Scottish kings, witchcraft and returns
a newsletter for the creative and curious wanderer in Scotland
David Ramsay, watchmaker to King James VI and I
One of the most fascinating objects from the King James exhibition at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery is this silver pendant watch King James gave to one of his ‘favourites’ c. 1615. It’s an interesting section of the exhibition, casting a modern eye on the sexuality of the King. Go and see it before it ends on 14th September.
There are fourteen known surviving examples of similar watches made by watchmaker David Ramsay in the 17th Century.
The watch has a tiny portrait of the king and queen inside and could tell the time, day and month of the year as well as the zodiac and moon phases.
Check out the signature 'David Ramsay Scotus me fecit' (David Ramsay, Scotsman, made me).
Images © National Museums Scotland
Dido Belle returns to Scone Palace
And while we’re on the subject of old Scottish kings.
Scone Palace, where kings of Scotland were once crowned, welcomes back home its favourite and most visited painting after spending most of this year at an exhibition in England.
Read the story here
A look at the life of Dido Belle:
Take a deep dive into the painting at the presentation below:
STILL sculpture returns to Loch Earn
And while we’re on the theme of returns…
The sculpture above is STILL by Rob Mulholland situated at Loch Earn. It was first installed in 2014 but mysteriously removed by the owner in 2017. Also known as Mirror Man, this beloved three-metre tall figure has recently returned to the water at St Fillans village thanks to a local campaign. The community of St Fillans is now the owner of the artwork.
If you’re looking for some non-AI awe-inspiring photography prints of the Scottish landscape and night sky, check out Steven Robinson.
Outlander dress on display at Culross Palace
One of Outlander’s most interesting characters is Geillis Duncan, named after the real life maidservant who was accused of witchcraft in Scotland in 1590. She was forced to name others which led to the first major witchcraft persecution in Scotland (North Berwick). She was tortured into a confession and imprisoned. Her nature for tending to the sick and disappearing nightly led to a witchcraft accusation by her employer.
This Geillis Duncan took in hand to help all such as were troubled or grieved with any kind of sickness or infirmity, and in short space did perform many matters most miraculous... made her master and others to be in great admiration, and wondered there at.
— Newes from Scotland, 1591
The wool costume used in the Outlander TV series was designed with a nod to the character’s return in the 1960s. Culross Palace was used for many scenes involving the character in seasons 1-3. The dress is on display now until the end of October at Culross Palace.
Edinburgh Festival Substack recommendations
Here’s my list of Edinburgh Substacks to subscribe for navigating the chaos of the Edinburgh Festivals in August:
Edinburgh Festival Minute by The Edinburgh Minute
Dont Fear the Fringe by The Good Egg Project