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CONTENTS
--------
Electric Scotland News
Electric Scotland Community
The Flag in the Wind
Book of Scottish Story
The Kingdom of Fife
Glasgow
Scottish Loch Scenery
Geikie's Etchings
Town Council Seals of Scotland
Historical Tales of the Wars of Scotland
History of the Town of Greenock
Robert Chambers - Songs of Scotland
The Heather in Lore, Lyric and Lay
History of the Town and Castle of Dumbarton
The Paisley Shawl and the People who made it
History of Moffat (New Book)
Notes and Reminscences of Partick (New Book)
Travel article
Beth's Newfangled Family Tree
Clan Leslie Society International
Fallbrook Farm Heritage Site
The Complete Scotland
Scotland's Hijacked Oil Revenue
Poems by John Henderson
Electric Scotland News
----------------------
I mentioned last week that I was working on the History of BC. I emailed their Tourism office to ask if they could supply some pictures to go with it. I got their reply...
"Our images won’t be available for use on your website as they are strictly for tour operators and media promoting travel to the province".
Sheesh... so I guess they don't consider history to be a promotion of their Province. To be frank this is just idiotic. I really despair of the travel industry. Where on earth do they get such brain dead people.
-----
I was advised today of the death of Oskar Douglas. He had contributed some poems and stories to our web site which you can read at http://www.electricscotland.com/poetry/douglas/
-----
My heat exchanger went on my furnace. It's an old one a Clair HEMB90B. Looks like a replacement is not available so if anyone can locate one I'd love to hear from you otherwise it's off to purchase a new furnace.
-----
There is a special event running at St Andrews University this Friday on Scotland and the Wider World. Sounds like an event I'd love to go to and here is some info about it...
We would like to draw your attention to Scotland's first ever Researchers' Night: Scotland and the Wider World which will take place on 24 September 2010 (3pm - 11pm)
We invite you to join us in a celebration of Scotland's links with the wider world at our festival of history.
We have organised a series of fun and informative events to be held on Friday, 24th September 2010 and we hope you will join us in St Andrews to make it a truly memorable occasion.
This is a landmark event, as this will be the first time that Scotland will be hosting a Researchers' Night. While we celebrate in Scotland, over 50 venues all over Europe will be holding similar events simultaneously, from as far away as Thessalonki in Greece to the Natural History Museum in London.
The School of History has worked together with MUSA (The Museum of the University of St Andrews) and Historic Scotland to bring you a programme of events which we hope will have something of interest for everyone.
Our events include a Public Lecture series taking you on a journey back in time to the creation of the Scottish Universities, or the adventures of the Scots in the Thirty Years' War (1618-1648).
Family historians are invited to come and try our Scotland, Scandinavia and Northern Europe Database with its c.8000 biographical records.
You may also like to browse our Poster Exhibition and explore the depths of James VI's canny brand of diplomacy.
For those who cannot attend we will be releasing a series of podcasts throughout the day as well as hosting online discussions.
See our Events page for more details of everything that we have organised for you at:
http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/history/...rsnight/events
ABOUT THE STORIES
-----------------
Some of the stories in here are just parts of a larger story so do check out the site for the full versions. You can always find the link in our "What's New" section in our site menu and at http://www.electricscotland.com/rss/whatsnew.php
Electric Scotland Community
---------------------------
Some continued discussions this week on the Knights Templar. As it happens I am currently in Toronto attending their International convention. Folk from all over attending. Have already met folk from the USA, Norway, England, Italy, Portugal and South America. Met a Scot who lives in England.
Our community can be viewed at http://www.electricscotland.org/forum.php
THE FLAG IN THE WIND
--------------------
This weeks issue was compiled by Jim Lynch. In this issue Jim is giving a special plug to...
Anyone wishing Scotland well must be delighted at the website Newsnetscotland; this is giving accurate treatment to the news, and not the biased focus we are used to receiving. Judging by the number of comments it generates it is getting a fairly wide readership.
Its purpose is the same as the Flag in the Wind, but much more up to date, and I look at it every day, more than once. It is very professionally put together and I neither know nor care who is running it; it fulfils a long required service. http://newsnetscotland.com/
Jim also reports on the Pope's visit to Scotland as well as other interesting articles.
