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CONTENTS
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Electric Scotland News
Electric Canadian
The Flag in the Wind
Jamieson's Dictionary of the Scottish Language
Scottish Poets in America
Life Jottings of an Old Edinburgh Citizen
Calendar Of Documents Relating to Scotland
Northern Notes and Queries
Songs of Robert Burns
Robert Burns Lives!
The Bards of Bon Accord 1375 - 1860
History of Aberdeen and Banff
Between the Ochils and the Forth
Beth's Newfangled Family Tree
Biggar and the House of Fleming (New Book)
Lairds and Lands of Loch Tayside (New Book)
Clan Durie
Electric Scotland News
----------------------
Well our comments system is still stalled but our case has been promoted to the higher technical support desk but still haven't heard from them.
Our Facebook app is also progressing for our community. We had to re-design new graphics for it which held things up. However we've now acquired a Mac so this should help things go faster.
We are planning in shifting our postcard system from ScotCards to ElectricScotland. Once that is done we'll change the link in our menu.
We also plan on installing a new genealogy system on ElectricScotland and when that is done we will be removing the scotgenealy domain. In the event you have any data in that system you are advised to export it to a gedcom file so you can import it into our new system.
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The Scottish Studies Society invites you and your friends and family to a very special Tartan Day Celebration on Thursday April 12, 2012 (see http://scottishstudies.com/950tartanday2012.htm for more information). Reservations can be made online at http://www.scottishstudies.com.
The venue for this year's event will be the Great Hall at the University of Toronto's historic Hart House where we will recreate the ambiance of a Scottish castle in which you will enjoy a magnificent evening of fine food, music and dance - all with a Scots-Canadian flavour.
During the evening we will be presenting our 20th annual "Scot of the Year Award" which was initiated in 1993 to honour individuals who have achieved distinction through their contribution to Canadian society or the international community at large.
This year's recipient will be John Anderson Fraser, one of Canada's most accomplished academics in the field of journalism.
The dress code for the evening will be business formal. However, as it is a Scottish event with an emphasis on tartan, we are looking for as much innovation as possible. This is your chance to dress up for one of the most sophisticated events in the Scots-Canadian calendar.
We do hope you will be able to join us for this memorable evening, the proceeds of which will go to support the Scottish Studies Foundation, a registered Canadian charity established to raise awareness of the Scottish heritage in Canada through education at the university level.
I look forward to seeing you at the event.
Sincerely,
David M. Hunter
Director and Past President
Scottish Studies Foundation
Electric Canadian
-----------------
Oil and Gas Industry in Canada. Here we are exploring this sector of the Canadian economy and you can get a useful summary of this sector at http://www.electriccanadian.com/tran...lgas/index.htm
ABOUT THE STORIES
-----------------
Some of the stories in here are just parts of a larger story so do check out the site for the full versions. You can always find the link in our "What's New" section in our site menu and at http://www.electricscotland.com/whatsnew.htm and also http://www.electriccanadian.com/whatsnew.htm
THE FLAG IN THE WIND
--------------------
This weeks issue has been Compiled by Jamie Hepburn in which he is talking about the Devo option in the referendum.
In the Synopsis you'll find some interesting articles on of which includes commentary on how the defence industry in Scotland could do better in an Independent Scotland.
You can read this issue at http://www.scotsindependent.org
Jamieson's Dictionary of the Scottish Language
----------------------------------------------
We've added more to this dictionary...
Scottish Language Letter Q
You can read this at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...eson/index.htm
Scottish Poets in America
-------------------------
With Biographical and Critical Notices by John D, Ross (1889)
Now added...
Ramsay, Donald
This is a new entry for this week and can be found at http://www.electricscotland.com/poet.../chapter17.htm
The other entries can be found at http://www.electricscotland.com/poet...rica/index.htm
Life Jottings of an Old Edinburgh Citizen
-----------------------------------------
By Sir J. H. A. MacDonald P.C., K.C.B., Lord Justice-Clerk.
Added this week...
