Category Archives: folklore

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

Old King Cole and the Catholic Church

Posted on April 25, 2016 by malcolmarchibald

Are children still taught the old nursery rhymes? I know we were: Mary Mary, quite contrary, which was a sixteenth century political commentary on Mary, Queen of Scots, perhaps, Ring a ring of roses, which harked back to the days … Continue reading →

Posted in Celtic History, Christianity, Edinburgh, England, folklore, Glasgow,, history, humanity, literature, Middle East, Military history, mythology,, Palestine, religion, Roman Empire, royalty, Scotland, Uncategorized, Walter Scott | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

On this day in Scottish history

Posted on January 3, 2016 by malcolmarchibald

03 January 1746 Advertisement in the Edinburgh Advertiser: ‘Any young woman not under 15, nor much over 30 years of age, that is tolerably handsome, and would incline to give her hand to a Black Prince, upon directing a letter … Continue reading →

Posted in fishing, folklore, history, humanity, life experience, maritime, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

This day in Scottish history

Posted on January 1, 2016 by malcolmarchibald

01 January 1573 Military: For some years, Sir William Kirkcaldy of Grange, ‘the bravest soldier in Christendom’ had held Edinburgh Castle for the exiled and imprisoned Queen Mary. This day saw the expiry of a truce between Kirkcaldy and the … Continue reading →

Posted in Beatles,, Crime; History, Edinburgh, folklore, Historical Crime, history, Scotland, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Sawney Bean

Posted on December 18, 2015 by malcolmarchibald

  Sawney Bean is the cannibal per excellence. When anybody mentions Scottish cannibals, it is Sawney Bean who springs to mind and no wonder. His is a story of horror, murder and cannibalism that would be suitable for any late-night … Continue reading →

Posted in Abduction, cannibalism, crime, Crime; History, Emigration, Evil, family, folklore, Historical Crime, history, murder, People, Scotland, Serial murderers | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Before the Monster

Posted on December 16, 2015 by malcolmarchibald

Of all the monster legends in the western world, that of Loch Ness is probably the best known. This stretch of dark water in the north of Scotland attracts thousands of tourists, year after year, there have been dozens of … Continue reading →

Posted in folklore, history, life experience, nature, People, Snow, winter, Scottish Borders, Scotland, Royal Mail,, superstition, tragedy, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Tweed Memories

Posted on December 15, 2015 by malcolmarchibald

There can be fewer more fascinating things than a part-frozen river. The banks are solid with ice, thicker than a hand-span, gleaming silver, white and blue in the winter sun, and great chunks, sometimes six, seven, eight inches thick float … Continue reading →

Posted in children, family, family life, folklore, life, life experience, Memories, River Tweed, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

The folklore behind common phrases

Posted on September 16, 2015 by malcolmarchibald

On the television news yesterday, one man gave his opinion that racism was ‘beyond the pale.’ It was a throwaway remark that he probably said without any consideration for the original meaning of the phrase. It did set me thinking though, … Continue reading →

Posted in arctic, brass monkeys, English language, folklore, history, ireland, maritime, meaning, meanings, phrases, son of a gun, words | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments