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 Electric
Scotland's Weekly Email Newsletter
Dear
Friend
The weekend
is nearly here and so it's time for your weekly newsletter from
Electric Scotland :-)
You can view what's new this week on
Electric Scotland at
http://www.electricscotland.com/rss/whatsnew.php 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
Article Service
The Scottish Nation
New Statistical Account of Scotland (1845)
Book of Scottish Story
Good Words - Edited by the Rev Norman MacLeod
Clan Information
Poetry and Stories
Sketches of The Character, Manners, and Present State of the
Highlanders of Scotland
Transactions of the Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland
1881
Household Encyclopaedia
Antiquarian Scottish Books in Adobe Reader format
The Scottish Tradition in Canada
Sketch of the Civil and Traditional History of Caithness from the
Tenth Century (new book)
Fallbrook Farm
Robert Burns Lives!
Thistle & Broom's offer to Electric Scotland readers
ELECTRIC SCOTLAND NEWS
----------------------
Well It's been an interesting week. We were moving to a new email
server and had lots of issues but thankfully are up and running at
long last. I must say spam levels are now almost non existent which
in turn makes me wonder if any genuine email is not getting through.
You'd think I'd be more than happy not getting in spam but such are
the problems with email these days that you can't help wondering if
all is as it should be :-)
When we launch our new community we will be offering a new email
service and part of this upgrade to a new email server was to ensure
we had a quality service to offer.
While Steve gets on with working on our community software I've made
a start at selling some advertising space. I'm trying to find some
large companies that would like to take over that 300 x 250
advertising box in our header as in my opinion it's the kind of
space that really equates to a double page colour advert in a
magazine and it's also on all our web pages.
In the meantime I'm replacing the
current Google box with a nice picture of Scotland :-)
I also spent a few days over in
Toronto this week taking a wee Easter break and so returned a bit
more relaxed and refreshed and ready to get back to work. I'll be
back next week to attend the Tartan Day event at the CN tower and
might even take my camera with me as it's been a while since I did
any photo shoots. And talking about photo shoots if anyone is
attending the Scottish events in the USA do feel free to send me
some pictures :-)
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 or on our site menu.
Scotland on TV
--------------
Visit their site at
http://www.scotlandontv.tv
China/Scotland new openings
As the spotlight on China intensifies in the run up to the Beijing
Olympics, economic development chiefs say Scottish businesses cannot
afford to ignore the country's increasing wealth. China has seen
huge growth in recent years and Scottish firms have been quick to
get a slice of the action.
Last week a delegation from the Scottish business world visited
China to explore some of the opportunities which are opening up now.
stv's economic correspodent, Cheryl Paul, went with them and this
week she has been filing a series of reports all about the findings
of the visit. The first two reports are now available on
www.scotlandontv.tv and the remaining two will be added over the
weekend.
Cheryl's films are a fascinating glimpse into what some would call a
new entrepreneurial spirit now at work within a devolved Scotland.
In the first film she meets John Melvin and his business partner
Chen Zhang who set up Galink, an Edinburgh based travel agency
specifically targeted at the Chinese market. And in the second film
she sees how J and D Wilkie, a Kirriemuir company took the brave
step of setting up a factory in Jiaxing - a move born out of
necessity. In China, the firm employs 30 staff and with a quarter of
the costs of the UK, they are hopeful of doubling production whereas
back in Kirriemuir, the firm is concentrating on its flags and
banners business.
You can see the first film here
http://www.scotlandontv.tv/scotland_on_tv/video.html?vxSiteId=60fdd544-9c52-4e17-be7e-57a2a2d76992&vxChannel=Most%20Recent%20Videos&vxClipId=1380_SMG1963&vxBitrate=300
THE FLAG IN THE WIND
--------------------
This weeks Flag is compiled by Donald Bain in which he tells us of
the launch of the Constitutional Commission and also explore the
proposed tax changes for council tax.
In Peter's cultural section he is discussing April Fools Day...
April Fools Day, 1 April, Hunt-the-Gowk in Scots, falls next week
when bairns of all ages try all kinds of japes in order to be able
to shout "April Fool" at their victim ! In this more sophisticated (
! ) age the practice seems to be dying out but it does remind us
that in the past Kings and Nobles all had their Jester or Fool. One
of the most famous in Scotland was Aberdeenshire's Jamie Fleeman,
the Laird of Udny's Fool. He lived in the eighteenth century and was
well known for his pithy wit. One of his most quoted sayings was "A'm
the Laird o Udny's Feel. Faw's feel ar ye ?"
Now Jamie Fleeman might have been a Fool but he wasn't daft and
would well know that you can sup fish with a spoon ! For Haddock is
the basis of the winter soup Cullen Skink - we might be into Spring
but a plate of Cullen Skink is a treat in the continuing cold
weather.
