Category: Edinburgh

Kirk Session records can be a very fruitful source for family history, but they can also be immensely frustrating. As well as the usual bugbears regarding erratic survival of records, sometimes the session clerk was less than assiduous in his work. Handwriting problems can usually be overcome, but that's not the only problem. Some clerks were plainly not keen on doing a thorough job - perhaps understandably, given that they generally weren't paid well for their efforts.

Clearly, though, some clerks were more conscientious. The following instructions come from St Cuthbert's Kirk Session in Edinburgh, and although not specifically dated, the relevant volume covers 1696-1700.

Notanda generalia
or
Directions for keeping a church session book methodicall & in good order

Primo. Let all things be keeped in dependence either by reporting new diligence, or by removing the appointment or continuing the same, or delaying it till such time as shall be convenient, or limiting the time which after follows in the minutes, or laying it aside till further consideration, so that whatever matters comes first in the minutes, let it be either discussed, delayed, continued, referred, recommended or determined. Then afterwards new matters & purposes as they come in the minutes. So keeping up the threed of affairs, it shall cause the session records to be more easie, pleasant, profitable and their conclusions to be more readily & easily found outt.

2. Wherever any session act is made, let it be marked in majusculis and a rational narrative made before it for ane introduction shewing the cause of it.

3. Let the day of the month when the Session is kept be still mentioned.

4. As the sederunt is marked, so let excuses for absents be inserted.

5. Let there be a good margin left in the book in which some of the principall purposes or acts contained in the book may be inserted and be carefull that no blanks blotts or interlinings be in the book, and take a care to page the book exactlie.

6. Give the reason when no session is keeped.

The instructions make clear that there was concern not just for properly recording relevant events, the session were also thinking of people looking through the records in future. (Although granted I very much doubt they would have anticipated me reading their comments on a computer over 300 years later!). If only all session clerks were as considerate ...

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history talks and events 29 Aug - 4 Sep 2016

23/8/2016

Upcoming family history talks and events in Scotland, 29 Aug - 4 Sep 2016

Note that there may be a small charge for some of these events, and some may be for members only. We will be publishing lists of upcoming talks and events regularly - if you are organising a talk or event relating to Scottish genealogy or history, please let us know and we will be happy to add your events to our list.

Monday, August 29 2016, 7.30 pm

The Vanished Great Houses of Fife

Brian Murray

Venue: Age Concern Building, Provost Wynd, Cupar

Cupar Heritage

Monday, August 29 2016, All Day

Joseph Anderson Sesquicentennial Anniversary Festival Culmination

Venue: North shore of The Loch of Yarrows

Yarrows Heritage Trust

Joseph Anderson came to be considered by many to be the father of Scottish archaeology. He was one time editor of the John O’Groat Journal from 1860 to 1869. During that time he became fascinated by the many prehistoric monuments in and about the Yarrows area. In 1865 he began a series of excavations along with Robert Shearer factor of the Thrumster Estate which came to lay the foundations of our understanding of Neolithic and early Bronze age burial practices. The celebration will culminate on August 29th with a prehistoric festival on the north shore of The Loch of Yarrows. Traditional craft demonstrations Flint knapping Copper smelting Pot making and firing Antler carving Spinning and dyeing Food preparation These activities will carry on thought the day. Special Events 10 am to 11 am help prepare a roe deer for a pit roasting - sample cooked meat when ready. 11:30 am to 12 take a guided tour of Battle Moss stone rows; hear about the excavation. 11 am to 12 try your hand at flint knapping. !2 noon to 1 pm watch the lighting of the pit kiln for firing the pots made by the school children also watch the unpacking of a previous pit firing. 1:15 photo competition winners announced. 1:30 to 2 pm try your hand a dying wool with woad. 2 pm to 3 pm help work the furnace bellows and add copper ore to the copper smelting furnace; see the new copper emerge. 2:30 pm take a guided tour to see the Neolithic chambered cairns and Iron Age broch at south Yarrows Festival Climax Evening event Fire performance and music focused on the burning of a timber monument, a replica ofna chambered cairn facade. The pre-built structure will be lit at dusk accompanied by a sound and light performance. Ticket price £2 Booking: No booking required Website: http://www.yarrowsheritagetrust.co.uk/news.html

Wednesday, August 31 2016, 10:00am-1:00pm

Historic Plockton Village Tour

Venue: Balmacara Estate & Woodland Walks

Guided walk around the historic village of Plockton often referred to as the jewel in the Highland crown. Explore the historic planned village of Plockton, dating from 1801 with the Trust ranger. The tour visits the main areas of the village, the old pier and pontoons, the Brae with its crofts and ancient trees, the Open Air Church and the War Memorial. Learn about the history of crofting and planned villages in the Highlands, the split in the Church of Scotland and the sailing tradition of Plockton. Ticket price Booking: For further information please call 01599 566325 Website: http://www.nts.org.uk/Events/Balmacara-Estate-and-Woodland-Walks/Historic-Plockton-Village-Tour/

Wednesday, August 31 2016, 11am-3pm

Bronze Age roundhouse open day

Venue: Brodick Castle, Garden & Country Park

Friends of Dundee City Archives

Immerse yourself in Bronze Age life in our authentic roundhouse! Handle artefacts, dress up in Bronze Age clothes, play prehistoric instruments and find out all about how our prehistoric ancestors lived. Or just sit around the open fire and soak up the atmosphere! Ticket price Ticket price is included in admission cost. Booking: For further information please call 01770 302462. Website: http://www.nts.org.uk/Events/Brodick-Castle-Garden-and-Country-Park/Bronze-Age-roundhouse-open-day/

Thursday, September 1 2016, 1 pm

Dundee's North American Outposts

William Kerr

Venue: Glasite Hall, St. Andrew’s Church, King Street, Dundee

Thursday, September 1 2016, 10 am - 1.30 pm

Workshop One: Introducing Academy Street and the city of Inverness

Venue: Inverness Museum and Art Gallery, Castle Wynd, Inverness, IV2 3EB

Academy Street Townscape Heritage Project

Learn about and share your knowledge about the origins of Inverness, including getting hands on with key objects from IMAG’s collections, including a selection of the Burgh’s medieval charters, that give us information about the significance of the City’s location through time, including: Strategic location. Layout of the town. Medieval Inverness through to present. Academy Street’s part in the story – trade, travel and tourism and so much more. £3.50, per workshop or £6 if booking for both together. Advance booking is essential, in person at Inverness Museum & Art Gallery, call 01463 237114 or email cait.mccullagh@highlifehighland.com

Thursday, September 1 2016, 10 am - 4 pm

Are your roots in the Borders ? Discover your family history or build your family tree

Venue: 52 Overhaugh St, Galashiels, TD1 1DP

Build your family tree. Knock down a 'brick wall'. Explore your family history primarily in the Border counties (Berwickshire, Peeblesshire, Roxburghshire and Selkirkshire) of Scotland, though we'll still try to help you if your roots are elsewhere.

Thursday, September 1 2016, 10.45-11.30am, 12-12.45pm, 1.45-2.30pm, 3.15-4:00pm

Fortress for the King

Venue: Fort George

The Battle of Culloden is over and King George decrees that his army will now build the greatest fortress ever seen in Britain. It will be home to 2,000 men who will patrol the glens of Scotland to keep the peace. Meet one of the Scottish soldiers stationed in this northern outpost and learn about his life and times. Ticket price Entry to this event is included in the Fort George admission price. Booking: events@hes.scot, 0131 668 8885 Website: https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/whats-on/event/?eventId=ad5a46bd-3b35-44f9-a4dc-a5b700af3707

Thursday, September 1 2016, 10:15am-3:45pm

Life in the Border 1914-1919 Exhibition

Venue: Borders Family History Society, 52 Overhaugh, St, Galashiels. TD1 1DP

A fascinating exhibition about life in the Scottish Borders during World War I and afterwards. The exhibition is a joint venture between BFHS and Saving and Sharing Scottish Borders Stories of WWI Project Ticket price Free Website: http://www.bordersfhs.org.uk/

Thursday, September 1 2016, 11.15am-12:00pm, 12.15-1:00pm, 2:00-2.45pm, 3:00-3.45pm

Over the walls to Victory!

Venue: Edinburgh Castle

Inner Forth Landscape Initiative

Hear about the many sieges and attacked of the Castle during the turbulent Scottish Wars of Independence. Meet one of the Scottish Knights who joined Bruce during the campaign and get a chance to see the many styles of weapons and armour from the period. You might find yourself dressed and prepared for battle! Ticket price This performance is included in the Edinburgh Castle admission price Booking: events@hes.scot, 0131 668 8885 Website: https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/whats-on/event/?eventId=f27d53c2-ac45-44bd-825d-a5fe00b4bbc4

Thursday, September 1 2016, 3:45-7:30pm

The Inner Forth from a New Perspective

Venue: South Queensferry

Join IFLI for this cruise on the River Forth on board the Maid of the Forth from South Queensferry up to Kincardine Bridge and back, to discover more about some of the 50 fantastic IFLI projects that are going on around the area. Specialists in the area's natural and cultural heritage, as well as some of the people who have been closely involved in delivering the projects, will be on hand to tell us more as we go. Edinburgh artist Mark Kirkham, also known as the Edinburgh Sketcher, will also be joining us. Besides Mark sketching the landscapes we pass, passengers will also have the opportunity to try some speed sketching for themselves with guidance from Mark. Afternoon tea will be served on board. The cruise is free thanks to funding from the National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund. Tickets will be limited to up to two adults and two children per booking, and will be allotted on a first-come, first served basis. To book, please visit the Event Brite website at: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-inner-forth-from-a-new-perspective-tickets-26077875628 For queries, please contact the IFLI office at info@innerforthlandscape.co.uk or by calling 01324 831568 Ticket price Free Booking: IFLI office at info@innerforthlandscape.co.uk or by calling 01324 831568 Website: http://www.innerforthlandscape.co.uk/eventscal/2014-11-04-09-43-23/16-recording-celebrating/19-outreach-and-events/393-the-inner-forth-from-a-new-perspective

Friday, September 2 2016, 10 am - 4 pm

Are your roots in the Borders ? Discover your family history or build your family tree

Venue: 52 Overhaugh St, Galashiels, TD1 1DP

Friday, September 2 2016, 10:15am-3:45pm

Life in the Border 1914-1919 Exhibition

Venue: Borders Family History Society, 52 Overhaugh, St, Galashiels. TD1 1DP

National Mining Museum Scotland

Friday, September 2 2016, 10:15am-4:30pm

OLD SCATNESS BROCH AND IRON AGE VILLAGE TOURS

Venue: Old Scatness, Shetland ZE3 9JW

DigIt

Take a tour and travel back in time, experience life in the past beside the peat fires in one of the reconstructed buildings and try your hand at Pictish weaving in the visitor centre. Old Scatness Broch and Iron Age Village is open until the 2nd of September every Friday from 10.15am – 4.30pm. Ticket price Free Website: http://www.shetlandamenity.org/old-scatness

Friday, September 2 2016, 11.00 am

People at Work in Edinburgh

Peter Stubbs

Venue: National Mining Memorial Centre, Lady Victoria Colliery, Newtongrange, Dalkeith EH22 4QN

Friday, September 2 2016, 2 pm - 4 pm

Close Encounters - Discover Dunbar: Summer Foot Tours

Venue: Sparkly Frog boutique, 92 High St, Dunbar

Dunbar Trades Association

The Dunbar Trades Association in conjunction with Local Historian Roy Pugh bring you FREE history tours of Dunbar, every friday afternoon throughout summer. This is a unique opportunity to find out more about the history of the town and ask any questions you have always wondered about.
Tours will start from outside the Sparkly Frog boutique, No 92 High Street, highlighting important historic buildings such as the Tolbooth or Town House. Some of the Closes will be explored – how they got their names and the history attaching to them. Each tour will begin at the Town House, then along the High Street towards Lauderdale House, another iconic historical building. Proceeding through Castle Wynd to Castle Street, other historic buildings encountered are John Muir’s first School and the Methodist Church. Crossing Victoria Street to the Outdoor Swimming Pool, a brief history of Dunbar Castle, the Battery and the two harbours will be given. Returning through the former parade ground of Castlepark Barracks, a potted history of Lauderdale House will follow. Returning to the High Street, the tour will proceed up to the Abbey Church, then crossing the road, further closes including the famous Bamburgh Close will be highlighted. The tour ends at the Crunchy Carrot, where Sergeant John Penn, survivor of the Charge of the Light Brigade at Balaclava during the Crimean War resided from about 1864 until his death in 1886.
Lasting between 45 minutes and one hour, tours will be conducted by Roy Pugh, local author and historian who has published a major history of Dunbar (Access to other titles by Roy may be found on website rjmpugh.co.uk. Roy is a native of Dunbar who spent most of his career in the civil service in the Secretary of State’s Scottish Office, St Andrew’s House, Edinburgh.)
BOOKING TOURS
Tours may be booked by contacting Sparkly Frog (telephone 01368 865531) or e-mail dunbarfoottours@outlook.com or by showing up on the day of. Tours are available for one or more persons (maximum 10-12) Children and young persons must be accompanied by an adult. While the weekly tour will take place every Friday at 2pm, bookings may be arranged for other afternoons except Sundays provided 24 hours’ notice is given.

Friday, September 2 2016, All Day

‘Left eye the sun; right eye the moon’, Special Gallery Intervention

Venue: Inverness Museum and Art Gallery, Castle Wynd, Inverness IV2 3EB

Inverness Museum and Art Gallery

This autumn we will be displaying a selection of objects from IMAG’s Egyptian Collections in the Archaeology Gallery; a chance to explore the Eye of Horus and admire the wisdom of Ancient Egypt’s true sages. Ticket price Free Website: https://www.highlifehighland.com/inverness-museum-and-art-gallery/left-eye-sun-right-eye-moon/

Saturday, September 3 2016, 1:00-4:30pm

Tullibody History Group Mining Exhibition

Venue: Tullibody Civic Centre, Abercromby Pl, Tullibody, Alloa FK10 2RU

Tullibody History Group

Tullibody History Group are holding a Mining Exhibition to highlight the importance of this once-prevelant industry to the town, and to the Inner Forth area as a whole. Other local mining communities will have exhibits on both afternoons, and there will be a range of guest speakers. The exhibition will be of particular interest to anyone who has been following the Memories of Mining research project. The events are free and anyone is welcome to attend. Ticket price Free Website: http://www.tullibodyhistorygroup.com/index.php

Saturday, September 3 2016, 1:00pm-5:00pm

Alyth Museum Open Days

Venue: Alyth Museum, Commercial Street, Alyth, PH11 8AF

Alyth Museum

Alyth is a small rural Perthshire village overlooking the countryside of Strathmore. This is an area rich in farming, which is an inspiration and resource for the museum collection. Ground floor display Alyth. Enjoy a wealth of pictures and objects reflecting life as it was in and around Alyth. Don't miss the brilliant exhibition about the work of local Blairgowrie photographers, D Wilson Laing. Ticket price Free Website: http://www.pkc.gov.uk/article/6474/Alyth-Museum

Saturday, September 3 2016, 10 am - 4 pm

Memories of Inverkeilor

Venue: Inverkeilor Church Hall, Station Road, Inverkeilor

Angus Heritage

Exhibition of photographs and personal memories of Inverkeilor from 1940 onwards. Come and find out, for instance, where Andy had his football repaired and where Willie ate his sandwiches when elephants walked through the village.

Saturday, September 3 2016, 10:00am-5:00pm

Burnswark Excavation Open Day

Venue: Land to the south-west of Burnswark Farm, Lockerbie, DG11 3JJ

Dumfries and Galloway Council

Open day for the 2016 excavations on this unique Roman site. Guided tours, finds exhibition and the odd Legionary to keep order. Ticket price Free Booking: Dr John H Reid, mail@john-reid.co.uk Website: https://www.facebook.com/The-Burnswark-Project-1480242575606555/

Saturday, September 3 2016, 10:00am-6:00pm

Largs Viking Festival

Venue: Largs

Largs Viking Festival

Largs is a popular holiday destination and is famed for a battle in 1263 when the Norse King Haakon, attempting to land from a fleet of longships, was repulsed by the army of Alexander 111. Returning to Norway, King Haakon took ill and died in Kirkwall. His death led directly to the Treaty of Perth when the Norse ceded the Westen Isles and Isle of Man to Scotland.
This Viking heritage is celebrated at the annual Viking Festival where the main attraction is the living history Viking Village which opens every day from 11am to 5pm. Please note the Village will close from 1.30 to 2.30 p.m. on 27 August to enable the re-enactors to participate in the opening parade and at 4.30pm on Saturday 3rd September for an evening event.
Come and see how the Vikings lived in an authentic 13th Century village - talk to them about their way of life; learn about how they made their clothes, weapons, jewellery and food. Ask the Vikings about their religion, beliefs, homes, crafts, ships, their homeland and why they left it. This year the re-enactment group Swords of Dalriada will be in the Viking Village with Viking traders from Germany, Sweden and Ireland. The entry fee of £5 for Adults and £2 for Children/Concessions (over 60s and students) gives admission throughout the day of purchase. Under 5s free. School visits to the Village and Vikingar! can be arranged by telephoning Vikingar! on 01475 689777. Ticket price The entry fee of £5 for Adults and £2 for Children/Concessions (over 60s and students) gives admission throughout the day of purchase. Under 5s free. Website: http://www.largsvikingfestival.com/

Saturday, September 3 2016, 10:30am-1:00pm

Museum of Banff Open Days

Venue: Banff Library AB45 1AE

Banff Preservation and Heritage Society

Banff Museum was founded in 1828 as the museum of the Banff Institution and is the oldest museum in Scotland north of Perth. The Banff Institution was dissolved in 1875 and the collections passed to Banff Town Council. The present museum and library building were built in 1902. Banff Preservation and Heritage Society currently run the Museum in partnership with Aberdeenshire Museums Service. The Museum is on Banff High Street, in the same building as Banff Library. The postocde is AB45 1AE. The exhibits show a vast range of interesting artefacts from the Celtic period up to the modern day. They reflect life in Banffshire and show some stunning examples of our historical past in Banff and Macduff. Ticket price Free Website: http://www.bphsmob.org.uk/

Saturday, September 3 2016, 10:30am-3:30pm

British Longbow Society Scottish Albion Meeting

Venue: Culzean Castle & Country Park

Join us at Culzean to watch members of the British Longbow Society compete in the Scottish Albion Meeting. The Scottish branch of the British Longbow Society have held several meetings per year at Culzean since 1993. Come along and watch them use their traditional longbows in the beautiful surroundings of the Fountain Court, below the Castle. Ticket price Booking: For further information please call 01655 884400 Website: http://www.nts.org.uk/Events/Culzean-Castle-and-Country-Park/British-Longbow-Society-Scottish-Albion-Meeting/

Saturday, September 3 2016, 11.15am-12:00pm, 12.15-1:00pm, 2:00-2.45pm, 3:00-3.45pm

Guardian of the Loch

Venue: Urquhart Castle

During the Scottish Wars of Independence the castle changed hands many times. Come along and meet one of Robert the Bruce's archers as he guards the walls of the castle awaiting the next conflict. Learn about his weapons and equipment used at the time. Ticket price This performance is included in the Urquhart Castle admission price. Booking: events@hes.scot, 0131 668 8885 Website: https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/whats-on/event/?eventId=ba6bc83c-8c11-4c71-bc73-a5f5010342c2

Saturday, September 3 2016, 11.15am-12:00pm, 12.15-1:00pm, 2:00-2.45pm, 3:00-3.45pm

Renaissance Ladies

Venue: Edinburgh Castle

The National Wallace Monument

Meet two ladies of the 16th-century court and discover how they dressed and learn about the French influence on fashion. Ticket price This performance is included in the Edinburgh Castle admission price. Booking: events@hes.scot, 0131 668 8885 Website: https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/whats-on/event/?eventId=89d7e9d0-f7be-4e4c-b4a6-a5fe00d846a3

Saturday, September 3 2016, 11:15am; 12:00pm; 12:45pm; 1:30pm; 2:30pm; 3:15pm; and 4:00pm

Tales from the Battlefield

Venue: The National Wallace Monument

Travel back in time to one of the most dramatic periods in Scottish History, when Stirling was at the centre of all the action, during our live performances with costumed actors! The Battle of Stirling Bridge is over – and a soldier, abandoned and left for dead, makes his way into the woods. Lost and disoriented, he meets another fighter – then discovers he is on the enemy’s side! What will happen, and what do they talk about, before the injured soldier heads off – to make his way home? Ticket price Admission Prices: Adults: £9.99, Children £6.26

Saturday, September 3 2016, 12:00-3:00pm

Living History Clansmen Displays

Venue: Glencoe & Dalness

Come along and meet at 18th century highland clansman, learn about his weapons, costumes and traditions. Performances in the MacIain room of the Glencoe Visitor Centre at 12 noon, 1pm, 2pm & 3pm. Ticket price Free Booking: For further information please call 01855 811307 Website: http://www.nts.org.uk/Events/Glencoe-and-Dalness/Living-History-Clansmen-Displays/

Saturday, September 3 2016, 12:00-4:00pm

Siege on the Forth

Venue: Blackness Castle

Join us to discover more about the castle that guards the Firth of Forth. Learn about its role in the history of the Inner Forth Estuary, meet the medieval and Covenanter armies and learn about the sieges that the castle endured. Visit the camps and make your own Forth Bridge out of Lego. Ticket price Entry to this event is included in the Blackness Castle admission price. Booking: events@hes.scot, 0131 668 8885 Website: https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/whats-on/event/?eventId=6b3096c2-be9b-4512-8072-a5b600e915e3

Saturday, September 3 2016, 7:00-8:00pm

Cromarty Ghost Walk

Venue: Hugh Miller's Birthplace Cottage & Museum

East Lothian Council Archaeology Service

Walk in the company of ghosts ... or at least ghost tales. Join a Cromarty Ghost Walk with chilling tales from Hugh Miller and others retold by your costumed Ghost Guide. Ghost walks start at 7pm from outside Hugh Miller’s Birthplace Cottage in Church Street, Cromarty on Saturdays in July, August and September. The walks are led by Timemasters' costumed Ghost Guide Duncan Cook and last approximately 1 hour, so wear comfortable shoes. There is a minimum age of 15 years. Advanced booking essential, contact duncan@timemasters.co.uk or millermuseum@nts.org.uk Or by telephoning 01381-600-245 for details. Ticket price £5 Booking: For further information please call 01381 600245 Website: http://www.nts.org.uk/Events/Hugh-Millers-Birthplace-Cottage-and-Museum/Cromarty-Ghost-Walk/

