Old Weird Scotland
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Old Weird Scotland
@weirdscotland.bsky.social
2.3K followers 340 following 63 posts
Forgotten Stories, Science, Language, History, Art, People, Poetry.
https://linktr.ee/weirdscotland

Old Weird Scotland supports trans rights.
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weirdscotland.bsky.social
#OTD 139 years ago:

Dundonians lined the banks of the Tay to watch young Inuit man, Urio Etwango, demonstrate hunting techniques from his kayak (wooden crates serving as seals).

Usually, I'd share my article on him, but this week Greenland historian, Kenn Harper, has more properly told the story:
Urio Etwango, an Inuit man stands on the deck of a boat holding a rifle. He is dressed in a hooded coat made of sealskin. He has a moustache. The ship's wheel, a pulley, rope and other nautical accoutrement are visible.
October 30, 2025 at 10:38 AM
weirdscotland.bsky.social
#OTD 218 years ago:

A Glenmoriston woman awoke to find a young Bengal tiger in her house. It leapt 16ft across the room at her before being chased outside. It had escaped from a menagerie at Brahan Castle, some 40 miles away.

It was reported "to have done considerable mischief"

#OldWeirdScotland
A yellowed plate from a Victorian era zoology book. A crude drawing of a tiger.
October 29, 2025 at 8:35 PM
weirdscotland.bsky.social
Whither Halloween?

Nobody takes the time to carve lanterns out of neeps nowadays, and nobody takes the time to scrape out a sheepskin and skull for their costume. Sigh.
#OldWeirdScotland

South Uist guisers, 1932
(📷Margaret Fay Shaw)
a black and white photo of two children wearing sheepskins over their faces and bodies, heavy boots, and holding shepherds' crooks. a black and white photo of two children wearing loose heavy clothes and masks made from sheepskin.
October 25, 2025 at 3:55 PM
weirdscotland.bsky.social
I say this every year, but Halloween costumes were scarier in the #OldWeirdScotland, but here's some genuinely terrifying shit from Drumlithie Draughts Club kids...

Mearns Leader and Kincardineshire Mail, 1936
October 25, 2025 at 7:38 AM
weirdscotland.bsky.social
"Ay, this year we're takin the weans ower the Iron Curtain for the Fair"

Print Ad, Scots Magazine, July 1981
#OldWeirdScotland
1981 Print advert for SovScot Tours Limited. Stylised Kremlin spires sit atop a saltire next to the words "Soviet Union, 15 day sun and interest tours direct from Glasgow". The three main tour options are named "Russian Riviera" , "Crimean Riviera", and "USSR three cities tour". Geordi La Forge version of Drake meme. Upper panel "doon the watter". Lower panel "taps aff in Crimea"
October 21, 2025 at 1:08 PM
weirdscotland.bsky.social
Are ditch barrows UFOs?

(from AD Cunningham's A History of Rannoch)
a very simple sketch drawing of the ditch barrow at Innerhadden showing it's general topography. Above it is a "UFO" drawn to fill the same shape and space as the barrow.
May 14, 2025 at 10:43 AM
weirdscotland.bsky.social
"Queen Elizabeth was furious"

(from Edward Peck's The Battle of Glenlivet)
a line drawing of Queen Elizabeth I slamming a fist down on a desk while couriers swoon with fright in the background. Text reads: Queen Elizabeth was furious.
May 14, 2025 at 10:40 AM
weirdscotland.bsky.social
Dating to before 1684, The motto on the arms of the Royal Burgh of Inveraray, Semper Tibi Pendeat Halec, is thought to have originally meant "may the fish sauce always be ready for you".

#OldWeirdScotland
The arms of the Royal Burgh of Inveraray. Officially it is described as: In the waves of the sea, five herring entering herring net pendant from the sinister chief, all Proper [Above the Shield is placed a Burghal coronet] and in an Escrol below the Shield this Motto "Semper Tibi Pendeat Halec" It's a shield with a crown made of bricks on top. There's five fish swimming into a net. A fancy ribbon is underneath the Shield with the Latin motto on it.
May 2, 2025 at 12:00 PM
weirdscotland.bsky.social
The 1970s really were the golden age of souvenirs from Scotland.

For the equivalent of £11.99, you can fill your house and nose with sweet peaty nostalgia!

#OldWeirdScotland
A print ad that reads: A Scottish made Scottish Souvenir. ABSENT FRIENDS are reminded of Scotland when they make their own PEAT REEK with a THISTLE PEAT REEKER £1.10 EACH Plus post. pkg. & ins. Home 15p Overseas 50p Cash with Order to: THE SCOTTISH SHOP. 1 Station Road, Gourock, Scotland. The image on the ad is of a ceramic thistle incense burner in a tartan hinged gift box
April 25, 2025 at 7:40 AM
weirdscotland.bsky.social
On Good Friday 1882, 147 people in Inverness became severely ill after eating hot cross buns. While not fatal, they all experienced vomiting, tremors, and a dry throat.

An unidentified alkaloid poison was found in the spice mix. The case was never solved.

#OldWeirdScotland
An engraving of an animated streetscene with children selling hot cross buns from baskets. A baker's shop is visible in background and a dog is in the foreground trying to get a bun.
April 19, 2025 at 7:30 AM
weirdscotland.bsky.social
In the village of Swinton in the Scottish Borders, the local football pitch has a stone mercat cross for a centre circle. Known as the "12th Man of Swinton", the cross was used to the home team's advantage during league matches.

#OldWeirdScotland
Four football players watch an airborne ball rebound off the column of a stepped mercat cross. In the background is a church and clock tower. The pitch is surrounded by a simple white fence. The photo is black and white and has a watermark that reads "WeirdScotland"
April 18, 2025 at 2:29 PM
weirdscotland.bsky.social
By the age of 1, Siamese cat, "Jane Austen" had climbed 16 peaks (inc. 11 Munros) with her owner Fiona M. Wilkie.

Jane was harnessed on a 12ft lead and took naps in Fiona's rucksack.

#OldWeirdScotland
#WeirdCatScotland
A Siamese cat lounging on top of a blue and cream 1970s style backpack A Siamese cat sitting on a lichen covered rock. She is wearing a light blue harness. In the background is a lochan and rocky hill in Coulags glen, Sutherland, Scotland. A Siamese cat on a rocky cliff looking down at the camera. She is at the end of a red length of rope.
March 22, 2025 at 9:56 AM
weirdscotland.bsky.social
A parrot that comes with a warranty

Fife Free Press, 30 April 1904

#OldWeirdScotland
Three advertisements: The top one reads: FOR SALE. Well-known Parrot. Warranted good talker. free from obscene language. Apply James Gilmour, West Mills Kirkcaldy. The next ads are for a bicycle and a lawn mower.
March 20, 2025 at 4:44 AM
weirdscotland.bsky.social
FLINGING THE SOAM

romantic divination using the soam (swimbladder) of a herring

A young person can forecast luck in love by throwing the bladder at a wall. If it sticks, they'll find love. If it falls to the floor, then they'll be single all their days.

A belated Valentine!

#OldWeirdScotland
A scan of a plate from a 19th century zoology text depicting a herring. Its back is blue-green and its cheek is rosy pink.
February 16, 2025 at 10:45 AM
weirdscotland.bsky.social
Answers & results of #OldWeirdScotland FASHION GOLF Round 2: Tweed

Probably a little difficult but some people did well! This time "par" for the course was 31 years

21 folk took part across 4 platforms. No podium finishes for blueskyers this time

