft 'Whoo-oof' of a herring whale.
Monday night meant that there was no back-log of sleep to catch up on so the crew were rather slower than usual to turn in. They sat for a while behind the wheelhouse discussing the past weekend and vying with each other in identifying the vessels nearest to them.
As far as the eye could see, there were ships on the same errand as themselves. Each one had her mizzen sail set and her two paraffin dig lights becoming more readily visible in the gathering dark.
Then, as if by common consent, all hands went below to turn in, leaving one man to keep watch.
There would be three one-hour watches and the last man would make tay at 1 am.
In the cabin there was a shocked silence as the skipper removed his briks afore turning in.
'This is something new, boys! Here's a man gaan in ower athoot 'is briks!'
'The days o miracles is surely nae past efter aa' An fit's this he's wearin?'
'Surely nae fite drawers an a fite seemit? Ye never saw the like afore, did ye?'
'Nivver! It's a mercy we're aa spared!'
Of course Jeemsie the cook started to snicker and when he whispered 'Moby Dick, the great white whale!' the dam burst and the crew laughed themselves silly.
'Folk'll nivver believe this!' But the amusement faded rapidly when the Turk disappeared into his bunk, treating his men with silent contempt.
The man on watch in the wheelhouse knew nothing of this. Nor was he aware that about eleven o'clock the Turk had come on deck in his new outfit to hae a look at the nicht an to listen intently for the quiet 'plop' o herrin loupin.
The watchman came aft at his appointed time to call his relief. Then suddenly his hair stood on end for there on the starboard quarter stood a ghostly figure, 'clothed in white samite; mystic, wonderful'.
The poor deckie gave one piercing yell of terror and bolted!
'Od, there maun be something wrang wi that loon!' says the Turk and he ambled forrard in the wake of the terror stricken youth, whose yell had brought three of his mates on deck in a state of alarm.
But when these fellas got on deck, the sound of running feet was away in the fore part of the vessel, so they set off to investigate.
At the end ofthe first lap, the thunder of feet brought the rest of the crew on deck in a hurry and they too joined in the hunt.
Towards the end of the fourth lap, the Turk tripped on a pond board and fell clyte on his belly.
His crew promptly fell on top of him and there was a great stramash.
The sole survivor had scooted down to the cabin and into his bunk like a frightened rabbit.
It was a gey sheepish and tired crew who silently took their tay at 1 am. The skipper, for all his bulk, was the fittest of the lot.
'Now, lads,' says he, 'if ye're gaan t' run a marathon ye're better t' weir the richt gear for't. Ye'll nivver see the winnin post wi hairback briks an worsit drawers on!'
'That's fit I had on,' says the watchman, 'an I bate the hale lot o ye!'
You can learn more about him at:
https://electricscotland.com/poetry/...eterbuchan.htm
END.
Weekend is almost here and hope it's a good one for you.
Alastair
PS Our newsletter archives can always be found at:
https://electricscotland.com/newsletter/index.htm
Well Tariffs are back on for Canada at 25% across the board and 10% on Energy. Although the Auto industry has a month long exemption.
As I am a Canadian citizen I do feel the need to stand up for Canada against the USA and so you will certainly see some bias from me in this trade war.
You now can't purchase any American alcohol in Canada and Canada has put tariffs on other goods and energy meaning prices for Americans will now increase. Certainly I'm sure the USA will counter with doing the same for Canadian goods as both countries are patriotic.
As Canadian leaders are saying... we continue to be friends with our American neighbours but it's their President we have issues with so we have no choice other than to fight back.
The problem is that there is now a long term trust issue here. I think Canada will no longer feel it can trust the USA and so will make a permanent switch to trade with other countries. Certainly the new pipe line from Alberta to BC is coming on stream this year so that will allow crude oil exports to Asia. There are also other BC LPG plants coming on stream and again they open up trade to Asia with Japan, Korea and Vietnam markets and also China who are also interested in our oil and gas. We also have LPG plants in Newfoundland and Labrador that can sell to the EU markets.
