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CONTENTS
Electric Scotland News
Electric Canadian
Patriotic Songs of Canada
History of Ice Hockey
The Hindu in Canada
Robert Ferguson Scottish settlers monument
Over Canada
Settling in Canada
Canadian Aboriginal History: "Did You Know"?
The Flag in the Wind
Electric Scotland
The Scottish Historical Review
Songs Of Scotland, Prior To Burns
The Annals of Scottish Natural History
Christina's Column
Thomas Dykes
Enigma Machine
Songs from John Henderson
Aberdour and Inchcolme
Under Many Flags
Beauties of Dr. John Moore
The Scottish Fairy Book (New Book)
Braemar Highlands (New Book)
Beth's Newfangled Family Tree
New Lease of Life for "Auld Scots Sangs"
Dr. Alister MacKenzie
Lord Charles Neaves
Edinburgh's Pioneer Photographers
Scots Guards Trooping Their Colour 2011
Clan Munro of Australia Newsletter
Behold the Hebrides
Rory Bremner and the Fighting Scots
Scots at War
Scotland's Larder
Video Food Recipes
Robert Burns Lives!
and finally
Electric Scotland News
After that long news article last week I should mention that audio recordings are now available from COSCA's clan caucus meeting which you can listen to at http://www.cosca.net/scottish-clan-family-caucus/
-----
Continued my work with YouTube to find some decent information and this week was able to find two video series on the Scottish Armed Forces. Anything from the second world war is under copyright so again this allows me to bring in some good information not yet covered on the site.
-----
Should you be contemplating a visit to Scotland and you are thinking of going to certain places in Scotland then do have a read at the relevant histories we have on the site. Often these histories will tell you of great places to visit in the area and of course it will provide information to talk about with the locals. I've also been adding some great wee videos to most of these books so you get a chance to see what it looks like. See http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...oks.htm#places for a list of the books we have available.
Electric Canadian
Patriotic Songs of Canada
A couple of famous old Canadian Songs and a couple of videos. You can get to this at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/life...otic_songs.htm
History of Ice Hockey
A CBC Video Documentary. I was delighted to find this as I'd been trying to get information on this subject but everyone I contacted was unable to provide me with any information and anything I found was in copyright. So this video was a real find. You can view this at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/life...ice_hockey.htm
The Hindu in Canada
Some additional ethnic information about Canadians. I am trying to provide some information on the ethnic races of Canada and so when I find anything I grab it. This can be read at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/history/hindu.htm
Robert Ferguson Scottish settlers monument
A Project by Caledonian Society of Restigouche in which we also learn something about the Scots in New Brunswick. You can read about this at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/history/nb/ferguson.htm
Over Canada
A video letting you see Canada through an Arial Adventure. You can view this at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/life...overcanada.htm
Settling in Canada
A series of videos helping you to prepare for coming to and settling in Canada. Thought this would be of interest not only to those thinking of coming here but to Canadians themselves to learn more about what immigrants need to go through to settle in Canada. You can view these videos at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/lifestyle/settling.htm
Canadian Aboriginal History: "Did You Know"?
A video series which adds a bit more to our understanding of Aboriginal history. You can watch this at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/hist...al_history.htm
The Flag in the Wind
This weeks issue was compiled by Fraser Hudghton. Last weeks Flag was compiled by Alison Thewliss and while it wasn't available when I went to press you can still read it at: http://www.scotsindependent.org/2013/130726/index.htm
You can read this issue at http://www.scotsindependent.org
Electric Scotland
The Scottish Historical Review
We have now started Volume 10 by adding this week the October 1912 issue. You can get to this at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...w/volume10.htm
In this issue there is a good article about "Lord Elgin in Canada".
There is also another article about "The Origin of the Holy Loch in Cowall". The well known feature of the Firth of Clyde is that branch of it known for ages as the 'Holy Loch.' The old Statistical Account gives its Gaelic equivalent as Loch Shiant. On its shores stands the remains of the old Church of Kilmun, where for 500 years the Campbells of Argyll have buried their dead.
You can read the previous issues at http://www.electricscotland.com/history/review/
Songs Of Scotland, Prior To Burns
This book is by Robert Chambers who is famous for collecting old Scottish Songs.
Added this week are...
The Birks of Abergeldy
John Hay's Bonnie Lassie
Within A Mile of Edinburgh
You can get to this book at the foot of the page at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...ers_robert.htm
The Annals of Scottish Natural History
Have now added Volume 20 1911 issue.
This is the final volume I could find but I have managed to find a few copies of The Scottish Naturalist" which I'll bring you from next week.
