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CONTENTS
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Electric Scotland News
Scottish Events
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'
In the Hebrides
Gairloch in North-West Ross-Shire
Researches into the History of Tain
The Starling, A Scotch Story (New Book)
The Scottish Mountaineering Club Journal (New Book)
Scotland as it was and as it is (New Book)
Clan Leslie Society International Newsletter
Robert Burns Lives!
Clan MacDowall History
Clan Ross Association of Canada
Allan Ramsay
The Gretna Green Memoirs (New Complete Book)
Electric Scotland News
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This weeks mainly been about working on our new community. We've now
settled on the forums we wish to make availble and thus have deleted
one group and merged forums into another group. We've also created a
number of sub forums. For example, in our Sports forum we've created
sub forums for Golf, Fishing, Football, American Football, Rugby,
etc.
Our Links system is now up and running and there are now 3 groups,
"Scottish Links", "Members Web sites" and "Resources" with sub
categories under each. Under the Scottish Links we've added
"Scottish Council Areas" under which we have listed all 32 Scottish
Council areas. The idea is that if a Scottish company adds their
link to any category they can also add it to the council area where
they are based.
The Links system is also going to replace our ScotSearch.org web
site which we intend to close at the end of July 2010. The Scottish
Links Group can be added to by guests although Members entries get
further functionality. The other two groups are for Members only.
This links system offers members the ability to post messahes
against a link and also add links to their favourites. Where a
member has added a link they get the opportunity to get an email
alter any time a message is posted against their link.
We added the photo gallery software which is rather neat in that
it's also available as a widget which you close if you wish. We now
show small thumbnail is the header of the forums and larget
thumnails on the right border of the forums page. You get the
opportunity to click to close this or can minimise it to just a
header. The idea is that as we progress to add further widgets that
they will be added to the right border where you get the opportunity
to toggle their display on or off.
We are currently working on the Arcade system and the basic software
is now installed and now have to add in the actual games. There will
be less games in the new system than our current offering and so if
you enjoy a particular game in our current system make a note of its
name and if it isn't showing in our new Arcade let us know and we
may be able to include it.
We've got quite a few messages up in the new system to get things
started and some general guidance postings to set the scene for each
forum. We've also enabled the YouTube video link to the forums.
We are also looking to add a New Members system where all new
members will be announced in a "New Members" forum. This will let
current members greet you and say hello.
As to our Calendar. When you click on the Calendar link in our menu
our default calendar will be display but on the right you will see
"Calendar Picker" and when you click on that you will see we have 2
other calendars available. One is for "Highland Ganmes and Celtic
Festivals" where any of these events around the world can be added.
The other is for "Gairloch and Loch Maree" which is in support of
our special project for that area. In the default calendar members
birthdays will also be displayed.
Our aim is to make our new system available by the end of this month
and we are working hard to get all the basics installed by then. We
will continue to work on the service after launch to bring in other
functionality for you.
we are now mostly there. We still need to add the games to the
Arcade. Add the "Thanks for this post" icons to the forums. We'd
like to add the Radio and TV widget. And we need to customize our
home page to reflect our own branding.
A few add-ons were broken with the last release of the forum
software but have been informed a new release should be out before
the end of this month to fix these. That in part is why we were
holding off to the end of this month for our launch.
And so great progress has been made and if you have a little time
Steve has posted a Poll in our current forum asking "How soon do you
want the new system unveiled?". You can find this at http://www.scotchat.org/showthread.php?t=559
and I know he'd welcome your views.
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
Scottish Events
---------------
I got in an email telling me of the Arisaig Games which while long I
found most interesting so thought I'd include the full press release
for you to read here.
Arisaig Games has announced threemajor developments for 2010’s
event, on July 28th.
A significant sponsorship deal has been struck through the growing
clan heritage strand of the games with GlenlivetWhisky.
