The term ‘military tattoo’ originally meant a military drum performance, but it has now come to mean army displays in general. It dates from around the 1600s, and was used during the Thirty Years’ War in the Low Countries. Drummers from the garrison were sent into the towns at 9:30PM each evening, in order to inform the soldiers that it was time to return to the barracks. The whole process was known as doe den tap toe, which was Dutch for “turn off the tap”. It was basically an instruction to the innkeepers that they were to stop serving beer to the soldiers and sent them home for the … [Read more...] about A History of the Edinburgh Military Tattoo
History
The Story of Emigration from Berneray, Harris
Peter Kerr, a historical researcher with a particular interest in the Isle of Harris has worked on the Berneray Historical Society’s most recent project, ‘A’ tilleadh ar n-eachdraidh dhachaigh’ (Bringing Our History Home) which has run for the last 18 months. Mr Kerr has written an account of the worldwide emigration of local people from the island, mainly in the mid-19th century. Berneray is a small island in the Sound of Harris, between Harris to the north and North Uist to the south of the Western Isles. The island is joined to North Uist by a man-made causeway built in 1999, and also … [Read more...] about The Story of Emigration from Berneray, Harris
Marquis of Montrose – Scotland’s greatest warrior
The ancient struggle between Campbells and MacDonalds to control Islay and Kintyre features heavily in BBC Scotland’s offering for St Andrew’s Day The film, Scotland’s Greatest Warrior (Friday November 30th on BBC2) reveals how the Marquis of Montrose, a military genius, led an outnumbered army to victory in six successive battles during the civil wars of the 17th century. Some call him the greatest general that Scotland has ever produced and General Montgomery, commander of the D-Day land forces in 1944, quoted Montrose’s poetry to his men on the eve of the Normandy landings: He either … [Read more...] about Marquis of Montrose – Scotland’s greatest warrior
Background on Hogmanay In Scotland
While New Year’s Eve is celebrated around the world the Scots have a long rich heritage associated with the event and even have their own word for it – Hogmanay. Theories abound about the derivation of the word ‘Hogmanay’. The Scandinavian word for the feast preceding Yule was ‘Hoggonott’, while the Flemish words – many of which came into the Scots language – ‘hoog min dag’ means ‘great love day.’ Hogmanay could also be traced back to the Anglo Saxon ‘Haleg monath’, holy month, or the Gaelic ‘òg maiden’, which refers to ‘new morning. But the most likely source seems to be the French ‘Homme est … [Read more...] about Background on Hogmanay In Scotland
A History of Scotland by Neil Oliver
You probably know Neil Oliver from the very successful BBC series Coast. Fortunately Neil didn't stop there and since he is from Scotland who could better tell and show you all about the very rich history of Scotland? In ten thought-provoking, episodes Neil Oliver brings a fresh perspective to Scotland’s past and challenges many of the perceived notions of Scottish history. With stunning, BAFTA-winning cinematography and mesmerising narrative the series tells of battles and allegiances, political intrigue and religious conflict. This is one of the best Scotland DVD's if you ask me. The … [Read more...] about A History of Scotland by Neil Oliver
Biography of Sir Walter Scott
Sir Walter Scott, poet and novelist, was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, five years before the Declaration of Independence in America. Unlike most little Scotch boys, he was not sturdy and robust, and in his second year, a lameness appeared that never entirely left him. Being frail and delicate, he received the most tender care from parents and grandparents. Five consecutive years of his life, from the age of three to the age of eight, were spent on his grandfather's farm at Sandyknow. At the end of this period, he returned to Edinburgh greatly improved in health, and soon after, entered the high … [Read more...] about Biography of Sir Walter Scott
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