Author Archives: Bill Hendrie

Campania – Collision – Calamity

When the people of Edinburgh, the Lothians and Fife awoke on the morning of Saturday 6th November 1918 they found word in their tight-packed, crowded columns of their newspapers that victory in the four year long First World War was … Continue reading

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Bathgate’s Burns’ Enthusiast

Burns enthusiasts every January celebrate the Birthday of Scotland’s national bard but it is doubtful if any mark it in such an elaborate manner as Bathgate spinning wheel maker John Stark did during Victorian times. Every year on 25th January, Starkie, … Continue reading

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Salt From the Shores of the Forth

Television cookery expert Delia Smith’s recipe for success in the kitchen puts Maldon sea salt at the top of the list of essential ingredients. Her choice is an intriguing reminder of the days when all of Scotland’s salt came straight … Continue reading

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Trinity’s Treasure House

Trinity House, open to the public while the property of Historic Scotland, is still also the headquarters of the Incorporation of Mariners and Ship’s Masters of Leith, whose activities have catered for the welfare of its members since the 14th … Continue reading

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The Skire Siller

Every year at Easter, Her Majesty the Queen distributes specially minted Maundy Money to the same number of pensioners as there are years in her age. Scotland once had its own much more elaborate version of this annual church ceremony. … Continue reading

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