[History of the Scottish Highlands Contents] King of Scotland:- King of Great Britain:- James VI., 1567-1603. James I., 1603-1625.  Feud between the Colquhouns and Macgregors - Macgregors outlawed - Execution of their Chief - Quarrel between the clan Kenzie and Glengarry - Alister Mac-Uilleam-Mhoir beheaded - Lawless proceedings in Sutherland - Deadly quarrel in Dornoch - Meeting between … Continue reading Chapter VIII. – A.D. 1588-1601, pp.102-113. →

[Recipes Contents] If anyone is brave enough to try any of these recipes out, gies a wee shout either in the comments to let us know how it went, or contact me via the Contacts Page to send any pictures or videos of your attemps or results. We'd be really interested to see if anyone … Continue reading Old Scottish Recipes – Sweet →

[Recipes Contents] If anyone is brave enough to try any of these recipes out, gies a wee shout either in the comments to let us know how it went, or contact me via the Contacts Page to send any pictures or videos of your attemps or results. We'd be really interested to see if anyone … Continue reading Old Scottish Recipes – Savoury →

[Extra Articles Contents] This information is specific to a number of queries I received from an interested party via the site's contact form. As usual, the information is solely from the Press. Should others have extra information they'd like to add, please feel free to do so in the comments. - 1. The clan that … Continue reading Kirkcudbrightshire (Miscellaneous) →

[History of the Scottish Highlands Contents] Kings of Scotland:-  James V., 1513-1542. James VI., 1567-1603. Mary, 1542-1567.   Doings in Sutherland - Battle of Torran-Dubh - Feud between the Keiths and the clan Gun - John Mackay and Murray of Aberscors - Alexander Sutherland, the bastard, claims the Earldom - Contests between John Mackay and the Master of … Continue reading Chapter VII. – A.D. 1516-1588, pp.80-102. →

[History of the Scottish Highlands Contents] Kings of Scotland:-  James I., 1406-1436. James III., 1460-1488. James II., 1436-1460. James IV., 1488-1513.  James I. - State of Country - Policy of the King to the Highland Chiefs - Lord of the Isles - Disturbances in Sutherland - Barbarity of a Robber - James’s Highland Expedition - Disturbances in Caithness … Continue reading Chapter VI. – A.D 1424-1512, pp.71-80. →

[History of the Scottish Highlands Contents] Kings of Scotland during the Period:- Alexander I., 1107-1124. John Baliol, 1292-1306. David I., 1124-1153. Robert Bruce, 1306-1329. Malcolm IV., 1153-1165. David II., 1329-1332. William the Lion, 1165-1214. Edward Baliol, 1332-1341. Alexander II., 1214-1249. David II., restored, 1341-1370. Alexander III., 1249-1285. Robert II. (Stewart), 1370-1390. Regency, 1286-1290. Robert III., 1390-1406. Interregnum, 1290-1292. James I., 1406-1436.  Alexander I. - David I. - Insurrections in Highlands … Continue reading Chapter V. – A.D. 1107-1411, pp.59-71. →

[History of the Scottish Highlands Contents] The Norse Invasions - Kenneth - Constantine - Aodh - Grig and Eocha - Donald IV. - Constantine III. - Danes - Battle of Brunanburg - Malcolm I. - Indulph - Duff - Culen - Kenneth Ill. - Battle of Luncarty - Malcolm II. - Danes - Duncan - … Continue reading Chapter IV. – A.D. 843-1107, pp.48-58. →

[History of the Scottish Highlands Contents] Early History - Scottish Settlement - Origin of Scots - Dalriada - Conversion of Picts - Druidism - St. Columba - Iona - Spread of Christianity - Brude and his Successors - Dun-Nechtan - Pictish Wars - Ungus - Contests - Norsemen - Union of Picts and Scots - … Continue reading Chapter III. – A.D. 446-843, pp.32-48. →

