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.

James Bruce
1730 - 1794

Early Explorer. Born in Stirlingshire, Bruce grew to be a huge man, both in height and weight. Educated at Harrow School, north of London, he then studied Law at the University of Edinburgh.

He travelled in Europe and was then appointed Consul in Algiers (1762). He then travelled to Ethiopia, where he discovered the source of the Blue Nile (1770). Bruce was congratulated by the French, but especially after Boswell and Johnson set against him, the British did not believe him. Although his adventures were largely true, they seemed so unbelievable that he was accused of invention. He also translated sections of the bible for the Ethiopian Church.

http://www.geo.ed.ac.uk/scotgaz/people/famousfirst18.html

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.

Epitaphs

Chan fhiosrach mur feòraich

Nothing ask, nothing learn

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