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CONTENTS
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Electric Scotland News
The Flag in the Wind
Book of Scottish Story
Oor Mither Tongue
Poems of William Dixon Cocker
Auld Biggins of Stirling
Old Pictures of Scotland
Scottish Notes and Queries
The Kingdom of Fife
The Complete Scotland
Furth in Field
Poems in the Dorric Language by John Henderson
Glasgow
The Concise Household Encyclopaedia
Roamin' in the Gloamin'
Pen Pictures of Early Pioneer Life in Upper
Canada
In the Hebrides
Gairloch in North-West Ross-Shire
Researches into the History of Tain (New Book)
Information on more Scottish Names, Roger,
Playfair, Constable and Haldane
The Gaelic Concept of Life and Death (Complete
short book)
Fallbrook
Farm Heritage Site
History of Tennessee - The Scots-Irish
Monuments and Monumental Inscriptions in
Scotland
Electric Scotland News
----------------------
I have continued to make progress on the
Gairloch and Loch Maree project that I mentioned last week and you
can see what's new at
http://www.electricscotland.com/history/gairloch
David
Hunter also managed to visit and has sent in some excellent pictures
of the area which you can see at
http://www.electricscotland.com/history/gairloch/pictures/set01.htm
-----
We've now created the forums and link sections
in our Community and would value your input on whether we've got
things about right. So below I'll list the forums we've created
which are contained within 6 main Groups...
Electric Scotland's
Community Forums
Welcome to Electric Scotland's Community forums.
MAIN
Our default Group for the
Community. Feel free to suggest new forums if you think it will add
value to our community.
- General Posts
This is a general forum meaning you can discuss
any subject you want in here.
- What's New
This forum is for us to tell you what's new in
the community. You can then comment on the new feature we announce.
- Ask the Seneschal
Having a problem with some aspect of the
community then this is where you can ask for help or report the
issue or problem to the Administrators. Also can be used to suggest
improvements or additional forums.
- Members Helping Members
This forum is for members to help members and
so if you can't figure out how to use a feature then pop a message
in here and hopefully your fellow members will be able to help out.
- New Members
This is where you will find out what new
members have joined the community and have the opportunity to
welcome them.
- Poetry
& Stories
Many of our
members like to share their own poetry or stories and so this is a
place where they can post them for others to enjoy. It's also a
place to discuss books and tell us what you are reading.
- Robert Burns
As our Bard is well known all over the world we
felt it appropriate to have a forum for him and to dicuss his poems
and information on Burns Suppers and other Burns events around the
world.
- Breaking News
This is where you can post breaking news around
the world and have our say about it. Like the Gulf Oil spill or the
ash cloud in Inceland or something nearer home.
- Music
This is where you can discuss music old and
new.
--- Celtic Music
[Sub Group]
Dedicated
to Celtic Music
- Food
& Drink
Where you can
discuss anything to do with Food and Drink, be it to tell us of a
good restuarant, provide a recipe or discuss an ingredient.
- Kids
We note that parents are letting their Kids use
our community to play games in our Arcade. As they are not members
they can't register their high scores so we thought we'd create this
forum for them so they can comment and chat between themselves. This
forum would be for children under 14 years of age.
- Arcade
This forum is for those enjoying our Arcade to
discuss the games and even suggest new games you'd like to see.
OLD TIMERS
This group is for our own
"Old Timers" that have been with us for years and through many
changes in our various communities. That of course doesn't mean new
members can't join in.
- Thistle & Whistle
This is the virtual pub so anything you might
talk about in the pub can be talked about in here - which means
pretty well anything that comes up.
- Fryin' Pan Hill
Our friendly battle of the sexes that gets
unfriendly at times
-
Rib Ticklers
Humour or
Humor in all its forms. One never knows what type of thing they will
read here.
ELECTRIC SCOTLAND
This is a group for ElectricScotland.com
visitors.
- General Posts
You can post anything as it relates to the
Electric Scotland sites here.
- Weekly Newsletter
This is where we post our weekly newsletter and
we welcome any comments or suggestions as each issue goes up.
- What's New on ES
This is where we will announce new books we're
starting on or other projects and again we'd welcome any comments.
Should you like a particular book or a project we're working on then
let us know and we might be able to do more by the author or similar
projects.
CLANS AND FAMILIES
As genealogy is a major industry we thought it
appropriate to have this Group available. We are happy to get
requests for other clan and family forums but you will need to
provide some evidence that it would be used.
- General Posts
Any messages to do with clans and families are
appropriate in here.
