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CONTENTS
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Electric Scotland News
Electric Scotland Community
The Flag in the Wind
Historical Tales of the Wars of Scotland
Glencreggan: or A Highland Home in Cantire
Kay's Edinburgh Portraits
Traditions of Perth
Robert Burns Lives!
Places of Interest about Girvan
Poems of George Alexander Rodger
Problems of a Scottish Provincial Town
North Halton Celtic Historical Society
The Gathering of the Clans
Screevin Tae Ma Bonnie
George MacDonald
Videos
Electric Scotland News
----------------------
I noted with interest the business awards in Scotland. Oil and gas services giant John Wood Group has been named the Scottish plc of the year.
The firm had earlier picked up the global reach prize at the Scottish plc awards in Glasgow on Wednesday.
Judges at the event, organized by Scottish Business Insider and accountancy firm PwC, said Wood Group was a real flagship for Scotland which had done an outstanding job.
During the year it had many highlights including the acquisition of rival PSN for $1bn to create a global market leading position and a $560m contract to build a new gas fired power station in Israel.
Chief executive of the year was Martin Gilbert, of Aberdeen Asset Management who led the investment business to record revenues and profits.
The business also picked up large plc of the year after seeing growth in its funds under management to $183.3 billion.
Sir Moir Lockhead, who recently retired from FirstGroup, was given a lifetime achievement award for his role in transforming a council owned bus company into a global transport group with 133,000 staff.
One member of the judging panel said: Sir Moirs achievements are simply extraordinary.
-----
I have started working on a book about Glengarry in Canada. It's a very old book so somewhat faint and a bit of a challenge in getting it ocr'd. That said it gives a bit of a history of Glengarry in Scotland then goes on to discuss the emigration of many of the inhabitants to the USA. It then goes into some detail on the American War of Indpendence and the part the Glengarry folk played in it and then follows them to Glengarry in Canada where they eventually settled. This was clearly a turbulent time and so is certainly of interest.
I think it reinforces the point that many Scots were not for American Independence and wished to retain their connnection with the British Crown. I think it also shows some pretty brutal fighting between the two different sides and some quite horrendous conditions during that period.
Even after that period there was fighting between America and Canada and so it also follows the Glengarry folk in their defence of Canada.
Of course since these days we have all developed cordial relations but it is interesting to know a bit more about these old days.
I will say I've had this book for several years but due to the difficulty of ocr'ing it I've kept laying it aside but have now bitten the bullet as they say so working away at it day by day to get it up for you to read.
-----
It was nice to get a wee bit of feedback this week in the newsletter forum. I've taken on board the idea that I should try to organize my books page to make it a bit easier to find appropriate books.
I did once work on a Council page where I was trying to provide some information on each of the Scottish Council areas. In there I did provide links to some information and books that we had on each council area so you might find that useful. I'll need to do an update on that as its some time since I worked in that area.
When I did work on it I listed the major towns in each council area and placed a link to the Scottish Gazetteer entry for each. Also added a link to a Google street map for the area as well as a search box for streetmaps that use the British Ordinance Survey maps which also show historical places. I also listed the local newspapers for the area. It's perhaps a useful place to visit if you are looking at having a holiday in the area as I also linked to the council web site where you can get more information.
It was actually doing this that I discovered we had lots of books on the Highlands which made me start to look for more books on other areas of Scotland.
You can find this at http://www.electricscotland.com/council/
And today I completed a wee makeover of the books page as well by providing sections for...
Places in Scotland (61 books)
Scots in the World (87 books)
Biographies / Autobiographies (47 books)
General History books (160 books)
And so if you now go to http://www.electricscotland.com/books you'll find sub links listed under the Online Books section. It's a start anyway and I'll keep reviewing this to see if it can be improved but feel free to drop me a note if you have any suggestions.
And you'll note that I do take notice of your feedback so keep it coming! <grin>
-----
I've removed the toolbar from our main ElectricScotland.com web site. We also plan to remove the toolbar from the Electric Scotland Community over the weekend.
Essentially it seems to be causing some errors with some people although not all. However when we looked at useage it didn't seem to us that it was providing that much added functionality that was being used by our visitors.
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
---------------------------
We've been talking about the horredous fires in Texas. What an amazing number of fires there are. It's almost like someone has decided to put Texas to the flame to wipe it off the earth. Quite incredible.
Also developing more information on the thread "Since I am a Yank does that not mean I can be Scottish".
Mind when you go into the community just click on "New Posts" to see what's new since your last visit.
Our community can be viewed at http://www.electricscotland.org but of course if you are reading this you're already in it :-)
THE FLAG IN THE WIND
--------------------
This weeks issue is now available compiled by Ian Goldie in which he has provided some excellent links to blogs and web sites that are covering Scottish news and the elections. Well worth a look. You'll also find up to date election predictions from the latest polls.
You can get to the Flag at http://www.scotsindependent.org
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 2 or 3 stories each week until complete.
This week we've added...
Seige of Leith - 1559
Life was sure difficult in these old days with fields being burnt, buildings destroyed, and it is amazing to me that anyone was able to survive these times. I confess I'd like to try and find some history book which covers the topic of how people survived such devasation.
You can read this account at http://www.electricscotland.com/history/wars/
Glencreggan: or A Highland Home in Cantire
------------------------------------------
By Cuthbert Bede (1861)
This week we're on Volume 2 with...
Chapter XXXI - East Tarbert and Loch Fyne Herrings
Tarbert; meaning of the Word. — Scott's Account. — The Legend of Tarbert. — A Blackleg Transaction. — Fables and Facts. — Shakspeare's Donalbain. — The Norwegian Dynasty. — Sodor and Man. — The Bishop of Cantire. — The Tarbert Canal Company, Limited. — A Chain of Forts. — Paul Jones the Pirate. — Tarbert Castle. — The Key of Cantire. — The Eastern Loch; its wild Character. — Tarbert Town. — The Capital of Herringdom. — Statistics of the Fishery. — Phosphorescence of the Herring. — Superstitions of the Fishermen. — Old Form of Prayer on putting to Sea. — The King of the Herrings. — Folk-lore of the Herring. — Things not generally known anent the Herring. — A cleanly Lodging. — The Merry Dancers.
You can read this at http://www.electricscotland.com/history/glencreggan/
Kay's Edinburgh Portraits
-------------------------
A Series of Anecdotal Biographies chiefly of Scotchmen, Mostly by James Paterson and Edited by James Maidment (1885)
This week we have added...
Dr. Gregory Grant, Physician
Mr. George Williamson, King's Messenger and Admiral Macer for Scotland
Mr. Francis Braidwood, Cabinet-Maker
The Right Hon. the Earl of Eglinton
Sir John Leslie, Professor of Natural Philosophy
The City Tron-Men; or, Chimney-Sweepers
An interesting account of The City Tron-Men; or, Chimney-Sweepers which starts...
The personal history of these men is almost entirely unknown; and probably few incidents in their humble progress through life would be found worthy of recording. The elder of the two, David Gilchrist, was a worthy enough person in his way; and he is still remembered by some of the sable fraternity of Edinburgh. He lived in the College Wynd, and died about thirty years ago.
At a remote period, there was only one individual, of the name of Hamilton—resident in the West Port—who devoted his attention solely to the sweeping of chimneys. He kept a number of men and boys in his employment; but the city, notwithstanding, was very indifferently supplied. In order to remedy this state of things—as well as to avoid the barbarous system of "climbing boys"—twelve men, previously porters, were appointed chimney-sweepers for the city, with an annual allowance of one guinea, and. certain other perquisites. They were called "Tron-men," from the circumstance of their being stationed at the Trone, or public beam for weighing, which formerly stood in front of the Trou Church. The Trone appears to have been used as a pillory for the punishment of crime. In NichoVs Diary for 1649, it is stated that "much falset and cheitting was dailie deteckit at this time by the Lords of Sessioune; for the whilk there was dailie hanging, skurging, nailing of lugs [ears], and binding of people to the Trone, and boring of tongues; so that it was one fatal year for false notaries and witnesses, as dailie experience did witness." The iveigh-liouse, which stood at the head of the West Bow, built probably about the beginning of the seventeenth century, as a substitute for the Trone, was removed in 1822, on the King's visit to Scotland, in order to make way for the Royal procession to the Castle.
You can read the rest of this entry at http://www.electricscotland.com/history/kays/vol237.htm
The other entries can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/history/kays/index.htm
Traditions of Perth
-------------------
Containing Sketches of the Manners and Customs of the Inhabitants during the last century by George Penny (1836)
We've now added Pages 304 to 316 and we're now onto the Appendix with a short history of Perth.
