It's your Electric Scotland newsletter meaning
the weekend is nearly here :-)
You can view what's new this week on Electric Scotland at
http://www.electricscotland.com/update.html and you can unsubscribe to
this newsletter by clicking on the link at the foot of this newsletter.
See our Calendar of Scottish Events around the world at
http://www.electricscotland.com/familytree/calendar_help.htm
CONTENTS
--------
Electric Scotland News
Scotland on TV
The Flag in the Wind
The Scottish Nation
New Statistical Account of Scotland (1845)
Good Words - Edited by the Rev Norman MacLeod
Poetry and Stories
Book of Scottish Story
History of Ulster
Reminiscences and Reflections of an Octogenarian Highlander
Sketches of The Character, Manners, and Present State of the Highlanders of
Scotland
Sketches of Early Scotch History
Transactions of the Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland 1881
Household Encyclopaedia
Smuggling in the Highlands
Beth's Newfangled Family Tree
ELECTRIC SCOTLAND NEWS
----------------------
This is the final newsletter of 2007 and take this opportunity to wish you
all a Very Happy New Year when it comes :-)
I was over in Toronto for Christmas with my friends Nola and Harold and
their family and had a good time. Hope you all had an enjoyable Christmas as
well.
When I got back today it was to find my furnace making bad noises and the
house at 54 degrees so a bit chilly to say the least. Luckily I found a
company to come out and fix it within just an hour of my arrival back home
so as I am typing up this newsletter it is starting to get a little warmer.
The motor was on the verge of burning out and the service engineer said if
I'd been away for another 12 hours or so it would have meant a new motor.
As promised I completed the wee book on "Smuggling in the Highlands", an
account of Highland Whisky with Smuggling Stories and Detections by Ian
MacDonald, (late of the Inland Revenue) for which see more below. It was
interesting to note that whisky is a comparatively recent invention in
Scotland and in the old days we mainly drank ale and claret.
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 at the link at the top of this newsletter and pick up poems and
stories sent into us during the week from Donna, Margo, Stan, John and
others.
Scotland on TV
--------------
Visit their site at
http://www.scotlandontv.tv
The team are all taking a holiday at this time of year so no newsletter from
them this week.
THE FLAG IN THE WIND
--------------------
This weeks Flag is compiled by Jim Lynch and he tells us how British Nukes
are protected by Bicycle locks and also gives us a wee summary of how 2007
played out in Scottish Politics.
In Peter's cultural section he tells us...
One of the historic, but little known, traditions which takes place during
The Daft Days is the annual Temperance Walk held in the three Aberdeenshire
fishing villages of Inverallochy, Cairnbulg and St Combs. Each village in
turn hold their Walk led by a local flute band followed by the oldest man in
the village with a female partner. Behind come the rest of the ‘Walkers’ in
couples, wearing their ‘Sunday-best’ clothes. It is the custom to walk with
a friend or a neighbour and not a member of your own family. The origin of
the Walk, which has been held for 160 years, goes back to the 19th century
when there was much village drunkenness. It was said that ‘the men were
combative and under the influence of alcohol, desparate fights among them
were a common occurrence’ but this was brought to end with a terrible
cholera epidemic in 1847.From then, and in more prosperous times, the
historic Walk began in the three villages. Traditionally Inverallochy hosts
the first Walk which is held on Christmas Day, it’s neighbouring village
Cairnbulg holds the second Walk on New Year’s Day and finally the third and
last walk takes place on 2 January at St Combs. For the first century of the
Walk, the St Combs Walk was held on Auld Yule (5 January) but this date was
switched in the mid 1950s. Each Walk goes through every street of their
village with stops to play for the old and sick, before paying a visit to
the two neighbouring villages. They combine the Walk with a wreath-laying
ceremony at the War memorial, dating from the time when the fishermen and
fisher lassies were away during November following the herring trade down
the east coast to Yarmouth, consequently missing Armistice Day at home.
Alcoholic drink and the Temperance Walk do not go together but all the
Walkers would surely welcome a warming glass of Ginger Cordial at the end of
their walk, particularly if a snell wind is blowing in from the cold, gurly
North Sea,
Ginger Cordial
Ingredients: 2 oz (50g) root ginger; 2 lemons; 2 oranges; 1 gallon (3.8
litres0 water; 3 ½ lbs (1.5 kg) sugar; small pinch of cayenne pepper
(optional)
Method: Break the ginger up, using less if a milder brew is desired, and
boil it with 1 gallon of water and the rind of the oranges and lemons. Add
pinch of cayenne pepper, if desired, during boiling. Strain the liquid into
a container holding the sugar. Add the juice of the lemons and oranges.
Strain and bottle.
You can read the Flag, listen to the Scots Language, enjoy the Scots Wit and
lots more at
http://www.scotsindependent.org
The Scottish Nation
-------------------
My thanks to Lora for transcribing these volumes for us.
We have now completed the L's and now onto the Mac's with Lynedoch, Lyon,
Mac and Macadam
Here is the account of MacAdam...
MACADAM, the surname of a family who were originally MacGregors, descended
from Gregor MacGregor, the chief, whose 2d son, Gregor, captain of the clan,
with his cousin, gilbert MacGregor, progenitor of the Griersons of Lagg,
took refuge in Galloway, after the outlawry of the clan Gregor. After being
guilty of various acts of depredation and marauding, Gregor was at last
captured and executed at Edinburgh.
His son, Adam MacGregor, the ancestor of this family, changed his name to
Adam Macadam.
The latter’s son, John, had a son, Andrew, who, July 31, 1569, obtained, at
Perth, a charter of the lands of Waterhead, from James VI., by the hands of
the Regent Moray.
Gilbert Macadam of Waterhead, the 4th in descent from Andrew, was served
heir Aug. 2, 1662. He was a well-known Covenanter; and in the troublous
times of 1682, he was taken prisoner and carried to Dumfries, on a charge of
non-conformity, but was liberated on caution to the extent of £400, which,
on his non-appearance, was forfeited. Soon after, he was again apprehended
and carried to Glasgow, and on his refusal to take the oath of allegiance
and supremacy, was banished to the American Plantations. His father gave him
£20 sterling with him, and with this he bought his freedom, and returned to
Scotland in 1685. On a Saturday night, in a cottage near the village of
Kirkmichael, he was surprised, at a meeting for prayer, by a company of
militia, and shot in attempting to escape by the window.
His son, James Macadam, served heir in 1686, married a lady of the
Cunningham family, and appears to have died in 1687. Like his father, he was
a strict Covenanter. In an attempt on his life, he was followed one evening
along the road, by Crawfurd of Camlarg and Crawfurd of Boreland; but,
missing him in the dark, they overtook, and, in mistake, shot Roger Dunn,
his uncle.
The third from him, another James Macadam, was one of the founders of the
first bank in the town of Ayr, in 1763. He married Susannah, daughter of
John Cochrane of Waterside, niece of the heroic Grizel Cochrane, and
cousin-german of the 8th earl of Dundonald. Her mother, Hannah De Witt, was
of the illustrious Dutch family of that name. He had two sons and eight
daughters. Grizel, the 4th daughter, married Adam Steuart, Esq., and was
mother of William Macadam Steuart, Esq., of Glenormiston, Peebles-shire, an
estate purchased from him by William chambers, Esq.
James, the elder son, a captain in the army, predeceased his father, in
1763.
John Loudon Macadam, the younger son, the celebrated improver of the public
roads, was born in Ayr, September 21, 1756. He received his education at the
school of Maybole. His father, having sold the greater part of his estate to
a younger branch of the family, the Macadams of Craigengillan, whose
daughter and heiress married the Hon. Col. Macadam Cathcart, went to live at
Lagwine, on the river Deugh, in the parish of Carsphairn. His residence
there was unfortunately consumed by fire, and he left Scotland for America,
where he embarked in mercantile speculations. His son at the time was only
about six years old. On his death in 1770, young Macadam was sent to New
York. He remained there until the close of the revolutionary war, and as an
agent for the sale of prizes he realized a considerable fortune, the greater
part of which, however, he lost.
On his return to Scotland he resided for some time at Dumcrieff, in the
neighbourhood of Moffat. He afterwards lived for thirteen years at Sauchrie
in Ayrshire, where he was in the commission of the peace and a
deputy-lieutenant. In 1798 he was appointed by government agent for
victualling the navy in the western ports of Great Britain, in consequence
of which he removed to Falmouth.
It was while acting as one of the trustees upon certain roads in Ayrshire
that he first turned his attention to the mechanical principles involved in
that branch of national economy, and during his residence in England, he
continued silently to study the process of road-making in all its details.
In 1815 he was appointed surveyor-general of the Bristol roads, when he was
at length afforded a full opportunity of carrying his system into practical
operation, and it was soon adopted throughout the whole kingdom. In 1825 he
was examined before a committee of the House of Commons respecting the
propriety of converting the ruble granite causeway of the principal streets
of towns into a smooth pavement, resembling those which he had already
formed on the ordinary roads; when he strongly recommended the change. The
leading streets of London, Edinburgh, Dublin, and other cities, were, in
consequence, Macadamized.
In introducing an improvement of such extensive utility, Mr. Macadam had
expended several thousand pounds, which, in 1825, he proved before a
committee of the House of Commons; and received from government, in two
grants, the sum of £10,000, which was all the return he ever obtained. In
1834 he was offered the honour of knighthood, but he declined it on account
of his age, and it was conferred on his second son, Sir James Nicoll
Macadam, general surveyor of the metropolis turnpike roads, appointed a
deputy-lieutenant of Middlesex in 1848. Mr. Macadam died at Moffat, November
26, 1836, aged 80.
He was twice married, and by his first wife had 4 sons and 3 daughters. His
two eldest sons died before him. The eldest son, William, left 3 sons and 3
daughters. William’s eldest son, William Macadam of Ballochmorrie House,
Ayrshire, succeeded his grandfather in 1836. He was Surveyor-General of
Roads in England, and died, unmarried, Aug. 28, 1861, aged. 58.
You can read the other entries at
http://www.electricscotland.com/history/nation/index.htm
New Statistical Account of Scotland (1845)
------------------------------------------
The first volume I am dealing with is the one on Aberdeenshire. There are
some 85 parishes in this volume and a write up on each.
This week have added...
Parish of Tarves at
http://www.electricscotland.com/history/statistical/tarvis.htm
Here is some information on the Parish...
Tarves is situated in that part of Aberdeenshire called Formartine, [Formartine
gives the title of Viscount to the Earl of Aberdeen.] with the exception of
a small section which lies on the north side of the river Ythan, and is
therefore reckoned in the Buchan district of the same county. It is bounded
on the north, by Fyvie, Methlick, and New Deer ; on the east, by Ellon; on
the south-east and south, by Udny; on the south-west, by Bourtie; and on the
west, by Meldrum. The . church is distant from Newburgh, the nearest
sea-port, ten, and from Aberdeen the county town, seventeen miles. In its
greatest length, Tarves may be about 12 miles, and in its greatest breadth
about 8 miles. It contains upwards of 12,000 Scotch acres, of which 11,000
are arable, 1000 woodland, and the residue moss and muir.
