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Electric Scotland News
The early holiday sale at MyHeritage is here — and it’s a big one: the MyHeritage DNA test is now just $45 CAD until November 9, 2025!
https://www.myheritage.com/dna
-----------
My Canadian Experience
Continued to add to the November entry in which I have included the full 2025 budget announcement with comments by the two major news organisations about it.
Also a good video about Canada’s big defence spend - Nov 4
Prime Minister Mark Carney wants to spend an extra $9 billion on defence and fast. CBC News chief correspondent Adrienne Arsenault looks at an industry ready to cash-in and travels north of the Arctic Circle where there are strong opinions on how best to bolster Canada’s Arctic security.
Also added a video about "Canada Moves to REBUKE U.S. Ambassador Hoekstra" - Trump’s Envoy SPARKS Diplomatic Firestorm - Nov 6
You can read what I've put up to date at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/canada_add27.htm
Scottish News from this weeks newspapers
I am partly doing this to build an archive of modern news from and about Scotland and world news stories that can affect Scotland and as all the newsletters are archived and also indexed on search engines it becomes a good resource. I might also add that in a number of newspapers you will find many comments which can be just as interesting as the news story itself and of course you can also add your own comments if you wish which I do myself from time to time.
Here is what caught my eye this week...
Why aren't we having kids?
The UK is facing a fertility crisis. Since 1979, women’s intended fertility has remained relatively stable, at around 2.2 children. In 2023, the total fertility rate hit a record low of 1.44 children per woman. According to a new research paper, our lack of economic freedom could be to blame.
Read more at:
https://capx.co/the-real-reason-brit...-having-babies
Conrad Black: The Carney honeymoon is ending
The debacle over the Ronald Reagan ad shows the prime minister isn't fit.
Read more at:
https://archive.is/ygvEZ
Royal rumbles: With Andrew ousted, what lies ahead for the battered and bruised monarchy?
I’ve covered the royal family for more than 30 years as both photographer and a writer and I’ve never been as concerned about the future of the monarchy as I am now.
Read more at:
https://www.sundaypost.com/fp/royal-rumbles/
From Rabbie Burns to the Ritz: Globe Inn chef wins top honour
The Globe Inn in Dumfries - long celebrated as Robert Burns’ favourite howff - is making a new mark in the history books, and this time it’s on the culinary stage.
Read more at:
https://www.sundaypost.com/fp/best-r...s-in-scotland/
Kenny Dalglish documentary shows how a legend stood tall when needed most
Of all the telephone calls Kenny Dalglish received after the Hillsborough disaster, this one was remarkable for its brevity.
Read more at:
https://archive.is/aC18F
David Gow’s legacy of friendship
This is a post I never expected to write. David Gow, the driving force behind Sceptical Scot, and much else besides, has died in London at the age of 80 after a heart attack.
Read more at:
https://sceptical.scot/2025/11/david...of-friendship/
Teacher reveals the truth of behaviour crisis in Scotland's classrooms in weekly diary
A senior secondary teacher at a Glasgow school has written a diary laying bare the difficulties they deal with in their classroom. Here is their account of a typical Monday to Friday
Read more at:
https://www.scotsman.com/education/t...-diary-5383591
Some observations on aspects of contemporary Scotland
The splendid and unique heritage of Scotland is being betrayed
Read more at:
https://thecritic.co.uk/some-observa...rary-scotland/
The 'Scottish town' in Japan with whisky distillery inspired by Scotland
Its founder studied at the University of Glasgow and married a Scottish woman.
Read more at:
https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/scotla...llery-36167847
Scotland's oldest bakery up for sale after 200 years
Twenty-eight years ago, Barry and Claire Taylor became the sixth generation of their family to take over what is believed to be Scotland's oldest bakery.
Read more at:
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5ydq6r0e73o
Britain is forgetting how to work
Not long ago, work was part of Britain’s identity. We got up early, joined the morning rush and did it again the next day. It wasn’t always enjoyable, but it was expected. Not so these days. Some 9.1m working-age Britons are classed as economically inactive, and our welfare system is doing little to get them back into work.
Read more at:
https://capx.co/sick-note-britain-is...ng-how-to-work
Electric Canadian
A History of Emigration
From the United Kingdom to North America, 1763-1912 by Stanley C. Johnson, M.A. (1913) (pdf)
You can read this at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/pion...00johnuoft.pdf
The Book of Woodcraft
By Ernest Thompson Seton (1921)
You can read this book at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/hist...fwoodcraft.htm
Memories of Early Walsh and Graburn
By Margaret Fulton (pdf)
You can read this at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/hist...rn-History.pdf
Thoughts on a Sunday Morning - the 2nd day of November 2025 - The Mountains
By The Rev Nola Crewe
You can watch this at:
http://www.electricscotland.org/foru...-the-mountains
My Canadian Experience
Completed the October 2025 entry in which I have added videos on our Prime Ministers meetings with Asian leaders and also the submarine deal with South Korea.
You can read this October entry at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/canada_add26.htm
The Beaver Magazine
Added No. 4 Outfit 262 March 1932 (pdf)
You can read this issue at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/tran...rMarch1932.pdf
Electric Scotland
The History of the Scottish Society of Indianapolis (1983-2025)
Updated History of the Scottish Society of Indianapolis including every officer line, every location in which we have met, every recipient of the Tommy Thompson Award for Excellence, a record of the Games, Flowers of the Forest, and the text of the Annual State of the Society Address. Edited by Carson C. Smith FSAScot.
You can read this at:
https://electricscotland.com/familyt...%80%932025.pdf
A Treatise of Maritim Surveying
In two parts with a prefatory essay on Draughts and Surveys by Murdoch MacKenzie, Senior; Late Maritim Surveyor in his Majesty's Service (1774) (pdf)
You can read this at:
https://electricscotland.com/lifesty...ch-fr_1774.pdf
Tax Reforms for Growth
Policy Brief November 2025 (pdf)
You can read this report at:
https://electricscotland.com/indepen...TR4G-paper.pdf
The Medals of our Fighting Men
By Stanley G. Johnson, M.A., D.Sc., F.R.E.S. (1918) (pdf)
You can read this book at:
https://electricscotland.com/history...00johnuoft.pdf
Rockstar reported "Layoffs" at odds with Scots gaming sector success
Reports of Rockstar Games, the studio behind mega-hit Grand Theft Auto, instigating layoffs that affect its global hub in Edinburgh have hit an otherwise globally-renowned Scottish gaming sector that continues to outplay the rest of the UK. An article by Bill Magee.
You can read this article at:
https://electricscotland.com/magee/article0041.htm
Galloway
Added a video to the top of our Galloway page about The Wicker Man: Finding Beauty in a Cult Horror's Filming Locations. I thinks this video does a great job of highlighting this south west Scotland area.
You can watch this at:
https://electricscotland.com/art/bonnie/bonnie12.htm
Memories of a Long Life
By Lieutenant-Colonel David Davidson, C.B., H.E.I.C.S., Honorary Colonel and Late Commandant of the Queen's Edinburgh Rifle Volunteer Brigade (1890) (pdf)
You can read this book at:
https://electricscotland.com/history..._Long_Life.pdf
Watson
Got in a copy of their March 2025 newsletter. In my opinion this is one of the best clan newsletters out there as it is really informative.
You can read this issue at:
https://electricscotland.com/familyt...tson/index.htm
Hall, Russell & Co., Shipbuilders,
FOOTDEE, Aberdeen. THE 1860’s A NEW BEGINING. A new book from Stan Bruce. Also note that he's added some new links to other resources on his page under the title THE SHIPBUILDERS OF ABERDEEN - Hall, Russell 1860's October 31st, 2025 which is just above his Poems section about 2/3rds down the page.
You can read this book at:
https://electricscotland.com/history...Russell&Co.pdf
You can the resouces at:
https://electricscotland.com/history...ipbuilding.htm
A History of the Family of Seton
During eight centuries by George Seton, Advocate, in two volumes (1896)
You can read these volumes at:
https://electricscotland.com/webclans/stoz/seton3.html
Military Life in Algeria
By The Count P. De Castellane in two volumes (1853)
You can read this book at:
https://electricscotland.com/history...eg/algeria.htm
Story
The Society of Antiquaries of Scotland (Charity No SC010440) needs your help to print a nationally important monograph which will have a major impact on the study of Pictish kingship and society:
Rhynie, A Powerful Place of Pictland: The development of a landscape of Pictish royal power from the Roman to the early medieval period by Professor Gordon Noble FSAScot
The book will become essential reading for all students and researchers of Scotland’s late Roman Iron Age, early medieval and Pictish past and will have a lasting impact on developing future understanding of this period.
As part of our commitment to open access, Rhynie, A Powerful Place of Pictland will be published as an e-book. The e-book is already in production – it has been written, copy edited and is in the process of being typeset. However, we need your support to enable us to print this highly anticipated title.
We would like to be able to print at least 400 hardcopies, however, the printed version will only be produced if we hit our target by the deadline.
If the campaign is not successful, it will only be produced as an e-book.
