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CONTENTS
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Electric Scotland News
Electric Scotland Community
The Flag in the Wind
Book of Scottish Story
The Kingdom of Fife
Glasgow
Scottish Loch Scenery
Oor Mither Tongue
Poems of William Dixon Cocker
Geikie's Etchings
Town Council Seals of Scotland
An Outline of the Relations between England and Scotland (500-1707)
Historical Tales of the Wars of Scotland
Scotland and the Scots
Sports and Pastimes of Scotland
Scottish Yeomanry in South Africa 1900 - 1901
History of the Town of Greenock (New Book)
McIntyre, John, Minister of Delting parish
Black's Guide to Edinburgh (Complete New Book)
Golspie (Complete New Book)
Robert Chambers (New Book)
Electric Scotland News
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This week I attended the inaugrial meeting of the new North Halton Celtic Historical Society. I've been documenting it's progress for a few years now. Essentially they are trying to preserve the last of the old Scottish settlers farm houses. Over many years all others have been demolished so this is the last remaining farm house. You can't actually see it from the outside but inside is the origional log cabin. Surrounding the structure is a tiered garden which is now way overgrown.
It's actually a three hour drive for me to get there but am happy to help support this worthwhile cause. The Center for Scottish Studies at the University of Guelph have been doing an oral history project recording the memories of the elders in the local population. At some point these will become available to the public.
I'd certainly like to help them with their work and wondered if through Electric Scotland we might be able to raise donations to help them? Like even $5 would help. One thought is that all that donated would be listed on a public plaque which would be displayed at the site. Early days on this of course but any thoughts from you on how we might help would be most welcome.
You can see pictures from my trip there at http://www.electricscotland.com/ssf/fall45.htm
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The Fall meeting of the Center for Scottish Studies at the University of Guelph is on Saturday 25th September. Here is the announcement...
SATURDAY 25th SEPTEMBER 2010, 10:00 a.m.
ROZANSKI HALL
UNIVERSITY OF GUELPH
(registration from 9:30 a.m.)
This year's Colloquium will feature the Annual Jill McKenzie Memorial Lecture entitled "Robert Burns in Transatlantic Culture: The 1859 Centenary" which will be given by Dr. Leith Davis (Director, Scottish Studies Centre, Simon Fraser University) (11:30 a.m.)
Dr. Lucille Campey, author of the newly-released Planters, Paupers, and Pioneers: English Settlers in Atlantic Canada will present "Push, Pull and Opportunity: Emigration from the Highlands and Islands of Scotland to Canada" (2:15 p.m.)
The event will also feature talks by Dr. Barb Murison, Dr. Kris Gies and the 2009 Winner of the Jane Grier Graduate Scholarship, Mr. James Jensen.
Also included will be the Graduate Awards and Report for Scottish Studies at Guelph.
Fees:
Early bird registration, before 17 September: $35
At the door registration:
$40 for members of the Foundation
$45 for non-members
(cheques payable to 'The University of Guelph')
Lunch and refreshments included.
Registration & Inquires:
Scottish Studies
Department of History
University of Guelph
Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1
Tel: (519) 824 4120, ext 53209
Email: scottish@uoguelph.ca
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Christina McKelvie MSP has resumed her weekly diary for which see under The Flag in the Wind.
ABOUT THE STORIES
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Some of the stories in here are just parts of a larger story so do check out the site for the full versions. You can always find the link in our "What's New" section in our site menu and at http://www.electricscotland.com/rss/whatsnew.php
Electric Scotland Community
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I got an email in with a suggestion for what "ootie" and "UYBRAM" mean and posted that up on the community and seems that many thought that was a good answer and my thanks for that.
I mentioned about the Links system not working and this was due to another add-on we use conflicting with it. Steve has taken the view that we allow the authors to complete an update they are working on which they believe will fix the problem. He thus hopes to have this fixed by the weekend.
I actually have big plans for the Links system so I'll be delighted when it becomes fully available.
I might add that Steve has been working on a new server but he's hitting all kinds of problems. Seems he keeps getting virus issues when trying to download the updates from Microsoft. He's now got it up and running but is giving it to the weekend to ensure it hasn't been compromised.
I noted with interest that Canada and Australia are making more use of the system pro -rata to where our main site is being used. Like Canada is producing 17.4% of our visitors and Australia 11.7%. USA is at 43% much in line with our main site and the UK is on 22% again in line with our main site.
I note we now have 221 members on the system so continued albeit slow growth. The signs are that we should see better growth when the Universities get started. On our Electric Scotland site we are seeing growth in numbers since schools when back this week.
Our community can be viewed at http://www.electricscotland.org/forum.php
THE FLAG IN THE WIND
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This weeks issue was compiled by Jamie Hepburn. In this issue he provides us with an interesting artcle on Scottish Water as well as other articles that are also of interest.
You can read this compilation at http://www.scotsindependent.org
The Working Life of Christina McKelvie MSP diary is now back and you can see her first entry after her holidays at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...vie/100909.htm
Book of Scottish Story
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We've added "The Laird of Cool's Ghost" Part 1 which can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/book...y/story129.htm
The other stories can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/books/story/index.htm
"Lights and Shadows of Scottish Life"
We've also added the story "Lilias Grieve" which can be got to towards the foot of the index page above.
The Kingdom of Fife
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Its Ballads and Legends by Robert Boucher, Jun (1899)
This week we added another chapter called "Christ's Kirk on the Green" which can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/history/fife/
Glasgow
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By the British Medical Association (1922)
We've added another chapter to this book, "Glasgow—A Frontier Post". By George Blake
You can read this at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...glasgowndx.htm
Scottish Loch Scenery
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From drawings by A F Lydon with descriptive notes by Thomas A Croal (1882)
This week we added "Loch Earn" which you can read at http://www.electricscotland.com/pictures/lochs15.htm
The other entries can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/pictures/lochs.htm
Oor Mither Tongue
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An Anthology of Scots Vernacular Verse by Ninian Macwhannell (1938)
And we've now started on the final section on "Poems Suitable for School Competitions" and we have the next three poems up...
What's in a Name? (Barbara Ross M'Intosh)
Willie Winkie (William Miller)
See-Saw (Dr. Harry Smith)
These can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...ther/index.htm
Poems of William Dixon Cocker
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We've been adding a few pages from this book each week and have now arrived at his English poems Pages 200 - 204 which you can read at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist.../cocker_wd.htm
This now completes this book.
Geikie's Etchings
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This week we've added more articles...