Saturday, September 3 2016, 9.30 am - 4.00 pm

Union, Rebellion, then Enlightenment

Venue: St Mary's Church, Haddington

This, the 2nd in the series of the Society’s annual lectures, looks at how East Lothian both responded to the events and led the developments in the 18th century. We start the day looking at the factors that led to the Union of the Parliaments in 1707 and then at the dramatic experience of the two Jacobite uprisings. This century also became famed as the Age of Enlightenment. East Lothian led the way in new agricultural improvements, the rise of the stately homes and their grand designed landscapes, and the County was also very important in Scotland’s industrial history and legacy. Again the Society is pleased to bring to you professional experts and informed enthusiasts in the wonderful setting of St Mary’s Church. This event is organised by the East Lothian Antiquarian and Field Naturalists’ Society in partnership with East Lothian Council and St Mary’s Church, Haddington. Booking required. Cost £10. Soup and sandwich lunch can be purchased on the day – cost £5. email bookings@eastlothian.gov.uk

Saturday, September 3 2016, 9:00am-5:00pm

Burnswark Excavations

Venue: Land to the south-west of Burnswark Farm, Lockerbie, DG11 3JJ

Dumfries and Galloway Council

The 2016 excavations will investigate the Roman North and South camps, and complete the detecting survey around the hillfort. Anyone interested in volunteering should contact Dr John H Reid at mail@john-reid.co.uk for further information. Visitors to the excavations are also welcome. Ticket price Free Booking: Dr John H Reid, mail@john-reid.co.uk Website: https://www.facebook.com/The-Burnswark-Project-1480242575606555/

Saturday, September 3 2016, All Day

Book of Deer 2016

Venue: Old Deer village

Cameron Archaeology Ltd

Book of Deer 16 funded by Aberdeenshire Council will be carrying out further research around the village of Old Deer. We will be test pitting in various locations including the Old Deer Church, Kemp Hall, Episcopalian Church and various gardens. There will be an open day and visits from local schools. Come along and volunteer or visit and see what we are up to. Ticket price Free

Sunday, September 4 2016, 1:00-3.30 pm

Celtic Crag

Venue: Holyrood Park

Join a Ranger for a guided walk, where we'll delve into the Park's rich Celtic past to uncover the reality behind the myths. Discover the story of the Park’s history from the Stone Age right up to the present day. Ticket price Free Booking: www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/events Website: Booking essential 0131 652 8150 rangers@HES.scot

Sunday, September 4 2016, 1:00-4:30pm

Tullibody History Group Mining Exhibition

Venue: Tullibody Civic Centre, Abercromby Pl, Tullibody, Alloa FK10 2RU

Tullibody History Group

Sunday, September 4 2016, 1:00pm-5:00pm

Alyth Museum Open Days

Venue: Alyth Museum, Commercial Street, Alyth, PH11 8AF

Alyth Museum

Sunday, September 4 2016, 10 am - 4 pm

Memories of Inverkeilor

Venue: Inverkeilor Church Hall, Station Road, Inverkeilor

Angus Heritage

Sunday, September 4 2016, 10:00am-6:00pm

Largs Viking Festival

Venue: Largs

Largs Viking Festival

Sunday, September 4 2016, 11.15am-12:00pm, 12.15-1:00pm, 2:00-2.45pm, 3:00-3.45pm

Renaissance Ladies

Venue: Edinburgh Castle

Sunday, September 4 2016, 11.15am-12:00pm, 12.15-1:00pm, 2:00-2.45pm, 3:00-3.45pm

Guardian of the Loch

Venue: Urquhart Castle

The National Wallace Monument

Sunday, September 4 2016, 11:15am; 12:00pm; 12:45pm; 1:30pm; 2:30pm; 3:15pm; and 4:00pm

Tales from the Battlefield

Venue: The National Wallace Monument

Sunday, September 4 2016, 12 pm - 4 pm

Auchmithie Heritage Day

Venue: Annie Gilruth Hall, Auchmithie, by Arbroath DD11 5SY

Angus Heritage

Come along and visit the fisher folk of Auchmithie and see the archives. An opportunity to view the archive materials held by the HAAR, including census materials, photos and much more. Fisherfolk will be on hand to assist.

Sunday, September 4 2016, 12.00 pm - 4 pm

Open Days at Cousland Smiddy

Venue: 31 Hadfast Road, Cousland, Dalkeith, Midlothian, Scotland. EH22 2NZ

Cousland Smiddy Trust

In by-gone days, in its heyday, the Smiddy was at the centre of the village’s working and social life. It was much frequented by locals and visitors. The smiddy remains at the heart of the village as a work-base for a rural craft and home to a heritage hub for the local community. Stop by on our Open Days to learn more about the Smiddy complex

Sunday, September 4 2016, 12.00 pm - 4 pm

Encampment: East Lothian Military History Day

Venue: Prestongrange Museum, Morison's Haven, Prestonpans, East Lothian, EH32 9RX

Prestongrange Museum

Step into recreated military camps. Try hands on activities for families including archery and themed facepainting. Meet Romans, Jacobites, World War One soldiers and even a queen. Plus lots more to be seen on this time travelling day of military history. £2 suggested donation per family.

Sunday, September 4 2016, 12:00-3:00pm

Living History Clansmen Displays

Venue: Glencoe & Dalness

Sunday, September 4 2016, 12:00-4:00pm

Siege on the Forth

Venue: Blackness Castle

East Lothian Council Archaeology Service

Sunday, September 4 2016, 2 pm - 5.30 pm

Saltoun Hall Designed Landscape

Venue: The Carriage House, Pencaitland Parish Church

The Gardens Trust is providing this rare opportunity to explore the 18th century designed landscape of Saltoun Hall. The afternoon will start at the Carriage House with a series of short talks exploring the history of the estate and the development of the gardens. This will be followed by a guided walk through the estate. Tea and cakes will be available at the Carriage House. Booking required. Cost £5 payable on the door.

Sunday, September 4 2016, 9:00am-5:00pm

Scottish Borders Walking Festival- Melrose to Maxton

Venue: Coldstream

Day 1 of the St.Cuthbert's Way. Starting at Melrose Abbey, where St.Cuthbert was Prior, the route takes us over the Eildon Hills and down the other side to St.Boswells and the banks of the river Tweed. The views from the Eildon Hills are stunning. Ticket price £10 Website: http://www.borderswalking.com/walks/day-1/

Sunday, September 4 2016, 9:00am-5:00pm

Scottish Borders Walking Festival- Earlston, Black Hill to Maxton

Venue: Coldstream

Leaving Earlston, we ascend the Black Hill with wonderful views and then a descent through farmland. Then up to the historic Brothers Stones and on to to Mertoun bridge where we join St.Cuthbert’s Way to Maxton. Ticket price £10 Website: http://www.borderswalking.com/walks/day-1/

Sunday, September 4 2016, 9:30am-4:30pm

Scottish Borders Walking Festival- Akeld to Wooler via Yeavering Bell

Venue: Coldstream

We leave Akeld and steadily climb behind Akeld Hill onto White Law and then on to Yeavering Bell where we visit the iron-age fort and take in the splendid views of Glendale and much further. We then join the St.Cuthbert's Way for a steady walk back to Wooler enjoying the views of the Cheviot hills. Ticket price £8 Website: http://www.borderswalking.com/walks/day-1/

Sunday, September 4 2016, 9:30am-4:30pm

Scottish Borders Walking Festival- Milfield, Cornhill to Coldstream

Venue: Coldstream

From Milfield we follow part of the Maelmin Trail and go over Coldside Hill with views to the Cheviot hills and over the Till valley. From Crookhouse we take paths and quiet roads and part of the old railway to Cornhill and then on to Coldstream. Walkers who wish to finish at Cornhill village shop and cafe can be picked up there Ticket price £7 Website: http://www.borderswalking.com/walks/day-1/

Sunday, September 4 2016, All Day

Book of Deer 2016

Venue: Old Deer village

Cameron Archaeology Ltd

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History talks and events 9 - 15 May 2016

3/5/2016

Broughton History Society

Upcoming family history talks and events in Scotland, 9 - 15 May 2016

Note that there may be a small charge for some of these events, and some may be for members only. We will be publishing lists of upcoming talks and events regularly - if you are organising a talk or event relating to Scottish genealogy or history, please let us know and we will be happy to add your events to our list.

