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CONTENTS
Electric Scotland News
Electric Canadian
The Young Voyageurs
Canadian Rockies
The Flag in the Wind
Electric Scotland
The Scottish Historical Review
Songs Of Scotland, Prior To Burns
Enigma Machine
Merchant's Guide to Stirling & District
Scotland, Picturesque: Historical: Descriptive
David Herschell Edwards - Modern Poets
Robert Louis Stevenson
Recollections of a Speyside Parish
History of the Island of Mull
Ed Means Column
Christina McKelvie's column
Iona: A History of the Island (New Book)
The Story of the Royal Scots (New Book)
Robert Burns Lives!
Brian the Aberdonian
Beth's Newfangled Family Tree
and finally
Electric Scotland News
I am struggling to publish onto the site due to my cracked ribs which are very painful. The Doctor says it will take at least 6 weeks before they heal. I find I can sit at the computer for about an hour but then need to lie down to recover for a while before I can continue. And yes I am moaning and feeling sorry for myself! :-)
------
There have been quite a few detailed comments made on the White Paper that was produced last week. I'd highly recommend that you check out our index page on the site to read the ScotNews feed as I'm trying to ensure I cover these stories each day as they come out. Here is a wee list of news items I put up in the past few days...
1. Case for Scottish independence boosted by more optimistic economic forecasts
2. Experts say Scotland will be worse off under UK green energy reforms, while thinktank downplays cost of its ageing population
3. Conservative allies round on 'comatose' Darling amid fears No campaign could lose referendum
4. Fury after unelected peers strip power from Scotland
5. A tale of two petrochemical plants
6. NHS Scotland forcing nurses to work for free
7. Brandon Malone: rUK can't claim continuing state
8. It is inconceivable that Scotland would be expelled from the EU after a Yes vote, writes Brandon Malone
9. What would the union jack look like if the Scottish bit were removed?
10. A Scottish Review investigation. Eight years ago today the body of a young Swedish woman was recovered from an Ayrshire beach.
11. Tartan back in fashion for Christmas 2013
Depending on the volume of news the items displayed on the page might be from the past 4 or so days so best if you check the list every few days as I only keep the past 50 articles to view. Most of the articles will be of interest to people that can vote in the referendum and or live in Scotland but will also be of some interest to folk that want to learn more about the Scotland of today.
Electric Canadian
The Young Voyageurs
Or Boy Hunters of the North by Captain Mayne Reid. This is a book for younger readers and we'll be adding a chapter per day until complete.
We're now up to chapter XIV.
You can read this book at http://www.electriccanadian.com/pion.../voyageurs.htm
Canadian Rockies
Posted up a 3 part video on the Canadian Rockies which you can view at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/hist...erta/banff.htm
If you are into outdoor activities then this would make a great holiday destination.
The Flag in the Wind
This weeks issue was compiled by Grant Thoms in which he's reviewing the media response to the white paper.
You can read this issue at http://www.scotsindependent.org
Electric Scotland
The Scottish Historical Review
We are on Volume 14 and have now added the January 1917 issue. You can get to this at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...w/volume14.htm
There is an interesting article on A Biographical Sketch of General Robert Melville of Strathkinness.
GENERAL ROBERT MELVILLE was descended from the Melvilles of Carnbee, in the county of Fife, in Scotland, a branch of the antient and noble family of the same name, of which the chief is the Earl of Leven and Melville. The ancestor of the family is held to have been the first Norman who passed into Scotland. He was a person of distinction of Normandy, named De Malville or De Melville, who accompanied William the Conqueror into England, in the autumn of 1066. Meeting, however, with some cause of disgust from William, he, before the close of that year, secretly withdrew to the court of Malcolm Canmore, King of Scotland. By Malcolm he was courteously received and early put in possession of lands, thence constituting the barony of Melville Castle in Mid-Lothian.
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 another three songs...