Cullen Skink
Ingredients: 1 smoked haddock, 6 oz
chappit tatties, 1 onion, sliced, 1 oz butter, 1 pint milk, chopped
parsley, salt and pepper
Method: Place haddock and onion in pan with sufficient water to boil
( no more ). Bring to the boil and simmer for 10 minutes. Lift out
the cooked fish and remove skin and bones. Flake the haddock and
return skin and bones to pan and simmer stock with onions for 30
minutes. Strain the stock and return to rinsed pan and again bring
to the boil. Boil milk in separate pan and add to fish stock with
the flaked fish and salt to taste. Boil for a few minutes. Add
enough mashed potatoes to give a smooth consistency, with the pepper
and a little more salt if necessary. Sprinkle over chopped parsley
and serve very hot with triangles of dry toast. Delicious !
You can read the Flag, listen to the Scots Language, enjoy the Scots
Wit and lots more at
http://www.scotsindependent.org
Christina McKelvie MSP's weekly diary is available at
http://www.electricscotland.com/history/mckelvie/080327.htm
This week she is talking about the forth coming trips of Scottish
MSP's to the USA and Canada.
The Article Service
-------------------
More interesting articles in this week and again some excellent
poems. Also learn about events at St. Andrews College in North
Carolina.
See these at
http://www.electricscotland.com/article
The Scottish Nation
-------------------
My thanks to Lora for transcribing these volumes for us.
We are now onto the M's with Maxwell, Mayne, Melfort, Melgum,
Melrose, Melville and Menzies
Here is how Maxwell starts...
MAXWELL, a surname of ancient standing in Scotland, originally
Maccus-well, so called from the territory of that name on the Tweed,
near Kelso. In the history of the Anglo-Saxons mention is made of
Maccus, the son of Anlaf, king of Northumbria (949-952). Anlaf was
surnamed Cwiran, and appears to be identical with the Amlaf Cuarran
whose name occurs in the Annals of Ulster (944-946). On the
expulsion of Anlaf by the treachery of his people, King Eric, a son
of the Danish king, Harald Blatánd, was set on the Northumbrian
throne, but, with his son Henry and his brother Regnald, was slain
in the wilds of Stanmore, by the hand of Maccus, the son of Anlaf. (Leppenberg’s
History of England under the Anglo Saxon Kings. Thorpe’s
Translation, vol. i. p. 125, London, 1845.) A potentate of the same
name, “Maccus of Man and the Hebrides,” is also mentioned somewhat
later in the same century. The following is from Lappenberg, “On
making his annual sea-voyage round the island, King Edgar found, on
his arrival at Chester, eight sub-kings awaiting him, in obedience
to the commands they had received, who swore to be faithful to him,
and to be his fellow-workers by sea and land.” These were Kenneth of
Scotland, Malcolm of Cumbria, Maccus of Man and the Hebrides,
Dyfnwall or Dunwallon of Strat Clyde, Siferth, Iago (Jacob) and
Howell of Wales, and Inchill of Westmorland. All these vassals rowed
the proud Basileus on the river Dee in a barge, of which Edgar was
the steersman, to the monastery of St. John the Baptist, where they
offered up their orisons, and then returned in the same order to the
palace.”
The same in substance is mentioned in the Chronica de Melros, which
styles Maccus the ‘King of many Isles.” Roger of Wendover and
William of Malmesbury also relate the same, the latter of whom calls
Maccus “that Prince of pirates,” thus identifying him with Mascusius
Archipirata, who about the same time (973) was a witness to a
charter by King Edgar of England, and who signs immediately after
“Kinadius rex Albanie” and the royal family, and before all the
bishops, “Ego Mascusius Archipirata confortavi.” (Dugdale Monast.
Vol. i. p. 17.) This Marcuss would therefore appear to have been a
friend or ally of Kenneth king of the Scots, and may have held lands
under him.
The name of Maks or Max in medieval Latin Macus, is found in
Domesday Book as being that of a baron holding several manors in
England before the conquest; and Mexborough in Yorkshire, and
Maxstoke in Warwickshire, still preserve the memorial of his
residence and possessions. The latter, Maxsoke, is said to have
belonged to Almundus, or Ailwynd, the same name, no doubt, as
Undewyn, as the father of Maccus, hereafter mentioned, was called.
The saltire cognizance of the Maxwells appears on the ceiling of the
ancient priory of Maxsoke, along with many others of Norman descent,
but without name.
You can read the rest of this account at
http://www.electricscotland.com/history/nation/maxwell.htm
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 Logie-Buchan at
http://www.electricscotland.com/history/statistical/logie_buchan.htm
Here is a bit from the account...
Name.—The name Logie is understood to signify a low-lying place, and
has been aptly applied to an estate of about 300 acres, on the south
bank of the Ythan, upon which, as situated near a principal ferry,
the church and manse have been built. From this circumstance that
small property has given its name to the parish. To distinguish it
from others, Buchan is the addition made to the name, from its lying
wholly or in part in that district. It is generally considered that
Buchan, the most easterly land in Scotland, comprehends all that
tract of coast which lies between the mouths of the Doveran and the
Don, bounded for a certain length at least in the interior, by the
courses of these rivers. But for two centuries back there have been
some who considered Buchan as not extending south of the Ythan.
The water of the Ythan is brackish, more or less, for nearly four
miles, but abounds with trout of various kinds, as the sea-trout,
bull-trout, yellow or burn-trout, finnock, salmon, eels, flounders,
&c. The salmon and sea-trout are said by the overseer to ascend the
river for spawning in summer, and to return towards the sea with
their fry in the months of March and April following. The
salmon-fishing, which belongs to the Honourable William Gordon of
Ellon, has been very unsuccessful of late years. Mr Buchan of
Auchmacoy has right to a private net for flounder-fishing, which he
occasionally exercises with success. The river is much resorted to
by gentlemen from Aberdeen for rod-fishing. Otter hunting has lately
been practised by parties from Haddo House, with Lord Aberdeen's
hounds. Seals sometimes make their appearance in the river, opposite
the church.
The pearl muscle is found in the Ythan; and the pearl-fishery seems
to have been, in former times, an object of more attention than it
is now. My predecessor mentions, that, in the list of un-printed
acts of the first Parliament of Charles I., there is an act for
repealing the patent for the pearl-fishery in the Ythan, granted to
Robert Buchan. This gives countenance to a prevalent tradition that
the large pearl in the Crown of Scotland was procured in the Ythan,
it is said, by a person of the name of Jamieson, and the very spot
is pointed out where it was found. About the middle of last century,
a gentleman in Aberdeen got L.100 Sterling, from a jeweller in
London, for a lot of pearls found in the Ythan. [See Dr Keith's
Survey.] No wonder, then, that the Ythan has been called "the rich
rig of Scotland." Pearls of considerable value are yet occasionally
found in it, during both the droughts of summer, and the frosts of
winter. A very valuable and extensive mussel and cockle-fishery
exists on both sides of the river, near the sea, beyond the bounds
of this parish.
You can read the rest of this account at
http://www.electricscotland.com/history/statistical/logie_buchan.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
Book of Scottish Story
----------------------
Our thanks to John Henderson for sending this in for us.
This week have added...
My Sister Kate by Andrew Picken
And here is how the story starts...
There is a low road (but it is not much frequented, for it is
terribly round about) that passes at the foot of the range of hills
that skirt the long and beautiful gut or firth ot the Clyde, in the
west of Scotland; and as you go along this road, either up or down,
the sea or firth is almost at your very side, the hills rising above
you; and you arc just opposite to the great black and blue mountains
on the other side of the gut, that sweep in heavy masses, or jut out
in bold capes, at the mouth of the deep lochs that run up the firth
into the picturesque highlands of Argyle-shire.
You may think of the scene what you please, because steam-boating
has, of late years, profaned it somewhat into commonness, and
defiled its pure air with filthy puffs of coal smoke; and because
the Comet and all her unfortunate passengers were sunk to the bottom
of this very part of the firth; and because, a little time previous,
a whole boatful of poor Highland reaper girls were all run down in
the night-time, while they were asleep, and drowned near the Clough
lighthouse hard by; but if you were to walk this road by the seaside
any summer afternoon, going towards the bathing village of Gourock,
you would say, as you looked across to the Highlands, and up the
Clyde towards the rocks of Dumbarton Castle, that there are few
scenes more truly magnificent and interesting.
There is a little village exactly opposite to you, looking across
the firth, which is called Dunoon, and contains the burying-place of
the great house of Argyle; and which, surrounded by a patch of green
cultivated land, sloping pleasantly from the sea, and cowering
snugly by itself, with its picturesque cemetery, under the great
blue hills frowning behind, looks, from across the firth, absolutely
like a tasteful little haunt of the capricious spirit of romance.
You can read the rest of this story at
http://www.electricscotland.com/books/story/story42.htm
The other stories can be read at
http://www.electricscotland.com/books/story/index.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...
Seeking (Pages 392-393)
Aspects of Indian Life During the Rebellion (Pages 394-397)
Lady Somerville's Maidens (Pages 397-399)
Good Words for Every Day of the Year (Pages 399-400)
St Columba (Pages 401-406)
Without and Within (Page 406)
A Summer's Study of Ferns (Pages 407-408)
Here is how the account of "A Summer's Study of Ferns" starts...
September set in ere I again succeeded in visiting my favourite
wood. But Esther had agreed that I should do so if I would first go
with her as far as an old stone bridge spanning our dear brook near
to its juncture with the Swale, and from thence wend our way along
the banks of the brook, now on one side and now on the other,
without attempting to find any beaten path. I readily agreed to
this, and we reached the bridge in question. Esther insisted on our
going under it, and I was well rewarded for doing so. The archway
formed the frame of a wild picture of waterfall and drooping trees,
with such a wealth of golden flitting lights and deep still shadows,
as might have been a rare prize to any artist, and from the sides
and top of the arch hung tufts of the Black - stalked Spleenwort,
and a very light feathery fern of a different character. Eagerly
gathering and examining some of these fronds, I found the
seed-masses covered by a delicate white envelope. It just answered
the description of the Bladder Fern. In the more advanced specimens
the cover was thrown off. The sharply cut leaflets, crisp dark
stalk, and light foliage, made me feel satisfied that my new friend
was the Brittle Bladder-Fern. (Cystopteris Fragilis, fig. 2.)
We had some difficulty in getting along the brook-side. Again and
again we had to cross the stream, springing from one boulder to
another. Where some rocks stood before an earthen bank, overshadowed
by bushes, I espied some more of the Brittle Bladder-Fern, at least
such I imagined it to be. But from its paler foliage, more slightly
cut leaflets, and more pliant stalk, I decided it to be the Toothed
Bladder- Fern, (Cystopteris Dentata, fig. 3.) Whether this be a
different fern, or only a variety of the Brittle one, I cannot
decide. I am inclined to think that its shaded position was the
cause of it differing from the one I had gathered off the bridge.
"I have a fern something like that in my fernery," Esther said; "but
it is broader and shorter, and the foliage is more dense. They told
me it was something Dickieana, and I remembered it as a kind of
feminine Dicky. I will give you a frond of it, if you like."
"Thank you; I shall like it extremely. If it be Dickie's
Bladder-Fern, (Cystopteris Dickieana, fig. 4,) as, from your
description, I believe it is, it will be valuable, as another member
of the family which comes next to the Spleen-worts in order. I see
there are two other species, the Alpine Bladder - Fern and the
Mountain Bladder-Fern but there is no likelihood of our finding
either the one or the other."
You can read the rest of this account at
http://www.electricscotland.com/history/goodwords/goodwords192.htm
I might add that these stories give you ideas of walks should you be
in the general area :-)
You can read the other articles at
http://www.electricscotland.com/history/goodwords/index.htm
Clan Information
----------------
Was advised that Clan Durie has a new web site at
http://www.duriefamily.co.uk/
I was sent in some additional information about Clan Shaw by William
G. A. Shaw, Seannachaidh of the Clan, which you can read at
http://www.electricscotland.com/webclans/stoz/shaw2.html
Got in some information on the Clan Currie Society at
http://www.electricscotland.com/webclans/atoc/currie.html
Poetry and Stories
------------------
Further articles have been added to our Articles Service where the
likes of Donna have been adding poems and recipes at
http://www.electricscotland.com/article/
Got in "Davy's Dool Veesions" another doggerel in from John
Henderson but this time in English which you can read at
http://www.electricscotland.com/poetry/doggerel254.htm
I might add that John also includes a midi or wav music file with
his doggerels to match the words.
Sketches of The Character, Manners, and Present State of the
Highlanders of Scotland
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
by Major-General David Stewart (1822)
We are nearing the end of Volume II with the final account of the
Fencible Regiments and now onto the various mutinies. Next week will
see the completion of this book.
This week we've added...
Argyle, Glengarry, &c..
Mutinies of the Highland Regiments
Macdonald's Highlanders
Athole
Seaforth
Detachments of the 42d and 71st Regiments
Breadalbane
Grant
Here is the complete account of the Seaforth mutiny as it's quite
short...
In the year 1778, the Seaforth Highlanders were marched to Leith,
where they were quartered, for a short interns though long enough to
produce complaints about the infringement of their engagements, and
some pay and bounty which they said were due to them. Their
disaffection was greatly increased by the activity of emissaries
from Edinburgh, like those just mentioned as having gone down from
London to Portsmouth. The regiment refused to embark, and marching
out of Leith, with pipes playing and two plaids fixed on poles
instead of colours, took a position on Arthur's Seat, of which they
kept possession for several days, during which time the inhabitants
of Edinburgh amply supplied them with provisions and ammunition.
After much negotiation, in which the Earls of Dunmore and Seaforth,
Sir James Grant of Grant, and other gentlemen connected with the
Highlands, were actively engaged, the causes of the soldiers'
complaints were investigated and settled to their satisfaction; they
then marched down the hill in the same manner in which they had gone
up, with pipes playing, and "with the Earls of Seaforth and Dunmore,
and General Skene, at their head. They entered Leith, and went on
board the transports with the greatest readiness and cheerfulness."
In this case, as in that of the Athole Highlanders, none of the men
were brought to trial, or even put into confinement, for these acts
of open resistance; consequently, similar inferences have been
drawn, accompanied by that feeling of distrust in their future
transactions which I have just noticed, and which has contributed to
give strangers an unjust and prejudiced view of the real character
of this race of people; for when a seemingly ungenerous want of
confidence and narrowness of mind has, in a manner, been forced on
men, by meeting with breaches of faith and with deception at the
hands of their superiors, it cannot, with justice, be called their
original native character.