You can read this compilation at http://www.scotsindependent.org
The Working Life of Christina McKelvie MSP diary is now back and can be viewed at http://www.electricscotland.com/history/mckelvie
The current issue is at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...vie/100923.htm
Book of Scottish Story
----------------------
We've added "Allan-a-Sop" by Sir Waller Scott which can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/book...y/story130.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 "Simon Gray" which can be got to towards the foot of the index page above.
The Kingdom of Fife
-------------------
Its Ballads and Legends by Robert Boucher, Jun (1899)
This week we added another chapter called "The Murder of Rothesay" which can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/history/fife/
Glasgow
-------
By the British Medical Association (1922)
We've added another chapter to this book, "The Glasgow School of Medicine". By John Patrick
You can read this at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...glasgowndx.htm
Scottish Loch Scenery
---------------------
From drawings by A F Lydon with descriptive notes by Thomas A Croal (1882)
This week we added "Loch Awe" which you can read at http://www.electricscotland.com/pictures/lochs17.htm
The other entries can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/pictures/lochs.htm
Geikie's Etchings
-----------------
This week we've added more articles...
Wearie Fa' the Doited Souter
Unco News, Lucky, Unco News
Labourer at Breakfast
You can read these at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...ikie/index.htm
Town Council Seals of Scotland
------------------------------
Historical, Legendary and Heraldic by Alexander Posteous
Added this week...
Macduff to Musselburgh
You can read these at http://www.electricscotland.com/council/
Historical Tales of the Wars of Scotland
----------------------------------------
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 On The Boroughmuir Edinburgh - 1335
Siege Of Dunbar Castle - 1337
You can read these at http://www.electricscotland.com/history/wars/
History of the Town of Greenock
-------------------------------
By Daniel Weir (1820)
We now have several more parts up for you to read... Parts 10 - 15.
In part 13 it starts...
It will be long ere we call to rival this thriving city but capital, skill, and enterprise, connected with the powerful aid of the Shaws water, will accomplish more, and in less time, than many imagine. This work is going on slowly, but surely and has accomplished a great deal in the short period that has elapsed since its completion. From it the town and public works can have all supply of water; the pipes being laid along our streets and lanes to both extremities of the town, as well as through the policy. Before proceeding further, it may be as well to give some account of a work which has been the admiration of some of the most scientific men of the age.
The deficiency of water had been long a subject of complaint in Greenock; and, in dry seasons, it had to be carted for the supply of the inhabitants from a considerable distance. Many attempts were made with the desire of remedying this; but until the establishment of the Shaws Water Co., nothing of importance was effected. Mr. Rennie made it survey, and increased the Supply a little, by erecting a small reservoir near the town but it was usually exhausted by two or three weeks of dry weather. About forty years ago, the late Mr. Watt, accompanied by the late Mr. George Robertson, also walked over the whole neighbouring grounds, and gave it as his opinion, that nothing could be done but by small reservoirs, such as that afterwards made by Mr. Rennie. It appeared to Mr. Thom of Rothsay, however, that by turning the source of the Shaws water and other streams in the hills behind, and constructing reservoirs and aqueducts, the town might be plentifully supplied with water; but the attempt was by many pronounced impracticable, without raising it over the hills by force of steam. In 1824 he prepared a report, in which he stated it not only practicable to procure a Supply sufficient for the use of the inhabitants, but also to impel machinery, to an extent at least equal to what is impelled by steam in and about Glasgow. In consequence of this, a company was immediately formed, and incorporated by act of pailiament, under the name of "The Shaws Water Cornpany" with a capital of £31,000 Sterling.
For the information of those at a distance, as also of others interested, we subjoin a plan of the whole. The description which now follows, showing the present state of the works, and their capability of further extension, is from a pamphlet entitled Account of Shaws Water, &c.
You can read the rest of this part at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...ock/part13.htm
The other parts can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...nock/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.
This week we added...
Pages 85 to 120
You can read this at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...ers_robert.htm
The Heather in Lore, Lyric and Lay
----------------------------------
By Alexander Wallace (1903)
We already have up a large page on Heather but when I discovered this book I thought it would be a good one for folk to dip into as it were.