[History of the Scottish Highlands Contents] Early Inhabitants - Roman Writers - Aristotle - Tacitus - Dion Cassius - Caledonians and Mæatæ - Eumenius - Picts - Dicaledones and Vecturiones - Claudian - Inferences - Ecclesiastical Chroniclers - Their value - Gildas - Adamnan - Northern and Southern Picts - Columba’s “Interpreter” - Bede’s Account … Continue reading Chapter II., pp.16-32. →

[Scanned Images Contents] A friend found two excellent old sets that I was happy to have him obtain for me. This is possibly my favourite of the two. It's so wonderfully illustrated throughout and the chapters aren't as extensive as they might seem from the size of the publications. The chapters are also laid out … Continue reading ‘A History of the Scottish Highlands, Highland Clans and Highland Regiments’ (1875) →

[History of the Scottish Highlands Contents] Highlands defined - Ancient Scotland - Roman transactions - Agricola - Caledonians - Contest at Loch Ore - Galgacus - Mons Grampius - Battle - Agricola superseded - Lollius Urbicus - Antonine’s Wall - Ulpius Marcellus - Severus - Constantius Chlorus - Picts - Scots - Attacots - Attack … Continue reading Chapter I. – B.C. 55-A.D. 446, pp.1-16. →

[History of the Scottish Highlands Contents]    IN no other country does Nature exhibit herself in more various forms of beauty and sublimity than in the north of England and the Highlands of Scotland. This is acknowledged all who, having studied their character, and become familiar with the feelings it inspires, have compared the effects … Continue reading Remarks on the Scenery of the Highlands, by Professor Wilson, pp.xiii-xxxvi. →

[History of the Scottish Highlands Contents]    NO apology is deemed necessary for bringing this History of the Scottish Highlands before the public. A work under a similar title was brought out by the present publishers upwards of thirty years ago, under the care of Dr James Browne, and met with a sale so extensive … Continue reading Preface, pp.vii-viii. →

[Narratives from Criminal Trials Contents]    It will readily be inferred from the tone of the declarations and testimonies of the persecuted Presbyterians, that when they got the upper hand, Episcopacy would receive scant toleration from them. From the adoption of the Covenant down through the period of the civil wars, the great leaders abjured … Continue reading Proceedings Against the Episcopalians, pp.278-319. →

[Narratives from Criminal Trials Contents]    THE historian of “the sufferings of the Church of Scotland, from the Restoration to the Revolution,” filled two dense folio volumes with the materials which he had collected on the subject, and they overflowed into some ancillary works of biography and general gossip. There is no intention on the … Continue reading Proceedings Against the Covenanters, pp.173-277. →

[🌈Pride in Scottish History🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿] The history of those seeking to physically change their gender doesn’t extend further back than the 1930s really, when surgery became available, in a limited & pretty basic fashion, for that purpose. Prior to the 20th century the most that could be achieved was in how you dressed, styled, and carried … Continue reading Gender-Fluidity in Scottish History →

[Narratives from Criminal Trials Contents]    FOR reasons which it is unnecessary to examine on this occasion, the establishment of the Reformation in Scotland was an extremely rapid operation. On the morning of the 23rd of August, 1560, the Romish hierarchy was nominally in full existence; ere eve, it had become penal to perform its … Continue reading Proceedings Against the Roman Catholics, pp.117-172. →

[Narratives from Criminal Trials Contents]    IT is often remarked how very rarely narratives of supernatural events find their way into the proceedings of courts of justice, when it is remembered how large an amount of belief they still receive even among the educated classes. There is something uncongenial with the supernatural in such an … Continue reading Spectral and Dream Testimony, pp.78-116. →

[Narratives from Criminal Trials Contents]    M. DUMAS makes his Count of Monte Christo comment sarcastically on the vulgar criminal poisoner, who, with the marks of excitement visible on his countenance, goes to the nearest chemist to buy arsenic for destroying imaginary rats, mixes in the victim’s food enough of the poison to slay a … Continue reading Trials for Poisoning, pp.1-78. →

[Available Books Contents] ‘Scottish Railway Incidents: 1904-1907,‘ [Illustrated] (Aug., 2022) https://youtu.be/hJ131wwXj2U Hardback Paperback Kindle For Those Looking to Avoid Dealing with Amazon Click Here to Pay by Paypal & receive £5 discount - Paperbacks Click Here to Pay by Paypal & receive £5 discount - Hardbacks [Please DON’T tick for goods or services – Paypal will take a … Continue reading ‘Scottish Railway Incidents: 1904-1907,’ (2022) →

[Narratives from Criminal Trials Contents]    THE study of the witchcraft trials in Scotland leaves behind it a frightful intelligence of what human nature may become. The impression made by these tough and sometimes drearily formal records is more dark and dreadful than anything imparted by fictitious writing. The difference is as great as all … Continue reading Trials for Witchcraft, pp.236-310. →

[Narratives from Criminal Trials Contents]    A LONG conflict between two great houses in the North reached its climax in a tragedy so strange and horrible, that it became marked and renowned among the thousands of feudal outrages which fill the history of the period. Though common fame stamped it as an act of feudal … Continue reading The Burning of Frendraught, pp.202-235. →

[Narratives from Criminal Trials Contents]    ON the 11th of April, 1705, the commander of the English trading ship, the Worcester, with two of his crew, were hanged in chains on the sands of Leith, having been convicted by the Scottish Court of Admiralty of piracy and murder. It was a general impression at the … Continue reading The Darien Expedition, and the trial of Captain Green for Piracy and Murder, pp.101-201. →

[Narratives from Criminal Trials Contents]    THE solitary crime of which we are now to give a brief account, forms no inapt supplement to the wild history of the Macgregors. It was the expiring flame of that clan animosity which had been fostered by the previous monarchs of Scotland, as the divide et impera by … Continue reading Trial of James Stewart for the Murder of Campbell of Glenure, pp.73-100. →

[Narratives from Criminal Trials Contents]    IF one were desired to point out upon the map, on no surer ground than the mere physical character of the country, that spot which must have been the main battle-field between the Celtic races living among the mountains, and the people of Saxon origin who tilled the plain, … Continue reading Proceedings Against the Clan Gregor, pp.1-72. →

[Narratives from Criminal Trials Contents]    WHOEVER professes to disclose from criminal records anything that has both importance and novelty to recommend it, will generally need no further excuse for offering it to the public. There can be no source of information more fruitful in incidents which have the attraction of picturesqueness along with the … Continue reading Introductory Notice, pp.iii-iv. →

[Scanned Images Contents] This wee set was obtained with the help of a super supportive patron of RSH. I felt they might be of use to glean wee stories from for folk that may be interested in readings of them. After flicking through them, I fell like the author may be one of the same … Continue reading ‘Narratives from Criminal Trials in Scotland’ (1852) →

[History of Glasgow, &c. Contents] Consequences of the restoration of episcopacy - Ejection of nonconforming ministers.  - Battle of Pentland. - Highland host at Glasgow. - Battles of Drumclog, Glasgow, and Bothwelbridge. - Persecutions. - Death of Charles II. - State of affairs under James II.  - Revolution. - Re-establishment of presbytery.     WHEN the … Continue reading Chap. 6., pp.135-195. →

[History of Glasgow, &c. Contents] The subject continued. - The commonwealth. - The restoration.  - Episcopacy re-established in 1660.     THE whole authority in Scotland, was at this period, in the hands of Argyle, and the covenanters, a party, which was most inimical to the interests of royalty. In their political conduct, however, they embraced … Continue reading Chap. 5., pp.100-134. →

[History of Glasgow, &c. Contents] Effects of this Revolution in the Church, as a prelude to the Civil Wars.  - Account of these disorders.     THE petition from the assembly to the king, was entrusted to Mr. George Winram of Libberton, who set off for the court, on the ninth of January 1639, and was, … Continue reading Chap. 4., pp.77-99. →

