The Scottish Snippets Newsletter in its original format began in April 1997 and continued in an unbroken series for 591 issues. Although no longer produced in that style, there is now this regular update on the new and updated pages on the Rampant Scotland site including "Scottie's Photo Diary From Scotland".
To receive a text version of this newsletter as a reminder to look at these Web pages when they are published, just send an e-mail to Scottie@RampantScotland.com with "Subscribe Newsletter" in the subject line.
Memory Lane - Wartime - First Class
As a newly commissioned army officer, Alistair was entitled to First Class rail travel. But after meeting a female friend on the platform at Dundee station, he was faced with a dilemma - should he forego the first class travel or travel with her to Edinburgh? Of course, he acted as an officer and a gentleman should... For the rest of the story see Wartime - First Class
Underground Shelters - and Claustrophobia
Margaret parted company from her 4 brothers and sisters when they were evacuated during the war. But when the air rad sirens shrieked she found herself in an underground air raid shelter - and suffered from claustrophobia for the next 50 years. See: Underground Shelters - and Claustrophobia
Food Parcel from Canada
Wilma, now in Texas, got a food parcel from relatives in Canada during the war when she lived in Scotland. It was full of wondrous items like peanut butter and tubes of toothpaste - so much better than the tins of Gibbs dentifrice! And she recalls Christmas pudding with custard which always had a couple of "silver" three penny bits wrapped and hidden inside.... See Food Parcel from Canada for the rest of the story!
Bananas Made with Parsnips and Essence
Rebecca Taylor had never seen or eaten a banana due to the war so when work colleagues created a "banana spread" made of boiled, then mashed Parsnips with banana flavour essence she believed that was what the real thing tasted like - and later got a big surprise! See Bananas Made with Parsnips and Essence
Experiences of Edinburgh Dance Halls at Age 16
Ella writes that when she was a teenager, all her girlfriends back in Edinburgh enjoyed going dancing. The ballrooms and dance halls were where the young folks met and you always wondered if you would meet the love of your life when you went dancing. It was exercise and they could meet great folks.Even though she has lived in the US for many years, she is glad to say she have friends there who went dancing a lot as well so we can reminisce about those days. See: Experiences of Edinburgh Dance Halls at Age 16
Scottish Myths and Legends
Scotland has a rich Celtic History going back over 2,000 years, at a time when superstition was rife and where unusual events were "explained" by stories and inventions which were then passed on by word of mouth. It is therefore not surprising that Scotland has an extensive heritage of myths and legends. The page on these has recently been updated and there are links to external pages on subjects such as Spirits and Goblins, Foretelling the Future and Castles with Ghosts. See: Scottish Myths and Legends
Next Newsletter
The next newsletter is scheduled for 24 October and will be news items from Tam O'Ranter.
Of course, if you have any Scottish memories which you would like to contribute to "Memory Lane" please send them in!
Yours aye
Scottie
Previous editions of this Newsletter are available in an Archive. The Index to the other pages of the Rampant Scotland site is available here.
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