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Visit of King Edward and Queen Alexandra—Levee—Drawing-room— Royal Archers' Parade— Review of Territorial's—First military motorist to march past the King—Visit of King George and Queen Mary- Levee-Drawing-room—Attend Queen at Chapel of the Thistle—Attend in command of battalion at review by King of Veterans—National Reserve
Chapter Forty
Illuminated advertisements put down—One left, the property of Town Council—West Princes Street Gardens used as advertising station with consent of Town Council- -Remonstrance against--Public halls—M'Ewan and Usher Halls—Want of dining-hall—Improved sanitation—Sir Henry Littlejohn—Destruction of old buildings- -Restoration of Lady Stair's house
Chapter Forty-One
A keen driver—The mechanical vehicle—The 1000 miles' tour— Opposition —Treated as a fad of the rich— Progress—The aeroplane—The increased importance of the road—Member of H.M. Road Board—Road improvement—War coming unawares—Britain's response to cynical wrong—Once more drilling men in my old age—A hearty farewell
And this now concludes this book.
These chapters can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...ings/index.htm
Calendar Of Documents Relating to Scotland
------------------------------------------
By Joseph Bain
Our thanks to John Henderson for compiling this for us. This week we've added...
Volume 4
1375 to 1394
You can get to this at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...bain/index.htm
Northern Notes and Queries
--------------------------
Edited by Rev. R. W. Cornelious Hallen (1886)
We now have up the next entry of this publication. Index to Volumes I and II and An Account of the Family of Rokeby, which you can read at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...hern/index.htm
Songs of Robert Burns
---------------------
We added "Patriotic and Political" to this book.
You can get to this book at http://www.electricscotland.com/burns/songs/index.htm
Robert Burns Lives!
-------------------
By Frank Shaw
Scottish Parliament is Memorable Venue for American Erin’s First Burns Supper
Last week I received an email from Dr. David Shi, valued friend and former president of Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina. He alerted me to an article that had recently been written about a Furman student, Erin Frazer, who is currently in Scotland participating in the university’s Edinburgh Study Away Program. Erin is of Scottish ancestry and what better fit for her foreign studies than Edinburgh. She is one of several students in the program under the direction of Dr. Bruce Brown of the Department of Economics at Furman. Erin is a senior Political Science major from South Carolina’s upstate town of Simpsonville.
In an email she mentioned that “an integral component of the Furman in Edinburgh Study Away Program is an internship experience tailored to fit each student’s career interests.” Erin chose to intern in the Scottish Parliament due to her interest in politics on the local scene as well as at state and federal levels. She is interning with Bill Walker from Dunfermline, Member of the Scottish Parliament and of the Scottish National Party.
Interning is not new to Erin as she had previously done so with the Richard W. Riley Institute of Government, Politics, and Public Leadership at Furman and with the U.S. Marshals Service in Washington, D.C. She participated in Furman’s Mock Trial Program and worked as a Research Assistant in Furman’s James B. Duke Library. Erin has also tutored Furman students in various subjects and following her graduation in May will enter law school this fall.
In a later email Erin stated that she “wanted you to know that ‘the life and the works of Robert Burns are truly fascinating; I’m actually writing a paper and giving a presentation about Burns for one of my Furman courses in March’.” It would be nice to hear what this energetic and talented college senior has to say about our Bard.
My thanks to Bill Walker, MSP, SNP, who graciously gave his permission to use the article below from his web site, emails that “Erin is proving very hard-working and popular here!” I appreciate his and Erin’s cooperation in providing the story and pictures for the enjoyment of our readers. It has been a pleasure to work with both of them, and I only wish all articles were this easy to present!
In last week’s posting on Robert Burns Lives! I enjoyed sharing details of a unique Burns Supper by students at the Stonehouse Primary School, and now we’ve gone from that small school house a few miles out of Glasgow to a senior from Furman University walking the halls of Parliament in Edinburgh and attending her first Burns Supper. I venture to say that for years to come Robert Burns is safe in the hands of those school children and college students like Erin. Thanks to one and all for their help on this article, particularly Bill Walker’s “media guru, Susan Wilson”. (FRS: 2.29.12)
You can read this article at http://www.electricscotland.com/fami...s_lives132.htm
Other articles in this series can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/fami...rank/burns.htm
The Bards of Bon Accord 1375 - 1860
-----------------------------------
By William Walker
Added the chapter on "Rise of Quakerism—Lillias Skene, the Quaker Poetess".
You can read this at http://www.electricscotland.com/poet...cord/index.htm
History of Aberdeen and Banff
-----------------------------
By WIlliam Watt (1900)
We're now completed this book by adding the final two chapters.
In Chapter XIII it starts...