Summer on the Beach
French Ambassador's Chapel, Cowgate
The Reel O' Tullochgorum
I must confess to very much enjoying these eteching but also the descriptions of them that accompany the picture. For example in The Reel O' Tullochgorum they start...
THE principal figure in this sketch is precisely in Tarn's situation. He is more than blest, he is glorious, and, for the moment, oblivious of all earthly annoyances. The drunken leer, and exaggerated, unnatural hilarity of that regular-built Scottish face are excellent. Look at these heavy lack-lustre eyes—that gaping mouth and that fatuous smile. How true to the condition of the uproarious wight, whose very shouts, whose wild unearthly "hoo hoo's" you may distinctly hear.
Sandy, who, we need hardly remark, is not a member of the Temperance Society, is sporting the light fantastic toe, and he is doing so with a grace wholly and peculiarly his own. There is an agility in those limbs, and an elegance in that position, which would rather astonish a French dancing master.
But if they wouldn't, that cudgel, if brought about his ears by its owner, certainly would; for it is a choice bit of oak, and Sandy strikes like flints when his Adam is up. There never was the Irishman born that liked a row better than he does. But he is too drunk just now to make any great figure either in love or war.
Hear him. Hear how he is whooping and yelling, and see how he is attracting every body's notice. His mother, poor old woman, is ashamed of him. "Oh man, Sandy," she is saying, as you may very distinctly perceive, "what a fule ye're makin' o' yoursel'. Ye're a disgrace, man, to a' that belang to ye. Saw ever ony body sic an idowit Oh that drink, that drink! I'm sure it's a ruin an' a destruction to baith saul and body. Come awa' hame wi' me, man, Sandy, and dinna be affrontin' yoursel' and me this way. See, man, how every body's lookin' and lauchin' at you."
Regardless of the parental objurgation and admonition, which, in fact, he scarcely hears, so high up is he in the hazy regions of drunken happiness, Sandy perseveres in his elegant saltations, and drowns all remonstrance in a succession of hideous yells.
Geikie would appear to have been at considerably more pains with the subordinate figures in this sketch than in some of the others. There is scarcely a figure in it that has not only a distinctive character of its own, but a very marked expression (ingeniously diversified in the different cases), of the feelings likely to be excited by witnessing such an exhibition as that which forms the main subject of the picture.
That old gentleman, for instance, with the umbrella under his arm, who is passing behind our friend Sandy, mark the smile of contempt with which he is eyeing the uncouth gambols of the poor idowit, as his mother called him. Is he not saying as plainly as ever man in a picture said any thing, "Hum, foolish fellow. But a poor performer!"
You can read these at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...ikie/index.htm
Town Council Seals of Scotland
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Historical, Legendary and Heraldic by Alexander Posteous
Added this week...
Keith to Kirriemuir
Jedburgh to Johnstone
You can read these at http://www.electricscotland.com/council/
An Outline of the Relations between England and Scotland (500-1707)
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By Robert S. Rait (1901)
We've now completed this book with the three appendix entries...
Appendix A - References to the Highlanders in Mediaeval Literature
Appendix B - The Feudalization of Scotland
Appendix C - Table of the Competitors of 1290
Appendix B is interesting and starts...
The object of this Appendix is to give a summary of the process by which Anglo-Norman feudalism came to supersede the earlier Scottish civilization. For a more detailed account, the reader is referred to Skene's "Celtic Scotland", Robertson's "Scotland under her Early Kings", and Mr. Lang's "History of Scotland".
The kingdom of which Malcolm Canmore became the ruler in 1058 was not inhabited by clans. It had been, from of old, divided into seven provinces, each of which was inhabited by tribes. The tribe or tuath was governed by its own chief or king (Ri or Toisech); each province or Mor Tuath was governed by Ri Mor Tuath or Mormaer,[95] and these seven Normaers seem (in theory, at all events) to have elected the national king, and to have acted as his advisers. The tribe was divided into freemen and slaves, and freemen and slaves alike were subdivided into various classes--noble and simple; serfs attached to land, and personal bondmen. The land was held, not by the tribe in general, but by the "ciniod" or near kin of the "flath" or senior of each family within the tribe. On the death of a senior, the new senior was chosen (generally with strict regard to primogeniture) from among the nearest in blood, and all who were within three degrees of kin to him, shared in the joint-proprietary of the proceeds of the land. The senior had special privileges and was the representative and surety of the "ciniod", and the guardian of their common interests. After the third generation, a man ceased to be reckoned among the "ciniod", and probably received a small personal allotment. Most of his descendants would thus be landless, or, if they held land, would do so by what soon amounted to servile tenure. Thus the majority of the tribe had little or nothing to lose by the feudalization that was approaching.
The changes of Malcolm's reign are concerned with the Church, not with land-tenure. But the territorialization of the Church, and the abolition of the ecclesiastical system of the tribe, foreshadowed the innovations that Malcolm's son was to introduce. We have seen that an anti-English reaction followed the deaths of Malcolm and Margaret. This is important because it involved an expulsion of the English from Scotland, which may be compared with the expulsion of the Normans from England after the return of Godwin.
You can read the rest of this chapter at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...scotland13.htm
The other chapters can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...cotlandndx.htm
Historical Tales of the Wars of Scotland
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And of the Border Raids, Forays and Conflicts by John Parker Lawson (1839). This is a new publication we're starting on which is in 3 volumes. We intend to post up around 3 stories each week until complete.
This week we've added...
Battle Of Luncarty - AD 980
The Exploits Of Wimund - AD 1141
Battle Of Enbo - AD 1259
The Battle of Luncarty starts...
In the parish of Redgorton, upwards of four miles from the city of Perth, is the field of Luncarty, noted in the ancient history of Scotland for a fabulous tradition of the origin and rise of the Noble Families of Errol, Kinnoul, Tweeddale, and others of inferior rank, as related by Boece and Buchanan. In the reign of Kenneth III. an army of Danish invaders disembarked at the mouth of the Esk in Forfarshire, seized and plundered the nearest towns, and committed the most merciless ravages. If the description of Scotland by an author not inclined to depreciate his native country is to be credited, it is impossible to conjecture the inducements of the Danes to invade Scotland. Referring to this battle of Luncarty, he says—"A large fleet of those rovers was seen off Redhead in Angus, where for some days they lay at anchor, and during this time they consulted among themselves whether they should make a descent at that very place, or put to sea, and set sail for England, which was then, as now, the more opulent country. The soil was fruitful, the air wholesome, the lands well cultivated, the granaries full, the cities populous, and the people become too easy, not so patient of the hardships of war; besides, there were a great many Danes and Norwegians already settled in that kingdom. On the other hand, Scotland was a country considerable only by reason of its fierce unconquered inhabitants—a race of men hardened by labour and strengthened by poverty; few or no cities worth plundering, few lands worth wasting, no gardens, orchards, or baths for pleasure, no plenty of food or drink for feasting, no incitements to luxury; nothing to be met with but steep hills, inaccessible fortresses, dangerous bogs, and withal a hardy robust enemy determined to dispute every inch even of that barren ground made fertile by nothing more than the scattered carcases of former invaders, particularly Danes." Thus far Dr Patrick Abercrombie in his "Martial Achievements of the Scots Nation"—a work, though curious, of a very apocryphal nature. The worthy Doctor's notion of the Scots in those times being " strengthened by poverty" is a little at variance with the modern ideas connected with that misfortune.
