iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Old Weird Scotland @weirdscotland.bsky.social · 24/01/2026

We interrupt your feed to bring you this font

A 1930s negatives envelope. The text reads "don't store away those prints of which you are so proud". The "arm" on letter R is broken in a way that looks like an apostrophe. Quite odd.

Old Weird Scotland @weirdscotland.bsky.social · 29/12/2025

December 29th is the feast day of minor Scottish saint, Onan, who, despite his name, isn't the patron saint of anything in particular... #OldWeirdScotland

frontispiece of a book. In black and red lettering it reads: Kalendars of Scottish Saints with personal notices of those of Alba, Laudonia and Strathclyde. An attempt to fix the districts of their several missions and the churches where they were chiefly had in remembrance.

12710

Reposted by Old Weird Scotland

Andy Arthur💃🏰⚓🦌 Threadinburgh 🧵 @threadinburgh.scot · 28/12/2025

🗓️ 28th December is the anniversary of the Tay Bridge Disaster, a tragedy which overshadows another on the same day 27 years later. In 1906 a wintry tragedy at Elliot Junction caused 22 deaths and 24 injuries when safety and control broke down in a blizzard 🚂🚃 threadinburgh.scot/2022/12/28/t...

threadinburgh.scot

The thread about the Elliot Junction Disaster; a railway tragedy in the midst of a blizzard

28th December is the anniversary of the Tay Bridge Disaster (of 1879), but is also the anniversary of the Elliot Junction Disaster of 1906. The spectacle of the former catastrophe, which saw around…

2249

Old Weird Scotland @weirdscotland.bsky.social · 28/12/2025

Today is the 75th anniversary of "OPERATION HAGGIS" On 28th December 1950, the RAAF flew 585km from Iwakuni, Japan to Suwon-si, South Korea with 180lbs (80kg) of haggis so the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders could have a "proper Hogmanay" in the first year of the Korean War. #OldWeirdScotland

a uniformed man chalks mission details on a blackboard. Number 30 (the Squadron number) is painted at the top of the board.

23513

Old Weird Scotland @weirdscotland.bsky.social · 27/12/2025

In 1599, Elgin Kirk Session were *very clear* re: Xmas No snowballs No carols or other singing No guising (fancy dress) No crossdressing No bagpipes or fiddles No dancing No football in the streets No ropeswings No groups of women haunting the churchyard No "umcomelie speeches" #OldWeirdScotland

A woodcut of a guiser in a medieval town. A barelegged man wears a hood with donkey ears and plays bagpipes. A lute and harp are on the ground near his feet.

13912

Reposted by Old Weird Scotland

Old Weird Scotland @weirdscotland.bsky.social · 21/12/2023

Christmas advice for ladies courtesy of the Dundee Courier (1930-1934) #OldWeirdScotland

0442220

Old Weird Scotland @weirdscotland.bsky.social · 24/12/2025

In his first hundred years of business in Scotland, Santa Claus delivered to children on Hogmanay (31st Dec), not Christmas Eve. By the 1960s, he had fully synchronised his visits and Scotland ran on the same timetable as the US and England. #OldWeirdScotland

a newspaper article with the headline: Kirsteen talks to northeast women. Time for Santa to make up his mind?

13921

Reposted by Old Weird Scotland

Old Weird Scotland @weirdscotland.bsky.social · 20/12/2023

YULESHARD n. a person woefully unprepared for Christmas #OldWeirdScotland #Scots

Victorian Christmas card that reads "A happy Christmas - A hearty welcome". Someone is being picked up by a fierce polar bear in a Arctic scene.

15420

Reposted by Old Weird Scotland

New-Cleckit Dominie @ncdominie.bsky.social · 31/10/2025

Just seen the Paisley xenomorph popping up for Hallowe'en, so here's a reminder that it is not the only nightmare fodder on that building.

2357

Old Weird Scotland @weirdscotland.bsky.social · 30/10/2025

#OTD 139 years ago: Dundonians lined the banks of the Tay to watch young Inuit man, Urio Etwango, demonstrate hunting techniques from his kayak (wooden crates serving as seals). Usually, I'd share my article on him, but this week Greenland historian, Kenn Harper, has more properly told the story:

Urio Etwango, an Inuit man stands on the deck of a boat holding a rifle. He is dressed in a hooded coat made of sealskin. He has a moustache. The ship's wheel, a pulley, rope and other nautical accoutrement are visible.