Tarves, at a very early period, was erected into a Regality in favour of the
Abbot of Arbroath, and an instance is recorded, in 1299, of his claiming a
culprit, as feudal superior of this parish, from the King's Justiceayre at
Aberdeen. About the time of the Reformation, the Regality passed to James
Gordon of Haddo, ancestor of the Earl of Aberdeen, one of whose titles at
present is Baron of Tarves.
Not many years ago, there existed, on the farms of North and South Ythsie,
several large cairns, of whose origin tradition gave no account, and at the
bottom of which, when the stones composing them were carried away for the
purpose of building fences, there was found a quantity of gigantic human
bones. They were, in all probability, the work of an era prior to the
introduction of Christianity.
The Castle of Tolquhon, now in a very ruinous condition, with the exception
of a part of it called "the auld tower," was built between 1584 and 1589 by
William Forbes, laird of Tolquhon, Woodland, Knaperna, &c. It is of
considerable extent, being of a quadrangular form, and enclosing a large
court-yard, the arched gateway of which is defended by two towers, with
loop-holes to enable those within to use fire-arms or arrows against
assailants. Great part of it is now roofless, and its walls are fast sinking
into shapeless heaps of stones and rubbish. It is nearly surrounded with
wood, part of which, especially some fine yews, seems to be coeval with the
building itself. The family of Forbes, to whom this castle and the valuable
property annexed to it belonged, was among the most ancient and honourable
of that surname—the first laird of Tolquhon having been the son of Sir John
Forbes of that Ilk, and a brother of the first Lord Forbes. He acquired the
estate of Tolquhon, in 1420, by his marriage with Marjorie Preston, daughter
of Henry Preston, Lord of Formartine. In the church-yard of Tarves there
remains, in good preservation, a part of an aisle, added to the former
church by the same William Forbes who built the castle. It bears the
inscriptions "W. F. 1589, dochter to Lesmore, E. G.;" and the motto of the
family, viz. "Salus per Christum."
You can read the rest of this account at
http://www.electricscotland.com/history/statistical/tarvis.htm
On the index page of this volume you can see a list of the 85 parishes and
also a map at
http://www.electricscotland.com/history/statistical/volume12.htm
Good Words - 1860 Edition
-------------------------
Edited by Rev. Norman MacLeod
You should note that as this is a weekly publication you'll find larger
articles are continued week by week.
This week have added articles on...
Good Words for Every Day of the Year (Pages 255-256)
Note to the Article "Dr Chalmers at Elberfeld" [Page 5] (Page 256)
Constance De V---- (Pages 257-260)
The Rewards which God bestows upon Men, and the Principle of their
Distribution (Pages 260-263)
Skeleton Leaves (Page 263)
Here is how "The Rewards which God bestows upon Men, and the Principle of
their Distribution" starts...
Into whatever difficulties or confusions men may have fallen in describing
God's method of assigning rewards, there can be no question that the God of
the Bible is represented to us as a re-warder, and as rewarding accurately
and impartially. "He that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he
is a rewarder of them that seek him." I need not quote passages to shew how
frequently and emphatically this is declared of God in every part of
Scripture. I say, in every part of Scripture, because there is a feeling in
many minds as if just and accurate retribution belonged to another
dispensation, and not to the gospel or the dispensation of grace. It is
sometimes, indeed, almost implied, that the righteous Governor of the
universe, who rewards men according to their doings, is a different being
from the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is necessary, therefore, to
remember, that the righteous Judge is the loving Father; that justice is not
done away in Christ, but revealed in Christ; that the Son of man Himself is
appointed the Judge, and that He says expressly that He will come in the
glory of His Father, and will reward every man according to his works. There
can be no question as to this fact: the Scriptures assert as plainly as
possible that the nerw or gospel dispensation, however it may be a system of
grace and love, is no less truly a system of impartial reward.
But are we not told that a man can plead no merit with God, but that
whatever God does for him must be the fruit of forgiveness and bounty? Most
assuredly: and therefore we have to reconcile these two aspects of God,—to
see how God can be an impartial rewarder, and at the same time a free-giver.
Unless we attain to the right conception concerning God, we cannot
satisfactorily reconcile these two aspects: we shall be in danger of
thinking at one moment of God as a just Judge without love, and at another
moment as a God of grace without justice, imagining two distinct Beings,
with no unity of will.
But if we think of God as His Son has declared Him to us, shall we not find
the apparent contradiction disappear? Take the Sermon on the Mount. In that
most precious exposition of God's will and nature, we find several allusions
to rewards : and in it, God is set forth from beginning to end as a true
Father. We are taught there that it is the Father in heaven who rewards,
dealing with men justly according to what He sees them to be in their
hearts. If, therefore, we meditate upon the true fatherly method of
rewarding, I believe we shall be in the way to understand the principles on
which God deals with men, and the spirit which we ought to cultivate in
ourselves towards God.
You can read the rest of this at
http://www.electricscotland.com/history/goodwords/goodwords132.htm
You can read the other articles at
http://www.electricscotland.com/history/goodwords/index.htm
Poetry and Stories
------------------
Donna sent in a poem, Little Notes, at
http://www.electricscotland.com/history/america/donna/poetry/poem45.htm
Donna sent in an Indian Lore story, "Blackie, Needs More Coffee", at
http://www.electricscotland.com/history/america/donna/lore/coffee.htm
John sent in a doggerel, "Jinky Jimmy an Widda Wendy", at
http://www.electricscotland.com/poetry/doggerel241.htm
Book of Scottish Story
----------------------
Kindly sent in to us by John Henderson
The Book of Scottish Story - Historical, Humorous, Legendary, Imaginative
by Standard Scottish Writers Published by Thomas D. Morison, 1896
This week we have...
