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Thursday, April 14th, 2005
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12:36 am - Butterfly on the Clyde
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skram64
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was in Scotland 1984-1986 I took many trips up down and accross the Clyde. I did this painting from memory. miss the fish and chips alot!
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(1 comment | comment on this)
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| Tuesday, March 1st, 2005
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8:34 pm - An Introduction and Macbeth
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telyn_timber
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Hello everyone, it is great to find a community about Scottish history and archaeology. My name is Jenny, and I am interested in archaeology, medieval history, folk lore, and most things Celtic. I have only been to Scotland once, but I would love to study abroad for a semester in Scotland or Wales.
Given the interests of this community, I thought you may be interested in Catherine Wells' Will the Real Macbeth Please Stand Up?. I recently came across the website when doing some research on the historical Macbeth, and found it to be very useful and well researched. As a side note, this year also happens to be Macbeth's 1000th birthday. Enjoy.
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| Saturday, January 1st, 2005
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3:42 pm - Bonnie Prince Charlie and some what ifs...
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sagey1899
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What would be different if Bonnie Prince Charlie had listened to his advisors, paid more attention to the needs of his men and actually won the war against England to regain the throne for his family and placed James on the throne that Mary and William of Orange "stole"?
What would have happened to the Brittish Empire?
Would the United States have been settled the way it was? Many Scots that left the Highlands fled to the Americas because of the English soldiers' brutality toward them. Would they have eventually left anyway?
How would this have effected the actions of the English in the Colonies?
Would the English still be occupying Northern Ireland?
I know this isn't the usual stuff discussed but would love to hear what you all have to say about this.
I'm working on a story that involves this and could use all the ideas I can come up with so if anyone is willing to share...*hopeful look*
Thanks in advance!
current mood:  curious
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(5 comments | comment on this)
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| Friday, October 22nd, 2004
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5:28 pm
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| Friday, October 8th, 2004
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8:16 pm - Petition Drive!
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10:16 pm - Wallace Monument
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| Friday, August 20th, 2004
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10:43 pm - Bannockburn Revealed
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find_an_excuse
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email from William Scott, author of 'Bannockburn Revealed'
'Bannockburn Revealed costs £25. It is a hard back of about 500
pages with every relevant source printed in it and
analysed. It is the definitive work on the battle.
A cheque with postage of £5 to me will receive an
immediate copy by return. If I replied before and you just baulk at the price,
forgive me.
Donald Morrison of Dunoon thinks it is worth £250.
He has two copies and has spent about a year making a
3d model of the battle area from the maps I made in
the book which are fully explained and justified.
He and others have visited the site with me and are
100% confident about my discoveries.
My address? W Scott, 23 Argyle Place, Rothesay, Isle
of Bute, PA20 0BA. It is also on sale in shops here:
at Watergate, 2 shops have copies.'
I can vouch for what he's saying, its meaty, packed with accurately researched info about the battle and leaves no stone unturned.
Also, if you but the book, and read it, he will give you a tour of the battlefield and the places in the book.