Monday, May 9 2016, 7 pm for 7.30 pm

James Craig and the New Town

Tony Lewis

Venue: Drummond Community High School, Bellevue Place, Edinburgh

Monday, May 9 2016, 7.30 pm

Open Evening

Venue: Luncarty Church Centre

West Stormont Historical Society

Non-members: adults £3, concessions £2. (Open discussion meetings at Luncarty are free)

Monday, May 9 2016, 7.30 pm

1884 Reform Protests in Ayrshire

Dr Mark Nixon

Venue: John Knox Church Hall, High Street, Stewarton

Stewarton and District Historical Society

Part of the largest political demonstration in Britain's history - "Our legislators should be chosen for the people by the people" as stated on a banner in Hawick

Monday, May 9 2016, 7.30 pm

AGM followed by A Local Topic and Refreshments

Venue: Dalkeith Baptist Church, North Wynd, Dalkeith

Dalkeith History Society

Tuesday, May 10 2016, 7.30 pm

Crail Fishing Disaster

Alan Runciman

Venue: Volunteer House (Vonef Centre) in 69 Crossgate Cupar KY15 5AS

Fife Family History Society

Tuesday, May 10 2016, 7.30 pm

1901 Census

May & Alisdair

Venue: Public Library, Airds Crossing, Fort William

Lochaber and North Argyll Family History Group

Tuesday, May 10 2016, 7.30 pm

Listen Up! A WW1 Experimental Station in Fife

Diana Maxwell

Venue: Dining Hall, Dollar Academy

Dollar History Society

Tuesday, May 10 2016, 7.30 pm - 9.30 pm

The Original Olympics

Valerie Reilly

Venue: Masonic Halls, Collier Street, Johnstone

Johnstone Historical Society

Wednesday, May 11 2016, 2.30 pm

Reconstructing Presbytery: Stirling and Dunblane Presbyteries 1688–1700

Andrew Muirhead

Venue: Edinburgh Theological Seminar, The Mound, Edinburgh

Scottish Church History Society

Wednesday, May 11 2016, 6.00 pm

‘Fair hotchin’ wi conchies’: Dundee war resisters and conscientious objectors 1914-1919

Venue: Lecture Theatre 2, Dalhousie Building, University of Dundee

Abertay Historical Society

Thursday, May 12 2016, 7.30 pm

Members Night and Forum AGM

Venue: The Shawl Gallery, Paisley Museum, High Street, Paisley

Renfrewshire Local History Forum

Thursday, May 12 2016, 7.30 pm - 9.00 pm

AGM

Venue: Johnnie Walker Bond, Strand Street Kilmarnock

East Ayrshire Family History Society

Friday, May 13 2016, 4.00pm-5.30pm

The Female World of Love & Empire: Women, Family & East India Company Politics at the End of the 18th Century

Professor Margot Finn, University College London

Venue: Gannochy Room, Wolfson Building, - Glasgow University, Glasgow, G12 8QQ

University of Glasgow

Free tickets can be booked here

Saturday, May 14 2016, 2.30pm-4.30pm

Bereavement Services & Customs

Ian Burnett

Venue: Unitarian Church Centre

Aberdeen and North East Scotland Family History Society

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U is for Universities

25/4/2016

Scotland has a long and proud education tradition. This is often traced back to the Scottish Reformation, which espoused the principle of universal education, with the call for a school in every parish. In practice this didn’t necessarily happen, but at the time it was a fairly radical idea.

But the roots of Scottish education reach back much further than 1560. Several schools still in existence today can trace their origins to the twelfth century (Dunfermline High School, High School of Glasgow, Royal High School Edinburgh, Stirling High School and Lanark Grammar School). Higher education also has a long history in Scotland. Before 1410, Scots had to leave Scotland to obtain a higher education. The most common destinations were England (Oxford and Cambridge), France (Paris and Orleans), and Italy (Bologna), although doubtless some Scots studied elsewhere. An excellent source for these early Scottish students is Donald Watt’s A Biographical Dictionary of Scottish Graduates to AD 1410 (Oxford, 1977).

By 1410, the division of the Catholic Church with two rival Popes made it essential to found a seat of higher learning in Scotland itself. A group of masters, mostly graduates from the University of Paris, set about founding an institution in St Andrews, in Fife. Henry Wardlaw, Bishop of St Andrews, granted the school a charter in May 1411. At the time, only the Pope or the Emperor could grant university status, so Bishop Wardlaw wrote to Pope Benedict XIII seeking confirmation. On 28 August 1413, Benedict granted university status to what was now the University of St Andrews in the Bull of Foundation.

St Andrews was to remain the only university in Scotland until Pope Nicholas V granted a papal bull to Bishop William Turnbull (a St Andrews graduate), authorising him to establish the University of Glasgow. In February 1495, Pope Alexander VI granted a bull to William Elphinstone, Bishop of Aberdeen and a Glasgow graduate, establishing King’s College in Aberdeen.

The last of the four ancient universities of Scotland to be founded, the University of Edinburgh, had a different start in life. Unusually for the time, it was established as a civic institution, by Royal Charter of James VI, in 1582 as the Tounis College. They were to remain the only universities in Scotland for hundreds of years.

These days, when around half of school-leavers go on to higher education, it’s easy to forget that for most of their history, universities were for a very few only. My own alma mater, the University of St Andrews, has doubled in size in the 25 years since I graduated. So it’s likely that few of your ancestors would have gone to university. If they did, however, there are records to be found, although they may not provide much information.

One very useful source for identifying people who studied at St Andrews is James Maitland Anderson’s The Matriculation Roll of the University of St Andrews 1747-1897 (Edinburgh, 1905). This has been digitised by the Internet Archive and can be found here. The information included is very limited, but it can offer some confirmation that your ancestor studied at the finest university in the world. (That last sentence may contain some personal bias …) For students before 1747, there is Robert N Smart’s Alphabetical Register of the Students, Graduates and Officials of the University of St Andrews 1579-1747 (St Andrews, 2012), although this is not available online.

The University of Glasgow has an excellent site dedicated to the history of the University. As well as background information, it includes a database of nearly 20,000 graduates to 1915. Many of these entries contain additional information about the lives and careers of Glasgow graduates. This is an ongoing project and is regularly updated by the University Archive Services, who welcome any contributions of photographs and information about individual graduates.