1129

Old Weird Scotland @weirdscotland.bsky.social · 29/10/2025

#OTD 218 years ago: A Glenmoriston woman awoke to find a young Bengal tiger in her house. It leapt 16ft across the room at her before being chased outside. It had escaped from a menagerie at Brahan Castle, some 40 miles away. It was reported "to have done considerable mischief" #OldWeirdScotland

A yellowed plate from a Victorian era zoology book. A crude drawing of a tiger.

1336

Old Weird Scotland @weirdscotland.bsky.social · 25/10/2025

Whither Halloween? Nobody takes the time to carve lanterns out of neeps nowadays, and nobody takes the time to scrape out a sheepskin and skull for their costume. Sigh. #OldWeirdScotland South Uist guisers, 1932 (📷Margaret Fay Shaw)

a black and white photo of two children wearing sheepskins over their faces and bodies, heavy boots, and holding shepherds' crooks.

a black and white photo of two children wearing loose heavy clothes and masks made from sheepskin.

68627

Old Weird Scotland @weirdscotland.bsky.social · 25/10/2025

I say this every year, but Halloween costumes were scarier in the #OldWeirdScotland, but here's some genuinely terrifying shit from Drumlithie Draughts Club kids... Mearns Leader and Kincardineshire Mail, 1936

1184

Old Weird Scotland @weirdscotland.bsky.social · 21/10/2025

"Ay, this year we're takin the weans ower the Iron Curtain for the Fair" Print Ad, Scots Magazine, July 1981 #OldWeirdScotland

1981 Print advert for SovScot Tours Limited.
Stylised Kremlin spires sit atop a saltire next to the words "Soviet Union, 15 day sun and interest tours direct from Glasgow".
The three main tour options are named "Russian Riviera" , "Crimean Riviera", and "USSR three cities tour".

Geordi La Forge version of Drake meme. Upper panel "doon the watter". Lower panel "taps aff in Crimea"

1243

Reposted by Old Weird Scotland

Old Weird Scotland @weirdscotland.bsky.social · 12/08/2025

It's "help an undergraduate research project time"! Siân is researching how well Scottish people and Scots speakers are understood. Listen to some audio clips and see how well you fare. Took me less than 10mins and it was very fun! forms.gle/wUJBQquieSt2... #OldWeirdScotland

forms.gle

Language understanding study

This research project is being undertaken as part of an undergraduate degree in the School of Arts, Culture and Language at Bangor University. The focus of the study is to research the understanding ...

44545

Old Weird Scotland @weirdscotland.bsky.social · 12/08/2025

forms.gle

Language understanding study

44545

Old Weird Scotland @weirdscotland.bsky.social · 14/05/2025

I love little local history booklets. They're full of small and often weird stories that deserve to be better known. They're also full of small and weird illustrations that *definitely* need to be shared: An occasional 🧵

183

Old Weird Scotland @weirdscotland.bsky.social · 02/05/2025

Dating to before 1684, The motto on the arms of the Royal Burgh of Inveraray, Semper Tibi Pendeat Halec, is thought to have originally meant "may the fish sauce always be ready for you". #OldWeirdScotland

The arms of the Royal Burgh of Inveraray. Officially it is described as:

In the waves of the sea, five herring entering herring net pendant from the sinister chief, all Proper [Above the Shield is placed a Burghal coronet] and in an Escrol below the Shield this Motto "Semper Tibi Pendeat Halec"

It's a shield with a crown made of bricks on top. There's five fish swimming into a net. A fancy ribbon is underneath the Shield with the Latin motto on it.

282

Old Weird Scotland @weirdscotland.bsky.social · 25/04/2025

The 1970s really were the golden age of souvenirs from Scotland. For the equivalent of £11.99, you can fill your house and nose with sweet peaty nostalgia! #OldWeirdScotland

A print ad that reads: A Scottish made Scottish Souvenir. ABSENT FRIENDS
are reminded of Scotland when they make their own PEAT REEK with a THISTLE PEAT REEKER £1.10 EACH

Plus post. pkg. & ins. Home 15p Overseas 50p Cash with Order to: THE SCOTTISH SHOP. 1 Station Road, Gourock, Scotland.

The image on the ad is of a ceramic thistle incense burner in a tartan hinged gift box

0154

Old Weird Scotland @weirdscotland.bsky.social · 19/04/2025

On Good Friday 1882, 147 people in Inverness became severely ill after eating hot cross buns. While not fatal, they all experienced vomiting, tremors, and a dry throat. An unidentified alkaloid poison was found in the spice mix. The case was never solved. #OldWeirdScotland

An engraving of an animated streetscene with children selling hot cross buns from baskets. A baker's shop is visible in background and a dog is in the foreground trying to get a bun.

1155

Old Weird Scotland @weirdscotland.bsky.social · 18/04/2025

In the village of Swinton in the Scottish Borders, the local football pitch has a stone mercat cross for a centre circle. Known as the "12th Man of Swinton", the cross was used to the home team's advantage during league matches. #OldWeirdScotland

Four football players watch an airborne ball rebound off the column of a stepped mercat cross. In the background is a church and clock tower. The pitch is surrounded by a simple white fence. The photo is black and white and has a watermark that reads "WeirdScotland"

1121

Old Weird Scotland @weirdscotland.bsky.social · 17/04/2025

A confession because I was reminded of it today: Until my mid-20s, I had it in my head that a Papal bull was an actual live 🐂 with a note attached to it. "Well you know it's a big deal when the Pope sends you one of those cows all the way from Rome/Avignon" Just never questioned it.

3223

Reposted by Old Weird Scotland

Andy Arthur💃🏰⚓🦌 Threadinburgh 🧵 @threadinburgh.scot · 24/03/2025

On this day in 1921, a large crowd watched the launch of a great, white ship in Leith. The largest sailing vessel ever completed in the UK, this 5-master was the "København". 8 years later she disappeared without trace and has never been seen nor heard from again 🔭 threadinburgh.scot/2023/01/21/t...

The launch of the second København, contemporary newspaper photograph from the Daily Record. It shows a large, white sailing ship - without her masts - sliding into the water down a shipyard slipway. The outlines of figures can be seen on her bow and also watching from shore. The ship's anchor can be seen as can a Union Jack flag on a short mast.

44918

Old Weird Scotland @weirdscotland.bsky.social · 22/03/2025

By the age of 1, Siamese cat, "Jane Austen" had climbed 16 peaks (inc. 11 Munros) with her owner Fiona M. Wilkie. Jane was harnessed on a 12ft lead and took naps in Fiona's rucksack. #OldWeirdScotland #WeirdCatScotland

A Siamese cat lounging on top of a blue and cream 1970s style backpack

A Siamese cat sitting on a lichen covered rock. She is wearing a light blue harness. In the background is a lochan and rocky hill in Coulags glen, Sutherland, Scotland.

A Siamese cat on a rocky cliff looking down at the camera. She is at the end of a red length of rope.

03711

Old Weird Scotland @weirdscotland.bsky.social · 20/03/2025

A parrot that comes with a warranty Fife Free Press, 30 April 1904 #OldWeirdScotland

Three advertisements: The top one reads: FOR SALE. Well-known Parrot. Warranted good talker. free from obscene language. Apply James Gilmour, West Mills Kirkcaldy.
The next ads are for a bicycle and a lawn mower.

2157

Old Weird Scotland @weirdscotland.bsky.social · 16/02/2025

FLINGING THE SOAM romantic divination using the soam (swimbladder) of a herring A young person can forecast luck in love by throwing the bladder at a wall. If it sticks, they'll find love. If it falls to the floor, then they'll be single all their days. A belated Valentine! #OldWeirdScotland

A scan of a plate from a 19th century zoology text depicting a herring. Its back is blue-green and its cheek is rosy pink.

