The Firth of Forth

The Firth of Forth

Author: T. Christopher Smout

Publisher: Birlinn Limited

Published: 2012

Total Pages: 306

ISBN-13: 9781780270647

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The Firth of Forth combines a rich wildlife with a history of long and intense human activity around its shores and in its waters. At one time, herring, cod and haddock, with many other edible fish, were vastly more numerous, but seals and seabirds much rarer than they are now.


The Fortification of the Firth of Forth 1880-1977

The Fortification of the Firth of Forth 1880-1977

Author: Gordon Barclay

Publisher:

Published: 2019

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9781908332141

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The Fortification of the Firth of Forth' describes the story of the great Forth Fortress from 1880 to 1977, when the final traditional defensive capabilities were abandoned. The authors combine archival sources with new fieldwork and oral histories to not only describe what was built, but when and why. They also show how the defences were expected to be used, in rapidly changing strategic circumstances and in the face of increasingly sophisticated and powerful naval weapons. Increasingly complex defences were built between the Isle of May and the Forth Rail Bridge to detect, block and sink enemy warships and submarines. The threat of an expansionist Germany across the North Sea increased the importance of the Forth as the site of the northern naval dockyard. The defences reached their zenith in 1916-17 as preparations were made for the Grand Fleet to move from its northern anchorage at Scapa Flow. The estuary was re-armed in 1939, and the coast defences were wound up in 1956 before being finally abandoned in 1977. Today, many of the surviving features remain visible in and around the Firth of Forth. This meticulously researched, richly illustrated volume relates the defences in the Forth to the wider political and military context and also describes the human side of the defences: the men and women who manned the fortress. This is a fascinating resource for those interested in Scottish military and naval history, and conflict and battlefield archaeology.


From Caledonia to Pictland

From Caledonia to Pictland

Author: James E. Fraser

Publisher: Edinburgh University Press

Published: 2009-01-19

Total Pages: 448

ISBN-13: 0748628207

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Shortlisted for the 2009 Saltire Society History Book of the Yea. rFrom Caledonia to Pictland examines the transformation of Iron Age northern Britain into a land of Christian kingdoms, long before 'Scotland' came into existence. Perched at the edge of the western Roman Empire, northern Britain was not unaffected by the experience, and became swept up in the great tide of processes which gave rise to the early medieval West. Like other places, the country experienced social and ethnic metamorphoses, Christianisation, and colonization by dislocated outsiders, but northern Britain also has its own unique story to tell in the first eight centuries AD.This book is the first detailed political history to treat these centuries as a single period, with due regard for Scotland's position in the bigger story of late Antique transition. From Caledonia to Pictland charts the complex and shadowy processes which saw the familiar Picts, Northumbrians, North Britons and Gaels of early Scottish history become established in the country, the achievements of their foremost political figures, and their ongoing links with the world around them. It is a story that has become much revised through changing trends in scholarly approaches to the challenging evidence, and that transformation too is explained for the benefit of students and general readers.


Forth to Farne Way

Forth to Farne Way

Author: JOHN. MEGARRY HENDERSON (JACQUETTA.)

Publisher:

Published: 2020-12

Total Pages: 72

ISBN-13: 9781898481966

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This inspiring 70-mile pilgrim route starts from North Berwick on the Firth of Forth near Edinburgh, and continues via Whitekirk's 12th century church to Dunbar. It follows the North Sea coastline to the stunning scenery of St Abb's Head and visits Coldingham Priory, perhaps Scotland's most important Benedictine monastery. Enjoy impressive cliffs and dramatic sea stacks between visits to historic fishing villages. Cross the border and enter Berwick with its ramparts, walls and bridges across the River Tweed. The route culminates with a barefoot crossing of the Holy Island sands to Lindisfarne, where St Aidan founded a monastery in AD 635.Most people will complete the route within 5 to 8 days, staying in friendly B&Bs along the route, but it can also be done in several shorter expeditions using train and bus. This 72-page guidebook contains all you need to plan and enjoy the Forth to Farne Way:route detail in sections, with distance, terrain and refreshmentswhere to find food and accommodationbackground on the spiritual dimension, geology and wildlifeplanning information for travel by train, bus, car or plane16 pages with detailed route mapping at 1:30,000in full colour, with 80 photographsrucksack-friendly and on rainproof paper.


