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For the latest news from Scotland see our ScotNews feed at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/
Electric Scotland News
It seems to me that there is a little more hope that Brexit could be good for Scotland but of course the SNP are still wanting Scotland to be an independent country. They thus spin most things to promote their agenda. This means it is harder to get real facts.
The Brexit vote also means it is more likely that Scots will vote for Independence. The reason I say that is that all the political leaders, the big banks and corporations and others from around the world all said Brexit would not go well for Britain. Essentially their advice was ignored and thus no matter what they say about the downside of Scotland voting for Independence the Brexit vote is likely to encourage them.
As to the Named Persons scheme top UK judges unanimously decided part of the 2014 legislation is incompatible with Article 8 of the European Convention of Human Rights in relation to family life and privacy because of its information sharing provisions. Considering this was a unanimous decision which included two Scottish judges it calls into question the judgment of the Scottish Supreme court.
I also note the article "All Scots advised to take vitamin D says new health guidance" for which see more below. Thing is three years ago my doctor prescribed me with a daily dose of 1000 units of vitamin D. That's one small pill. She told me that she took 2000 units a day as women have more issues than men. And so if you are not taking vitamin D then you should read that article and perhaps have a word with your own doctor.
I visited Moraviatown this week which is a local First Nations reservation. I usually pop into their local cafe there and get the lunch time special. I have to say their fries are outstanding and to my mind they are the best I've had anywhere in the world. I also had their cooked shrimp and fries on my last visit and their dipping sauce was outstanding. Also as it is on their reservation you can smoke in their cafe if you wish.
Scottish News from this weeks newspapers
Note that this is a selection and more can be read in our ScotNews feed on our index page. I am partly doing this to build an archive of modern news from and about Scotland as all the newsletters are archived and also indexed on Google and other search engines.
All Scots advised to take vitamin D says new health guidance
Scots should consider taking vitamin D supplements all-year round, but particularly in autumn and winter, according to new health advice.
Read more at:
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-36856176
Selkirk fairytale festival gets under way
A festival of fairytales, inspired by the books of Andrew Lang, is getting under way in the Scottish Borders.
Might add we have a page for Andrew Lang and his Fairy Books at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...ndrew_lang.htm
Read more at:
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-...tland-36854684
Exhibition explores abandoned crofts on Outer Hebrides
A NEW photographic exhibition offers a unique insight into a number of abandoned crofts on the Outer Hebrides.
Read more at:
http://www.scotsman.com/lifestyle/cu...ides-1-4184227
Nicola Sturgeon must halt this gravy train of wasted government funds
The Scottish National party needs to get a grip on the country’s finances before it throws itself into another independence referendum
Read more at:
https://www.theguardian.com/commenti...sh-gravy-train
UK explores multi-billion pound free trade deal with China
The Chancellor told the BBC it was time to explore new opportunities across the world, including with China, one of the UK's biggest inward investors.
Read more at:
http://www.bbc.com/news/business-36877573
The really radical thing to do is to work together
During the age of angry politics a new organisation that seeks to unite not divide is to be applauded, writes Euan McColm
Read more at:
http://www.scotsman.com/news/opinion...ther-1-4186296
Will France leave the EU next?
THE National Front has seized on Brexit to further its campaign for French independence from the European Union. Could France leave too?
Read more at:
http://www.express.co.uk/news/politi...National-Front
Unknown Region Exports & Hidden GDP
A very quick post to clear up the latest the statisticians are hiding Scotland's true wealth myth.
Read more at:
http://chokkablog.blogspot.ca/2016/0...idden-gdp.html
Christopher Columbus was a freckly Scot called Pedro
CHRISTOPHER Columbus was a freckly Scot who went by the name Pedro, according to a historian who has been researching the 15th century explorer for almost three decades.
Read more at:
http://www.scotsman.com/heritage/peo...edro-1-4006128
Supreme Court rules against Named Person scheme
Judges at the UK's highest court have ruled against the Scottish government's Named Person scheme.
Read more at:
https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news...ules-unlawful/
Also from the Scottish Review editor...
A landmark victory for human rights
SR is on holiday. But we interrupt our break this morning to congratulate all the parents with whom we have worked over the last few years to oppose the Scottish Government’s Named Person scheme. We – and they – attempted tirelessly but unsuccessfully to convince the SNP administration that the scheme in its present form represented a disgraceful breach of the right to privacy.
The objections have now been upheld by the UK Supreme Court – a slap in the face for the complacent Scottish judiciary and a humiliating outcome for the Scottish Government. If only the first minister, the deputy first minister and their colleagues had listened to these objections, instead of arrogantly dismissing them, the indictment of the scheme delivered earlier today by the Supreme Court would have been avoided.
This morning’s judgement also serves as a rebuke to all those – including many in official Scotland – who vilified objectors to the scheme.
We are proud to have been associated with the parents’ long campaign and to know that we were the first in the Scottish media to expose the scheme’s threat to human rights.