[History of Glasgow, &c. Contents] History of the Bishoprick continued - Presbytery abolished in 1610  - Re-established in 1638.     After closing the tragedy of the celebrated Mr. John Ogilvy, we return to the spiritual part of the history of the bishoprick, and find in the year 1610, our sagacious sovereign James VI. of Scotland … Continue reading Chap. 3., pp.48-76. →

[History of Glasgow, &c. Contents] State of the country, and of the opinions of men,  previous to, and at the Reformation.     1551 JAMES BEATON, of the house of Balfour in Fife, was preferred to the see of Glasgow. At this period, the church, if the reformed will allow it that name, was employed in … Continue reading Chap. 2., pp.21-47. →

[History of Glasgow, &c. Contents] The history of the bishoprick from the earliest accounts to the Reformation.  IN the nether-ward of Clydesdale and shire of Lanark, on the banks of the Clyde, stands the city of Glasgow, situated in 55°. 51’. 32”. N. Latitude, and 4. 15’. Longitude W. of Greenwich. GLASGOW, we are told by … Continue reading Chap. 1., pp.1-20. →

[History of Glasgow, &c. Contents] Of the Protestant Church.  THE gross corruption of doctrine, the extreme indolence, the dissolute manners, and the barbarous cruelty of the Romish clergy in this kingdom, concurred to bring about the reformation of religion, which was established by parliament, anno 1560. From that time, the Romish regular clergy were suppressed, … Continue reading Sect. IV., pp.23-28. →

[History of Glasgow, &c. Contents] Of the Romish church.  THE church of Rome introduced, by slow degrees, her innovations and corruptions into Scotland. A few of her superstitious customs were adopted in the eighth century.  It has been said, that, before the eleventh century, we had no diocesian bishops; and that, although we had one … Continue reading Sect. III., pp.14-23. →

[History of Glasgow, &c. Contents] Of the Primitive Christian Church.  AT what particular time Christianity was first made known in Scotland, cannot be easily determined. It is not improbable, however, that it had sure footing in North Britain, in the third, and fourth centuries. But, as pagan druidism could not have been at once extirpated, … Continue reading Sect. II., pp.13-14. →

[History of Glasgow, &c. Contents] Of the Heathen or Pagan church.  THE Romans have described the priesthood of the ancient inhabitants of Britain, by the name of Druids; and the religion of Druidism is supposed to have prevailed over the whole island. From the Greeks, and Romans, we have derived the only information which we … Continue reading Sect. I., pp.5-13. →

[Old Scottish Music Contents] The music here is from a series of books I lent Paul Burns out the RSH archive, 'Scotish Minstrel' (undated 19thC publications). He has very wonderfully provided these for us from them. - Jenny has kindly loaned to me some rare books in her ‘Scotish Minstrel’ collection of Vocal melodies. This tune … Continue reading Scotish Minstrel Miscellany →

[Newspaper Research Contents] As it’s Pride season, with MardiGla just having taken place in Glasgow there, I thought we’d get into how those found to be attracted to the same sex have been treated throughout our history. I did turn up in my rainbow unicorn onesie to see off the rainbow clad marchers, though I … Continue reading  🌈Pride in Scottish History 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 →

[Notes on the Black Book Contents]    Master John Layng, whose name is written on the Abridgment of the Black Book of Paisley, was rector of Kilpatrick-Juxta, in the deanery of Annandale, in 1539. On Thursday, 16th October, of that year, he was present at a meeting of the Dean and Chapter of Glasgow, when … Continue reading Note E. – John Layng, Rector of Kilpatrick-Juxta and Parson of Luss, pp.93-99. →

[Notes on the Black Book Contents]    Of both Canon Gibson and John Gibson Junior, there are several notices in the Registers of Glasgow. In 1496 the former appears as Chamberlain of Glasgow, and Canon, (Reg. Episcop., Glasg., II. p. 2), and next year he is again mentioned. (Ib. II., p. 496.) On 10th May, … Continue reading Note D. – Canon Gibson and John Gibson Junior, pp.92-93. →

[Notes on the Black Book Contents]    Vicesimo Nono Martij, anno 1574. Anent our souerane lordis letrez purchest at ye instance of Claud Hammiltoun, commendator of Paisley and convent thairof, aganis Robert Lord Symple, makand mentioun that quhair in ye lait trublis bi past ye said Robert Symple obtenit and gat in his handis ye … Continue reading Note C. – Decreet Respecting the Black Book of Paisley, pp.91-92. →

[Notes on the Black Book Contents]    John de Burdeus, de Burgundia, or cum Barba1 was a citizen of Leodium (Liege), and professor of medicine there about the middle of the fourteenth century. He was an astrologer as well as a physician, and, like Chaucer’s Doctor of Physic,2 ...   "He was grounded in Astronomye,  He … Continue reading Note B – John De Burdeus, or De Burgundia; The Pestilence, pp.79-91. →

[Notes on the Black Book Contents]    Sir George Mackenzie does not give any authority for his statement as to the use of the term, “Black Book.” It was one in common use, but not appropriated, I think, to a monastic chronicle. The volumes in which episcopal and monastic bodies and municipal corporations copied the … Continue reading Note A. – Black Book, pp.77-79. →

[Scenery & Songs Contents]

[Scenery & Songs Contents] O Raging Fortune’s Withering Blast.  Words by Burns.  Air by Tam Linn.  Arranged by Finlay Dun.  -  O raging fortune’s withering blast,  Has laid my leaf full low!  O raging fortune’s withering blast,  Has laid my leaf full low.  -  My stem was fair, my bud was green,  My blossom sweet … Continue reading O Raging Fortune’s Withering Blast →

[Scenery & Songs Contents]

[Scenery & Songs Contents] Here’s a Health to ane I Lo’e Dear.  Words by Burns.  Arranged by Finlay Dun.  -  Here’s a health to ane I lo’e dear,  Here’s a health to ane I lo’e dear;  Thou art sweet as the smile when fond lovers meet,  And soft as their parting tear, Jessie!  Although thou maun … Continue reading Here’s a Health to ane I Lo’e Dear →

[Scenery & Songs Contents]

[Scenery & Songs Contents] Charlie is My Darling.  Arranged by John S. Macgregor.  -  Oh! Charlie is my darling, my darling,  Oh! Charlie is my darling, The young Chevalier.  -  ‘Twas on a monday morning,  Right early in the year,  When Charlie came to our town.  The young Chevalier.  -  Oh! Charlie is my darling, … Continue reading Charlie is My Darling →

[Scenery & Songs Contents]

[Scenery & Songs Contents] Pibroch of Donuil Dhu.  Words by Sir Walter Scott.  Arranged by John S. Macgregor.  -  Pibroch of Donuil Dhu,  Pibroch of Donuil,  Wake thy wild voice anew,  Summon clan Conuil.  Come away, Come away, Hark to the summons!  Come in your war array, Gentles and commons.  Come away, Come away, Hark … Continue reading Pibroch of Donuil Dhu →

[Scenery & Songs Contents]

[Scenery & Songs Contents] Gloomy Winter’s Now Awa’.  Words by Tannahill.  Arranged by John S. Macgregor.  -  Gloomy winter’s now awa’,  Saft the westlin’ breezes blaw;  ‘Mang the birks o’’ Stanly shaw,  The mavis sings fu’ cheerie, O.  Sweet the crawflow’rs early bell,  Decks Gleniffer’s dewy dell,  Blooming like thy bonny sel’,  My young my … Continue reading Gloomy Winter’s Now Awa’ →

[Scenery & Songs Contents]

[Scenery & Songs Contents] Saw Ye My Wee Thing?  The Words by Hector Macneil Esq.  Air - Bonnie Dundee.  Arranged by Finlay Dun.  -  Saw ye my wee thing? Saw ye my ain thing?  Saw ye my true love down on yon lea?  Cross’d she the meadow yestreen at the gloamin’?  Sought she the burnie … Continue reading Saw Ye My Wee Thing? →