The Boatie Rows
Auld Robin Gray
Roy's Wife of Aldivalloch
You can get to this book at the foot of the page at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...ers_robert.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 43 puzzle which you can get to at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/life.../enigma043.htm
The other puzzles we've already published can be found at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/life...igma/index.htm
I might add that if you follow the Enigma Machine thread in our Community you can work with others on figuring out each puzzle. You can get to these messages at:
http://www.electricscotland.org/foru...le-amp-Whistle
Hugh posts each new puzzle in there and then by the end of the week will provide the answers and then add the next one. He also gives the odd hint to help you solve the puzzle.
Merchant's Guide to Stirling & District
You can find this book towards the foot of our History of Stirlingshire page.
Added this week chapters on...
Callander
The Trossachs
Aberfoyle
You can get to this book which we'll be adding to over the next few weeks at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/history/stirlingshire
Scotland, Picturesque: Historical: Descriptive
This is a book we're serialising from the author of Historical Tales of the Wars of Scotland And of the Border Raids, Forays and Conflicts by John Parker Lawson (1839)
You need to scroll down the page to get to this book where we've now added...
The Borders Part 1
The Borders Part 2
The Borders Part 3
You can get to this at: http://www.electricscotland.com/history/wars/
David Herschell Edwards
His 16 volumes of modern Scottish Poets is probably the most massive collection of poetry by anyone in the world and it's all about Scots poets which makes it all the more amazing. Each volume portrays around 100 poets and each poet has their own wee biography, a critical assessment and a few examples of their poetry.
Added volume 14.
You can get to this at: http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...ards_david.htm
Robert Louis Stevenson
A weekly serialisation of this intimate two volume biography of Robert Louis Stevenson by his cousin Graham Balfour.
Added this week...
Chapter XIII. South Sea Cruises, The Eastern Pacific June 1888 - June 1889
You can read these chapters towards the foot of the page at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...lstevenson.htm
Recollections of a Speyside Parish
By James Thomson (1902)
Added this week the following chapters...
Chapter XXVIII.—The Fireside and the Burnside
Chapter XXIX.— The Cripple Wife of Fife Keith: and other Beggars
Poems
And this now completes this book.
You can read these chapters at: http://www.electricscotland.com/history/speyside/
History of the Island of Mull
Embracing Description, Geology, Climate, Flora, Fauna, Antiquities, Folk Lore, Superstitions, Traditions, with an Account of its Inhabitants together with a Narrative of Iona, The Sacred Isle by J. P. MacLean (1923).
Have now added the concluding chapters...
Chapter IX - Superstitions
Chapter X - Tales and Legends
Chapter XI - Medicine and its Offices
Chapter XII - Plants in Domestic Use
These chapters can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/history/mull/index.htm
Ed Means Column
Scotland in European associations & political ‘journalism’ against Scottish Independence
You can read this at http://www.electricscotland.com/inde...ans/131201.htm
Christina McKelvie's column
Added her column for 4th December 2013 at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...vie/131204.htm
Iona: A History of the Island
By F. M. M'Neill (1920) A new book we're starting and here is the Preface...
When I visited Iona in 1917 I tried to obtain a modest handbook which should give a concise and comprehensive account of the island: its history and significance in the progress of our Western civilization; its antiquities of the Celtic and mediaeval periods; and, not least, its folk-lore, which gives life and colour to almost every nook and cranny in the little island. But although all this ground had been covered admirably, and with much detail— notably in Trenholme’s Story of Iona, to which, and to Macmillan and Brydall’s Iona: Its History and Antiquities, I am indebted for much information regarding the antiquities and topography of the island—a small handbook at a popular price was lacking. I have tried here to compile the book I vainly sought, and trust it will meet the need which many others have felt.
F. M. McNeill.
April, 1920.
You can read this book at http://www.electricscotland.com/history/iona/index.htm
The Story of the Royal Scots
By Lawrence Weaver. A new book we're starting.
PREFACE
By the EARL OF ROSEBERY AND MIDLOTHIAN, K.G., K.T.