You can get to this at http://www.electricscotland.com/natu...al_history.htm
Christina's Column
Got in Christina's column for 30th July 2013: Justice and Equal Pay, which you can read at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...vie/130730.htm
The other columns can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/history/mckelvie/
Thomas Dykes
1850, Dundonald, Ayrshire - 1916, London, England) Journalist and Author
This week we added to his book "All Round Sport with Fish, Fur and Feather"...
Here’s a Health, Parson Jack, unto Thee
A Roaring Game
A Race for Themselves
You can read these at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...kes_thomas.htm
Enigma Machine
This is where we are publishing this set of puzzles created by Doug Ross which can now be found in Doctor's Surgeries, Old Folks Homes, etc.
Added Enigma Machine 25 puzzle which you can get to at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/life.../enigma025.htm
The other puzzles we've already published can be found at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/life...igma/index.htm
Songs from John Henderson
John has sent us in another song, Guid Gweed , which you can read at:His other songs can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/poetry/doggerels.htm
Aberdour and Inchcolme
Being historical notices of the Parish and Monastery in twelve lectures by Rev. William Ross LL.D. (1885)
We have now added the final lectures in this book along with the Appendix.
You can read this book at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...dour/index.htm
Under Many Flags
Or Stories of Scottish Adventurers by W H Davenport Adams (1896)
We've now completed this book and the final 7 chapters can be read at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/history/flags/index.htm
Beauties of Dr. John Moore
Selected from the moral, philosophical, and miscellaneous works of that esteemed author, to which are added, a new biographical and critical account of the doctor and his writings, and notes, historical, classical, and explanatory.
Now added the next 50 pages of this book which you can read at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...moore_john.htm
The Scottish Fairy Book
By Elizabeth W. Grierson (1918)
A new book we're starting and here is the Preface...
There are, roughly speaking, two distinct types of Scottish Fairy Tales.
There are what may be called “Celtic Stories,” which were handed down for centuries by word of mouth by professional story-tellers, who went about from clachan to clachan in the “Highlands and Islands,” earning a night’s shelter by giving a night’s entertainment, and which have now been collected and classified for us by Campbell of Isla and others.
These stories, which are also common to the North of Ireland, are wild and fantastic, and very often somewhat monotonous, and their themes are strangely alike. They almost always tell of some hero or heroine who sets out on some dangerous quest, and who is met by giants, generally three in number, who appear one after the other; with whom they hold quaint dialogues, and whom eventually they slay. Most of them are fairly long, and although they have a peculiar fascination of their own, they are quite distinct from the ordinary Fairy Tale.
These latter, in Scotland, have also a character of their own, for there is no country where the existence of Spirits and Goblins has been so implicitly believed in up to a comparatively recent date.
As a proof of this we can go to Hogg’s tale of “The Wool-gatherer,” and see how the countryman, Barnaby, voices the belief of his day. “Ye had need to tak care how ye dispute the existence of fairies brownies, and apparitions! Ye may as weel dispute the Gospel of Saint Matthew.”
Perhaps it was the bleak and stern character of their climate, and the austerity of their religious beliefs which made our Scottish forefathers think of the spirits in whom they so firmly believed, as being, for the most part, mischievous and malevolent.
Their Bogies, their Witches, their Kelpies, even their Fairy Queen herself, were supposed to be in league with the Evil One, and to be compelled, as Thomas of Ercildoune was near finding out to his cost, to pay a “Tiend to Hell” every seven years; so it was not to be wondered at, that these uncanny beings were dreaded and feared.
But along with this dark and gloomy view, we find touches of delicate playfulness and brightness. The Fairy Queen might be in league with Satan, but her subjects were not all bound by the same law, and many charming tales are told of the “sith” or silent folk, who were always spoken of with respect, in case they might be within earshot, who made their dwellings under some rocky knowe, and who came out and danced on the dewy sward at midnight.
Akin to them are the tales which are told about a mysterious region under the sea, “far below the abode of fishes,” where a strange race of beings lived, who, in their own land closely resembled human beings, and were of such surpassing beauty that they charmed the hearts of all who looked on them. They were spoken ef as Mermaids and Mermen, and as their lungs were not adapted for breathing under water, they had the extraordinary power of entering into the skin of some fish or sea animal, and in this way passing from their own abode to our upper world, where they held converse with mortal men, and, as often as not, tried to lure them to destruction.
The popular idea always represents Merfolk as wearing the tails of fishes; in Scottish Folklore they are quite as often found in the form of seals.
Then we frequently come across the Brownie, that strange, kindly, lovable creature, with its shaggy, unkempt appearance, half man, half beast, who was said to be the ordained helper of man in the drudgery entailed by sin, and was therefore forbidden to receive wages; who always worked when no one was looking, and who disappeared if any notice were taken of him.