-
Genealogy
Messages to
do with general genealogy, tips and tricks, resource, etc.
--- Support for
ScotGenealogy.com [Sub Group]
- Stewart Clan
A forum specifically for those connected to the
Stewart Clan.
- Clan
Ross
A forum
specifically for those connected to the Ross Clan.
- MacIntyre Trust
A forum specifically for those connected to the
MacIntyre Clan.
SCOTLAND
A Group devoted specifically to Scotland and
things Scottish
- General Posts
A general message forum and as long as it has
something to do with Scotland you can post your message here.
- Travel and Tourism
A forum dedicated to travel and tourism in
Scotland. You can comment on your own holiday in Scotland, ask for
advice, provide information, etc.
- History
Scottish History and the Historic properties of
Scotland.
- Business
Scottish business large and small.
- Politics
Politics in Scotland of any party.
- Arts and Culture
Arts and Culture of Scotland.
- Tartans
Discuss Tratans and such.
GAIRLOCH & LOCH MAREE
This is a Group dedicated to
the community of the Gairloch and Loch Maree in Northern Scotland.
Other forums may be added by request.
- General Posts
A general message forum for discussion on and
about the area of Gairloch & Loch Maree.
And so this completes our
list of forums.
As we are a Scottish system we've added a group
of forums for Scotland and things Scottish. The Electric Scotland
group is in support of our main ElectricScotland.com web site and
our visitors. The Clans and Families Group is really mostly to do
with Genealogy but can be expanded to add forums for specific clans
and families that would like to make use of our facilities. Gairloch
& Loch Maree is in support of our special project for the area. Old
Timers is of course for our members that have been with us for many
years. And finally the Main group if just for general messaging.
And so if you see any gaps or feel we could amalgamte some forums to
shrink the list we'd welcome your feedback.
Next week I'll include
details on our "Links" and show you the categories we've created.
And the following week should see the launch of our new service.
ABOUT THE
STORIES
-----------------
Some
of the stories in here are just parts of a larger story so do check
out the site for the full versions. You can always find the link in
our "What's New" section in our site menu and at
http://www.electricscotland.com/rss/whatsnew.php
THE FLAG IN THE WIND
--------------------
This weeks issue is compiled by Ian Goldie in
which he says... For this week’s Flag I had laid out a plan to
discuss four topics - Nelson Mandela as he is revealed in the book
Invictus by John Carlin, the success of Scots abroad, what an
independent Scotland would NOT be like, and the 1999 grab of
Scottish waters by Tony Blair.
Alas, it all went by the
board when I opened The Scotsman this morning and read an article by
Michael Kelly entitled ‘Hoping England lose is just not funny any
more’.
You can read more about this at
http://www.scotsindependent.org
The Working Life of
Christina McKelvie MSP diary entry for this week can be viewed at
http://www.electricscotland.com/history/mckelvie/index.htm
Book of Scottish Story
----------------------
Thanks to John Henderson for sending this book
into us.
This week he's sent in Part 2 of "The Twin
Sisters" which starts...
The part she was now acting,
and the situation in which she had placed herself, in spite of all
Emily’s natural forwardness, called forth that modest timidity which
still adds to the loveliness of a young and beautiful woman,
suffusing her cheeks with crimson, and softening the brightness of
her sparkling eye. Altogether, her appearance and behaviour made a
powerful impression on the heart of the gallant soldier; and he
contrived to protract the interview till the latest period that good
breeding permitted. When Emily offered to return the shilling which
her brother had received, the Captain refused it, saying, with a
smile, that he had not yet renounced his claim on her, but reserved
it for further investigation, for the discussion of which he
proposed repeating his visit.
With self-possession, but
becoming modesty, Emily replied, that although she had already
overstepped the bounds of female decorum, she was neither ignorant
of, nor indifferent to, that propriety of conduct which her
situation required; and would. therefore request, that if he was
again inclined to visit the farm of Greenbraes, it might be after
the return of her parents. The Captain now left Emily, nearly as
much fascinated with her as she had been with his first appearance;
while the respectful propriety of his behaviour, in a case where
some freedom of speech might have been excusable, raised him in her
estimation; and she flattered herself that he had not seen her with
indifference.
The rest of this story can be read at
http://www.electricscotland.com/books/story/story124b.htm
All the
other stories can be read at
http://www.electricscotland.com/books/story/
Oor Mither Tongue
-----------------
An Anthology of Scots Vernacular Verse by
Ninian Macwhannell (1938) and our thanks to John Henderson for
sending this into us.