You can get to these pages at the foot of the page at http://www.electricscotland.com/history/perth/
Robert Burns Lives!
-------------------
By Frank Shaw
A Trip to Glasgow to Speak on Robert Burns
As I write this, Susan and I are in Paris, the last leg of a three-part journey which took us to London, Glasgow, Edinburgh, St. Andrews, Alloway and now the great city by the Seine. I spoke on the subject of Robert Burns Lives! at the annual conference last Saturday hosted by the University of Glasgow’s Centre for Robert Burns Studies. I thoroughly enjoyed the symposium, an afternoon affair lasting five hours. Dr. Gerry Carruthers, Director of the Centre, along with able Associate Director Dr. Kirsteen McCue and their staff are to be congratulated for sponsoring such a well-rounded and significant meeting. I met lots of good Burns people who are not members of the “Burns Police” and made us very welcome. Several offered to contribute to the website and I plan to hold them to their promises. I managed to upset only one member of the “police” so my record of rattling the cage is in tact. To quote a good friend, it is “pretty odd that in Glasgow someone should be precocious about pronunciation”
Frank goes on to tell us about his trip with many pictures and you can read his account at http://www.electricscotland.com/fami...s_lives117.htm
All of the Robert Burns articles can be found at http://www.electricscotland.com/fami...rank/burns.htm
Places of Interest about Girvan
-------------------------------
By Rev. R. Lawson (1892).
We put up this week...
Lendal to Ballantrae
Ballantrae
Colmonell
The Martyrs of Colmonell
The Stinchar Valley
Dailly
The account of The Stinchar Valley starts...
THE ancient castle of Ardstinchar, chief seat of the old Bargany Kennedys, still keeps guard over Ballantrae, and lifts up its solitary tower by way of protest against modern spoliation But, although man may spoil his own works, he cannot well spoil the works of Nature. And we may confidently believe that the sweet valley of the Stinchar looks as pretty to-day as ever it did. Starting, then, from the foot of the old Castle Crag, and glancing across at the "grey stones of Garleffin," keeping their watch of centuries by the graves of the dead, the road pursues its course up the river. The first object of interest is Laggan House, about two miles up the valley. Then we see the ruins of the former Church of Ballantrae at Kirkholtn, near the junction of the Tig with the Stinchar. Then, a little farther on, and lying more into the heart of the hill, we see the small one storey farm house of Knockdow where Peden was staying when he was seized and taken to the Bass. Next, the road turns sharply to the left, and we find ourselves facing the old Castle of Knockdolian with the modern mansion beside it, while Knockdolian Hill itself rises straight above both, with the little knoll of Dunniwick round which the fairies used to dance on moonlight nights. This is, indeed, a romantic part of the valley.
Leaving Knockdolian, we soon reach the tidy village of Colmonell, enjoying one of the prettiest situations of all the pretty villages of South Ayrshire. It stands on a rising ground above the Stinchar, looking down to the green hill of Knockdolian, and up to the woods of Pinmore, while in the horizon may be seen the lofty hills of Barr, and even of far away Galloway. Its praise has been often sung by local bards, one of whom apostrophises it thus:—
"A beauty, in a beauteous dell,
Serenely fair sits Colmonell."
You can read the rest of this chapter at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist.../chapter23.htm
You can read the other chapters at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...rvan/index.htm
Poems of George Alexander Rodger
--------------------------------
Added another poem, Glenisla Centenary Gathering, which you can read at http://www.electricscotland.com/poetry/rodger06.htm
The other poems can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/poetry/rodger.htm
Problems of a Scottish Provincial Town
--------------------------------------
By John Howard Whitehouse (1905)
Have now added more chapters...
Chapter VI. The Building By-Laws
Chapter VII. The Boy's Club, and its Place in Social Progress
Chapter VIII. The Boy's Club, and its Place in Social Progress (continued)
Chapter IX. The Social Settlement
Chapter X. The Public Library
Chapter XI. A Town's Camp
The account of the Public Library is rather interesting and starts...
[The writer takes this opportunity of expressing his indebtedness to the present librarian for the unfailing courtesy he has received from him, and trusts he need hardly say that the criticism contained in this chapter is directed against a system, not an individual.]
THE Free Library of Dunfermline is perhaps the most forlorn institution which the town possesses. It was built in the year 1883, and is reported to be the first library erected through the generosity of Mr. Carnegie. The exterior of the building, though far from beautiful, is not displeasing, but the arrangement of the interior is faulty and objectionable. It has been planned without any real knowledge of the needs of a library, and I find without surprise that the use which is made of the building is a quite insignificant one.