There are also, as in all other countries, animal tales, where the animals are endowed with the power of speech; and weird tales of enchantment; and last, but not least, there are the legendary stories, many of them half real, half mythical, which are to be found in the pages of Hogg, and Leyden, and above all, in Sir Walter Scott’s “Border Minstrelsy.”
In preparing this book I have tried to make a representative collection from these different classes of Scottish Folklore, taking, when possible, the stories which are least well known, in the hope that some of them, at least, may be new to the children of this generation.
It may interest some of these children to know that when James IV was a little boy, nearly four hundred years ago, he used to sit on his tutor, Sir David Lindsay’s, knee, and listen to some of the same stories that are written here :—to the story of Thomas the Rhymer, of the Red-Etin, and of The Black Bull of Norroway.
Although in every case I have told the tale in my own words, I am indebted for the originals to Campbell’s “Popular Tales of the Western Highlands,” Leyden’s Poems, Hogg’s Poems, Scott’s “Border Minstrelsy,” Chambers’ “Popular Rhymes of Scotland,” “The Folklore Journal,” etc.
Elizabeth W. Grierson.
Whitchesters, Hawick, N.B.,
12th April, 1910.
We have the first 3 chapters up for you to read at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/hist.../fairybook.htm
I might add that I think this completes the work I have done on these traditional fairy and ghost stories and the collection I've gathered is a pretty good resource for researchers.
Braemar Highlands
Their Tales, Traditions and History by Elizabeth Taylor (1869)
This is another new book we're starting and here are the Introductory Remarks...
LITTLE apology will be needed for laying this volume before the public, as the locality of which it treats has excited no small degree of attention, since the publication of the ‘Queen’s Book’ has opened up to us her quiet, simple life at Balmoral.
But, apart from the interest which royalty has thrown around Braemar, it possesses much to attract, —bracing air, magnificent scenery, and last, not least, some few historical associations, which, with a multitude of quaint old legends, form a medium through which we can obtain amusing, if not very correct, glimpses into the distant past.
The object of this volume has been to gather up these legends, reduce each to its own specific period, and so make them illustrate, in some measure, its obsolete practices and exploded beliefs. All traditions, it has been justly remarked, form themselves into three classes: the first, those which are strictly local and true; the second being manifest inventions; the third, a mixture of truth and fiction.
Besides these general divisions, which appear pretty clearly in the legends of Braemar, they still further divide themselves, by cleaving, each one, to a distinct period. The periods or centres round which they culminate are three. The first includes all the early traditions of Braemar, and has Malcolm Canmore for its central figure. The second includes all those respecting the rise of the Farquharson race, with Finla, the founder of the clan, for its centre. The third and last period includes the legends respecting the Rebellions of '15 and ’45 with not one-individual, but the House of Stuart, for its centre.
To form a sort of framework on which to hang these legends, I have given some description of the physical features of Braemar: this almost necessarily, as not a mountain, hill, or stream, craggin or corry, but bristles with some association or tradition striking deeply into the dimness of antiquity. By means of the figures attached to the places described, the reader will be enabled to turn to the corresponding legend, as the pages on which they occur will be given in a fly-leaf at the end of the volume.
Then, as to the sources whence I derived my information: almost solely, I may state, from parties now or formerly resident in the district; and, in particular, to a few aged people, descended from the families whose history has been given, I am indebted for the bulk of the traditions and other interesting data found in this volume.
It was not until my collection, such as it is, was almost complete, that I became aware of the existence of a small volume, called Legends of the Braes of Mar. And since it came into my hands, occasionally, in reference to a date, etc., and frequently in regard to the correct orthography of several Gaelic phrases, I have availed myself of the help it afforded. This from necessity; as, though most of t’he people speak Gaelic with all the fluency of their mother tongue, very few can either read or write it. But in every other respect, during the preparation of this volume, I have pursued a thoroughly independent course.
In conclusion, while I wish to state that all pretence, even, to research or critical investigation, as to what is truth or otherwise in the traditions, is entirely disclaimed, yet, whenever a coincidence, or seeming coincidence, between them and any historical fact occurred to me, I have generally noted it; and when any phrase now obsolete, such as 'crop the causey,’ etc., was used, if I could not get a satisfactory explanation from the narrator, I sought it from other sources, and put it in a footnote, or in the volume, as convenient. What I had in view—viz. the gathering up and putting in a readable form what I found ready to my hand in the minds of the people—is now accomplished; and hope that this attempt to keep in remembrance the 'things that were’ in an interesting locality, will be not wholly unacceptable.
You can read this book at: http://www.electricscotland.com/history/braemar/ and of course I've also included a few videos for you to watch.