You can read these at http://www.electricscotland.com/history/wars/
Scotland and the Scots
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Essays illustrative of Scottish Life, History and Character by Peter Ross (1889).
Chapters available are...
The Scot in America
The Scot Abroad
Scottish Characteristics - Persevering, Ambitious, Logical, Thoughtful
Some More Characteristics - Religious, Poetic, Brave, Honest, Conservative
Scottish Anniversaries and Holidays
Scottish Superstitions
Scottish Sports
Robert Burns and Freemasonary
All of these chapters are quite lengthy and a good read. Here is how the chapter on Scottish Characeristics starts...
SCOTLAND is full of marked characteristics. Even its geographical outline is remarkable, and tells the story of the ravages of natural forces, and the wear and change of time, more completely than that of any other land which has yet been studied by geologists. Within its borders we find scenery of almost every description from the grim towering heights of the Grampians, sometimes crowned with snow all the year round, to the rich undulating hills of the south from the dark, bleak, haunted, mist-shrouded fastnesses of the Western Highlands, to the fertile, smiling valleys of the Lothians; from the barren moor to the blossoming carse; from the placid waters of the Tweed or the Esk to the stormy rush of the firths of Clyde or of Forth; from the gentle loveliness of Loch Arrochar or Loch Katrine, to the moaning or the tumult of the waters of Loch Fyne or Loch Maree; from the treacherous sands of the Solway to the stern, lonesome promontory which for ages has defied the wildest battlings of the elements at Cape Wrath. Within the two oceans which beat against it on either side, the tourist can sojourn amid whatever variety of scene delights his fancy the most. He can roam over green-clad hills, climb cold frowning rocks bearing yet the marks of nature's fashioning, travel through lovely valleys, meander among pleasant meadows, sail on inland seas surrounded with the most romantic scenery which ever delighted the eye of painter or poet, or he can drop into cities having histories dating away back for centuries, and which still possess landmarks connecting those ancient days with these of the present year of grace.
In a country whose geographical features are so full of characteristics, we may be certain that its people—the makers of its history—possess marked idiosyncrasies, or individualities, or positive qualities, in abundance, and really it is more difficult to say what characteristics, which are worth having, may not be attributed to a thorough representative Scot, than to enumerate all those he is certain to possess. I once met a Scot in New York, when he was applying to a well known firm for a situation as bookkeeper. He had no more practical knowledge of bookkeeping than he had of Patagonian, but he was a man of sound intelligence and a good penman and arithmetician. He had been trained in a civil engineer's office in Glasgow and was rising rapidly until an unfortunate commercial disaster ruined his employer, prostrated general business, and threw him, as well as many others, out of employment. He got his situation as bookkeeper and held it for three years, when he managed to secure a position in an engineer's office. I suppose he must have kept the books of the establishment in a manner which satisfied his employers or they would not have retained his services so long. When I asked him, years afterwards, how he managed, he replied, "By using common sense, by being watchful and wary and aye thinkin'." Had he given a year to the consideration of the question he could not more aptly have defined or described the principal characteristics which have distinguished the Scotsmen who have risen to the head of the heap in whatever country they have chosen to make their home. Each nation on the earth has its quota of travelers, men who seek in other climes than their own the fortune or adventure which have been denied to them at home. But among them all there are none who have been more generally successful, or have left so deep an impress wherever their footsteps have lingered, as those who first drew breath in the land of the heather and who have made the title of "the Scot Abroad" synonymous with prudence, honor and triumph.
You can read the rest of this chapter at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...ots/scots3.htm
The other chapters can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/history/scots/index.htm
Sports and Pastimes of Scotland
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By Robert Scott Fittis (1891)
We have several more chapters up...
Chapter VI. The Race Course
Chapter VII. Archery, Football, Golf
Chapter VIII. The Revels of Fastren's E'En
Chapter IX. The Rustic Sports of Lammas
Chapter X. The Highland Games
Chapter XI. Curling
Chapter XII. Miscellaneous, Bowls, Riding at the Ring and Running at the Glove, Catch-Ball, The Kiles and Cricket.
And this now completes this book and these chapters can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...astimesndx.htm
Scottish Yeomanry in South Africa 1900 - 1901
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A Record of the Work and Experiences of the Glasgow and Ayrshire Companies By Trooper A. S. Orr (1901)
We have several more chapters up...
Chapter VIII.—We come under Colonel Le Gallais—August 31 till October 14, 1900
Chapter IX.—With Colonel Le Gallais—Bothaville--October 14 till November 9, 1900
Chapter X.—With Colonel Pilcher—First Trek—November 9 1900, till January 12, 1901
Chapter XI.—With Colonel Pilcher—Second Trek—January 12 till February 1, 1901
Chapter XII.—With Colonel Pilcher—Third Trek—February 1 till March II, 1901
Cbapter Xlll.—With Colonel Pilcher—Fourth Trek—March 11 till May 12, 1901
Chapter XIV.—Conclusion
Roll of 17th Company
Roll of 18th Company
which now completes this book and these chapters can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist.../yeomenndx.htm
History of the Town of Greenock
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By Daniel Weir (1820)
Yet another new book we're starting and here is the Introduction...