SMITH, DR. HARRY:
The Auld Plooman to his Brose
Cauld Kail
Ye Nivver Ken
Fey
You can read these at
http://www.electricscotland.com/history/mither/mither12.htm
The other poems can be read at
http://www.electricscotland.com/history/mither
William Dixon Cocker
--------------------
W.D. COCKER (1882 – 1970)
W. D. Cocker was a Scottish
poet who wrote in both Scots and English. In the First World War,
Cocker served with the Highland Light infantry, and was taken
prisoner in 1917. His war poetry is interesting and includes the
poems "Up the Line to Poelkapelle", "The Sniper" and a five-part
sonnet cycle entitled "Sonnets in Captivity". However, he is best
known for his humorous poems in Scots.
Another 4 pages up which can
be read at
http://www.electricscotland.com/history/other/cocker12.htm
The other poems can be read at
http://www.electricscotland.com/history/other/cocker_wd.htm
Auld Biggins of Stirling
------------------------
The contents page of this book are done
alphabetically so we're adding new chapters in the order they appear
in the book and not as they appear in the contents. Loads of
illustrations which do add to the enjoyment of this book.
Added
Wester Livilands House, St. Ninians, Torbrex, Cambusbarron
You can
read this at
http://www.electricscotland.com/history/stirlingshire/bigginsndx.htm
Old Pictures of Scotland
------------------------
We have been adding some old pictures from
Scotland and now onto...
Set 19 - Paintings of
Scottish Scenery
Set
20 - West Highlands (Part 5)
You can view these at
http://www.electricscotland.com/pictures/oldpicsndx.htm
We're also adding a wee book
about "Scottish Loch Scenery" to this page and have added Linlithgow
Loch this week.
You can view these at
http://www.electricscotland.com/pictures/lochs.htm
Scottish Notes and Queries
--------------------------
This is a periodical we came across launched in
1887 and we are going to scan in a number of issues for you to read.
Added Volume 2 Issue 6
You can read this at
http://www.electricscotland.com/history/newspapers/notes/index.htm
The Kingdom of Fife
-------------------
Its Ballads and Legends by Robert Boucher, Jun
(1899)
Added "The Wanton Young Laird o' Logie"
This can be read at
http://www.electricscotland.com/history/fife/index.htm
The Complete Scotland
---------------------
A comprehensive survey, based on the principle
motor, walking, railway and steamer routes. Historical section by
J.D. Mackie, M.C., M.A. Professor of Scottish History and Literature
and the University of Glasgow and geology and scenery by T.M.
Finlay, M.A., D.Sc., F.R.S.E., University of Edinburgh.
Added this week...
Glasgow to Oban via
Ardrishaig
You can read this at
http://www.electricscotland.com/travel/scotland/index.htm
Furth in Field
--------------
volume of essays on the Life, Language and
Literature of Old Scotland by Hugh Haliburton (1894).
Added
Fish and Fishing at Loch Leven.
This can be read at
http://www.electricscotland.com/history/furth/index.htm
Holiday Cottages
----------------
These are wee tourism articles. Got in this
week...
Hill Walking in Scotland - The perfect way to
Explore the unspoilt charm of Scotland.
This can be read at
http://www.electricscotland.com/travel/holidayndx.htm
Poems in the Dorric Language
----------------------------
By John Henderson
John has sent in new poems
which can be seen at the foot of his page at
http://www.electricscotland.com/poetry/doggerels.htm
Glasgow
-------
By the British Medical Association (1922)
We've added another chapter
to this book...
The Medical Institutions of Glasgow. By Dr.
John Fergus
You can read this book at
http://www.electricscotland.com/history/medical/glasgowndx.htm
The Concise Household Encyclopaedia
-----------------------------------
Added Page 376 - Doors, Page 377 - Doors,
Dorking Fowl, Dormer Window, Dormouse, Doronicum, Dory, Dosage,
Double Cheese, Douche, Dough, Dough Cake, Page 378 - Doughnut,
Doulton Ware, Dove, Dovecot, Dover's Powder, Dovetail Joint, Page
379 - Dovetail Joint, Dowelling, Dower, Down, Draba, Drachm,
Drainage. These can be read at
http://www.electricscotland.com/household/d.htm
Roamin' in the Gloamin'
-----------------------
By Sir Harry Lauder (1928)
We've added more chapters to
this book...