You can read the other chapters at
http://www.electricscotland.com/history/sketches/highlandsketchesndx.htm
Transactions of the Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland
1884
----------------------------------------------------------------------
This week have added annother large account of The Agriculture of
the County of Selkirk and here is how it starts...
Selkirkshire, the most inland county in Scotland, lies between 55°
22' 20" and 50° 41' 54" N. lat., and between 2° 47' 40" and 3° 18'
46" W. long., and extends to 166,524 acres or 260 square
miles—164,527 land and 1997 water. Its extreme length from the
source of the Ettrick to the confluence of the Tweed and the Gala is
28 miles, and its width from Roberton Kirk to the point where
Haystoun Burn leaves the county is 17½ miles. As regards size,
Selkirkshire ranks twenty-sixth among the counties of Scotland,
while in point of rental and population it is twenty-seventh. It is
singularly irregular in form, and is bounded on the east and
south-east by Roxburghshire, on the south-west by Dumfriesshire, on
the west and north-west by Peeblesshire, and on the north by
Mid-Lothian. Its surface is as whimsical as its outline is arbitrary
and sinuous—one continuous succession of mountain, valley, and
stream. Its numerous hills rise abruptly from the three lovely
streams by which the county is mainly watered, roughly resembling in
form the heavings of a turbulent sea. The unevenness of the surface
may be further illustrated by the fact that the arable land of the
county ranges in elevation from 300 to upwards of 1200 feet above
sea-level, and that it embraces no fewer than 56 hills, varying in
height from 744 feet in the case of Moat Hill, to 2433 feet in the
case of Dun Rig. Several peaks, notably Stake Law, Blackhouse
Heights, Deerlaw, Ettrick Pen, Hundleshop Heights, Birkscairn,
Hermon Law, Bodesbeck Law, Capel Fell, and Wind Fell, exceed 2000
feet; while one might count on their fingers all that are under 1000
feet in height.
Of the ten parishes which constitute the county only three are
wholly within its confines, viz., Kirkhope, Yarrow, and Ettrick. It
contains something like eleven-twelfths of the parish of Selkirk,
one-third of Galashiels, one-third of Roberton and Ashkirk parishes,
scarcely so much of Stow, about one-fourth of Innerleithen, and a
small corner comprising a moderate-sized grazing farm of the parish
of Peebles. It has been truthfully observed that Selkirkshire,
situated as it is in respect to its parishes—excepting Nairnshire,
which has similar detachments—stands unique among the Scottish
counties, if indeed not in the United Kingdom.
There are few counties in Scotland more interesting historically
than Selkirkshire. In early times it was the principal hunting
ground of the Scottish kings, and was designated the Ettrick Forest.
It was in a great measure covered with wood, scarcely a vestige of
which now remains, and stocked with herds of deer. David I. is said
to have delighted in the sylvan sport which its mountains afforded.
Near the castle of Selkirk he built a church, where he first settled
the community of monks whom he ultimately transferred to Kelso.
Among the other monarchs who participated in the favourite
recreation in "the Forest" (by which a certain portion of the county
is still known) were William the Lion, Alexander II., Alexander
III., and James V.; but the mission of the last-named autocrat was
more the punishment of disloyal border chiefs than for the purpose
of sport. King James ultimately converted "The Forest" into a
sheep-walk, which he found more profitable than to have it confined
to deer, and to His Majesty's enterprise at that particular time
tradition attributes the introduction of blackfaced sheep into
Scotland.
You can read the rest of this chapter at
http://www.electricscotland.com/agriculture/page67.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/
Antiquarian Scottish Books in Adobe Reader format
-------------------------------------------------
I said I'd do my best to add a book each week and so this week I've
added...
War Diary of the Fifth Seaforth Highlanders 51st (Highland) Division
This is an interesting account of a regiment in the 1st World War
and it's experiences in the trenches.
It starts of by saying...
The 5th Seaforth Highlanders, whose war record is given in this
book, is the territorial Battalion of Caithness and Sutherland, the
two most northerly counties in Scotland.
The battalion was first formed in 1859, early in the Volunteer
movement, by the Duke of Sutherland and took as its badge, the
Sutherland Crest (the Wild Cat), with the proud motto "Sans Peur,"
while its tartan was also the Sutherland, of black, navy blue, and
green, similar to that worn by the Argyll and Sutherland
Highlanders.
At first confined to Sutherlandshire, it later amalgamated with the
Caithness Volunteers and was known as the 1st Sutherland Highland
Rifle Volunteers. It had a double justification for its badge and
tartan, for the 93rd (Sutherland) Highlanders were recruited in
1801, during the Napoleonic Wars, in the same area, and had the same
badge and tartan, hence the battalion regards itself as the lineal
descendant of that famous unit.