Thanks all who took part

FASHION GOLF will return
A large letter C. 1991. A woman with pinned back hair stands in a brick alleyway and smiles open-mouthed at the camera. Her teeth are visible. She is wearing lipstick. She has round clip-on earrings. She is wearing a tweed jacket, cut just below the waist. It is closed with a single dark button at the waist and has two pockets. Her left hand is in a pocket. The jacket is relatively simple. No visible collar, no cuff buttons, no other ornamentation. She is wearing a polkadot neckerchief or cravat. In her right hand is a pair of glasses A large letter B 1949 A woman with dark hair, about shoulder length, and with a centre part stands in front of a brick building with an ornate doorway and has a dalmatian dog on a leather lead. The woman looks away from the camera, smiling. She has dark lipstick and plucked eyebrows. She is wearing a matching closed jacket and skirt in a houndstooth tweed over a dark blouse. The jacket has a flat collar that meets above the bust. Three fabric covered buttons close the jacket. There are two lower pockets and possibly a single breast pocket (or a dart), but it is hard to see. The skirt has one or two large pleats and stops just below the knee. She is wearing stockings and dark chunky-heeled brogues. She holds a light scarf and the dog's lead. A large letter D. 1961 A woman leans on a ships funnel or some other exhaust pipe and looks away from the camera. In the background is a kilted man. She has obvious mascara and plucked eyebrows. She wears a large dark hat with a brim that is wider at the front and narrow and upturned at the neck. She wears a tweed dress under a large somewhat bulky tweed longcoat. The dress has a high neckline and is cinched at the waist. It seems like it goes to the shin in length. The coat is open but has buttons. The collar is large. The cuffs are wide and upturned. It is probably ankle length. She wears three rows of large pearls, white gloves, and holds a shiny leather handbag. A large letter A. 1969 A woman with short dark hair stands in front of a stucco wall and looks directly at the camera. She isn't smiling. Her lipstick is very light. She is wearing a tweed coat-dress that stops at the knee and us worn with a belt. The collar is high and upturned. There are 5 dark shiny buttons down the front. The skirt is pleated and appears to have pockets. There are vertical darts at the bust. The material is two-tone diagonal tweed with wide bands running at right angles. Light bands run horizontally, dark bands run vertically. The belt is plain and black. She has her hands in her pockets.
February 29, 2024 at 10:50 AM
weirdscotland.bsky.social
Let's play #OldWeirdScotland FASHION GOLF

Round 2: Lost Amongst the Tweeds!

Four pics of 20th C Scottish women wearing the fashion of the day. Reply with your guess for the year of each outfit. For each year off, you gain a "stroke". Lowest combined score wins.

Entries open until 8pm Weds GMT.
A large letter A A woman with short dark hair stands in front of a stucco wall and looks directly at the camera. She isn't smiling. Her lipstick is very light. She is wearing a tweed coat-dress that stops at the knee and us worn with a belt. The collar is high and upturned. There are 5 dark shiny buttons down the front. The skirt is pleated and appears to have pockets. There are vertical darts at the bust. The material is two-tone diagonal tweed with wide bands running at right angles. Light bands run horizontally, dark bands run vertically. The belt is plain and black. She has her hands in her pockets. A large letter B A woman with dark hair, about shoulder length, and with a centre part stands in front of a brick building with an ornate doorway and has a dalmatian dog on a leather lead. The woman looks away from the camera, smiling. She has dark lipstick and plucked eyebrows. She is wearing a matching closed jacket and skirt in a houndstooth tweed over a dark blouse. The jacket has a flat collar that meets above the bust. Three fabric covered buttons close the jacket. There are two lower pockets and possibly a single breast pocket (or a dart), but it is hard to see. The skirt has one or two large pleats and stops just below the knee. She is wearing stockings and dark chunky-heeled brogues. She holds a light scarf and the dog's lead. A large letter C A woman with pinned back hair stands in a brick alleyway and smiles open-mouthed at the camera. Her teeth are visible. She is wearing lipstick. She has round clip-on earrings. She is wearing a tweed jacket, cut just below the waist. It is closed with a single dark button at the waist and has two pockets. Her left hand is in a pocket. The jacket is relatively simple. No visible collar, no cuff buttons, no other ornamentation. She is wearing a polkadot neckerchief or cravat. In her right hand is a pair of glasses. A large letter D. A woman leans on a ships funnel or some other exhaust pipe and looks away from the camera. In the background is a kilted man. She has obvious mascara and plucked eyebrows. She wears a large dark hat with a brim that is wider at the front and narrow and upturned at the neck. She wears a tweed dress under a large somewhat bulky tweed longcoat. The dress has a high neckline and is cinched at the waist. It seems like it goes to the shin in length. The coat is open but has buttons. The collar is large. The cuffs are wide and upturned. It is probably ankle length. She wears three rows of large pearls, white gloves, and holds a shiny leather handbag.
February 28, 2024 at 1:15 PM
weirdscotland.bsky.social
In 1840s Fife, a deserted spouse could have their marriage annulled if they set a place at the dinner table and shouted out the door for the absent spouse to come eat.

After a year plus one day, they were free to marry again.

#OldWeirdScotland
an engraved image of a woman, sat cross-armed at a set dinnertable, facing an empty chair.
January 8, 2024 at 11:38 AM
weirdscotland.bsky.social
Newtonmore are famous for their shinty skill. #OTD in January 1890, their defence had so little to do no one thought much of 25yo Ewen Cattanach lying down on the field.

Only after 30mins play did the ball come down field and it was clear Ewen was dead (heart attack).

#OldWeirdScotland
a sepia tone photo of a men's shinty team in striped jerseys
January 6, 2024 at 7:06 AM
weirdscotland.bsky.social
Behold, he cometh with tines; and every eye shall see him, they also which pierced (but also scooped) with him.

Edinburgh Spork Company ad, 1935
A REVELATION, THE SPORK. The Spork fulfils all the functions of the ordinary fork. It will handle more conveniently many dishes now requiring both knife and fork, or fork and spoon. It is a great improvement on the fork for stews, curries, mince, peas, gravies, etc. hors d'oeuvres, sweets and savouries.
January 5, 2024 at 6:36 AM
weirdscotland.bsky.social
In one of his first recorded deliveries in Scotland (Hogmanay 1851), Santa Claus visited a family in John O'Groats.

In one lad's stocking Santa delivered a stick (from a tree) as he was "an unruly little chap".

The boy was overjoyed.

#OldWeirdScotland
a creepy looking Santa holding a stuffed dog
December 30, 2023 at 9:50 AM
weirdscotland.bsky.social
In his first hundred years of business in Scotland, Santa Claus delivered to children on Hogmanay (31st Dec), not Christmas Eve.

By the 1960s, he had fully synchronised his visits and Scotland ran on the same timetable as the US and England.

#OldWeirdScotland
newspaper clipping. headline : Time for Santa to make up his mind? A furtive looking Santa is pictured
December 24, 2023 at 10:48 AM
weirdscotland.bsky.social
#OTD in 1930

Mrs Simpson, of Dundee (right), winner of the Arbroath Cat Show.

There's always one that doesn't look at the camera lens, eh?

#OldWeirdScotland
a longhaired cat stares directly at the camera while its owner looks open-mouthed away from the photographer. Owner is in tweed with a round close fitting hat.
December 23, 2023 at 10:32 AM
weirdscotland.bsky.social
Christmas advice for ladies courtesy of the Dundee Courier (1930-1934)

#OldWeirdScotland
Be Gay this Christmas Decide to be Very Gay Let us be Gay
December 21, 2023 at 9:37 AM
weirdscotland.bsky.social
YULESHARD

n. a person woefully unprepared for Christmas

#OldWeirdScotland
#Scots
Victorian Christmas card that reads "A happy Christmas - A hearty welcome". Someone is being picked up by a fierce polar bear in a Arctic scene.
December 20, 2023 at 10:37 AM
weirdscotland.bsky.social
11th October 1626: parties after baptisms had gotten so out of hand that Aberdeen made it illegal to "compell any nichtboures to drink any wyn, aill, or beir" that they didn't want to.

Anyone caught pressuring someone to drink was fined £40

#OldWeirdScotland
#DrinkAwareScotland
a woodcut drawing of two people drinking. one has made himself vomit.
October 11, 2023 at 8:55 AM