Categories
Animals Folklore

GIOLCAM-DAORUM

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n. In Gaelic folklore, the smallest of all animals. Also known as a gigelorum. The only thing being known about it is that it lives in the ears of mites.

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Picture from Khaustov and Zelalem (2017)



At 79 µm, microdispid mites are the smallest known arthropods. The mite pictured lives as a hitchhiker on termites in Ethiopia (including on the termites “ears”).

And if anyone is curious, termites’ ears are just above their knees.

References

Khaustov, A.A., and W. Zelalem (2017) Two new genera of mite family Microdispidae (Acari: Heterostigmata) associated with Macrotermes subhyalinus (Isoptera: Termitidae) from Ethiopia. International Journal of Acarology 43: 223-231

Campbell, J.G. (1900) Superstitions of the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. James MacLehose and Sons, Glasgow. pg. 220

Categories
Rural Life

61 minutes an hour

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Since 1812, a minute in Crimond, Aberdeenshire has been about 2 seconds shorter than the rest of the world’s. The church clock keeps 61 minutes in an hour. The face and mechanism was corrected in 1948, but angry locals soon had their own time zone reinstated.

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Photo credit: Anne Burgess, https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/186217

The clock was paid for and donated to Crimond by James Laing of Haddo, a slave owner, who made his money in the West Indies.

References

https://www.ucl.ac.uk/lbs/person/view/903312617

Categories
Animals Medicine

Longest tapeworm

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In August 1809, an unusually long tapeworm (Taenia) was removed from a patient in Perth. The world record for a human tapeworm is 82ft (recorded in 1978). The Perth tapeworm measured in at just shy of 150ft… when it snapped.

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References

Perthshire Courier, 31st August 1809, pg. 3

Categories
Folklore Medicine

Fight fire with fire in Fife

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In Fife mining communities a burn on the skin was thought to be cured by holding the afflicted body part close to a flame. The fire was supposed to “draw oot the heat” from the burn.

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References

Simpkins, J.E., MacLagan, R.C., and D. Rorie (1914) County Folklore Vol. VII. – Examples of printed folk-lore concerning Fife with some notes on Clackmannan and Kinross-shires. Sidgewick and Jackson, London. pg. 408

Categories
Crime and Punishment Uncategorized

Church in the bedroom

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16th March 1559. Bessie Smith complains to St Andrews Kirk session that her husband, Andrew Lumsden, has “nocht adhered to hir in bed for twelf years”. Church decrees that he must “adhere to her” within 48 hours. Her neighbours to report back and confirm.

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References

Hay Fleming, D. (ed) (1889) Register of the minister, elders, and deacons of the Christian congregation of St. Andrews : comprising the proceedings of the Kirk session and of the Court of the Superintendent of Fife, Fothrik, and Strathearn. 1559-1600. Vol. 1., Edinburgh University Press. 486pp.

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Uncategorized

Dunfermline Justice

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Collecting nuts on a Sunday? Put down a hole.
Slandering a neighbour? Locked in a limekiln.

“Wallowing in former filthieness and prophanitie”? Forehead branded with the town’s iron.

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In October 1648, Janet Robertson was ordered to be cairtit and scourgit throu the toun and markit wi ane hote yron and so forth banished forth of the paroch. Dunfermline had a branding iron that spelt out “DUNF.REG” that was heated up and held against the right hand or above the brow. This let everyone know that you had been banished from the parish–anyone who helped you would be punished also.

References

Henderson, E. (ed.) (1865) Extracts from the Kirk-Session Records of Dunfermline: (from 1640-1689 inclusive). Fullarton and MacNab, Edinburgh. 82pp.

Categories
Animals

Gatecrasher Jackdaw

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A February sermon in Forfar Parish Church in 1833 had to be abandoned due to an unwanted visitor. In the middle of prayer, a tame jackdaw started divebombing the minister, William Clugston, and wouldn’t stop perching on his head.

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http://www.ampthillimages.com/Media/Shefford-Gall/pages/1950%20Pet%20Jackdaw%2002.html
References

Perthshire Advertiser. 7th February 1833. pg. 2

Categories
Food and Drink Uncategorized

Vinegar from Crabs

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Sure apple cider vinegar is great, but wait til you hear about crab vinegar…

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One hopes it was crab-apples and not shore crabs…

Categories
Crime and Punishment

False Pretences

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22nd December 1900. Aberdeen Sheriff Court has its priorities in order…

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Source: Dundee Evening Post. 22nd December 1900. pg. 3

Categories
Disasters People

Stonehaven Skipper’s Silver Watch

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Fisherman, William Christie and 3 of his crew were drowned off Stonehaven in Jan. 1885. Their bodies were never found. 3 years later, another fisherman hooked William’s silver watch by a single link in its chain and presented it to William’s widow Christina.

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Stonehaven Harbour, 1890. Source: https://www.stunningstonehaven.co.uk/looking-back-stonehaven-harbour/
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This picture (below) of fisherfolk at Stonehaven was taken about his time. Also here’s the entry for his boat (The Mary) and the crew in the register of deaths at sea. The cause of death is given as “swamping of boat”

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https://canmore.org.uk/collection/1773579
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Entries in the register of deaths at sea for William Christie and the 3 other fisherman who died after the Mary was swamped.
References

Aberdeen Evening Express. 26th January 1885. pg. 4
Aberdeen Evening Express. 18th February 1888. pg. 2
1885 CHRISTIE, WILLIAM (Statutory registers Deaths 022/MR 98)