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 Electric
Scotland's Weekly Email Newsletter
Dear
Friend
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/rss/whatsnew.php and you can
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of this newsletter.
See our Calendar of Scottish Events around the world at
http://www.electricscotland.com/familytree/calendar_help.htm
It's your Electric Scotland newsletter meaning the weekend is nearly
here :-)It's your Electric Scotland newsletter meaning the weekend
is nearly here :-)
CONTENTS
--------
Electric Scotland News
The Flag in the Wind
The Scottish Nation
Clan and Family Information (More complete books added)
Poetry and Stories including Poems for Kids
New Statistical Account of Scotland (1845)
Book of Scottish Story
Household Encyclopaedia
Annals of Garelochside
The Border or Riding Clans
Domestic Life in Scotland, 1488 - 1688
The Life of Tom Morris
The Annals of Penicuik (New Book)
The Industries of Scotland, their Rise, Progress and Present
Condition (New Book)
An Article from Clan Turnbull
Discovering your Scottish Roots
Beth's Newfangled Family Tree
ELECTRIC SCOTLAND NEWS
----------------------
You may have noticed that we were down for around 7 hours this week.
It kind of caught us off guard as it was mostly during our own down
time that it occurred.
It turned out to be a hardware fault and here is the amusing part!
After Steve tried everything he knew he decided there was no other
option other than to build a new server and post everything over. He
was somewhat unhappy with having to do this and so to somewhat vent
his feelings he dropped the server onto the floor from around 1 foot
above it. Low and behold it came to life and started working again
:-)
So the questions are... is the computer gaining Artificial
Intelligence and thus has decided to work instead of risking being
beaten up? or is this just a case of if all else fails thump the
computer to get it to work! <grin>
I certainly remember thumping the TV when it didn't work and that
often fixed the problem but hadn't thought of trying it on a
computer!
We suspect it might be a motherboard issue so we're ordering a
replacement.
-----
I will be starting on the 3 volume History of Glasgow in the next
week or so. I will say this publication has footnotes from hell!
There is hardly a page that doesn't have them and quite often there
are 4 - 6 of them per page. Mind you for those that are interested
in doing further research many of these footnotes give you the
source of the information.
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.
THE FLAG IN THE WIND
--------------------
This weeks Flag is compiled by Richard Thomson and I note an item
detailing how the new SNP government is a leaner, meaner, fighting
machine :-)
In Peter's cultural section he has yet included pictures from the
new Battle of Culloden Center but hopefully next week. He has
however told us about...
 Our
visitor attraction this week is the award winning Highland Folk
Museum situated on Kingussie Road, Newtonmore. The Highland Folk
Museum triumphed at the 2007 Highlands and Islands Tourism Awards,
bringing home to Newtonmore one of the top prizes – the Tourism
People Development Award. The Folk Museum is situated within the
boundaries of the Cairngorms National Park on two sites: one in
Kingussie, and the one we are looking at this week at Newtonmore.
The outdoor museum at Newtonmore opened in 1995 and is a mile long
living history site that includes reconstructed buildings, a 1700s
Township, a 1930 working farm, live interpretation and a range of
visitor facilities. The Highland Folk Museum promises ‘to ensure
that all visitors have a memorable quality experience, within a safe
and cared for environment’, and that is exactly what they achieve. A
great day out for all the family as the Museum succeeds in its aim
of preserving and recording aspects of Highland life from the 1700s
onwards. Within sight of the Cairngorms this interesting and varied
landscape combines farmland, woodland and open area.
 The
Highland Folk Museum was the brainchild of Dr Isobel F Grant, who
although born in Edinburgh and raised in London, always had the
traditional home of her family in the Highlands in her heart. In
1934 she determined to have an open air Highland museum and in 1944
a museum was opened in Kingussie – the forerunner to the 1995
Newtonmore development. Dr Grant’s vision comes alive at Newtonmore
as the Highland township which is based on the original larger
Badenoch settlement of Easter Raitts takes you back to the era of
the Jacobite Risings and the days when Cluny MacPherson brought his
clan out on the side of the deposed Stewarts. Aultlarie Farm,
probably dating from the early 1800s, is worked as it operated in
the 1930s. A reminder of how farming was in the early days of the
20th century. The Open Air Museum Buildings range from The Railway
Halt, Glenlivet Post Office (from 1913), a shepherd’s bothy and fank
through to the Leanach Kirk, an early 1900s corrugated tin church
relocated from Culloden and Fraser’s Joiner’s Workshop where carts
could be repaired and coffins supplied! As you would expect the site
includes audio visual introduction for visitors, café facilities,
toilets, bairn’s play area, shop and picnic area. Visit
http://www.highlandfolk.com
for further details of this magnificent tourist and historic
attraction.
Whisky and milk would have been in plentiful supply in 1700s
Highland Townships and this week's recipe - Scotch Paradise -
contains both.
Scotch Paradise
Ingredients: 50ml Whisky; dash of coconut syrup; milk
Method: Moisten the edge of a highball glass with sugar syrup. Roll
the glass in desiccated coconut to coat the outer edge. Fill a
cocktail shaker with ice and add – a large (50ml) measure of Whisky,
a dash of coconut syrup and top up with milk (enough to fill the
glass). Shake well and pour into the glass.
And you can now purchase a Scots Independent T-Shirt, Scottish Flags
and books at
http://www.scotsindependent.org/shopping_mall.htm
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 for this week can be found at
http://www.electricscotland.com/history/mckelvie/080626.htm
The Scottish Nation
-------------------
My thanks to Lora for transcribing these volumes for us.
We are onto the R's now with Queensberry, Rae, Raeburn, Rait,
Ralston, Ramsay, Randolph, Rattray and Reay.
A good article on Ramsay and here is how it starts...
RAMSAY, a surname derived from Ramsey or Ramsea, the island of rams.
Lower, in his ‘Essays on English Surnames,’ says that the abbot of
Ramsay bore on his seal a ram in the sea. Simundus de Ramsay, the
ancestor of the Dalhousie family, the first of the name in Scotland,
came from the county of Huntingdon, in England, where the name of
Ramsay is a local appellation, and received a grant of lands in Mid
Lothian from David I. (see DALHOUSIE). We learn from Douglas
(Peerage, Wood’s edit. Vol. i. p. 401,) that he was a witness in a
charter of Archbishop Thurston to the monks of Holyrood in 1140, and
also in one, in the reign of Malcolm IV., wherein William de
Morville, constable of Scotland, granted the lands of Gilmerton,
near Edinburgh, to Eudulph, the son of Uchtred. William de Ramsay is
witness to a charter to the church of Coldingham, in the reign of
King William the Lion, before 1198. Patrick de Ramsay is witness to
a charter of King Alexander II., to the abbacy of Dunfermline in
1227. Another William de Ramsay was of the council of King Alexander
III. in 1255, in the minority of that monarch. He witnessed a
charter of Duncan de Lascels in 1260, also a donation of Symon de
Kyner or Kinneir, to the monks of Balmorine, in Fife, 1st September
1261, and another, signed in presence of King Alexander III., in the
castle of Edinburgh, in May 1278. He is said to have had three sons;
William, his successor; Malcolm, witness to a charter of William de
Valloniis in 1284; and John, witness to the same and to another
charter in 1278.
William de Ramsay, the eldest son, swore fealty to Edward I. of
England, for his lands of Dalwolsie or Dalhousie, in the county of
Edinburgh, and of Foulden, Berwickshire, in 1296, and again in 1304.
He joined King Robert the Brus, and was one of the patriot barons
who signed the letter to the pope, asserting the independence of
Scotland, 6th April 1320.