This week we now have up...
Etymology
Botanical History
Distribution of the Heather
The Heather Abroad
In America
Cultivation in America
In the British Colonies
In Australia
In New Zealand
In South Africa
In India
Varieties of the Heather
Symbiosis of the Heather
Economics of the Heather
Heather Thatch
Heather Beds
On the Economics of the Heather it starts...
PROBABLY no plant has been put or is better adapted to so many utilitarian purposes as the Heather. It has been correctly stated that to the inmates of the Scottish shieling Heather stands in much the same relation for its economic uses as does the bamboo to the Gond or Mandalay. Force of circumstances led to the discovery of most of these uses. The hardy Highlanders covered their cabins with Heather instead of thatch, or else twisted it into ropes, and bound down the thatch with these ropes in a kind of latticework. They also made the walls of their dwellings with alternate layers of Heather and a sort of cement made of black earth and straw.
Pennant remarks of the houses in Iona: "Houses are mostly very mean, thatched with straw of bear pulled up by the roots, and bound tight on the roof by ropes made of heath."
Boswell thus describes such houses in "Johnson's Journey of a Tour to the Hebrides": "They (the houses) are thatched, sometimes with straw, sometimes with heath, sometimes with fern. The thatch is secured by ropes of heath; and to fix the ropes there is a stone tied to the end of each. These stones hang around the bottom of the roof, and make it look like a lady's hair in papers; but I should think that, when them is wind, they would come down and knock people on the head."
Johnson himself, in his 'Journey to the Western Isles," remarks as follows: "Such rafters as can be procured are then raised for a roof, and covered with heath, which makes a strong and warm thatch, kept from flying off by ropes of twisted heath, of which the ends, reaching from the center of the thatch to the top of the wall, are held firm by the weight of a large stone."
The rest of this chapter can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/gardening/heather09.htm
The other chapters can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/gardening/heather.htm
History of the Town and Castle of Dumbarton
-------------------------------------------
By John Glen (1847)
We have now completed this book with the following chapters...
Part IV. History of the Town and Castle of Dumbarton
Part V. History of the Town and Castle of Dumbarton
Part VI. History of the Town and Castle of Dumbarton
Appendix
There chapters can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...rton/index.htm
The Paisley Shawl and the People who made it
--------------------------------------------
A record of an interesting epoch is the History of the Town by Matthew Blair (1904)
We have now completed this book and the balance of the chapters can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...y_shawlndx.htm
History of Moffat
-----------------
With frequent notices of Moffatdale and Annandale by W Robertson Turnbull (1871)
We commend this crude sketch of Moffat, as it was and is, to the lenient consideration of parties interested in the subjects bidding it, in the words of Southey, 'farewell.'
"Go, little book, from forth my solitude,
I cast thee on the waters, go thy ways;
And if, as I believe, thy vein be good,
The world shall find thee after many days."
I thought that was a lovely wee poem... and this book can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/history/moffat/
I might add that this is the place where the famous Moffat toffee comes from, a tin of which is in my cupboard :-)
Notes and Reminscences of Partick
---------------------------------
By James Napier (1873)
This is another of those books that don't have any chapters and is around 300 pages. We're splitting this book up into a logical sequence of pdf files for you to read and will be easier to download. Partick is now a suburb of Glasgow.
We have up...
Preface and Contents
Part 1 (Pages 1 - 45)
Part 2 (Pages 45 - 60)
Part 3 (Pages 60 - 75)
These can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/history/partick/
Travel Article
--------------
We have been getting in some wee articles from Holiday Cottages and you can read these at http://www.electricscotland.com/travel/holidayndx.htm
Beth's Newfangled Family Tree
-----------------------------
Edited by Beth Gay
Beth has now got the October edition available along with all her many articles on things Scottish. You can read this at http://www.electricscotland.com/bnft
Clan Leslie Society International
---------------------------------
Got in a copy of the September 2010 newsletter which can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/fami...ters/leslieint
The Clan Leslie has chosen the Chapel of the Garioch as the place to install the Leslie’s Cross which will honour the Leslies who died at the Battle of Harlaw in 1411. The red granite Cross will be put in a prominent place, the grassy area in the front of the Chapel, and dedicated at a special ceremony on July 24, 2011.
