The Scottish Snippets Newsletter in its original format began in April 1997 and continued in an unbroken series for 591 issues. Although no longer produced in that style, there is now this regular update on the new and updated pages on the Rampant Scotland site including "Scottie's Photo Diary From Scotland".
To receive a text version of this newsletter as a reminder to look at these Web pages when they are published, just send an e-mail to Scottie@RampantScotland.com with "Subscribe Newsletter" in the subject line.
Blue Heaven Photo Diary
The latest collection of photographs with descriptive text covering the months of May and June at locations such as Branklyn Garden in perth which has a great collection of Himalayan plants and flowers, such as the beautiful blue of the Mecanopsis poppy. But there's also pictures from Scone Palace Perthshire; Greenbank Garden, East Renfrewshire (with its own Mecanopsis collection); There are also ducklings and cygnets at Drumpellier Country Park, North Lanarkshire and Hogganfield Loch, Glasgow. And there's a miscellany of illustrations including the new Edinburgh tram (trolley car) which is now operating along Princes Street and out to Edinburgh airport. See Blue Heaven Photo Diary
Buchan Ness / Boddam Lighthouse
This lighthouse is near Peterhead on the coast of Aberdeenshire and the picture at the top of the page shows a rainbow above the building. The area was surveyed by Robert Stevenson, Engineer to the Northern Lighthouse Board (and also grandfather of Robert Louis Stevenson the author), The light was became operational in 1827 but it was not until 1907 that red bands were painted round it so that it could be easily identified in daylight. See Buchan Ness / Boddam Lighthouse
Holburn Head Lighthouse
Holburn Head Lighthouse is situated on Little Holburn Head, Scrabster, on the west side of Scrabster Bay, Pentland Firth in the north of Scotland. This pretty lighthouse can be easily viewed from Thurso. The estimated high costs (£3,900 including living accommodation for the lighthouse keepers) caused delays as these were examined in detail so it was not until 1861 that building work actually started. The light flashed every 10 seconds, but it was seen as a white light towards the Pentland Firth and Thurso Bay and as a red light towards Scrabster.The light was discontinued in 1988 but since the harbour at Scrabster has been upgraded, it is not uncommon to see substantial cruise ships in the area. See Holburn Head Lighthouse
Cantick Head Lighthouse
The graphic at the top of the article for this lighthouse shows the building at night - with the moon shining above. Cantick Head is located on the South East Coast of the Island of Hoy, near Scapa Flow in the Pentland Firth south of the Orkney Islands. Cantick Head Lighthouse, light keepers' cottages, sundial pedestal & outbuildings are all grade B listed as being of architectural and historic interest. See Cantick Head Lighthouse
Fada's Farsaing - Naming Customs
The Scots often followed a naming pattern in the 1700s & 1800s and this has often proved helpful when trying to piece together family trees. For example, an eldest son was often named after his paternal grandfather while a second son was named after his maternal grandfather. The concept of a 'surname' is a relatively recent historical development, evolving from a medieval naming practice which would be used in situations where more than one person had the same name. Surnames were usually derived from patronymics ( taking the father's Christian name e.g. Robertson or MacDonald) or occupation (e.g. Smith from blacksmith (the most common surname of all) or locality (e.g. Wood) or a nickname (e.g. White, Little). See Fada's Farsaing - Naming Customs
Fada's Farsaing - St Andrew
The story of how St Andrew became established as the patron saint of Scotland. See: Fada's Farsaing - St Andrew
Next Newsletter
The next newsletter is scheduled for 28 June and it is planned to include more of "Tam's Tall Tales".
Yours aye
Scottie
Previous editions of this Newsletter are available in an Archive. The Index to the other pages of the Rampant Scotland site is available here.
Where else would you like to go in Scotland?