IN presenting this first "History of the Town of Greenock" to the notice of the public, the Author is perfectly aware that many motives may be assigned for so doing. But what led to this attempt, was the fact that many places, less entitled to notice than this flourishing sea-port town, had their rise and progress set before the public, while here we were comparatively unknown. Whether this brief sketch will find its way to any thing like a favourable reception from the public, remains to be seen; and the Author is perfectly aware that there are many individuals in the community more qualified to do justice to the task than he who has drawn up its pages. But what is "writ is writ." To those gentlemen who favoured him with communications to the queries sent abroad, it is but too little to return his most sincere thanks. To William Macfie, Esq., of Langhouse as also to John Speirs, Esq., M. D.; James Leitch, Esq.; John Mennons, Esq.; Robert Carswell, Esq.; Mr. Wi!ham Heron, and Mr. Cohn Buchanan; it is but justice to state, that their information on various subjects was of the greatest use, and consequently made available in this compilation. Various sources of information have been gone carefully over; and this work has been in in no small degree indebted to "Crawford's Renfrewshire;" "Woodrow's Church History;" "Chalmers' Caledonia;" "History of Scotland;" and "Sir John Sinclair's Statistical Account." If any thing is to be regretted, it is the seeming want of arrangement which may appear iii the work ; and this has arisen, in a great measure, from information coming in when the book itself was in progress through the press. In regard to errors, it is hardly to be expected that a first attempt at history can be entirely free; but whoever may be called upon to write a second edition, either soon or at a more distant period, can avail himself of such information as the present volume contains, and on this a fabric may be reared more worthy of public support. To the numerous friends who came forward to patronize this effort, more than mere gratitude is due; and they may rest assured, that the feeling which the Author entertains of their kindness is not likely to be soon effaced. It is not to be expected that this rallying round an individual should disarm Ihir and honourable criticism. The book is put forth with the consciousness of its containing many faults; and if any other person had come forward willing to engage in the task, every information and aid would have been given, and a more perfect record might have been produced of the history of a town, which has risen in importance and greatness scarcely equalled by any place in the neighbourhood.
END.
The reason for selecting this book was simply that many emigrants from Scotland set off from this place to head for America, Australia and New Zeland. I thus thought it would be interesting to find out more about it and perhaps one of your own ancestors departed from there?
The book has no chapters and so to make it a bit easier to read I've split it into 16 parts and we have a few parts up for you to read right now.
These parts can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...nock/index.htm
McIntyre, John, Minister of Delting parish
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I got an email in from Claire Toynbee...
Recently while exchanging email with someone about my grandfather's uncle, Peter Blanche from Shetland, I decided to look the family up in the 1851 census. His father Robert, 59, who was a joiner, was raising his family in Calback, Delting parish ... which so far's I can see, was near the present-day Sullum Voe oil terminal. There were 51 households enumerated in their district, Garth, which included one household on Little Roe.
For the first time with this 1851 census, I went through the header pages too, and I was fascinated to find, on the summary page, a section for Remarks of the Minister of the Parish. The minister of Delting parish was one John McIntyre, 49, who had been born in Edinburgh -- and he definitely had something to say! Good for him, taking the opportunity to speak up for the people of his parish. So I thought I would pass on a copy to you.
Now I'll be on the lookout for more ministers' comments in 1851!
The writing was very hard to read so Claire kindly did a translation for me which you can read at http://www.electricscotland.com/webc...ntyre_john.htm
Black's Guide to Edinburgh
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And environs Hawthornden and Roslin by Adam and Charles Black (1868)
John Henderson kindly made this book available to us in sections in pdf format...
Introduction
First Walk - New Town
Second Walk - Old Town
Third Walk - South Side of Town
Fourth Walk - The West End
Suburbs
Leith
Hawthornden and Roslin
Hotel Advertisements
You can read these at http://www.electricscotland.com/travel/blacks/index.htm
Golspie
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Contributions to its Folklore (1897).
I was interested to find this book as we stayed in this town a couple of times on holiday. In fact my boarding house matron at school came from Golspie.
Anyway... a lovely wee town. The book can be downloaded as a pdf file but I've taken the opportunity to ocr the Introduction which starts...
We had left the pleasant uplands of Glen Shee for the sands, the waves, the bracing breezes of Nairn—and to our dismay Nairn was full already. We had then turned our eyes to the varied coastline opposite, stretching away for league upon league toward the Orkneys, and had resolved to try Tain. We had found Tain peaceful and picturesque—but alas! its shores were not for the feet of the paddler or the spade of the digger, and so we had sped northward still, to Golspie. And at Golspie we had found all that we craved. On the north of the bay, where we first sought it, there was just sand enough—we had not yet seen the miles of smooth sand which lie south of the village. Before us, across the steely sea rose far and dim the line of Moray hills; while in front of us the seabirds swam, wheeled, and settled. Behind, brown kye and snowy geese were dotted over a broad belt of green pasture. To left stood the woody heights and gleaming turrets of Dunrobin. To right swept a low shore backed by a crescent of mountains. And Golspie Burn! with its beautiful fall, babbling rapids, and clear pools of brown water ! its rocks and trees and ferns and mosses! and its dusky rabbits scudding away wherever we bent our steps! Yes, certainly we should have found content at Golspie—even if the Sutherland Arms had been less homelike; even if our host, the Duke's whilom gardener, had not joined to it one of the most delightful of simple old-fashioned gardens; even if every noontide a robin (or was he an enchanted prince?) had not come in at the window and by his example gracefully invited us to partake of the newly spread luncheon.
I had gone into the village one morning to buy something, and as I came back the boys and girls were at play in the steep playground which slopes down from the School to the road. I stood looking at them, and especially at a game which some of the girls were playing. They were dancing in a ring, reciting as they danced, and then they would suddenly reverse and dance the other way round, still reciting. Presently some of the younger ones—children of perhaps seven or eight— came down and formed a ring in the road before me. In a minute or two some of the older girls did the same. I thanked them all and spun up a sixpence for them to scramble for: then they had to go back into school and I went on to the Sutherland Arms. There I sat down and wrote the proposal for a prize-competition from which you will find some extracts at p. 328.
You can read the rest of this and download the book at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...spie/index.htm
Robert Chambers
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Robert Chambers is a famous author and publisher and we do carry a few of his publications on our site such as the 3 volume Domestic Annals of Scotland and his 4 volume Biographical Dictionary of Significant Scots.
John Henderson found his 2 volume Songs of Scotland which we both agree is a fabulous resource and so we are going to add this to the site in small chuncks in pdf format for you to enjoy.
We have also added a small biography of him and if you read it you can't be but impressed by the sheer volume of quality work that he produced.
You can read this at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...ers_robert.htm
And to finish...
Card Sharp
Did you hear about the little girl arriving at her nursery who proudly declared that
her dad had helped teach her her numbers the day before?
"What comes after five?" asked the nursery assistant.
"Six," said the little girl.
"And after eight?"
"Nine," she replied.
So the assistant tried an even harder one to test the skills of the girl's father.
"And after 10?"
"Jack," replied the little girl.