It is well at this time to be reminded of the history of The Royal Scots, for we in the Lothians think that it is not sufficiently borne in mind. There are so many famous regiments in Scotland that ours, though the senior, stands some chance of being overlooked.
Those who read this excellent book will not be likely to commit this fault. There they may read the long pedigree of The Royal Scots, who date, so to speak, their legal existence to 1662, but who may be traced long before then, and indeed earned from their antiquity the playful nickname of “Pontius Pilate's Bodyguard.” They will see how ineffaceably The Royal Scots have stamped their name on almost every battlefield in which our army has been engaged; how they have been commanded and trusted by such consummate captains as Turenne, Marlborough and Wellington. It has, indeed, been their habit to fight all over the world; there is scarcely a region where they have not left their mark. That is the way now with all our regiments, but The Royal Scots have been longer at it. And now they are marching gallantly into the burning fiery furnace of this world conflagration.
Just now we can think of nothing but this war which is to make or mar the world. Each soldier of the King, great or small, who is fighting in this campaign, fights that we may breathe freely once more and be relieved from the nightmare of a brutal and odious tyranny. Each soldier and sailor, then, is the champion of civilization and liberty as well as of his country. He will conquer, as he did the less barbarous armies of the Zulus and the Mahdists, forces trained, like the Prussian, for the injury and domination of their neighbours. He is fighting for as sacred and vital a cause as any Crusader, against venomous gases, poisoned wells, the piratical submerging of innocent vessels, the tramping underfoot of the law of nations, and the other abominations of Prussian culture. And those who cannot serve strain anxious eyes to discern all that we can of our champions and their deeds.
But in a closer fashion we are concerned with our neighbours who have left their homes in our province of Lothian, be they mansions or cottages, to fight for us. For them even more than for ourselves this Story is written. We wish them to know the full splendour of the tradition which they carry like their colours. Nothing surely to them or to us can be more inspiriting than the record of the centuries of valour which they represent. They have in this war proved already that they yield nothing to their forbears in achievement, yet they may well wish to know the details of the traditions that they inherit and emulate.
We at any rate, men, women and children of the Lothians, Edinburgh and Peebles, the romantic county with the unromantic name, desire to know all about our famous regiment, and so we welcome this book. There will need to be another volume added to it when this war is over.
Honour, then, to The Royal Scots, bone of our bone and flesh of our flesh, among the choicest of our fighting men, whose record is in this book, as on the field of battle. We who cannot stand with them must at least try all we can to sustain them and fill their ranks.
You can read this book at: http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...cots/index.htm
Robert Burns Lives!
Flow Gently Sweet Afton. The Story Behind the Song By Norrie Paton.
His name may be Norman but his friends call him Norrie, and I wish there were more people like him. Norrie Paton has a gifted pen and can tell a story as good as anyone I know. He has as much to say on his subject as any university professor does and continues to go out of his way to support Robert Burns Lives!. Visit Chapter 129 of this website which was published on December 14, 2011, and read his excellent piece on Highland Mary. And then listen to what this Campbelltown, Scotland man has to say below regarding the young lady who captivated the heart and thoughts of Robert Burns until death took her away from him.
Norrie is always welcome to these pages dedicated to Burns. But Norrie, please do not wait two years next time to surprise me with another article! For our readers who have not visited the monument of Highland Mary, go back to Chapter 129 for a great picture of it. Norrie, it has been said, is “one of the good guys.”
You can read this article at: http://www.electricscotland.com/fami...s_lives187.htm
Brian the Aberdonian
Now 87 years of age he provides some reminiscences of earlier years.
The Bold Type is my record of the Original Post; the Italic Type in { } new notes I have added to make some sense after the passage of many years.
{I recall why I posted this item: A gentleman of Scottish decent, resident in Durban, South Africa, Posted about his previous visit to Scotland}.
Having taken a ‘Sleeper Train’ from London to Glasgow.
{Whilst the Preston Bound Sleeper cars were being detached from the Glasgow Sleeper-train to be shunted into a siding at Preston Station. The travellers to be wakened and served breakfast before leaving the sleeper at 8am}.
