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DC Thomson  is a publishing company based in  Dundee , Scotland. Founded by  David Couper Thomson  in 1905, it is best known for publishing  The Dundee Courier ,  The Evening Telegraph  and  The Sunday Post  newspapers, and the comics  Oor Wullie ,  The Broons ,  The Beano ,  The Dandy  and  Commando . It also owns the  Aberdeen Journals Group  which publishes the  Press and Journal . DC Thomson also published  Adventure   a boys' story paper from 17 September 1921 to 1961, then it was merged with  The Rover .  O n February 14th 1931,  Adventure  #485 introduced a serial of stories featuring a masked crime-fighter called Zero the Silent. The serial ran for several weeks. Unfortunately we don't know who the author was.  Zero the Silent, the human fly, was a masked pulp mystery man. He was a disgraced Scotland Yard detective who invented...

Battle of Harlaw monument near the Chapel of Garioch. The Battle of Harlaw The poem describes a medieval conflict between armies of lowlanders and highlanders on July 24, 1411 near Inverurie, Aberdeenshire. The author is unknown although there is a reference to a work called The Battle of Harlaw within The Complaint of Scotland, c.1549, unfortunately the lyrics are lost. Sir  Walter Scott  mentions a ballad called Harlaw in his 1816 novel  The Antiquary . It  is believed the poem in its present form has been circulating from around 100 to 150 years. James Francis Child collected 305 ballads which included the Battle of Harlaw. This version was published in the Child Ballads (1860). James Maidman writes about a version he knew in his book,  Scottish Ballads and Songs, Historical and Traditionary , (1868). W. Patterson, pp. 198–200. The first audio recording was in 1953 by Jennie Robertson.  The Battle of Harlaw As I cam’ by ...

The aftermath of the Battle of Culloden, 1746, looking northwards towards the Moray Firth.  A line engraving by H Griffiths, after Thomas Allom, published 1830 (c). Two women are imploring the British troops to stop shooting. The Tears of Scotland Tobias Smollett, 1747. Composed in response to the Battle of Culloden, 1746, and the aftermath 1. Mourn, hapless Caledonia, mourn Thy banish'd peace, thy laurels torn! Thy sons, for valour long renown'd, Lie slaughter'd on their native ground; Thy hospitable roofs no more Invite the stranger to the door:- In smoky ruins sunk they lie, The monuments of cruelty. 2. The wretched owner sees afar His all become the prey of war, - Bethinks him of his babes and wife, Then smites his breast and curses life. Thy swains are famish'd on the rocks Where once they fed their wanton flocks: Thy ravish'd virgins shriek in vain; Thy infants perish on the plain.  3. What boots it then, in every clime, Through the wide-spreading ...

Mary, Queen of Scots, Escaping from Lochleven Castle  (1805) by  William Craig Shirreff . Queen Mary’s Escape from Lochleven Castle By Robert Allan Lyrics Put off, put off, and row with speed, For now is the time and the hour of need, To oars, to oars, and trim the bark, Nor Scotland's queen be a warders mark Yon light that plays round the Castles moat Is only the warders random shot Put off put off and row with speed For now is the time and the hour of need Those ponderous keys shall the kelpies keep, And lodge in their caverns so dark and deep, Nor shall Lochlevens tower or hall, Hold thee our lovely lady in thrall; Or be the haunts of traitors sold, While Scotland has hands and hearts so bold, Then onward steersman row with speed, For now is the time and the hour of need. Hark! The alarum bell has rung, The warder's voice has treason sung The echos to the falconets roar, Chime sweetly to the dashing oar, Let tower and hall and battlement gleam, We steer by the l...

Allan Ramsay (1686-1758) Poem/song The Boatman Portraits Bonnie Prince Charlie and Flora MacDonald  By Allan Ramsay 1713-1784 (son of poet of same name)   "Bonnie Prince Charlie portrait found by art historian Bendor Grosvenor" Scottish National Portrait Gallery   Public domain Ashmolean Museum, Oxford Allan Ramsay (1686-1758) The Boatman The poem and song The Boatman by  Allan Ramsay  describes a girl waiting for a boatman to bring her lover across the waters. Although no names are mentioned the girl is believed to be  Flora MacDonald , who helped  Charles Edward Stuart  evade government troops after the  Battle of Culloden  in April 1746.   String and chorus arrangements by the Austrian composer  Joseph Haydn  (1732-1809) were commissioned by  George Thomson  (1757-1851), the Edinburgh music publisher.  The son of the poet also called  Allan Ramsay  (17...

Jean Adam  (or Jane Adams ) (30 April 1704 – 3 April 1765) was a Scottish poet born in Greenock to a maritime family. She was orphaned at a early age and was brought up in Cartsdyke, Greenock.  Her most famous work is "There's Nae Luck Aboot The Hoose", a tale of a sailor's wife and the safe return of her husband from the sea. This song is a favourite for Scottish dancing, and would be covered by several artists including  Ella Logan  the Scots-American Jazz singer and actress born and bred in Glasgow, who would record a Swing version during the 1930s in the United States. There's Nae Luck Aboot The House By Jean Adam And are ye sure the news is true? And are ye sure he's weel? Is this a time to talk o' wark? Ye jades, fling by your wheel! Is this a time to think o' wark, When Colin's at the door? Gie me my cloak! I'll to the quay, And see him come ashore. Chorus For there's nae luck about the house, There's nae luck ava...

(Lord Ullin's Daughter- Albert Pinkman Ryder c. 1929. Smithsonian American Art Museum) Thomas Campbell (1777-1844) Lord Ullin's Daughter (This work describes how a Chieftain elopes with the daughter of Ullin, and is chased by a strong fleet on stormy seas). Lord Ullin's Daughter The  Chieftain to the Highlands bound, Cries, ‘Boatman, do not tarry; And I’ll give thee a silver pound To row us o’er the ferry.’ ‘Now who be ye would cross Lochgyle, This dark and stormy water?’ ‘Oh! I’m the chief of Ulva’s isle, And this Lord Ullin’s daughter. ‘And fast before her father’s men Three days we’ve fled together, For should he find us in the glen, My blood would stain the heather. ‘His horsemen hard behind us ride; Should they our steps discover, Then who will cheer my bonny bride When they have slain her lover?’ Outspoke the hardy Highland wight: ‘I’ll go, my chief – I’m ready: It is not for your silver bright, But for your winsome lady. ‘And by my word, the bonny bird In...