CHAPTER XVIII - THE WAR YEARS IN AMERICA
CHAPTER XIX - MY FRIENDS THE PRESIDENTS
CHAPTER XX - GLEN BRANTER
CHAPTER XXI - KNIGHT OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE
CHAPTER XXII - BAD TIPS AND OTHERS
CHAPTER XXIII - SOUTH AFRICA
CHAPTER XXIV - THE ORIENT
Here is how Chapter XIX
starts...
As I have told you somewhere within the last
few paragraphs I had a long talk with President Woodrow Wilson
during my '17 tour. He and Mrs. Wilson had attended the theatre in
Washington when I was playing there and the two of them had joined
enthusiastically in singing the chorus of my song "Marching With the
President." It was arranged that I should go and have tea with them
at the White House before my tour ended. This I was very pleased to
do. As a matter of fact I have been a pretty constant visitor to the
White House for twenty years. I have met all the Presidents during
that period and have had unique opportunities for forming first-hand
impressions of the illustrious American statesmen who have ruled the
destinies of the States from Theodore Roosevelt down to the present
occupant of the presidential chair. With more than one of these
remarkable men I am proud to say I have been on terms of friendship.
It may not be considered presumptious on my part, therefore, if I
attempt a few very brief pen-pictures of the various Presidents whom
it has been my privilege and honour to meet. I offer them in all
humility and sincerity.
You can read the rest of this chapter at 9http://www.electricscotland.com/history/lauder/roamin19.htm
The other chapters can be read at
http://www.electricscotland.com/history/lauder/roaminndx.htm
Pen Pictures of Early Pioneer Life in Upper
Canada
--------------------------------------------------
By a "Canuke".of the fifth generation (1905)
Lots more chapters up this
week which now completes this book.
COURTSHIP AND MARRIAGE
Early Country Courtship
The Country Wedding
FARM SCENES
The Family Watch-Dog
A Trip to Market
An Auction Sale on the Farm
COUNTRY SCENES
The Old Water Wheel
The Old Sawmills
The Windmills
The Old-Time Winter
Views of The Niagara
FOREST LIFE
The Wild Fruits
The Familiar Wild Flowers
Lost in the Woods
Forest Fires
A Primitive Canadian Band
Mosquitoes and Black Flies
FOREST LIFE—(Continued)
The Squirrel
The Fox
Rabbit Hunting
You can read this book at
http://www.electricscotland.com/history/pen/index.htm
In the Hebrides
---------------
By C. F. Gordon Cumming (1883)
Added more chapters to this
book...
Chapter IV
The Inner Hebrides - Staffa—From Oban to
Skye—Lismore—Mull—Legend of Castle Duart —Legend of Lochbuy—Legend
of Loch Awe—Isle of Canna—St. Michael's Eve—How observed in
Barra—Nordereys and Sudereys of Muck—Wild Boar of
Scotland—Wolves—Beavers—Isle of Rum—Scuir of Eigg—Proud Lords of the
Isles—The Isle of Mists.
Chapter V
The Quiraing - Uig—A Terrible "Spate "—Gaelic
Churches—Forms of Worship—Island Homes—Timber—The Famine of
1883—Primitive Agricultural Implements—No Frost—Dr. Johnson—Legend
of Castle Tfstian—Glens of the Conan and of the Rah—The
Quiraing—Monkstadt-----Duntulm— Midges—A great Sacramental
Gathering.
Chapter VI
Afloat - A Music-Room—Duntulm Castle—Fladda of
the Ocean—Holy Stones - Schioch Maddie Cave—Legend of McOrimmon—Water
Kelpies - Brownies—Legends---The Kilt Rock—Marine Forests—Flat-fishesti
Basaltic Coast—The Storr Rock—The Ross-shire Coast—Legends of St.
Malruba—Sacrifices of Cattle—The Need-Fire--Start for the Herring
Fishing—Storms—King Haco's Fleet.
Chapter VII
Modern Chips of the Old Blocks - Holy Wells in
the Hebrides and in the highlands—Prohibitory Statutes —Wells for
the Cure of Insanity—Pilgrims' Bags—Traces of Sun and Fire Worship -
Four great Festivals - Beltane - Midsummer in Ireland, Isle of Man,
Stonehenge—Hallow-e'en—All Souls—YuleChristmas—The Burning of the
Clavie—Dread of giving or taking Fire—Festivals in the Pyrenees, the
Alps, the Baltic, in Paris, in Edinburgh and London - Traces of Moon
Worship - An Owl's Question.
Chapter VIII
Footprints of the Past - Lonely Chapels—Blended
Faiths—Sunwise Turns—East and West Divination by Smoke--Touch of a
Seventh Son—The Royal Touch, a Cure for Scrofula—Burial of a Living
Cock for Epilepsy—Legends of Isle Raasay—Of Wild Deer—Of buying a
Gale—Witchcraft--Drawing the Tether—A Milk Charm from the Isle of
Uist—Ancient and Modern Witches—The Evil Eye—Making Images to injure
a Neighbour—Cats—Belief in Transmigration —The Luck of leaving a
House unswept—lll-Luck of succeeding an Ejected Tenant.
Chapter IX
The Outer Hebrides - The Long Island—Start for
Harris—St Clement's Cathedral —Tarbert Handmills - The Thamis -
Fincastle - Stornoway— Loch Maddy Market—North Uist—Machars—Shell-fish
and Lobsters—Fords - Driftwood—Cornish Blessings - Benbecula -South
Uist - Dismal Homes—Wild Fowl—Barra—Kisimul Castle—Eriskay—WreckeraSouth
Bernera Lighthouse—Mingalay.
Chapter X
St. Kilda - The Sea-Fowl's Kingdom—Precious
Fulmar— Population— Means of Living—Accounts by Martin, Kenneth
Macaulay, and Dr. Macculloch —Infant Mortality—Mysterious Colds—" No
English "—A Life of Exile - High Morality— Primitive Customs -
Traces of Heathen Worship—Rvages of Small-pox—Lack of Boats.
You can read these chapters
at
http://www.electricscotland.com/history/hebrides/index.htm
Gairloch in North-West Ross-Shire
---------------------------------
It's Records, Traditions, Inhabitants and
Natural History with a Guide to Gairloch and Loch Maree and a Map
and Illustrations" by John H. Dixon FSA Scot. published in 1886.
We're making good progress
with Part I. - Records and Traditions of Gairloch
Chapter I. —Early History
Absence of ancient
records—Giants in those days—Fingalian legends— Condition of Pictish
aborigines—Their houses and implements—Druids—Roman invasion —
Pictish monarchy — Introduction of Christianity — St Maelrubha —
Hermits of Isle Maree — Norse vikings — Norwegians and Danes — End
of Norwegian rule in 1263 — The earls of Ross — Donald of the Isles
— The Mackenzies.
Chapter II.—The Tragedy of Isle Maree
Scene laid in Isle Maree—The
hermit saint—Prince Olaf—His fiery temper- -Falls in love—Brings his
bride to Isle Maree—Is compelled to leave her on an expedition—The
white and black flags—Return of the prince—Jealousy of the
princess—Her scheme to test Olaf s affection—His madness on seeing
the black flag—Thinking her dead he kills himself—The princess stabs
herself and dies— Their graves on Isle Maree.
Chapter III.—The Mackenzies
of Kintail
Two origins of the family of Mackenzie—The
Cabar Feidh—Angus Mac Mhathain—Kenneth, first lord of Kintail—John,
second lord, shelters Robert Bruce—Kenneth of the Nose—Kenlochewe
ravaged—Leod Mac Gilleandreis— Black Murdo of the Cave—Joined by
Gille Riabhach—Comes to Kenlochewe— Slays Leod Mac Gilleandreis and
his followers—Ath nan Ceann—Fe Leoid— Black Murdo of the Cave
recovers Kintail—Murdo of the Bridge, fifth lord of Kintail—Alexander
the Upright, father of Hector Roy, first laird of Gairloch— Skirmish
of Beallach nam Brog—Residences of lords of Kintail.
Chapter IV.—Ewan Mac Gabhar,
the Son of the Goat
Ardlair—The cave of the king's son—Old Oighrig
and her son Kenneth The goat Earba nourishes Ewan in the cave—Flora
and Ewan come to Letterewe —Ewan's sword and mantle of state—The
lord of Kintail comes to hunt—Flora and Ewan suspected—Kenneth and
Flora carried off to Eileandonain—Oighrig and Ewan conveyed to Colin
Mor Gillespie—Colin Mor brings up Ewan—Great war against the queen
widow of Olamh Mor—Ewan gets a command—His slender page—Mull
plundered—The invaders surprised at night and captured—The queen
condemns the chiefs to death—Ewan led forth to die—The execution
arrested—Ewan identified and proclaimed king—Prophecy fulfilled .
Chapter V.—The Macraes of Kintail and Gairloch
The Macraes settle in
Kintail—Become Mackenzie's "shirt of mail"—The sons of
Fortune—Assist in conquest of Gairloch—List of Macraes who fought
for Gairloch—Effigy of Donald Odhair—Macraes renowned
archers—Compared with Turkish archers—The Macraes bore the dead
bodies of their chiefs to burial— The last occasion of this—Curious
statement.
Chapter VI.—The MacBeaths
MacBeaths from Assynt—Some
still in Gairloch—Had several strongholds— Lochan nan Airm—Kintail
men come to Loch Tollie—Shoot MacBeath's servant on the island—MacBeatb
flies—Is struck by an arrow—Kintail men stay a night on the
island—Come through Gairloch—Report to their chief.
Chapter VII.—The M'Leods of
Gairloch
The Siol Torquil—Claim to Gairloch—Legal title
commenced 1430—MacBeaths expelled—The Tigh Dige—Strongholds of the
M'Leods—Eilean Ruaridh —Allan M'Leod, laird of Gairloch—Murdered by
his brothers at the "Hill of evil counsel"—They also murder his two
boys—The widow takes their bloody shirts to her father—Hector Roy
takes the shirts to the king—Who gives Hector commission of fire and
sword against the M'Leods—The M'Leods confined to one-third of
Gairloch.
Chapter VIII.—The Macdonalds in Gairloch
Macdonalds, clansmen of
Donald of the Isles—Probably some settled in Gairloch—Still in
Gairloch and Alligin—Mac Gille Riabhaich—His cave—Story of his oak
cudgel—The soubriquet Darach—His descendant, Darroch of Torridon
—Donald Dubh Mac Gillechriosd Mhic Gille Riabhaich—Threatens Hector
Roy—Slays Buchanan after Flodden Field.
Chapter IX.—Hector Roy
Mackenzie, first Laird of Gairloch
Vision of the great chief
and his bodyguard—His appearance and valour— Obtains charter to
Gairloch—Slays three M'Leods at "the Gairloch "—The battle of
Park—Hector Roy and Big Duncan of the Axe—Hector Roy at Sauchie-burn—He
claims Kintail—Battle of Drum a Chait—Big Duncan again assists—
Hector Roy outlawed—Assists Mac Cailean—Kneels before the
king—Grasps his hand—Is pardoned—Abandons his claim to Kintail—Fight
with M'Leods at Beallach Glasleathaid—Big Duncan and his son Dugal—Hector
Roy conquers part of Gairloch—Battle of Flodden—Clan Eachainn.
Chapter X.—John Glassich
Mackenzie and his Sons
John Glassich brought up in Strathglass—Claims
Kintail—Refuses to join the royal standard—Apprehended by Kenneth of
Kintail—Iain Gearr's pluck— Death of John Glassich—Donald Gorme
invades Kenlochewe—Hector and Alexander, sons of John Glassich, both
slain.
Chapter XL—John Roy Mackenzie
John Roy resembled his
grandfather Hector—His youth—Visits his mother, wife of Mackay—Goes
with a bodyguard to Iain Liath at Glas Leitire—Lord Kintail abandons
his hunt on the Glas Leitire hills—John Roy and Iain Liath go to
Gairloch—Iain Dubh Mac Ruaridh M'Leod abandons the Gairloch dun
—Struggles with the M'Leods—John Roy's family—His bodyguard composed
of his twelve sons—Dealings with the tithes of Gairloch—The
Talladale ironworks—John Roy's residence—Visits Mackay—Mackay's
piper becomes John Roy's piper—Lord Mackenzie summons John Roy to
Torridon— He stays the night with his lordship—Proposed
assassination deferred—John Roy's sons arrive and take him
away—Allies of Glengarry Macdonalds make an incursion to Kenlochewe—Lord
Mackenzie visits John Roy—John Roy granted a remission by the crown.
Chapter XII.—Expulsion of
the M'Leods from Gairloch
Murchadh Riabhach na Cuirce—Slays
Mac Iain Dhuibh M 'Leod—Ruaridh Mac Allan M'Leod assassinates Iain
Mac Ghille Challum M'Leod and his sons by Janet Mackenzie—John Roy
revenges the murder—Expels the M'Leods from Gairloch—The Cnoc a
Chrochadair—The affair at Leac nan Saighead—Mor Ban persuades the
M'Leods to invade Gairloch—They come to Fraoch Eilean— Donald Odhar
and his brother shoot them from Leac nan Saighead—Only two M'Leods
escape in the birlinn—Donald Odhar's long shot from Craig a Chait—
Young M'Leod of Assynt asks John Roy's daughter for his wife—Is
refused— Fionnla Dubh na Saighead insults him—The M'Leods return to
take vengeance on Finlay—He and Chisholm shoot many of them—Finlay
pursues Neil M'Leod to the Bac an Leth-choin and shoots him at the
Druim Cam Neill—Fight at Lochan an Fheidh—Affair at Raasay—Murdo
Mackenzie in his .ship driven into Kirkton—Young M'Leod of Raasay
and his companions visit him—All the party get drunk except four
Gairloch men—A fight ensues—Murdo drowned—All on board slain except
three of the abstainers—They escape.