And that's it for now and hope you all have a good weekend :-)
Alastair
http://www.electricscotland.com
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Electric Scotland News
Electric Scotland Community
The Flag in the Wind
Book of Scottish Story
The Kingdom of Fife
Glasgow
Scottish Loch Scenery
Oor Mither Tongue
Poems of William Dixon Cocker
Geikie's Etchings
Town Council Seals of Scotland
An Outline of the Relations between England and Scotland (500-1707)
Historical Tales of the Wars of Scotland
Scotland and the Scots
Sports and Pastimes of Scotland
Scottish Yeomanry in South Africa 1900 - 1901
History of the Town of Greenock (New Book)
McIntyre, John, Minister of Delting parish
Black's Guide to Edinburgh (Complete New Book)
Golspie (Complete New Book)
Robert Chambers (New Book)
Electric Scotland News
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This week I attended the inaugrial meeting of the new North Halton Celtic Historical Society. I've been documenting it's progress for a few years now. Essentially they are trying to preserve the last of the old Scottish settlers farm houses. Over many years all others have been demolished so this is the last remaining farm house. You can't actually see it from the outside but inside is the origional log cabin. Surrounding the structure is a tiered garden which is now way overgrown.
It's actually a three hour drive for me to get there but am happy to help support this worthwhile cause. The Center for Scottish Studies at the University of Guelph have been doing an oral history project recording the memories of the elders in the local population. At some point these will become available to the public.
I'd certainly like to help them with their work and wondered if through Electric Scotland we might be able to raise donations to help them? Like even $5 would help. One thought is that all that donated would be listed on a public plaque which would be displayed at the site. Early days on this of course but any thoughts from you on how we might help would be most welcome.
You can see pictures from my trip there at http://www.electricscotland.com/ssf/fall45.htm
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The Fall meeting of the Center for Scottish Studies at the University of Guelph is on Saturday 25th September. Here is the announcement...
SATURDAY 25th SEPTEMBER 2010, 10:00 a.m.
ROZANSKI HALL
UNIVERSITY OF GUELPH
(registration from 9:30 a.m.)
This year's Colloquium will feature the Annual Jill McKenzie Memorial Lecture entitled "Robert Burns in Transatlantic Culture: The 1859 Centenary" which will be given by Dr. Leith Davis (Director, Scottish Studies Centre, Simon Fraser University) (11:30 a.m.)
Dr. Lucille Campey, author of the newly-released Planters, Paupers, and Pioneers: English Settlers in Atlantic Canada will present "Push, Pull and Opportunity: Emigration from the Highlands and Islands of Scotland to Canada" (2:15 p.m.)
The event will also feature talks by Dr. Barb Murison, Dr. Kris Gies and the 2009 Winner of the Jane Grier Graduate Scholarship, Mr. James Jensen.
Also included will be the Graduate Awards and Report for Scottish Studies at Guelph.
Fees:
Early bird registration, before 17 September: $35
At the door registration:
$40 for members of the Foundation
$45 for non-members
(cheques payable to 'The University of Guelph')
Lunch and refreshments included.
Registration & Inquires:
Scottish Studies
Department of History
University of Guelph
Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1
Tel: (519) 824 4120, ext 53209
Email: scottish@uoguelph.ca
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Christina McKelvie MSP has resumed her weekly diary for which see under The Flag in the Wind.
ABOUT THE STORIES
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Some of the stories in here are just parts of a larger story so do check out the site for the full versions. You can always find the link in our "What's New" section in our site menu and at http://www.electricscotland.com/rss/whatsnew.php
Electric Scotland Community
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I got an email in with a suggestion for what "ootie" and "UYBRAM" mean and posted that up on the community and seems that many thought that was a good answer and my thanks for that.
I mentioned about the Links system not working and this was due to another add-on we use conflicting with it. Steve has taken the view that we allow the authors to complete an update they are working on which they believe will fix the problem. He thus hopes to have this fixed by the weekend.
I actually have big plans for the Links system so I'll be delighted when it becomes fully available.
I might add that Steve has been working on a new server but he's hitting all kinds of problems. Seems he keeps getting virus issues when trying to download the updates from Microsoft. He's now got it up and running but is giving it to the weekend to ensure it hasn't been compromised.
I noted with interest that Canada and Australia are making more use of the system pro -rata to where our main site is being used. Like Canada is producing 17.4% of our visitors and Australia 11.7%. USA is at 43% much in line with our main site and the UK is on 22% again in line with our main site.
I note we now have 221 members on the system so continued albeit slow growth. The signs are that we should see better growth when the Universities get started. On our Electric Scotland site we are seeing growth in numbers since schools when back this week.
Our community can be viewed at http://www.electricscotland.org/forum.php
THE FLAG IN THE WIND
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This weeks issue was compiled by Jamie Hepburn. In this issue he provides us with an interesting artcle on Scottish Water as well as other articles that are also of interest.
You can read this compilation at http://www.scotsindependent.org
The Working Life of Christina McKelvie MSP diary is now back and you can see her first entry after her holidays at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...vie/100909.htm
Book of Scottish Story
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We've added "The Laird of Cool's Ghost" Part 1 which can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/book...y/story129.htm
The other stories can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/books/story/index.htm
"Lights and Shadows of Scottish Life"
We've also added the story "Lilias Grieve" which can be got to towards the foot of the index page above.
The Kingdom of Fife
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Its Ballads and Legends by Robert Boucher, Jun (1899)
This week we added another chapter called "Christ's Kirk on the Green" which can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/history/fife/
Glasgow
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By the British Medical Association (1922)
We've added another chapter to this book, "Glasgow—A Frontier Post". By George Blake
You can read this at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...glasgowndx.htm
Scottish Loch Scenery
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From drawings by A F Lydon with descriptive notes by Thomas A Croal (1882)
This week we added "Loch Earn" which you can read at http://www.electricscotland.com/pictures/lochs15.htm
The other entries can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/pictures/lochs.htm
Oor Mither Tongue
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An Anthology of Scots Vernacular Verse by Ninian Macwhannell (1938)
And we've now started on the final section on "Poems Suitable for School Competitions" and we have the next three poems up...
What's in a Name? (Barbara Ross M'Intosh)
Willie Winkie (William Miller)
See-Saw (Dr. Harry Smith)
These can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...ther/index.htm
Poems of William Dixon Cocker
-----------------------------
We've been adding a few pages from this book each week and have now arrived at his English poems Pages 200 - 204 which you can read at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist.../cocker_wd.htm
This now completes this book.
Geikie's Etchings
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This week we've added more articles...
