Welcome to Previously... Scotland's History Festival.
An annual celebration of our nation's longest running drama... our story.
Previously? It's the story so far...
17 November - 26 November 2017
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Blog: No way to treat a Knight
How the ladies must have sighed when that helmet came off post-joust and his famous long, wavy locks swept over his armour clad shoulders.
Oct / 01 / 2017Blog: No way to treat a Knight
His name was Sir Anthony D'Arcy, de la Bastie, the superstar of 16th century jousting. They called him The White Knight, in his signature gleaming armour. Brave, handsome and chivalric, de la Bastie had hearts aflutter tourney-side from Antwerp to Edinburgh. He fought in Scotland in 1507. How the ladies must have sighed when that helmet came off post-joust and his famous long, wavy locks swept over his armour clad shoulders.
He should have stayed in France. He came back to Scotland after Flodden.
He fell into vendetta between Regent Albany and the Humes of the Borders, who ambushed him one terrible day just north of Duns. No quarter given to this flower of chivalry, he was butchered, beheaded and dumped. His famous long air was scalped from his skull to hang on the saddle of Lord Hume.
No way to treat a knight.
Blog: Hellfire and a wee dod o' sugar
A sweetie even John Knox would have loved, the Pan Drop fitted the needs of a congregation facing eternal damnation, whilst sitting on a solid wooden seat for a very long time.
Oct / 05 / 2017Blog: Hellfire and a wee dod o' sugar
Scottish Sabbath sermons. Hellfire to the fore, but in the background, the clandestine rustle of a paper bag, followed by the surreptitious sook of a deftly extracted Pan Drop.
A sweetie even John Knox would have loved, the Pan Drop fitted the needs of a congregation facing eternal damnation, whilst sitting on a solid wooden seat for a very long time.
Refreshingly minty enough to perk the attention, sugary enough to provide energy and just a wee bit too big at first to be comfortable, all wrapped up in a shell strong enough to survive a direct hit, it’s a Presbyterian tale of work and reward.
The Pan Drop claims a Leith birthplace. Created in 1884 by baker John Millar and Sons, the family did so well out of the molar-busting treat that a move came quickly uptown to the big city, and then out to Broxburn.
Blog: Electric Love
James had twin passions, reproduction and electricity, combined in his magnificent masterpiece, The Celestial Bed, the heart of his Temple of Hymen, opened in London in 1781.
Oct / 07 / 2017Blog: Electric Love
In the 18th century, it was all about an heir and spare when Fortune married Title. But what if the stork was a no show?
Time to consult Scotland’s sexologist, Dr James Graham. Born 1745 in Edinburgh, James studied medicine.
James had twin passions, reproduction and electricity, combined in his magnificent masterpiece, The Celestial Bed, the heart of his Temple of Hymen, opened in London in 1781.
Making babies, James argued, needs a spark. And he had the kit to generate just that.
His bed guaranteed conception. To ensure a happy outcome, it would tilt with the lover’s exertions. Turtle doves flitted about the canopy, and a four-piece orchestra in the corner provided mood music. But most of all, it sparkled – with static electricity.
Dr Graham installed the biggest generators he could find and fired the force across the bed. Dodgy medical benefits aside, it must have been spectacular.
He was a doctor, Jim, not a businessman. Money for the Temple ran out.
He died, broke, in 1794. A wee bit mad? Possibly, but his kindness to women trying to conceive was almost revolutionary. He deserves a place as a great Scottish doctor.
Blog: Paisley pattern
By the middle of the 19th century, Paisley Mills clothed the world. Christian Shaw founded an industry that dominated the world, and yet she is forgotten today.
Oct / 08 / 2017Blog: Paisley pattern
In 1721, newly widowed 36-year-old Christian Shaw and her mother travelled to Holland. The family had interests in thread and spinning. What could be more natural than to ask their hosts about their own spinning techniques? Of course, replied the openminded and helpful Dutch.
The widow and her mother did a bit of sketching, a lot of watching and a load of learning. Upon their return, Christian revolutionised Paisley weaving. Using the lessons learned from the Dutch, Christian now spun thread that was strong, durable and white. Perfect for the lace and embroidery industry. Business boomed. By 1783 there were 23 textile manufactures in Paisley.
By the middle of the 19th century, Paisley Mills clothed the world. Christian Shaw founded an industry that dominated the world, and yet she is forgotten today.
Of course, the fact that the 11-year-old Christian Shaw was the central accuser in the Paisley witch trials of 1697, which lead to six executions and one suicide may have something to do with it…