What is the book about and why is it important?
Rhynie, A Powerful Place of Pictland will document the archaeological excavations in the Upper Strathbogie valley in Aberdeenshire from 2011 to 2022. It will analyse the material and environmental evidence and provide a detailed interpretation of three Pictish sites: the Craw Stane, Tap o’ Noth and Cairn More. The results of these excavations provide an unparalleled insight into a central Pictish landscape of the 3rd–7th centuries AD. The diversity of sites in the Upper Strathbogie Valley allows the author to explore issues of European significance including the role of hillforts, Roman relations on the northern frontiers, and the nature and development of rulership in the early kingdoms of northern Britain.
The initial aims of the excavations expanded from an investigation of the chronology and character of the three sites to a much broader exploration of the development of early medieval kingdoms and kingship in Scotland. Overall, the results of the excavations in the Upper Strathbogie valley provide an unexpected and unparalleled insight into an elite landscape of the Picts and their predecessors. It is the role of this monograph to pull all these results together to tell a story of the Upper Strathbogie valley from the Iron Age, to its early medieval height, and finally its fade into relative obscurity in later periods.
The artefact assemblage and environmental evidence uncovered during the excavations represents some of the most extensive known assemblages from early medieval Scotland. Artefacts found at the Craw Stane complex include pottery, glass, metalwork and evidence of metalwork production. Particularly notable are the first imports of Mediterranean and continental origin identified at a Pictish site. No less significant are the results of the environmental evidence found at the Craw Stane and Tap o’ North that can shed light on the economy and environment that underpinned the society of the Pictish elite within this landscape.
The full excavation reports will highlight the development of early medieval kingship and kingdoms as well as national and international connections fostered by the Picts through trade. A detailed study of the evidence for local craft technologies and the production of metalwork will also add new information about societal organisation during this period.
Alongside its impact on the scholarly community, Rhynie, A Powerful Place of Pictland will help contextualise the archaeological landscape of the north-east and provide new interpretations about Scotland’s Pictish past for the wider public through a local historical lens.
Although the book will include detailed technical reporting on excavations, finds and environmental evidence, the introductory chapters, interpretation and conclusions will be accessibly written to appeal to a wider public audience.
Visit: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects...rinted-version to support this venture.
END.
Weekend is almost here and hope it's a good one for you.
Alastair
The early holiday sale at MyHeritage is here — and it’s a big one: the MyHeritage DNA test is now just $45 CAD until November 9, 2025!
https://www.myheritage.com/dna
-----------
My Canadian Experience
Continued to add to the November entry in which I have included the full 2025 budget announcement with comments by the two major news organisations about it.
Also a good video about Canada’s big defence spend - Nov 4
Prime Minister Mark Carney wants to spend an extra $9 billion on defence and fast. CBC News chief correspondent Adrienne Arsenault looks at an industry ready to cash-in and travels north of the Arctic Circle where there are strong opinions on how best to bolster Canada’s Arctic security.
Also added a video about "Canada Moves to REBUKE U.S. Ambassador Hoekstra" - Trump’s Envoy SPARKS Diplomatic Firestorm - Nov 6
You can read what I've put up to date at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/canada_add27.htm
Scottish News from this weeks newspapers
I am partly doing this to build an archive of modern news from and about Scotland and world news stories that can affect Scotland and as all the newsletters are archived and also indexed on search engines it becomes a good resource. I might also add that in a number of newspapers you will find many comments which can be just as interesting as the news story itself and of course you can also add your own comments if you wish which I do myself from time to time.
Here is what caught my eye this week...
Why aren't we having kids?
The UK is facing a fertility crisis. Since 1979, women’s intended fertility has remained relatively stable, at around 2.2 children. In 2023, the total fertility rate hit a record low of 1.44 children per woman. According to a new research paper, our lack of economic freedom could be to blame.
Read more at:
https://capx.co/the-real-reason-brit...-having-babies
Conrad Black: The Carney honeymoon is ending
The debacle over the Ronald Reagan ad shows the prime minister isn't fit.
Read more at:
https://archive.is/ygvEZ
Royal rumbles: With Andrew ousted, what lies ahead for the battered and bruised monarchy?
I’ve covered the royal family for more than 30 years as both photographer and a writer and I’ve never been as concerned about the future of the monarchy as I am now.
Read more at:
https://www.sundaypost.com/fp/royal-rumbles/
From Rabbie Burns to the Ritz: Globe Inn chef wins top honour
The Globe Inn in Dumfries - long celebrated as Robert Burns’ favourite howff - is making a new mark in the history books, and this time it’s on the culinary stage.