Sir Alexander de Ramsay of Dalhousie, supposed to be his son
(referred to in the article DALHOUSIE, earl and marquis of),
distinguished himself by his valour and daring in the reign of David
II., and was one of the most conspicuous of the Scottish leaders
against the English at that period. In August 1335, when Edward III.
invaded Scotland, and a considerable body of foreign troops, under
the command of Guy count of Namur, had landed to his assistance, the
latter were encountered and defeated on the Boroughmuir of Edinburgh
by the regent Randolph, earl of Moray, the earl of March, and Sir
Alexander Ramsay. Collecting together a band of adventurous young
men, the latter took shelter in the caves of Hawthornden near Roslin,
and in the adjacent caves of Gorton, and continually harassed the
English by his sallies against them. He relieved the castle of
Dunbar, when besieged by the earl of Salisbury in 1338. He even
extended his inroads across the border, and, on one occasion,
returning from Northumberland with much booty, he was encountered by
Robert Manners near Wark castle. Pretending to fly, he led the party
into an ambuscade, when he attacked and totally defeated them,
making their leader prisoner. He took the strong fortress of
Roxburgh by storm from the English, 20th March 1342. As William
Douglas, the knight of Liddesdale had previously failed in an
attempt on the same fortress, David II. conferred his office of
sheriff of Teviotdale on Ramsay. This roused the resentment of
Douglas, formerly his friend and companion in arms, and while Ramsay
was holding a court in the church of Hawick, 20th June 1342, he came
with an armed retinue, and dragging him from the judgment-seat,
conveyed him to his castle of Hermitage, where he shut him up in a
dungeon, and left him to perish of hunger. It is related that above
the place of his confinement there was a granary, and that with some
grains of corn which dropped down through the crevices of the roof,
Ramsay protracted a miserable existence for seventeen days.
You can read the rest of this article at
http://www.electricscotland.com/history/nation/ramsay.htm
You can read these entries at
http://www.electricscotland.com/history/nation/p.htm
Clan and Family Information
---------------------------
Posted up a number of pdf books giving information and histories of
various clans and added them to our Clan History pages. The books
added are...
"A Sketch of the Munro Clan" at
http://www.electricscotland.com/webclans/m/munro2.html
"Henderson Chronicles" at
http://www.electricscotland.com/webclans/htol/henders2.html
"History of Clan Gregor" in 2 volumes at
http://www.electricscotland.com/webclans/m/macgreg2.html
"History of the House of Seytoun" at
http://www.electricscotland.com/webclans/stoz/seton2.html
"History of the MacDonalds" at
http://www.electricscotland.com/webclans/m/macdonald/don.html
"History of House and Clan MacKay" at
http://www.electricscotland.com/webclans/m/mackay2.html
You will need to go down the pages a bit to find the links to the
books.
Poetry and Stories
------------------
Another doggerel from John Henderson called "Kirkton Braw" which you
can read at
http://www.electricscotland.com/poetry/doggerel267.htm
Margo Fallis has sent in a few of her poems for Children. See
http://www.electricscotland.com/kids/poems/index.htm
Donna sent in a gardening article at
http://www.electricscotland.com/gardening/gardening6.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 Kildrummy
Parish of Cruden
The Parish of Cruden: Extent.— The length of the parish from the
east, where it meets the parish of Peterhead, to the west, where it
meets the parish of Ellon near the House of Dudwick, is about 11
miles. The breadth at the west end is about 7 miles, at the east end
about 4 miles. The sea is the boundary along the south side: the
parishes of Slains, Logie Buchan, and Ellon, along the west; Old
Deer and Longside along the north; and Peterhead along the east. The
sea-coast from the east end to Slains Castle is bounded by high and
formidable rocks of red granite. Close by Slains Castle is the Ward
of Cruden, a small fishing village, where vessels can occasionally
bring coal and lime. From this place to Land End, a distance of
about two miles, is the Bay of Cruden, a fine sandy beach, at the
south end of which a range of sunken rocks runs far into the sea,
called the Scares of Cruden. The rocks from this place, all along
the south, are black basalts, and very formidable.