0112

Old Weird Scotland @weirdscotland.bsky.social · 29/02/2024

Answers & results of #OldWeirdScotland FASHION GOLF Round 2: Tweed Probably a little difficult but some people did well! This time "par" for the course was 31 years 21 folk took part across 4 platforms. No podium finishes for blueskyers this time Thanks all who took part FASHION GOLF will return

A large letter C. 1991.
A woman with pinned back hair stands in a brick alleyway and smiles open-mouthed at the camera. Her teeth are visible. She is wearing lipstick. She has round clip-on earrings. She is wearing a tweed jacket, cut just below the waist. It is closed with a single dark button at the waist and has two pockets. Her left hand is in a pocket. The jacket is relatively simple. No visible collar, no cuff buttons, no other ornamentation. She is wearing a polkadot neckerchief or cravat. In her right hand is a pair of glasses

A large letter B 1949
A woman with dark hair, about shoulder length, and with a centre part stands in front of a brick building with an ornate doorway and has a dalmatian dog on a leather lead. The woman looks away from the camera, smiling. She has dark lipstick and plucked eyebrows. She is wearing a matching closed jacket and skirt in a houndstooth tweed over a dark blouse. The jacket has a flat collar that meets above the bust. Three fabric covered buttons close the jacket. There are two lower pockets and possibly a single breast pocket (or a dart), but it is hard to see. The skirt has one or two large pleats and stops just below the knee. She is wearing stockings and dark chunky-heeled brogues. She holds a light scarf and the dog's lead.

A large letter D. 1961
A woman leans on a ships funnel or some other exhaust pipe and looks away from the camera. In the background is a kilted man. She has obvious mascara and plucked eyebrows. She wears a large dark hat with a brim that is wider at the front and narrow and upturned at the neck. She wears a tweed dress under a large somewhat bulky tweed longcoat. The dress has a high neckline and is cinched at the waist. It seems like it goes to the shin in length. The coat is open but has buttons. The collar is large. The cuffs are wide and upturned. It is probably ankle length. She wears three rows of large pearls, white gloves, and holds a shiny leather handbag.

A large letter A. 1969
A woman with short dark hair stands in front of a stucco wall and looks directly at the camera. She isn't smiling. Her lipstick is very light. She is wearing a tweed coat-dress that stops at the knee and us worn with a belt. The collar is high and upturned. There are 5 dark shiny buttons down the front. The skirt is pleated and appears to have pockets. There are vertical darts at the bust. The material is two-tone diagonal tweed with wide bands running at right angles. Light bands run horizontally, dark bands run vertically. The belt is plain and black. She has her hands in her pockets.

070

Reposted by Old Weird Scotland

Old Weird Scotland @weirdscotland.bsky.social · 28/02/2024

Let's play #OldWeirdScotland FASHION GOLF Round 2: Lost Amongst the Tweeds! Four pics of 20th C Scottish women wearing the fashion of the day. Reply with your guess for the year of each outfit. For each year off, you gain a "stroke". Lowest combined score wins. Entries open until 8pm Weds GMT.

A large letter A
A woman with short dark hair stands in front of a stucco wall and looks directly at the camera. She isn't smiling. Her lipstick is very light. She is wearing a tweed coat-dress that stops at the knee and us worn with a belt. The collar is high and upturned. There are 5 dark shiny buttons down the front. The skirt is pleated and appears to have pockets. There are vertical darts at the bust. The material is two-tone diagonal tweed with wide bands running at right angles. Light bands run horizontally, dark bands run vertically. The belt is plain and black. She has her hands in her pockets.

A large letter B
A woman with dark hair, about shoulder length, and with a centre part stands in front of a brick building with an ornate doorway and has a dalmatian dog on a leather lead. The woman looks away from the camera, smiling. She has dark lipstick and plucked eyebrows. She is wearing a matching closed jacket and skirt in a houndstooth tweed over a dark blouse. The jacket has a flat collar that meets above the bust. Three fabric covered buttons close the jacket. There are two lower pockets and possibly a single breast pocket (or a dart), but it is hard to see. The skirt has one or two large pleats and stops just below the knee. She is wearing stockings and dark chunky-heeled brogues. She holds a light scarf and the dog's lead.