Read more at:
https://www.sundaypost.com/fp/best-r...s-in-scotland/
Kenny Dalglish documentary shows how a legend stood tall when needed most
Of all the telephone calls Kenny Dalglish received after the Hillsborough disaster, this one was remarkable for its brevity.
Read more at:
https://archive.is/aC18F
David Gow’s legacy of friendship
This is a post I never expected to write. David Gow, the driving force behind Sceptical Scot, and much else besides, has died in London at the age of 80 after a heart attack.
Read more at:
https://sceptical.scot/2025/11/david...of-friendship/
Teacher reveals the truth of behaviour crisis in Scotland's classrooms in weekly diary
A senior secondary teacher at a Glasgow school has written a diary laying bare the difficulties they deal with in their classroom. Here is their account of a typical Monday to Friday
Read more at:
https://www.scotsman.com/education/t...-diary-5383591
Some observations on aspects of contemporary Scotland
The splendid and unique heritage of Scotland is being betrayed
Read more at:
https://thecritic.co.uk/some-observa...rary-scotland/
The 'Scottish town' in Japan with whisky distillery inspired by Scotland
Its founder studied at the University of Glasgow and married a Scottish woman.
Read more at:
https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/scotla...llery-36167847
Scotland's oldest bakery up for sale after 200 years
Twenty-eight years ago, Barry and Claire Taylor became the sixth generation of their family to take over what is believed to be Scotland's oldest bakery.
Read more at:
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5ydq6r0e73o
Britain is forgetting how to work
Not long ago, work was part of Britain’s identity. We got up early, joined the morning rush and did it again the next day. It wasn’t always enjoyable, but it was expected. Not so these days. Some 9.1m working-age Britons are classed as economically inactive, and our welfare system is doing little to get them back into work.
Read more at:
https://capx.co/sick-note-britain-is...ng-how-to-work
Electric Canadian
A History of Emigration
From the United Kingdom to North America, 1763-1912 by Stanley C. Johnson, M.A. (1913) (pdf)
You can read this at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/pion...00johnuoft.pdf
The Book of Woodcraft
By Ernest Thompson Seton (1921)
You can read this book at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/hist...fwoodcraft.htm
Memories of Early Walsh and Graburn
By Margaret Fulton (pdf)
You can read this at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/hist...rn-History.pdf
Thoughts on a Sunday Morning - the 2nd day of November 2025 - The Mountains
By The Rev Nola Crewe
You can watch this at:
http://www.electricscotland.org/foru...-the-mountains
My Canadian Experience
Completed the October 2025 entry in which I have added videos on our Prime Ministers meetings with Asian leaders and also the submarine deal with South Korea.
You can read this October entry at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/canada_add26.htm
The Beaver Magazine
Added No. 4 Outfit 262 March 1932 (pdf)
You can read this issue at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/tran...rMarch1932.pdf
Electric Scotland
The History of the Scottish Society of Indianapolis (1983-2025)
Updated History of the Scottish Society of Indianapolis including every officer line, every location in which we have met, every recipient of the Tommy Thompson Award for Excellence, a record of the Games, Flowers of the Forest, and the text of the Annual State of the Society Address. Edited by Carson C. Smith FSAScot.
You can read this at:
https://electricscotland.com/familyt...%80%932025.pdf
A Treatise of Maritim Surveying
In two parts with a prefatory essay on Draughts and Surveys by Murdoch MacKenzie, Senior; Late Maritim Surveyor in his Majesty's Service (1774) (pdf)
You can read this at:
https://electricscotland.com/lifesty...ch-fr_1774.pdf
Tax Reforms for Growth
Policy Brief November 2025 (pdf)
You can read this report at:
https://electricscotland.com/indepen...TR4G-paper.pdf
The Medals of our Fighting Men
By Stanley G. Johnson, M.A., D.Sc., F.R.E.S. (1918) (pdf)
You can read this book at:
https://electricscotland.com/history...00johnuoft.pdf
Rockstar reported "Layoffs" at odds with Scots gaming sector success
Reports of Rockstar Games, the studio behind mega-hit Grand Theft Auto, instigating layoffs that affect its global hub in Edinburgh have hit an otherwise globally-renowned Scottish gaming sector that continues to outplay the rest of the UK. An article by Bill Magee.
You can read this article at:
https://electricscotland.com/magee/article0041.htm
Galloway
Added a video to the top of our Galloway page about The Wicker Man: Finding Beauty in a Cult Horror's Filming Locations. I thinks this video does a great job of highlighting this south west Scotland area.