Amazon book description:
'This 525pp hardback contains every relevant source, old map, document and letter translated and analysed; 50 photos of the battlefield which cannot be understood otherwise, 12 maps of the conflict, showing even [to a close approximation] the very woodland of 1314, the finest ever, which will be impossible to improve upon significantly. All worthy previous versions are demolished. The errors of profs Barrow, Duncan and General Christison are exposed and proved by including copies of the very documents and maps. Since there is nothing else to refer to, there can be no decent dispute about this. Every conclusion is justified and rated. Where Bruce killed Bohun, Douglas killed Gloucester, Randolph fought Clifford and Beaumont and the position of the main battle of day 2 is determined; the true path of the Pelstream, the huge bogs never seen before, the pottes and the ground conditions. The Scots won because they were brilliant. They understood the ground and made the most of it. No scholar before has ever done so. The victory was inevitable. The English were never allowed onto the Dryfield and the battle could not have occurred there because of the woodland there in 1314; could not even have taken place there in 1750 because of woodland there even then. The Scots got up at 3am, dismounted all their cavalry, marched down the steep hill through Balquhiderock Wood and by 4am had advanced on foot to within 60yds of the English cavalry who could not use their momentum to run down the Scots because they could not get up speed and there were enough Scots to withstand the short charge. Hemmed in between the Pelstream and the Bannock, they were easily defeated by pikemen. 14 independent parameters from sources and the ground define the battle lines. Prof Barrow believed the battle took its name from the place. Not so! An enlarged photo of the map of the place in 1750 shows 3 houses 150 yds apart: no village. Four centuries earlier with a quarter of the population there would have been only one house or less: no village; no place. The battle took its name from the stream for it and its banks provide the finest natural defence for hundreds of miles on the route to Stirling. The book contains hundreds of fresh insights never seen before partly because of the close analysis of sources. The accurate map is essential, especially the slopes and the woodland for cavalry cannot fight in woodland and what was possible is obvious. An expert who lives in Stirling reports being 'overwhelmed' by this book. He lost a week-end reading it, only going out for short car trips to check details in the ground he had not noticed. There is a 20 page description of the battle but everything else is original insight, argument, evidence, justification, rating of arguments. Everything here is proved and every conclusion reached with a very high level of confidence. Mathematics, science, psychology and philosophy as well as geography and history have been used in a simple way to understand this important event. No Scotsman can afford to be without this; to read, to study and to treasure. Here is the very best of Scotland, 'Bannockburn Revealed'. Scottish History is changed by this book. So is medieval history, for any history in future which fails to use the novel procedures introduced herein risks demolition because of them.'
More books on The Bruce:
http://www.scotlandspast.org/roberti.cfm
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(comment on this)
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| Monday, August 9th, 2004
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11:11 am - Intro
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stephsicola
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Hey, have been lurking for a little while and thought I'd introduce myself.
My full name is Stephanie Cummins Wolfe. Mostly English, but the Cummins side is obviously Scottish. My grandfather had extreme pride in his heritage, and I can't tell you how many times I heard the story of John the Red's murder at Dumfries.
So, when it comes to 14th century Scottish history, I'm a big supporter of Wallace, and not so much a big fan of the Bruce. Still something to get in a heated argument about.
Anyways, so I've always fostered a love of Scottish history. Most of my knowledge is from that era, but I'm always trying to learn more.
I don't claim direct ancestry to John the Red, I just know that somewhere, we're related. At some point, I want to start looking into the geneology, because let's face it, it would be neat to find a direct ancestor so close to the throne.
Anyways, I have a question: At the foot of Arthur's seat, on the other side from the University, there are some ruins. I've tried tracking down detailed information on those ruins, but haven't been very successful. Does anyone know anything about these ruins? Also, if anyone knew any stories behind the monuments on the top of Arthur's Seat, I'd be curious to hear those as well.
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(5 comments | comment on this)
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| Tuesday, August 3rd, 2004
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4:29 am
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when_it_happens
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I'm new in this community, & I have a story regarding to my great great great great grandfather William Wallace.
I recently found out I was nearly full-blooded Scottish.
Long story.
If you wish to know about my Scottish heritage or my relations to William Wallace, IM me at Bjork t i m e and I will gladly tell you.
I love telling people, I love having pride in something..
haha
-Spencer
current music: Nectarphonic-Beautiful Pitiful
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(comment on this)
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| Saturday, July 3rd, 2004
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5:32 pm - Robert the Bruce
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| Monday, June 28th, 2004
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10:53 pm - Rabbits Threaten Viking site
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find_an_excuse
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JOHN ROSS
The Scotsman.com, June 2004
A FORMER Viking power base seen as one of the most important sites of its
type in Scotland is under threat from new attackers, a plague of rabbits.
The Bornish site in South Uist is one of the most extensive and complex
Norse settlements on the Western Isles and also one of the largest rural
settlements of its type in Britain.
It is thought to have been the home of a prominent Viking figure who had
political control of the islands and close ties with the Norwegian king.
Archaeologists, who are in the final year of studies at the site supported
by Historic Scotland, say the site is being heavily disturbed by rabbits.
Niall Sharples, senior lecturer in archaeology at Cardiff University, who is
leading the current work, said: "There will have to be a decision about the
long-term preservation of the site, as it's being badly damaged,
particularly by rabbits. That is one of the main threats.
"The long-term future of the site depends on the local crofters negotiating
some kind of stewardship scheme."
A survey has revealed a complex of more than 20 houses covering an area of
more than two acres. The site spans the period of the Viking conquest of the
islands and includes evidence for the preceding Pictish period as well as an
early Viking building dating to at least the 10th century.