The present accommodation consists of a Lending Library, a Men's Reading-room, and a Ladies' Reading-room. In the centre of the Lending Library is a small Reference Department, and two small tables, each capable of holding four readers, are provided for students in this department. The Men's Reading-room has a most cheerless and forbidding aspect; its fittings are poverty-stricken, it is badly ventilated, and few who are not compelled to enter it would willingly do so. Much the same might be said of the Ladies' Reading-room.
I therefore propose to consider in detail how the library may be reorganised and made worthy of its mission as a centre of light and leading in the city.
You can read the rest of this at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...ine/town10.htm
The other chapters can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...ne/townndx.htm
North Halton Celtic Historical Society
--------------------------------------
We got in Update 56 with lots more interesting accounts of the settlers in these old days which you can read at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...allbrook56.htm
The Gathering of the Clans
--------------------------
How the British Dominions and Dependencies have helped in the war by J. Saxon Mills.
This is a short book which details how the British Dominions and Dependencies helped Britain in the First world War. This means you'll learn what Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and other countries did to support Britain not only in man power but in many other ways. While not a Scottish book as such I just thought it made an interesting read. The first paragraph sets the scene...
Perhaps the most important and enduring results of the present war will be those which were least intended and are least material in character. This conflict will always be remembered by Britons as that in which the British Empire finally "found itself." That Empire, which its enemies expected to fall to pieces in the hour of England's test and trial, will emerge from the struggle with a greater strength and unity than could have been won by centuries of political effort and aspiration. Mr. Bonar Law, the present Secretary of State for the Colonies, has expressed the truth in a few simple words:—"Our enemies said, and probably they believed, that the outbreak of war would be the signal for the breaking up of the British Empire. They have been mistaken. After this war the relations between the great Dominions and the Mother Country can never be the same again. The pressure of our enemies is welding us together, and the British Empire is becoming in reality, as well as in name, a united nation."
You can read this at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist.../gathering.htm
Screevin Tae Ma Bonnie
----------------------
A new song from John Henderson which you can read at http://www.electricscotland.com/poetry/doggerel385.htm
George MacDonald
----------------
A well known writer, poet and minister on both sides of the Atlantic and across the world.
IT must be a very remote corner of America, indeed, where the writings of George MacDonald would not only be known but ardently loved. David Elginbrod, Ranald Bannerman. Alec Forbes, Robert Falconer, and Little Diamond have many friends by this time all over the land, and are just as real personages, thousands of miles west of New York and Boston, as they are hereabouts. Now there must be some good reason for this exceptional universality of recognition, and it is not at all difficult to discern why MacDonald's characters should be welcome guests everywhere.
The writer who speaks through his beautiful creatures of imagination, imploring us to believe that
"Every human heart is human.
That in even savage bosoms
There are longings, yearnings, strivings
For the good they comprehend not.
That the feeble hands and helpless
Groping blindly in the darkness
Touch God's right hand in that darkness
And are lifted up and strengthened—"
that writer, if he be a master of his art, like MacDonald, will be a light and a joy in every household, however situated.
I have produced an Introduction to the man and then made available some of his poems in etext format and also a link to a couple of books about him and his writings in pdf format. His other books can of course be acquired at the Intenet Archive.
You can read about him at http://www.electricscotland.com/poet...nald/index.htm
Videos
------
We had quite a few videos on the Google site but they've just announced that this is closing so I've spent much of the day downloading them and transferring them to YouTube. We've now updated the page to provide links to them.
Quite a few of these videos were produced to talk you through the various sections of the Electric Scotland web site. I noted when reviewing the Books section that we had 94 books but now it's more like 350 books so obviously a wee bit out of date but you may still enjoy them. Others are taken from my time in Cape Breton where I recorded songs and music performed by various artists.
You can get to this page at http://www.electricscotland.com/music/videos
And finally...
I got this in from Jack Dowds...
Big Andy Dowds got some new neighbours recently in Harthill
An Asian family moved in next door, Mr Lee and his family
Mr Lee and Andy became pals and were discussing house renovations
Mr Lee asked Andy "How many rolls of wallpaper - you buy for the lounge? "
Andy said "I bought eight rolls."
