There’s a bit o a smirr on the windae and ahm sittin on my bahookie in the National Library of Scotland in Auld Reekie – wid ye like a bit o a blether on the wab?
Category: 20th-century items
Two writers worth revisiting: Violet Jacob and Nan Shepherd
Course members from The Workers Educational Association visited National Library of Scotland last week as part of their Excuse my dust! course, rediscovering Scottish women writers . I introduced manuscripts associated with two writers, Violet Jacob and Nan Shepherd, both of whom deserve a wider reputation.
Touring Scotland with the Caledonian Railway
As the railway grew, its initial functional nature was eventually surpassed by one of luxury. Mere journeys became holidays, trips became tours and the manner of getting there became just as important as getting there itself.
The Restless Life of Harry de Windt
On the 23 October 1903, Bartholomew printed 2,040 sheets of maps destined for publication in the latest work by Harry de Windt. Harry de who? I hear you ask. Well, one of the best things about the Printing Record is that the maps it contains can reveal interesting but often forgotten stories of people, places […]
Cronin on My Scottish Bookshelf
A certain doctor of Tannochbrae used to be the mainstay of my television childhood, so it was with some very clear monochrome images in my head, that I picked up the recent Birlinn edition of A.J. Cronin’s Dr. Finlay’s Casebook.
John Buchan on my Scottish bookshelf
It is now 70 years since the death of John Buchan in Canada in 1940 and he remains a popular figure courtesy of regular adaptations in various media and some handsome reprints of his books.The Thirty Nine Steps is the most famous title, but there are many others worth exploring.
Oor Wullie at NLS
This week Modern Scottish Collections has been in the news re our recent purchase of the first two Oor Wullie annuals.
The price you pay
It may sometimes seem as though there is a map for everything, but this was decidedly proven when I stumbled upon this unlikely map with the theme of life insurance.
Scottish opera stars
We have recently added some interesting early 20th century items to our collections associated with two of the famous names from Scotland’s musical past.
The makings of a map
Perhaps the key strength of the Bartholomew Archive is the ability to trace the development of a map from idea to finished product. This can at times afford a unique insight into the motivation, techniques and business practises of one of the world’s foremost cartographic firms. In general, the Bartholomew Archive Printing Record presents a […]