The University of Edinburgh Library and University Collections maintains a database of Alumni. As the site itself acknowledges, it is far from complete. The Special Collections department holds the University archive which includes many other records of university life. There are also some printed registers of graduates which can also help track ancestral students. Several of them are available in digitised versions online:

Alphabetical List of Graduates of the University of Edinburgh from 1859 to 1888

A Catalogue of the Graduates in the Faculties of Arts, Divinity, and Law, Of the University of Edinburgh, Since Its Foundation (Edinburgh, 1858)

There are also a number of graduate rolls for the University of Aberdeen:

Officers and Graduates of University and King's College, Aberdeen, 1495-1860 edited by Peter John Anderson (Aberdeen, 1893).

Roll of the Graduates of the University of Aberdeen, 1860-1900 edited by William Johnston (Aberdeen, 1906)

Roll of Graduates of the University of Aberdeen : 1901-1925 : with supplement 1860-1900 by Theodore Watt (Aberdeen, 1935) [We are unaware of any online version of this]

Roll of Graduates of the University of Aberdeen : 1926-1955 ; with supplement 1860-1925 compiled by John Mackintosh (Aberdeen, 1960) [We are unaware of any online version of this]

The individual universities may have additional information on some of their graduates, and it is always worth contacting their alumnus relations departments or libraries/archives to check, although you should always bear in mind that sometimes they may be unable to search their records due to a lack of resources, and that often the records themselves may contain limited information about your ancestors.

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O is for Obituaries and old age

18/4/2016

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Two days ago, I wrote about death (in the guise of mortcloths), and yesterday's blog was about newspapers. So I thought I'd continue with a morbid approach to blogging by writing about obituaries. Obituaries have a long tradition, and most newspapers have at the very least carried what is often jocularly referred to as Hatches, matches and dispatches (Births, marriages and deaths).

In historic Scottish newspapers, these notices are usually fairly brief, and generally only mention the great and the good - either national figures, or prominent local figures. Ordinary people usually didn't get a look in. One instance in which ordinary people would be mentioned was if they lived to a ripe old age. Even today, centenarians are relatively uncommon, but in the 19th century, they were sufficiently rare as to be reported in newspapers often far removed from where they lived.

Our first centenarian is Isobel Taylor or Alice/Ellis, whose death was reported in 1818:

Died in Old Assembly Close on 23d ult, Mrs Isobel Taylor, aged 105. She was born in the parish of Crieff, county of Perth, on the 4th of March 1713, in the reign of Queen Anne. Her memory remained nearly unimpaired, and she would converse on the events of 100 years since, with surprising correctness. Her hearing and sight were good to the last day of her life, and her recollection continued till within an hour of her death.

Aberdeen Journal, 6 May 1818 p. 4

Old Widow Ellis was a well-known figure in Edinburgh, sufficiently so that the celebrated caricaturist John Kay (about whom we've written before) produced a caricature of her:

Old Widow Ellis
This print was taken from a painting by Mr William Donaldson of this city, by whom it was exhibited and sold to the late Earl of Buchan. From a card, in the hand-writing of his lordship, we observe in addition to the information conveyed by the inscription on the Engraving, that Widow Ellis was married in 1745 to Francis Ellis, shoemaker in Keltie, Kinross-shire, who died next year of an iliac passion.

At the time the portrait was executed (December 1816), Widow Ellis lived in Rose Street, where she had resided for many years. The particulars of her life are few and uninteresting. She was a sensible, shrewd person; had been active in her youth, and retained even in old age an unusual degree of freshness and vigour.

Kay, John. A Series of Original Portraits and Caricature Etchings. Edinburgh, 1877. New Edition. p. 154

Our next centenarian, Thomas Adamson, was a weaver from Pittenweem. Unsurprisingly, his death was reported in the Fife newspapers:

Pittenweem. Longevity. Thomas Adamson, weaver in Pittenweem, died on Saturday week at the advanced age of one hundred years, five months, and two days; having been born on the 1st of May 1746. Throughout the whole course of his lengthened pilgrimage, Thomas was never peculiarly distinguished as an instrument by whom the simple denizens of earth were excited to wonder or admiration. In the literary world, he was only characterised by the “noiseless tenor of his way”. In the commercial world, by means of his industrial apparatus, he made as much noise as any other wabster of the last century. In the political world, he was merely a silent observer of the election hubbubs, for which his burgh was so eminently distinguished in days of yore, having never been invested with the franchise, either under the old or new system. In the religious department of society, he created considerable stir and noise, having for many long years occupied the precentor’s desk in the Old Kirk, where he conducted the sacred music, and gave the people line upon line according to the fashion of the good old time. In this he always aided the devotion of the sincere, and sometimes supplied fuel to the fire of waggery that through all ages has been found smouldering even in the kirk itself. Through all the vissicitudes [sic] of the commercial horizon to which this nation has been subjected, Thomas managed to rear a numerous family, and keep himself beyond the pale of starvation by tossing the shuttle, harmonising the kirk, and polishing the cheeks and chins of his fellow mortals who could not perform that duty for themselves. Being a member of a respectable society in Pittenweem, called the Trades’ Box, he in his latter years derived much benefit from the funds thereof, when the infirmities of age began to cramp his energies. We are not aware, now that Thomas has departed from the stage of time, that he has left his equal in age on this coast.
Fife Herald 15 October 1846 p. 3

His death was also reported further afield in Dundee:

Death of Thomas Adamson, the patriarch of Pittenweem - This event took place on Saturday morning last, October 3, at ten o'clock. He was born on the 1st of May, 1746, and on the 1st of May last, had completed the extraordinary long life of one hundred years. Mr Adamson was a weaver, and continued to ply the shuttle until within a very few years back. He was what most long livers are, an early riser; six o'clock scarcely ever found him in bed; he was generally up and at work by five. He had a strong clear voice, and was for many years precentor in the parish church. He had a perfect recollection of seeing Paul Jones sail past Pittenweem, on his way to Leith, about 70 years ago, and of the tempest which providentially arose and drove the pirate out of the Firth. He never was what may be called really sick, and never complained of a head-ache. For the last six months he was confined to bed, but felt no pain or sickness. He retained his senses to nearly the last day of his life, and during harvest he was every day inquiring about how far the different farmers had got in their crops. The failure in the potato crop gave him much uneasiness. During the whole of his long life, he was only three weeks absent from Pittenweem. His fortune was not chequered with ups and downs; he always continued to plod away at work. Perhaps the most remarkable event in his whole life was the meeting which was held in the Town Hall on the 1st of May last, in commemoration of his having on that day completed his hundredth year. His body was laid in Pittenweem Church-yard on Wednesday last, and the attendance at his funeral was numerous and respectable.
Dundee Courier 20 October 1846

The Dundee obituary adds a few more details, such as his recollection of seeing John Paul Jones and his flotilla in the Firth of Forth (this would have been in August 1779), and the fact that he'd only spent three weeks out of Pittenweem in his entire life. This obituary - possibly reprinted from one of the other Fife papers - was reproduced more or less verbatim in M F Conolly's Supplement to his Biographical Dictionary of Eminent Men of Fife some twenty years later.

Our third centenarian was the daughter of a soldier, apparently born in Edinburgh Castle. Her death was reported in Dumfries, where she'd lived most of her life:

At Maxwelltown, on the night of Sabbath last, Catherine M’Donald or Hutchison, at the extraordinary age of one hundred and four years. She was born in the castle of Edinburgh early in the ’45, a year memorable for the last attempt of the Stuart family to regain the throne which they had so long tilled. Her father, a private soldier, was stationed in the garrison at the time, and being ordered to repair to Dumfries, brought his daughter along with him. Soon after her father obtained his discharge, and with his wife and child settled in the Brig-end, and thus became one of the early colonists of the now thriving burgh of Maxwelltown. Here Catherine, best known as Mattie Hutchison, resided as girl, wife, and widow, for a hundred and three years, during which she lived under seven British Sovereigns. Through her long life she conducted herself with propriety, and showed great respect for the ordinances of religion. She was somewhat eccentric in her manners, and her dress to the last was of the primitive cut, fashionable eighty or ninety years ago. She was a little deaf, but with this exception, retained the full use of her faculties up till the day of her death. She was a widow for thirty years, and had one son, who died a few years before her. Latterly she was partly dependent for her support upon parish aid, but the path of life’s decline was smoothed by the benevolence of several charitable ladies, who were very attentive to the grateful centenarian.