All through its history the town of Aberdeen had been a place of considerable trade. From the days of its early Flemish settlers and of the Northern Hanse of the thirteenth century it had been the commercial capital of the north of Scotland,—the centre to which the produce of the adjacent country was forwarded for sale and export, and from which the merchandise brought from Flanders, Holland, and the Baltic was distributed. It had not, indeed, an entire monopoly of the northern sea-trade, for other ports, especially Banff and Inverness, had likewise commercial relations with the Continent ; and as the staple articles of export were few, consisting chiefly of hides, furs, wool, and salmon, so the transactions of the merchants were on a very minor scale as compared with present-day standards.
The northern commerce with the Low Countries and with Danzig and Poland was carried on through Aberdeen merchants and agents abroad, to whom the exported commodities were consigned. Besides sending their own countrymen to act as intermediaries with the foreigners, the Scottish merchants had their staple port or emporium, under an arrangement with the local authorities, whereby protection of goods and exclusive privileges of trading were secured. After being fixed at Bruges, the Scottish staple was transferred to Campvere, in the island of Walcheren, on the marriage in 1444 of one of the daughters of James I. of Scotland to Wolfaert van Borselen, Lord of Campvere and Earl of Buchan. For three centuries and a half, by contracts renewed from time to time between the United Provinces and the Royal Burghs of Scotland, sometimes after a brief trial of another port.
Campvere was the seat of the Scottish staple, where authorised factors, under the supervision of a Lord Conservator of Scottish Privileges as supreme judge, sold the goods of their Scottish principals. The trade of Aberdeen was on a relatively extensive scale in the seventeenth century, and Sir Patrick Drummond,. one of the Conservators, reports that Aberdeen brought more money into Scotland than all its other towns.1 Similarly Sir Samuel Forbes of Foveran, in his ' Description of Aberdeenshire,' written about the date of Mar's rebellion, states that no city in Scotland sent to the sea ships and cargoes of greater value and brought home more money in return, and that the loss of a single Aberdeen ship was more serious than the loss ot ten ships of other towns. Exports greatly preponderated over imports, and the balance being adjusted by shipments of money, the silver currency of Holland passed into circulation in the north of Scotland. The Records of the Convention of Burghs bear witness to the constant interest that was taken by the commercial community of Aberdeen in the trade and privileges of the staple port, and members of burgess families —Skenes, Gordons, Gregorys, Lumsdens, and Allardeses— held from time to time, or in contihuous succession, the coveted and lucrative office of factor.
You can read more of this chapter at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist.../chapter13.htm
You can read this book at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...deen/index.htm
Between the Ochils and the Forth
--------------------------------
We now have up the entire "Along the Great North Road" section...
BETWEEN DUNFERMLINE AND ALLOA
Chapter I - The City of Dunfermline
Leading features of the "city"—Its ancient history—Malcolm Canmore and Queen Margaret—The monastery and its church— Dunfermline as a. royal residence— Remains of the Abbey and Palace—Relations of Edward I. with Dunfermline—King Robert Bruce interred there —Its first Protestant minister, David Ferguson—The Earls of Dunfermline—Visits of Charles I. and II.— Events during insurrection of 1715—Introduction of the damask manufacture — Dunfermline the cradle of the Secession movement—History of the Erskine family— Churches and public buildings.
Chapter II. - From Dunfermline to Torryburn
Old and new roads from Dunfermline to the west— Urquhart Cut—Berrylaw Top— Villages of Crossford and Cairney-hill—Conscience Bridge—Village of Torryburn — The Colville family and the estate of Crombie—Torrylurn witches,
Chapter III. - From Torryburn to Culross and Kincardine
Village of Newmills— Newmill Bridge and its vicinity— Western limit of Fife—Detached district of Perthshire— Approach to Culross—Valleyfield House and the Preston family—Upper road to Kincardine—Tuliallan woods— Bordie and the Standard Stone—Town of Culross—Its early history in connection -with St Serf and St Mungo —Sir George Bruce and his descendants, the Earls of Kincardine—Ancient monastery and church of Culross —Mansion of Culross Abbey—The "Colonels Close" and Sir George Bruce's Moat—Lower road to Kincardine—Dunimarle and Blair Castle—Blair and Longannet quarries and their traditions—Phenomena of the "lakies"—Town of Kincardine-on-Forth.
Chapter IV. - From Kincardine to Clackmanan and Alloa
The old castle and estate of Tulliallan— The Blackadder family—Kilbagie and its distillery—Kennet village— Town of Clackmannan—Clackmannan Tower and the Bruce family—Approach to Alloa—Alloa and the Earls of Mar.
