Konect Calders October 2021 by Konect Magazines

OCTOBER 2021

LOCAL HISTORY:

BATTLE OF

RULLION

GREEN

PARENTING: CHARITY:

Interested in counselling skills?

Courses and volunteering in West Lothian

P32

he local charity this month is S.M.I.L.E. Counselling, based in Livingston and offering a free and much-needed service for West Lothian’s young people aged 11-24 - a service more crucial than ever given the ongoing impact of Covid on young people. One of the ways they raise funds is by running accredited counselling courses for anyone looking to improve their interactions with young people, or to start a career in counselling. See pages 8-9 for details. Panto is back! It’s time to support a fantastic venue here in West Lothian, the Regal Theatre in Bathgate, by getting your family, school or group panto tickets for this year! See page 39. The regular West Lothian Trader’s Market that started last year is back at Craigsfarm Community Hub on 9th October, a chance to support small businesses from across West Lothian and start your Christmas shopping. Their poster is on p 16 with all the details. The intention is to hold a market here in December too. I hope you enjoy all our regular columns and features too this month. I’m grateful for the huge amount of knowledge, expertise and informed opinions that our wonderful local contributors share each month. As ever, feel free to send me your feedback!

THIS ISSUE Charity: S.M.I.L.E Counselling.....................................8 Thought for the Month: Self-Care.............................12 Hair: How to Chose a Hairdresser..........................12 Puzzles.......................................................................13 / 31 Living Well: Top Tips to Eat Well & Age Well......15 Money Matters: Protecting those that matter.....17 Property Matters: Showcasing West Lothian.....22 Film Review: Europa......................................................24 Wine Tasting: A Wine for Autumn Work...............30 Local Environment: Let’s Go Fly a Kite..................32 Garden Project: Hedgehogs & Winter Pansies................................................................................33 Parenting: A Little Puff of Winter Magic!................34 Local History: The Battle of Rullion Green...........36 What’s On: Panto at the Regal..................................39

COVER IMAGE: Local Charity: Interested in counselling skills? See P8-9.

All enquiries, E: editor@konect.scot M: 07854 492638 @KonectMagazines

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Interested in counselling skills? Courses and volunteering at S.M.I.L.E West Lothian A local charity specialising in counselling for children and young people is looking to get more people trained, and raise funds for the service at the same time, by running professional counselling training courses open to everyone interested in gaining counselling skills.

“There are not many courses that specifically cover working with children and young people,” explains Tracy-Ann Clusker, Counselling Team Leader at S.M.I.L.E Counselling. “We work with young people ages 11 to 24, and are looking for counsellors for our own service, but our courses are available for anyone who interacts with young people and would like tools and confidence for how to listen and talk to them.”

Covering a comprehensive range of mental wellbeing and health issues, the course is about raising awareness of issues specifically as they affect children and young people, and how you can help. It’s invaluable if you’re considering a career in counselling, or are a parent, guidance worker, group leader or anyone who wants to improve the way you interact with young people. “Young people will confide in someone they trust,” explains Tracy, “and it’s an excellent skill to know how to positively respond and help them.” By signing up for a course with S.M.I.L.E, you’re not only developing your own skills in a way that will be invaluable to the young people you interact with, you’re also helping raise money for S.M.I.L.E to deliver their in-demand counselling services locally. THE MWAH (Mental Wellbeing and Health) COURSE - This course is aimed at the whole community. Accredited by the SQA, it includes nine modules covering depression and mood, stress and anxiety, self-harm, suicide awareness, 8 | CALDERS

online safety, relationships and bereavement. It runs for eight half-days, in the evenings. 15% discount for anyone working in the 3rd sector. THE COSCA CERTIFICATE IN COUNSELLING SKILLS - This fun and fast-paced course suits all those who are interested in developing self awareness and counselling skills. It’s an experiential course with delivery including group activities, media, skills practice and written text. It is ideal if you are in, or considering, employment in a helping role and is the first step in becoming a counsellor. The course provides 120 hours of training towards a level 8 SCQF certificate validated by COSCA (40 SCQF credits). The next course will start in November (dates and times tbc). Other courses available are ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training), COSCA Certificate in Counselling Skills, SafeTalk and Scotland’s Mental Health First Aid. Please see smilecounselling.org.uk/training for more information on all courses, or email info@smilecounselling.org.uk

VOLUNTEERING - S.M.I.L.E is also looking for diploma-qualified volunteers who can work with young people under the age of 16. Whatever time input you can manage, from just a couple of hours a week, will make a big difference as the charity has a waiting list of young people who have been referred, or have self-referred, for counselling. @KonectMagazines

“I joined S.M.I.L.E as a volunteer in Jan 2019 and started working with my first clients remotely due to the lockdown. I felt very well supported and was allowed to start slowly with the number of clients I saw. I always felt and was made to feel, if needed, I could call upon members of staff for support after sessions. I was encouraged to work creatively with clients and in my style and I was given the reassurance I could work with young people although my experience up until then had been limited.” Lizzie - S.M.I.L.E Counsellor “I joined the S.M.I.L.E family in 2018 as a Trainee Counsellor. I was offered excellent training and supervision which not only consolidated the theory from my Diploma course but allowed me to develop my personal style of counselling. It is this authentic style which allowed me to work successfully with so many teenagers and young adults as I transitioned to fully qualified counsellor. Volunteering allows me to grow both professionally and personally, whilst balancing other life commitments, such as family life and building my own business.” Louise - S.M.I.L.E Special Advisor ABOUT S.M.I.L.E’S SERVICES - S.M.I.L.E is a West Lothian charity offering counselling services to young people aged 11 to 24. For young people who are struggling with how they feel, being able to talk to someone who understands can make a huge difference to the direction their problems take.

Supporting Young People

It helps to talk

Anyone from 16-24 can self-refer if they feel they need help of any kind with their mental health, and of course other services can refer too. There are counselling rooms and a sensory room at their premises in Livingston. They also offer phone/video support, as well as a unique outreach service throughout West Lothian to reach under 16s where and when they need it. SPONSOR A ROOM! - Businesses can help by sponsoring a room at S.M.I.L.E’s Livingston premises. You can sponsor one of the four counselling rooms, the sensory room, the board room or the training space. It’s £50 per week. Please email info@smilecounselling.org.uk for information. @KonectMagazines

This article was written by Helen-Jane, Konect editor, after speaking with Tracy-Ann Clusker of S.M.I.L.E Counselling. S.M.I.L.E is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation providing a free counselling service to 11-24 year olds in West Lothian. See www.smilesounselling.org.uk CALDERS | 9

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HOW TO CHOOSE A

The importance of

Experience. Communication. Specialism

Sometimes it doesn’t matter where you turn, stress faces you! It certainly feels like that for me at the moment. I’m finding many people are under pressure and feeling overwhelmed by life due to the pandemic and coming out of it. As a good listener, I of-ten find people come to me to discuss their stresses too.

HAIRDRESSER SELF-CARE In our industry experience is king. The price you pay for a haircut should reflect the years of experience, education and knowledge a stylist has. Stylists train for years to gain a basic qualification then spend thousands advancing their expertise on courses. When you buy a haircut you are essentially buying that experience in the craft of hairdressing and the knowledge and the technical ability of to your cut and or colour. Communication is the key to any style. An experienced hairdresser will be able to ‘speak your language’ when it comes to designing your style and be able to translate your ideas whilst making them suitable and wearable whilst making you feel comfortable and look your best. Specialism. Do your research - if you’re looking for that perfect blonde use the tools at your disposal. Maybe it’s trawling Instagram to find that person who is a specialist in blonde hair, or perhaps it’s asking friends whose hair you love. Either way you should be able to find that stylist who will help you get your goals when it comes to finding that perfect blonde, perfect style or perfect colour.

The Hair column is contributed by Sophie Laidlaw. Sophie is Director @wonderland Livingston. www.wonderlandlivingston.com 12 | CALDERS

So, how do I look after myself in these times? This is a great question and one we should ask ourselves at times. If we keep giving without any self-care, there is a real possibility of burnout and fatigue etc.

So, the first thing to recognise is that a lot is being asked of you and therefore, pausing to ask, “how do I feel?” or “what is going on for me?” is essential but more importantly, “what do I need?” When I do this, I can recognise if I am close to empty and decide what I need to nourish and support myself. Last week, when I felt exhausted, I arrived home and just sat in the garden by myself for 20mins and slowed my breath down, both in and out breath which calmed my inner environment considerably. I then made time for a walk the next day and enjoyed a hot soak in a bath, followed by booking myself a shiatsu massage with a friend I know which was wonderful. Feeling refreshed and re-energised at the start the next week, I was ready to support others again. Don’t forget yourself! Tina Gilbert lives in Livingston and teaches** yoga and meditation. Visit her website at www.yogamed.co.uk (**All my classes are currently running online) @KonectMagazines