Scotland's fishing sector could be world leaders
Scotland's fishing industry would be unleashed after Brexit allowing it to show world leadership, MSPs at Holyrood have been told.
Read more at:
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-...itics-36903837
MSPs on the European Committee hold a special session
Almost a dozen witnesses gave evidence before members at Holyrood on brexit vote.
Read more at:
http://www.bbc.com/news/live/uk-scot...itics-36907278
Electric Canadian
Cabot
Found a wee biography of Cabot who discovered Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia and Labrador which you can read at:http://www.electriccanadian.com/hist...nada/cabot.pdf
Electric Scotland
Dictionary of National Biography
I have worked on bringing you some more biographies from this publication. In most cases I have added a link to these at the foot of the page for the name in our "Scottish Nation".
Buchanan http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...n/buchanan.htm
Burns http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...tion/burns.htm
Burnet or Burnett http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...ion/burnet.htm
Burrell http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...on/burrell.htm
Burton http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...ion/burton.htm
Cadell http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...ion/cadell.htm
I would note that in the Cadell file we get information on Francis Cadell who did amazing work in navigating the Murray river in Australia. He was born at Cockenzie, near Prestonpans, February 1822.
Annals of Lower Deeside
Being a Topographical, and Antiquarian History of Durris, Drumoak, and Culter by John A. Henderson, Author of "The History of Banchory-Devenick" (1892)
You can read this book at: http://www.electricscotland.com/Hist...side/index.htm
The History of Banchory-Devenick
The author of the previous book also wrote this one and so have also added a link to it on the page at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/Hist...side/index.htm
Story of the Red Hackle
Got in an email in adding information on its origins which I've added to the page at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...watch/bw17.htm
A Childhood in Brittany Eighty Years Ago
By Anne Douglas Sedgwick (1927) (pdf)
Not really about anything to do with Scotland but lots of Scots spent time in this area of France so thought it might be of interest. You can read this at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...inbrittany.pdf
The Culloden Papers
An extensive and interesting correspondence from the Year 1625 TO 1748. In all 6 volumes of these papers with volumes 1-5 being of a more local interest.
PREFACES have, generally, one of three objects; either to solicit favour, to apologize for defects, or to afford explanation. The following pages may, perhaps, require a short notice with more than one of those views.
After the death of the Lord President Forbes, in 1747, a period of nearly 40 years elapsed, during which his son and grandson made only short and unfrequent visits to Scotland ; and there is every probabilitv, that not the nature only, but even the very existence of these Papers, had eluded recollection. Certain it is, that they must have narrowly escaped desti-uction by a fire which consumed the old castle of Culloden about thirty years ago.
When Mr. Home was writing his "History of the Rebellion of 1745," he either had been informed, or conjectured, that important documents relative to his subject might be found in the possession of the Culloden family. With this view, he paid a visit to the Highlands in the autumn of 1791; and it is extremely unlikely, from the acknowleged liberality of the Proprietor, that, had the existence of the Papers been then known, he would have been disappointed in the object of his journey. A reference, however, to lhs publication will show, that he did not derive any material advantage from his visit at Culloden House.
About five years since, a similar anxiety for information occasioned a partial search to be made by a gentleman of erudition, in the county of Inverness, at the instance of a friend in the South of Scotland. On this occasion, a small number of Papers were procured and transmitted; but the undertaking, for the purpose of which the search had been made, having been relinquished, the documents were returned with the same handsome alacrity with which they had been granted. It is really extraordinary that this partial discovery of Papers could not lead to a more careful investigation. The design of publishing a book, however, is not among those most frequently entertained by country Gentlemen; and, admitting that it might have occurred to some acquaintance of the family who was more immediately attached to literati pursuits, it must also be allowed, that there is a considerable delicacy to be overcome, before a Gentleman can request a free inspection of family papers.
But for an accident, the mention of which would be wholly uninteresting to the public, it is probable, that the Culloden Papers would still have remained in the obscurity and oblivion, into which inadvertence had turned them. In exploring some dark and unfrequented recesses of the House of Culloden for purposes of a very different nature, in the year 1812, two large chests and three sacks were found, containing the materials, a careful selection from which forms the contents of the present volume : mingled, without the least order, or indication of previous inspection, with the lumber of local and uninteresting documents, of useless accounts, trivial memoranda, and law papers, of all dates within the last 200 years.
From this chaotic mass of Manuscripts, a selection of what was considered as best calculated to subsene the purpose of history was made, and put to the press in chronological succession. The Editor, however, had frequent occasions to regret, that many of the Papers were either Letters requiring Answers, to which no Answers could be found; or Answers to Letters that seemed to have no existence; or, again. Letters referring to others which could not be traced.