Chapter V. - Another Way from Dunfermline to Alloa
Road from Dunfermline to Carnock—Baldridge—Luscar— Village and church of Carnock— Their associations with Scottish ecclesiastical history—John Row and Thomas Gillespie—Sasramtntal occasions at Carnock—Roadfrom Carnock to Clackmannan and Alloa.
Chapter VI. - Other Excursions from Dunfermline
Road from Dunfermline to Rumbling Bridge—Village and parish of Saline—Road from Dunfermline to Queensferry —St Leonards Hospital—Pitreavie and the Wardlaw family—Broomhall and Pitliver.
You can read these chapters at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...hils/index.htm
Beth's Newfangled Family Tree
-----------------------------
Edited by Beth Gay
The March 2012 edition is now available with Beth's usual wide mix of all things scottish at home and abroad.
You can get to this at http://www.electricscotland.com/bnft
Biggar and the House of Fleming
-------------------------------
An Account of the Biggar District, Archaeological, Historical and Biographical by William Hunter (1862)
This is a new book we're starting and of course if you are a Fleming it will be of even more interest. Here is how the Preface starts...
‘London, says the Clydesdale peasant, is a big town, but there is one in Scotland that is Biggar. This is all, however, that can be said in aggrandisement of Biggar! Such is the statement of Mr Robert Chambers, a very high1 authority at the present day in all matters relating to Scottish history and antiquities. In topographical works, Biggar is either ignored altogether, or, if alluded to, is discussed within the compass of a few lines. It may, therefore, appear presumptuous to write and publish a volume of considerable size in illustration of a locality, evidently regarded by the literary world as altogether uninteresting and obscure. In justification of the step that has been taken, it may be stated, that an idea was entertained by several persons, and among others, by the author of this work, that a few particulars regarding Biggar and Biggar men could be collected, which, although of no moment and consideration in the eyes of men of learning and research, might yet possess some degree of interest to the inhabitants of the district. It has accordingly been, for their instruction and gratification that the volume has been drawn up. If it fails to satisfy them, or to draw forth the history of Biggar from the obscurity in which it is involved, the fault must lie with the author, and not in the want of materials for the purpose. These in the end became so abundant, that it was found necessary to abridge some portions of them, and to leave others out altogether, in order that the work might be kept within a moderate space. The attempt of the author to avoid one evil, has caused him to fall into another, as he now finds that the rigorous curtailment, to which he has subjected the contents of the volume, has given serious offence to some parties, because information has been excluded which, in their opinion, was of great importance, and which they are confident would have enhanced the value of the book, and the fame of Biggar.
The book, such as it is, owes its origin to a Lecture, which the author was invited to deliver before the Athenaeum of Biggar in June 1859. He chose for the subject of discussion on that occasion, Historical Incidents connected with Biggar and its neighbourhood. Some time afterwards a suggestion was made to the author by Mr William Ovens, merchant, Biggar,—a leading member of the learned Institution referred to, and a most able and intelligent correspondent,—that the information contained in the Lecture might be extended and published, either in a separate form, or in the columns of a periodical. After much hesitation and delay, arising from the want of time and facilities for executing such a work, it was at length resolved to collect such additional particulars regarding Biggar as could be readily got, and to publish the whole in a small volume.
You can read this book at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...ggar/index.htm
Lairds and Lands of Loch Tayside
--------------------------------
By John Christie (1892)
Another new book we're starting.
We have chapters up on Balloch, Etc., Fearnan and Lawers so far. You can view this book at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...side/index.htm
Clan Durie
----------
We got in an historical account of Clan Durie from the Clan Durie themselves. This can be viewed in the second half of the page at http://www.electricscotland.com/webc...g/durrie2.html
And finally...
As incredible as it sounds, men and women took baths only twice a year (May and October) Women kept their hair covered, while men shaved their heads (because of lice and bugs) and wore wigs. Wealthy men could afford good wigs made from wool. They couldn't wash the wigs, so to clean them they would carve out a loaf of bread, put the wig in the shell, and bake it for 30 minutes. The heat would make the wig big and fluffy, hence the term 'big wig... ' Today we often use the term 'here comes the Big Wig' because someone appears to be or is powerful and wealthy.
And that's all for now and hope you all enjoy your weekend.