You can watch this at:
https://electricscotland.com/art/bonnie/bonnie12.htm
Memories of a Long Life
By Lieutenant-Colonel David Davidson, C.B., H.E.I.C.S., Honorary Colonel and Late Commandant of the Queen's Edinburgh Rifle Volunteer Brigade (1890) (pdf)
You can read this book at:
https://electricscotland.com/history..._Long_Life.pdf
Watson
Got in a copy of their March 2025 newsletter. In my opinion this is one of the best clan newsletters out there as it is really informative.
You can read this issue at:
https://electricscotland.com/familyt...tson/index.htm
Hall, Russell & Co., Shipbuilders,
FOOTDEE, Aberdeen. THE 1860’s A NEW BEGINING. A new book from Stan Bruce. Also note that he's added some new links to other resources on his page under the title THE SHIPBUILDERS OF ABERDEEN - Hall, Russell 1860's October 31st, 2025 which is just above his Poems section about 2/3rds down the page.
You can read this book at:
https://electricscotland.com/history...Russell&Co.pdf
You can the resouces at:
https://electricscotland.com/history...ipbuilding.htm
A History of the Family of Seton
During eight centuries by George Seton, Advocate, in two volumes (1896)
You can read these volumes at:
https://electricscotland.com/webclans/stoz/seton3.html
Military Life in Algeria
By The Count P. De Castellane in two volumes (1853)
You can read this book at:
https://electricscotland.com/history...eg/algeria.htm
Story
The Society of Antiquaries of Scotland (Charity No SC010440) needs your help to print a nationally important monograph which will have a major impact on the study of Pictish kingship and society:
Rhynie, A Powerful Place of Pictland: The development of a landscape of Pictish royal power from the Roman to the early medieval period by Professor Gordon Noble FSAScot
The book will become essential reading for all students and researchers of Scotland’s late Roman Iron Age, early medieval and Pictish past and will have a lasting impact on developing future understanding of this period.
As part of our commitment to open access, Rhynie, A Powerful Place of Pictland will be published as an e-book. The e-book is already in production – it has been written, copy edited and is in the process of being typeset. However, we need your support to enable us to print this highly anticipated title.
We would like to be able to print at least 400 hardcopies, however, the printed version will only be produced if we hit our target by the deadline.
If the campaign is not successful, it will only be produced as an e-book.
What is the book about and why is it important?
Rhynie, A Powerful Place of Pictland will document the archaeological excavations in the Upper Strathbogie valley in Aberdeenshire from 2011 to 2022. It will analyse the material and environmental evidence and provide a detailed interpretation of three Pictish sites: the Craw Stane, Tap o’ Noth and Cairn More. The results of these excavations provide an unparalleled insight into a central Pictish landscape of the 3rd–7th centuries AD. The diversity of sites in the Upper Strathbogie Valley allows the author to explore issues of European significance including the role of hillforts, Roman relations on the northern frontiers, and the nature and development of rulership in the early kingdoms of northern Britain.
The initial aims of the excavations expanded from an investigation of the chronology and character of the three sites to a much broader exploration of the development of early medieval kingdoms and kingship in Scotland. Overall, the results of the excavations in the Upper Strathbogie valley provide an unexpected and unparalleled insight into an elite landscape of the Picts and their predecessors. It is the role of this monograph to pull all these results together to tell a story of the Upper Strathbogie valley from the Iron Age, to its early medieval height, and finally its fade into relative obscurity in later periods.
The artefact assemblage and environmental evidence uncovered during the excavations represents some of the most extensive known assemblages from early medieval Scotland. Artefacts found at the Craw Stane complex include pottery, glass, metalwork and evidence of metalwork production. Particularly notable are the first imports of Mediterranean and continental origin identified at a Pictish site. No less significant are the results of the environmental evidence found at the Craw Stane and Tap o’ North that can shed light on the economy and environment that underpinned the society of the Pictish elite within this landscape.
The full excavation reports will highlight the development of early medieval kingship and kingdoms as well as national and international connections fostered by the Picts through trade. A detailed study of the evidence for local craft technologies and the production of metalwork will also add new information about societal organisation during this period.
Alongside its impact on the scholarly community, Rhynie, A Powerful Place of Pictland will help contextualise the archaeological landscape of the north-east and provide new interpretations about Scotland’s Pictish past for the wider public through a local historical lens.
Although the book will include detailed technical reporting on excavations, finds and environmental evidence, the introductory chapters, interpretation and conclusions will be accessibly written to appeal to a wider public audience.
Visit: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects...rinted-version to support this venture.
END.
Weekend is almost here and hope it's a good one for you.
Alastair