( more )
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(1 comment | comment on this)
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10:43 pm - Roman Fort Goes on the Web
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find_an_excuse
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William Chisolm
The Scotsman.com, June 2004
IT REMAINS one of the most remarkable Scottish archaeological excavations of
all time, carried out by a self-taught amateur, and without the benefit of
the aerial photographs and geophysical surveys that are considered essential
today.
A hundred years ago a Melrose solicitor, James Curle, was hatching plans to
unlock the secrets of the largest Roman settlement in Scotland, where
Agricola's army of 2,000 soldiers and 1,000 camp followers developed a
sprawling fort and annexes on 340 acres in the lee of the Eildon Hills from
80AD.
His attention to detail in the project for the Society of Antiquaries of
Scotland, and the 420-page report he produced after the work at Trimontium
was completed, survive as classic examples for modern Roman scholars and
would-be archaeologists.
But copies of Curle's A Roman Frontier Post and Its People have become
relatively rare, often changing hands for £150 or more.
Now, thanks to an initiative by the Trimontium Trust, the book, complete
with photographic plates and many of Curle's pen and ink drawings, has been
given its own internet site.
At a ceremony yesterday in Melrose Library, the website www.curlesnewstead.org.uk
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received the family seal of approval from
Barbara Linehan, his only surviving daughter.
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| Friday, May 14th, 2004
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2:39 am - introduction and request
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kitrin
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Hello
new to the comm and am enjoying reading whats been posted
I have a question that is somewhat selfish to ask though it does have to do with some more modern scottish history so i am going to go ahead and ask anyway :)
While tracking down my family history m'da told me that my great great granda once owned farmland in partick ( glasgow.. but afore it was incorporated) and there is supposedly a picture of this Farm hanging in some bar ( i think he said it was the highland bar.. possibly on fordyce(sp) st?)
Now i was wondering if anyone who still happens to live in scotland.. and may have easier access to the information could confirm that there was a farm in partick (either at or near partick cross)owned by one Patrick McTaggart?
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(1 comment | comment on this)
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| Saturday, April 17th, 2004
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10:05 pm - What Lies Beneath Edinburgh
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find_an_excuse
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What lies beneath
SAM HALSTEAD , scotsman.com 15th April, 2004
ARCHAEOLOGISTS will begin exploring the fire-hit Cowgate site next week in a bid to uncover the early beginnings of the historic area.
The owners of the Old Town site have hired a team of archaeologists to carry out an extensive excavation underneath the foundations of the present ruins.
Experts hope to unearth the remains of 15th century buildings - or even earlier - across the entire site, which was devastated by a massive blaze in 2002.
The major dig, which marks the first step towards the re-development of the site, will give a clearer picture of life in the Cowgate centuries ago when it was one of the city’s most fashionable quarters.
( expand )
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(comment on this)
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| Sunday, April 4th, 2004
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9:58 pm - World Heritage status bid for the Antonine Wall
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find_an_excuse
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SCOTLAND’S attempt to have the country’s largest relic of the Roman invasion recognised on equal terms with the great pyramids of Egypt and the Great Wall of China was launched yesterday.
Frank McAveety, the minister for tourism, culture and sport, met European experts in an attempt to win World Heritage status for the Antonine Wall.
Built to keep Scots tribes out of the northern fringes of Rome’s vast empire, the 37-mile-long Antonine Wall will officially be ranked as one of the most historically important sites in the world - if the bid is approved.
Stretching from Bo’ness on the River Forth to Old Kirkpatrick on the Clyde, the wall remains one of most significant structures of one of the most powerful and vast empires the world has ever seen.
( Read More )
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| Tuesday, March 30th, 2004
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11:30 pm - Mesolithic Find in Cairngorm Mountain region
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find_an_excuse
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Archaeologists have uncovered flints and axes in the Cairngorm mountain area, that date back to the Mesolithic period of around 8,000 years ago. This is an important discovery as it shows that early settlers made their way through the mountain passes and were not strictly confined to foraging around costal areas.
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(comment on this)
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11:19 pm - Stakes high in row over Bannockburn relics
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find_an_excuse
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PETER DOYLE, Scotsman, Mon 29th March
A ROW has erupted over relics unearthed from the site of the Battle of Bannockburn.