Glenlivet will be sponsoring the piping competition at the 2010
games, and prize money will be increased substantially. Arisaig will
now have some of the biggest prizes in piping in the west Highlands.
It is hoped, too, that the numbers of pipers will be increased and
provide a greater spectacle for this celebration of Highland
culture. The Glenlivet team will host an exhibition tent with free
tastings of their products in their tent. They will also be
welcoming local licensees to visit and develop a greater
appreciation of their product. The deal was coordinated by Ranald
Macdonald, younger of Clan Ranald, son of the current chief.
Welcoming the deal, games secretary, James MacKenzie, said “We are
delighted that The Glenlivet are to sponsor the Piping competitions
at this years Arisaig Highland Games. Support from such a
high-profile brand is an exciting development for our event.”
Ranald is also proprietor of the Boisdale group of restaurants and
eateries in London and the southwest. Boisdale will be providing a
unique event for a Highland games in the Glenlivet tent when two of
their chefs will demonstrate butchery and cookery skills in front of
spectators.
The second development at Traigh this year will be An Tilleadh. This
is a new event based on the acclaimed Homecoming 2009 which sought
to bring far flung people home to Scotland to sample the culture of
their past and present heritages. An Tilleadh, (Gàidhlig for ‘The
Return’) seeks to do the same for families whose roots are in
Arisaig.
The inaugural An Tilleadh will focus on Alasdair MacMhaighstir
Alasdair, the first bard of the Gàidhlig Enlightenment and bard to
Clan Ranald. A forceful and raucous figure, MacMhaighstir Alasdair
was born at Dalilea near Acharacle, and ended his days living on Rhu.
He is acclaimed as one of three of the greatest Gàidhlig poets ever
to have lived, hismain rival to the title being the late
SomhairleMacGilleathain.
The third of those bards is the contemporary Aonghas Phadràig
Caimbeul who lives on Skye. Aonghas Phadràig will also be at An
Tilleadh performing and discussing the poetry of his bardic
predecessor. Complementing him will be Allan MacDonald, Glenuig,
another huge name in Highland culture. One of the three piping
Whaler boys, Allan is famous worldwide and has an abiding interest
in Pìobairachd and the history of piping in general. He has
published widely and teaches on the RSAMD BAMusic: Piping course at
the Piping Centre in Glasgow.
For that combination alone the event will be worth coming to. But
there will also be contributions from Jane Henderson of Mallaig, and
Maggie MacDonald, Curator of the Museum of the Isles at the Clan
Donald Centre on Skye.
An Tilleadh is a two day event, however. The day before the games
Elizabeth and Allan MacDonald will be leading a walk to Rhu to see
where MacMhaighstir Alasdair lived. The walk will also cover the
birthplace of the legendary bard, Ossian, as well as a variety of
other important historic sites and features. The MacDonalds are well
known to local and international readers of the area’s newspaper
Westword, where Allan has a regular column on genealogy, to which
Elizabeth also contributes as well as doing her own one off features
and series.
Elizabeth said recently, “We are thrilled to be getting An Tilleadh
underway. The history and genealogy strand of cultural interest has
been growing rapidly in recent years, and it is good to see Arisaig
taking its place in that. We have a great story to tell, and a huge
number of descendant families and other Albaphiles scattered across
the globe to tell it to.”
An Tilleadh will finish it’s first day with a visit to Castle Tioram
where Boisdale, Clan Ranald and the Glenlivet are hosting aWild
Highland Barbecue for guests.
The final development for Arisaig Games is its website. Due to be
launched just before the games this year, the site has been funded
by a generous grant from the Arisaig Fund, a trust set up by Arisaig
Partners, an international investment management company, to benefit
Arisaig and projects designed to promote and develop the village.
Chas MacDonald, Promotions Manager, was enthusiastic about the site,
saying “The grant from the Arisaig Fund has been fantastic for us
and is greatly appreciated, This quality of site would have been
almost impossible without this help. It will allow us to get our
message out to our competitors and regular visitors, as well as to
let people coming to the area know that a great event is on hand for
them, at what is truly one of the most beautiful settings on earth.