Dumfries and Galloway Standard 24 May 1848 p. 4

Once again, her age was considered sufficiently newsworthy to be reported further afield, this time in Dundee:

Death of a centenarian - On Sunday night last, Catherine M'Donald or Hutchison, residing in Corbelly Hill, Maxwelltown, departed this life, in the one hundred and fourth year of her age. She was born in Edinburgh Castle in the early part of 1745, when her father, a private soldier, was stationed with his regiment. Part of the force was ordered to Dumfries at the time of its occupation by Prince Charles Stuart in the ill-fated rebellion of the '45. Catherine, then a child at the breast, was brought by her parents to this town, and her father, having obtained his discharge, settled at the Brig-end, in which, now become the burgh of Maxwelltown, she has resided, girl and woman, for fully one hundred and three years. She wore her dress in the same fashion which prevailed when she was a young woman, and indeed, in all things was a thorough Conservative. With the exception of a slight deafness she preserved her faculties unclouded to the very last. Dumfries Herald.
Reprinted in the Dundee Courier 14 Jun 1848

Catherine appears to have had two children with her husband William Hutchison - Martha baptised 8 August 1784, and Thomas baptised 2 July 1787, both in Troqueer parish. The first obituary suggested she had been at least partly dependent on support from the parish. A quick look at the 1841 census for Troqueer shows Catherine living at Corberry Hill aged 100, where she is described as a pauper.

Records of some of the payments from the parish that Catherine received are recorded in the Troqueer Kirk Session Accounts (NRS Reference CH2/1036/20):

Date	Name	Amount	Page
Feb 3 1817	Widow Hutcheson	4s	68
May 1 1817	Widow Hutcheson	4s	70
Aug 4 1817	Widow Hutcheson	4s	73
Nov 9 1817	Widow Hutcheson	6s	75
Jan 4 1818	Widow Hutcheson	5s	77
Feb 2 1818	Widow Hutcheson	8s	79
May 4 1818	Widow Hutcheson	7s	82
Aug 3 1818	Widow Hutcheson	8s	85
Aug 6 1821	Widow Hutcheson	5s	125
Feb 4 1822	Widow Hutcheson	6s	134
Apr 29 1822	Widow Hutcheson	5s	137
Aug 5 1822	Widow Hutcheson	5s	140
Nov 2 1822	Widow Hutcheson	5s	144
Dec 30 1822	Widow Hutcheson	4s	147
Feb 3 1823	Widow Hutcheson	5s	150
May 2 1823	Widow Hutcheson	5s	153

Our final centenarian was evidently another local character in Edinburgh. His death was recorded in the Caledonian Mercury:

On the 16th current, in the Old Fleshmarket Close, Canongate, William Wilson, commonly called Mortar Willie, at the advanced age of 106 years. He was taken from the plough in the rebellion of 1745, to serve in the Royal army, where he remained for several years. After being on the Continent he came home to this country, where he has since been employed in the capacity of druggist-man, 40 years of that time in this town. He has left an infirm old widow, aged 73, to whom he has been married 50 years, in very poor circumstances.

Caledonian Mercury, 31 July 1815 p. 3

Mortar Willie's death was widely reported - in the Scots Magazine, in The Examiner, printed in London, and even in the Taunton Courier and Western Advertiser on August 10. He was also described in Kay's Portraits:

William Wilson, or Mortar Willie
This venerable personage was a native of Perthshire, and born in 1709, to use his own words, “within a bow shot of Castle Huntly”, parish of Longforgan. The first thirty years of his life were devoted to agricultural employment. He then enlisted, fought against the Pretender, and afterwards served for nineteen years in the army – the greater portion of which was spent in the German and American wars. (1) After obtaining his discharge, he wrought for nearly twenty years in a bark mill in the neighbourhood of London.

About 1778 he returned to his native country, and settling in Edinburgh, found employment in the capacity described in the Print. He was a long time in the establishment of Dr Burt of this city, who generously continued to pay him his usual allowance of two shillings daily for his labour, after he had attained the long age of a hundred years, and although unable to work more than a small portion of the day. Willie was gratefully sensible of the Doctor’s kindness in this respect – “Eh, man,” he would remark, on occasions when he had done little, “ye’ve got a bad bargain the day.” He was remarkably honest and attentive. He occasionally nursed the children; and as he sat by the fire, used to tell them amusing stories. He always rose about four in the morning; and, at this early hour, seldom failed to rouse the domestics of his employer, in order to gain admission to the laboratory. He lived in the Old Hard-Well Close, Canongate, where he died on the 16th July 1815, in the hundred and sixth year of his age. It is supposed that, but for a hurt he received by a fall, he might have lived several years longer. He left an infirm old widow, aged seventy-three, in very poor circumstances, to whom he had been married fifty years.

(1) He was for many years servant to Lord John Murray, eldest son of the Duke of Atholl, who in 1745 was appointed Colonel of the 42d Highlanders, and fought at the battle of Fontenoy.
(2) He had previously been in the employ of Mrs Macdonald, who kept a laboratory shop in the Lawnmarket, with whom Dr Burt served his apprenticeship, and to whose business he afterwards succeeded. Indeed the labours of Mortar Willie were not confined to one or two employers, his important services having been rendered, at various periods, to almost every drug establishment of any extent in town.

Kay, John. A Series of Original Portraits and Caricature Etchings. Edinburgh, 1877. New Edition. p. 101

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History talks and events 21-27 March 2016

14/3/2016

Clydebank Local History Society

Upcoming family history talks and events in Scotland, 21 - 27 March 2016

Note that there may be a small charge for some of these events, and some may be for members only. We will be publishing lists of upcoming talks and events regularly - if you are organising a talk or event relating to Scottish genealogy or history, please let us know and we will be happy to add your events to our list.

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Monday, March 21 2016, 7.30 pm

Frae a’ the Airts

Bill Black

Venue: Morison Memorial Church, Dumbarton Road, Clydebank

Monday, March 21 2016, 7.30 pm

100 Years of the Usher Hall

Ruth Boreham

Venue: Millennium Room, Cramond Kirk Hall

Cramond Heritage Trust

Preceded by AGM

Monday, March 21 2016, 7.30 pm

Family History on the Internet

Ronnie Scott

Venue: Kelvinside Academy, Glasgow

Glasgow & West of Scotland Family History Society

Monday, March 21 2016, 7-9 pm

Tranent Old Graveyard

Venue: Augustine Church, George IV Bridge, Edinburgh

Scottish Genealogy Society

Monday, March 21 2016, 8 pm

A Scottish Doctor in Russia

John Gooding

Venue: Dreghorn Loan Hall, Colinton, EH13 0DE

Colinton Local History Society

Tuesday, March 22 2016, 6 pm

The Grants of Inverquharity Castle: The Early Castle Restores - a dialogue with archive illustrations

Alisoun Grant, castle restorer in conversationwith Simon Green, architectural historian

Venue: Dalhousie Building, Old Hawkhill, University of Dundee, DD1 4EN

Tuesday, March 22 2016, 6 pm

The Grants of Inverquharity Castle: Keys to the Castle, award-winning documentary film introduced by its director