The Parish of Kildrummy: Boundaries.—The parish is bounded on the
north, by Achen-doir; on the south, by Towie and Leochel Cushnie; on
the, east, by Tullynessle and Alford; on the west, by Towie and
Strathdon.
You can read about the Parish of Kildrummy at
http://www.electricscotland.com/history/statistical/kildrummy.htm
You can read about the Parish of Cruden at
http://www.electricscotland.com/history/statistical/cruden.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...
Chapter 2 of "The Laird of Cassway" by James Hogg and here is how it
starts...
You can read this at
http://www.electricscotland.com/books/story/story54.htm
The other stories can be read at
http://www.electricscotland.com/books/story/index.htm
Annals of Garelochside
----------------------
By W. C. Maughan (1897)
Have added...
Cardross
Chapter IV
Historical; Archaeological; and Miscellaneous
And this now completes this book.
Here is how the final chapter starts...
AT Edinburgh in 1834 a book was published for private circulation
only, entitled The Argyle Papers; this work is extremely rare, only
fifty copies having been printed, and it "contains some passages
tending to clear the character of the Marquis and that of his son
from some of the calumnies thrown upon them by their political
opponents. From these papers the following extracts are made:-
"May 9, 1701. This day Mr. Alexander Gordon, who was minister of
Inveraray, and the only living member of the Assembly 1651 told me,
that the Marquise of Argyle was very piouse; he rose at 5, and was
still in privat till 8. That besides family worship and privat
prayer, morning and evening, he still prayed with his lady, morning
and evening, his gentleman and her gentlewoman being present. That
he never went abroad, though but one night, but he took his
write-book, standish, and the English New Bible, and Newman's
Concordance, with him.
"November 11. That after King Charles' Coronation, when he was in
Stirling, the Marquise waited long for ane opportunity to deal
freely with the King anent his going contrary to the Covenant, and
favouring of Malignants, and other sins; and Sabbath night after
supper, he went in with him to his closet, and ther used a great
deal of freedom with him; and the King was seemingly sensible; and
they came that length as to pray and mourn together till two or
three in the morning, and when at time he came home to his lady she
was surprised, and told him she never knew him so untimeouse; he
said he had never such a sweet night in the world, and told her all,
what liberty they had in prayer, and how much convinced the King
was. She said plainly they were crocodile tears, and that night
would cost him his head, which came to pass; for after his
restoration, he resented it to some, though outward, he still termed
the Marquise father, and caused his son to write for him up to
court, which he did again, but the Marquise would not come; till at
last the Earl wrote partly in threatening, and partly with the
strongest assurances, which prevailed, and he was no sooner come to
his lodgings in ane Inn in London, but he was there seized and
carried to the tower, and I think never saw the King, for all his
insinuating hypocrisy and fervent invitations.
"The day on which the Marquise of Argyle was execute, he was taken
up some two hours or thereby in the forenoon in civil business,
clearing and adjusting some accounts, and subscribing papers, there
being a number of persons of quality in the room with him, and while
he was thus employed, there came such a heavenly gale from the
Spirit of God upon his soul, that he could not abstain from tearing,
but least it should be discovered, he turned unto the fire, and took
the tongues in his hand, making a fashion of stirring up the fire in
the chimney, but then he was not able to contain himself, and
turning about and melting down in tears, he burst out in these
words, 'I see this will not doe, I must now declaire what the Lord
has done for my soul ; he has just now at this very instant of time,
sealed my chartour in these words, Son, be of good cheer, thy sins
are forgiven thee;' and indeed it seems it was sealed with another
remarkable witness, for at that very instant of time, Mr. John
Carstairs was wrestling with God in prayer in his behalf in a
chamber in the Canongate with his lady, the Marchioness of Argyle,
pleading that the Lord would now seal his Charter, by saying unto
him, 'Son, be of good cheer, thy sins be forgiven thee.' The
Marquise hints at this in his speech. (I had this from my father J.
C. Carstairs).
"The Marquise was naturally of a fearful temper, and recconed he
wanted naturall courage, and he prayed most for it, and was
answered. When he went to his execution he said, 'I would dye as a
Roman, but I chuso to dye as a Christian.' When be went out, he
cocked his hatt, and said, 'come away, Sirs, he that goes first goes
cleanly off.' Ther was one of his friends in the prison with him,
and after some silence, the gentleman broke out in tears. 'What's
the matter,' said the Marquise, 'I am in pain,' says he, `for your
family, my Lord.' 'No fear,' said the Marquise, 'it's none of thir
things will ruin my family.' 'I fear their greatness,' says he,
`will ruin them.' I wish this prophecy be not too evidently
fulfilled in his posterity."
You can read the rest of this chapter at
http://www.electricscotland.com/history/garelochside/chapter13.htm
The other chapters can be read at
http://www.electricscotland.com/history/garelochside/index.htm
Domestic Life in Scotland, 1488 - 1688
--------------------------------------
By John Warrack (1924)
Have now completed this book with...
Lecture III - The Rise of the Burghers; A Cloth Merchant's House;
and Some Decorative Arts
THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY—Continued
The three estates—Rising importance of the burgher
class—Dwelling-house of a sixteenth-century cloth merchant—The
hall—Armour—The bedchamber—Agricultural implements—The booth—"Ane
hingand brod of oley cullouris"—Early interest in painting in
Scotland—Pictures and painted cloths—The burgesses as art patrons
and introducers of foreign products and ideas—The "keiking
glass"—The alarm clock—Some items in the inventory of Sir David
Lyndsay of the Mount—Wood-carving in Scotland—Domestic panelling—Linenfold
and other patterns—Carved wood from Montrose—At Ethie Castle—From
Threave Castle—Cardinal Beaton's panels at Balfour House—Embroidery
in early times—Its development in the sixteenth century —Queen
Mary's embroideries—"Story work"—Various examples—The Rehoboam
set—The Earl of Morton's sot—Probable date and origin.
Lecture IV - The Decay of Feudalism and The Development of Family
Life
JAMES VI, 1578-1625
New conceptions of domestic life—Historical origins of the
change—Passing away of feudalism—Expansion of trade and increasing
importance of the towns—Enrichment of the nobles by partition of
Church property—An era of building—Domestic character of the new
architecture—Feudal lords transformed into courtiers, with luxurious
standards of living—Changes in domestic arrangements—The hall gives
place to the dining-room —The "Dravand Buird"—Table manners at Court
and in private life—Table ware, etc.—Display of plate—Cupboards with
"gries"— The dresser—Dessert and the banquet—The parlour — Stuffed
chairs — The taffel — Books: the Family Bible — Pictures — Music —
Life of the leisured classes—Men's employments and recreations—How a
lady of fashion spent her day—Dietetic dangers and some medical
counsels—Children's toys—A boy's penknife—Duncan's new doublet
Lecture V - The King or the Covenant
CHARLES I, 1625-1649
The Covenanting Period—Ascetic views of life—A Covenanter's
courtship, with an eighteenth-century contrast—Conditions
unfavourable to the development of furniture—New Scottish
industries—Furniture and fashions from London—A Scottish nobleman's
house—"The laiche hall" —The dining-room and silver plate—The
drawing-room—New ideas in furniture and ornaments —The lettermeitt
house—Bedrooms—Development of beds in Scotland—The knop sek—The
strek bed—The letacamp bed—Kaissit beds—The box-bed or buistie—The "laych-rynnand"
or truckle bed—The laird's mistake—The fourposter—Royal beds—Devices
on the Queen of Scots' bed—Mourning beds and mourning customs—Queen
Mary's bed-curtains from Loch Leven—Heraldic decoration of
beds—Changing fashions in colours and colour names.