Canada is rich in natural resources and many countries of the world need the products that Canada has. It is just a shame that the Liberal government was so anti the exploitation of these resources and also wouldn't build pipelines. That is all now changing as is the reduction of barriers to inter Provincial trade. It is ridiculous that it was easier to trade with America than trade in your own country. I tried to purchase Pork Pies from BC but needed to take out a license to do that which in my opinion was just insane.
So I feel this trade war with the USA is actually a good thing for Canada as it has woken us up to all the great possibilities for Canada in the world. We should become a global power player for energy and rare earth minerals and much else in agriculture and other areas. Even Quebec is now looking at reducing barriers and allowing pipe lines to go through their Province.
Sure it's going to hurt for a while but I can certainly see Canada prospering in the world and becoming a much more important global power player.
Looking through X I have seen spats happening with both countries saying the same things like cancelling trips to each others countries. We are both patriotic peoples and it is natural to stick up for your own country. That said we do need some truth in these matters and President Trump in not being truthful in that he says Fentanyl is flooding over the border from Canada and that American banks can't trade in Canada. Both are just wrong. We conclude that the USA is now trying to annex Canada and Canadians are not going to allow that to happen.
I do think that the world exploited the USA just as the world also exploited the British Empire. I feel that now is the time when we might see a diminishing in American power in the world as the trade tariffs are now seeing shifts in relations between countries in the world.
Here is the response from the outgoing Canadian Prime Minister...
Trudeau outlines response to U.S. tariffs. View this video at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83f47jIS_D8
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...
Even EU Shocked By Italy to Replace US With Canada!
In this video, we dive into Canada’s growing partnership with Italy as a means to counter Donald Trump’s tariff threats. We explore how Italian imports could help Canada diversify away from the U.S. market, the benefits of EU/Canada cooperation, and the sweeping scope of a new Roadmap for Enhanced Cooperation between Rome and Ottawa. Is Italy becoming Canada’s new trade bridge to the EU, easing the sting of looming U.S. tariffs?
Watch this video at:
https://youtu.be/Ed0Q3DMo65o?si=ufqTf1Ipn6GKqSD8
Project to restore 'vital' seagrass around Scotland
A £2.4m seagrass planting programme has been launched to help restore the plant in seas around the north of Scotland.
Read more at:
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cd65j7jd3z5o
Conrad Black: Sulky Mark Carney not what we need
He wants to negotiate with Trump by insulting him
Read more at:
https://archive.is/Mwvzf
By the right, long march
How Reform can stand alone and seize the political advantage
Read more at:
https://thecritic.co.uk/by-the-right-long-march/
Secretary of State Marco Rubio just gave one of the BEST interviews I have watched in defense of President Trump's Ukraine policy
President Trump picked a seasoned media veteran like Rubio for moments like these, here is the full interview!
Watch this at:
https://x.com/ACTBrigitte/status/1895671572813496728
Wildlife trust buys massive £17.5m Highland estate
A conservation charity has bought an 18,824-acre (7,618ha) Highland estate for £17.5m after receiving a large private donation
Read more at:
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cr42n0dqqzno
Society on track to preserve history of Scotland’s railways and steaming ahead with new tours
Two centuries ago, the modern railway was born changing the face of Britain and the world forever. And, for more than a quarter of that time, one charity has been powering ahead to keep the history of Scotland’s railway alive.
Read more at:
https://www.sundaypost.com/fp/scotti...ation-society/
The slow, inexorable death of television news
Traditional broadcasters find themselves adrift in a radically different twenty-first century
Read more at:
https://thecritic.co.uk/issues/march...levision-news/
Trump’s new tariffs are his most extreme ever
Donald Trump had long threatened to impose tariffs on Canada and Mexico, but as of 12:01am EST today, levies of 25% on his neighbours came into effect. While his first-term tariffs came against a backdrop of economic growth, with the US economy looking like it does now, Trump will have to keep fears over inflation at bay.
Read more at:
https://archive.is/qrDWi
Trudeau outlines response to U.S. tariffs
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, speaking from Parliament Hill on Tuesday, says Canada will immediately start imposing tariffs on $30 billion worth of U.S. goods. Trudeau said tariffs will be imposed on the remaining $125 billion of American products in 21 days as a response to U.S. tariffs that went into effect on Canada Tuesday.