{The post stated} I wandered into the Preston Station barbers-shop for a shave and hair cut; missing the Glasgow sleeper train.
{His ticket was re-booked for the following nights Preston to Glasgow night-sleeper. With a day to fill in},
A ticket inspector, advised me to join a train on the next platform, for a day at the sea-side in Blackpool, and to return to Preston {on a service train from Blackpool to Preston} in time to catch the Glasgow sleeper.
{the train from Preston to Blackpool was taking Cotton Mill Workers for a seven day holiday Called a Wakes Week whilst their towns Cotton-mills underwent their annual maintenance}
{The Posted Question ended with} “Can anyone tell me what a Wakes Week is”?.
Having taken a ‘Sleeper Train’ from London to Glasgow.
I wandered into the Preston Station barbers-shop for a shave and hair cut; missing the Glasgow sleeper train.
A ticket inspector, advised me to join a train on the next platform, for a day at the sea-side in Blackpool, and to return to Preston. in time to catch the Glasgow sleeper. “Can anyone tell me what a Wakes Week is”?.
Kind regards Brian
And so he sent in this article to answer the question which you can read at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...deen/brian.htm
Beth's Newfangled Family Tree
Got in section 2 of the January 2014 issue which you can read at: http://www.electricscotland.com/bnft
And finally...
Penalty !
Two chaps on the train into Glasgow were discussing sport, and one declared: “When I was at school, we had to play rugby. So when I had the chance to play soccer I grabbed it with both hands.”
----
Straight Shooting
Bad weather meant a few bumpy landings at Heathrow this week, particularly one flight from JFK.
A little Glasgow granny had to register her discontent to the rather sheepish pilot as he stood alongside the flight crew.
“Did you land the plane, son,” she asked.
“Yes ma’am.”
“Thank God for that,” she said. “I thought we’d been shot down.’
-----
And that's it for this week and I hope you all have a great weekend.
Alastair
Electric Scotland News
Electric Canadian
The Young Voyageurs
Canadian Rockies
The Flag in the Wind
Electric Scotland
The Scottish Historical Review
Songs Of Scotland, Prior To Burns
Enigma Machine
Merchant's Guide to Stirling & District
Scotland, Picturesque: Historical: Descriptive
David Herschell Edwards - Modern Poets
Robert Louis Stevenson
Recollections of a Speyside Parish
History of the Island of Mull
Ed Means Column
Christina McKelvie's column
Iona: A History of the Island (New Book)
The Story of the Royal Scots (New Book)
Robert Burns Lives!
Brian the Aberdonian
Beth's Newfangled Family Tree
and finally
Electric Scotland News
I am struggling to publish onto the site due to my cracked ribs which are very painful. The Doctor says it will take at least 6 weeks before they heal. I find I can sit at the computer for about an hour but then need to lie down to recover for a while before I can continue. And yes I am moaning and feeling sorry for myself! :-)
------
There have been quite a few detailed comments made on the White Paper that was produced last week. I'd highly recommend that you check out our index page on the site to read the ScotNews feed as I'm trying to ensure I cover these stories each day as they come out. Here is a wee list of news items I put up in the past few days...
1. Case for Scottish independence boosted by more optimistic economic forecasts
2. Experts say Scotland will be worse off under UK green energy reforms, while thinktank downplays cost of its ageing population
3. Conservative allies round on 'comatose' Darling amid fears No campaign could lose referendum
4. Fury after unelected peers strip power from Scotland
5. A tale of two petrochemical plants
6. NHS Scotland forcing nurses to work for free
7. Brandon Malone: rUK can't claim continuing state
8. It is inconceivable that Scotland would be expelled from the EU after a Yes vote, writes Brandon Malone
9. What would the union jack look like if the Scottish bit were removed?
10. A Scottish Review investigation. Eight years ago today the body of a young Swedish woman was recovered from an Ayrshire beach.