The Billeted Soldier
from Eminent Men of Fife
Here is how it starts...
In the autumn of 1803, the Forfar and Kincardine militia,—then an infantry
regiment of about 1000 strong,—en route from the south of Scotland to
Aberdeen, along the coast road, happened to perform the march between the
towns of Montrose and Bervie on a Saturday. The want of the required
accommodation in Bervie for so many men rendered it necessary that a
considerable portion should be billeted in the adjoining villages of
Johnshaven and Gourdon, and on farmers and others on the line of march. In
carrying out this arrangement, it so happened that one private soldier was
billeted on a farmer or crofter of the name of Lyall, on the estate of East
Mathers, situated about a mile north-west of the village of Johnshaven.
David Lyall, gudeman of Gateside, was a douce, respectable individual, a
worthy member, if not an elder, of the secession church, Johnshaven. His
wife, Mrs Lyal, possessed many of the good qualities of her worthy husband,
whom she highly venerated, and pithily described as being "as gude a man as
ever lay at a woman's side. Mrs Lyall was a rigid seceder, a strict
Sabbatarian, stern and rigorous in everything relating to the kirk and kirk
affairs, deeply learned in polemical disquisitions, had a wondrous "gift of
gab," and by no means allowed the talent to lie idle in a napkin.
The soldier produced his billet, was kindly received, treated to the best as
regarded bed and board, was communicative, and entered into all the news of
the day with the worthy couple. Everything ran smoothly on the evening of
Saturday, and an agreeable intimacy seemed to be established in the family;
but the horror of Mrs Lyall may be conceived, when, on looking out in the
morning rather early, she saw the soldier stripped to the shirt, switching,
brushing, and scrubbing his clothes on an eminence in front of the house.
"Get up, David Lyall," she said, "get up; it ill sets you to be lying there
snoring, an' that graceless pagap brackin' the Lord's day wi' a' his might,
at oor door."
David looked up, and quietly composing himself again, said. "The articles of
war, gudewife, the articles of war; puir chiel, he canna help himsel—he maun
do duty Sunday as well as Saturday."
The soldier, after cleaning his clothes and taking a stroll in the romantic
dell of Denfenella adjoining, returned in time to breakfast, which was a
silent meal. With Mrs Lyall there was only "mony a sad and sour look," and
on the table being cleared, she placed on it, or rather thrust, the "big ha'
Bible" immediately in front of the soldier.
"Weel, mistress," said the soldier, "what book is this?"
"That's a beuk, lad," said the gudewife, "that I muckle doubt that you and
the like o' ye ken unco little about."
"Perhaps," was the reply; "we shall see."
On opening the book the soldier said, "I have seen such a book before."
"Gin ye've seen sic a book before," said Mrs Lyall, "let's hear gin ye can
read ony."
"I don't mind though I do," said the soldier, and taking the Bible he read a
chapter that had been marked by Mrs Lyall as one condemnatory of his seeming
disregard of the Sabbath. The reading of the soldier was perfect.
"There, lad," said David Lyall, "ye read like a minister."
You can read the rest of this story at
http://www.electricscotland.com/books/story/story27.htm
The index page of the book where you can read the other stories is at
http://www.electricscotland.com/books/story/index.htm
The History of Ulster
------------------------------
In the coming week I'll be starting on Volume 3 of this 4 volume set. The
previous 2 volumes can be read at
http://www.electricscotland.com/history/ulster/
Reminiscences and Reflections of an Octogenarian Highlander
-----------------------------------------------------------
By Duncan Campbell (1910)
This week we've added the following chapters...
Chapter XXVI.
The Disruption
Chapter XXVII.
The Glenlyon Free Church
Chapter XXVIII.
The Broken Walls of the National Zion
Chapter XXIX.
The Eccentric Minister
Chapter XXX.
Eviction
Chapter XXXI.
Farewell to the Old industrial System
Chapter XXXII.
Emigration
Here is the chapter on "Emigration"...
THE people he turned out of their holdings did not hate or curse the Laird,
but rather pitied him and excused him on the score of youth, alien
upbringing and education, the influence of English views on property rights,
and of the new Scotch Toryism which left nothing really Highland to many
young men with large estates and long lines of ancestors glorified in Gaelic
songs (which these degenerates could not understand) beyond empty pride in a
vanished past and the gewgaws of Highland dress and accoutrements. The
larger number of those he evicted never saw him again. He remained in
England or on the Continent or elsewhere in Scotland until they cleared
away; but for that absence he fully atoned by providing them with work and
wages during the year they had necessarily to remain for delivering their
crops at Martinmas, selling their household chattels, and winding up their
whole affairs in Scotland. The trustees had been chary in spending money on
improvements; but they saved money which the laird was now spending freely,
and wisely also, in planting, draining, fencing, repairing and enlarging
Meggernie Castle, and generally making up for arrears of neglect during his
long minority.
The majority of the evicted at once resolved to emigrate as soon as their
affairs were settled. Emigration indeed was always more or less steadily
going on since the war with France ended. The idea of it was never absent
from the thoughts of the young and adventurous. In the year before the
eviction a small band of young people from the Culdares estate had gone to
Ontario, then called Upper Canada. Some years earlier a larger band from the
Glen had gone to Port Philip, Australia, which now means Melbourne not then
in existence. Stray individuals had also found their way to New Zealand and
South Africa. The migrations at home which had been perpetually, if silently
and little noticed by historians, going on from immemorial times had now
become brisker than ever before. Expanding cities and towns, railway
construction, mining districts, and manufacturing districts offered
boundless openings to incomers. But although at first sight it might seem
natural that Highland families should follow the "calanas," that coal,
steam, and mill-machinery had taken away from them, the southward migration
from the central Highlands remained for many years what it had ever been, a
drifting of individuals rather than of families. The potato disease,
however, caused a great drove to go to Glasgow and its neighbouring
districts from Argyll, the Isles, and the West Coast.
To our Glen people emigration was a familiar and far from disagreeable idea,
and the thought of town life and work, especially for the women and
children, was more than unattractive, positively abhorrent. They thought
deeply, reasoned thoroughly, and resolved wisely. If they went with their
families to manufacturing towns, they would have to begin life anew as
unskilled labourers, their women and children would be the slaves of the
mill, and they would have to put up with miserable homes amidst low- class
neighbours, who had no faith or morals. They admitted that many Highlanders
who went south flourished in business or professions, both in England and
Scotland, and they were proud that among them were Glensmen and relatives of
their own; but they said that only young men without family cares, and with
determination to succeed, could be certain of getting on by migrating, while
emigration would enable whole families to live and work together as they had
been accustomed to do. In towns, the knowledge of farming and country life
which they possessed would be of no use; while in a new country and on land
of their own, they would be of infinite value to themselves and of advantage
to the new country. So they resolved to emigrate. They could not have done
anything better. They could pay their passage, and, after arriving in
Canada, have money with which to buy forest farms and to keep themselves
supplied with necessaries until they cleared land and raised crops.
Habitable dwellings could be easily run up in the woods, and what had they
to learn in respect to cattle and farming except slight climatic
differences, to which a year's experience would teach them to adapt
themselves? In their estimate of themselves there was no exaggeration or
mistake. They were about the fittest and most resourceful farming colonists
that any new country could possibly have. The United States had no
attraction for them. They were full of British loyalty, and wished to live
under the British flag, and their descendants to do the same in secula,
seculorum.
They preferred Canada to all other Colonies, because they had there many
kith and kin to give them welcome and helpful advice. The connection with
Canada began with the capture of Quebec, when among the other Highland
soldiers who remained behind as colonists, were two or three Glenlyon men
who drew out their relations across the Atlantic to join them. The
connection thus formed broadened a good deal during and after the war
between Great Britain and the United States, and about 1816 it received a
new accession of strength by the company of Glenlyon emigrants who joined
other Highlanders in colonising Glengarry and its chief village or town,
Lancaster, some seventy miles above Montreal. Our people of 1845 never
thought of any other place of refuge. Although the time of mail steamers and
cheap postage had yet to come, they had correspondence with emigrated
friends in various parts of what is now the wide Dominion of Canada, and
with at least one Glensman on the hunting prairies, Robert Campbell, who
rose high in the service of the Hudson Bay Company. They were therefore
fairly well informed about Canadian scenery, climate, productions, and
varieties of soil. Their later emigrants and many Breadalbane acquaintances
had gone to Upper Canada now Ontario and settled in a successful way about
places subsequently called London and Ailsa Craig.
The rest of this chapter can be read at
http://www.electricscotland.com/history/octogenarian/chapter32.htm
The other chapters added so far can be read at the index page of the book at
http://www.electricscotland.com/history/octogenarian/index.htm
Sketches of The Character, Manners, and Present State of the Highlanders of
Scotland
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
by Major-General David Stewart (1822)
This week we've added...
Section 2
Causes and Consequences of these Changes—State when placed on small lots of
Land—Poverty followed by Demoralization
Section 3
Beneficial Results of Judicious Arrangements, and of allowing time to
acquire a knowledge of Agricultural Improvements—Emigration—Agricultural
Pursuits promote Independence and prevent Pauperism
Section 4
Illicit Distillation—Consequences of reducing the Highlanders from the
condition of Small Tenantry—Policy of retaining an Agricultural Population
PART III.
MILITARY ANNALS.
Preliminary Observations
Military Character—National Corps advantageous, especially in the Case of
Highlanders—Character of Officers fitted to command a Highland Corps.
Section 1
Black Watch—Independent Companies—Embodied into a Regiment at Taybridge in
1740—March to England-Review—Mutiny
Section 2
Embarked for Flanders, 1743—Battle of Fontenoy—Return to Britain in
1745—Three Additional Companies—Battle of Prestonpans—Descent on the Coast
of France, 1746— Return to Ireland—Embark for Flanders, 1747—Thence for
Ireland in 1749—The Number changed from the 43d to the 42d
Regiment—Character of the Regiment
Section 3
Embark for North America in 1756—Expedition against Louisbourg in
1757—Attack on Ticonderoga and Louis-bourg in 1758—On Fort du Quesne—On
Martinique and Guadaloupe in 1759
Here is how the chapter Preliminary Observations starts...
In the preceding pages, I have attempted to delineate a sketch of the
general character of the Scottish Highlanders, and to assign some of the
causes which may have contributed to its formation.
It was a saying of Marshal Turenne, that "Providence for the most part
declares in favour of the most numerous battalions." The success of the
British arms has often refuted this observation, and proved that moral
force, unyielding fortitude, and regular discipline, frequently make up for
inferiority of numbers.