[Scenery & Songs Contents]

[Scenery & Songs Contents] When Wild Wars Deadly Blast was Blawn.  Words by Burns.  Arranged by Finlay Dun.  -  When wild wars deadly blast was blawn,  And gentle peace returning,  And eyes again with pleasure beam’d  That had been blear’d with mourning;  I left the lines and tented field,  Where lang I’d been a lodger,  … Continue reading When Wild Wars Deadly Blast was Blawn →

[Scenery & Songs Contents]

[Scenery & Songs Contents] My Boy Tammy.  Words by Hector MacNeill Esq.  Arranged by John S. Macgregor.  -  Whaur hae ye been a’ day, My boy Tammy?  Whaur hae ye been a’ day, My boy Tammy?  I’ve been by burn and flow’ry brae,  Meadow green and mountain grey,  Courtin’ o’ this young thing,  Just come … Continue reading My Boy Tammy →

[Scenery & Songs Contents]

[Scenery & Songs Contents] My Nannie O.  Words by Burns.  Arranged by Finlay Dun.  -  Behind you hills where Lugar flows,  ‘Mang muirs and mosses many, O,  The wintry sun the day has closed,  And I’ll awa to Nannie O.  The westlin’ wind blaws loud and shrill,  The night’s baith mirk and rainy, O,  But … Continue reading My Nannie O →

[Scenery & Songs Contents]

[Scenery & Songs Contents] Of a’ the Airts the Wind can Blaw.  Words by Burns.  Air by Wm. Marshall.  Arranged by Finlay Dun.  -  Of a’ the airts the wind can blaw,  I dearly like the west,  For there the bonnie lassie lives,  The lass that I lo’e best,  Tho’ wild woods grow, and rivers … Continue reading Of a’ the Airts the Wind can Blaw →

[Scenery & Songs Contents]

[Scenery & Songs Contents] The Braes o’ Balquhither.  Arranged by Finlay Dun.  -  Let us go, lassie go,  To the braes of Balquhither,  Where the blae berries grow  ‘Mang the bonnie highland heather.  Where the deer and the rae  Lightly bounding together,  Sport the lang summer day  On the braes o’ Balquhither  -  Let us … Continue reading The Braes o’ Balquhither →

[Scenery & Songs Contents]

[Scenery & Songs Contents] Wae’s Me for Prince Charlie.  Words by William Glen.  Arranged by John S. Macgregor.  -  A wee bird came to our ha’ door,  He warbled sweet and clearly;  And aye the o’ercome o’ his sang,  Was ‘wae’s me for Prince Charlie.’  O when I heard the bonny, bonny bird,  The tears … Continue reading Wae’s Me for Prince Charlie →

[Scenery & Songs Contents]

[Scenery & Songs Contents] The Flowers of the Forest.  Arranged by Finlay Dun.  -  I’ve seen the smiling of fortune beguilling,  I’ve felt all its favours, and found its decay;  Sweet was its blessing, kind its caressing,  But now ‘tis fled, fled far away;  I’ve seen the forest adorned the foremost,  With flow’rs of the … Continue reading The Flowers of the Forest →

[Scenery & Songs Contents]

[Scenery & Songs Contents] Tak Your Auld Cloak About Ye.  Words from Allan Ramsay’s Tea Table Miscellany.  Arranged by Finlay Dun.  -  In winter when the rain rain’d cauld,  And frost and snaw on ilka hill,  And Boreas wi’ his blast sae bauld,  Was threat’ning a’ our kye to kill;  Then Bell, my wife, wha … Continue reading Tak Your Auld Cloak About Ye →

[Scenery & Songs Contents]