The Chapel has had a long association with the Leslie family and other significant historical families. The Chapel of the Garioch was originally a private Chapel in the Parish of Logie-Durno which had its church at Old Logie. This Church was in existence in 1151 and until 1583 was a parish Church. When Christian Bruce, sister of King Robert, married one of his strongest supporters, the King gave her as a dowry the Lordship of the Garioch. Around 1350 Christian founded and endowed the Chapel of our Lady of the Garioch on the heights of Drumdurno so that masses might be said for the souls of the Founder, her brother and her husband. So began the Chapel of the Garioch.
You can read more about the story in this issue.
Fallbrook Farm Heritage Site
----------------------------
We now have up another update (46) which can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...allbrook46.htm
The Complete Scotland
---------------------
We have now got in the Chapter for Skye which can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/travel/scotland/
Scotland's Hijacked Oil Revenue
-------------------------------
Got in a very interesting document about Scotland's Oil from the SDA and have added it to our Electric Scotland Community. See http://www.electricscotland.org/show...ed-Oil-Revenue
Poems by John Henderson
-----------------------
John has sent in a couple of poems this week...
Gangrel Dod
Climate Change
John mostly writes in the Dorric language but he sometimes does the odd English poem and even does the odd translation of his Dorric poems so well worth a gander.
You can read these poems at http://www.electricscotland.com/poetry/doggerels.htm
And to finish...
EXERCISE FOR PEOPLE OVER 50
Begin by standing on a comfortable surface, where you have plenty of room at each side. With a 5-lb potato sack in each hand, extend your arms straight out from your sides and hold them there as long as you can. Try to reach a full minute, and then relax. Each day you'll find that you can hold this position for just a bit longer.
After a couple of weeks, move up to 10-lb potato sacks. Then try 50-lb potato sacks and then eventually try to get to where you can lift a 100-lb potato sack in each hand and hold your arms straight for more than a full minute. (I'm at this level.)
After you feel confident at that level, put a potato in each sack.
And that's it for now and hope you all have a good weekend :-)
Alastair
http://www.electricscotland.com
--------
Electric Scotland News
Electric Scotland Community
The Flag in the Wind
Book of Scottish Story
The Kingdom of Fife
Glasgow
Scottish Loch Scenery
Geikie's Etchings
Town Council Seals of Scotland
Historical Tales of the Wars of Scotland
History of the Town of Greenock
Robert Chambers - Songs of Scotland
The Heather in Lore, Lyric and Lay
History of the Town and Castle of Dumbarton
The Paisley Shawl and the People who made it
History of Moffat (New Book)
Notes and Reminscences of Partick (New Book)
Travel article
Beth's Newfangled Family Tree
Clan Leslie Society International
Fallbrook Farm Heritage Site
The Complete Scotland
Scotland's Hijacked Oil Revenue
Poems by John Henderson
Electric Scotland News
----------------------
I mentioned last week that I was working on the History of BC. I emailed their Tourism office to ask if they could supply some pictures to go with it. I got their reply...
"Our images won’t be available for use on your website as they are strictly for tour operators and media promoting travel to the province".
Sheesh... so I guess they don't consider history to be a promotion of their Province. To be frank this is just idiotic. I really despair of the travel industry. Where on earth do they get such brain dead people.
-----
I was advised today of the death of Oskar Douglas. He had contributed some poems and stories to our web site which you can read at http://www.electricscotland.com/poetry/douglas/
-----
My heat exchanger went on my furnace. It's an old one a Clair HEMB90B. Looks like a replacement is not available so if anyone can locate one I'd love to hear from you otherwise it's off to purchase a new furnace.
-----
There is a special event running at St Andrews University this Friday on Scotland and the Wider World. Sounds like an event I'd love to go to and here is some info about it...
We would like to draw your attention to Scotland's first ever Researchers' Night: Scotland and the Wider World which will take place on 24 September 2010 (3pm - 11pm)
We invite you to join us in a celebration of Scotland's links with the wider world at our festival of history.
We have organised a series of fun and informative events to be held on Friday, 24th September 2010 and we hope you will join us in St Andrews to make it a truly memorable occasion.