When the printing had been far advanced, this circumstance, so much to be regretted, induced a more eager search, and a hamper of similar Papers was brought to light. It was impossible, however, now to interfere with the chronological order that had been adopted: and it was deemed expedient to form a second part of the Collection, under the name of Addenda; to recommence, like the former, according to their dates; which would furnish an easy clew to the Reader, for connecting and associating Papers, on similar subjects, that had been printed in the former part of the Volume. Of these last Papers, not a few may, perhaps, be found even more interesting than those which had been previously inserted.
The Editor hopes that he may be allowed to deprecate any displeasure being felt by Noblemen or Gentlemen of the present day, on account of the mention incidentally made of their ancestors, &c. To have omitted their names altogether, would have destroyed the interest of the Letters; and to have inserted them by initials only, would, without answering any purpose of concealment, have seemed to intimate, that they did not appear in a creditable point of new; which, in many instances, will be far from the con\iction of liberal minds, that can connect circumstances with the times in which they happened. The expressions which one man employs in writing of another, are often far from being those of his serious sentiments: allowance must be made for momentary imitation, for conflicting interests, and for what, perhaps, is esteemed address and dexterity in pushing on the business of life. Amongst other instances, we may particularize the notice (in page 33) which Lord Lovat takes of his neighbours and kinsmen in the Aird: so far from his real sentiments being those expressed in his letter, it is well known that he gloried in those gentlemen being part of his clan, and that he knew they were men of handsome independent estates (situated in the fairest district of the Highlands), and of education and honour; and of all the various circumstances upon which his Lordship piqued himself, the distinction of being the head of these very Barons was by far the dearest to his heart. In any other instances might, if necessary, be quoted, in which the momentary expression of anger or contempt could be resolved into the same want of temper or of sincerity.
As to the tendency of many of the Highland chieftains and their clans in favour of the exiled family, whatever opinions divided the kingdom at that time, this cannot only be a subject requiring vindication; and if it raise a glow upon the faces of their descendants, it is not likely to be the blush of shame. Either may be produced by the excess of the noble, as well as by that of the baser passions; but while courage, disinterestedness, generosity, fidelity, compassion, and gratitude for former benefits bestowed, shall continue to be esteemed among the human virtues, the actions of their father and of their adherents. Indeed not in future create unpleasant sensations. Time, which buries in promiscuous ruin and oblivion the hopes and fears of mankind, has long disarmed this subject of its acrimony and justly appreciated its merits. Of late, we have seen our venerable Monarch liberally assisting the last heir of the ancient rivals of his House, during the downfall where into France had plunged the Church, of which he was one of the pillars, and himself; and we know, that the latest moments of this solitary representative of that House, so long pursued by misfortune. were employed in declaring his willing resignation of its long unavailing pretensions, and in blessing to whose generosity he had been so deeply indebted.
You can read these volumes at: http://www.electricscotland.com/history/culloden/
Highlands - The Wild North West
Added a couple of videos to our Highlands page as they show historical footage of Highland life and also the remains of a wee community in Sutherland that had been cleared to stock sheep.
You can view these at: http://www.electricscotland.com/history/highlands/
Eriskay - A Poem of Remote Lives
Scottish Isle Documentary 1934. Added this video to our Crofting page at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/hiSt...ting/index.htm
Weir's Way - Isle of Eigg
A 2 part video of the Isle of Eigg which you can view at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/hist.../chapter12.htm
Weir's Way - Isle of Muck
A 2 part video which you can view at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...s/chapter4.htm
The Rise And Fall Of The Breadalbanes
An interesting video by Tom Weir which you can view at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/webc...readalbane.htm
The Story
Scotch Novels
A review of recent Scotch novels by the Edinburgh Review
This is an interesting review of Scotch Novels in the mid Nineteenth century and I've found pdf copies of the books. I have extracted the Edinburgh review of these books and should any of these be of interest just click on the link below to download them.
THE practical character of our busy modern life has done some injustice to the Scottish nation. Not altogether without reason, people have come to regard us in those practical aspects which are least engaging. The typical Scotchman is the keen and pushing man of bU3iness who looks closely to the main chance, seldom misses a profitable occasion. and takes religious care that in his dealings with his neighbour he shall never fail in his duty to himself. 'Whatever sterling qualities he may possess. there is supposed to be the minimum of poetry in his composition. The Scots have now more than their share of wealth and honours all over the British possessions and the virtues by which they command success have made them less liked than respected. Their peculiarities of speech and manner lend themselves easily to ridicule. Their constitutional reserve and caution tend to repel easy intimacy; and superficial observers have been shown to appreciate the desirable qualities that lie hidden under a commonplace or chilling exterior. We need hardly wonder. then. that they have seemed to offer unpromising material to the hurried authors of ephemeral novels. These ladies and gentlemen write for their readers; they dash down the vague impressions that glance from the surface of unreflecting minds; their indolence saves them from attempting the discriminating analysis which could only result in lamentable failure. and they dwell either on the trivial or the coarsely emotional life that recommends itself most to the vulgar fancy. It neither suits their genius, nor is it in their capacity, to remember that it is the stillest water that runs the deepest.
On the other hand, the writing a good Scotch novel demands a technical mastery of difficult and delicate subjects. The more distinctive effects, the most telling points, are to be sought in those humble interiors to which strangers seldom make their way, and which are less familiar than they ought to be even to cultivated Scotchmen of the upper classes. The language and its idioms are serious stumbling-blocks to begin with.
In the more primitive districts the peasants speak aS their forbears' did before them, and their most ordinary words may convey an infinity of shades of meaning which the most elaborate paraphrase could scarcely interpret to the uninitiated. After all, popularity is the ambition of a novelist. He desires to write for the world in general, and to make his work intelligible to all. If he overload his pages with local dialect which sounds sometimes barbarous and sometimes vulgar, his book is likely to be dropped with distaste. We are scarcely surprised, then, that the list of good Scotch novels i6 a short one; but the fact that it is so leaves an inviting field in these hackneyed times to writers who chance to have the special .knowledge and are conscious of the needful gifts.
In reality the genius and disposition of the Scottish people has. always tended instinctively to the romantic. It is not only that in the turbulent ferocity of their earlier history they were in the habit, like their neighbours, of translating romance into adventurous action. Rapine and bloodshed are the invariable distractions of unsettled and semi-barbarous societies. But the national poetry of the Scotch, the songs and ballads that pleased their untutored fancy and enlivened their rude feasts, had a romantic character all its own. For all its martial ring, it was no mere celebration of deeds of daring or carnage, of battle and fireraising and bloody deaths. It did not glorify successful guile like the Scandinavian scalds and sagas, or exalt the joys of ceaseless slaughter and debauch as the only heaven for a man of action. The most primitive Scotch minstrelsy was characterised as much by a gentle grace and touches of tender pathos as by fire and spirit. Through it all there ran a deep vein of the imaginative, which sometimes, in such wild legends as 'Tamlane,' became as fantastic as any Teutonic march. Even in warlike lays like the fight of Otterburn, where the death-struggle of the Douglas and Percy appealed to national animosities, the minstrel played on the heartstrings of his audience like the immortal Timotheus in 'Alexander's Feast.' He turned from the shivering of lances and the shouts of victory to the softer and nobler emotions, And love was as favourite a theme as battle; witness the plaintive blending of sorrow, passion, and malignant revenge in fair 'Helen of Kirkconnel.' What can be more delicately insinuated than the forgiving bye-struggle of the poisoned and heart stricken lover in 'Lord Randal'? What more tellingly impressive than the sharp touches of nature, the terse and vigorous descriptions of storm-scenery and shipwreck, in the 'Grand old ballad of Sir Patrick Spens'? And instances of the sort might be multiplied indefinitely.
Nor as time went on and Scotland became more peaceful, did the Scottish gentleman undergo much change, although he had to shape his course somewhat differently. He was poor as his country was barren, but his spirit was too high to resign itself to his circumstances, and settle him down into a tame existence, getting his living somehow from hand to mouth.
The laird might live on his lands among his people, exercising a rough paternal authority over the tenantry who were bound to him by filial as by feudal ties. Their needy circumstances spurred the ambition of well-born cadets whose ancestors had always followed the profeBBion of arms, and sent them to foreign lands to seek an outlet for their energies. Read the deeds of the Scotch auxiliaries in the pages of Froissart, or the records of the French kings' Archer Guard, their surest safeguard against domestic treason. Scotch seamen of the middle classes went trading and privateering when European commerce was still in its infancy; and chivalrous old captains like Sir Patrick Spens had worthy successors in the Andrew Bartons. The same spirit of adventure has survived to modern times, spreading itself downward through the nation, although it has been regulated by shrewd sense and has been circumscribed by the modem ways of money-getting. Yet there was romance enough in all conscience, for example, in the lives of the employees of the North American fur companies, who were recruited from the Highlands almost to a man, and who earned their pay and pensions in perpetual warfare with the savages, with the elements, and with one another. And to come more decidedly within the pale of civilisation, in our Indian dependencies, in the colonies, and even in foreign countries, we find Scotch adventurers holding a disproportionate share of offices of trust, profit, and difficulty, simply because they have the reflection, resolution, and courage which sends the fittest men by natural selection to their fitting places in positions of emergency. We seem to have been betrayed into a panegyric when we merely meant to indicate an argument. But we have reached the conclusions we desired to draw-that the race, whether abroad or at home, is much the same as it has always been; consequently that the elements of romance and dramatic surprise are to be found in abundance even among those canny folk who have seldom strayed beyond their parish bounds, although these may lie hidden under an impassive demeanour which repels the scrutiny of the uninstructed observer.
You can read the rest of this long article and get links to some of the books at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...tch_novels.htm
And that's it for this week and hope you all enjoy your weekend.
Alastair
http://www.electricscotland.com/
Electric Scotland News
It seems to me that there is a little more hope that Brexit could be good for Scotland but of course the SNP are still wanting Scotland to be an independent country. They thus spin most things to promote their agenda. This means it is harder to get real facts.
The Brexit vote also means it is more likely that Scots will vote for Independence. The reason I say that is that all the political leaders, the big banks and corporations and others from around the world all said Brexit would not go well for Britain. Essentially their advice was ignored and thus no matter what they say about the downside of Scotland voting for Independence the Brexit vote is likely to encourage them.
As to the Named Persons scheme top UK judges unanimously decided part of the 2014 legislation is incompatible with Article 8 of the European Convention of Human Rights in relation to family life and privacy because of its information sharing provisions. Considering this was a unanimous decision which included two Scottish judges it calls into question the judgment of the Scottish Supreme court.
I also note the article "All Scots advised to take vitamin D says new health guidance" for which see more below. Thing is three years ago my doctor prescribed me with a daily dose of 1000 units of vitamin D. That's one small pill. She told me that she took 2000 units a day as women have more issues than men. And so if you are not taking vitamin D then you should read that article and perhaps have a word with your own doctor.
I visited Moraviatown this week which is a local First Nations reservation. I usually pop into their local cafe there and get the lunch time special. I have to say their fries are outstanding and to my mind they are the best I've had anywhere in the world. I also had their cooked shrimp and fries on my last visit and their dipping sauce was outstanding. Also as it is on their reservation you can smoke in their cafe if you wish.
Scottish News from this weeks newspapers
Note that this is a selection and more can be read in our ScotNews feed on our index page. I am partly doing this to build an archive of modern news from and about Scotland as all the newsletters are archived and also indexed on Google and other search engines.
All Scots advised to take vitamin D says new health guidance
Scots should consider taking vitamin D supplements all-year round, but particularly in autumn and winter, according to new health advice.
Read more at:
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-36856176
Selkirk fairytale festival gets under way
A festival of fairytales, inspired by the books of Andrew Lang, is getting under way in the Scottish Borders.
Might add we have a page for Andrew Lang and his Fairy Books at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...ndrew_lang.htm
Read more at:
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-...tland-36854684
Exhibition explores abandoned crofts on Outer Hebrides
A NEW photographic exhibition offers a unique insight into a number of abandoned crofts on the Outer Hebrides.
Read more at:
http://www.scotsman.com/lifestyle/cu...ides-1-4184227
Nicola Sturgeon must halt this gravy train of wasted government funds
The Scottish National party needs to get a grip on the country’s finances before it throws itself into another independence referendum
Read more at:
https://www.theguardian.com/commenti...sh-gravy-train
UK explores multi-billion pound free trade deal with China
The Chancellor told the BBC it was time to explore new opportunities across the world, including with China, one of the UK's biggest inward investors.
Read more at:
http://www.bbc.com/news/business-36877573
The really radical thing to do is to work together
During the age of angry politics a new organisation that seeks to unite not divide is to be applauded, writes Euan McColm
Read more at:
http://www.scotsman.com/news/opinion...ther-1-4186296
Will France leave the EU next?
THE National Front has seized on Brexit to further its campaign for French independence from the European Union. Could France leave too?
Read more at:
http://www.express.co.uk/news/politi...National-Front
Unknown Region Exports & Hidden GDP
A very quick post to clear up the latest the statisticians are hiding Scotland's true wealth myth.
Read more at:
http://chokkablog.blogspot.ca/2016/0...idden-gdp.html
Christopher Columbus was a freckly Scot called Pedro
CHRISTOPHER Columbus was a freckly Scot who went by the name Pedro, according to a historian who has been researching the 15th century explorer for almost three decades.
Read more at:
http://www.scotsman.com/heritage/peo...edro-1-4006128
Supreme Court rules against Named Person scheme
Judges at the UK's highest court have ruled against the Scottish government's Named Person scheme.
Read more at:
https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news...ules-unlawful/
Also from the Scottish Review editor...
A landmark victory for human rights
SR is on holiday. But we interrupt our break this morning to congratulate all the parents with whom we have worked over the last few years to oppose the Scottish Government’s Named Person scheme. We – and they – attempted tirelessly but unsuccessfully to convince the SNP administration that the scheme in its present form represented a disgraceful breach of the right to privacy.
The objections have now been upheld by the UK Supreme Court – a slap in the face for the complacent Scottish judiciary and a humiliating outcome for the Scottish Government. If only the first minister, the deputy first minister and their colleagues had listened to these objections, instead of arrogantly dismissing them, the indictment of the scheme delivered earlier today by the Supreme Court would have been avoided.
This morning’s judgement also serves as a rebuke to all those – including many in official Scotland – who vilified objectors to the scheme.
We are proud to have been associated with the parents’ long campaign and to know that we were the first in the Scottish media to expose the scheme’s threat to human rights.
