Category Archives: history

SERGEANT McLEOD AND THE MEN IN THE RANKS

Posted on March 18, 2019 by malcolmarchibald

British history books are filled with accounts of wars and great commanders. The names of generals such as Marlborough, Wellington, Montgomery, Slim, Havelock, Clive and Wolfe spring from the pages, faces that peer from the powder-smoke and reap the rewards … Continue reading →

Posted in Battles,, Black Watch, Canada;, history, life experience, military, Military history, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

THE BOSTONIAN AND THE GURKHAS

Posted on February 26, 2019 by malcolmarchibald

The British Empire threw up an amazing array of colourful characters and none more so than David Ochterlony. With such a name it is obvious that he has a Scottish background. His father came from Forfarshire, now Angus, north of … Continue reading →

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This crazy ideas about nationality

Posted on July 19, 2017 by malcolmarchibald

People fight wars over national boundaries. One set of people kill and maim another set of people because of some silly line drawn on a map by some politician or king or other jumped up self-important yahoo. How crazy is … Continue reading →

Posted in Battles,, cannibalism, druids, Evil, First World War, foodbanks, freedom, Good, history, Hope, humanity, Immigration, League of Nations, Middle East, Military history, museums, Peace, politics, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

December in Scottish History

Posted on December 14, 2016 by malcolmarchibald

DECEMBER IN SCOTTISH HISTORY 01 December 1768: The first volume of Encyclopedia Britannica was published in Edinburgh, edited by William Smellie. 1787: The lighthouse at Kinnaird Head, Fraserburgh began operations.  It was built by Thomas Smith and Robert Stevenson. 02 … Continue reading →

Posted in Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders, Australia, Battles,, Boer War, Books, Edinburgh, Exploration, Historical Crime, history, Inventions, life, maritime, Military history, murder, publication, books, author, publishers, royalty, Scotland, Scotswomen, Scottish battles, Shipping, South Africa, tragedy, Uncategorized, Walter Scott | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

AUGUST IN SCOTTISH HISTORY

Posted on August 1, 2016 by malcolmarchibald

01 August 1798: Battle of the Nile:  ‘There were some of the women wounded, and one woman belonging to Leith died of her wounds, and was buried on a small island in the bay. One woman bore a son in … Continue reading →

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Scottish Women

Posted on July 10, 2016 by malcolmarchibald

Having been married to a Scottish woman, and having a brace of daughters who are also Scottish women, I have first hand experience of how capable they are. However it appears that they have always been a formidable bunch. I … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Celtic History, history, inspiration, literature, Scotland, Scotswomen, Uncategorized, women, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment