History Scotland Magazine

Vol.6 No.1 January/February 2006

Contents

Brodick Castle clamp-kiln and the lime industry of Arran
Derek Alexander

Excavation of an unusual clamp-type limekiln in the grounds of Brodick Castle has led to a review of the sources, manufacture and use of lime on the Isle of Arran.

The Death of David, Duke of Rothesay, 1402
Lisa Shaw

The late 14th century has been referred to by some historians as arguably the dullest period in Scotland’s history. When the ‘hot’ conflict of the Wars of Independence came to an end with the Treaty of Berwick in 1357, so too did the focus of a unified national cause. The affairs of Scotland appeared suddenly to become introspective and domestic, with the individual’s cause seemingly replacing that of the nation. However the author draws attention to the one key event in this period which altered the natural line of royal succession - death of David, duke of Rothesay, eldest son of Scotland’s king, Robert III.

The Douglas Wars.
Harry Potter

The 4th article in the series on the Marian Civil War – deals with the siege of Edinburgh beginning on 16 October 1571 , the effects on the popuation, the vacillation of Elizabeth I and finally the negotiations to end the siege

Skirmish on Granish Moor. June 1689: A forgotten episode in the campaign of Bonnie Dundee. Part 2
David G. Rose

Second part of article where the author describes the successes and disappointments of the archaeological investigation of the site of the skirmish at Granish Moor and offers a scenario of events based on the various pieces of evidence assembled.

The Secrets of old Haddington.
Alex Neish

Haddington was granted royal burgh status before 1175 and, by the early 15th century, was one of the largest towns in Scotland. This made it an obvious target for invading English armies who twice burned the town to the ground. Later, it was to see a religious struggle between Scottish Presbyterians and Episcopalians. Towards the end of the 18th century, and thanks in part to local prosperity, the town even had its own ‘mini-enlightenment’. Less well known, however, is the fact that Haddington possessed its own Incorporation of Hammermen which had been in existence from at least 1530.

End of an old song – ‘The Battle of the Somme’
Fraser Bell

Unfortunately, regimental histories provide few details concerning the personal experiences of war and what people, like pipers, may have felt about the decimation of their ranks during 1914 and 1915. By their very nature regimental histories are incapable of capturing the sound of a single dissenting voice, no matter how loud. In contrast to this dearth of information in official records, however, there is a pipe tune which may provide just such a personal experience of the conflict. It is called the “Battle of the Somme,” a curious hybrid composition whose ambiguous melody masks its true subject: the worst defeat in British military history and the bloodiest few hours of the First World War.

News features

Rock Art from a Bronze Age cairn at Balblair, near Inverness. Andrew Dutton

Pioneering coastal erosion project discovers burial on the Isle of Unst. Olivia Lelong

Out of the Stones - music inspired by the archaeology and history of Orkney

Ironwork. David Mitchell and Andrew Laing