Alastair
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Electric Scotland News
Electric Canadian
The Flag in the Wind
Jamieson's Dictionary of the Scottish Language
Scottish Poets in America
Life Jottings of an Old Edinburgh Citizen
Calendar Of Documents Relating to Scotland
Northern Notes and Queries
Songs of Robert Burns
Robert Burns Lives!
The Bards of Bon Accord 1375 - 1860
History of Aberdeen and Banff
Between the Ochils and the Forth
Beth's Newfangled Family Tree
Biggar and the House of Fleming (New Book)
Lairds and Lands of Loch Tayside (New Book)
Clan Durie
Electric Scotland News
----------------------
Well our comments system is still stalled but our case has been promoted to the higher technical support desk but still haven't heard from them.
Our Facebook app is also progressing for our community. We had to re-design new graphics for it which held things up. However we've now acquired a Mac so this should help things go faster.
We are planning in shifting our postcard system from ScotCards to ElectricScotland. Once that is done we'll change the link in our menu.
We also plan on installing a new genealogy system on ElectricScotland and when that is done we will be removing the scotgenealy domain. In the event you have any data in that system you are advised to export it to a gedcom file so you can import it into our new system.
-----
The Scottish Studies Society invites you and your friends and family to a very special Tartan Day Celebration on Thursday April 12, 2012 (see http://scottishstudies.com/950tartanday2012.htm for more information). Reservations can be made online at http://www.scottishstudies.com.
The venue for this year's event will be the Great Hall at the University of Toronto's historic Hart House where we will recreate the ambiance of a Scottish castle in which you will enjoy a magnificent evening of fine food, music and dance - all with a Scots-Canadian flavour.
During the evening we will be presenting our 20th annual "Scot of the Year Award" which was initiated in 1993 to honour individuals who have achieved distinction through their contribution to Canadian society or the international community at large.
This year's recipient will be John Anderson Fraser, one of Canada's most accomplished academics in the field of journalism.
The dress code for the evening will be business formal. However, as it is a Scottish event with an emphasis on tartan, we are looking for as much innovation as possible. This is your chance to dress up for one of the most sophisticated events in the Scots-Canadian calendar.
We do hope you will be able to join us for this memorable evening, the proceeds of which will go to support the Scottish Studies Foundation, a registered Canadian charity established to raise awareness of the Scottish heritage in Canada through education at the university level.
I look forward to seeing you at the event.
Sincerely,
David M. Hunter
Director and Past President
Scottish Studies Foundation
Electric Canadian
-----------------
Oil and Gas Industry in Canada. Here we are exploring this sector of the Canadian economy and you can get a useful summary of this sector at http://www.electriccanadian.com/tran...lgas/index.htm
ABOUT THE STORIES
-----------------
Some of the stories in here are just parts of a larger story so do check out the site for the full versions. You can always find the link in our "What's New" section in our site menu and at http://www.electricscotland.com/whatsnew.htm and also http://www.electriccanadian.com/whatsnew.htm
THE FLAG IN THE WIND
--------------------
This weeks issue has been Compiled by Jamie Hepburn in which he is talking about the Devo option in the referendum.
In the Synopsis you'll find some interesting articles on of which includes commentary on how the defence industry in Scotland could do better in an Independent Scotland.
You can read this issue at http://www.scotsindependent.org
Jamieson's Dictionary of the Scottish Language
----------------------------------------------
We've added more to this dictionary...
Scottish Language Letter Q
You can read this at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...eson/index.htm
Scottish Poets in America
-------------------------
With Biographical and Critical Notices by John D, Ross (1889)
Now added...
Ramsay, Donald
This is a new entry for this week and can be found at http://www.electricscotland.com/poet.../chapter17.htm
The other entries can be found at http://www.electricscotland.com/poet...rica/index.htm
Life Jottings of an Old Edinburgh Citizen
-----------------------------------------
By Sir J. H. A. MacDonald P.C., K.C.B., Lord Justice-Clerk.
Added this week...
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Visit of King Edward and Queen Alexandra—Levee—Drawing-room— Royal Archers' Parade— Review of Territorial's—First military motorist to march past the King—Visit of King George and Queen Mary- Levee-Drawing-room—Attend Queen at Chapel of the Thistle—Attend in command of battalion at review by King of Veterans—National Reserve
Chapter Forty
Illuminated advertisements put down—One left, the property of Town Council—West Princes Street Gardens used as advertising station with consent of Town Council- -Remonstrance against--Public halls—M'Ewan and Usher Halls—Want of dining-hall—Improved sanitation—Sir Henry Littlejohn—Destruction of old buildings- -Restoration of Lady Stair's house
Chapter Forty-One
A keen driver—The mechanical vehicle—The 1000 miles' tour— Opposition —Treated as a fad of the rich— Progress—The aeroplane—The increased importance of the road—Member of H.M. Road Board—Road improvement—War coming unawares—Britain's response to cynical wrong—Once more drilling men in my old age—A hearty farewell
And this now concludes this book.
These chapters can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...ings/index.htm
Calendar Of Documents Relating to Scotland
------------------------------------------
By Joseph Bain
Our thanks to John Henderson for compiling this for us. This week we've added...
Volume 4
1375 to 1394
You can get to this at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...bain/index.htm
Northern Notes and Queries
--------------------------
Edited by Rev. R. W. Cornelious Hallen (1886)
We now have up the next entry of this publication. Index to Volumes I and II and An Account of the Family of Rokeby, which you can read at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...hern/index.htm
Songs of Robert Burns
---------------------
We added "Patriotic and Political" to this book.
You can get to this book at http://www.electricscotland.com/burns/songs/index.htm
Robert Burns Lives!
-------------------
By Frank Shaw
Scottish Parliament is Memorable Venue for American Erin’s First Burns Supper
Last week I received an email from Dr. David Shi, valued friend and former president of Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina. He alerted me to an article that had recently been written about a Furman student, Erin Frazer, who is currently in Scotland participating in the university’s Edinburgh Study Away Program. Erin is of Scottish ancestry and what better fit for her foreign studies than Edinburgh. She is one of several students in the program under the direction of Dr. Bruce Brown of the Department of Economics at Furman. Erin is a senior Political Science major from South Carolina’s upstate town of Simpsonville.
In an email she mentioned that “an integral component of the Furman in Edinburgh Study Away Program is an internship experience tailored to fit each student’s career interests.” Erin chose to intern in the Scottish Parliament due to her interest in politics on the local scene as well as at state and federal levels. She is interning with Bill Walker from Dunfermline, Member of the Scottish Parliament and of the Scottish National Party.
Interning is not new to Erin as she had previously done so with the Richard W. Riley Institute of Government, Politics, and Public Leadership at Furman and with the U.S. Marshals Service in Washington, D.C. She participated in Furman’s Mock Trial Program and worked as a Research Assistant in Furman’s James B. Duke Library. Erin has also tutored Furman students in various subjects and following her graduation in May will enter law school this fall.
In a later email Erin stated that she “wanted you to know that ‘the life and the works of Robert Burns are truly fascinating; I’m actually writing a paper and giving a presentation about Burns for one of my Furman courses in March’.” It would be nice to hear what this energetic and talented college senior has to say about our Bard.
My thanks to Bill Walker, MSP, SNP, who graciously gave his permission to use the article below from his web site, emails that “Erin is proving very hard-working and popular here!” I appreciate his and Erin’s cooperation in providing the story and pictures for the enjoyment of our readers. It has been a pleasure to work with both of them, and I only wish all articles were this easy to present!
In last week’s posting on Robert Burns Lives! I enjoyed sharing details of a unique Burns Supper by students at the Stonehouse Primary School, and now we’ve gone from that small school house a few miles out of Glasgow to a senior from Furman University walking the halls of Parliament in Edinburgh and attending her first Burns Supper. I venture to say that for years to come Robert Burns is safe in the hands of those school children and college students like Erin. Thanks to one and all for their help on this article, particularly Bill Walker’s “media guru, Susan Wilson”. (FRS: 2.29.12)
You can read this article at http://www.electricscotland.com/fami...s_lives132.htm
Other articles in this series can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/fami...rank/burns.htm
The Bards of Bon Accord 1375 - 1860
-----------------------------------
By William Walker
Added the chapter on "Rise of Quakerism—Lillias Skene, the Quaker Poetess".
You can read this at http://www.electricscotland.com/poet...cord/index.htm
History of Aberdeen and Banff
-----------------------------
By WIlliam Watt (1900)
We're now completed this book by adding the final two chapters.
In Chapter XIII it starts...
All through its history the town of Aberdeen had been a place of considerable trade. From the days of its early Flemish settlers and of the Northern Hanse of the thirteenth century it had been the commercial capital of the north of Scotland,—the centre to which the produce of the adjacent country was forwarded for sale and export, and from which the merchandise brought from Flanders, Holland, and the Baltic was distributed. It had not, indeed, an entire monopoly of the northern sea-trade, for other ports, especially Banff and Inverness, had likewise commercial relations with the Continent ; and as the staple articles of export were few, consisting chiefly of hides, furs, wool, and salmon, so the transactions of the merchants were on a very minor scale as compared with present-day standards.
The northern commerce with the Low Countries and with Danzig and Poland was carried on through Aberdeen merchants and agents abroad, to whom the exported commodities were consigned. Besides sending their own countrymen to act as intermediaries with the foreigners, the Scottish merchants had their staple port or emporium, under an arrangement with the local authorities, whereby protection of goods and exclusive privileges of trading were secured. After being fixed at Bruges, the Scottish staple was transferred to Campvere, in the island of Walcheren, on the marriage in 1444 of one of the daughters of James I. of Scotland to Wolfaert van Borselen, Lord of Campvere and Earl of Buchan. For three centuries and a half, by contracts renewed from time to time between the United Provinces and the Royal Burghs of Scotland, sometimes after a brief trial of another port.
Campvere was the seat of the Scottish staple, where authorised factors, under the supervision of a Lord Conservator of Scottish Privileges as supreme judge, sold the goods of their Scottish principals. The trade of Aberdeen was on a relatively extensive scale in the seventeenth century, and Sir Patrick Drummond,. one of the Conservators, reports that Aberdeen brought more money into Scotland than all its other towns.1 Similarly Sir Samuel Forbes of Foveran, in his ' Description of Aberdeenshire,' written about the date of Mar's rebellion, states that no city in Scotland sent to the sea ships and cargoes of greater value and brought home more money in return, and that the loss of a single Aberdeen ship was more serious than the loss ot ten ships of other towns. Exports greatly preponderated over imports, and the balance being adjusted by shipments of money, the silver currency of Holland passed into circulation in the north of Scotland. The Records of the Convention of Burghs bear witness to the constant interest that was taken by the commercial community of Aberdeen in the trade and privileges of the staple port, and members of burgess families —Skenes, Gordons, Gregorys, Lumsdens, and Allardeses— held from time to time, or in contihuous succession, the coveted and lucrative office of factor.
You can read more of this chapter at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist.../chapter13.htm
You can read this book at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...deen/index.htm
Between the Ochils and the Forth
--------------------------------
We now have up the entire "Along the Great North Road" section...
BETWEEN DUNFERMLINE AND ALLOA
Chapter I - The City of Dunfermline
Leading features of the "city"—Its ancient history—Malcolm Canmore and Queen Margaret—The monastery and its church— Dunfermline as a. royal residence— Remains of the Abbey and Palace—Relations of Edward I. with Dunfermline—King Robert Bruce interred there —Its first Protestant minister, David Ferguson—The Earls of Dunfermline—Visits of Charles I. and II.— Events during insurrection of 1715—Introduction of the damask manufacture — Dunfermline the cradle of the Secession movement—History of the Erskine family— Churches and public buildings.
Chapter II. - From Dunfermline to Torryburn
Old and new roads from Dunfermline to the west— Urquhart Cut—Berrylaw Top— Villages of Crossford and Cairney-hill—Conscience Bridge—Village of Torryburn — The Colville family and the estate of Crombie—Torrylurn witches,
Chapter III. - From Torryburn to Culross and Kincardine
Village of Newmills— Newmill Bridge and its vicinity— Western limit of Fife—Detached district of Perthshire— Approach to Culross—Valleyfield House and the Preston family—Upper road to Kincardine—Tuliallan woods— Bordie and the Standard Stone—Town of Culross—Its early history in connection -with St Serf and St Mungo —Sir George Bruce and his descendants, the Earls of Kincardine—Ancient monastery and church of Culross —Mansion of Culross Abbey—The "Colonels Close" and Sir George Bruce's Moat—Lower road to Kincardine—Dunimarle and Blair Castle—Blair and Longannet quarries and their traditions—Phenomena of the "lakies"—Town of Kincardine-on-Forth.
Chapter IV. - From Kincardine to Clackmanan and Alloa
The old castle and estate of Tulliallan— The Blackadder family—Kilbagie and its distillery—Kennet village— Town of Clackmannan—Clackmannan Tower and the Bruce family—Approach to Alloa—Alloa and the Earls of Mar.
Chapter V. - Another Way from Dunfermline to Alloa
Road from Dunfermline to Carnock—Baldridge—Luscar— Village and church of Carnock— Their associations with Scottish ecclesiastical history—John Row and Thomas Gillespie—Sasramtntal occasions at Carnock—Roadfrom Carnock to Clackmannan and Alloa.
Chapter VI. - Other Excursions from Dunfermline
Road from Dunfermline to Rumbling Bridge—Village and parish of Saline—Road from Dunfermline to Queensferry —St Leonards Hospital—Pitreavie and the Wardlaw family—Broomhall and Pitliver.
You can read these chapters at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...hils/index.htm
Beth's Newfangled Family Tree
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Edited by Beth Gay
The March 2012 edition is now available with Beth's usual wide mix of all things scottish at home and abroad.
You can get to this at http://www.electricscotland.com/bnft
Biggar and the House of Fleming
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An Account of the Biggar District, Archaeological, Historical and Biographical by William Hunter (1862)
This is a new book we're starting and of course if you are a Fleming it will be of even more interest. Here is how the Preface starts...
‘London, says the Clydesdale peasant, is a big town, but there is one in Scotland that is Biggar. This is all, however, that can be said in aggrandisement of Biggar! Such is the statement of Mr Robert Chambers, a very high1 authority at the present day in all matters relating to Scottish history and antiquities. In topographical works, Biggar is either ignored altogether, or, if alluded to, is discussed within the compass of a few lines. It may, therefore, appear presumptuous to write and publish a volume of considerable size in illustration of a locality, evidently regarded by the literary world as altogether uninteresting and obscure. In justification of the step that has been taken, it may be stated, that an idea was entertained by several persons, and among others, by the author of this work, that a few particulars regarding Biggar and Biggar men could be collected, which, although of no moment and consideration in the eyes of men of learning and research, might yet possess some degree of interest to the inhabitants of the district. It has accordingly been, for their instruction and gratification that the volume has been drawn up. If it fails to satisfy them, or to draw forth the history of Biggar from the obscurity in which it is involved, the fault must lie with the author, and not in the want of materials for the purpose. These in the end became so abundant, that it was found necessary to abridge some portions of them, and to leave others out altogether, in order that the work might be kept within a moderate space. The attempt of the author to avoid one evil, has caused him to fall into another, as he now finds that the rigorous curtailment, to which he has subjected the contents of the volume, has given serious offence to some parties, because information has been excluded which, in their opinion, was of great importance, and which they are confident would have enhanced the value of the book, and the fame of Biggar.
The book, such as it is, owes its origin to a Lecture, which the author was invited to deliver before the Athenaeum of Biggar in June 1859. He chose for the subject of discussion on that occasion, Historical Incidents connected with Biggar and its neighbourhood. Some time afterwards a suggestion was made to the author by Mr William Ovens, merchant, Biggar,—a leading member of the learned Institution referred to, and a most able and intelligent correspondent,—that the information contained in the Lecture might be extended and published, either in a separate form, or in the columns of a periodical. After much hesitation and delay, arising from the want of time and facilities for executing such a work, it was at length resolved to collect such additional particulars regarding Biggar as could be readily got, and to publish the whole in a small volume.
You can read this book at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...ggar/index.htm
Lairds and Lands of Loch Tayside
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By John Christie (1892)
Another new book we're starting.
We have chapters up on Balloch, Etc., Fearnan and Lawers so far. You can view this book at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...side/index.htm
Clan Durie
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We got in an historical account of Clan Durie from the Clan Durie themselves. This can be viewed in the second half of the page at http://www.electricscotland.com/webc...g/durrie2.html
And finally...
As incredible as it sounds, men and women took baths only twice a year (May and October) Women kept their hair covered, while men shaved their heads (because of lice and bugs) and wore wigs. Wealthy men could afford good wigs made from wool. They couldn't wash the wigs, so to clean them they would carve out a loaf of bread, put the wig in the shell, and bake it for 30 minutes. The heat would make the wig big and fluffy, hence the term 'big wig... ' Today we often use the term 'here comes the Big Wig' because someone appears to be or is powerful and wealthy.
And that's all for now and hope you all enjoy your weekend.
Alastair