Quick Scottish History - 6. 29 March - 4 April

1. Quick
Scottish
History
A weekly guide to
Scotland’s past with
@mrmarrhistory
To suggest topics get in touch via Twitter: @mrmarrhistory #quickscottishhistory
#quickscottishhistory Issue 6 29 March – 4 April
Scotland and the Great War
Scotland was huge involved and affected by events
during the First World War (1914-1918).
Scottish regiments – such as the Black Watch and
Cameronians - were present at the war’s most
famous fights, such as Ypres and the Somme.
At least 100,000 Scottish soldiers died in the war,
although some people claim it is closer to 200,000.
The war’s most famous Scot was
Douglas Haig, who in 1915
became the commander-in-chief
of Britain’s armed forces.
After the war, numerous
memorials were built across
Scotland, including the war
memorial on Dundee Law which
can be seen across the city.
This week in
Scottish history
The life of…
Louisa Jordan
Louisa Jordan is known for her work as a nurse
during the First World War.
Born in 1878 in Glasgow, Jordan eventually became
a nurse. She worked in various locations including
Manchester, Edinburgh and Fife.
When the war started in 1914, she signed up to
join the Scottish Women’s Hospital
for Foreign Service.
She was posted in different
locations, but when working in
Serbia treating soldiers she caught
typhus and died from this in 1915.
During the Coronavirus crisis a new
hospital which opened in Glasgow
was named the ‘Louisa Jordan’.
Weekly quiz
The Fortingall Yew in Perthshire is the oldest tree
in Europe. How old is it believed to be?
Last week’s answer: The Scottish Parliament
recognises the country’s four main languages as
English, Gaelic, Scots and British Sign Language.
29 March 1298 – William Wallace is appointed as a
‘Guardian of Scotland’
30 March 1824 – The ship HMS Unicorn is
launched; today she is a museum in Dundee
31 March 1950 – Birth of actor Robbie Coltrane
(famous as Hagrid in the Harry Potter films)
1 April every year – ‘Gowk Day’, a Scottish version
of April Fool’s Day
2 April 1593 – creation of Marsichal College, a
second university in Aberdeen
3 April 1910 – Death of Catherine Helen Spence, a
famous journalist and women’s rights campaigner
4 April 1406 – Death of King Robert III (grandson of
Robert the Bruce). He once described himself as
“the worst of kings”
Bullet point History:
Edinburgh Castle
• There has been a castle at the site for 1000+ years
• Scotland’s first ever fireworks display took place in
Edinburgh Castle (in 1507)
• The castle was used as a military hospital during
the Second World War
• The Stone of Destiny (on which Scottish monarchs
sit to be crowned) is kept in the castle