An Tilleadh spans 27th – 28th July. Games Day is Wednesday 28th.
There will be a parade through the village at 10am, followed by the
opening procession at 12pmat Traigh, both of which all are welcome
to join. And Games Day ends with the Games Dance at 10:30 in the
Astley Hall in the village. Contact info@arisaighighlandgames.co.uk
formore information on any event, to take part, or just to come
along.
Note to Editors
2010 marks the 74th Arisaig HighlandGames, and the 6th Clan Ranald
Gathering. It is held at Traigh Farmthreemiles from the village or
Arisaig on the west coast of Lochaber, Scotland. Arisaig Games is a
charitable organisation run solely for the purpose of celebrating
the local culture and getting the community together.
The Glenlivet is one of Scotland’s most respected and highly
acclaimed whisky strands with a variety of product brands
associated. It is the second biggest brand of Scotch whisky
worldwide and enjoys an enviable reputation in sales, butmore
importantly in quality and distinction.
The Arisaig Fund is a trust fund set up by Arisaig Partners, an
independent, employee-owned, investment management company
established in October 1996, and based in Singapore.
Web site: http://www.arisaighighlandgames.co.uk
Google Map:
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Arisaig,+Scotland&sll=56.535258,-5.844727&sspn=0.168113,0.426407&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Arisaig,+Inverness-Shire,+United+Kingdom&ll=56.911036,-5.842353&spn=0.166442,0.426407&z=11
THE FLAG IN THE WIND
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This weeks issue is compiled by Jim Lynch. Jim departs somewhat from
his usual format to bring us some answers from Parlimentary
questions which make an interesting read.
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
Note that last's weeks issue arrived a day late... not yet sure
about this weeks issue.
Book of Scottish Story
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Thanks to John Henderson for sending this book into us.
This week he's sent in "Albert Bane: an Incident of the Battle of
Culloden" by Henry Mackenzie and here is how it starts...
When I was, last autumn, at my friend Colonel Caustic’s in the
country, I saw there, on a visit to Miss Caustic, a young gentleman
and his sister, children of a neighbour of the Colonel’s, with whose
appearance and manner I was particularly pleased.
The history of their parents, said my friend, is somewhat
particular, and I love to tell it, as I do everything that is to the
honour of our nature. Man is so poor a thing, taken in the gross,
that when I meet with an instance of nobleness in detail, I am fain
to rest upon it long, and to recall it often, as in coming thither
over our barren hills you would look with double delight on a spot
of cultivation or of beauty.
The father of those young folks, whose looks you were struck with,
was a gentleman of considerable domains and extensive influence on
the northern frontier of our country. In his youth he lived, as it
was then more the fashion than it is now, at the seat of his
ancestors, surrounded with Gothic grandeur, and cornpassed with
feudal followers and dependants, all of whom could trace their
connection at a period more or less remote with the family of their
chief. Every domestic in his house bore the family-name, and looked
on himself as in a certain degree partaking its dignity, and sharing
its fortunes. Of these, one was in a particular manner the favourite
of his master. Albert Bane (the surname, you know, is generally lost
in a name descriptive of the individual) had been his companion from
his infancy. Of an age so much more advanced as to enable him to be
a sort of tutor to his youthful lord, Albert had early taught him
the rural exercises and rural amusements, in which himself was
eminently skilful; he had attended him in the course of his
education at home, of his travels abroad, and was still the constant
companion of his excursions, and the associate of his sports.
The rest of this story can be read at
http://www.electricscotland.com/books/story/story125.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.
SOUTAR, WILLIAM:
The Tryst
Fear
You can read these at
http://www.electricscotland.com/history/mither/mither13.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/cocker13.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 The Raploch, Kippen and Gargunnock
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 21 - West Highlands (Part 6)
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 this week have added...