11. Tartan back in fashion for Christmas 2013
Depending on the volume of news the items displayed on the page might be from the past 4 or so days so best if you check the list every few days as I only keep the past 50 articles to view. Most of the articles will be of interest to people that can vote in the referendum and or live in Scotland but will also be of some interest to folk that want to learn more about the Scotland of today.
Electric Canadian
The Young Voyageurs
Or Boy Hunters of the North by Captain Mayne Reid. This is a book for younger readers and we'll be adding a chapter per day until complete.
We're now up to chapter XIV.
You can read this book at http://www.electriccanadian.com/pion.../voyageurs.htm
Canadian Rockies
Posted up a 3 part video on the Canadian Rockies which you can view at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/hist...erta/banff.htm
If you are into outdoor activities then this would make a great holiday destination.
The Flag in the Wind
This weeks issue was compiled by Grant Thoms in which he's reviewing the media response to the white paper.
You can read this issue at http://www.scotsindependent.org
Electric Scotland
The Scottish Historical Review
We are on Volume 14 and have now added the January 1917 issue. You can get to this at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...w/volume14.htm
There is an interesting article on A Biographical Sketch of General Robert Melville of Strathkinness.
GENERAL ROBERT MELVILLE was descended from the Melvilles of Carnbee, in the county of Fife, in Scotland, a branch of the antient and noble family of the same name, of which the chief is the Earl of Leven and Melville. The ancestor of the family is held to have been the first Norman who passed into Scotland. He was a person of distinction of Normandy, named De Malville or De Melville, who accompanied William the Conqueror into England, in the autumn of 1066. Meeting, however, with some cause of disgust from William, he, before the close of that year, secretly withdrew to the court of Malcolm Canmore, King of Scotland. By Malcolm he was courteously received and early put in possession of lands, thence constituting the barony of Melville Castle in Mid-Lothian.
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 another three songs...
The Boatie Rows
Auld Robin Gray
Roy's Wife of Aldivalloch
You can get to this book at the foot of the page at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...ers_robert.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 43 puzzle which you can get to at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/life.../enigma043.htm
The other puzzles we've already published can be found at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/life...igma/index.htm
I might add that if you follow the Enigma Machine thread in our Community you can work with others on figuring out each puzzle. You can get to these messages at:
http://www.electricscotland.org/foru...le-amp-Whistle
Hugh posts each new puzzle in there and then by the end of the week will provide the answers and then add the next one. He also gives the odd hint to help you solve the puzzle.
Merchant's Guide to Stirling & District
You can find this book towards the foot of our History of Stirlingshire page.
Added this week chapters on...
Callander
The Trossachs
Aberfoyle
You can get to this book which we'll be adding to over the next few weeks at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/history/stirlingshire
Scotland, Picturesque: Historical: Descriptive
This is a book we're serialising from the author of Historical Tales of the Wars of Scotland And of the Border Raids, Forays and Conflicts by John Parker Lawson (1839)
You need to scroll down the page to get to this book where we've now added...
The Borders Part 1
The Borders Part 2
The Borders Part 3
You can get to this at: http://www.electricscotland.com/history/wars/
David Herschell Edwards
His 16 volumes of modern Scottish Poets is probably the most massive collection of poetry by anyone in the world and it's all about Scots poets which makes it all the more amazing. Each volume portrays around 100 poets and each poet has their own wee biography, a critical assessment and a few examples of their poetry.
Added volume 14.
You can get to this at: http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...ards_david.htm
Robert Louis Stevenson
A weekly serialisation of this intimate two volume biography of Robert Louis Stevenson by his cousin Graham Balfour.
Added this week...
Chapter XIII. South Sea Cruises, The Eastern Pacific June 1888 - June 1889
You can read these chapters towards the foot of the page at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...lstevenson.htm
Recollections of a Speyside Parish
By James Thomson (1902)
Added this week the following chapters...
Chapter XXVIII.—The Fireside and the Burnside
Chapter XXIX.— The Cripple Wife of Fife Keith: and other Beggars
Poems
And this now completes this book.
