Our Blog
Old Tolbooth Prison Edinburgh – Methods of Escape!
Old Tolbooth Prison Edinburgh - Methods of Escape! The Old Tolbooth Prison in Edinburgh occupied a site in West Parliament Square outside St Giles on the Royal Mile. Until it was demolished in the early 19th century. The Tolbooth prison served two purposes. Primarily...
Rev Thomas Guthrie and the Ragged Schools – Exclusively for the Impoverished Part Two
Thomas Guthrie and the Ragged Schools - Exclusively for the Impoverished Continuation of Part One - Upon strolling the crags and valleys of Arthur's Seat with a friend in Edinburgh one day, they sat on a rock nearby where ragged boys would gather. By way of experiment...
Rev Thomas Guthrie & the Ragged Schools – Exclusively for the Impoverished – Part One
The Rev Thomas Guthrie DD used social passion and inspiration to provide education for the impoverished of the Cowgate in Edinburgh.
The Great Disruption – Rev Thomas Guthrie DD
This article is about the fervent belief which guided the Rev Thomas Guthrie, once of Old Greyfriars in Edinburgh, to his decision to resign his position with the Church of Scotland, and join the newly formed Free Church of Scotland. This occurred during the Great Disruption of 1843.
Captain Henry Mcneish – East India Company Captain and Georgian Country Gentleman
Downton Abbey Do you enjoy Downton Abbey? If the answer is "yes", read on. What are you about to discover is Downton Abbey with two pluses, for added spice! I shall start by stating that - for legal purpose - whilst this, the first of the Mcneish family stories you...
Warriston Cemetery – From Horror Movie Set to a Victorian Paradise for the Dead
Warriston Cemetery - From Horror Movie Set to a Victorian Paradise for the Dead Warriston was designed by David Cousin in 1842 in response to demand from wealthy Victorians. They wanted well-kept burial grounds. In them they could reflect their status by way of lavish...
Floors Castle – A Hidden Gem in the Scottish Borders
LOCATION One of Scotland’s finest country homes is Floors Castle. Like the Schloss Roxburghe. The hotel it is situated very near to Kelso and within easy reach of both Edinburgh, which is 50 miles to the north. Newcastle, is only 65 miles to the south. I mention the...
Astley Ainslie Hospital A Sad End to a Wonderful Beginning
Astley Ainslie Hospital - A Sad End to a Wonderful Beginning The aim of this article is to provide a broad overview of how and possibly why Astley Ainslie hospital came into being. Specifically, the manner in which David Ainslie’s vision became a reality. It stirred...