Corra Linn
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 7
You can read this at
http://www.electricscotland.com/history/newspapers/notes/index.htm
The Kingdom of Fife
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Its Ballads and Legends by Robert Boucher, Jun (1899)
Added "An Archetype of Ecclesiastics"
This can be read at
http://www.electricscotland.com/history/fife/index.htm
The Complete Scotland
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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 Loch Long and Inveraray
You can read this at
http://www.electricscotland.com/travel/scotland/index.htm
Furth in Field
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volume of essays on the Life, Language and Literature of Old
Scotland by Hugh Haliburton (1894).
Added The Books of 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...
Isle of Islay - The Island Destination 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
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By the British Medical Association (1922)
We've added another chapter to this book...
Glasgow Royal Infirmary; A Kirkyard Eclogue. By Dr. William Findlay
You can read this book at
http://www.electricscotland.com/history/medical/glasgowndx.htm
The Concise Household Encyclopaedia
-----------------------------------
Added Page 380, Drainage, Draining Board, Drains, Page 381, Drains,
Draught, Page 382, Draught, Draughts, Draughtsmanship, Draw-Boring,
Drawer, Page 383, Drawer, Drawings. These can be read at
http://www.electricscotland.com/household/d.htm
Roamin' in the Gloamin'
-----------------------
By Sir Harry Lauder (1928)
We've added the final two chapters which now completes this book.
CHAPTER XXV - SOME FISH STORIES
CHAPTER XXVI - THE END OF THE ROAD
Here is how the final chapter starts...
ONCE again I returned to America by the direct sea-route Sydney to
San Francisco. When I first hit "Frisco" eighteen years ago it was
an exceedingly hot spot on the then rather hectic Barbary Coast.
There were sights and "doin's" in the old town that would not be
tolerated today; even Chicago had nothing on the great western
seaport for excitement, sensation, and general lawlessness. But
within recent years it has quietened down to an eminent
respectability, thanks in great measure, I should say, to the wise,
popular and progressive rule of my friend Mayor Rolph. For something
like sixteen years now Mr. Rolph has adorned the civic chair of the
city; the inhabitants refuse to give him up and thereby show their
good taste and common-sense. Rolph and I are good friends and I get
a most genial welcome from him every time I arrive at 'Frisco either
by sea or railroad. Tom asserts that the Mayor is one of the very
best men in the world but I have a suspicion that Thomas is
prejudiced in his favour on account of the fact that the Mayor
entertained him and his wife at a banquet in honour of their silver
wedding.
Seeing that I am back again in the States I may as well take the
opportunity-I shall not have another in these memoirs—to recall
several of the more amusing experiences and incidents of my twenty
years touring of a country which, to my mind—and quite apart from
certain obvious reasons-- never loses its interest and fascination.
Only the fact that I am getting older and thus not so keen on seeing
new places and new faces prevents me from bubbling over with
enthusiasm at the start of each new American "attack" by the
Lauder-Morris combination of gold-diggers. But in the old days it
was different. I was constantly breaking new ground. Every year I
was up against fresh propositions and with no certainty that they
would pan out successfully. There were whole vast tracts of the
American continent where the name of Harry Lauder was unknown.
You can read the rest of this chapter at
http://www.electricscotland.com/history/lauder/roamin26.htm
The other chapters can be read at
http://www.electricscotland.com/history/lauder/roaminndx.htm
In the Hebrides
---------------
By C. F. Gordon Cumming (1883)
Added more chapters and this now completes this book.
Chapter XI
A Royal Fugitive
Chapter XII
Legends and Folk-Lore - Tidal Current off Vaternish—Scotch
Bagpipes—Associations—Dunvegan Castle—Legend of Somerled—MacLeods
and MacDonalds—Ancestral Relics—Fate of Lady Grange—Summer
Nights—Seals—Cormorants —Star-Fish--Fish accounted fit for
Food—Eels—Turbot--Of Scaleless Fish—Forbidden Meats—Drawing the
Nets—Lump-Fish--Jelly Fish—Barnacle Geese—Families who claim Descent
from Seal-Maidens or Mermen—Corn-crakes.
Chapter XIII
Oil on the Waters - Grey Rain—Portree Harbour—Becalmed—Whistling for
a Wind—Oil on the Waters—St. Kilda Puddings—Shetland Cods'
Livers—Oily Fish— Fishermen of many Lands —Wrecks averted by use of
Oil— Mr. Shields at Peterhead—Application of Oil to Life-buoys—Wreck
Register.
Chapter XIV
Farewell to the Isles - Three Weeks alone in the Rock Wilderness—A
Family of "Haavelings" —Yachtsmen—Sligachan Inn—The
Ouchullins—Divers Tourists— Loch Corruisk—A Good Day's Deer
Stalking—Old Boar Hunt—A Whale Ashore—"Blocs Perchis"—Giant Fossils
on Isle of Eigg - Legends of Clan Fights—The Grave of a Viking's
Daughter—Old Churchyards of Snizort, Nigg, &c.—Of Funeral Feasts—The
Skye Railway foreseen by Local Seers—Drive vid Balniacarra and Loch
Aish to Shiel - House Inn—Eileen Donan Castle—Glen Quoich—Fort
Augustus—Castle Urquhart.
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. Added this week are...
Chapter XIV.—The Baronets of Gairloch and some other Gairloch
Mackenzies
Sir Kenneth, eighth laird of Gairloch—M. P. for Ross-shire—Sir
Alexander, ninth laird of Gairloch—Builds Flowerdale—The
"Forty-five"—Murder of the Gille Buidhe, valet to Prince
Charlie—Duncan Macrae conveys a keg of gold for Prince Charlie's
use—The " sian "—r-English man-of-war fires at Flowerdale—Sir
Alexander, tenth laird of Gairloch—Builds Gonan House—His son called
" Fighting Jack," the father of the British army—Sir Hector
Mackenzie—Lives at home—Lord-Lieutenant of Ross-shire—His beloved
lady—Sir Francis Mackenzie—Publishes his "Hints" in 1838-—Sir
Kenneth, present baronet—Mackenzies of Letterewe—Mackenzies of
Lochend—Mackenzies of Gruinard—Large family—Mackenzies of
Kernsary—Summary of Mackenzie History—Crest, Badge, Slogan, and Pipe
tunes.
Chapter XV.—Gairloch Estates, and Old Names of Places
Kenlochewe—Gairloch—Description in protocol of 1494—Description in
retour of 1566—Description in 1638—Names in Dutch map of 1662—Second
half of the water of Ewe bought in 1671—Strip on north of River Ewe
acquired in 1844— Letterewe originally Kin tail property—Acquired by
Charles Mackenzie in 1696— Sold to Mr Bankes in 1835—Northern parts
of Gairloch belonging to Gruinard Mackenzies before 1655—Sold to
Davidson of Tulloch in 1795—Afterwards acquired by Mr Bankes—Mr O.
H. Mackenzie's estate of Inverewe.
Chapter XVI.—-Ecclesiastical History of Gairloch
First church in Gairloch—Other early ecclesiastical buildings—Rector
of Gairloch at date of Reformation—Presbyterianism—Tulchan
bishops—Changes from Episcopalianism to Presbyterianism—Rev.
Alexander Mackenzie—Rev. Farquhar Macrae—Rev. Roderick
Mackenzie—Rev. Kenneth Mackenzie of Kernsary—Rev. John
Morrison—Persecuted by Episcopalians—Anecdotes—His turf-built church
in Tollie Bay—Christmas story—Rev. James Smith—First school in
Gairloch— Anecdote of Rev. Mr Sage—Rev. AEneas McAulay—Rev. John
Dounie—Rev. James Russell—His imperfect Gaelic—Poolewe made a
separate parish—The Disruption—Presbyteries of Dingwall, Kenlochewe,
Chanonry, Gairloch, and Loch Carron—Churches in Gairloch—Manse and
glebe at Achdistall, Cliff and Strath— Free churches and their
ministers.