Chapter XIII.—Alastair Breac,
and his Son and Grandson
Alastair Breac, a renowned
warrior—Raids of cattle lifters—Iain Geal Donn proposes a raid on
Gairloch—Alastair Buidhe Mackay intercepts him at Scardroy —Slays
him and all his men except one—Alastair Breac sends the news to Lord
Mackenzie—Cameron of Lochiel plans a raid on Gairloch in revenge—
Alastair Breac sends eighty men to oppose him, but he has
retired—Song composed to the Guard of the Black Corrie—Colla Ban—In
default of black-mail threatens raid on Gairloch—His spies are
frightened by four Gairloch men at Luibmhor—Kenneth, sixth laird of
Gairloch, fined as a "malignant"—Alexander, seventh laird of
Gairloch.
You can read all these chapters at
http://www.electricscotland.com/history/gairloch/g2ndx.htm
Researches into the History of Tain
-----------------------------------
By Rev. William. Taylor
A new book we're starting
which is only 3 chapters and an Appendix.
Here is what the Preface has
to say...
THE substance of the first chapter of this
little work, as well as some portions of the conclusion, formerly
appeared in a smaller volume, after having been delivered as a
lecture in the Court-House of Tain in the early spring of 1865. The
second chapter contains the substance of a lecture delivered in the
Town-Hall in the autumn of 1881, to an audience from which the
lecturer missed, alas! many of "the old familiar faces," but which
included many of a younger generation, who, he trusts, will prove
themselves inheritors of the old local enthusiasm, and some of whom
may yet confer signal benefits on their native town.
The writer has not thought
it expedient to divest his essay of its original lecture-form, lest
the local spirit that seemed to make the lectures interesting to the
audiences who have requested their publication should evaporate in
the process. But as the lectures were at first prepared with anxious
attention to correctness of statement, so now, in revising and
re-arranging them for the press, their facts and conclusions have
been scrupulously re-examined and verified, new facts have been here
and there interwoven into the text, explanatory foot-notes have been
supplied, and some longer notes, bearing on questions of especial
importance or local interest, have been placed in an Appendix.
References to authorities have also been added where this has seemed
necessary. To refer, indeed, perpetually to works on general
Scottish history, or to such books as "Origines Paroehiales," or to
the writer's own juvenile attempt in the "New Statistical Account,"
or to local records, has been thought needless. These and others
have, however, been carefully examined. One or two of the books to
which reference is made the writer has had no opportunity of
consulting for himself. He has therefore to express his obligation
to several friends, who have most obligingly taken the trouble of
doing so in his behalf, and even of sending him long extracts for
his own examination; as well -as to several others—some of whom he
names in the following pages--who have assisted him in his personal
researches with a courtesy and kindness which he cannot forget.
You can read this book at
http://www.electricscotland.com/history/tain/index.htm
Information on more Scottish Names
----------------------------------
Came across a couple of books in pdf format...
Four Perthshire Families
Roger, Playfair, Constable and Haldane of
Barmony and have made it available on the site as a pdf file at
http://www.electricscotland.com/books/pdf/fourperthshirefa00roge.pdf
Gourlay
I found a
small book about the "Scottish House of Gourlay" so thought I'd add
a page for them on the site at
http://www.electricscotland.com/webclans/dtog/gourlay.html
The Gaelic Concept of Life and Death
------------------------------------
A short book, some 22 pages, by H. Cameron
Gillies M.D. and you can read this at
http://www.electricscotland.com/history/articles/life_death.htm
Fallbrook Farm Heritage Site
----------------------------
Got in a couple of updates on this project
which you can read at
http://www.electricscotland.com/history/canada/fallingbrook.htm
History of Tennessee
--------------------
An extract from the book about the Scots-Irish
settlers which you can read at
http://www.electricscotland.com/history/articles/tennessee.htm
Monuments and Monumental Inscriptions in
Scotland
-------------------------------------------------
By Rev. Charles Rogers in 2 volumes (1871)
We've made these 2 volumes
available in pdf format. Not sure if it is for general reading but
is an excellent reference resource.