Military character depends both on moral and on physical causes, arising
from the various circumstances and situations in which men are placed. Every
change in these circumstances tends either to improve or deteriorate that
character; and hence we find, that nations which were once distinguished as
the bravest in Europe, have sunk into weakness and insignificance, while
others have been advancing to power and pre-eminence. The importance of
preserving this character is evident. Unless a people be brave,
high-spirited, and independent in mind and in principles, they must, in
time, yield to their more powerful neighbours. To show how the Highlanders
supported their character, both in their native country and when acting
abroad, is the principal object which I have now in view.
In forming his military character, the Highlander was not more favoured by
nature than by the social system under which he lived. Nursed in poverty, he
acquired a hardihood which enabled him to sustain severe privations. As the
simplicity of his life gave vigour to his body, so it fortified his mind.
Possessing a frame and constitution thus hardened, he was taught to consider
courage as the most honourable virtue, cowardice the most disgraceful
failing; to venerate and obey his chief, and to devote himself for his
native country and clan; and thus prepared to be a soldier, he was ready to
follow wherever honour and duty called him. With such principles, and
regarding any disgrace he might bring on his clan and district as the most
cruel misfortune, the Highland private soldier had a peculiar motive to
exertion. The common soldier of many other countries has scarcely any other
stimulus to the performance of his duty than the fear of chastisement, or
the habit of mechanical obedience to command, produced by the discipline in
which he has been trained. With a Highland soldier it is otherwise. When in
a national or district corps, he is surrounded by the companions of his
youth, and the rivals of his early achievements; he feels the impulse of
emulation strengthened by the consciousness that every proof which he
displays, either of bravery or cowardice, will find its way to his native
home.
He thus learns to appreciate the value of a good name; and it is thus, that
in a Highland regiment, consisting of men from the same country, whose
kindred and connexions are mutually known, every individual feels that his
conduct is the subject of observation, and that, independently of his duty,
as a member of a systematic whole, he has to sustain a separate and
individual reputation, which will be reflected on his family and district or
glen. Hence he requires no artificial excitements. He acts from motives
within himself; his point is fixed, and his aim must terminate either in
victory or death. The German soldier considers himself as a part of the
military machine and duty marked out in the orders of the day. He moves
onward to his destination with a well-trained pace, and with as phlegmatic
indifference to the result, as a labourer who works for his daily hire. The
courage of the French soldier is supported in the hour of trial, by his high
notions of the point of honour; but this display of spirit is not always
steady: neither French nor German is confident in himself, if an enemy gain
his flank or rear. A Highland soldier faces his enemy, whether in front,
rear, or flank; and if he has confidence in his commander, it may be
predicted with certainty that he will be victorious, or die on the ground
which he maintains. He goes into the field resolved not to disgrace his
name.
A striking characteristic of the Highlander is, that all his actions seem to
flow from sentiment. His endurance of privation and fatigue, his resistance
of hostile opposition, his solicitude for the good opinion of his superiors,
all originate in this source, whence also proceeds his obedience, which is
always most conspicuous when exhibited wider kind treatment. Hence arises
the difference observable between the conduct of one regiment of Highlanders
and that of another, and frequently even of the same regiment at different
times, and under different management. A Highland regiment, to be orderly
and well-disciplined, ought to be commanded by men who are capable of
appreciating their character, directing their passions and prejudices, and
acquiring their entire confidence and affection. The officer to whom the
command of Highlanders is entrusted, must endeavour to acquire their
confidence and good opinion. With this view, he must watch over the
propriety of his own conduct. [In some instances, when the misconduct of
officers, particularly in the field, was not publicly censured, the soldiers
who served under them made regular representations that they could not and
would not remain longer under their command, and that, if they were not
relieved from the disgrace of being so commanded, they would lay their
complaints before the highest authority. In like manner, when any of the
soldiers showed a backwardness in facing an enemy, their comrades brought
them forward, calling for punishment on the poltroons, who were a disgrace
to their country, their name, and their kindred. With such checks to
disgraceful, and such incitements to an honourable line of conduct, the best
results might be anticipated, as indeed experience has proved.] He must
observe the strictest justice and fidelity in his promises to his men,
conciliate them by an attention to their dispositions and prejudices, and,
at the same time, by preserving a firm and steady authority, without which,
he will not be respected.
You can read the rest of this at
http://www.electricscotland.com/history/sketches/highlandsketches15.htm
You can read the other chapters at
http://www.electricscotland.com/history/sketches/highlandsketchesndx.htm
Sketches of Early Scotch History
--------------------------------
By Cosmo Innes (1861) and our thanks to Alan McKenzie for typing this in for
us.
Got in another section of this book, Inchaffray, - Earldom of Strathearn —
The old Earls — See of Dunblane — The Earls the patrons — Foundation —
Endowment of the Abbey — The Earldom a Palatinate — Annexed to the Crown —
Arms of Strathearn.
You can read this at
http://www.electricscotland.com/history/earlyhistndx.htm
Transactions of the Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland 1881
----------------------------------------------------------------------
This week added two articles on trees...
On the Old and Remarkable Oaks in Scotland at
http://www.electricscotland.com/agriculture/page53.htm
On the Old and Remarkable Beeches in Scotland at
http://www.electricscotland.com/agriculture/page52.htm
Here is how the account of the Oaks starts...
Although these two well-known varieties of the British oak (Quercus Robur)
are sufficiently distinct botanically to be classed as separate species in a
report like the present upon the large and old oaks in the various districts
of Scotland, it is necessary to treat them indiscriminately, and, indeed, as
it is not so much the intention of this chapter of the old and historically
remarkable trees, to present any scientific or botanical description, or
narrative of their physiology or morphology, as to lay before the reader as
accurate and full a catalogue as possible of the many majestic specimens of
this monarch of the woods abounding in its native habitat, it is probably
quite pardonable to treat these two varieties together without distinction,
especially as it has been found extremely difficult to obtain sufficiently
reliable difference in each from the mass of returns furnished by careful
correspondents, whose kindness and trouble in correctly furnishing minute
data of dimensions and other details, it would be quite unfair to tax by
asking further information as regards a purely systematic botanical
distinction. Both varieties are found growing together in Scotland in their
natural condition, and both are indiscriminately employed for commercial
purposes when converted as timber of home growth. Of the two it may be
safely asserted that Q. pedionculata is by far most generally met with, and
the details in the appendix to this chapter on oaks are mainly occupied with
examples of this variety. Quercus sessiliflora is much more commonly met
with in England than in Scotland, and there are some immense trees of it in
that country, but principally in the southern counties, as, for example, in
many parts of Kent, Sussex, and Devonshire; and on the authority of Mr Bree,
Q. sessiliflora is the almost exclusive representative of the Quercus family
in the lake districts of England, in Westmoreland and Cumberland.
All former writers on arboricultural topics agree in allotting the foremost
rank, both in point of dignity, grandeur, and utility, to the oak. Its
beauty of outline when fully developed, combined with its strength, and
unyielding resistance to the effects of the blast in exposed sites, are its
chief characteristics of habit during life; and when manufactured into
timber, the wide and almost universal purposes to which it may be profitably
and suitably applied, are as characteristic of it as are those of it during
life which we have referred to. "It is a remarkable circumstance," as has
been well observed by Sir Henry Stewart, "that the most ornamental tree in
nature, should also be the one the most extensively and strikingly useful."
It is thus seen that although Britain can only lay claim to two species of
the great genus Quercus as truly indigenous to her soil, while the rest of
the family, amounting (taking evergreen as well as deciduous) to upwards of
one hundred and fifty distinct botanical species, are all of exotic origin,
and are distributed in both hemispheres of the globe, either in temperate
zones, rendered so by their latitudinal position, or in tropical climates by
their elevation,—yet these two are by far the most important, for they
surpass all others not only in majesty of proportions and duration of life,
but also in general utility, durability and strength of their timber, so
that for all uses to which these properties are absolutely essential, the
two varieties (or rather species) of the oak now under notice, if equalled,
are at all events not surpassed by any other tree indigenous to Europe.
The oak being thus one of the few indigenous hard-wooded trees in Britain,
it appears, from ancient records and references in old parchment deeds, to
have had a very wide distribution generally throughout the country. Indeed,
before the clearing away of the old forests had commenced in early
historical times, it appears to have been the chief, if not the only,
component of these early forests, and to have covered a very large area of
the surface of Scotland. Sufficient living remnants of these ancient forests
still exist, and to which reference will afterwards be made to show the wide
area of the distribution in Scotland of the oak, while in other districts,
where these natural or self-sown forests have disappeared, or are now only
rarely marked by a few straggling survivors, the remains of noble and
massive trunks of oak trees are frequently stumbled upon, embedded sometimes
in the alluvial deposits along the banks of rivers, or in bogs, submerged
under deep layers of peat moss, the growth and accumulated debris of
centuries. In this manner, also, many oaks are found where now no living
specimens are to be seen within even a wide range of the spot, and also
where now no oak plantations are to be met with ; especially near sea-water
mark, stumps of large and old trees, composing aboriginal forests now
untraceable, are sometimes found in situ standing erect, but quite concealed
excepting at very low tide ebb, near river mouths and along some of our
coast line.
For instance, at Kirkconnell, Newabbey, Kirkcudbrightshire, some years ago,
Mr Maxwell Witham,—to whose courtesy we are indebted for interesting
information regarding many trees of other varieties in his neighbourhood,—
recovered from the sands opposite his property an "antidiluvian" oak tree,
broken at both ends and measuring 36 feet in length and 14 feet 8 inches in
circumference at the middle of the trunk, thus giving 484 cubic feet of
timber. He further informs us that the whole valley of the Nith at its lower
end (about Kirk-connell and Newabbey on the borders of the Nith, and
Newabbey Poer or stream) is thickly underlaid, at a depth of from 4 to 7
feet, with large oaks, which are frequently exposed, and brought to light by
the shifting of the river Nith or its tributary streams. In this locality
some large and fine oaks still exist at the present day, and by reference to
the appended returns to this paper, it will be seen that they girth from 14
feet 9 inches to 20 feet in circumference at 1 foot, and from 13 feet 9
inches to 17 feet 6 inches at 5 feet above ground. Other submerged
forests—if they may be so called—of oaks exist on other parts of the coasts
of Scotland ; while in the Highlands, and the more remote northern counties,
as well as in several of the adjacent islands of the Hebrides, oak trunks
are fallen upon in cutting peats where now not a tree is to be seen. Were
these districts, and the Scottish islands generally, therefore, always
incapable of growing timber, as they are too generally supposed and believed
to be at the present day ? The evidence goes to prove that they were not,
and strong grounds for hope may be consequently entertained that, with
perseverance and the introduction of the suitable descriptions of trees,
these wastes may be again, through the energy of their proprietors,
replanted with success.