Lecture VI - The Commonwealth and the Restoration
1649--1688
The restoration of the Monarchy---Irreconcilable
differences—Organised and harmonious national life
impossible—Persecutions—The Acts of Indulgence----Inducements to
accept the established regime—History of the times reflected in
furniture—Severe and utilitarian character of Commonwealth
furniture—Restoration chairs and day-beds—Chairs as evidences of
changes in the treatment of floors—Easy chairs—Extravagance of the
Court—Exotic materials--Cabinets—The chest of drawers—Tea, coffee
and cocoa—Walnut tables—The virginalls—Barred grates—Forks not yet
in use—Scottish diarists—Social life of the time—Billiards—Horse
racing—The kirk stool—Going to church—Giving out the line—The
hourglass—Periwigs, powder and Sedan chairs, as preluding the
eighteenth century—Conclusion.
You can read these chapters at
http://www.electricscotland.com/history/domestic/domesticlifendx.htm
The Life of Tom Morris
----------------------
By W. W. Tulloch, Member of the Royal & Ancient Club of St. Andrews
Have added the following chapters...
Chapter II
Allan Robertson
Chapter III
Early Club and Ball Makers in St. Andrews
Chapter IV
Tom's early days and some of his partners
Chapter V
Early Players at St. Andrews
Chapter VI
Tom's early style of play and occupation
Chapter VII
The most famous foursome of olden days
Chapter VI starts...
It is Mr Everard who thus describes Tom, and in "Some Celebrated
Golfers," in the Badminton Golf, the same writer says of Allan:
"Apart from his excellent play he is described as a charming partner
and an equally generous opponent; no amount of 'cross accidents'
could disturb his equable temper, and when steering an indifferent
partner with consummate skill through the varying fortunes of the
game, no irritable word or gesture was ever known to escape him,
however valueless, not to say destructive, the endeavours of his
protege happened to be."
In the same chapter Mr Everard tells us that Tom "curiously enough
began to drive with his left hand below his right, a mode of play
adopted by only two players in the writer's experience."
He adds: "It was by a mere accident that Tom became a golfer at all,
for his career was marked out for him, and arrangements all but
completed, under which he was to have been apprenticed to a
carpenter; but a casual question of old Sandy Herd as to why he did
not get apprenticed to Allan Robertson as a club-maker, put the idea
into his head. Allan considered the matter, the upshot of which was
that he agreed to take Tom, who served under him four years as
apprentice, and live as journeyman, and from that period began his
golfing life. Possessing naturally a keen, good eye, he began before
long to play a game which year by year developed, until in measuring
himself against Allan Robertson, the latter found himself obliged
gradually to decrease the odds of a half to a third, then to four
strokes, until at last, if the 'old man' was not exactly 'beaten by
the boy,' still the boy, or rather lad of twenty-two or thereabouts,
rendered such an exceedingly good account of himself that the odds
he was allowed were represented by zero. Here, then, was a fact.
He could play the greatest living masters of the game and hold his
own; but their interests were not divided, and it was rather as
partners that they took the golfing world by storm."
You can read the rest of this chapter at
http://www.electricscotland.com/history/sport/morris6.htm
The other chapters can be read at
http://www.electricscotland.com/history/sport/morrisndx.htm
The Annals of Penicuik
----------------------
By John J. Wilson (1891)
This is a new book we've started and here is what the Preface has to
say...
Few parishes in the Lowlands of Scotland afford scantier materials
for the pen of the historian than that of Penicuik. Situated so near
to the metropolis of Scotland, it might naturally be expected that
it would have been the scene of many stirring events in Scottish
story; but such records are sought for in vain.