When the Territorial Force was formed, the battalion had to change
its name to the 5th (Sutherland and Caithness) Seaforth Highlanders,
but as a concession to volunteer and county traditions, it was still
allowed to wear the Sutherland Badge and Tartan, and is thus unique
in being differently dressed from all other Seaforth Battalions.
On 5th August 1914 its mobilization, under Col. E. G. Buik, V.D.,
took place, the various companies concentrating at Nigg on the
northern shore of the Cromarty Firth, whence, after a week spent in
digging trenches for the defence of the Admiralty Forts on the North
Sutor, it proceeded to Inverness. Thence, in a few days, it
entrained for Bedford, which became the training centre for the
Highland Territorial Division, afterwards so well known as the 51st.
For eight months the Division was billeted in this town, and was
treated with the utmost cordiality and kindness by the townspeople,
who did all they could to make their kilted invaders comfortable and
happy.
This is not a large book and so will make easy reading.
You can read this book at
http://www.electricscotland.com/books/pdf/war_diary.htm
The index page for this section can be reached at
http://www.electricscotland.com/books/pdf/index.htm
The Scottish Tradition in Canada
--------------------------------
Edited by W. Stanford Reid
This week have added two chapters...
The Scottish Protestant Tradition W. Stanford Reid
The Scottish Military Tradition George F.G. Stanley
Here is how The Scottish Military Tradition in Canada starts...
'S ann as an tir's 'eachdraidh a chineas spiorad cogail
The military spirit comes out of the land and its history
Ever since the first disbanded Highland soldiery and displaced
crofters settled on Canada's shores two hundred years ago, in the
1760s and 1770s, Scottish Canadians have borne their full share of
the burden of Canada's defence. Soldiers and regiments bearing
Scottish names and wearing the bonnet, kilt and feather form a
mighty array in our history; they have fought in the snows of
Canada, in the mud of Flanders, in the mountains of Italy; they have
inspired Canadians with the military traditions of old Scotland,
bravery and devotion, fortitude in distress. Today there are over
2,000,000 people of Scottish descent in Canada, although through
intermarriage the Scottish blood flows in the veins of many more
Canadians than the census returns would suggest. It is, indeed,
sufficiently widespread that, despite dilution, it has encouraged
that mystic sympathy of Canada for Scotland which unites the two
lands in the unity of understanding. The Canadian soldier in World
War II was well aware of it, if only because he seemed to feel more
at home in Scotland than in the land of the Southrons. Perhaps that
understanding derives, in part at least, from the fact that Canadian
and Scot live in northern lands, to the south of which there is a
powerful, and too often dominating nation. Each knows that his
nation has always to be on the watch lest it lose its freedom and
its own distinctive nationality.
The Scottish military tradition is generally associated with the
Highlands, the country of the chief, clan and cateran. This does not
mean that the Lowlands were bare of men of military virtue, of men
ready and able to wield a spear or broadsword in defence of their
faith and their possession - the achievements of the Cameronians
contradicts that - but rather that the Highlands, by the very nature
of the countryside and the tribal feudalism it nourished, tended to
develop and perpetuate the military characteristics of independence
and combativeness more than did the land and society of the
Lowlands.
The country north and west of the Highland Line was, and still is,
in many respects, a wild, harsh, forbidding land of violent tempests
and uncertain climate. It is not a rich luxuriant land, but one of
bare mountains, bleak hills, heathered moors, coniferous forests,
lakes, streams and fens. There are only isolated and disconnected
patches of arable soil located in the sequestered straths, glens and
islands which favoured the settlement of family groups under their
natural leaders or ceann-cinnidh. Such a land was not of the nature
to sustain a large and prosperous agricultural population. The men
who lived in the Highlands were the sons of Esau. They lived on the
fish they caught in the lochs, the deer they hunted in the hills,
and the herds they tended on their thin mountain pastures or reaved
from their Lowland neighbours. Only the bold, the strong, the hardy
and the independent survived in such a land, men nursed in poverty,
men whose needs were simple and basic. Geography made the Scottish
Highlander, and it made him good soldier material, because it
demanded those qualities which make men good soldiers; hardihood,
courage, endurance, self-reliance and loyalty to one's leader and
one's comrades.
You can read the rest of this chapter at
http://www.electricscotland.com/history/canada/tradition/tradition10.htm
You can read the other chapters at
http://www.electricscotland.com/history/canada/tradition/index.htm
Sketch of the Civil and Traditional History of Caithness from the
Tenth Century
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By James T. Calder (1861)
Another new book for you and here is the Preface...
