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.

The Decision of the clerical faction, in command of affairs I Scotland since the end of 1648, to recognize Charles II (1630 -85), provided the adhered to the Solemn League and Covenant, resulted in Cromwell (1599 - 1658) coming northwards to deal with the situation. However he found Leslie (d. 1682) a difficult adversary who carried out a scorched earth policy in East Lothian before retreated behind strong defensive positions between Leith and Edinburgh. Cromwell's army, frustrated by these tactics and suffering from outbreaks of sickness among its ranks withdrew to the seaport of Dunbar. The Covenanting forces followed them, taking up a strong position on Doon Hill overlooking the town itself. On 2 September 1650 Leslie moved his arm down the hillside to the plan below only to be caught out by a surprise attack at dawn the next day when the Scots suffered 3000 causalities and had 10,000 men taken prisoner. The Scottish general's strategy has often been questioned, although it has frequently been alleged that he was unduly influenced by clerical pressure to launch an assault on the English. Undoubtedly his army was greatly under strength as a result of several religious purges made during August, although some Protestors later alleged he was latter concerned about the effects of the prolonged wet weather on his troops as well as the approach of the harvest season, which would inevitably reduce his military strength further. Besides, having an army of over 20,000 men, men about the twice the size of Cromwell's forces, he must have been fairly confident of victory. His defeat was a significant one, greatly undermining the authority of the Kirk leaders and ultimately ensuring the imposition of the Cromwellian Union.
Douglas, W. W, Cromwell's Scottish Campaigns, E. Stock 1899

Now lets look at some specific dates:

1942 - September 6
To combat the growing problem of young girls loitering in Glasgows streets, the number of policemen on duty was doubled to 40.

1578 - September 12
Common people of Glasgow and Edinburgh were said to be very upset by the Government efforts to raise the value of the coin, refusal to accept the new rates were punishable by death.

1698 - September 19
Episcopacy (rule by bishops) was formally abolished in Scotland and their revenues confiscated.

1979 - September 27
Clydebank guitarist Jimmy McCulloch, who played with Paul McCartney's band Wings, was found dead in his London home.

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.

Bores

An England win would mean having to listen to Jimmy Hill and company for another 24 years - the best way of quaranteeing Scotland gets independence.
Chris McLean SNP spokesman, before England's appearance in 1990 World Cup

If Everton were playing at the bottom of my garden, I draw my curtains..
Bill Shankly (1913 - 81), manager of Liverpool

Is cruaidh na dh'fheumar.

What's needed is hard.

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