PUZZLE

Solution in the November edition of Konect

OCTOBER CROSSWORD

ACROSS: 1. Employed (4), 3. Loyal (8), 9. Whirlwind (7), 10. Big (5), 11. Ceremonial leader (5), 12. Save (6), 14. Twist together (6), 16. Thick oil (6), 19. Steps (6), 21. Friends (5), 24. Not dead (5), 25. Beginning (7), 26. In company (8), 27. Small insect (4). DOWN: 1. Utmost (8), 2. Not late (5), 4. On a ship (6), 5. Relates (5), 6. List of ingredients (7), 7. Vegetable (4), 8. Round container (6), 13. Communications (8), 15. Zero (7), 17. Wealthier (6), 18. On land (6), 20. Distinguished (5), 22. Alliance (5), 23. Silly (4).

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LIVING WELL

Top Tips

to Eat Well & Age Well

Food and nutrition play an important role in staying well as we age. But many people lose their interest in food as they get older and, according to research by Home Instead, one in five over 75s struggle to cook their own food. Here are some top tips for encouraging your loved ones to enjoy mealtimes:

• Keep mealtimes interesting. Aromas can help to stimulate the appetite. Encourage your loved one to get involved in the selection, preparation and serving of meals wherever possible. TOP TIP : Help your loved one to make a shopping list and decide on a healthy meal plan for the week. • Make the dining area comfortable, remove distractions and create a nice atmosphere

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• Think about portion sizes: If appetite is a problem, it is better to introduce smaller portions more often instead of a large plate of food 3 times a day. Offering finger foods is also a good way to encourage people to eat if someone doesn’t want a traditional meal • Ensure healthy snack options are available and make sure food and drinks are easily accessible throughout the day • Avoid calorie-free or low-fat products unless your loved one has specifically been advised to eat them by their GP • Always prioritise mealtimes and try to create a mealtime routine. Avoid rushing and coercing someone to eat. Gentle persuasion is best • Confront the myth that weight loss is a normal process with ageing as our bodies become less active. Weight loss is not a normal part of the ageing process The Living Well column is contributed by Home Instead Livingston. Contact them for advice and support on 01506 539541 or see www.homeinstead.co.uk/livingston

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Craigsfarm Traders Fair Saturday 9th October 10-2pm

Shop local and support local, small businesses at our regular traders market in Livingston. Join us to discover great quality products from all over the West Lothian area. From everyday essentials to luxury gifts, and even some tasty treats, there will be something for everyone!

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Shop local and support local, small businesses at our Shop local and support small businesses regular traders marketlocal, in Livingston. Join usat toour regulargreat traders market in Livingston. us the to discover quality products from allJoin over discover great quality products from all over the West Lothian area. From everyday essentials to West Lothian area.some Fromtasty everyday essentials tobe luxury gifts, and even treats, there will luxury gifts, and even some tasty treats, there will be something for everyone! Shop local and support local, small businesses at our something for everyone! regular traders market in Livingston. Join us to www.craigsfarm.org.uk discover great quality products from all over the www.craigsfarm.org.uk info@craigsfarm.org.uk West Lothian area. From everyday info@craigsfarm.org.uk 01506 894639essentials to 01506 894639 Craigsfarm Community luxury gifts, and even some tasty treats, thereHub will be Craigsfarm Community Hub Maree Walk, Livingston EH54 5BP something for everyone! Maree Walk, Livingston EH54 5BP www.craigsfarm.org.uk info@craigsfarm.org.uk 01506 894639 @KonectMagazines Craigsfarm Community Hub Maree Walk, Livingston EH54 5BP

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MONEY MATTERS

Protecting those that matter Insurance to shield your family from unforeseen events is an essential part of financial planning but few people find it an attractive proposition. Unlike a mortgage, there’s nothing aspirational about this household expense. It is human instinct to assume ‘it’ll never happen to me’ or ‘my employer will look after me’, but unfortunately this isn’t always the case. It is important to consider who you’re protecting yourself for and to check what protection your employer provides.

There are many options available which can help provide an important financial safety net for your family. If you’d like to provide security for your family, until your children are grown up, it may be

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worth considering ‘family income benefit’. This pays out a regular income until the end of a specified period, in the event of your death, and is relatively inexpensive. Critical Illness Cover provides another option, paying out a lump sum if you contract any of a specified range of illnesses and conditions. Life assurance is widely bought and can often be obtained cheaply. Income protection is probably the most important type of cover to have; it will provide a specified level of regular income if you are unable to work due to sickness or disability; it is the most expensive choice because it is most likely to be called upon. A financial adviser will be able to recommend the best solution for you and your family, and many will not charge for an initial meeting.