Watch this at:
https://youtu.be/83f47jIS_D8?si=et7yhwxq0nG5JgDf
Hillforts
A perspective from the Pentland Firth to the Western Mediterranean. A video from the Society of Antiquaries Scotland.
Watch this at:
https://youtu.be/nJMc5UGAl8Y?si=uZ70ZRvIbJhm8gLN
Markets are ignoring the disastrous consequences of Trump’s economic vandalism
The president’s tariffs will have sobering consequences that are becoming harder to sugar-coat
Read more at:
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business...omic-vandalism
Trumps NEWEST Tariffs on Chinese Imports
The ongoing trade war between the US and China has just escalated, with President Trump announcing his newest tariffs on Chinese imports. In this video, we'll break down what these tariffs mean for American businesses and consumers, particularly those in the construction industry who rely on Chinese-made machinery such as mini skid steers.
Watch this at:
https://youtu.be/O80ViQUT1NQ?si=WVw6z6ANR7FBuQxb
Ontario hits back at US Tariffs
Listen to Doug Ford laying it out.
Watch this at;
https://youtube.com/shorts/zuxTklv0x...hX3OVxmbb6dFA8
Betrayed’: Alberta Premiere Danielle Smith takes ‘Team Canada’ approach after Trump’s 25% tariffs
Alberta Premiere Danielle Smith has taken a ‘Team Canada’ stance after months of measures that could help prevent the looming 25% tariffs. The provincial head of US’s largest energy trade partner from Canada also visited Trump in Mar-a-Lago in January before his swearing-in in a bid to ease threats. Smith had previously attacked Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and Ontario Premier Doug Ford over their counter-tariff threats. After the March 4 tariffs of 10% on energy and 25% on industry-wide produce, Smith criticised Trump for his 51st state jibe and listed a series of measures as part of Alberta’s approach to buy local and from Canada instead of relying on the US.
Watch this at:
https://youtu.be/LIRCgWTpi0E?si=J93ucNcJssRYJ9Ug
Tesla Stock & Sales IMPLODE as Anti-Elon Protests SURGE
The Art of Value host JJ discusses the ongoing Tesla stock (TSLA) crash and significant Tesla EV sales decline, in relation to the surging protests against Elon Musk and DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency). The numerous protests at Tesla locations seem to have a great deal of momentum now, with the hashtag #teslatakedown being and important part of the Tesla boycott.
Watch this at:
https://youtu.be/AOifH_2tWvw?si=X4T4MzNIUCt6GR-f
Tariff war: Canadian cross-border shoppers hit with 25% surtax on purchases
From pants to pasta, even your cross-border shopping trip is now subject to 25 per cent tariffs.
Read more at:
https://archive.is/DjcQX#selection-2255.0-2255.96
Britain’s tariff confusion
It’s madness to have high tariffs on things we can’t make ourselves
Read more at:
https://thecritic.co.uk/britains-tariff-confusion/
Electric Canadian
The Anglo-American Magazine
Added Volume 7 July 1855
You can read this at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/maga...loamerican.htm
The World's Work
Added volume 9 where they feature The Lessons of the Great Harvests, etc.
