Category Archives: Dundee

Dundee at a Glance

Posted on December 1, 2016 by malcolmarchibald

Dundee is a most dynamic city, always changing, always innovative. Once a major linen centre, then, as Juteopolis, the centre of the world’s jute trade, it was also the port where the best Arctic ships in the world were built, … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Dundee, family, folklore, history, Inventions, literature, maritime, Scotland, Shipping, Uncategorized, University, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

November in Scottish History

Posted on November 7, 2016 by malcolmarchibald

01 November 1889: A Belgian named Professor Albert attempted to become the first man to swim the Firth of Forth. Setting off from the shore of Fife, he reached about half way to Inchkeith before he gave up, disappointing the … Continue reading →

Posted in Dundee, Edinburgh, Exploration, First World War, folklore, Glasgow,, Historical Crime, history, Inventions, Military history, November, People, police, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

BOOK LAUNCH

Posted on October 1, 2016 by malcolmarchibald

Autumn is usually a busy period. I have just returned from giving a presentation in Stornoway in the Island of Lewis and now am preparing for a book launch in Dundee. The island of Lewis was pretty spectacular, with some … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, crime, Crime; History, Dundee, Historical Crime, history, Luck, writing, crime,, maritime, police, publication, publishing, Scotland, Shipping, Uncategorized, writing | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

SEA BATHING: VICTORIAN STYLE

Posted on August 15, 2016 by malcolmarchibald

There is quite a furore about sea bathing and sea bathing attire in Europe at present, with riots in Corsica and political troubles in the south of France.  Well, in Scotland it is not that long since we had our … Continue reading →

Posted in Dundee, family life, history, humanity, Life experiences, nudity, Scotland, Uncategorized, Victorian values | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

On this week in Scottish history

Posted on March 1, 2016 by malcolmarchibald

01 March 1546, George Wishart, Scotland’s first martyr of the Reformation strangled and burned in front of St Andrews Castle. Wishart was the son of an Angus laird and was sometime a teacher in Montrose. He had spent some time … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, crime, Crime; History, Dundee, Edinburgh, Exploration, family, football, Historical Crime, history, Inventions, life, maritime, People, Scotland, Shipping, sport, Uncategorized, War | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

In this week in Scottish history

Posted on February 9, 2016 by malcolmarchibald

07 February 1603: Battle of Glenfruin. After a raid by MacGregors into Luss, a body of Colquhoun women showed the bloodstained shirts of their slain men to King James VI, who authorised reprisals. The MacGregors struck first, killing scores of … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Burke and Hare, Clan feuds,, crime, Dundee, Edinburgh, First World War, fishing, Historical Crime, history, maritime, military, publication, books, author, publishers, Scotland, Shipping, Uncategorized, War, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

On this day in Scottish history

Posted on January 5, 2016 by malcolmarchibald

    1768 – Dundee Council Minutes mention of a petition of the Fraternity of Masters and Seamen in Dundee who contributed to a fund to look after the ‘decayed and indulgent members of the society’ – at this time … Continue reading →

Posted in Dundee, history, humanity, life experience, maritime, mutual aid. humanity, Shetland, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Whaling and Victorian Values

Posted on December 1, 2015 by malcolmarchibald

Today, the 1st of December 2015 Japan’s whaling fleet sailed from Shimonoseki in south western Japan. The ships will head to the Antarctic and hunt whales from the end of December until March 2016. During that period they will kill … Continue reading →

Posted in arctic, arms industry, BBC, Arctic,Whaling, Maritime, Scotland, Sea, children, crime, Dundee, Emigration, history, humanity, Japanese whaling, maritime, People, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

He Died for Freedom and Honour

Posted on September 28, 2015 by malcolmarchibald

One hundred years ago today, the Battle of Loos was raging in France. This was the biggest British battle of the so-called Western Front in 1915 and, like so many battles of the First World War, there were horrendous casualties. … Continue reading →

Posted in 1915, Black Watch, Death Penny, Diplomacy, Dundee, European Union, Evil, First World War, freedom, Good, ISIS, League of Nations, Loos, Middle East, Nazi Germany, Scotland, U.N., War | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

How does one feel after writing a book?

Posted on August 21, 2015 by malcolmarchibald

It is a strange mixture of emotions. On one hand there is elation that a piece of work is completed; on the other there is a sense of loss. Last night I sent my latest effort to a publisher: Fort … Continue reading →

Posted in Dundee, history, hoping, publishing, writing | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments