Mysterious Object.

On a recent walk from Portmahomack round Tarbat Ness in Easter Ross we came across some old military emplacements still remaining from World War One. One large arrow-shaped concrete slab, cast in situ, took our attention and despite studying it from all angles we could not come up with an answer as to what it was. The "arrow" could have pointed north for some reason, but it would be interesting to see if any readers can solve the mystery.

Charlie Stephen chas21@btinternet.com

 

Paranormal Dumfries And Galloway.

We are currently researching the incidence of paranormal events in the Dumfries and Galloway region and wish to invite readers to share their stories. We are intrigued by all manner of stories relating to the paranormal, but our primary interest is in ghosts and hauntings. Whilst it does indeed prove fruitful to explore books covering the subject locally, more often than not, these tend to be of a more historical nature covering castles, battlegrounds and things of a similar ilk, along with the odd smattering of tales of unrequited love and romantic tragedy. We wish to hear about experiences which have taken place in ordinary, everyday places which we can all relate to, like the home, school, workplace, pub, or as indeed happened to one member of our group, in their car. Such stories can add a contemporary dimension to classic tales already in existence. That said, anything at all that readers feel would be relevant or would interest us would be welcome. Should there prove to be any recurring incidents spread over a period of time we would like to explore the frequency, type and duration of these with a view to using them to compile a local database. All contributions will be met with an open mind, and should anyone wish to remain anonymous then their story will be treated with the utmost confidentiality.

Kathleen Cronie mostlyghostly@hotmail.co.uk

British Resistance Movement 1940-1944, 201 Battalion.

I'm researching a unit formed during the early days of World War Two. Named Auxiliary Units, this was a cover name for a Resistance network that covered the whole of the UK, mainly in east coast areas. Recruited locally and sworn to secrecy by the official secrets act, training consisted of weapon handling, navigation, demolitions, as well as other skills. Members wore civilian clothes during those early days but as they grew in numbers they were given battledress uniforms and wore Home Guard shoulder titles. My research into this unit focuses on the part played by Scotland and I would like to be able to record the unknown work done by this organisation. Any information, no matter how trivial, could be the missing piece of the jigsaw.

David Blair aux201@btinternet.com

 

Beltona Records.

My maternal grandfather was David Hutchison. He was known as "The Accordion Strathspey King" and recorded numerous 78s for Beltona Records. I have the advertising literature with the records etc. The question that perplexes me is that if my grandfather was the "Strathspey King" and did not pass away until 1976, how did Jimmy Shand come by the title? I think I am correct in saying that James Scott Skinner was the Fiddle Strathspey King, yet no one (as far as I am aware) has styled themselves with this title since his death. Can anyone clarify this situation for me? I would hate to think that Sir Jimmy was a pretender to the throne.

Sandy Allan allan@fhiann.plus.com

Rev George Davidson.

I would be grateful for any help from readers in locating a bronze memorial plaque featuring the portrait of the Rev George Davidson. The memorial was executed in the 1930s for the Barony Church in Albany Street, Edinburgh. Unfortunately this church is now gone and I have been trying to find this memorial for several years without success.

Jim McGinlay, E-mail: Jamiemcginlay1@aol.com

 

Mauchline Station

My father's friend has spent many years reproducing to exact scale the buildings and layout of the railway station at Mauchline (closed in 1965), along with the Ballochmyle viaduct. But whilst there are plenty of photographs detailing the station from the railway side, we cannot find any to help with the view of the station from the front, Station road side of the building. Can anyone help with this?

Billy Harrison creeoch@mypostoffice.co.uk

Wartime Humour.

I am researching wartime humour from World War One to the present. I am looking for cartoons, stories, speeches etc that are funny, satirical or ironic for my research and possible publication in a book. I would appreciate any help from readers.

George Korankye korankye@btinternet.com

 

The Lanarkshire Yeomanry

As a result of reading the book, Out Of The Depths Of Hell, by the late John McEwan from Newmains, I have become fascinated with the story of the little- known volunteer regiment, the Lanarkshire Yeomanry. The Regiment was raised in the Lanark area in the early part of the 19th century and since that date has been involved in various major conflicts including the Boer War, The Great War and probably most notably, in World War Two. By that time they had become the 155th and 156th Field Regiments (Lanarkshire Yeomanry) RA. The 155th were in the heat of battle during the debacle of the Malayan campaign of 1941/42 and were subsequently to suffer dreadfully at the hands of their Japanese captors. Their sister regiment, the 156th, also saw active service in North Africa, Sicily and Italy where they fought bravely. After the war the regiment, like many others, was amalgamated to the point where its identity has all but disappeared. Sadly, today there is only a handful of the men of the 155th and 156th still with us and I am keen to keep their memory alive. If anyone has any information or material relating to the Lanarkshire Yeomanry, I would be keen to hear from them.

Campbell Thomson ct@jcthomson.co.uk

McCulloch/Blyth.

I am presently researching my McCulloch/Blyth line and I came across in The Scotsman Archive an advert for Blyth & McCulloch's patent double-actioned still dated 19th September 1849. This item was made by a firm named J & A Blyth, Engineers Limehouse, London and I wonder if any of the distilleries in Scotland took the matter up and bought a still from them. Enquiries in London regarding tracing Blyth & McCulloch business records have come to nothing. There is a firm in Limehouse with this name, but I received no reply to my enquiry. I wondered if any readers could throw any light on this matter.

Veronica McCulloch, 32 Featherhall Crescent North, Edinburgh EH12 7TY.