Of course, it must not be imagined that we advocate the planting, in
sea-board situations, of the oak, for although these remains of former oak
forests, of which no history save their gaunt stumps and fallen trunks now
remain, are found under sands, and even below the tide-mark in various
localities, this may be owing to the variations and upheavals of the beach,
to inroads by the sea upon the land, and to various causes of a similar
nature having altered the relative position of sea and land at the present
day, from what these occupied when these now submerged woodlands waved their
foliage and reared their gigantic trunks in pristine health and vigour. We
find similar traces of early indigenous oak plantations in Scotland having
existed in very remote times in far inland situations and even at
considerable altitudes. For example, at Dunkeld, in Lady Well Wood of the
Athole plantations, and upon a flat plateau in the upper part of the wood,
at considerable altitude, there is a curious formation of the ground,
—abrupt heights or knolls being interspersed with basin-like hollows,—where,
some years ago, in the course of draining these hollows, the workmen came
upon the remains of the trunks of many old indigenous oaks embedded in the
soil. They were of great size, and lay strewed in one direction, as if at
some remote period the whole had succumbed at one time to some sweeping
hurricane which had lashed across the district, levelling whole tracts of
wood before it, the soft nature and dampness of the site in these hollows
making the trees there a more easy prey to its violence than in drier and
firmer soils. Where these remains interfered with the draining operations
they were cut across and allowed to lie. The wood was still hard and sound
and of a black colour.
Of old and remarkable oaks in Scotland noticed and recorded by earlier
writers, several still exist, and have been identified, and their present
dimensions taken, for the purpose of this report, and these will be found in
the tabulated returns annexed. A few of these early recorded trees may be
here referred to, before passing on to consider in detail many remarkably
fine specimens of this noble tree, not hitherto or only imperfectly noticed
by former writers.
You can read the rest of this chapter at
http://www.electricscotland.com/agriculture/page53.htm
The other articles can be read at
http://www.electricscotland.com/agriculture/index.htm
Household Encyclopaedia
-----------------------
I have added a few more pages to the B's which you can see at
http://www.electricscotland.com/household/b.htm
The index page of this publication can be seen at
http://www.electricscotland.com/household/
Smuggling in the Highlands
--------------------------
An account of Highland Whisky with Smuggling Stories and Detections by Ian
MacDonald
The opening note in the book stated...
Most of the following short account of Highland Whisky and Smuggling Stories
was read before the Gaelic Society of Inverness twenty-seven years ago, when
there was an extensive revival of illicit distillation in the Highlands,
especially over wide tracts of Inverness-shire, Ross-shire, and
Sutherlandshire.
For some time prior to 1880 illicit distillation had been practically
suppressed in the north, and the old smugglers were fast passing away; but
with the abolition of the Malt Tax, the reduction of the Revenue Preventive
Staff, and the feeling of independence and security produced by the
Crofters' Act, came a violent and sustained outburst of smuggling which was
not only serious as regards the Revenue and licensed traders, but threatened
to demoralise and impoverish the communities and districts affected. The
revival among the youth of a new generation of those pernicious habits which
had in the past led to so much lawlessness, dishonesty, idleness' and
drinking was especially lamentable.
In their efforts to suppress this fresh outbreak the Revenue officials were
much hampered not only by the strong, popular sentiment in favour of
smuggling and smugglers, but also by the mistaken leniency of local
magistrates, and by the weak, temporising policy of the Board of Inland
Revenue towards certain sportsmen who claimed exemption for their extensive
deer-forests from visits by the Revenue officials.
This deplorable state of matters accounts for and explains the serious view
taken of the situation as it then existed, and the appeal made for rousing
and educating public opinion on the subject. Fortunately, matters have much
improved since 1886; smuggling is again on the decline, almost extinct, and
will soon, it is hoped, be a thing of the past in the Highlands. But
Smuggling Stories, with their glamour and romance, will ever remain part of
our Scottish folklore and literature.
The paper read before the Gaelic Society of Inverness was included in the
Transactions of the Society, Vol. xii., and appeared soon after as a series
of articles both in The Highlander and Celtic Magazine. Permission to
publish the paper in book form was readily given by the Gaelic Society, and
included with it, occupying pages 75 to 94 of this little volume, are
several good smuggling stories and detections now published for the first
time.
The proprietors of the interesting photographs inserted have also kindly
permitted their reproduction as illustrations. One picture is particularly
interesting, being the sketch taken by the artist, MacIan, of Sandy
MacGruar's bothy in Strathglass, referred to in the text. Considering the
great, almost insuperable, difficulties of obtaining access to Smuggling
Bothies, and the scarcity of such pictures, these illustrations are of more
than passing interest and value.
This book is now complete and can be read at
http://www.electricscotland.com/books/whiskyndx.htm
Beth's Newfangled Family Tree
-----------------------------
Beth has now provided us with her January 2008 issue which you can read at
http://www.electricscotland.com/bnft/index.htm
And finally... here's Auld Lang Syne for you to read here so you will
remember the words when they sing it to bring in the new year :-)
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
And days of auld lang syne?
Chorus
For auld lang syne, my jo,
For auld lang syne
We'll tak' a cup o' kindness yet
For auld lang syne.
And surely ye'll be your pint stowp!
And surely I'll be mine
And we'll tak' a cup o' kindness yet
For auld lang syne.
We twa hae run about the braes
And pou'd the gowans fine;
But we've wander'd mony a weary fitt,
Sin' auld lang syne.
We twa hae paidl't in the burn
Frae morning sun till dine:
But seas between us braid hae roar'd
Sin' auld lang syne.
And there's a hand, my trusty fiere!
Andgie's a hand o' thine!
And we'll tak a right gude-willie waughs
For auld lang syne.
And that's all for now and hope you all have a great weekend and a Very
Happy New Year :-)
Alastair
http://www.electricscotland.com
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