This is a landmark event, as this will be the first time that Scotland will be hosting a Researchers' Night. While we celebrate in Scotland, over 50 venues all over Europe will be holding similar events simultaneously, from as far away as Thessalonki in Greece to the Natural History Museum in London.
The School of History has worked together with MUSA (The Museum of the University of St Andrews) and Historic Scotland to bring you a programme of events which we hope will have something of interest for everyone.
Our events include a Public Lecture series taking you on a journey back in time to the creation of the Scottish Universities, or the adventures of the Scots in the Thirty Years' War (1618-1648).
Family historians are invited to come and try our Scotland, Scandinavia and Northern Europe Database with its c.8000 biographical records.
You may also like to browse our Poster Exhibition and explore the depths of James VI's canny brand of diplomacy.
For those who cannot attend we will be releasing a series of podcasts throughout the day as well as hosting online discussions.
See our Events page for more details of everything that we have organised for you at:
http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/history/...rsnight/events
ABOUT THE STORIES
-----------------
Some of the stories in here are just parts of a larger story so do check out the site for the full versions. You can always find the link in our "What's New" section in our site menu and at http://www.electricscotland.com/rss/whatsnew.php
Electric Scotland Community
---------------------------
Some continued discussions this week on the Knights Templar. As it happens I am currently in Toronto attending their International convention. Folk from all over attending. Have already met folk from the USA, Norway, England, Italy, Portugal and South America. Met a Scot who lives in England.
Our community can be viewed at http://www.electricscotland.org/forum.php
THE FLAG IN THE WIND
--------------------
This weeks issue was compiled by Jim Lynch. In this issue Jim is giving a special plug to...
Anyone wishing Scotland well must be delighted at the website Newsnetscotland; this is giving accurate treatment to the news, and not the biased focus we are used to receiving. Judging by the number of comments it generates it is getting a fairly wide readership.
Its purpose is the same as the Flag in the Wind, but much more up to date, and I look at it every day, more than once. It is very professionally put together and I neither know nor care who is running it; it fulfils a long required service. http://newsnetscotland.com/
Jim also reports on the Pope's visit to Scotland as well as other interesting articles.
You can read this compilation at http://www.scotsindependent.org
The Working Life of Christina McKelvie MSP diary is now back and can be viewed at http://www.electricscotland.com/history/mckelvie
The current issue is at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...vie/100923.htm
Book of Scottish Story
----------------------
We've added "Allan-a-Sop" by Sir Waller Scott which can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/book...y/story130.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 "Simon Gray" which can be got to towards the foot of the index page above.
The Kingdom of Fife
-------------------
Its Ballads and Legends by Robert Boucher, Jun (1899)
This week we added another chapter called "The Murder of Rothesay" which can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/history/fife/
Glasgow
-------
By the British Medical Association (1922)
We've added another chapter to this book, "The Glasgow School of Medicine". By John Patrick
You can read this at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...glasgowndx.htm
Scottish Loch Scenery
---------------------
From drawings by A F Lydon with descriptive notes by Thomas A Croal (1882)
This week we added "Loch Awe" which you can read at http://www.electricscotland.com/pictures/lochs17.htm
The other entries can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/pictures/lochs.htm
Geikie's Etchings
-----------------
This week we've added more articles...
Wearie Fa' the Doited Souter
Unco News, Lucky, Unco News
Labourer at Breakfast
You can read these at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...ikie/index.htm
Town Council Seals of Scotland
------------------------------
Historical, Legendary and Heraldic by Alexander Posteous
Added this week...
Macduff to Musselburgh
You can read these at http://www.electricscotland.com/council/
Historical Tales of the Wars of Scotland
----------------------------------------
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 On The Boroughmuir Edinburgh - 1335
Siege Of Dunbar Castle - 1337
You can read these at http://www.electricscotland.com/history/wars/
History of the Town of Greenock
-------------------------------
By Daniel Weir (1820)
We now have several more parts up for you to read... Parts 10 - 15.
In part 13 it starts...
