|
Post by dreamy on Dec 28, 2008 2:26:45 GMT 10
On this day in 1904 J M Barrie's play "Peter Pan" premiered at the Duke of York Theatre, London.
Barrie was born in Kirriemuir. Though he first gained recognition as a writer of novels set in rural Scotland, it is as a playwright that he has become a household name with his timeless creation, Peter Pan. There has been a century of speculation about the motives of the man who created an imaginary world where children never grew up, and who perhaps never truly grew up himself, yet there is no doubt about the imaginitive force of this story which has delighted generations of children and adults alike.
|
|
|
Post by dreamy on Dec 29, 2008 0:56:45 GMT 10
December 28
Today in 1879 the Tay Bridge disaster occurred.
75 passengers were killed when the structure collapsed under a train during a storm. The subsequent inquiry found that the bridge's designer, Thomas Bouch, had not made sufficient allowance for wind pressure and that the contractor had used imperfect metal castings. Bouch was widely blamed for the tragedy and died of ill health brought on by his ordeal shortly thereafter. The foundations of the collapsed bridge can still be seen today as one crosses the Tay on its replacement.
On this day in 1734 Scotland's famous outlaw, Rob "Roy" MacGregor, died. He was immortalised in Sir Walter Scott's novel, Rob Roy, and though the dramatic licence employed by Scott was considerable, MacGregor's life story is fascinating. Born in the Trossachs, he was a successful soldier from an early age. After a loan repayment to the Duke of Montrose was apparently stolen, a warrant was issued for his arrest. When his wife and children were evicted by the Duke's factor MacGregor began a campaign of violence and robbery against Montrose's property, supported by the Duke of Argyll.
Many adventures ensued, most famously his daring escape from the back of a horse, when he cut his bonds and leaped into the river Forth. He was eventually captured and sentenced to transportation, but he even managed to escape that when he received a pardon at the last minute.
|
|
|
Post by dreamy on Dec 30, 2008 23:51:10 GMT 10
December 30
On this day in 1899 Rangers played their first match at the new Ibrox stadium.
The match was a 3-1 victory over Hearts in the Inter-City League. Within months the stadium included two covered stands and had a capacity of 75,000.
Today in 1899 the Albion Motor Company was established. At first the firm made motor cars and commercial vehicles, but from 1913 concentrated on the latter. During World War I the premises were enlarged to produce military vehicles. The firm amalgamated with Leyland Ltd in 1951, and the works continued to make complete vehicles until the 1970s.
|
|