Scotland's fishing sector could be world leaders
Scotland's fishing industry would be unleashed after Brexit allowing it to show world leadership, MSPs at Holyrood have been told.
Read more at:
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-...itics-36903837
MSPs on the European Committee hold a special session
Almost a dozen witnesses gave evidence before members at Holyrood on brexit vote.
Read more at:
http://www.bbc.com/news/live/uk-scot...itics-36907278
Electric Canadian
Cabot
Found a wee biography of Cabot who discovered Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia and Labrador which you can read at:http://www.electriccanadian.com/hist...nada/cabot.pdf
Electric Scotland
Dictionary of National Biography
I have worked on bringing you some more biographies from this publication. In most cases I have added a link to these at the foot of the page for the name in our "Scottish Nation".
Buchanan http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...n/buchanan.htm
Burns http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...tion/burns.htm
Burnet or Burnett http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...ion/burnet.htm
Burrell http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...on/burrell.htm
Burton http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...ion/burton.htm
Cadell http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...ion/cadell.htm
I would note that in the Cadell file we get information on Francis Cadell who did amazing work in navigating the Murray river in Australia. He was born at Cockenzie, near Prestonpans, February 1822.
Annals of Lower Deeside
Being a Topographical, and Antiquarian History of Durris, Drumoak, and Culter by John A. Henderson, Author of "The History of Banchory-Devenick" (1892)
You can read this book at: http://www.electricscotland.com/Hist...side/index.htm
The History of Banchory-Devenick
The author of the previous book also wrote this one and so have also added a link to it on the page at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/Hist...side/index.htm
Story of the Red Hackle
Got in an email in adding information on its origins which I've added to the page at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...watch/bw17.htm
A Childhood in Brittany Eighty Years Ago
By Anne Douglas Sedgwick (1927) (pdf)
Not really about anything to do with Scotland but lots of Scots spent time in this area of France so thought it might be of interest. You can read this at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...inbrittany.pdf
The Culloden Papers
An extensive and interesting correspondence from the Year 1625 TO 1748. In all 6 volumes of these papers with volumes 1-5 being of a more local interest.
PREFACES have, generally, one of three objects; either to solicit favour, to apologize for defects, or to afford explanation. The following pages may, perhaps, require a short notice with more than one of those views.
After the death of the Lord President Forbes, in 1747, a period of nearly 40 years elapsed, during which his son and grandson made only short and unfrequent visits to Scotland ; and there is every probabilitv, that not the nature only, but even the very existence of these Papers, had eluded recollection. Certain it is, that they must have narrowly escaped desti-uction by a fire which consumed the old castle of Culloden about thirty years ago.
When Mr. Home was writing his "History of the Rebellion of 1745," he either had been informed, or conjectured, that important documents relative to his subject might be found in the possession of the Culloden family. With this view, he paid a visit to the Highlands in the autumn of 1791; and it is extremely unlikely, from the acknowleged liberality of the Proprietor, that, had the existence of the Papers been then known, he would have been disappointed in the object of his journey. A reference, however, to lhs publication will show, that he did not derive any material advantage from his visit at Culloden House.
About five years since, a similar anxiety for information occasioned a partial search to be made by a gentleman of erudition, in the county of Inverness, at the instance of a friend in the South of Scotland. On this occasion, a small number of Papers were procured and transmitted; but the undertaking, for the purpose of which the search had been made, having been relinquished, the documents were returned with the same handsome alacrity with which they had been granted. It is really extraordinary that this partial discovery of Papers could not lead to a more careful investigation. The design of publishing a book, however, is not among those most frequently entertained by country Gentlemen; and, admitting that it might have occurred to some acquaintance of the family who was more immediately attached to literati pursuits, it must also be allowed, that there is a considerable delicacy to be overcome, before a Gentleman can request a free inspection of family papers.
But for an accident, the mention of which would be wholly uninteresting to the public, it is probable, that the Culloden Papers would still have remained in the obscurity and oblivion, into which inadvertence had turned them. In exploring some dark and unfrequented recesses of the House of Culloden for purposes of a very different nature, in the year 1812, two large chests and three sacks were found, containing the materials, a careful selection from which forms the contents of the present volume : mingled, without the least order, or indication of previous inspection, with the lumber of local and uninteresting documents, of useless accounts, trivial memoranda, and law papers, of all dates within the last 200 years.
From this chaotic mass of Manuscripts, a selection of what was considered as best calculated to subsene the purpose of history was made, and put to the press in chronological succession. The Editor, however, had frequent occasions to regret, that many of the Papers were either Letters requiring Answers, to which no Answers could be found; or Answers to Letters that seemed to have no existence; or, again. Letters referring to others which could not be traced.