You can read these chapters at: http://www.electricscotland.com/history/speyside/
History of the Island of Mull
Embracing Description, Geology, Climate, Flora, Fauna, Antiquities, Folk Lore, Superstitions, Traditions, with an Account of its Inhabitants together with a Narrative of Iona, The Sacred Isle by J. P. MacLean (1923).
Have now added the concluding chapters...
Chapter IX - Superstitions
Chapter X - Tales and Legends
Chapter XI - Medicine and its Offices
Chapter XII - Plants in Domestic Use
These chapters can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/history/mull/index.htm
Ed Means Column
Scotland in European associations & political ‘journalism’ against Scottish Independence
You can read this at http://www.electricscotland.com/inde...ans/131201.htm
Christina McKelvie's column
Added her column for 4th December 2013 at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...vie/131204.htm
Iona: A History of the Island
By F. M. M'Neill (1920) A new book we're starting and here is the Preface...
When I visited Iona in 1917 I tried to obtain a modest handbook which should give a concise and comprehensive account of the island: its history and significance in the progress of our Western civilization; its antiquities of the Celtic and mediaeval periods; and, not least, its folk-lore, which gives life and colour to almost every nook and cranny in the little island. But although all this ground had been covered admirably, and with much detail— notably in Trenholme’s Story of Iona, to which, and to Macmillan and Brydall’s Iona: Its History and Antiquities, I am indebted for much information regarding the antiquities and topography of the island—a small handbook at a popular price was lacking. I have tried here to compile the book I vainly sought, and trust it will meet the need which many others have felt.
F. M. McNeill.
April, 1920.
You can read this book at http://www.electricscotland.com/history/iona/index.htm
The Story of the Royal Scots
By Lawrence Weaver. A new book we're starting.
PREFACE
By the EARL OF ROSEBERY AND MIDLOTHIAN, K.G., K.T.
It is well at this time to be reminded of the history of The Royal Scots, for we in the Lothians think that it is not sufficiently borne in mind. There are so many famous regiments in Scotland that ours, though the senior, stands some chance of being overlooked.
Those who read this excellent book will not be likely to commit this fault. There they may read the long pedigree of The Royal Scots, who date, so to speak, their legal existence to 1662, but who may be traced long before then, and indeed earned from their antiquity the playful nickname of “Pontius Pilate's Bodyguard.” They will see how ineffaceably The Royal Scots have stamped their name on almost every battlefield in which our army has been engaged; how they have been commanded and trusted by such consummate captains as Turenne, Marlborough and Wellington. It has, indeed, been their habit to fight all over the world; there is scarcely a region where they have not left their mark. That is the way now with all our regiments, but The Royal Scots have been longer at it. And now they are marching gallantly into the burning fiery furnace of this world conflagration.
Just now we can think of nothing but this war which is to make or mar the world. Each soldier of the King, great or small, who is fighting in this campaign, fights that we may breathe freely once more and be relieved from the nightmare of a brutal and odious tyranny. Each soldier and sailor, then, is the champion of civilization and liberty as well as of his country. He will conquer, as he did the less barbarous armies of the Zulus and the Mahdists, forces trained, like the Prussian, for the injury and domination of their neighbours. He is fighting for as sacred and vital a cause as any Crusader, against venomous gases, poisoned wells, the piratical submerging of innocent vessels, the tramping underfoot of the law of nations, and the other abominations of Prussian culture. And those who cannot serve strain anxious eyes to discern all that we can of our champions and their deeds.
But in a closer fashion we are concerned with our neighbours who have left their homes in our province of Lothian, be they mansions or cottages, to fight for us. For them even more than for ourselves this Story is written. We wish them to know the full splendour of the tradition which they carry like their colours. Nothing surely to them or to us can be more inspiriting than the record of the centuries of valour which they represent. They have in this war proved already that they yield nothing to their forbears in achievement, yet they may well wish to know the details of the traditions that they inherit and emulate.