It will be long ere we call to rival this thriving city but capital, skill, and enterprise, connected with the powerful aid of the Shaws water, will accomplish more, and in less time, than many imagine. This work is going on slowly, but surely and has accomplished a great deal in the short period that has elapsed since its completion. From it the town and public works can have all supply of water; the pipes being laid along our streets and lanes to both extremities of the town, as well as through the policy. Before proceeding further, it may be as well to give some account of a work which has been the admiration of some of the most scientific men of the age.
The deficiency of water had been long a subject of complaint in Greenock; and, in dry seasons, it had to be carted for the supply of the inhabitants from a considerable distance. Many attempts were made with the desire of remedying this; but until the establishment of the Shaws Water Co., nothing of importance was effected. Mr. Rennie made it survey, and increased the Supply a little, by erecting a small reservoir near the town but it was usually exhausted by two or three weeks of dry weather. About forty years ago, the late Mr. Watt, accompanied by the late Mr. George Robertson, also walked over the whole neighbouring grounds, and gave it as his opinion, that nothing could be done but by small reservoirs, such as that afterwards made by Mr. Rennie. It appeared to Mr. Thom of Rothsay, however, that by turning the source of the Shaws water and other streams in the hills behind, and constructing reservoirs and aqueducts, the town might be plentifully supplied with water; but the attempt was by many pronounced impracticable, without raising it over the hills by force of steam. In 1824 he prepared a report, in which he stated it not only practicable to procure a Supply sufficient for the use of the inhabitants, but also to impel machinery, to an extent at least equal to what is impelled by steam in and about Glasgow. In consequence of this, a company was immediately formed, and incorporated by act of pailiament, under the name of "The Shaws Water Cornpany" with a capital of £31,000 Sterling.
For the information of those at a distance, as also of others interested, we subjoin a plan of the whole. The description which now follows, showing the present state of the works, and their capability of further extension, is from a pamphlet entitled Account of Shaws Water, &c.
You can read the rest of this part at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...ock/part13.htm
The other parts can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...nock/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.
This week we added...
Pages 85 to 120
You can read this at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...ers_robert.htm
The Heather in Lore, Lyric and Lay
----------------------------------
By Alexander Wallace (1903)
We already have up a large page on Heather but when I discovered this book I thought it would be a good one for folk to dip into as it were.
This week we now have up...
Etymology
Botanical History
Distribution of the Heather
The Heather Abroad
In America
Cultivation in America
In the British Colonies
In Australia
In New Zealand
In South Africa
In India
Varieties of the Heather
Symbiosis of the Heather
Economics of the Heather
Heather Thatch
Heather Beds
On the Economics of the Heather it starts...
PROBABLY no plant has been put or is better adapted to so many utilitarian purposes as the Heather. It has been correctly stated that to the inmates of the Scottish shieling Heather stands in much the same relation for its economic uses as does the bamboo to the Gond or Mandalay. Force of circumstances led to the discovery of most of these uses. The hardy Highlanders covered their cabins with Heather instead of thatch, or else twisted it into ropes, and bound down the thatch with these ropes in a kind of latticework. They also made the walls of their dwellings with alternate layers of Heather and a sort of cement made of black earth and straw.
Pennant remarks of the houses in Iona: "Houses are mostly very mean, thatched with straw of bear pulled up by the roots, and bound tight on the roof by ropes made of heath."
Boswell thus describes such houses in "Johnson's Journey of a Tour to the Hebrides": "They (the houses) are thatched, sometimes with straw, sometimes with heath, sometimes with fern. The thatch is secured by ropes of heath; and to fix the ropes there is a stone tied to the end of each. These stones hang around the bottom of the roof, and make it look like a lady's hair in papers; but I should think that, when them is wind, they would come down and knock people on the head."
Johnson himself, in his 'Journey to the Western Isles," remarks as follows: "Such rafters as can be procured are then raised for a roof, and covered with heath, which makes a strong and warm thatch, kept from flying off by ropes of twisted heath, of which the ends, reaching from the center of the thatch to the top of the wall, are held firm by the weight of a large stone."
The rest of this chapter can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/gardening/heather09.htm
The other chapters can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/gardening/heather.htm
History of the Town and Castle of Dumbarton
-------------------------------------------
By John Glen (1847)
We have now completed this book with the following chapters...