When the printing had been far advanced, this circumstance, so much to be regretted, induced a more eager search, and a hamper of similar Papers was brought to light. It was impossible, however, now to interfere with the chronological order that had been adopted: and it was deemed expedient to form a second part of the Collection, under the name of Addenda; to recommence, like the former, according to their dates; which would furnish an easy clew to the Reader, for connecting and associating Papers, on similar subjects, that had been printed in the former part of the Volume. Of these last Papers, not a few may, perhaps, be found even more interesting than those which had been previously inserted.
The Editor hopes that he may be allowed to deprecate any displeasure being felt by Noblemen or Gentlemen of the present day, on account of the mention incidentally made of their ancestors, &c. To have omitted their names altogether, would have destroyed the interest of the Letters; and to have inserted them by initials only, would, without answering any purpose of concealment, have seemed to intimate, that they did not appear in a creditable point of new; which, in many instances, will be far from the con\iction of liberal minds, that can connect circumstances with the times in which they happened. The expressions which one man employs in writing of another, are often far from being those of his serious sentiments: allowance must be made for momentary imitation, for conflicting interests, and for what, perhaps, is esteemed address and dexterity in pushing on the business of life. Amongst other instances, we may particularize the notice (in page 33) which Lord Lovat takes of his neighbours and kinsmen in the Aird: so far from his real sentiments being those expressed in his letter, it is well known that he gloried in those gentlemen being part of his clan, and that he knew they were men of handsome independent estates (situated in the fairest district of the Highlands), and of education and honour; and of all the various circumstances upon which his Lordship piqued himself, the distinction of being the head of these very Barons was by far the dearest to his heart. In any other instances might, if necessary, be quoted, in which the momentary expression of anger or contempt could be resolved into the same want of temper or of sincerity.
As to the tendency of many of the Highland chieftains and their clans in favour of the exiled family, whatever opinions divided the kingdom at that time, this cannot only be a subject requiring vindication; and if it raise a glow upon the faces of their descendants, it is not likely to be the blush of shame. Either may be produced by the excess of the noble, as well as by that of the baser passions; but while courage, disinterestedness, generosity, fidelity, compassion, and gratitude for former benefits bestowed, shall continue to be esteemed among the human virtues, the actions of their father and of their adherents. Indeed not in future create unpleasant sensations. Time, which buries in promiscuous ruin and oblivion the hopes and fears of mankind, has long disarmed this subject of its acrimony and justly appreciated its merits. Of late, we have seen our venerable Monarch liberally assisting the last heir of the ancient rivals of his House, during the downfall where into France had plunged the Church, of which he was one of the pillars, and himself; and we know, that the latest moments of this solitary representative of that House, so long pursued by misfortune. were employed in declaring his willing resignation of its long unavailing pretensions, and in blessing to whose generosity he had been so deeply indebted.
You can read these volumes at: http://www.electricscotland.com/history/culloden/
Highlands - The Wild North West
Added a couple of videos to our Highlands page as they show historical footage of Highland life and also the remains of a wee community in Sutherland that had been cleared to stock sheep.
You can view these at: http://www.electricscotland.com/history/highlands/
Eriskay - A Poem of Remote Lives
Scottish Isle Documentary 1934. Added this video to our Crofting page at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/hiSt...ting/index.htm
Weir's Way - Isle of Eigg
A 2 part video of the Isle of Eigg which you can view at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/hist.../chapter12.htm
Weir's Way - Isle of Muck
A 2 part video which you can view at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...s/chapter4.htm
The Rise And Fall Of The Breadalbanes
An interesting video by Tom Weir which you can view at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/webc...readalbane.htm
The Story
Scotch Novels
A review of recent Scotch novels by the Edinburgh Review
This is an interesting review of Scotch Novels in the mid Nineteenth century and I've found pdf copies of the books. I have extracted the Edinburgh review of these books and should any of these be of interest just click on the link below to download them.
THE practical character of our busy modern life has done some injustice to the Scottish nation. Not altogether without reason, people have come to regard us in those practical aspects which are least engaging. The typical Scotchman is the keen and pushing man of bU3iness who looks closely to the main chance, seldom misses a profitable occasion. and takes religious care that in his dealings with his neighbour he shall never fail in his duty to himself. 'Whatever sterling qualities he may possess. there is supposed to be the minimum of poetry in his composition. The Scots have now more than their share of wealth and honours all over the British possessions and the virtues by which they command success have made them less liked than respected. Their peculiarities of speech and manner lend themselves easily to ridicule. Their constitutional reserve and caution tend to repel easy intimacy; and superficial observers have been shown to appreciate the desirable qualities that lie hidden under a commonplace or chilling exterior. We need hardly wonder. then. that they have seemed to offer unpromising material to the hurried authors of ephemeral novels. These ladies and gentlemen write for their readers; they dash down the vague impressions that glance from the surface of unreflecting minds; their indolence saves them from attempting the discriminating analysis which could only result in lamentable failure. and they dwell either on the trivial or the coarsely emotional life that recommends itself most to the vulgar fancy. It neither suits their genius, nor is it in their capacity, to remember that it is the stillest water that runs the deepest.