Beth's Newfangled Family Tree
Got in section 1 of her August 2013 edition which can be read at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/bnft
New Lease of Life for "Auld Scots Sangs"
Some of the most acclaimed singers in Scotland have come together to perform songs from The Greig-Duncan Folk Song Collection a treasure trove of songs associated with the North East of Scotland. Their performances were videoed allowing the most extensive historical collection of Scots ballads and songs to be made available online from today for the first time.
You can listen to these songs at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/music/lease.htm
Dr. Alister MacKenzie
Golf course designer and also designed the Augusta Golf Course. This is an article about him and a copy of a book he wrote. You can view this at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/hist..._mackenzie.htm
Lord Charles Neaves
Charles Neaves, Lord Neaves FRSE (1800-1876) was a Scottish advocate, judge, theologian and writer.
We thought we'd also serialize a book of poems he wrote and you can learn more about him and read his book at:http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...es_charles.htm
Edinburgh's Pioneer Photographers
A video presentation by the National Library of Scotland.
You can view this two part video presentation at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...tographers.htm
Scots Guards Trooping Their Colour 2011
This is a recording of the Trooping the Colour ceremony for the Queen's Birthday with the Scots Guards.
I'm not sure how many of our visitors watch the annual Trooping of the Colour so I thought I'd add a full video of the 2011 event as it was the Scots Guards who were trooping their colours that year which you can watch at:http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...d_guards67.htm
Clan Munro of Australia Newsletter
Got in a copy of there August 2013 issue which you can view at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/fami...sletters/munro
Behold the Hebrides
I added one short video and an hour length one from the BBC to the index page of this book at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/books/hebridesndx.htm
Rory Bremner and the Fighting Scots
A 6 part video series which you can view at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...ting_scots.htm
Scots at War
Video series about Scots at war which you can watch at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...scotsatwar.htm
Scotland's Larder
STV have done a number of series on Scotland's Food and Drink. Here I am providing links to the 8 episode's of series 7. I will say that unlike most other videos this one was a bit iffy on starting up so hopefully they will work ok when you try to view them.
You can watch this at: http://www.electricscotland.com/food...nds_larder.htm
Video Food Recipes
I added a wee collection of videos to various recipes we have on the site. These include, Scotch Eggs, Lentil Soup, Scotch Broth, Potato Scones, Clapshot, Stoved Potatoes, Bread and Butter Pudding, Tablet, Shortbread, Cranchan, Highland Scones, Oatcakes, Dundee Cake, Cock a Leekie Soup, Easy Sandwich Bread, and Empire Biscuits.
I might add that the one I chose for Stoved Potatoes is the once closest to what we had at home which also included a can of Corned Beef although we didn't use the whole can.
You can find these on our Recipes page at: http://www.electricscotland.com/food/recipes
I also added one on Clootie Dumpling which you can view at: http://www.electricscotland.com/food...s/dumpling.htm
Robert Burns Lives!
Plea for the Jacksonville Robert Burns Memorial by Frank Shaw.
During June of this year, our family enjoyed its annual summer trip to the beach on Florida’s Amelia Island. It is always a fun time to be with Scott, Denise, and our grandchildren, Ian and Stirling. This year’s trip was no exception. Susan and I found time to drive over to Jacksonville one morning to visit once again the Robert Burns Memorial located in Confederate Park, a six-acre park operated by the city. We learned from Wikipedia that Jacksonville had hosted the annual reunion of United Confederate Veterans in 1914 and that an estimated 8,000 former Confederate soldiers attended. Hence, the name of the park.
You can read the rest of this article at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/fami...s_lives176.htm
Other articles in this series can be read at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/fami...rank/burns.htm
And finally...
Speerin' Awa'
"Is yir new meenister ony guid," asked Sandy.
"Weel, said Jock, he's no worth much. We see little or naithin o' him aroon the village during the week. Ay, six days he's inveesible, bit, oan the seeventh, he's incomprehensible."
-----
Retreat
Jimmy Carmichael watching a street performer in Glasgow’s city centre was impressed by the performer’s cheek when he shouted at a couple leaving before he had finished his act:
“Hey! I didn’t leave when you got here.”
-----
And just as I was finishing the newsletter John Henderson sent me in this wee story...
Scots never forget the field on which Scotland's independence was finally re-established; nor are they slow to joke, goodnaturedly, with English friends about it, when a chance occurs.
One Englishman, who was finding fault with everything Scottish, said to a Scottish farmer, that nobody, who had once seen England, would ever think of going to, and then remaining in, Scotland.
A farmer, who was a bit of a wag, replied,
"Weel tastes differ. But I'll tak ye till a place, nae far frae Stirling, whaur thirty thousand o' yir countrymen have been for five hunner year, an' they've never thocht o' leavin' yit."
-----
And that's it for now and hope you all have a great weekend.
