Recent Posts
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Flight of the Condor over the Forth
It was the moment the Spanish Civil War came to Scotland – eight months after it had ended in Spain. October 16, 1939 saw the first Nazi air raid over Britain to bomb ships in the Firth of Forth. Many… Read More ›
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Speaking the Unspeakable
It struck on October 23, 1942.There was no warning. For families across Britain it was like any other Friday night settling around a cosy coal fire listening to the BBC Home Service with its cheery wartime distractions: a concert from… Read More ›
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Digitally remastering Dundas
Henry Dundas, the first Viscount Melville, has left us with a problem. Not so much his statue – perched 150 feet above St Andrew Square in Edinburgh he is already out of sight with only defecating pigeons for company. It’s… Read More ›
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Growing bananas in Haringey
When discussion gets a bit shouty shouty, it’s usually time for a quiet listen. Sir Geoff Palmer’s interview with Jim Al-Khalili is 28 minutes of utterly engrossing radio – at times shocking and funny but ultimately life affirming. Best just… Read More ›
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Coughs and Sneezes
Whoever thought it up deserves a medal. Few catchphrases last a century and still resonate with the public. “Coughs and Sneezes Spread Diseases” originated in the 1918 influenza pandemic to support a US Public Health Service campaign. It was tagged… Read More ›
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Call the Midwife Christmas Special (2)
Part one of this quiz was about nurses. This is part two aimed more at film and TV buffs. CtM was really well filmed – something new for the Hebrides? Nope. Two of the greatest cinematographers cut the their teeth… Read More ›
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Call the Midwife Christmas special
Tens of millions around the world will tune in to the Call the Midwife special on Christmas Day. It’s set in the Outer Hebrides in late 1964. Here’s part one of a wee quiz to tease out the history. Part… Read More ›
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Surviving Father’s Day
Fathers Day looms – June 16 so time for reflection on contributions dads make. OK, so maybe they don’t get things right that often. But sometimes they do. Germany celebrates earlier – May 30 with Vatertag. This set me thinking…. Read More ›
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Fags, footie and Fergie
Everyone comes to the history of the NHS from their own perspective. Thus, if you’re over 40 you’re likely to be clueless about Dr Finlay’s Casebook although it was the first peak time BBC original TV drama in the 1960s. And… Read More ›
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Making a drama out of a crisis
When all else fails after 90 years it’s time to throw the kids into battle. Which is why Gullane Primary youngsters were the stars of a new musical premiered this month at the National Museum of Scotland. Next week Hitherfield Primary… Read More ›
Featured Categories
history on the web ›
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Speaking the Unspeakable
October 19, 2020
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Digitally remastering Dundas
July 10, 2020
gems from the archive ›
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Coughs and Sneezes
March 31, 2020
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Call the Midwife Christmas Special (2)
December 20, 2019
digital history ›
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Surviving Father’s Day
May 28, 2019
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Flight of the Condor over the Forth
May 12, 2019