You can read this at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/maga...worldswork.htm
The Seats of the Mighty
Being the memoirs of Captain Robert Moray, sometime an officer in the Virginia Regiment and afterwards of Amherst's Regiment by Gilbert Parker (1896) (pdf)
You can read this book at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/hist...ei00park_3.pdf
Thoughts on a Sunday Morning - the 2nd day of March 2025 - Lent is coming
By the Rev. Nola Crewe
You can watch this at:
http://www.electricscotland.org/foru...lent-is-coming
My Canadian Experience
Completed my report for January/February 2025
You can read this at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/canada_add18.htm
The Beaver Magazine
Added Volume 4 No. 7 (pdf)
You can read this issue at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/tran...-April1924.pdf
In this video, we dive into Canada’s growing partnership with Italy
See this video at the foot of our Italy page at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/history/italy/index.htm
Electric Scotland
Scouting for Boys
A Handbook for Instruction in good citizenship by Robert Baden-Powell, K.C.B., K.C.V.O., LL.D. (seventh edition) (1915) (pdf)
You can read this at:
https://electricscotland.com/kids/Sc...ys--Ed-7th.pdf
The Scottish Tourist and Itinerary
Being a guide to the Scenery and Antiquities of Scotland and the Western Islands (eighth edition) (1842) (pdf)
You can read this book at:
https://electricscotland.com/travel/...isti08edin.pdf
The Scottish Pulpit
From the Reformation to the Present Day by William M. Taylor, D.D., LL.D. (1887) (pdf)
You can read this book at:
https://electricscotland.com/bible/s...00tayluoft.pdf
Scottish and Irish Diaries
From the sixteenth to the nineteenth century with an Introduction by Arthur Ponsoby, M.P. (1927) (pdf)
You can read this book at:
https://electricscotland.com/lifesty...ia0000arth.pdf
Scottish Society of Louisville
Got in their March 2025 newsletter which you can read at:
https://electricscotland.com/familyt...ille/index.htm
Sketches of Old Virginia
By A. G. Bradley (1897) (pdf)
You can read this book at:
https://electricscotland.com/history...dv0000agbr.pdf
Two Hundred Years
The History of The Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge 1698-1898 By W. 0. B. Allen, M.A., and Edmund McClure, M.A., Secretaries of the Society (1898) (pdf)
You can read this book at:
https://www.electricscotland.com/bib...sh0000alle.pdf
A Short History of S.P.C.K.
By W. K. Lowther Clarke, B.D., Editorial Secretary of the Society (1919) (pdf)
You can read this at:
https://electricscotland.com/bible/s...00clarrich.pdf
Stuart McFarlane
Got in two new poems which I've added to his page at:
https://electricscotland.com/poetry/...mcfarlanel.htm
Selections from the Writings of Lord MacAulay
Edited with occasional notes by the Right Hon. Sir George Otto Trevelyan, Bart. (New Impression) (1903) (pdf)
You can read this book at:
https://electricscotland.com/lifesty..._maccauley.pdf
Seigneur Davie, A Sketch Life of David Riccio
(Rizzio) By A. Francis Steuart, Advocate (1922) (pdf)
You can read this book at:
https://electricscotland.com/lifesty...00steurich.pdf
The Public Records of Scotland
By J. Maitland Thomson, LL.D. (1922) (pdf)
You can read this at:
https://electricscotland.com/history...00thomuoft.pdf
Records of Clan Campbell in the Military Service of the Honourable East India Company 1600 - 1858
Compiled by Major Sir Duncan Campbell of Barcaldine, Bt., C.V.O., FSAScot., F.R.G.S. with a Foreword and Index by Lt.-Col. Sir Richard C. Temple, Bt., C.B., C.I.E., F.S.A., V.P.R.A.S. (1925) (pdf)
You can read this at:
https://electricscotland.com/webclan...ncam00camp.pdf
Reminicences and Documents relating to the Civil War during the Year 1865
By John A. Campbell, Baltimore (1887) (pdf)
You can read this at:
https://electricscotland.com/history...sdoc00camp.pdf
Story
From the book A Fisherman’s Reflections on a beautiful but troubled world
Peter Buchan – “Oxo” to his friends, - was a fisherman from Peterhead who served on line boats, steam drifters, and seine net boats, the family ones named Twinkling Star, and Sparkling Star. He possessed a natural gift for poetry which he wrote mostly in the ‘Doric’ tongue, the dialect of the Aberdeen / Buchan area. Peter Buchan is to the fishing communities of north-east Scotland, what Charles Murray of “Hamewith” fame is to the farming towns of the same region. I was privileged to be involved in the publication of some of his poetical works which were published under the title “Mount Pleasant” after a location where he spent many happy boyhood days.
