Oddities: Images of Scotland that Amuse, Puzzle or Simply Interest Me
This is a useful page for me where I can insert anything that doesn't seem to fit in anywhere else. I hope you, too, find it interesting.
As always, because of complications when I was moved from Simplesite to one.com you may need to click on an image if it seems cropped, and also to see some of the later photos I added after the move. You can then proceed manually if you wish.
Nothing in my collection is odder than this! A German postcard, with sort of Scottish folk standing in a field of cabbages in which are concealed babies....!
Another, in the same vein.
This photo is a puzzle. A CDV by John Penny in Huntly of what appear to be leather workers. The ghostly image of a policeman can be seen at the back. Are they prisoners ? There is now a Huntly Open Prison, but that is near Dundee....
This CDV, taken by J Munro in Dingwall, shows a gentleman with remarkable facial decoration.
The Scottish sporran of course takes many forms. This gentleman is wearing almost half a fox. I like his outfit, and the fact that his face is somewhat fox-like too!
Here we have a Scotsman at his most dapper. Or is it just French fashion - the CDV is by Durand in Lyon?
Not sure who this is (maybe someone could tell me? (greywings89@gmail.com) Presumably a figure from the Music Hall and Variety.
An unmistakably Scottish figure throwing the shot put (in this case, a rock). Yet the card was posted in Cape Town, South Africa in 1904, and sent to New York. I wonder what its history is.
No doubt about this sporting figure: Donald Dinnie, (1837 - 1916), a Scottish strongman who has been described as "The nineteenth century's greatest athlete."
A George Washington Wilson postcard "Remains of Floating Island, Luss Straits." Floating Islands are apparently a mass of floating aquatic plants etc. that are not attached to the loch-bed.
Nothing odd about this photograph, taken in the 1920s. It shows Bob McGuffog and Bob Webster shoulder netting on the River Dee at the Doughs Tongland, Kirkudbright. A striking fishing image. Look at the size of those fish!
Gathering reeds, \errol, \perthshire. 1940. A newspaper photograph which states on the back "Since the European conflict has forced Britain to use reeds for making its paper, reed-cutting has been revived along the banks for the River Tay.
Royalty: A 1937 press photograph of men preparing the King's bedroom on the Royal train, in readiness for his journey to Scotland.
"An Ill Wind..." Poor Princess Margaret's skirt takes off outside Balmoral Castle, 1959. These things will happen if yoy are in the public eye....
I love this photograph: the Queen in her youth, calmly acknowledging the defference of the assembled miners at Rothes Pit in 1958. Somehow all in a very different age.
A splendid Imperial image, a magic lantern slide by J.T. Chapman Ltd. Manchester. Said to be in Nigeria. I am not sure that the kilt is ideal garb for such a place!
More hot work in Africa, this time South Africa. From The Graphic, 1885.
Boys having fun, a Brechin CDV by Jameson.
The Scottish Newhaven Fisherwomen's Choir. Formed in 1927, the choir toured Scotland and beyond, always performing in their 'braws'.
![It was formed by Mrs David [Marion!] Ritchie, and remained active until c.1985. I'm not sure if you had to be a Newhaven Fisherwoman to qualify for joining!](/____impro/1/onewebmedia/i285415639452755055.jpg?etag=%2264ed5-638d3d92%22&sourceContentType= "It was formed by Mrs David [Marion!] Ritchie, and remained active until c.1985. I'm not sure if you had to be a Newhaven Fisherwoman to qualify for joining!")
It was formed by Mrs David [Marion!] Ritchie, and remained active until c.1985. I'm not sure if you had to be a Newhaven Fisherwoman to qualify for joining!
Nothing odd about this hotel, depicted on a postcard posted in 1908. But worth noting the message on the back: "You have chosen a slow train. Leave Euston 7:45pm arriving here 7:48am - only 12 hours." Today's sleeper leaves Euston at 21:15pm and arrives Aviemore at 07:39am. One wonders what the fast...
A reminder to close the gate! Spotted at Mull, not far from the lighthouse. A photograph by P. Jeffrey Smith.
An interesting pair of Cabinet photos taken in Russia (St Petersburg). The backs reveal names and details (see next photo).
Mr & Mrs McFarlane, from Dening, Stirling. He was a "Royal Mail Contractor." Were they on holiday in Russia?
Water Clock at Lochead, Dinnet. Built by George Coutts in the late 19th century, the water from a nearby burn powered a cog wheel. Sadly, the clock is no longer there.
Invershiel, North Carolina.
How to keep your thatch neat. A card from the USA, titled on the back "Invershiel, a Sixteenth century Scottish Highland village at Linville, North Carolina, showing "Bill Goat" mowing the sod roof of Croft house." Note the goat on the roof!
These are just random images that for some reason have caught my eye....