It lay away from the usual paths of invading armies, and it
possessed no rich churches or monasteries to tempt the sacrilegious
towards it for plunder. In old times the feudal aristocracy were
not, with one exception, men who made any mark in the history of
their country, and the place of their abode is undistinguished in
son; or story. But while there have been no bloody battles lost or
won within its borders, or deeds of heroism done by any of her sons
to chronicle, these pages will, I trust, prove that there is much in
the history of Penicuik parish, civil and ecclesiastical, that will
be of abiding interest to those who can claim it as their birthplace
or their home. To many scattered over the world the memory of our
village, its river, and the overshadowing hills, must be sweet as an
old song. If amidst the palm groves, or the prairies, or the busy
marts of other lands, the perusal of these brief annals afford to
any an hour or two of pleasant reflection, and strengthen their
attachment to the old home from which they first started upon
`Life's long race,' the author will be satisfied ; for his purpose
in writing this book will, to a large extent, have been gained.
The matter contained in these Annals has been taken from many
sources. The following list contains the names of only a few of the
authorities consulted :—Register of the Great Seal, Calendar of
Documents relating to Scotland, Pitcairn's Criminal Trials, Register
of the Privy Council, Exchequer Rolls, Acts of Parliaments of
Scotland, Woodrow, Statistical Accounts of Scotland, Reports of the
Society of Antiquaries, Rotuli Scotiae, Chalmers's Caledonia,
various publications of the Bannatyne, Abbotsford, and Spalding
Clubs, Origines Parochiales (Innes), Forsyth's Beauties of Scotland,
Foedera, Dalkeith Presbytery Records, Penicuik Parish Session
Records, etc. etc.
I have been much indebted to local friends for freely communicating
to me their recollections of past times. I should be ungrateful if I
did not also acknowledge the kindness and courtesy of Dr. Dickson of
the Register House; James T. Clark, Esq., of the Advocates Library;
and J. M. Gray, Esq., Curator of the Scottish National Portrait
Gallery. I would not be unmindful of the willing assistance I ever
received in the Edinburgh Subscription Library from its esteemed
librarian, Mr. George M'Whea; and, above all, do I tender my best
thanks to the Rev. Alexander Thomson Grant of the Parsonage, Leven,
for many valuable contributions from his stores of historical and
antiquarian lore, sent me at a time when I did not myself know the
sources from which trustworthy information could be obtained.
JOHN J. WILSON.
We have a number of chapters up which you can read at
http://www.electricscotland.com/history/penicuik/index.htm
The Industries of Scotland, their Rise, Progress and Present
Condition
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By David Bremner (1869)
Another new book started this week which will give us a good idea of
the various industries and trades. Here is what the Preface has to
say...
A WORD of preliminary explanation of the object and scope of this
book may not be superfluous, the more so that it takes a line which
I am not aware has been taken in any previously published work. I
have sought to outline the history of such branches of Scotch
industry as merit notice by their extent or other peculiarity, to
track out their modest beginnings, and to follow their subsequent
development. This is what Bacon called mechanical history, or the
history of industrial arts ; and I venture to say that the history
of Scotch industry is peculiarly rich in that profitable knowledge
which Bacon held to belong to such investigations. The main object
of the book, however, is to describe the actual state of the chief
branches of industry in Scotland ; and I thought I should best
accomplish this by restricting myself to a plain narrative of
judiciously chosen facts. The reader must expect to meet with few
general reflections: it is hoped that many of these will be
suggested without prompting on the part of the author.
Another consideration has been kept in view. Since the Paris
Exhibition, which revealed the surprising progress made of late
years by our foreign competitors in the industrial arts, there has
been much lively discussion on technical education. The discussion
would be much more profitable were the disputants more correctly
informed of the actual state of, and progress recently made in, the
industries of Great Britain.
It is proper to mention that the substance of the following pages
originally appeared in a series of articles printed during last year
in the weekly issue of the Scotsman newspaper. The articles were
most favourably received as fair and accurate accounts of the
branches of trade to which they related, and it is in accordance
with a generally expressed desire that they are now reprinted in a
more permanent form. The text has been subjected to careful
revision; numerous additions have been made; and where it was
considered essential, the latest statistics have been given.
I have the first two chapters up on...
