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Scottish Memories • September 2009 The incredible story of Sir Hugh Munro, the mountain man. Page 10

Discover the significance of the Halloween kail-yard, on page 38

SCOTTISH

mories

is published by Warners Group Publications plc, 5th Floor, 31-32 Park Row, Leeds, LS1 5JD, UK website: www.scottish-memories.co.uk

PUBLISHER Janet Davison janet.davison@writersnews.co.uk

EDITORIAL Editor: Matt Hill mhill@writersnews.co.uk Tel: 0113 200 2912

Deputy Editor: Rachel Bellerby rachelb@writersnews.co.uk Tel: 0113 200 2922

Consultant Editor: George Forbes

Contributors: Jean Brittain, Myra Douglas, Iain Gray, James Hendrie, Pat Jones, Patrick Laurie, Graham Mole, Dolina Munro, David Potter, G Barclay Robertson, Kenneth Stephen, Alan Stewart Landscape photography: Dennis Hardley

PRODUCTION Senior designer: Nathan Ward nward@writersnews.co.uk

ADVERTISING Advertising Sales Representative: Alison Fraser scottishmemories@yahoo.co.uk Tel: 0141 946 8708

MARKETING Lauren Roberts lroberts@writersnews.co.uk Tel: 0113 200 2916

SUBSCRIPTIONS Collette Dimbleby scm@warnersgroup.co.uk Tel: 01778 392030

PRINTED BY Warners (Midlands) plc, The Maltings, Manor Lane, Bourne, Lincs PE10 9PH

DISTRIBUTION BY Warners Group Publications plc West Street, Bourne, Lincs PE10 9PH

ON SALE: November issue on sale: 22 October 2009

BACK ISSUES Back issues are available from the Scottish Memories subscriptions department on: 01778 392030.

DISCLAIMER The views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher. Every care is taken to ensure that the contents of the magazine are accurate, but the publisher assumes no responsibility for errors. While reasonable care is taken when accepting advertisements, the publisher cannot accept responsibility for any resulting unsatisfactory transactions, but will immediately investigate any written complaints.

COPYRIGHT No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted without the prior written permission of the publisher.

© WARNERS GROUP PUBLICATIONS PLC 2009.

Welcome to SCOTTISH

MemorieMe

Nowadays it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of everyday life, and take the incredible things that happen around us for granted.

You only need to look at the features in this month’s issue to see what I mean. Take our article on Sir Hugh Munro. The nineteenth-century aristocrat walked, hiked and climbed across the country finding more than 200 mountains that nobody thought existed. Today, the more adventurous among us struggle their way to these peaks, now known as Munros, to enjoy the beautiful views from the top.

Then there’s the story of Jim Mollison, the Glasgow-born aviator who bravely clambered into the cockpit of those early flying machines to break records with his equally courageous wife Amy Johnson. Meanwhile, ghillie Gregor Mackenzie was enjoying the Scottish countryside, catching fish (and poachers) for his wealthy employers, and a little later American preacher Billy Graham was causing quite a stir in the cities with his so-called Crusade for Scotland.

Our own memories of years gone by are just as amazing. Whether it’s potato picking in Fife or hearing the news that war had begun, these stories remind us how eventful our lives can be. I’m sure you’ll enjoy reading these recollections as much as I have, and don’t forget, we’d love to hear about your memories too, so why not take some time out to reminisce a little?

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Contents

WIN! A trip to St Andrews A chance to win a two-night stay in the Fairmont hotel, worth £1,500!

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Then and Now News and events, and headlines from the past

10 Mountain Man

The life of Hugh Munro, the man who put Scotland’s mountains on the map

Matt Hill, Editor

34 A life in the Great Outdoors

The story of ghillie Gregor Mackenzie

36 The forgotten canal

Discover the lost waterways of Aberdeen

38 Halloween guisin and tumshies!

The ancient traditions of Halloween

40 Scotland remembered

Readers share their memories

15 A jinxed family

The eventful history of Huntly Castle

16 Memories Mailbox

Write to us and win! Plus, George Forbes takes a walk along the river

18 Banffshire’s villainous coast

The peaceful town of Portsoy was once home to a motley crew of smugglers

20 From the archives.

Intriguing items from Scotland’s past

22 Champions of the world!

Remembering Scotland’s historic 1967 victory over England at Wembley

25 This month in Scottish history

Anniversaries and events from yesteryear

27 Destination St Andrews

Your comprehensive guide to the region

43 Wee Harry

Harry gets into trouble on a bus ride

44 The flying sweethearts

The story of aviation pioneers Jim Mollison and Amy Johnson

47 Crusade for Scotland

Preacher Billy Graham’s tour of 1955

48 Fearless females

Our series on remarkable Scottish women

48 A taste of Scotland

An easy and delicious recipe for honey, whisky and Drambuie créme brulee

49 Scottish roots

Gathering information for your family tree

50 Sights and sounds of Scotland

CD, book and DVD reviews

52 Puzzles WIN!

Test your knowledge in our trivial ten

Subscribe today. see page 37 for details