A large letter C
A woman with pinned back hair stands in a brick alleyway and smiles open-mouthed at the camera. Her teeth are visible. She is wearing lipstick. She has round clip-on earrings. She is wearing a tweed jacket, cut just below the waist. It is closed with a single dark button at the waist and has two pockets. Her left hand is in a pocket. The jacket is relatively simple. No visible collar, no cuff buttons, no other ornamentation. She is wearing a polkadot neckerchief or cravat. In her right hand is a pair of glasses.

A large letter D. A woman leans on a ships funnel or some other exhaust pipe and looks away from the camera. In the background is a kilted man. She has obvious mascara and plucked eyebrows. She wears a large dark hat with a brim that is wider at the front and narrow and upturned at the neck. She wears a tweed dress under a large somewhat bulky tweed longcoat. The dress has a high neckline and is cinched at the waist. It seems like it goes to the shin in length. The coat is open but has buttons. The collar is large. The cuffs are wide and upturned. It is probably ankle length. She wears three rows of large pearls, white gloves, and holds a shiny leather handbag.

352

Old Weird Scotland @weirdscotland.bsky.social · 28/02/2024

352

Old Weird Scotland @weirdscotland.bsky.social · 08/01/2024

In 1840s Fife, a deserted spouse could have their marriage annulled if they set a place at the dinner table and shouted out the door for the absent spouse to come eat. After a year plus one day, they were free to marry again. #OldWeirdScotland

an engraved image of a woman, sat cross-armed at a set dinnertable, facing an empty chair.

12910

Old Weird Scotland @weirdscotland.bsky.social · 06/01/2024

Newtonmore are famous for their shinty skill. #OTD in January 1890, their defence had so little to do no one thought much of 25yo Ewen Cattanach lying down on the field. Only after 30mins play did the ball come down field and it was clear Ewen was dead (heart attack). #OldWeirdScotland

a sepia tone photo of a men's shinty team in striped jerseys

2213

Old Weird Scotland @weirdscotland.bsky.social · 05/01/2024

Behold, he cometh with tines; and every eye shall see him, they also which pierced (but also scooped) with him. Edinburgh Spork Company ad, 1935

A REVELATION, THE SPORK.

The Spork fulfils all the functions of the ordinary fork. It will handle more conveniently many dishes now requiring both knife and fork, or fork and spoon. It is a great improvement on the fork for stews, curries, mince, peas, gravies, etc. hors d'oeuvres, sweets and savouries.

3289

Old Weird Scotland @weirdscotland.bsky.social · 30/12/2023

In one of his first recorded deliveries in Scotland (Hogmanay 1851), Santa Claus visited a family in John O'Groats. In one lad's stocking Santa delivered a stick (from a tree) as he was "an unruly little chap". The boy was overjoyed. #OldWeirdScotland

a creepy looking Santa holding a stuffed dog

0113

Old Weird Scotland @weirdscotland.bsky.social · 24/12/2023

newspaper clipping. headline : Time for Santa to make up his mind?

A furtive looking Santa is pictured

1156

Old Weird Scotland @weirdscotland.bsky.social · 23/12/2023

#OTD in 1930 Mrs Simpson, of Dundee (right), winner of the Arbroath Cat Show. There's always one that doesn't look at the camera lens, eh? #OldWeirdScotland

a longhaired cat stares directly at the camera while its owner looks open-mouthed away from the photographer. Owner is in tweed with a round close fitting hat.

0174

Old Weird Scotland @weirdscotland.bsky.social · 21/12/2023

Christmas advice for ladies courtesy of the Dundee Courier (1930-1934) #OldWeirdScotland

0442220

Old Weird Scotland @weirdscotland.bsky.social · 20/12/2023

YULESHARD n. a person woefully unprepared for Christmas #OldWeirdScotland #Scots

15420

Old Weird Scotland @weirdscotland.bsky.social · 12/10/2023

#OTD in 1886. An Inuit man arrived in Dundee and spent the winter of 1886 as the city's great celebrity. Read about Urio Etwango, an Inuit man in Victorian Dundee that speared "seals" from a kayak in the Tay. oldweirdscotland.com/urio-etwango-a…

oldweirdscotland.com

Urio Etwango, an Inuk in Dundee – Old Weird Scotland

0102

Old Weird Scotland @weirdscotland.bsky.social · 11/10/2023

11th October 1626: parties after baptisms had gotten so out of hand that Aberdeen made it illegal to "compell any nichtboures to drink any wyn, aill, or beir" that they didn't want to. Anyone caught pressuring someone to drink was fined £40 #OldWeirdScotland #DrinkAwareScotland

a woodcut drawing of two people drinking. one has made himself vomit.