Later in the week after papering his lounge Mr Lee said "Andy I have three rolls left"
Andy said "So did I "
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
Historical Tales of the Wars of Scotland
Glencreggan: or A Highland Home in Cantire
Kay's Edinburgh Portraits
Traditions of Perth
Robert Burns Lives!
Places of Interest about Girvan
Poems of George Alexander Rodger
Problems of a Scottish Provincial Town
North Halton Celtic Historical Society
The Gathering of the Clans
Screevin Tae Ma Bonnie
George MacDonald
Videos
Electric Scotland News
----------------------
I noted with interest the business awards in Scotland. Oil and gas services giant John Wood Group has been named the Scottish plc of the year.
The firm had earlier picked up the global reach prize at the Scottish plc awards in Glasgow on Wednesday.
Judges at the event, organized by Scottish Business Insider and accountancy firm PwC, said Wood Group was a real flagship for Scotland which had done an outstanding job.
During the year it had many highlights including the acquisition of rival PSN for $1bn to create a global market leading position and a $560m contract to build a new gas fired power station in Israel.
Chief executive of the year was Martin Gilbert, of Aberdeen Asset Management who led the investment business to record revenues and profits.
The business also picked up large plc of the year after seeing growth in its funds under management to $183.3 billion.
Sir Moir Lockhead, who recently retired from FirstGroup, was given a lifetime achievement award for his role in transforming a council owned bus company into a global transport group with 133,000 staff.
One member of the judging panel said: Sir Moirs achievements are simply extraordinary.
-----
I have started working on a book about Glengarry in Canada. It's a very old book so somewhat faint and a bit of a challenge in getting it ocr'd. That said it gives a bit of a history of Glengarry in Scotland then goes on to discuss the emigration of many of the inhabitants to the USA. It then goes into some detail on the American War of Indpendence and the part the Glengarry folk played in it and then follows them to Glengarry in Canada where they eventually settled. This was clearly a turbulent time and so is certainly of interest.
I think it reinforces the point that many Scots were not for American Independence and wished to retain their connnection with the British Crown. I think it also shows some pretty brutal fighting between the two different sides and some quite horrendous conditions during that period.
Even after that period there was fighting between America and Canada and so it also follows the Glengarry folk in their defence of Canada.
Of course since these days we have all developed cordial relations but it is interesting to know a bit more about these old days.
I will say I've had this book for several years but due to the difficulty of ocr'ing it I've kept laying it aside but have now bitten the bullet as they say so working away at it day by day to get it up for you to read.
-----
It was nice to get a wee bit of feedback this week in the newsletter forum. I've taken on board the idea that I should try to organize my books page to make it a bit easier to find appropriate books.
I did once work on a Council page where I was trying to provide some information on each of the Scottish Council areas. In there I did provide links to some information and books that we had on each council area so you might find that useful. I'll need to do an update on that as its some time since I worked in that area.
When I did work on it I listed the major towns in each council area and placed a link to the Scottish Gazetteer entry for each. Also added a link to a Google street map for the area as well as a search box for streetmaps that use the British Ordinance Survey maps which also show historical places. I also listed the local newspapers for the area. It's perhaps a useful place to visit if you are looking at having a holiday in the area as I also linked to the council web site where you can get more information.
It was actually doing this that I discovered we had lots of books on the Highlands which made me start to look for more books on other areas of Scotland.
You can find this at http://www.electricscotland.com/council/
And today I completed a wee makeover of the books page as well by providing sections for...
Places in Scotland (61 books)
Scots in the World (87 books)
Biographies / Autobiographies (47 books)
General History books (160 books)
And so if you now go to http://www.electricscotland.com/books you'll find sub links listed under the Online Books section. It's a start anyway and I'll keep reviewing this to see if it can be improved but feel free to drop me a note if you have any suggestions.
And you'll note that I do take notice of your feedback so keep it coming! <grin>
-----
I've removed the toolbar from our main ElectricScotland.com web site. We also plan to remove the toolbar from the Electric Scotland Community over the weekend.
Essentially it seems to be causing some errors with some people although not all. However when we looked at useage it didn't seem to us that it was providing that much added functionality that was being used by our visitors.
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
---------------------------
We've been talking about the horredous fires in Texas. What an amazing number of fires there are. It's almost like someone has decided to put Texas to the flame to wipe it off the earth. Quite incredible.
Also developing more information on the thread "Since I am a Yank does that not mean I can be Scottish".