Alastair
Electric Scotland News
Electric Canadian
Patriotic Songs of Canada
History of Ice Hockey
The Hindu in Canada
Robert Ferguson Scottish settlers monument
Over Canada
Settling in Canada
Canadian Aboriginal History: "Did You Know"?
The Flag in the Wind
Electric Scotland
The Scottish Historical Review
Songs Of Scotland, Prior To Burns
The Annals of Scottish Natural History
Christina's Column
Thomas Dykes
Enigma Machine
Songs from John Henderson
Aberdour and Inchcolme
Under Many Flags
Beauties of Dr. John Moore
The Scottish Fairy Book (New Book)
Braemar Highlands (New Book)
Beth's Newfangled Family Tree
New Lease of Life for "Auld Scots Sangs"
Dr. Alister MacKenzie
Lord Charles Neaves
Edinburgh's Pioneer Photographers
Scots Guards Trooping Their Colour 2011
Clan Munro of Australia Newsletter
Behold the Hebrides
Rory Bremner and the Fighting Scots
Scots at War
Scotland's Larder
Video Food Recipes
Robert Burns Lives!
and finally
Electric Scotland News
After that long news article last week I should mention that audio recordings are now available from COSCA's clan caucus meeting which you can listen to at http://www.cosca.net/scottish-clan-family-caucus/
-----
Continued my work with YouTube to find some decent information and this week was able to find two video series on the Scottish Armed Forces. Anything from the second world war is under copyright so again this allows me to bring in some good information not yet covered on the site.
-----
Should you be contemplating a visit to Scotland and you are thinking of going to certain places in Scotland then do have a read at the relevant histories we have on the site. Often these histories will tell you of great places to visit in the area and of course it will provide information to talk about with the locals. I've also been adding some great wee videos to most of these books so you get a chance to see what it looks like. See http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...oks.htm#places for a list of the books we have available.
Electric Canadian
Patriotic Songs of Canada
A couple of famous old Canadian Songs and a couple of videos. You can get to this at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/life...otic_songs.htm
History of Ice Hockey
A CBC Video Documentary. I was delighted to find this as I'd been trying to get information on this subject but everyone I contacted was unable to provide me with any information and anything I found was in copyright. So this video was a real find. You can view this at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/life...ice_hockey.htm
The Hindu in Canada
Some additional ethnic information about Canadians. I am trying to provide some information on the ethnic races of Canada and so when I find anything I grab it. This can be read at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/history/hindu.htm
Robert Ferguson Scottish settlers monument
A Project by Caledonian Society of Restigouche in which we also learn something about the Scots in New Brunswick. You can read about this at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/history/nb/ferguson.htm
Over Canada
A video letting you see Canada through an Arial Adventure. You can view this at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/life...overcanada.htm
Settling in Canada
A series of videos helping you to prepare for coming to and settling in Canada. Thought this would be of interest not only to those thinking of coming here but to Canadians themselves to learn more about what immigrants need to go through to settle in Canada. You can view these videos at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/lifestyle/settling.htm
Canadian Aboriginal History: "Did You Know"?
A video series which adds a bit more to our understanding of Aboriginal history. You can watch this at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/hist...al_history.htm
The Flag in the Wind
This weeks issue was compiled by Fraser Hudghton. Last weeks Flag was compiled by Alison Thewliss and while it wasn't available when I went to press you can still read it at: http://www.scotsindependent.org/2013/130726/index.htm
You can read this issue at http://www.scotsindependent.org
Electric Scotland
The Scottish Historical Review
We have now started Volume 10 by adding this week the October 1912 issue. You can get to this at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...w/volume10.htm
In this issue there is a good article about "Lord Elgin in Canada".
There is also another article about "The Origin of the Holy Loch in Cowall". The well known feature of the Firth of Clyde is that branch of it known for ages as the 'Holy Loch.' The old Statistical Account gives its Gaelic equivalent as Loch Shiant. On its shores stands the remains of the old Church of Kilmun, where for 500 years the Campbells of Argyll have buried their dead.
You can read the previous issues at http://www.electricscotland.com/history/review/
Songs Of Scotland, Prior To Burns
This book is by Robert Chambers who is famous for collecting old Scottish Songs.
Added this week are...
The Birks of Abergeldy
John Hay's Bonnie Lassie
Within A Mile of Edinburgh
You can get to this book at the foot of the page at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...ers_robert.htm
The Annals of Scottish Natural History
Have now added Volume 20 1911 issue.
This is the final volume I could find but I have managed to find a few copies of The Scottish Naturalist" which I'll bring you from next week.