Summer on the Beach
French Ambassador's Chapel, Cowgate
The Reel O' Tullochgorum
I must confess to very much enjoying these eteching but also the descriptions of them that accompany the picture. For example in The Reel O' Tullochgorum they start...
THE principal figure in this sketch is precisely in Tarn's situation. He is more than blest, he is glorious, and, for the moment, oblivious of all earthly annoyances. The drunken leer, and exaggerated, unnatural hilarity of that regular-built Scottish face are excellent. Look at these heavy lack-lustre eyes—that gaping mouth and that fatuous smile. How true to the condition of the uproarious wight, whose very shouts, whose wild unearthly "hoo hoo's" you may distinctly hear.
Sandy, who, we need hardly remark, is not a member of the Temperance Society, is sporting the light fantastic toe, and he is doing so with a grace wholly and peculiarly his own. There is an agility in those limbs, and an elegance in that position, which would rather astonish a French dancing master.
But if they wouldn't, that cudgel, if brought about his ears by its owner, certainly would; for it is a choice bit of oak, and Sandy strikes like flints when his Adam is up. There never was the Irishman born that liked a row better than he does. But he is too drunk just now to make any great figure either in love or war.
Hear him. Hear how he is whooping and yelling, and see how he is attracting every body's notice. His mother, poor old woman, is ashamed of him. "Oh man, Sandy," she is saying, as you may very distinctly perceive, "what a fule ye're makin' o' yoursel'. Ye're a disgrace, man, to a' that belang to ye. Saw ever ony body sic an idowit Oh that drink, that drink! I'm sure it's a ruin an' a destruction to baith saul and body. Come awa' hame wi' me, man, Sandy, and dinna be affrontin' yoursel' and me this way. See, man, how every body's lookin' and lauchin' at you."
Regardless of the parental objurgation and admonition, which, in fact, he scarcely hears, so high up is he in the hazy regions of drunken happiness, Sandy perseveres in his elegant saltations, and drowns all remonstrance in a succession of hideous yells.
Geikie would appear to have been at considerably more pains with the subordinate figures in this sketch than in some of the others. There is scarcely a figure in it that has not only a distinctive character of its own, but a very marked expression (ingeniously diversified in the different cases), of the feelings likely to be excited by witnessing such an exhibition as that which forms the main subject of the picture.
That old gentleman, for instance, with the umbrella under his arm, who is passing behind our friend Sandy, mark the smile of contempt with which he is eyeing the uncouth gambols of the poor idowit, as his mother called him. Is he not saying as plainly as ever man in a picture said any thing, "Hum, foolish fellow. But a poor performer!"
You can read these at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...ikie/index.htm
Town Council Seals of Scotland
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Historical, Legendary and Heraldic by Alexander Posteous
Added this week...
Keith to Kirriemuir
Jedburgh to Johnstone
You can read these at http://www.electricscotland.com/council/
An Outline of the Relations between England and Scotland (500-1707)
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By Robert S. Rait (1901)
We've now completed this book with the three appendix entries...
Appendix A - References to the Highlanders in Mediaeval Literature
Appendix B - The Feudalization of Scotland
Appendix C - Table of the Competitors of 1290
Appendix B is interesting and starts...
The object of this Appendix is to give a summary of the process by which Anglo-Norman feudalism came to supersede the earlier Scottish civilization. For a more detailed account, the reader is referred to Skene's "Celtic Scotland", Robertson's "Scotland under her Early Kings", and Mr. Lang's "History of Scotland".
The kingdom of which Malcolm Canmore became the ruler in 1058 was not inhabited by clans. It had been, from of old, divided into seven provinces, each of which was inhabited by tribes. The tribe or tuath was governed by its own chief or king (Ri or Toisech); each province or Mor Tuath was governed by Ri Mor Tuath or Mormaer,[95] and these seven Normaers seem (in theory, at all events) to have elected the national king, and to have acted as his advisers. The tribe was divided into freemen and slaves, and freemen and slaves alike were subdivided into various classes--noble and simple; serfs attached to land, and personal bondmen. The land was held, not by the tribe in general, but by the "ciniod" or near kin of the "flath" or senior of each family within the tribe. On the death of a senior, the new senior was chosen (generally with strict regard to primogeniture) from among the nearest in blood, and all who were within three degrees of kin to him, shared in the joint-proprietary of the proceeds of the land. The senior had special privileges and was the representative and surety of the "ciniod", and the guardian of their common interests. After the third generation, a man ceased to be reckoned among the "ciniod", and probably received a small personal allotment. Most of his descendants would thus be landless, or, if they held land, would do so by what soon amounted to servile tenure. Thus the majority of the tribe had little or nothing to lose by the feudalization that was approaching.
The changes of Malcolm's reign are concerned with the Church, not with land-tenure. But the territorialization of the Church, and the abolition of the ecclesiastical system of the tribe, foreshadowed the innovations that Malcolm's son was to introduce. We have seen that an anti-English reaction followed the deaths of Malcolm and Margaret. This is important because it involved an expulsion of the English from Scotland, which may be compared with the expulsion of the Normans from England after the return of Godwin.
You can read the rest of this chapter at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...scotland13.htm
The other chapters can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...cotlandndx.htm
Historical Tales of the Wars of Scotland
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And of the Border Raids, Forays and Conflicts by John Parker Lawson (1839). This is a new publication we're starting on which is in 3 volumes. We intend to post up around 3 stories each week until complete.
This week we've added...
Battle Of Luncarty - AD 980
The Exploits Of Wimund - AD 1141
Battle Of Enbo - AD 1259
The Battle of Luncarty starts...
In the parish of Redgorton, upwards of four miles from the city of Perth, is the field of Luncarty, noted in the ancient history of Scotland for a fabulous tradition of the origin and rise of the Noble Families of Errol, Kinnoul, Tweeddale, and others of inferior rank, as related by Boece and Buchanan. In the reign of Kenneth III. an army of Danish invaders disembarked at the mouth of the Esk in Forfarshire, seized and plundered the nearest towns, and committed the most merciless ravages. If the description of Scotland by an author not inclined to depreciate his native country is to be credited, it is impossible to conjecture the inducements of the Danes to invade Scotland. Referring to this battle of Luncarty, he says—"A large fleet of those rovers was seen off Redhead in Angus, where for some days they lay at anchor, and during this time they consulted among themselves whether they should make a descent at that very place, or put to sea, and set sail for England, which was then, as now, the more opulent country. The soil was fruitful, the air wholesome, the lands well cultivated, the granaries full, the cities populous, and the people become too easy, not so patient of the hardships of war; besides, there were a great many Danes and Norwegians already settled in that kingdom. On the other hand, Scotland was a country considerable only by reason of its fierce unconquered inhabitants—a race of men hardened by labour and strengthened by poverty; few or no cities worth plundering, few lands worth wasting, no gardens, orchards, or baths for pleasure, no plenty of food or drink for feasting, no incitements to luxury; nothing to be met with but steep hills, inaccessible fortresses, dangerous bogs, and withal a hardy robust enemy determined to dispute every inch even of that barren ground made fertile by nothing more than the scattered carcases of former invaders, particularly Danes." Thus far Dr Patrick Abercrombie in his "Martial Achievements of the Scots Nation"—a work, though curious, of a very apocryphal nature. The worthy Doctor's notion of the Scots in those times being " strengthened by poverty" is a little at variance with the modern ideas connected with that misfortune.