Mind when you go into the community just click on "New Posts" to see what's new since your last visit.
Our community can be viewed at http://www.electricscotland.org but of course if you are reading this you're already in it :-)
THE FLAG IN THE WIND
--------------------
This weeks issue is now available compiled by Ian Goldie in which he has provided some excellent links to blogs and web sites that are covering Scottish news and the elections. Well worth a look. You'll also find up to date election predictions from the latest polls.
You can get to the Flag at http://www.scotsindependent.org
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 2 or 3 stories each week until complete.
This week we've added...
Seige of Leith - 1559
Life was sure difficult in these old days with fields being burnt, buildings destroyed, and it is amazing to me that anyone was able to survive these times. I confess I'd like to try and find some history book which covers the topic of how people survived such devasation.
You can read this account at http://www.electricscotland.com/history/wars/
Glencreggan: or A Highland Home in Cantire
------------------------------------------
By Cuthbert Bede (1861)
This week we're on Volume 2 with...
Chapter XXXI - East Tarbert and Loch Fyne Herrings
Tarbert; meaning of the Word. — Scott's Account. — The Legend of Tarbert. — A Blackleg Transaction. — Fables and Facts. — Shakspeare's Donalbain. — The Norwegian Dynasty. — Sodor and Man. — The Bishop of Cantire. — The Tarbert Canal Company, Limited. — A Chain of Forts. — Paul Jones the Pirate. — Tarbert Castle. — The Key of Cantire. — The Eastern Loch; its wild Character. — Tarbert Town. — The Capital of Herringdom. — Statistics of the Fishery. — Phosphorescence of the Herring. — Superstitions of the Fishermen. — Old Form of Prayer on putting to Sea. — The King of the Herrings. — Folk-lore of the Herring. — Things not generally known anent the Herring. — A cleanly Lodging. — The Merry Dancers.
You can read this at http://www.electricscotland.com/history/glencreggan/
Kay's Edinburgh Portraits
-------------------------
A Series of Anecdotal Biographies chiefly of Scotchmen, Mostly by James Paterson and Edited by James Maidment (1885)
This week we have added...
Dr. Gregory Grant, Physician
Mr. George Williamson, King's Messenger and Admiral Macer for Scotland
Mr. Francis Braidwood, Cabinet-Maker
The Right Hon. the Earl of Eglinton
Sir John Leslie, Professor of Natural Philosophy
The City Tron-Men; or, Chimney-Sweepers
An interesting account of The City Tron-Men; or, Chimney-Sweepers which starts...
The personal history of these men is almost entirely unknown; and probably few incidents in their humble progress through life would be found worthy of recording. The elder of the two, David Gilchrist, was a worthy enough person in his way; and he is still remembered by some of the sable fraternity of Edinburgh. He lived in the College Wynd, and died about thirty years ago.
At a remote period, there was only one individual, of the name of Hamilton—resident in the West Port—who devoted his attention solely to the sweeping of chimneys. He kept a number of men and boys in his employment; but the city, notwithstanding, was very indifferently supplied. In order to remedy this state of things—as well as to avoid the barbarous system of "climbing boys"—twelve men, previously porters, were appointed chimney-sweepers for the city, with an annual allowance of one guinea, and. certain other perquisites. They were called "Tron-men," from the circumstance of their being stationed at the Trone, or public beam for weighing, which formerly stood in front of the Trou Church. The Trone appears to have been used as a pillory for the punishment of crime. In NichoVs Diary for 1649, it is stated that "much falset and cheitting was dailie deteckit at this time by the Lords of Sessioune; for the whilk there was dailie hanging, skurging, nailing of lugs [ears], and binding of people to the Trone, and boring of tongues; so that it was one fatal year for false notaries and witnesses, as dailie experience did witness." The iveigh-liouse, which stood at the head of the West Bow, built probably about the beginning of the seventeenth century, as a substitute for the Trone, was removed in 1822, on the King's visit to Scotland, in order to make way for the Royal procession to the Castle.
You can read the rest of this entry at http://www.electricscotland.com/history/kays/vol237.htm
The other entries can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/history/kays/index.htm
Traditions of Perth
-------------------
Containing Sketches of the Manners and Customs of the Inhabitants during the last century by George Penny (1836)
We've now added Pages 304 to 316 and we're now onto the Appendix with a short history of Perth.
You can get to these pages at the foot of the page at http://www.electricscotland.com/history/perth/
Robert Burns Lives!