I had long cherished a desire to draw up something like a regular
history of Caithness, but on making the requisite investigation, I
found that neither the public records of the county, nor yet family
papers, afforded sufficient materials for the purpose. The present
work, therefore, is merely a Sketch or outline mostly drawn from
other sources, and in some measure aided by local tradition. The
writer to whom I have been chiefly indebted for information
regarding what may be called the ancient history of Caithness, is
Torfaeus, whose authority on this point is justly entitled to credit
from the following circumstance:—When the Orkney islands, of which
Caithness formed a part of the earldom for so many hundred years,
had from increase of population and proximity to Scotland become
valuable as an appendage to the crown of Norway, an historiographer
was appointed to reside in the island of Flota, and to record all
transactions of any public moment that took place in the two
counties. These were regularly entered into a diary or journal,
entitled the "Codex Flatensis," or Book of Flota. The work, which
was one of national importance, was, for better preservation,
afterwards deposited in the royal library at Copenhagen; and from
it, and the "Orkneyinga Saga"—the latter a compilation of Jonas
Jonnaeus, an Icelandic scholar—Torfaeus drew the materials of his
history. "Torfaeus," says Chambers, "sustains the character of a
faithfill historian, and the facts which he details are probably as
authentic as the early records of any portion of the British empire,
while he has enabled us to correct several errors in the
commonly-received accounts of Scotland." And Samuel Laing, a still
higher authority on this point, says that "his history may be
regarded as the only authentic record of affairs in the North for
many ages."
The following are a few of the leading particulars of his personal
history. Thormod Torfeson (Torfaeus being the Latinised name) was a
native of Iceland. His father, Torfe Erlendsen, was a person of some
consideration in that country. The son was born in 1636, and
educated at the University of Copenhagen. While attending this
seminary, he became distinguished as a student; and his classical
acquirements were such that they afterwards procured him the
honourable situation of historiographer to the King of Denmark. His
great work, which he composed in Latin, was published about the year
1690, under the title of "Orcades, seu rerum Orcadiensium Historiae."
He died, according to the best accounts, in 1720, at the advanced
age of 84.
With regard to the more modern history of Caithness, my information
has been chiefly derived from Sir Robert Gordon's elaborate work,
entitled a "Genealogical History of the Earldom of Sutherland,"
which contains a full account of the various feuds, etc., which for
so long a period existed between the two rival houses of Caithness
and Sutherland. Sir Robert, however, with all his industry and
research, cannot be considered an impartial historian. He everywhere
discovers a strong prejudice against the Sinclair family; and his
statements in regard to them and to Caithness matters in general,
must be received with large deduction. The continuator of his
history, Gilbert Gordon of Sallach, in a eulogy of his many virtues
and talents, candidly admits that he was a man of a passionate
temper, and a "bitter enemy."
Among other works which I consulted, and which supplied me with some
important facts and details, may be mentioned Mackay's History of
the House and Clan of Mackay, Henderson's Agricultural View of
Caithness, Barry's History of Orkney, Peterkin's Notes of Orkney,
Balfour's Odal Eights and Feudal Wrongs, Brand's Description of
Orkney, Shetland, and Caithness, Pennant's Tour, the "Origines
Parochiales Scotiae," and a most interesting volume entitled, "An
Account of the Danes and Norwegians in England, Scotland, and
Ireland," by J. J. Worsaae, Royal Commissioner for the preservation
of the National Monuments of Denmark.
For much interesting information connected with the rentals, roads,
and pedigrees of some of the principal families in the county, I am
indebted to Sir John Sinclair of Dunbeath; James Sinclair, Esquire
of Forss; John Henderson, Esq., Banker, Thurso; Mr James Mackay,
Messenger-at-Arms, Thurso; and Mr George Petrie, Clerk of Supply for
the county of Orkney. Mr Sinclair of Forss furnished me with the
valuable paper on the Caithness roads, and Mr Mackay with the
curious document entitled the "Liberties of Thurso." I would have
gladly given, had they been sent me, some more pedigrees of
Caithness families, as genealogical details of this kind are to many
persons exceedingly interesting. The two woodcuts representing
Ackergill Tower, and Castles Sinclair and Girnigoe, are from
photographs taken on the spot by an ingenious friend, Mr John F.
Sutherland, a native of Thurso, who follows the profession of
teacher in Edinburgh.
I have not, from my slight acquaintance with such subjects, touched
on the geology, botany, or ornithology of the county. In this
respect, however, Caithness presents a wide and varied field, and
one which, in skilful hands, I have no doubt would afford materials
for a highly interesting volume.
The work which I have ventured to publish is, as I have said, merely
an imperfect Sketch. Such as it is, however, it may afford some
interest to local readers; and with the help of additional sources
of information, should any such cast up, it may prove useful to some
future writer in supplying materials for a fuller and more connected
history of the county.
END.
I have also added Chapter 1 to get you started which you can read at
http://www.electricscotland.com/history/caithness/index.htm
Fallbrook Farm
--------------
We've had more updates in on this conservation project and if you'd
like to help you just need to email them your support as the more
emails they can produce in support of the project the better chance
they have in making it happen.
Do visit their page and keep up to
date with their findings and activity at
http://www.electricscotland.com/history/canada/fallingbrook.htm
Robert Burns Lives!
-------------------
By Frank Shaw
This article is entitled "Burns Nicht Bits, Tidbits, and Fragments"
and starts...