On the other hand, the writing a good Scotch novel demands a technical mastery of difficult and delicate subjects. The more distinctive effects, the most telling points, are to be sought in those humble interiors to which strangers seldom make their way, and which are less familiar than they ought to be even to cultivated Scotchmen of the upper classes. The language and its idioms are serious stumbling-blocks to begin with.
In the more primitive districts the peasants speak aS their forbears' did before them, and their most ordinary words may convey an infinity of shades of meaning which the most elaborate paraphrase could scarcely interpret to the uninitiated. After all, popularity is the ambition of a novelist. He desires to write for the world in general, and to make his work intelligible to all. If he overload his pages with local dialect which sounds sometimes barbarous and sometimes vulgar, his book is likely to be dropped with distaste. We are scarcely surprised, then, that the list of good Scotch novels i6 a short one; but the fact that it is so leaves an inviting field in these hackneyed times to writers who chance to have the special .knowledge and are conscious of the needful gifts.
In reality the genius and disposition of the Scottish people has. always tended instinctively to the romantic. It is not only that in the turbulent ferocity of their earlier history they were in the habit, like their neighbours, of translating romance into adventurous action. Rapine and bloodshed are the invariable distractions of unsettled and semi-barbarous societies. But the national poetry of the Scotch, the songs and ballads that pleased their untutored fancy and enlivened their rude feasts, had a romantic character all its own. For all its martial ring, it was no mere celebration of deeds of daring or carnage, of battle and fireraising and bloody deaths. It did not glorify successful guile like the Scandinavian scalds and sagas, or exalt the joys of ceaseless slaughter and debauch as the only heaven for a man of action. The most primitive Scotch minstrelsy was characterised as much by a gentle grace and touches of tender pathos as by fire and spirit. Through it all there ran a deep vein of the imaginative, which sometimes, in such wild legends as 'Tamlane,' became as fantastic as any Teutonic march. Even in warlike lays like the fight of Otterburn, where the death-struggle of the Douglas and Percy appealed to national animosities, the minstrel played on the heartstrings of his audience like the immortal Timotheus in 'Alexander's Feast.' He turned from the shivering of lances and the shouts of victory to the softer and nobler emotions, And love was as favourite a theme as battle; witness the plaintive blending of sorrow, passion, and malignant revenge in fair 'Helen of Kirkconnel.' What can be more delicately insinuated than the forgiving bye-struggle of the poisoned and heart stricken lover in 'Lord Randal'? What more tellingly impressive than the sharp touches of nature, the terse and vigorous descriptions of storm-scenery and shipwreck, in the 'Grand old ballad of Sir Patrick Spens'? And instances of the sort might be multiplied indefinitely.
Nor as time went on and Scotland became more peaceful, did the Scottish gentleman undergo much change, although he had to shape his course somewhat differently. He was poor as his country was barren, but his spirit was too high to resign itself to his circumstances, and settle him down into a tame existence, getting his living somehow from hand to mouth.
The laird might live on his lands among his people, exercising a rough paternal authority over the tenantry who were bound to him by filial as by feudal ties. Their needy circumstances spurred the ambition of well-born cadets whose ancestors had always followed the profeBBion of arms, and sent them to foreign lands to seek an outlet for their energies. Read the deeds of the Scotch auxiliaries in the pages of Froissart, or the records of the French kings' Archer Guard, their surest safeguard against domestic treason. Scotch seamen of the middle classes went trading and privateering when European commerce was still in its infancy; and chivalrous old captains like Sir Patrick Spens had worthy successors in the Andrew Bartons. The same spirit of adventure has survived to modern times, spreading itself downward through the nation, although it has been regulated by shrewd sense and has been circumscribed by the modem ways of money-getting. Yet there was romance enough in all conscience, for example, in the lives of the employees of the North American fur companies, who were recruited from the Highlands almost to a man, and who earned their pay and pensions in perpetual warfare with the savages, with the elements, and with one another. And to come more decidedly within the pale of civilisation, in our Indian dependencies, in the colonies, and even in foreign countries, we find Scotch adventurers holding a disproportionate share of offices of trust, profit, and difficulty, simply because they have the reflection, resolution, and courage which sends the fittest men by natural selection to their fitting places in positions of emergency. We seem to have been betrayed into a panegyric when we merely meant to indicate an argument. But we have reached the conclusions we desired to draw-that the race, whether abroad or at home, is much the same as it has always been; consequently that the elements of romance and dramatic surprise are to be found in abundance even among those canny folk who have seldom strayed beyond their parish bounds, although these may lie hidden under an impassive demeanour which repels the scrutiny of the uninstructed observer.
You can read the rest of this long article and get links to some of the books at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...tch_novels.htm
And that's it for this week and hope you all enjoy your weekend.
Alastair