Darren Hercher, documentary photographer, film director and producer

Venue: Dalhousie Building, Old Hawkhill, University of Dundee, DD1 4EN

Carmyllie Heritage Society

Tuesday, March 22 2016, 7 pm

Angus Castles

David Orr

Venue: Carmyllie Church Hall, Carmyllie, Arbroath, DD11 2QZ

Preceded by AGM

Wednesday, March 23 2016, 2.00 pm - 4.00 pm

Member’s Afternoon & AGM

Venue: Kincardine Community Centre - Hepburn Room

Kincardine-on-Forth Local History Group

A relaxed and informal opportunity for members to show slides from their own collections

Wednesday, March 23 2016, 2.30 pm

Becoming Atheist; how the Scots lost religion in the 20th Century

Professor Callum G Brown, University of Glasgow

Venue: Edinburgh Theological Seminar, The Mound, Edinburgh

Scottish Church History Society

Wednesday, March 23 2016, 7.00 pm

The two Andrew Morays and the Wars of Independence

Dr Iain MacInnes, University of the Highlands and Islands

Venue: Highland Archive Centre, Bught Park, Inverness

Highland Family History Society

Preceded by AGM

Wednesday, March 23 2016, 7.30 pm

Jacobite Relics: Myths and Realities

George Dalgleish

Venue: Volunteer Hall, Galashiels

Old Gala Club

Thursday, March 24 2016, 2.00 pm

Perth – A comprehensive guide for locals and visitors

Dr John Hulbert

Venue: Sandeman Room, AK Bell Library

Friends of PKC Archives

Thursday, March 24 2016, 6 pm

Glasgow’s Nineteenth Century Monument(al) History

Rachael Purse

Venue: GCHT, 54 Bell Street, Glasgow

Glasgow City Heritage Trust

GCHT Statues & Monuments Officer Rachael Purse will discuss her research from the Council funded project she has been managing; to record and research all of Glasgow’s statues and monuments. She will delve into Glasgow’s industrial past and examine its monumental legacy.

Thursday, March 24 2016, 7 pm for 7.30 pm

Audacious Imaginings

Colin Mackay

Venue: Adelaides, 209 Bath Street, at the corner of Pitt Street, Glasgow

Ayrshire Archaeological and Natural History Society

Colin MacKay, award-winning journalist with BBC Scotland, will explore the considerable contribution of the Victorian railway to style and elegance, in public buildings and permanent way alike.

Thursday, March 24 2016, 7.30 pm

The Loans Smugglers—an Update

Frances Wilkins

Venue: Town Hall, Ayr

Followed by AGM

Thursday, March 24 2016, 7.45 pm

Defending the Clyde, 1914-45

Geoffrey Stell

Venue: Drymen Village Hall, Main Street, Drymen, Glasgow, G63 0BP

Drymen & District Local History Society

Geoffrey is a buildings historian and worked for many years for the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS). At a time when we are aware of World War I and II anniversaries this talk will highlight the strategic role of the Clyde.

Saturday, March 26 2016, 2.00 pm

Livery Colours - Playing the Fool (it's all said in jest)

John Malden, FHSS

Venue: Royal Scots Club, Abercromby Place, Edinburgh

The Heraldry Society of Scotland

Sunday, March 27 2016, 2.00 pm

How to Get the Best out of FamilySearch and Family Tree

Karen Allan

Venue: Corn Exchange & Ormiston Institute, Market Square, Melrose, TD6 9PN

FamilySearch is a really useful website which is free to use but there are many search features. Which one is best for you ? Karen will explain how to use the site more effectively.

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History talks and events 7 - 13 March 2016

1/3/2016

Upcoming family history talks and events in Scotland, 7 - 13 March 2016

Note that there may be a small charge for some of these events, and some may be for members only. We will be publishing lists of upcoming talks and events regularly - if you are organising a talk or event relating to Scottish genealogy or history, please let us know and we will be happy to add your events to our list.

Monday, March 7 2016, 6.30 pm

The Builders of Edinburgh's first New Town, 1767-1795

Anthony Lewis

Venue: St Andrew’s and St George’s West Church, 13 George Street, Edinburgh EH2 2PA

Broughton History Society

Dr Anthony Lewis is curator of Scottish History for Glasgow Life/Glasgow Museums, where he has worked since 1992. At the same time he began researching Edinburgh’s New Town in preparation for the exhibition about James Craig at the Edinburgh New Town in 1995. He has been a member of the AHSS for years and even attended Forth and Borders Cases Panel meetings. On the same day in 2006 he was promoted to curator and was awarded his PhD by Edinburgh University for his research on the builders of Edinburgh first New Town. In 2014 his book based on his PhD was published.

Monday, March 7 2016, 7 pm for 7.30 pm

Three Centuries of the Scots and China

Ian Wotherspoon

Venue: Drummond Community High School, Bellevue Place, Edinburgh

Monday, March 7 2016, 7.30 pm

The history of the Glasgow Veterinary School

Prof Oswald Jarrett

Venue: St Andrews Church, Park Road, Milngavie

Milngavie and Bearsden Historical Society

Professor Oswald Jarrett tells of the modest beginnings in a small shoeing forge in Sauchiehall Lane in 1862 to the present large complex at Garscube Estate. The School has been at the forefront of innovation in animal welfare, public health, basic research and veterinary education. Recent research has been done on the feline leukaemia virus.

Monday, March 7 2016, 7.30 pm

The Country Houses, Castles and Mansions of West Dunbartonshire

John Hood

Venue: Morison Memorial Church, Dumbarton Road, Clydebank

Clydebank Local History Society

Monday, March 7 2016, 7.30 pm

Jews in Ayrshire

Harvie L Kaplan

Venue: John Knox Church Hall, High Street, Stewarton

Stewarton and District Historical Society

The Director of the Scottish Jewish Archive Centre gives us a history of Ayrshire's Jewish community including wartime refugees

Monday, March 7 2016, 7.30 pm

People at work in Edinburgh

Peter Stubbs

Venue: Gibson Craig Memorial Hall, Lanark Road West, Currie

Currie & District Local History Society

Peter Stubbs delves into his vast archive of photographs and gives us People at Work in Edinburgh covering the many and various trades and activities carried out in and around the capital.

Monday, March 7 2016, 7.30 pm

Ayr and St Germain-en-Laye: as Aspect of the Auld Alliance

Bill Rogers, Ayr Town Twinning Association

Venue: Loudoun Hall, Boat Vennel, Ayr

Kyle and Carrick Civic Society

Monday, March 7 2016, 8 pm

'The Village has changed a little but always for the better', a celebration of the architecture of Colinton before the First World War

Simon Green, RCAHMS

Venue: Dreghorn Loan Hall, Colinton, EH13 0DE

Colinton Local History Society

Tuesday, March 8 2016, 2.00 pm

“Art & Calligraphy

Duncan Gilfillan

Venue: Kirkcaldy Old Kirk, Kirk Wynd

Kirkcaldy Civic Society

Tuesday, March 8 2016, 6 pm

Rescuing the Unrescuable and Providing Creative New Uses: Community-led approaches and interventions for the conservation of abandoned towns in Southern Italy

May East, sustainability practitioner, educator and designer

Venue: Dalhousie Building, Old Hawkhill, University of Dundee, DD1 4EN

Tuesday, March 8 2016, 6 pm

Rescuing the Unrescuable and Providing Creative New Uses: Building Preservation Trusts and their Revolving Funds

Mia Scott, historic buildings consultant, Inverness

Venue: Dalhousie Building, Old Hawkhill, University of Dundee, DD1 4EN