Among his best loved poems are; The Mennin’ Laft; Not to the Swift; Best o’ the Bunch; Home Thoughts at the Haisboro’; The Skipper’s Wife; Hame Comfort, and Buchan Beauty. Peter also wrote some couthy stories, and contributed to local publications on the Doric dialect. It is very difficult to select a few lines from Peter’s work, since each poem has merit. But here are four verses from Home Thoughts that describe the close of the annual herring fishery off Yarmouth and Lowestoft in the late autumn of the years from 1890 to 1930. For the sake of non-Aberdeenshire people, this poem is in English!
November’s moon has waned; the sea is dreary,
December’s greyness fills the lowering sky;
But we are homeward bound, our hearts are cheery
For far astern the Ridge and Cockle lie.
The silver harvest of the knoll’s been gathered;
The teeming millions from their haunts have flown,
From Ship to South-Ower Buoy, the sea’s deserted,
And we have reaped whereof we had not sown.
When snow lies deep, in cosy loft a-mending
Our nets, the times of danger we’ll recall,
The days of joy, the nights of disappointment,
Each silver shimmer and each weary haul.
And children, sitting chin-in-hand, will listen –
Forsaking for the moment, every toy;
For there’s a deep and wondrous fascination
In sea tales, for the heart of every boy.
Here is another story from him partly in the Dorric language...
Sample Extract...
The Ghost in the Fite Seemit
Skipper Bob McTurk 'The Turk' had suffered a major defeat at the hands of his better half.
For years she had begged him to change into lighter clothing when the bonny days came round, but her pleas had fallen on deaf ears.
Now, her patience finally exhausted, she sailed in with all guns blazing.
'Ye great greasy clort that ye are! Ilkie time I wash yer shift the claes-tow braks wi the wecht.
'Ye should ging up to Jimmy Reid's an get a horse then get a soord an a battle axe fae the museum. I'll gie ye my ain coal-pail for a helmet but ye winna need armour! Nae wi a shift like that! Then ye can flee the hills like Sir Lancelot'
Under such an onslaught, the poor Turk wilted. But on one point he was adamant. He would on no account wear shorts.
'They micht dee for liftin a het kettle but they wid nivver hap me!'
Neither would he visit a shop. So, in view of his enormous girth, nothing would suffice but to get a sicht o drawers an seemits fae the shop so that he could wale among them at his leisure.
But still there was one great problem. Any drawers that fitted his middle would need a fathom cut from the legs: if they fitted his legs they would need a yard of elastic at the top! No seemit would fit him athoot a great muckle gushet shued into the front.
Fit a maneer! Claes aa ower the place, like a stallie on the Broadgate!
It took a long time to reach a happy compromise but at last the mannie wis riggit oot and the unwanted garments were baled in readiness for their return to the shop.
On the Monday morning our gallant hero left the house to go to the harbour.
Oh boys this wis fine! Pure fresh air wis circulating where fresh air had seldom been afore.
This wis life, this wis freedom as if a door had been opened!
Then in one blinding second panic filled his breast.
There couldna possibly be such a free flow of air unless there wis a doorie open!
Good grief! Had he forgotten to fasten certain vital buttons?
A quick downward glance would reassure him, but his washin-hoose biler o a belly decreed that this wis impossible.
He could hardly ficher wi buttons in the street so he would turn back.
Turn back on a Monday? Never! All the bad luck in Scotland would be his if he did that.
He could stop a passing boy with a question, 'Hey my loon! Is my shoppie door open?' but he didna like.
Were he to venture up a close for a quick check, some wifie would be sure to doubt his intentions and would chase him wi a broom bidding him, 'Ging an dee that at yer ain gate en'!'
The situation was critical but not entirely out of hand.
The Turk's mither wit led him to the nearest shop window where his own reflection assured him that all was well.
So the gentle breezes were part and parcel of his new found freedom? Great!
Thus, in a happier mood, he reached the pier where his own darling Meadowsweet awaited him.
Oh, fit a steer! Horses an cairts by the score.
At least a hunner crews busy at their nets.
Coal-heavers walking the precarious planks with ten stone bags of coal on their backs, just like black ballet dancers on a heaving stage, dropping their load with unerring aim into the pit of the drifter's bunker.