100 Years of the Forth Bridge

100 Years of the Forth Bridge

Author: Roland Paxton

Publisher: Thomas Telford Publishing

Published: 1990

Total Pages: 184

ISBN-13:

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The fascinating story of the Forth Bridge is related here. The bridge is a functional monument, now transporting 200 trains a day and three million passengers a year, a symbol of Scotland and of human ingenuity, a pinnacle of Victorian enterprise and engineering, and a memorial to the men who died in its creation. As part of their contribution to the centenary of the Forth Bridge, a group of eminent engineers reassessed the bridge from the standpoint of current engineering knowledge. This lavishly illustrated book is the result.


A History Book for Scots

A History Book for Scots

Author: Walter Bower

Publisher: Birlinn

Published: 2019-11-19

Total Pages: 431

ISBN-13: 1788853261

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Riveting selections from a 15-century account of Scottish history, one of Scotland’s national treasures. Writing on a small island in the Firth of Forth in the 1440s, Walter Bower set out to tell the whole story of the Scottish nation in a single huge book, the Scotichronicon— “a history book for Scots.” It begins with the mythical voyage of Scota, the Pharaoh’s daughter, from Egypt with the Stone of Destiny. The land that her sons discovered in the Western Ocean was named after her: Scotland. It then describes the turbulent events that followed, among them the wars of the Scots and the Picts (begun by a quarrel over a dog); the poisoning of King Fergus by his wife; Macbeth’s usurpation and uneasy reign; the good deeds of Margaret, queen and saint; Bruce’s murder of the Red Comyn; the founding of Scotland’s first university at St. Andrews; the “Burnt Candlemas;” and the endless troubles between Scotland and England. Weaving in and out of the events of Bower’s factual history are other subjects that fascinated him: harrowing visions of hell and purgatory, extraordinary miracles; the exploits of knights and beggars, merchants and monks; the ravages of flood and fire; the terrors of the plague; and the answers to such puzzling questions as what makes a good king, and why Englishmen have tails. This monumental work, in which the original Latin text appears side by side with a translation in modern English, was completed in 1998. It includes an introduction and notes that guide the reader through the complexities of Bower’s history and its background.


Firth of Clyde

Firth of Clyde

Author: Clyde Cruising Club

Publisher: Imray, Laurie, Norie and Wilson Ltd

Published: 2020-04-24

Total Pages: 150

ISBN-13: 178679165X

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Part of the Clyde Cruising Club’s Sailing Directions and Anchorages series, Firth of Clyde extends beyond its titled area to the coast of Northern Ireland (Rathlin Island to Belfast Lough) and on the Scottish side southwards from Stranraer to Portpatrick and beyond to the Solway Firth and Cumbria. Firth of Clyde covers everything from the busy waters of the Firth of Clyde and River Clyde to the more remote areas of the wider estuary and connected lochs, including the protected and beautiful Kyles of Bute and Loch Riddon, Loch Fyne and the Crinan Canal. Coverage then extends west and south to encompass North Channel and Solway Firth. This new edition, updated by Geoff Crowley, continues the long-respected legacy of CCC publications for cruising sailors. The North Channel section has been extended to include details for Belfast itself. New photographs throughout illustrate the text and help orientate the navigator. Details on plans have been updated with reference to the new Imray 2900 Firth of Clyde chart pack for the area. References to Bob Bradfield’s useful Antares large scale charts are also included. Whether you are a local sailor or a first-time cruising visitor, Firth of Clyde is an essential companion in these waters. Updates and corrections are available via the Clyde Cruising Club website.