1152

Old Weird Scotland @weirdscotland.bsky.social · 08/10/2023

Tomorrow is #PieMonday. Tradition dictates that on the Monday before the 2nd Thursday in October, Musselburghers (and by extension, the world), must eat a hot mutton pie. Doesn't have to be mutton, but do your bit to revive a Scottish food-based festival day. #OldWeirdScotland

0163

Old Weird Scotland @weirdscotland.bsky.social · 28/09/2023

To return milk to a cow that had gone dry, a woman in 1740s Perthshire could visit every home in the village with an eggshell filled with milk hidden between her breasts. Margaret MacIntaggart, 15, was caught doing this charm by a neighbour in Kenmore in 1747 #OldWeirdScotland

A woman in 18th century milkmaid garb carrying a wooden milk cog.

0163

Old Weird Scotland @weirdscotland.bsky.social · 11/09/2023

Is your Scotch not "Scotch" enough? Do you worry what a NAKED bottle of whisky says about you? Try our NEW TARTAN TIPPLE PIPES and keep your single malt festive, fun, and discreet (and on its side). #OldWeirdScotland #TartanTatAttack

advert for Tipple Pipes.

Below photo of pipes text reads:

Here's to the Games of 1970
Put "SCOTCH" in your pipes
The new tartan "tipple pipes"
(registered design)
for Scots at home and abroad
Order your whisky bottle jacket right away
Recommended retail price 37/6d.
Enquiries for list of your nearest stockist from manufacturers
Northfield Products
28 Newhaven Road, Edinburgh

162

Old Weird Scotland @weirdscotland.bsky.social · 10/09/2023

In July 1919 tabby kitten, Wopsie, became the first cat to fly across the Atlantic and the first to complete a transatlantic round trip by air. Airship R34 flew from East Lothian to Long Island, NY in 108hrs. #OldWeirdScotland

two men sit either side of a gramophone. the man on the right has a airman's cap and is holding a small tabby kitten. the man on the left has dark curly hair and is holding a gramophone record.

a man with dark curly hair smiles open-mouthed looking directly at the camera. a tabby kitten is perched on his shoulder

1114

Old Weird Scotland @weirdscotland.bsky.social · 03/09/2023

"TAE CUT A WHANG FRAE A NEW CHEESE" to take someone's virginity (18th c. Scots) #OldWeirdScotland

Gif of a slice being taken from a newly opened cheese

050

Old Weird Scotland @weirdscotland.bsky.social · 23/08/2023

In June 1947, George Orwell and his family almost drowned in the Corryvreckan whirlpool between Jura and Scarba. On this day (23th Aug 1981), his brother-in-law, Bill Dunn (61) became the first person to swim across the whirlpool. Dunn lost his right leg at the hip in WW2. #oldweirdscotland

The Corryvreckan whirlpool swirling anticlockwise. There is a green headland in the background.

0124

Old Weird Scotland @weirdscotland.bsky.social · 22/08/2023

In October 1958, many of the Summer Isles were auctioned in Edinburgh. Barrabel Mason (12), her siblings Fiona and Donald, and cousin Phillip, pooled their pocket money and bid on Sgeirean Glasa ("grey skerries"). Won for £50, it had excellent rockpooling. #OldWeirdScotland

a partial map of the Summer Isles with the Sgeirean Glasa indicated with a multicoloured arrow. (Map from NLS collection)

a list of the realised auction prices for the islands

140

Old Weird Scotland @weirdscotland.bsky.social · 17/08/2023

On 17th August 1865, a freak rainstorm covered about 3 acres of Maxwelltown, Dumfries in froglets. A fortnight before, the tracks at Lanark Railway Station were covered in tadpoles after 5 minutes of rain. #OldWeirdScotland #OTD

a woodcut drawing of frogs falling from the sky

151