Scotland Unplugged

Tartan History - How far back does it go?

The birthplace of modern tartan - Buried beneath a quiet park in Bannockburn are the remains of William Wilson and Sons’ mills, arguably the place that gave us the modern tartan industry.

This is the story of early tartan and how a family business reinvented and expanded the tartan world.

Alexander Peden - outlawed preacher on the run

The story of Alexander Peden, a leading 17th century Covenanter who spent 17 years of his life preaching as a wanted man.

A trip to Peden's Cove, near Failford in Ayrshire, a pulpit carved out of the rock, where Alexander Peden is said to have preached to his congregation across a river.

Alexander Peden was a Presbyterian Minister the was ejected from his parish by an act of parliament and forced to live on the run.

Links to Covenanter videos:

https://fb.watch/qatoCqLMrM/

https://fb.watch/qauRMLea_4/

Scottish history's biggest bad*ss? The legend of Agnes Randolph, Countess of Dunbar, known as "Black Agnes."

When the Earl of Salisbury laid siege to Dunbar Castle in January 1338, while Agnes's husband, the Earl of Dunbar was away fighting, he got more than he bargained for.

This is the story of how Agnes held off Salisbury's army for five months, with grit, ingenuity and a relentless sense of humour.

Stealing Burns' skull.

Why did six men steal Robert Burns' skull?

Robert Burns, Scotland’s national bard is a misunderstood figure in many ways.

Who was Burns? Where did he come from? Where is Burns buried? How did he really die?

And why did six men break into his mausoleum one night in 1834 and steal his skull?

My brother on the telly talking about his work 👏👏👏

Tam o' Shanter, by Robert Burns

Robert Burns’ horror epic, Tam o’ Shanter, with English subtitles and images; including Alexander Goudie’s paintings based on the poem.

Image credits - South Ayrshire Council.

Filmed in Alloway, South Ayrshire.

Written in 1790, in a day, Tam O’ Shanter tells the story of a wayward farmer, journeying home from the pub after a night out and encountering a gathering of witches and warlocks in Alloway’s Auld Kirk.

The Great Tartan Con - How The Sobieski Stuarts fooled the tartan world

Two brothers - "John Sobieski Stuart" and "Charles Edward Stuart" - convinced 19th century high society that they were the long lost heirs to the Stuart dynasty.

The brothers, John Carter Allen and Charles Manning Allen invented histories and tartans. Their scam led the brothers to a life of luxury, living as royals in the highlands and even holding court.

The Mystery of "The White Lady of Baldoon" (The Real Lucia Di Lammermoor)

On the 12th of August 1669, Janet Dalrymple was forced to marry against her will. What happened next left a mystery that would inspire a Walter Scott novel, a Donizetti opera several paintings and an enduring ghost story.

Walter Scott wrote The Bride of Lammermoor, which in turn inspired Donizetti to write his opera, Lucia Di Lammermoor.

The sheep that saved the world!

Hogmanay is a a big part of Scottish culture. For many in Scotland it is the biggest event of the year.

But what is the history of Hogmanay? Why is it called Hogmanay? And what are the traditions and superstitions surrounding the holiday?

The Galloway Christmas story of "The Yule Beggar" is thought to date back to the 1500s and the town of Castle Douglas.

An ancient Galloway tradition says St Ninian, or St Ringan, returns on Christmas Eve each year to help those in need.

People would make offerings to the saint in hopes of his help.

When Scotland BANNED Christmas

The festival of Yule is thought to have come to Scotland with the Vikings. Over time this slowly became linked to Christmas.

From the 16th century, during The Scottish Reformation, Christmas was repeatedly banned by the church and by parliament.

Amazingly, Christmas wasn't a public holiday in Scotland until 1958.

Why did the church feel the need to ban Christmas in Scotland? How did it lead Hogmanay to become the country's main winter celebration? And how did Christmas make its big comeback?

Meet Scotland's free roaming reindeer herd.

The Cairngorms National Park is home to the Cairngorm Reindeer Herd; the only free ranging herd in the UK.

I set out on a trip to explore the Snow Roads; a scenic route through the Cairngorms National Park. Then I went looking for reindeer.

Who were the real life inspirations for Charles Dickens' Ebenezer Scrooge?

How did a misread inscription on a gravestone in Edinburgh's Canongate Kirkyard inspire Charles Dickens to write A Christmas Carol?

And who was the real-life miser, credited with inspiring the man character?

Charles Dickens wrote A Christmas Carol in 6 weeks in 1843. The novella was an instant bestseller and has never been out of print since.

This is the story of Ebenezer Scroggie and John Elwes, and their curious places in literary history.