Historians have long regarded three sharpened wooden stakes as the only known artefacts recovered from the battlefield where King Robert the Bruce famously defeated the army of Edward II in 1314.
The stakes, discovered in 1923, were thought to be remnants of spikes planted in shallow pits by Robert the Bruce on which the charging English cavalry impaled themselves and their horses.
But carbon-dating of the timber, carried out during filming of the BBC 2 archaeological series Two Men In a Trench, has revealed the stakes on display at the Smith Art Gallery and Museum in Stirling are more than 8,000 years old.
The archaeologists, Dr Tony Pollard and Neil Oliver, insist this makes it highly unlikely they were used during the famous battle. And to rub salt in the wounds, the pair claim the only physical evidence of the bloody two-day battle was uncovered by them during filming for the BBC series.
Dr Pollard said: "Our testing shows the three wooden pieces in the museum are actually anchorage roots from a Scots pine and that explains why they are spiked.
"The wood is from 6,000 BC, making it over 8,000 years old. The reason why it was so well preserved was that it was recovered from a peat bog.
"The chances of Bruce’s men finding the wood over 7,000 years later and recycling it as spikes are highly remote."
Dr Pollard added that a pair of riding stirrups, as worn by medieval knights upon battle-chargers, are the first authentic relics recovered from the medieval battle.
Dr Pollard said: "The stirrups we found date back to the 14th century and, as far as we know, are the only known find on the site which is contemporary with the battle."
He added: "Archaeology is as much about debunking myths as it is about establishing facts, and we also discovered a few other misconceptions about the battle site.
"For example, it has been suggested that the two areas near to where the Bruce camped were the pits into which Edward’s calvary fell and were impaled on the spikes.
"But our dig discovered that these sites were originally dug by coal prospectors some time during the late 19th century."
However, Elspeth King, the director of the Smith Art Gallery and Museum, where the stakes are on display, refused to accept the findings. She said: "The wood was found by local archaeologists in 1923.
"They wrote with such clarity, and without the mumbo-jumbo associated with archaeology these days, that I believe the stakes are authentic relics from the battle. There is no proof they were not used in the battle.
"The BBC team said they could not have been used as spikes because there were no markings on them to indicate the wood had been sharpened.
"But that does not mean to say they were not used because the wood might not have needed sharpening anyway. They are disbelieving an earlier generation of archaeologists."
The stirrups are on public display at Glasgow University’s Hunterian Museum, and Dr Pollard said he wants the find to eventually return to Stirling.
But Ms King said she doubted she would display them. She said: "We have not been offered them yet, and the stakes will remain on display as authentic relics from the battle."
The main battle took place on 24 June, 1314, but rather than the predicted rout of the Scots, Robert the Bruce led his army to a famous victory. Disorganisation in the English ranks was exploited by Bruce’s tactics and courage of his soldiers.
The Battle of Bannockburn was undoubtedly of one of the most spectacular battles of the Scottish Wars of Independence.
Although the struggle against the English was to continue for some 13 years more, the Scottish victory was of enormous importance as it secured the future of the throne for Bruce.
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| Thursday, March 11th, 2004
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7:23 pm - Newbie saying hi!
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tullulahlouise
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Hi! I'm Naomi - just returned from a long absence from Live Journal. I have huge interests in Scottish pre-history, mostly the Neolithic and Bronze Ages but as early as the Mesolithic and as late as the Iron Age!
I'm doing a degree in archaeology at Cardiff University where I'm in the 2nd year. I spent two weeks at easter and three weeks in the summer last year working on archaeology projects in Caithness -A fieldwalking project and the Battle Moss stone row excavation. I spent a couple of days in Orkney too, and it is easily one of my most favourite places in the world! I'm back off to Caithness agin in Easter for field walking, and am working on a viking settlement at Bornish, in South Uist in the Hebrides in July. I'm currently writing a special subject paper for my degree on Neolithic henges monuments, with Orkney being my influence and basis for theories of origin and evolution of the monuments. ...cor, that makes me sound a tiny bit intellectual there!
Thanks y'all! :)
current mood: working
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15 foot sculpture installed at Loudonhill in the Irvine Valley, Ayrshire, to commemorate the historical significance of the area during the Scottish Wars of Independence.