Part IV. History of the Town and Castle of Dumbarton
Part V. History of the Town and Castle of Dumbarton
Part VI. History of the Town and Castle of Dumbarton
Appendix
There chapters can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...rton/index.htm
The Paisley Shawl and the People who made it
--------------------------------------------
A record of an interesting epoch is the History of the Town by Matthew Blair (1904)
We have now completed this book and the balance of the chapters can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...y_shawlndx.htm
History of Moffat
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With frequent notices of Moffatdale and Annandale by W Robertson Turnbull (1871)
We commend this crude sketch of Moffat, as it was and is, to the lenient consideration of parties interested in the subjects bidding it, in the words of Southey, 'farewell.'
"Go, little book, from forth my solitude,
I cast thee on the waters, go thy ways;
And if, as I believe, thy vein be good,
The world shall find thee after many days."
I thought that was a lovely wee poem... and this book can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/history/moffat/
I might add that this is the place where the famous Moffat toffee comes from, a tin of which is in my cupboard :-)
Notes and Reminscences of Partick
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By James Napier (1873)
This is another of those books that don't have any chapters and is around 300 pages. We're splitting this book up into a logical sequence of pdf files for you to read and will be easier to download. Partick is now a suburb of Glasgow.
We have up...
Preface and Contents
Part 1 (Pages 1 - 45)
Part 2 (Pages 45 - 60)
Part 3 (Pages 60 - 75)
These can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/history/partick/
Travel Article
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We have been getting in some wee articles from Holiday Cottages and you can read these at http://www.electricscotland.com/travel/holidayndx.htm
Beth's Newfangled Family Tree
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Edited by Beth Gay
Beth has now got the October edition available along with all her many articles on things Scottish. You can read this at http://www.electricscotland.com/bnft
Clan Leslie Society International
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Got in a copy of the September 2010 newsletter which can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/fami...ters/leslieint
The Clan Leslie has chosen the Chapel of the Garioch as the place to install the Leslie’s Cross which will honour the Leslies who died at the Battle of Harlaw in 1411. The red granite Cross will be put in a prominent place, the grassy area in the front of the Chapel, and dedicated at a special ceremony on July 24, 2011.
The Chapel has had a long association with the Leslie family and other significant historical families. The Chapel of the Garioch was originally a private Chapel in the Parish of Logie-Durno which had its church at Old Logie. This Church was in existence in 1151 and until 1583 was a parish Church. When Christian Bruce, sister of King Robert, married one of his strongest supporters, the King gave her as a dowry the Lordship of the Garioch. Around 1350 Christian founded and endowed the Chapel of our Lady of the Garioch on the heights of Drumdurno so that masses might be said for the souls of the Founder, her brother and her husband. So began the Chapel of the Garioch.
You can read more about the story in this issue.
Fallbrook Farm Heritage Site
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We now have up another update (46) which can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...allbrook46.htm
The Complete Scotland
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We have now got in the Chapter for Skye which can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/travel/scotland/
Scotland's Hijacked Oil Revenue
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Got in a very interesting document about Scotland's Oil from the SDA and have added it to our Electric Scotland Community. See http://www.electricscotland.org/show...ed-Oil-Revenue
Poems by John Henderson
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John has sent in a couple of poems this week...
Gangrel Dod
Climate Change
John mostly writes in the Dorric language but he sometimes does the odd English poem and even does the odd translation of his Dorric poems so well worth a gander.
You can read these poems at http://www.electricscotland.com/poetry/doggerels.htm
And to finish...
EXERCISE FOR PEOPLE OVER 50
Begin by standing on a comfortable surface, where you have plenty of room at each side. With a 5-lb potato sack in each hand, extend your arms straight out from your sides and hold them there as long as you can. Try to reach a full minute, and then relax. Each day you'll find that you can hold this position for just a bit longer.
After a couple of weeks, move up to 10-lb potato sacks. Then try 50-lb potato sacks and then eventually try to get to where you can lift a 100-lb potato sack in each hand and hold your arms straight for more than a full minute. (I'm at this level.)
After you feel confident at that level, put a potato in each sack.
And that's it for now and hope you all have a good weekend :-)
Alastair
http://www.electricscotland.com
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