Here is the Preface to set
the scene for this work...
Monuments are as milestones
in the pathway of civilization. In early times memorial stones were
not reared. When tribes became communities, unhewn stones were set
up to perpetuate their heroes. As nations arose, cairns were heaped
in celebration of national triumphs, or to denote the graves of
Princes. When the Israelites crossed Jordan, they placed twelve
stones in memorial of the event; on their establishment as a nation
they erected tombs in honour of their prophets. Decorated mummy
tombs were common in ancient Egypt; the pyramids, which are clearly
monumental, were built about two thousand years before Christ. The
Assyrians constructed imposing edifices in celebration of their
kings. The Greeks adorned their tombs with elegant sculptures; these
at length assumed magnificent proportions, such as the celebrated
Mausoleum at Halicarnassus. In Italy the Romans substituted the
adorned sepulchral chambers of Etruria by spacious structures, which
while honouring the dead suited the convenience of the living. Alike
among eastern and western nations the barrow, or sepulchral mound,
was superseded by the cromlech, which in its turn was exchanged for
the Runic cross and other sculptured forms.
The memorial stones which
form the subject of this work belong to a class usually termed
modern. They began to be reared in the thirteenth century, but were
then reserved for kings and warriors and churchmen. At the
Reformation churches and abbeys were found studded with the
cenotaphs of ecclesiastics; these, with the statues of saints and
martyrs, were held as idolatrous, and thrown down. For two centuries
afterwards, monumental tablets were disallowed in churches; while
even in churchyards ornamental monuments were discommended. In
respect of such memorials a more cultivated taste arose some sixty
years ago. To encourage that taste, and to aid in preserving
existing monuments, this work was originated. But the publication
may be found useful to some who take no concern in monumental
affairs; to the student of Family History it will yield convenient
assistance—while to those interested in the memorials of National
History it will convey information otherwise inaccessible.
An absolutely complete work
was scarcely to be attained. For his performance the author claims
only such an approach to completeness as might be accomplished by
unwearied diligence. His inquiries were commenced in 1861. In August
of that year he addressed a circular letter, accompanied with a
schedule, to the whole of the parochial clergy. A schedule was
afterwards despatched to the parish schoolmasters. In the principal
Scottish journals information has been repeatedly solicited. Local
antiquaries have been addressed. A tour was prosecuted throughout
the principal counties, including nearly every portion of the
Lowlands. If the author has had frequently to regret that parochial
functionaries have been unable to spare an hour or two in procuring
information for a national work, and on a subject associated with
the memory of their predecessors, he has on the other hand had
occasion to rejoice in many intelligent and obliging coadjutors. For
materials used in the present volume he has been under especial
obligations to the Very Reverend Dean Ramsay. David Laing. Esq.,
LL.D., and John Alexander Smith, Esq., M.D., Edinburgh; William
Euing, Esq., Glasgow; David Semple, Esq., Paisley; William McDowall,
Esq., Dumfries; A. Campbell Swinton, Esq., of Kimmerghame; the Rev.
John Struthers, Prestonpans; and Mr. Andrew Currie, sculptor,
Darnick.
Every work bearing on the history of Scottish
tombstones, and the various local and provincial histories have been
examined; while the inscriptions and epitaphs contained in the
collections of Monteith and others have been carefully utilized. Of
modern publications none has proved more useful than Dr. Hew Scott's
"Fasti Ecclesis Scoticanre," a work which in minute and accurate
details of ecclesiastical biography is altogether unrivalled. For
greater convenience of reference an index is appended to each
volume.
you can download these books at
http://www.electricscotland.com/books/pdf/monuments.htm
And to conclude here is a wee humour story I
got in...
Ale Imitation
When the chairman of
Goodyear was visiting the company's then tyre company in Glasgow,
it was decided to
take him for a haggis dinner, which would be piped in, and then the
chairman and the piper would be given a glass of whisky to toast the
haggis.
The American PR executive who came with the
chairman quickly pointed out that his man was teetotal and must only
be given ginger ale.
So he watched anxiously as the toasts went
ahead and then told the hotel manager: "Thank God that went off OK -
think of the awful consequences if the drinks had got mixed up,
and the chairman had
got the whisky!"
"That's nothing," replied the manager.
"You
couldn't imagine the consequences if the piper had got the ginger
ale."
And that's it for now and
hope you all have a good weekend :-)
Alastair
http://www.electricscotland.com
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