Scotland's History

This is the history of the Burns Supper in Scotland, and beyond, and the traditions that go with it.

The body of a young boy washed up on the shore at Tayport in Fife in 1971. He has never been identified. This is his story.

Maggie Dickson went to the gallows in Edinburgh. This is the story of how she survived.

At Cowden in Clackmannanshire, Ella Christie established a Japanese Garden in the early 20th century which can still be seen today.

An arm was found on the foreshore at Torry, Aberdeen in December 1945. Identified as Betty Hadden, no-one had been charged with her murder and the case remains unsolved.

Major Thomas Weir and his sister were accused of sorcery in 17th century Edinburgh. Both were arrested and tried in 1670 and it is said strange noises can still be heard near to where their house once stood.

This is the story of Dr Edward William Pritchard who poisoned his mother-in-law and his wife in Victorian Glasgow.

In this second podcast in the Highland Folk Tales series, I re-tell the stories of Heather Ale, The Ardgay Ghost, The Golden Bridge at Dornoch, the Goblin of Rangag, The Golspie Ghost and the Lairg Minister.

In this first podcast of Scottish folk tales from the Highlands, I re-tell the stories of the Wick Fairies, the Duncansby Seal Killer, the Ghost of Ardvreck, Meg, John and the Fairies, the Sailor Ghost of Oldshoremore, the Kylesku Ghost and the Lairg Kelpie.

Robert Burns was born in a small cottage in Alloway in Ayrshire on 25th January 1759, becoming a prolific poet and songwriter whose work remains an important part of Scotland's heritage. Five years after his death in 1796, friends gathered and ate haggis and drank whisky in his honour. This developed into the Burns Supper, held on Burns Night, 25th January every year not just in Scotland but worldwide. This is the story behind the event.

In this podcast I look at the history of Christmas in Scotland and the traditions associated with it. The video can be found at www.youtube.com/ValerieForsyth Thanks for listening.

In this podcast I take a look at the history behind the Doom of Mar, a series of curses placed on the Erskine family by an abbot from Cambuskenneth Abbey, and the effect it had on Alloa Tower itself. You can watch the full video at www.youtube.com/ValerieForsyth

Kennetpans Distillery was built in the 18th century on the banks of the River Forth between Clackmannan in Clackmannanshire and Kincardine in Fife. Some of the buildings remain but are in a ruinous condition. This is the story of the first large scale commercial distillery in the world. You can watch the full video at www.youtube.com/ValerieForsyth

In August 1890 Mary Ann Innes died at the Newton Hotel in Kirriemuir. Her husband John Webster stood trial for her murder due to arsenic poisoning but did he really do it? You can watch the full video at www.youtube.com/ValerieForsyth

On Saturday 30th May 1835 Mark Devlin was hanged in Dundee. The question is who actually hanged him as the person who usually carried out these sentences was in Forfar at the time? You can watch the full video at www.youtube.com/ValerieForsyth

James Mackenzie was born in Ross-shire, Scotland, in the early 19th century, but emigrated to Australia then New Zealand. He was accused of sheep and cattle rustling but evaded capture. He was eventually he was caught along with his dog Friday. Friday made history as she is the only dog to ever stand trial in New Zealand. You can watch the full video at www.youtube.com/ValerieForsyth

On Friday 10th April 1835 a body of a middle aged woman was found on the Black Isle in the Highlands. Her husband was accused of her murder and became the last man to be hanged in Inverness. You can watch the full video at www.youtube.com/ValerieForsyth

In this podcast I explore the history of Stirling Castle. The castle has played a pivotal role in Scotland's history, from bloody battles during the Wars of Independance to the House of Stuart and the Jacobite Rebellions. It is even said to be haunted. Today it is one of the UK's top tourist attractions. This is its story. You can watch the full video at www.youtube.com/ValerieForsyth