Message boys with their baskets and watermen with their hoses; it was all go, for the armada was preparing to sail in the afternoon.
Fit a bonny day it wis! Half the toon wis on the pier to see the shippies gaan oot.
Since it wis Monday, the guttin quines half day, scores of them were doon to wave cheerio to their lads and husbands.
Even Mrs McTurk wis there, wi twaa bairns at her tail an twaa in the coach (Pram).
As the Meadowsweet rounded the jetty, the Turk stuck his arm out of the house window to wave to his excited offspring and in so doing he got a welcome blast of fresh air aneth his oxter.
Late that evening the Meadowsweet lay at her nets some forty miles east-by-north off Peterhead. She lay head to wind at the leeward end of a mile of nets which hung like a great curtain two fathoms below the surface. The shippie was tethered by a thick tarry rope which ran the whole length of the nets and on this rope she would be heaved ahead in the morning when the process of hauling would begin.
It was a lovely evening with the sun sinking behind a low bank of dark cloud, a sure sign of westerly wind to come.
Close astern a great white carpet of birds had settled on the calm waters to await their breakfast from the nets. Now and then the silence was gently broken by the soft 'Whoo-oof' of a herring whale.
Monday night meant that there was no back-log of sleep to catch up on so the crew were rather slower than usual to turn in. They sat for a while behind the wheelhouse discussing the past weekend and vying with each other in identifying the vessels nearest to them.
As far as the eye could see, there were ships on the same errand as themselves. Each one had her mizzen sail set and her two paraffin dig lights becoming more readily visible in the gathering dark.
Then, as if by common consent, all hands went below to turn in, leaving one man to keep watch.
There would be three one-hour watches and the last man would make tay at 1 am.
In the cabin there was a shocked silence as the skipper removed his briks afore turning in.
'This is something new, boys! Here's a man gaan in ower athoot 'is briks!'
'The days o miracles is surely nae past efter aa' An fit's this he's wearin?'
'Surely nae fite drawers an a fite seemit? Ye never saw the like afore, did ye?'
'Nivver! It's a mercy we're aa spared!'
Of course Jeemsie the cook started to snicker and when he whispered 'Moby Dick, the great white whale!' the dam burst and the crew laughed themselves silly.
'Folk'll nivver believe this!' But the amusement faded rapidly when the Turk disappeared into his bunk, treating his men with silent contempt.
The man on watch in the wheelhouse knew nothing of this. Nor was he aware that about eleven o'clock the Turk had come on deck in his new outfit to hae a look at the nicht an to listen intently for the quiet 'plop' o herrin loupin.
The watchman came aft at his appointed time to call his relief. Then suddenly his hair stood on end for there on the starboard quarter stood a ghostly figure, 'clothed in white samite; mystic, wonderful'.
The poor deckie gave one piercing yell of terror and bolted!
'Od, there maun be something wrang wi that loon!' says the Turk and he ambled forrard in the wake of the terror stricken youth, whose yell had brought three of his mates on deck in a state of alarm.
But when these fellas got on deck, the sound of running feet was away in the fore part of the vessel, so they set off to investigate.
At the end ofthe first lap, the thunder of feet brought the rest of the crew on deck in a hurry and they too joined in the hunt.
Towards the end of the fourth lap, the Turk tripped on a pond board and fell clyte on his belly.
His crew promptly fell on top of him and there was a great stramash.
The sole survivor had scooted down to the cabin and into his bunk like a frightened rabbit.
It was a gey sheepish and tired crew who silently took their tay at 1 am. The skipper, for all his bulk, was the fittest of the lot.
'Now, lads,' says he, 'if ye're gaan t' run a marathon ye're better t' weir the richt gear for't. Ye'll nivver see the winnin post wi hairback briks an worsit drawers on!'
'That's fit I had on,' says the watchman, 'an I bate the hale lot o ye!'
You can learn more about him at:
https://electricscotland.com/poetry/...eterbuchan.htm
END.
Weekend is almost here and hope it's a good one for you.
Alastair
PS Our newsletter archives can always be found at:
https://electricscotland.com/newsletter/index.htm