Flora MacDonald in Leith
It should be noted that the “Bettie Burk” was Bonnie
Prince Charlie in disguise
acknowledgement-nls
March 31, 2006
Plain directions for raising potatoes on the lazy bed-author who was ‘Collector of Shore-dues in the Port of Leith’
A rare work (not in ESTC or OCLC) by an unknown author who was ‘Collector of Shore-dues in the Port of Leith’ (t.p.) He appears not to have been a major writer on agricultural matters as he doesn’t appear in either; Early Scottish agricultural writers (1697-1790) by Watson and Amery. Oxford : School of Rural Economy, 1931 or Agricultural writers … 1200 to 1800 by Donald McDonald. London : Horace Cox, 1908. The earliest accounts of potato cultivation in Scotland date from the latter 17th century but it seems that it was not widely grown until around 1725. The lazy bed system is used to aid cultivation on damp soils. The potatoes are planted on the surface with trenches either side. As the plant grows more soil is taken from the trenches to earth them up. for more click here
400 years of glory and valour are consigned to history
IN BASRA, the sun beat down on the soldiers gathered in the dust of Shaibah camp. In Edinburgh, a light drizzle fell on the men and women lined up on parade at the top of the castle. In Glasgow, Baghdad, Omagh, Belfast, Cyprus and Canterbury, similar ceremonies were taking place. As midday struck in Scotland, the country’s old regiments slipped into history. for more click here
A New Song to an Old Tune
Verse 1: ‘VICTORIA’s doun to Embro’ toun, / The Queen o’ the North to see, / And a’ are join’d in heart and mind / To welcome her wi’ glee; / But our Duke, and Peel, that sleeky chiel, / The management hae ta’en, / And honest Leith – in spite her teeth – / She’s slighted been again.’ The song was to be sung to the tune ‘Up, an’ Waur Them A’, Willie’. The broadside was priced at one penny. It does not carry the name of the publisher or the place of publication. for more click here
Long life of the law as John celebrates 100th birthday
IT was a far cry from the cosy homeliness of police life portrayed in Dixon of Dock Green.
When John MacKinnon began pounding the beat in the Grassmarket in the 1930s, it was one of Edinburgh’s poorest areas. for more click here
The Hansel Poem of the Deliverers of the Mid-Lothian Advertiser
Verse 1: ‘Respectit Freen’s, baith great an’ sma’, / In hamely rhyme we greet ye a’, / Sincerely hopin’ Sixty-twa, / Whan dead an’ gane, / May leave within ilk hoose an’ ha’ / Nae grief or pain.’ The authorship of the poem is credited to ‘one of themselves’, ‘themselves’ being a reference to the ‘Deliverers’ of the title. The sheet carries no publication details. for more click here
An account of the trial of John Skelton
He saw about a dozen Police-men at the head of Leith-street, when he ran away with Johnstone into the head of an entry, and did not see Skelton…for more click here
The New Police-c1835/50
Verse 1: ‘I’M one of the new police, egad, / The servant maids declare, / There’s not a chap in all the force, / can sturt with such an air; / My gloves of white, my coat of blue, / My diginity increase, / And every gesture shows to you. / That I’m one of the new police.’ This broadside is not dated and does not carry the name of the publisher or the place of publication. for more click here
Seven severed heads in a bloody clan war
DRIVE along the shores of Loch Oich – one of three lochs forming Scotland’s Caledonian Canal – and you will find yourself amid some of the most spectacular Highland scenery imaginable. The view across the loch from the store in the village of Invergarry is breathtaking. for more click here