Chapter XVII.—Ancient Gairloch Ironworks
Two classes of remains of ironworks—Rev. Donald M'Nicol's statement—
Coin found near old Yorkshire ironworks—Iron implements used by
ancient inhabitants—Disappearance of them accounted for—Other
ancient remains in Sutherlandshire, Ross-shire, and
Inverness-shire—Bog iron was the ore used of old in
Gairloch—Processes of the ancient ironworkers—Wasteful richness of
their slags accounted for—Charcoal was their fuel—The ancient
forests of timber— Their disappearance—Water power anciently
employed for working hammers.
Chapter XVIII.—The Historic Ironworks of Loch Maree
The present series of Scottish ironworks commenced on Loch Maree—The
licence to Archibald Primrose for making iron ratified in
1612—Spread of the iron industry in the eighteenth century—Iron
furnaces in Glengarry—Abernethy furnaces of the York Buildings
Company—The Bonawe furnace—The Argyle Furnace Company—The Lorn
Company—The Carron ironworks—The Wilsonton works—Furnace at
Goatfield—Pennant's notice of the furnace near Poolewe—The Fife
Adventurers and the Lews—The Rev. Farquhar Macrae, vicar of Gairloch
—The Letterewe furnace established in 1607 by Sir George
Hay—Previous history of Sir George—His residence at Letterewe—His
ironworks—The timber consumed—The goods produced—The improvements he
effected—Act prohibiting the making of iron with wood—Monopoly of
iron manufacture granted to Sir George—Ratified by
Parliament—Proclamation restraining the export of iron ore —Licence
to Sir George to sell iron in royal burghs—Sir George's probable
acquaintance with John Roy Mackenzie, laird of Gairloch—Sir George's
friendship with the Rev. Farquhar Macrae—The minister's stone—Sir
George leaves Letterewe—His distinguished after-career—Created first
Earl of Kinnoull—Continuance of the ironworks—Tombstone of John
Hay—His probable relationship to Sir George—Discontinuance of the
ironworks—The artisans employed— Whence they came—The Kemps—The
Cladh nan Sasunnach—Condition of the ironworkers in the then state
of the Highlands—The Big Englishman.
Chapter XIX.—The Iron Ores used in Gairloch
References to local iron ore—Local bog iron used at ancient
bloomeries— Ferruginous rocks and shales—Traditional
quarries—Richness of bog iron— Places where it is still found in
Gairloch—Bog iron originally used by Sir George Hay—He afterwards
imported red hematite and clayband ironstone—Mr Marr's description
of these ores—They were landed at Poolewe—Remains of them there— Mr
Macadam's analyses—Mixture with local ore—Classification of the
ores.
Chapter XX.—Remains of Ironworks in the Parish of Gairloch
Mr Macadam's description of two classes of slag—List of six
localities of ironworks—Glen Dochartie—Fasagh—Analyses—Lochan Cul na
Cathrach— Furnace, Letterewe—Talladale—Garavaig, on Slatadale
farm—Red Smiddy, near Poolewe—Iron articles found—The borings at
Cuil an Scardain—Chronological order of the ironworks—Other supposed
furnaces—Notices of ironworks or mines in old Dutch map, and in
"Present State of Great Britain and Ireland "— Conclusion.
You can read all these chapters at
http://www.electricscotland.com/history/gairloch/g2ndx.htm
I might add we were sent in the April 30th, 2010 issue of the
Gairloch & District Times. This is the local newspaper which goes
out every 2 weeks and is a print only publication. They kindly
converted this issue to a pdf file which you can read at
http://www.electricscotland.com/history/gairloch/times.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
and we've nowcompleted this book.