We at any rate, men, women and children of the Lothians, Edinburgh and Peebles, the romantic county with the unromantic name, desire to know all about our famous regiment, and so we welcome this book. There will need to be another volume added to it when this war is over.
Honour, then, to The Royal Scots, bone of our bone and flesh of our flesh, among the choicest of our fighting men, whose record is in this book, as on the field of battle. We who cannot stand with them must at least try all we can to sustain them and fill their ranks.
You can read this book at: http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...cots/index.htm
Robert Burns Lives!
Flow Gently Sweet Afton. The Story Behind the Song By Norrie Paton.
His name may be Norman but his friends call him Norrie, and I wish there were more people like him. Norrie Paton has a gifted pen and can tell a story as good as anyone I know. He has as much to say on his subject as any university professor does and continues to go out of his way to support Robert Burns Lives!. Visit Chapter 129 of this website which was published on December 14, 2011, and read his excellent piece on Highland Mary. And then listen to what this Campbelltown, Scotland man has to say below regarding the young lady who captivated the heart and thoughts of Robert Burns until death took her away from him.
Norrie is always welcome to these pages dedicated to Burns. But Norrie, please do not wait two years next time to surprise me with another article! For our readers who have not visited the monument of Highland Mary, go back to Chapter 129 for a great picture of it. Norrie, it has been said, is “one of the good guys.”
You can read this article at: http://www.electricscotland.com/fami...s_lives187.htm
Brian the Aberdonian
Now 87 years of age he provides some reminiscences of earlier years.
The Bold Type is my record of the Original Post; the Italic Type in { } new notes I have added to make some sense after the passage of many years.
{I recall why I posted this item: A gentleman of Scottish decent, resident in Durban, South Africa, Posted about his previous visit to Scotland}.
Having taken a ‘Sleeper Train’ from London to Glasgow.
{Whilst the Preston Bound Sleeper cars were being detached from the Glasgow Sleeper-train to be shunted into a siding at Preston Station. The travellers to be wakened and served breakfast before leaving the sleeper at 8am}.
{The post stated} I wandered into the Preston Station barbers-shop for a shave and hair cut; missing the Glasgow sleeper train.
{His ticket was re-booked for the following nights Preston to Glasgow night-sleeper. With a day to fill in},
A ticket inspector, advised me to join a train on the next platform, for a day at the sea-side in Blackpool, and to return to Preston {on a service train from Blackpool to Preston} in time to catch the Glasgow sleeper.
{the train from Preston to Blackpool was taking Cotton Mill Workers for a seven day holiday Called a Wakes Week whilst their towns Cotton-mills underwent their annual maintenance}
{The Posted Question ended with} “Can anyone tell me what a Wakes Week is”?.
Having taken a ‘Sleeper Train’ from London to Glasgow.
I wandered into the Preston Station barbers-shop for a shave and hair cut; missing the Glasgow sleeper train.
A ticket inspector, advised me to join a train on the next platform, for a day at the sea-side in Blackpool, and to return to Preston. in time to catch the Glasgow sleeper. “Can anyone tell me what a Wakes Week is”?.
Kind regards Brian
And so he sent in this article to answer the question which you can read at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...deen/brian.htm
Beth's Newfangled Family Tree
Got in section 2 of the January 2014 issue which you can read at: http://www.electricscotland.com/bnft
And finally...
Penalty !
Two chaps on the train into Glasgow were discussing sport, and one declared: “When I was at school, we had to play rugby. So when I had the chance to play soccer I grabbed it with both hands.”
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Straight Shooting
Bad weather meant a few bumpy landings at Heathrow this week, particularly one flight from JFK.
A little Glasgow granny had to register her discontent to the rather sheepish pilot as he stood alongside the flight crew.
“Did you land the plane, son,” she asked.
“Yes ma’am.”
“Thank God for that,” she said. “I thought we’d been shot down.’
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And that's it for this week and I hope you all have a great weekend.
Alastair