You can read these at http://www.electricscotland.com/history/wars/
Scotland and the Scots
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Essays illustrative of Scottish Life, History and Character by Peter Ross (1889).
Chapters available are...
The Scot in America
The Scot Abroad
Scottish Characteristics - Persevering, Ambitious, Logical, Thoughtful
Some More Characteristics - Religious, Poetic, Brave, Honest, Conservative
Scottish Anniversaries and Holidays
Scottish Superstitions
Scottish Sports
Robert Burns and Freemasonary
All of these chapters are quite lengthy and a good read. Here is how the chapter on Scottish Characeristics starts...
SCOTLAND is full of marked characteristics. Even its geographical outline is remarkable, and tells the story of the ravages of natural forces, and the wear and change of time, more completely than that of any other land which has yet been studied by geologists. Within its borders we find scenery of almost every description from the grim towering heights of the Grampians, sometimes crowned with snow all the year round, to the rich undulating hills of the south from the dark, bleak, haunted, mist-shrouded fastnesses of the Western Highlands, to the fertile, smiling valleys of the Lothians; from the barren moor to the blossoming carse; from the placid waters of the Tweed or the Esk to the stormy rush of the firths of Clyde or of Forth; from the gentle loveliness of Loch Arrochar or Loch Katrine, to the moaning or the tumult of the waters of Loch Fyne or Loch Maree; from the treacherous sands of the Solway to the stern, lonesome promontory which for ages has defied the wildest battlings of the elements at Cape Wrath. Within the two oceans which beat against it on either side, the tourist can sojourn amid whatever variety of scene delights his fancy the most. He can roam over green-clad hills, climb cold frowning rocks bearing yet the marks of nature's fashioning, travel through lovely valleys, meander among pleasant meadows, sail on inland seas surrounded with the most romantic scenery which ever delighted the eye of painter or poet, or he can drop into cities having histories dating away back for centuries, and which still possess landmarks connecting those ancient days with these of the present year of grace.
In a country whose geographical features are so full of characteristics, we may be certain that its people—the makers of its history—possess marked idiosyncrasies, or individualities, or positive qualities, in abundance, and really it is more difficult to say what characteristics, which are worth having, may not be attributed to a thorough representative Scot, than to enumerate all those he is certain to possess. I once met a Scot in New York, when he was applying to a well known firm for a situation as bookkeeper. He had no more practical knowledge of bookkeeping than he had of Patagonian, but he was a man of sound intelligence and a good penman and arithmetician. He had been trained in a civil engineer's office in Glasgow and was rising rapidly until an unfortunate commercial disaster ruined his employer, prostrated general business, and threw him, as well as many others, out of employment. He got his situation as bookkeeper and held it for three years, when he managed to secure a position in an engineer's office. I suppose he must have kept the books of the establishment in a manner which satisfied his employers or they would not have retained his services so long. When I asked him, years afterwards, how he managed, he replied, "By using common sense, by being watchful and wary and aye thinkin'." Had he given a year to the consideration of the question he could not more aptly have defined or described the principal characteristics which have distinguished the Scotsmen who have risen to the head of the heap in whatever country they have chosen to make their home. Each nation on the earth has its quota of travelers, men who seek in other climes than their own the fortune or adventure which have been denied to them at home. But among them all there are none who have been more generally successful, or have left so deep an impress wherever their footsteps have lingered, as those who first drew breath in the land of the heather and who have made the title of "the Scot Abroad" synonymous with prudence, honor and triumph.
You can read the rest of this chapter at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...ots/scots3.htm
The other chapters can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/history/scots/index.htm
Sports and Pastimes of Scotland
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By Robert Scott Fittis (1891)
We have several more chapters up...
Chapter VI. The Race Course
Chapter VII. Archery, Football, Golf
Chapter VIII. The Revels of Fastren's E'En
Chapter IX. The Rustic Sports of Lammas
Chapter X. The Highland Games
Chapter XI. Curling
Chapter XII. Miscellaneous, Bowls, Riding at the Ring and Running at the Glove, Catch-Ball, The Kiles and Cricket.
And this now completes this book and these chapters can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...astimesndx.htm
Scottish Yeomanry in South Africa 1900 - 1901
---------------------------------------------
A Record of the Work and Experiences of the Glasgow and Ayrshire Companies By Trooper A. S. Orr (1901)
We have several more chapters up...
Chapter VIII.—We come under Colonel Le Gallais—August 31 till October 14, 1900
Chapter IX.—With Colonel Le Gallais—Bothaville--October 14 till November 9, 1900
Chapter X.—With Colonel Pilcher—First Trek—November 9 1900, till January 12, 1901
Chapter XI.—With Colonel Pilcher—Second Trek—January 12 till February 1, 1901
Chapter XII.—With Colonel Pilcher—Third Trek—February 1 till March II, 1901
Cbapter Xlll.—With Colonel Pilcher—Fourth Trek—March 11 till May 12, 1901
Chapter XIV.—Conclusion
Roll of 17th Company
Roll of 18th Company
which now completes this book and these chapters can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist.../yeomenndx.htm
History of the Town of Greenock
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By Daniel Weir (1820)
Yet another new book we're starting and here is the Introduction...
