I imagine the first question anyone will ask is what is a column called "Scottish Flotsam". I guess we will have to begin with what is "flotsam". Among the definitions of the word are "things washed ashore" or "miscellaneous trifles". Well, we believe you can find some great treasure on the ocean shore. But -- you will never know what you will find or its value. So we decided that is what this column is - flotsam. We wanted a place to put things that didn't fit anywhere else and might be of interest. Each item could be a column itself and might be some day but for now it will be the flotsam, which washes our way.

Described by one historian as 'the national vice of the Scots', smuggling was an ancient trade, rampant long before the Union of 1707 or the English Navigation Acts, which limited colonial trade to their own shipping. However as Smout observes, the Scots were delighted to marry their traditional dislike of customs and excise officials with the patriotic ideal of cheating the English. Smuggling, either by sea or over land, took place with or without the connivance of revenue officers, though concealment was by far the more prevalent.

Historically, the favored goods of the smuggler were spirits, wine and tobacco - all subject to high duty and valuable relative to their bulk. Others included Dutch or English textiles (such as find linens), sugar and even salt, the imported item being far superior to the locally manufactured product. Less obviously valuable items smuggled into Scotland from Ireland included cattle and corn.

While the increase efficiency and vigilance of the customs and excise during the eighteenth century and the imposition of wide-ranging duties on alcoholic drink (including the Malt Tax) wines and spirits became the most important and profitable products for the smuggler. In addition to drink run ashore in quiet coves a growing trade developed from Ireland and the Highlands in the products of illicit distilling. Reform of the excise, notably the Small Stills Act (1816), and lowering duty gradually reduced, though did not eradicate, illicit distillation. Given its covert nature it comes as little surprise that there is no serious historical study of smuggling - despite its legendary appeal and oblique associations with such notables as Adam Smith (1723 - 90) and Robert Burns (1759 - 96).

Smout, T.C., Scottish Trade on the Eve of Union 1660 - 1707, Oliver and Boyd, 1963.

Now lets look at some specific dates:

1690 - February 2
Scores of porpoises were beached near Crammond on the Forth along a half-mile stretch; local people sold them to a Leith soap maker.

19022 - February 11
Steamer Hurorian left the Clyde at the start of a transatlantic crossing and was never seen again.

1848 - February 15
Caledonian Railway opened between Beattock and Glasgow.

1472 - February 20
Orkney and Shetland were annexed to the Crown of Scotland having been offered three years previously, as security for Princess Margaret of Denmark's dowry.

Source - Scotching the Myths by Jim Hewiston can be found in the History Book Section of Scottish Radiance.

It is time to stop combing the library but we can not quit without some quotes from Quotable Scots another great History bookshelf resident. Let's see what quotes we can find.

Brag (cont.)

In Ireland and in the mountains of Scotland the moonlight has a sharper edge to it..
H. V. Morton, In Search of Scotland

Pompous the boast, and yet a truth it speaks.
A 'modern Athens' - fit for modern Greeks. James Hannay , of Edinburgh, Edinburgh Courant, 1860

Scotchman seem to think it is a credit to them to be Scotch.
W Somerset Maughan (1874 - 1964), A Writer's Notebook 1949

Far am bi do chràdh, bidh do làmbh: far am bi do ghràdh, bidh do thathaich.

Where your pain is, your hand will be, where your love is your haunting will be.

You can find more articles in the archive under Scottish Flotsam.