-------------------
By Frank Shaw
A Trip to Glasgow to Speak on Robert Burns
As I write this, Susan and I are in Paris, the last leg of a three-part journey which took us to London, Glasgow, Edinburgh, St. Andrews, Alloway and now the great city by the Seine. I spoke on the subject of Robert Burns Lives! at the annual conference last Saturday hosted by the University of Glasgow’s Centre for Robert Burns Studies. I thoroughly enjoyed the symposium, an afternoon affair lasting five hours. Dr. Gerry Carruthers, Director of the Centre, along with able Associate Director Dr. Kirsteen McCue and their staff are to be congratulated for sponsoring such a well-rounded and significant meeting. I met lots of good Burns people who are not members of the “Burns Police” and made us very welcome. Several offered to contribute to the website and I plan to hold them to their promises. I managed to upset only one member of the “police” so my record of rattling the cage is in tact. To quote a good friend, it is “pretty odd that in Glasgow someone should be precocious about pronunciation”
Frank goes on to tell us about his trip with many pictures and you can read his account at http://www.electricscotland.com/fami...s_lives117.htm
All of the Robert Burns articles can be found at http://www.electricscotland.com/fami...rank/burns.htm
Places of Interest about Girvan
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By Rev. R. Lawson (1892).
We put up this week...
Lendal to Ballantrae
Ballantrae
Colmonell
The Martyrs of Colmonell
The Stinchar Valley
Dailly
The account of The Stinchar Valley starts...
THE ancient castle of Ardstinchar, chief seat of the old Bargany Kennedys, still keeps guard over Ballantrae, and lifts up its solitary tower by way of protest against modern spoliation But, although man may spoil his own works, he cannot well spoil the works of Nature. And we may confidently believe that the sweet valley of the Stinchar looks as pretty to-day as ever it did. Starting, then, from the foot of the old Castle Crag, and glancing across at the "grey stones of Garleffin," keeping their watch of centuries by the graves of the dead, the road pursues its course up the river. The first object of interest is Laggan House, about two miles up the valley. Then we see the ruins of the former Church of Ballantrae at Kirkholtn, near the junction of the Tig with the Stinchar. Then, a little farther on, and lying more into the heart of the hill, we see the small one storey farm house of Knockdow where Peden was staying when he was seized and taken to the Bass. Next, the road turns sharply to the left, and we find ourselves facing the old Castle of Knockdolian with the modern mansion beside it, while Knockdolian Hill itself rises straight above both, with the little knoll of Dunniwick round which the fairies used to dance on moonlight nights. This is, indeed, a romantic part of the valley.
Leaving Knockdolian, we soon reach the tidy village of Colmonell, enjoying one of the prettiest situations of all the pretty villages of South Ayrshire. It stands on a rising ground above the Stinchar, looking down to the green hill of Knockdolian, and up to the woods of Pinmore, while in the horizon may be seen the lofty hills of Barr, and even of far away Galloway. Its praise has been often sung by local bards, one of whom apostrophises it thus:—
"A beauty, in a beauteous dell,
Serenely fair sits Colmonell."
You can read the rest of this chapter at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist.../chapter23.htm
You can read the other chapters at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...rvan/index.htm
Poems of George Alexander Rodger
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Added another poem, Glenisla Centenary Gathering, which you can read at http://www.electricscotland.com/poetry/rodger06.htm
The other poems can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/poetry/rodger.htm
Problems of a Scottish Provincial Town
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By John Howard Whitehouse (1905)
Have now added more chapters...
Chapter VI. The Building By-Laws
Chapter VII. The Boy's Club, and its Place in Social Progress
Chapter VIII. The Boy's Club, and its Place in Social Progress (continued)
Chapter IX. The Social Settlement
Chapter X. The Public Library
Chapter XI. A Town's Camp
The account of the Public Library is rather interesting and starts...
[The writer takes this opportunity of expressing his indebtedness to the present librarian for the unfailing courtesy he has received from him, and trusts he need hardly say that the criticism contained in this chapter is directed against a system, not an individual.]
THE Free Library of Dunfermline is perhaps the most forlorn institution which the town possesses. It was built in the year 1883, and is reported to be the first library erected through the generosity of Mr. Carnegie. The exterior of the building, though far from beautiful, is not displeasing, but the arrangement of the interior is faulty and objectionable. It has been planned without any real knowledge of the needs of a library, and I find without surprise that the use which is made of the building is a quite insignificant one.
