On 21st June 1870, Alexander Duncan, 29, was digging potatoes at Middlerigg outside Falkirk. Neighbours heard two shots and an hour later, Duncan was found dead with two shots to the chest. An inquiry ruled his horse had shot him by nudging the trigger. Twice.
The winter of 1852 was so harsh and snowy that almost all the sheep of Ardgour were killed. The Edinburgh Evening Post reported the “great liberal generosity” of the laird, Colonel MacLean, during these hard times: He returned * 10% * of his tenants’ rent…
In 1819 the River Cree dried up exposing a single ancient elk antler in the clay at Machermore measuring 34inches long and 12inches around at the base. It was sent to Sir Walter Scott and was one of the first solid proofs that elk previously roamed in Scotland.
The folk of Loans were *notorious* for “relieving” ships of their cargo when they were beached on North Sands. They had special cellars called ‘brandy holes’ and the Laird of Fullarton faked reports about pirate ships to the exciseman to protect his tenants.
In the 19th C., fishermen in Nairn believed that wood was either “he” or “she”. Boats made with “she-wood” sailed faster at night than during the day. Boats made with wood that had been stolen, “stealt-wood” also went faster at night.
Galashiels man George Reavely (1815-1895) was the McGonagall of inventors. Tried to fly from Gala to Edinburgh with mechanical batwings. His “flotation mattress-bed” sank in front of a large crowd. He won bronze for an invention that almost killed the expo judge.
In August 1899, Pinter and Ord’s circus lioness escaped into the streets of Pitlochry. It attacked a pony, but came off worse after the pony bit its neck. Locals caught it by throwing a large tarpaulin over it. Only one man injured after it stepped on his toes.
