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Each stone might be a cist
“Each stone might be a cist where memory sleeps in dust And nothing tells more than the silent mist That smokes along the Heather blackened fells” [Andrew Young, Elgin born minister (went to C of E, hence “fells”?!)]
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The Knights Templar
Formed to protect visitors to holy land after first crusade, based at Al Aqsa mosque – hence “knights of the temple of Solomon”, then Templar. Warrior monks, with a code that shunned ostentation, vows of poverty and celibacy. Attracted funding from across Europe and candidates from the lower order of rich families’ sons. Over 200…
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What did the Romans ever do for us?
Introduced apples, pears, peas and probably fast food – for all the soldiers constantly on the move. Trademarks – having the Emperor on your coins was the start of a trend of potters stamping their products with their name. Toilets, baths and drains. Plus the acqueducts to get water to you. Roads of course, stone…
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East Kilbride history
In 1793, Kilbride (East as a prefix was not yet commonly used) had one street and two lanes. That street is what we now divide into Parkhall, Montgomery and Glebe Streets and the two lanes are today’s Kittoch and Hunter Streets. Main Street became the principal thoroughfare when the new turnpike road from Glasgow to Strathaven was…
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Highland clearances
Clan system not formalised, “protection” of chief in return for service esp military. Gaelic idea of duthchas (loyalty). Pressure was increased prices with Napoleonic wars and debts, due to elites trying to maintain lifestyle with minimal revenue. Against emigration recruitment initially (people as assets) instead Sheep introduced. given crofts with limited (inadequate) land and encouraged to fish…
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Mistaken Identity – Reith Lectures 2016 – Kwame Anthony Appiah
Genetically we seem predisposed to seek links with groups outside our immediate family, and seek differences that distinguish “us” and “them”. Important in the small groups that early man survived in. Colour – Western peoples assumed everyone came from Abraham, via Noah, and race/colour were considered mere geographical variations! Race ideas emerged at same time…
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Tallest tree(s) in Britain!
44m beech identified in Newtimber Woods on the Devil’s Dyke Estate (National Trust) in West Sussex, in the South Downs. This is the tallest native tree in Britain. Reading the small print, however, it looks like there’s a taller lime in Scotland somewhere, but it was planted so not “wild” – bit unfair, surely? The…
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Cumbernauld
https://flic.kr/p/9GjPTo Came across this plan for Cumbernauld while searching for iconic Lanarkshire images. Sadly, no real photo of Cumbernauld really sells it as a modernist classic.
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Early days of a better nation
“Work as if you live in the early days of a better nation” – Scottish Parliament Cannongate wall inscription. Paraphrased from Canadian Dennis Lee: “Best of all is finding a place to be in the early days of a better civilisation” in poem berating a complicit, colonised Canada.