You can get to this at http://www.electricscotland.com/natu...al_history.htm
Christina's Column
Got in Christina's column for 30th July 2013: Justice and Equal Pay, which you can read at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...vie/130730.htm
The other columns can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/history/mckelvie/
Thomas Dykes
1850, Dundonald, Ayrshire - 1916, London, England) Journalist and Author
This week we added to his book "All Round Sport with Fish, Fur and Feather"...
Here’s a Health, Parson Jack, unto Thee
A Roaring Game
A Race for Themselves
You can read these at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...kes_thomas.htm
Enigma Machine
This is where we are publishing this set of puzzles created by Doug Ross which can now be found in Doctor's Surgeries, Old Folks Homes, etc.
Added Enigma Machine 25 puzzle which you can get to at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/life.../enigma025.htm
The other puzzles we've already published can be found at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/life...igma/index.htm
Songs from John Henderson
John has sent us in another song, Guid Gweed , which you can read at:His other songs can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/poetry/doggerels.htm
Aberdour and Inchcolme
Being historical notices of the Parish and Monastery in twelve lectures by Rev. William Ross LL.D. (1885)
We have now added the final lectures in this book along with the Appendix.
You can read this book at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...dour/index.htm
Under Many Flags
Or Stories of Scottish Adventurers by W H Davenport Adams (1896)
We've now completed this book and the final 7 chapters can be read at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/history/flags/index.htm
Beauties of Dr. John Moore
Selected from the moral, philosophical, and miscellaneous works of that esteemed author, to which are added, a new biographical and critical account of the doctor and his writings, and notes, historical, classical, and explanatory.
Now added the next 50 pages of this book which you can read at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...moore_john.htm
The Scottish Fairy Book
By Elizabeth W. Grierson (1918)
A new book we're starting and here is the Preface...
There are, roughly speaking, two distinct types of Scottish Fairy Tales.
There are what may be called “Celtic Stories,” which were handed down for centuries by word of mouth by professional story-tellers, who went about from clachan to clachan in the “Highlands and Islands,” earning a night’s shelter by giving a night’s entertainment, and which have now been collected and classified for us by Campbell of Isla and others.
These stories, which are also common to the North of Ireland, are wild and fantastic, and very often somewhat monotonous, and their themes are strangely alike. They almost always tell of some hero or heroine who sets out on some dangerous quest, and who is met by giants, generally three in number, who appear one after the other; with whom they hold quaint dialogues, and whom eventually they slay. Most of them are fairly long, and although they have a peculiar fascination of their own, they are quite distinct from the ordinary Fairy Tale.
These latter, in Scotland, have also a character of their own, for there is no country where the existence of Spirits and Goblins has been so implicitly believed in up to a comparatively recent date.
As a proof of this we can go to Hogg’s tale of “The Wool-gatherer,” and see how the countryman, Barnaby, voices the belief of his day. “Ye had need to tak care how ye dispute the existence of fairies brownies, and apparitions! Ye may as weel dispute the Gospel of Saint Matthew.”
Perhaps it was the bleak and stern character of their climate, and the austerity of their religious beliefs which made our Scottish forefathers think of the spirits in whom they so firmly believed, as being, for the most part, mischievous and malevolent.
Their Bogies, their Witches, their Kelpies, even their Fairy Queen herself, were supposed to be in league with the Evil One, and to be compelled, as Thomas of Ercildoune was near finding out to his cost, to pay a “Tiend to Hell” every seven years; so it was not to be wondered at, that these uncanny beings were dreaded and feared.
But along with this dark and gloomy view, we find touches of delicate playfulness and brightness. The Fairy Queen might be in league with Satan, but her subjects were not all bound by the same law, and many charming tales are told of the “sith” or silent folk, who were always spoken of with respect, in case they might be within earshot, who made their dwellings under some rocky knowe, and who came out and danced on the dewy sward at midnight.
Akin to them are the tales which are told about a mysterious region under the sea, “far below the abode of fishes,” where a strange race of beings lived, who, in their own land closely resembled human beings, and were of such surpassing beauty that they charmed the hearts of all who looked on them. They were spoken ef as Mermaids and Mermen, and as their lungs were not adapted for breathing under water, they had the extraordinary power of entering into the skin of some fish or sea animal, and in this way passing from their own abode to our upper world, where they held converse with mortal men, and, as often as not, tried to lure them to destruction.
The popular idea always represents Merfolk as wearing the tails of fishes; in Scottish Folklore they are quite as often found in the form of seals.
Then we frequently come across the Brownie, that strange, kindly, lovable creature, with its shaggy, unkempt appearance, half man, half beast, who was said to be the ordained helper of man in the drudgery entailed by sin, and was therefore forbidden to receive wages; who always worked when no one was looking, and who disappeared if any notice were taken of him.
There are also, as in all other countries, animal tales, where the animals are endowed with the power of speech; and weird tales of enchantment; and last, but not least, there are the legendary stories, many of them half real, half mythical, which are to be found in the pages of Hogg, and Leyden, and above all, in Sir Walter Scott’s “Border Minstrelsy.”
In preparing this book I have tried to make a representative collection from these different classes of Scottish Folklore, taking, when possible, the stories which are least well known, in the hope that some of them, at least, may be new to the children of this generation.
It may interest some of these children to know that when James IV was a little boy, nearly four hundred years ago, he used to sit on his tutor, Sir David Lindsay’s, knee, and listen to some of the same stories that are written here :—to the story of Thomas the Rhymer, of the Red-Etin, and of The Black Bull of Norroway.
Although in every case I have told the tale in my own words, I am indebted for the originals to Campbell’s “Popular Tales of the Western Highlands,” Leyden’s Poems, Hogg’s Poems, Scott’s “Border Minstrelsy,” Chambers’ “Popular Rhymes of Scotland,” “The Folklore Journal,” etc.
Elizabeth W. Grierson.
Whitchesters, Hawick, N.B.,
12th April, 1910.
We have the first 3 chapters up for you to read at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/hist.../fairybook.htm
I might add that I think this completes the work I have done on these traditional fairy and ghost stories and the collection I've gathered is a pretty good resource for researchers.
Braemar Highlands
Their Tales, Traditions and History by Elizabeth Taylor (1869)
This is another new book we're starting and here are the Introductory Remarks...
LITTLE apology will be needed for laying this volume before the public, as the locality of which it treats has excited no small degree of attention, since the publication of the ‘Queen’s Book’ has opened up to us her quiet, simple life at Balmoral.
But, apart from the interest which royalty has thrown around Braemar, it possesses much to attract, —bracing air, magnificent scenery, and last, not least, some few historical associations, which, with a multitude of quaint old legends, form a medium through which we can obtain amusing, if not very correct, glimpses into the distant past.
The object of this volume has been to gather up these legends, reduce each to its own specific period, and so make them illustrate, in some measure, its obsolete practices and exploded beliefs. All traditions, it has been justly remarked, form themselves into three classes: the first, those which are strictly local and true; the second being manifest inventions; the third, a mixture of truth and fiction.
Besides these general divisions, which appear pretty clearly in the legends of Braemar, they still further divide themselves, by cleaving, each one, to a distinct period. The periods or centres round which they culminate are three. The first includes all the early traditions of Braemar, and has Malcolm Canmore for its central figure. The second includes all those respecting the rise of the Farquharson race, with Finla, the founder of the clan, for its centre. The third and last period includes the legends respecting the Rebellions of '15 and ’45 with not one-individual, but the House of Stuart, for its centre.
To form a sort of framework on which to hang these legends, I have given some description of the physical features of Braemar: this almost necessarily, as not a mountain, hill, or stream, craggin or corry, but bristles with some association or tradition striking deeply into the dimness of antiquity. By means of the figures attached to the places described, the reader will be enabled to turn to the corresponding legend, as the pages on which they occur will be given in a fly-leaf at the end of the volume.
Then, as to the sources whence I derived my information: almost solely, I may state, from parties now or formerly resident in the district; and, in particular, to a few aged people, descended from the families whose history has been given, I am indebted for the bulk of the traditions and other interesting data found in this volume.
It was not until my collection, such as it is, was almost complete, that I became aware of the existence of a small volume, called Legends of the Braes of Mar. And since it came into my hands, occasionally, in reference to a date, etc., and frequently in regard to the correct orthography of several Gaelic phrases, I have availed myself of the help it afforded. This from necessity; as, though most of t’he people speak Gaelic with all the fluency of their mother tongue, very few can either read or write it. But in every other respect, during the preparation of this volume, I have pursued a thoroughly independent course.
In conclusion, while I wish to state that all pretence, even, to research or critical investigation, as to what is truth or otherwise in the traditions, is entirely disclaimed, yet, whenever a coincidence, or seeming coincidence, between them and any historical fact occurred to me, I have generally noted it; and when any phrase now obsolete, such as 'crop the causey,’ etc., was used, if I could not get a satisfactory explanation from the narrator, I sought it from other sources, and put it in a footnote, or in the volume, as convenient. What I had in view—viz. the gathering up and putting in a readable form what I found ready to my hand in the minds of the people—is now accomplished; and hope that this attempt to keep in remembrance the 'things that were’ in an interesting locality, will be not wholly unacceptable.
You can read this book at: http://www.electricscotland.com/history/braemar/ and of course I've also included a few videos for you to watch.