You can read this book at
http://www.electricscotland.com/history/tain/index.htm
The Starling, A Scotch Story
----------------------------
By Normal MacLeod D.D. (1877)
We've posted other books by this author and also a biography about
him. He was a well know personality during his lifetime and also
chaplan to Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.
This is an interesting story of a character in this Highland village
and how he got into trouble with the church and became a focus for
gossip, both good and bad, in the community. I felt this story was
very reflective of country life in this bygone age and thus should
have a place on our site.
We have the first few chpateres up now which can be read at
http://www.electricscotland.com/history/starling/index.htm
The Scottish Mountaineering Club Journal
----------------------------------------
This is the very first volume of this journal which I thought would
make interesting reading. I'll let the Preface set the scene...
"Let the words be few"
ALTHOUGH the value of a Club Journal as a means of circulating
information must be so apparent to members as to render editorial
introduction almost unnecessary, it may not be out of place, in this
the first number, to indicate briefly one or two points in
connection with it.
Probably it will surprise many readers to learn that there are more
than three hundred mountains in Scotland whose height exceeds 3,000
feet above sea-level! Even were our explorations to be restricted to
mountains of no lesser altitude, here truly is a formidable
undertaking. Their very names might furnish us with philological
study for considerable time to come, without trenching upon the more
scientific aspects of their botany, zoology, and climatology; and
even if we content ourselves with them from a topographical or a
climbing point, it will be long indeed before they are exhausted.
But fine walks, hard climbs, and magnificent scenery are by no means
restricted to the higher mountains.
It is probably not too much to say that some of our Scottish summits
have never been ascended; that others have only seen the adventurous
climber at long intervals, and then only in the shape of the
forester, the shepherd, or the sportsman, who have climbed them in
pursuit of their avocation, and not in search of the picturesque or
the difficult. And if they are known to these visitors, they are
wholly unknown to the world at large, for many of them have never
been described at all, and the only account of others is as old as
the days of Pennant and MacCulloch. The field that lies before the
Club is therefore a large one; and when our members have climbed all
the peaks, and explored all our beautiful glens and passes, we shall
still have the excellent advice of Mr Pilkington, a Vice-President
of the Alpine Club, to fall back upon: for he tells us that when we
have found all the easy ways up our hills, we must turn our
attention to conquering the difficult ways. This it is that has
largely maintained the interest of the Alpine Journal, full as its
numbers have been, of recent years, of old friends presented under
new aspects in the way of ascents and explorations by routes
hitherto unattempted.
And just as in the case of the Alpine Journal there were critics who
prophesied its speedy starvation from want of material, so in the
case of this, its humble imitator, some of our friends assure us of
early extinction. Whether this comes about depends entirely on
members themselves. The field, as has been said, is large; so is the
number of workers—to wit, the members of the Club. It is hoped that
the formation of a Mountaineering Club in Scotland will give a
considerable impetus to the pursuit of that fascinating pastime; and
the result ought to be the gathering of a great mass of most
diversified and interesting information, whose natural channel
should be the Journal.
It is intended to concern ourselves principally, of course, with the
hills of Scotland ; but our pages will not be closed to the story of
mountain adventure across the Border or in Ireland. The Club being
in some measure responsible for a Journal published in its name, and
under its direction, all the narratives inserted will be written and
signed by members; but as it is felt that this would tend to narrow
our sphere of action, there will be a section devoted to Notes and
Queries, Reviews of Guide Books and Maps, Scientific Information,
and, in general, everything that has a bearing upon the aims and
objects of the. Club. This section will be open to all persons who
may be interested in these matters, and it is hoped that it will be
by no means the least entertaining portion of the Journal. It is
intended to publish thrice yearly if possible. This should not be
difficult if members take up the idea warmly.