The present accommodation consists of a Lending Library, a Men's Reading-room, and a Ladies' Reading-room. In the centre of the Lending Library is a small Reference Department, and two small tables, each capable of holding four readers, are provided for students in this department. The Men's Reading-room has a most cheerless and forbidding aspect; its fittings are poverty-stricken, it is badly ventilated, and few who are not compelled to enter it would willingly do so. Much the same might be said of the Ladies' Reading-room.
I therefore propose to consider in detail how the library may be reorganised and made worthy of its mission as a centre of light and leading in the city.
You can read the rest of this at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...ine/town10.htm
The other chapters can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...ne/townndx.htm
North Halton Celtic Historical Society
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We got in Update 56 with lots more interesting accounts of the settlers in these old days which you can read at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...allbrook56.htm
The Gathering of the Clans
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How the British Dominions and Dependencies have helped in the war by J. Saxon Mills.
This is a short book which details how the British Dominions and Dependencies helped Britain in the First world War. This means you'll learn what Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and other countries did to support Britain not only in man power but in many other ways. While not a Scottish book as such I just thought it made an interesting read. The first paragraph sets the scene...
Perhaps the most important and enduring results of the present war will be those which were least intended and are least material in character. This conflict will always be remembered by Britons as that in which the British Empire finally "found itself." That Empire, which its enemies expected to fall to pieces in the hour of England's test and trial, will emerge from the struggle with a greater strength and unity than could have been won by centuries of political effort and aspiration. Mr. Bonar Law, the present Secretary of State for the Colonies, has expressed the truth in a few simple words:—"Our enemies said, and probably they believed, that the outbreak of war would be the signal for the breaking up of the British Empire. They have been mistaken. After this war the relations between the great Dominions and the Mother Country can never be the same again. The pressure of our enemies is welding us together, and the British Empire is becoming in reality, as well as in name, a united nation."
You can read this at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist.../gathering.htm
Screevin Tae Ma Bonnie
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A new song from John Henderson which you can read at http://www.electricscotland.com/poetry/doggerel385.htm
George MacDonald
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A well known writer, poet and minister on both sides of the Atlantic and across the world.
IT must be a very remote corner of America, indeed, where the writings of George MacDonald would not only be known but ardently loved. David Elginbrod, Ranald Bannerman. Alec Forbes, Robert Falconer, and Little Diamond have many friends by this time all over the land, and are just as real personages, thousands of miles west of New York and Boston, as they are hereabouts. Now there must be some good reason for this exceptional universality of recognition, and it is not at all difficult to discern why MacDonald's characters should be welcome guests everywhere.
The writer who speaks through his beautiful creatures of imagination, imploring us to believe that
"Every human heart is human.
That in even savage bosoms
There are longings, yearnings, strivings
For the good they comprehend not.
That the feeble hands and helpless
Groping blindly in the darkness
Touch God's right hand in that darkness
And are lifted up and strengthened—"
that writer, if he be a master of his art, like MacDonald, will be a light and a joy in every household, however situated.
I have produced an Introduction to the man and then made available some of his poems in etext format and also a link to a couple of books about him and his writings in pdf format. His other books can of course be acquired at the Intenet Archive.
You can read about him at http://www.electricscotland.com/poet...nald/index.htm
Videos
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We had quite a few videos on the Google site but they've just announced that this is closing so I've spent much of the day downloading them and transferring them to YouTube. We've now updated the page to provide links to them.
Quite a few of these videos were produced to talk you through the various sections of the Electric Scotland web site. I noted when reviewing the Books section that we had 94 books but now it's more like 350 books so obviously a wee bit out of date but you may still enjoy them. Others are taken from my time in Cape Breton where I recorded songs and music performed by various artists.
You can get to this page at http://www.electricscotland.com/music/videos
And finally...
I got this in from Jack Dowds...
Big Andy Dowds got some new neighbours recently in Harthill
An Asian family moved in next door, Mr Lee and his family
Mr Lee and Andy became pals and were discussing house renovations
Mr Lee asked Andy "How many rolls of wallpaper - you buy for the lounge? "
Andy said "I bought eight rolls."
Later in the week after papering his lounge Mr Lee said "Andy I have three rolls left"
Andy said "So did I "
And that's it for now and hope you all have a good weekend.
Alastair
http://www.electricscotland.com
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