IN presenting this first "History of the Town of Greenock" to the notice of the public, the Author is perfectly aware that many motives may be assigned for so doing. But what led to this attempt, was the fact that many places, less entitled to notice than this flourishing sea-port town, had their rise and progress set before the public, while here we were comparatively unknown. Whether this brief sketch will find its way to any thing like a favourable reception from the public, remains to be seen; and the Author is perfectly aware that there are many individuals in the community more qualified to do justice to the task than he who has drawn up its pages. But what is "writ is writ." To those gentlemen who favoured him with communications to the queries sent abroad, it is but too little to return his most sincere thanks. To William Macfie, Esq., of Langhouse as also to John Speirs, Esq., M. D.; James Leitch, Esq.; John Mennons, Esq.; Robert Carswell, Esq.; Mr. Wi!ham Heron, and Mr. Cohn Buchanan; it is but justice to state, that their information on various subjects was of the greatest use, and consequently made available in this compilation. Various sources of information have been gone carefully over; and this work has been in in no small degree indebted to "Crawford's Renfrewshire;" "Woodrow's Church History;" "Chalmers' Caledonia;" "History of Scotland;" and "Sir John Sinclair's Statistical Account." If any thing is to be regretted, it is the seeming want of arrangement which may appear iii the work ; and this has arisen, in a great measure, from information coming in when the book itself was in progress through the press. In regard to errors, it is hardly to be expected that a first attempt at history can be entirely free; but whoever may be called upon to write a second edition, either soon or at a more distant period, can avail himself of such information as the present volume contains, and on this a fabric may be reared more worthy of public support. To the numerous friends who came forward to patronize this effort, more than mere gratitude is due; and they may rest assured, that the feeling which the Author entertains of their kindness is not likely to be soon effaced. It is not to be expected that this rallying round an individual should disarm Ihir and honourable criticism. The book is put forth with the consciousness of its containing many faults; and if any other person had come forward willing to engage in the task, every information and aid would have been given, and a more perfect record might have been produced of the history of a town, which has risen in importance and greatness scarcely equalled by any place in the neighbourhood.
END.
The reason for selecting this book was simply that many emigrants from Scotland set off from this place to head for America, Australia and New Zeland. I thus thought it would be interesting to find out more about it and perhaps one of your own ancestors departed from there?
The book has no chapters and so to make it a bit easier to read I've split it into 16 parts and we have a few parts up for you to read right now.
These parts can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...nock/index.htm
McIntyre, John, Minister of Delting parish
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I got an email in from Claire Toynbee...
Recently while exchanging email with someone about my grandfather's uncle, Peter Blanche from Shetland, I decided to look the family up in the 1851 census. His father Robert, 59, who was a joiner, was raising his family in Calback, Delting parish ... which so far's I can see, was near the present-day Sullum Voe oil terminal. There were 51 households enumerated in their district, Garth, which included one household on Little Roe.
For the first time with this 1851 census, I went through the header pages too, and I was fascinated to find, on the summary page, a section for Remarks of the Minister of the Parish. The minister of Delting parish was one John McIntyre, 49, who had been born in Edinburgh -- and he definitely had something to say! Good for him, taking the opportunity to speak up for the people of his parish. So I thought I would pass on a copy to you.
Now I'll be on the lookout for more ministers' comments in 1851!
The writing was very hard to read so Claire kindly did a translation for me which you can read at http://www.electricscotland.com/webc...ntyre_john.htm
Black's Guide to Edinburgh
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And environs Hawthornden and Roslin by Adam and Charles Black (1868)
John Henderson kindly made this book available to us in sections in pdf format...
Introduction
First Walk - New Town
Second Walk - Old Town
Third Walk - South Side of Town
Fourth Walk - The West End
Suburbs
Leith
Hawthornden and Roslin
Hotel Advertisements
You can read these at http://www.electricscotland.com/travel/blacks/index.htm
Golspie
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Contributions to its Folklore (1897).
I was interested to find this book as we stayed in this town a couple of times on holiday. In fact my boarding house matron at school came from Golspie.
Anyway... a lovely wee town. The book can be downloaded as a pdf file but I've taken the opportunity to ocr the Introduction which starts...
We had left the pleasant uplands of Glen Shee for the sands, the waves, the bracing breezes of Nairn—and to our dismay Nairn was full already. We had then turned our eyes to the varied coastline opposite, stretching away for league upon league toward the Orkneys, and had resolved to try Tain. We had found Tain peaceful and picturesque—but alas! its shores were not for the feet of the paddler or the spade of the digger, and so we had sped northward still, to Golspie. And at Golspie we had found all that we craved. On the north of the bay, where we first sought it, there was just sand enough—we had not yet seen the miles of smooth sand which lie south of the village. Before us, across the steely sea rose far and dim the line of Moray hills; while in front of us the seabirds swam, wheeled, and settled. Behind, brown kye and snowy geese were dotted over a broad belt of green pasture. To left stood the woody heights and gleaming turrets of Dunrobin. To right swept a low shore backed by a crescent of mountains. And Golspie Burn! with its beautiful fall, babbling rapids, and clear pools of brown water ! its rocks and trees and ferns and mosses! and its dusky rabbits scudding away wherever we bent our steps! Yes, certainly we should have found content at Golspie—even if the Sutherland Arms had been less homelike; even if our host, the Duke's whilom gardener, had not joined to it one of the most delightful of simple old-fashioned gardens; even if every noontide a robin (or was he an enchanted prince?) had not come in at the window and by his example gracefully invited us to partake of the newly spread luncheon.
I had gone into the village one morning to buy something, and as I came back the boys and girls were at play in the steep playground which slopes down from the School to the road. I stood looking at them, and especially at a game which some of the girls were playing. They were dancing in a ring, reciting as they danced, and then they would suddenly reverse and dance the other way round, still reciting. Presently some of the younger ones—children of perhaps seven or eight— came down and formed a ring in the road before me. In a minute or two some of the older girls did the same. I thanked them all and spun up a sixpence for them to scramble for: then they had to go back into school and I went on to the Sutherland Arms. There I sat down and wrote the proposal for a prize-competition from which you will find some extracts at p. 328.
You can read the rest of this and download the book at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...spie/index.htm
Robert Chambers
---------------
Robert Chambers is a famous author and publisher and we do carry a few of his publications on our site such as the 3 volume Domestic Annals of Scotland and his 4 volume Biographical Dictionary of Significant Scots.
John Henderson found his 2 volume Songs of Scotland which we both agree is a fabulous resource and so we are going to add this to the site in small chuncks in pdf format for you to enjoy.
We have also added a small biography of him and if you read it you can't be but impressed by the sheer volume of quality work that he produced.
You can read this at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...ers_robert.htm
And to finish...
Card Sharp
Did you hear about the little girl arriving at her nursery who proudly declared that
her dad had helped teach her her numbers the day before?
"What comes after five?" asked the nursery assistant.
"Six," said the little girl.
"And after eight?"
"Nine," she replied.
So the assistant tried an even harder one to test the skills of the girl's father.
"And after 10?"
"Jack," replied the little girl.
And that's it for now and hope you all have a good weekend :-)
Alastair
http://www.electricscotland.com