Beth's Newfangled Family Tree
Got in section 1 of her August 2013 edition which can be read at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/bnft
New Lease of Life for "Auld Scots Sangs"
Some of the most acclaimed singers in Scotland have come together to perform songs from The Greig-Duncan Folk Song Collection a treasure trove of songs associated with the North East of Scotland. Their performances were videoed allowing the most extensive historical collection of Scots ballads and songs to be made available online from today for the first time.
You can listen to these songs at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/music/lease.htm
Dr. Alister MacKenzie
Golf course designer and also designed the Augusta Golf Course. This is an article about him and a copy of a book he wrote. You can view this at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/hist..._mackenzie.htm
Lord Charles Neaves
Charles Neaves, Lord Neaves FRSE (1800-1876) was a Scottish advocate, judge, theologian and writer.
We thought we'd also serialize a book of poems he wrote and you can learn more about him and read his book at:http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...es_charles.htm
Edinburgh's Pioneer Photographers
A video presentation by the National Library of Scotland.
You can view this two part video presentation at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...tographers.htm
Scots Guards Trooping Their Colour 2011
This is a recording of the Trooping the Colour ceremony for the Queen's Birthday with the Scots Guards.
I'm not sure how many of our visitors watch the annual Trooping of the Colour so I thought I'd add a full video of the 2011 event as it was the Scots Guards who were trooping their colours that year which you can watch at:http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...d_guards67.htm
Clan Munro of Australia Newsletter
Got in a copy of there August 2013 issue which you can view at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/fami...sletters/munro
Behold the Hebrides
I added one short video and an hour length one from the BBC to the index page of this book at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/books/hebridesndx.htm
Rory Bremner and the Fighting Scots
A 6 part video series which you can view at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...ting_scots.htm
Scots at War
Video series about Scots at war which you can watch at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...scotsatwar.htm
Scotland's Larder
STV have done a number of series on Scotland's Food and Drink. Here I am providing links to the 8 episode's of series 7. I will say that unlike most other videos this one was a bit iffy on starting up so hopefully they will work ok when you try to view them.
You can watch this at: http://www.electricscotland.com/food...nds_larder.htm
Video Food Recipes
I added a wee collection of videos to various recipes we have on the site. These include, Scotch Eggs, Lentil Soup, Scotch Broth, Potato Scones, Clapshot, Stoved Potatoes, Bread and Butter Pudding, Tablet, Shortbread, Cranchan, Highland Scones, Oatcakes, Dundee Cake, Cock a Leekie Soup, Easy Sandwich Bread, and Empire Biscuits.
I might add that the one I chose for Stoved Potatoes is the once closest to what we had at home which also included a can of Corned Beef although we didn't use the whole can.
You can find these on our Recipes page at: http://www.electricscotland.com/food/recipes
I also added one on Clootie Dumpling which you can view at: http://www.electricscotland.com/food...s/dumpling.htm
Robert Burns Lives!
Plea for the Jacksonville Robert Burns Memorial by Frank Shaw.
During June of this year, our family enjoyed its annual summer trip to the beach on Florida’s Amelia Island. It is always a fun time to be with Scott, Denise, and our grandchildren, Ian and Stirling. This year’s trip was no exception. Susan and I found time to drive over to Jacksonville one morning to visit once again the Robert Burns Memorial located in Confederate Park, a six-acre park operated by the city. We learned from Wikipedia that Jacksonville had hosted the annual reunion of United Confederate Veterans in 1914 and that an estimated 8,000 former Confederate soldiers attended. Hence, the name of the park.
You can read the rest of this article at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/fami...s_lives176.htm
Other articles in this series can be read at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/fami...rank/burns.htm
And finally...
Speerin' Awa'
"Is yir new meenister ony guid," asked Sandy.
"Weel, said Jock, he's no worth much. We see little or naithin o' him aroon the village during the week. Ay, six days he's inveesible, bit, oan the seeventh, he's incomprehensible."
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Retreat
Jimmy Carmichael watching a street performer in Glasgow’s city centre was impressed by the performer’s cheek when he shouted at a couple leaving before he had finished his act:
“Hey! I didn’t leave when you got here.”
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And just as I was finishing the newsletter John Henderson sent me in this wee story...
Scots never forget the field on which Scotland's independence was finally re-established; nor are they slow to joke, goodnaturedly, with English friends about it, when a chance occurs.
One Englishman, who was finding fault with everything Scottish, said to a Scottish farmer, that nobody, who had once seen England, would ever think of going to, and then remaining in, Scotland.
A farmer, who was a bit of a wag, replied,
"Weel tastes differ. But I'll tak ye till a place, nae far frae Stirling, whaur thirty thousand o' yir countrymen have been for five hunner year, an' they've never thocht o' leavin' yit."
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And that's it for now and hope you all have a great weekend.
Alastair