[Scenery & Songs Contents] Ye Banks and Braes o’ Bonnie Doon. Words by Burns. Arranged by Finlay Dun. - Ye banks and braes o’ bonnie Doon,  How can ye bloom sae fresh and fair,  How can ye chant ye little birds,  And I sae weary, fu’ o’ care!  Ye’ll break my heart ye warbling birds,  … Continue reading Ye Banks and Braes o’ Bonnie Doon →

[Scenery & Songs Contents]

[Scenery & Songs Contents] Here Awa', There Awa'. Words by Burns. Arranged by Finlay Dun. - Here awa’, there awa’, wandering Willie!  Here awa’, there awa’, haud awa’ hame!  Come to my bosom, my ain only dearie;  Tell me thou bringst me my Willie the same.  -  Winter winds blew loud and cauld at our … Continue reading Here Awa’, There Awa’ →

[Scenery & Songs Contents]

[Scenery & Songs Contents] Auld Robin Gray. Arranged by John S. Macgregor. - Young Jamie lo’ed me weel, and sought me for his bride,  But saving a crown he had naething beside;  To mak the crown a pound, my Jamie gaed to sea,  And the crown and the pound were baith for me.  He had … Continue reading Auld Robin Gray →

[Scenery & Songs Contents]

[Scenery & Songs Contents] Auld Lang Syne  Arranged by Finlay Dun. - Should auld acquaintance be forgot,  And never brought to mind?  Should auld acquaintance be forgot?  And days o’ lang syne?  - For auld lang syne my dear,  For auld lang syne;  We’ll tak’ a cup o’ kindness yet,  For auld lang syne.  - … Continue reading Auld Langsyne →

[Notes on the Black Book Contents]    The page of the Black Book of Paisley of which a facsimile is given, is from the latter part of Chapter 13 and the beginning of Chapter 14 of Book XII., and is the verso of folio 199, which is the first sheet of quire 22.    The … Continue reading VII. – Facsimile Page of the Black Book, pp.71-76. →

[Ancient Sports Contents] Dundee Courier, Monday 1st January, 1934, p.10.  ANCIENT FIFE GAMES TO-DAY  —————— Kirkcaldy and Wemyss Contests     At Kirkcaldy and Wemyss this morning two ancient Ne’erday games peculiar to the respective places will be played.     On Dominic’s Green at Ravenscraig Park, Kirkcaldy, the game that will be played is called “A … Continue reading Miscellaneous Sports →

[Ancient Sports Contents] Scotsman, Wednesday 21st January, 1829, p.8.     New Curling Pond. - Mr John Carnie, of Largs, both during the last and the present winter, succeeded in forming a curling pond. So late as Tuesday and Wednesday last, he and his friends played various games, when in all probability not a single stone … Continue reading Bonspiel (Curling) →

[Ancient Sports Contents] Scotsman, Saturday 30th July, 1831, p.3.  LEITH GOLFING.     In ancient times, Leith was distinguished for nothing so much as its golf-playing. This healthful Scottish game was practised by all classes with a degree of frank and free hilarity, which has long since ceased to animate the modern practice of this manly … Continue reading Gowf (Golf) →

[Ancient Sports Contents] We'll start with the prohibitions against football, &c. James I.     “Item it is statut and the king forbiddis that ony man ['Item it is deliverit that na man'.] play at the futball undir the pain of iiij d. to the lorde of the lande als oft as he beis taintit (be … Continue reading Kickba’ (Football) →

[Notes on the Black Book Contents]    The Black Book of Paisley is often spoken of and treated as an original work1 but as has been shewn it is not so. Still, the language of some of the older writers suggests the question whether there was not, after all, an independent chronicle kept or written … Continue reading VI. – The Chronicle of Paisley, pp.68-71. →

[Notes on the Black Book Contents]    Dr. Skene remarks1 that no sooner had the Scotichronicon appeared than there seems to have arisen an outcry against its intolerable diffuseness and irrelevant sermonizing, and Bower himself proceeded to prepare an abridgement, which is represented by the Book of Cupar. In 1501 the Paisley copy of the … Continue reading V. – The Abridgement of the Black Book, pp.63-68. →