Enough has been said to let it be seen that there are many sources
from whence to draw a steady supply of matter sufficient to support
our literary effort for a long time to come. And if, sooner or
later, it is thought advisable to discontinue, at any rate it may be
hoped that we shall have supplied a want long felt in the shape of
reliable description of much of the wilder and more picturesque part
of our country; that our pages will hold the record of many pleasant
friendships formed and fostered; that their perusal will inculcate a
love of our manly pursuit in persons who might not otherwise be
drawn towards it; and last, but by no means least, that they will
remind us of many an agreeable expedition amid scenes wherein, more
truly than in other spots, we may say that—
"Our life, exempt from public haunt,
Finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks,
Sermons in stones, and good in everything."
THE EDITOR.
You can read this book at
http://www.electricscotland.com/history/mountaineering/index.htm
Scotland as it was and as it is
-------------------------------
By the Duke of Argyll, George Douglas Campbell, 8th Duke (1887)
I will first of all mention that each chapter of this book is quite
substancial and so you might need to organize a cup of coffee or
something before you start.
And the Preface is also substancial so let me just quote the first
paragraph...
HISTORY has now taken its place among the Sciences which must be
studied on the principle, and according to the methods, of the
Division of Labour. Its larger outlines have indeed been traced
already, and some of them, at least, by master hands. But our
growing knowledge has raised a growing sense of the volume that we
have yet to learn. The problems of human life are felt to be
infinitely complex, and the Acts which throw real light upon them,
are seen to be of a corresponding character. No one mind can
recognise, or record, or classify, more than a fraction of them.
Mere out-lines, even when not positively misleading, are at the
least wholly insufficient. It is the work of our time to fill up
such outlines by the careful study of particular epochs,—of some
particular class of facts, —or of some special chain of causes. The
field is a wide one, and the harvest is immense. Many who have
neither the leisure, nor the learning, to take up the task of the
general Historian, may have excellent opportunities of knowing
thoroughly doings and transactions which have a deep root and a wide
significance. With no other qualification than an eye habituated to
the perception of certain truths, such writers may render invaluable
service. And if their own business or calling has been of a kind
which is connected with the earliest times, and with the oldest
elements in human civilisation, any careful analysis of that
business, as it has been conducted in the past, and as it exists at
the present time, cannot fail to be, at least, a useful contribution
to the vast—the yet unaccomplished —work of History.
You can read this book at
http://www.electricscotland.com/history/scotlandasitwas/index.htm
Clan Leslie Society International Newsletter
--------------------------------------------
We got in the June 2010 issue which you can read at
http://www.electricscotland.com/familytree/newsletters/leslieint/index.htm
Robert Burns Lives!
-------------------
By Frank Shaw
We got in this week...
Chapter 88 - The Peculiar ‘Research’ of Patrick Scott Hogg.
You can read this at
http://www.electricscotland.com/familytree/frank/burns_lives88.htm
All Frank's Robert Burns Lives! articles can be viewed at
http://www.electricscotland.com/familytree/frank/burns.htm
Clan MacDowall
--------------
Got in an updated history of Clan MacDowall which you can read under
Clan History at
http://www.electricscotland.com/webclans/m/macdowall.html
Clan Ross Association of Canada
-------------------------------
We got in the May 2010 newsletter which you can read at
http://www.electricscotland.com/familytree/newsletters/ross/index.htm
Allan Ramsay
------------
Got in some scans from John Henderson of an article about him which
also includes some of his poems. It is said that were it not for
Burns being born he would have been Scotland's No.1 poet. We have
added these scans to the foot of the biography we already have on
the site.
You can read this at
http://www.electricscotland.com/history/other/ramsay_allan.htm
The Gretna Green Memoirs
------------------------
This is a short book of Introduction, Memoirs and Appendix which
John Henderson found for us and makes a good and interesting read.
This is the place where English couples escaped to get married as
the minimum age for getting married in Scotland was younger than in
England.
You can read this at
http://www.electricscotland.com/history/gretnagreen.htm
http://www.electricscotland.com/history/gretnagreen.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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