This article is dedicated to those fine people at Mount Airy, NC who
are members of The Scottish Heritage Society of the Blue Ridge and
The Mount Airy Museum of Regional History for sponsoring Burns Nicht,
especially to Linda Blue Stanfield, museum director, and Scotia
Script editor, Tom Scott, who puts out a great newsletter for the
society’s members. I particularly want to thank the many others who
made possible the wonderful time those of us attending had in
celebrating Burns Nicht at the Cross Creek Country Club on January
26, 2008. The theme for the evening was “A Celebration of the Life
and Times of Robert Burns.”
I look back on that occasion with
great memories. A tip of the hat to the Reverend Dale Cline, our
emcee, for his humor, particularly about pipers and their bagpipes.
Dale delivered an outstanding rendition of “Address to the Haggis”.
Special thanks are also in order to the Triad Scottish Fiddlers &
Friends who entertained during dinner with songs from Robert Burns,
a very nice touch indeed! (Other Burns Clubs should take note!) I
was notably thankful for the wonderful haggis. The chef was kind
enough to serve me a second helping, as well as a wee bit to bring
back to Atlanta. I must confess, though, it never made it any
farther than my motel room!
Susan and I enjoyed the warm welcome of these gracious men and women
who proudly spoke of their Scottish heritage and wore their tartans
with an air of dignity! These Scottish Southerners did justice to
the acclaimed hospitality that Scots and Southerners alike are known
for around the world. It was an honor to be asked to deliver The
Immortal Memory in the home town of famed television star, Andy
Griffith. I only hope your Burns Nicht was as good as ours in Mount
Airy – it ranked right up there with the best I have participated in
over the years!
You can read the rest of this article at
http://www.electricscotland.com/familytree/frank/burns_lives31.htm
Thistle & Broom
---------------
 Electric
Scotland Newsletter readers are getting the first opportunity to
purchase "The Talisman"
Golf’s Spiritual Home Inspires Luxury Ball Marker
‘The Talisman’ Brings Scotland’s Energy to the Putting Green
Thistle & Broom, Scotland’s source of luxury, has announced the
release of its newest luxury product, The Talisman golf ball marker.
Individual Talismans are named for the penultimate Scottish golf
course located within the geographical region in which the
semi-precious stone used for each marker can be found.
The laboriously hand crafted 23mm markers are set in 925 sterling
silver bezels with traditional hallmarks struck by Edinburgh’s Assay
Office. The hallmarks provide assurance of authenticity and quality
whilst becoming an integral design element of the otherwise smooth
surfaces. Thistle & Broom has developed an optional version with an
open triangular (pin flag) shaped hinged bail for secure placement
on the green which allows the Talisman to also be worn as a pendant,
as well as a C-clasp pin version for either lover’s keepsakes or to
accommodate clansmen desiring an adornment made from stones sourced
from Scottish ancestral lands. The Talisman range currently
includes: the Royal Dornach in deep purple Royal Amethyst, a rare
branched moss agate chosen for Carnoustie, smoky Cairngorms for
Speyside’s Boat of Garten, grey and pale pink East Sands banded
agates for St. Andrew’s, mulberry jasper for Loch Lomond and a
mustard and persimmon Burn Anne agate for Turnberry. All the stones
used for the Talisman are collected and honed by Fife lapidary
Renato Forno.
 “Trials
of The Talisman this winter on Scottish courses were met with
enthusiastic responses by golfers and professional greens keepers
alike. The size is on par with those markers currently being used by
professional golfers and the precious metal bezels offer a great
sight advantage for long putts,” said Teresa Fritschi, Thistle &
Broom’s Managing Director and Chief Creative Officer. “An estimated
70 million people think of Scotland as golf’s spiritual home. Even
if they never play our hallowed courses The Talisman provides a
physical connection to the magical energy found in Scotland. These
stones have been carried for thousands of years for their purported
abilities to bring calm to the mind and ward off evil spirits –
where is this more necessary than on the golf course?”
 The
Special Offer for Electric Scotland readers is...
A sterling silver Talisman (not as brooch or available to convert to
a pendant) with the presentation box and engraved with clan crest
would be priced at 90 GBPs plus shipping, insurance and applicable
taxes (VAT obviously if within the UK). 70 GBPs +++ for the
non-engraved versions.
Dollar price would be roughly double the GBP price due to the
current exchange rate.
So if you'd like to order one or more email Teresa at
teresa@thistleandbroom.com and tell her you are an Electric
Scotland member and she'll quote you a firm price in your own
currency. And be sure to tell her what clan crest you want if you
want that option.
Sounds like a great gift for someone's birthday or an early purchase
as a Christmas present or just as a wee treat for yourself :-)
And that's it for now and I hope you all have an enjoyable weekend
:-)
Alastair
http://www.electricscotland.com
OUR NEWSLETTER ARCHIVES
-----------------------
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http://www.electricscotland.com/newsletter/index.htm
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