[Notes on the Black Book Contents]    The Scotichronicon, as we learn from statements in its text, was in progress in 1441,1 and was completed, according to the Memorandum on the fly leaf of the Black Book of Paisley, in 1447, or as Mr. Skene says, betwixt that date and 1449,2 the year in which … Continue reading IV. – The History of the Black Book, pp.43-63. →

[Notes on the Black Book Contents]    Without pretending to give anything like a collation of the MSS., it may be interesting to compare, in a general way, the text of the Black Book with that printed by Goodall.     PREFACIUNCULA OPERIS. - The Black Book and the Schevez MS. correspond with the Edinburgh MS., … Continue reading III. – The Text of the Black Book, pp.29-43. →

[Notes on the Black Book Contents]    The Black Book of Paisley is a heavy volume of twenty-nine quires of vellum, each composed of five sheets forming ten folios, but in a few cases one or two pages have been removed. The outer pages of some of the quires have originally been signed a, b, … Continue reading II. – The Contents, pp.15-29. →

[Scanned Images Contents] I cannot guarantee I've not made a couple of wee errors but this transcription is definitely the best I can do over the course of 7 hours with much of the rechecking of words throughout. The author's Vs look like Bs but I've typed them out as Vs after deciding copying it … Continue reading Vellum Instrument of Sasine Related to Anne, Duchess of Hamilton (1723) →

[Notes on the Black Book Contents]    IN the Royal Collection, in the British Museum, there is preserved a Manuscript, 13 E. X., known as “THE BLACK BOOK OF PAISLEY.” It is a large, stout vellum folio written in double columns, but so far as colour goes it now belies its name, as it is … Continue reading I. – What It Is, pp.1-15. →

[Notes on the Black Book Contents]    THE following account of the Black Book of Paisley was originally intended to form part of the Appendix to Dr. Lees’ History of the Abbey of Paisley, but at the request of the Publisher a shorter one was substituted, and this was reserved for a separate publication. The … Continue reading Preface. →

[Extra Articles Contents] WHAT IS THE ARTHURIAN MERLIN MYTH?  A bit like with the unicorns it depends a wee bit on where and when in time you are when you ask. The story itself goes a bit like this:  We start in the late 4th century. Before Arthur was born, Merlin had been active and … Continue reading Scottish Arthurian/Merlin Myth →

[Three Hundred Animals Contents]    ALSO a middle-being between vegetation and animality, is often found adhering to rocks on the sea shores. They have a slow and progressive motion, and, like the Polypus, if cut into several pieces, have the property of forming again new limbs, and thereby becoming a whole individual. The common species … Continue reading The Asteria, or Star-Fish, p.350. →

[Three Hundred Animals Contents]    HAVE been long supposed to be vegetable marine productions, and, indeed, their ramifications and progressive growth give to them so much the appearance of a plant, that it is no wonder if they have been, for so many centuries, classed among the children of mere vegetation. However, it has been … Continue reading The Coral and Corallines, pp.349-350. →

[Three Hundred Animals Contents]    THERE are two kinds of this water insect. The fresh-water Polypus is found hanging at the roots or branches of plants that grow at the bottom of ditches and pools. The marine Polypus is found in similar situations, but is much bigger than the fresh water one. They resemble the … Continue reading The Polypus, p.348. →

[Three Hundred Animals Contents]    THIS word is derived from the Greek Zoos, an animal, and Phyton, a plant, and signifies a body of organized matter, partaking of the nature of both an animal and a vegetable being.     To this order belong all those creatures which may be propagated by cutting the body asunder, … Continue reading Zoophytes, pp.347-348. →

[Three Hundred Animals Contents]    IS a kind of beetle, well known in this and other countries. It flies at dusk, with a rash and noisome impulse; lives upon the first budding leaves of the elm tree, and when caught, is often tormented by children, who, placing a paper fixed with a pin at one … Continue reading The Chaffer, pp.345-346. →