Coal Mining
Early History of Coal—Objections to its being used as Fuel—First
attempts at Coal Mining—Slavery in the Mines—The Scotch Coal
Fields—Visit to a Colliery—Descent into a Pit—The Miners at work—
Perils of the Pits—Social Condition of the Miners—Their Earnings,
Strikes, and Unions—The Houses in which they Live—The Means provided
for Educating their Children.
Manufacture of Iron
Origin and Progress of the Manufacture of Iron in
Scotland—Statistics of the Trade—Effects of over-Speculation—Coatbridge
and its Furnaces—Description of the Gartsherrie Ironworks—The
Smelting Process —Invention of the Hot Blast, and its effect on the
Trade.
You can read these at
http://www.electricscotland.com/history/industrial/index.htm
An Article from Clan Turnbull
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Got this article in just as I was finishing up and thanks to Wally
Turnbull, President, Turnbull Clan Association, for sending it in.
You can read this at
http://www.electricscotland.com/webclans/stoz/turnbul4.html
Discovering your Scottish Roots
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By Tony Reid
Everyone has ancestors, probably not with the right to armorial
bearings or whatever but that isn't important.
There are two inter-related aspects to digging up your roots -
genealogy and family history. The former is necessary to establish
the tree which then provides the basic framework for subsequent
family research. It is not so much who your ancestors were that is
interesting, it is what they were.
You can read this article at
http://www.electricscotland.com/webclans/discover_roots.htm
Beth's Newfangled Family Tree
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Edited by Beth Gay and here is her Letter in this issue...
As I write this, tomorrow is my birthday. Tom laughing mysteriously
and even giggling sometimes, bless his sweet heart. I’m just caught
up in wonder at the number of candles that will have to go on my
birthday cake.
It was just recently that I thought about getting older. I never
even thought about age or mortality or that one day I would be an
adult!
My heart attack of five or six years ago brought up short. Today
there is not a sign that I ever such. My new stress-free (Well, as
much as can be stress-free.) life is mighty good for me.
My hip surgery made me think too.
I don’t know as I have learned all that much all of this time.
¨I’ve learned that you don’t make long-term plans.
¨I’ve learned that things you thought were sure” most times aren’t.
¨I’ve learned that just because someone - family or friend - is
supposed to love you - they
don’t always.
¨I’ve learned that sometimes people who are supposed to be your
friends - aren’t.
¨I’ve learned that not everyone tells the truth.
¨I’ve learned it’s possible for people you trust to betray you.
¨I’ve learned that life is not fair.
¨I’ve learned that you will live through things so awful you think
you will die.
¨I’ve learned that life has a way of evening things up.
¨I’ve learned to put myself in the hands of a higher power - and to
trust that power.
¨I’ve learned that if you wait long enough, what you thought was
really bad only opened doors good things.
¨I’ve learned that it’s never too late to find love and happiness,
kindness and compassion and joy.
¨I’ve learned that money doesn’t really matter.
¨I’ve learned that true friends are the greatest wealth.
If you know me, you know that I’m pretty much straightforward. When
I love you, I love you and when I don’t, you probably know it.
I don’t lie and I don’t cheat - thanks to my beloved grandmother who
taught me that your good name is about all you really have.
“Work hard and do your best and you’ll always be all right,” my
grannie said. I’ve always tried to do those things. I hate to think
what would have happened if she had been alive for the things that
happened in my life recently - in one case for three decades and
more - although nobody knew - and in another case, something that
was an ambush.
The betrayals by those who professed to be my friends hurt. The
betrayals by those who had
professed to love me were worse. My grandmother would have cleaned
house, I’m afraid.
It was a hard, hard time. I wasn’t sure I would make it. I survived
and found a wonderful new life. The happy things continue. We’re
about to embark on an almost unbelievable new and joyous journey in
our lives. I’ll tell you about it sometimes soon.
Love,
Bethie
So.. you can read all the great genealogy articles and tales of
Highland Games and other Scottish events at
http://www.electricscotland.com/bnft
And that's it for now and hope you all have an enjoyable weekend :-)
Alastair
http://www.electricscotland.com
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