The Money Matters column is contributed by Lucy Logan. Lucy lives in West Lothian and is an Associate Partner Practice of St. James’s Place Wealth Management.

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PROPERTY MATTERS

Showcasing West Lothian: Estate Agents pioneering new products, technology and initiatives to promote West Lothian towns

The pandemic changed a lot of things, and one of them was a shift in the pattern of behaviour of property buyers. Across the country, there was a significant increase in demand for homes with a garden, room for a home office, and proximity to green spaces.

West Lothian is perfectly placed to offer homes that meet these requirements - and more.

As a result we saw an increase in demand for properties here immediately after the first lockdown, and the trend is on-going; people are still looking to move out of the cities and into the green commuter belt here where they can get the best of both worlds. Whether working from home or city centre commuting, the countryside access, affordability and amenities here are hard to beat. Being centrally located with easy access via road and rail to Glasgow and Edinburgh it offers value for money compared to East and Midlothian, making it affordable for buyers to purchase a home that suits their changed lifestyle priorities. However, West Lothian is still relatively undiscovered, so for people looking to sell their home here there is a huge market of potential buyers who are unaware of what it has to offer. For many city dwellers, it’s a place they only ever 22 | CALDERS

pass through on the train or M8, and they never see the real beauty and benefits of our green spaces, canals, country parks, rich heritage and thriving communities.

A number of local state schools now feature highly in school league tables, and the shopping centres in Livingston continue to attract new high-end brands despite it being a difficult time for retailers. Our characterful high streets offer a different shopping experience with independent shops and eateries. So how do we let potential buyers from further afield know that we have properties for sale here that tick all of their boxes in terms of location, amenities and value for money? As property agents with detailed knowledge of the area, it’s part of our service for our clients to promote the attractions of area as a whole to potential buyers. There is much more in terms of lifestyle and amenities here than can be conveyed in individual property brochures.

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An aerial view of the Old Academy, Bathgate

To that end, Turpie & Co are releasing a series of short location videos, filmed especially to showcase the landscapes, town centres, heritage and facilities across West Lothian and to capture something of the lifestyle that can be enjoyed here. These videos will appear in every property campaign that our agency is handling in the area and are aimed at bringing our clients’ properties to the attention of specifically targeted buyers, as well as helping a broader audience become aware of the appeal of the area. They will be promoted in full and short clips on our website, social media channels, and property portals such as Rightmove and Zoopla. While they are a unique celebration of West Lothian in themselves, the ultimate aim is to broaden the reach and appeal of every property in West Lothian.

Each video focuses on one town or village, many of which anyone outside of West Lothian may have never heard of or ever had reason to visit. With drone footage and local commentary giving an overview of each location, we can showcase the area much more fully to people who may buy here having not considered it previously, simply as they were unaware. The first of these videos showcasing Bathgate can be viewed via the QR code or on the Turpie & Co YouTube channel. Scan HERE to watch video > >>

The monthly Property Matters column is contributed by Craig Turpie. Craig is a director at Turpie & Co Estate Agents and Letting Agents with extensive knowledge of the West Lothian Property Market and over 20 years experience in bespoke sales and marketing. @KonectMagazines

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I’ve never seen a thriller this tense in a long time. Europa follows Kamal, a young Iraqi man who is trying to illegally cross the border between Turkey and Bulgaria. While crossing he is chased by a group of Bulgarian vigilantes. This film is intense from the opening minutes. The tone, danger, and the pace are all set, and it never lets go for the full 72-minute runtime. The cinematography is simply stunning, the camera never strays far from Kamal, it’s always about two metres away. This tight and narrow view simply disorientates you; you, like the character don’t know the surroundings well and danger could be just out of frame. The cinematography is simply incredible. Adam Ali is fantastic in the leading role. The role is so intimate and raw you truly believe and buy into all the hardships that Kamal is going through and it all due to Adam Ali’s performance. I will say this is an extremely hard watch and I would say this is a film that I will only watch once. The film can be hopeful at one moment and despair-inducing the next. The scenes that play out can be really shocking and in a way horrifying, seeing all the hardships this character goes through for a better life. I felt Europa is an important film and truly a must-see. You may only stomach watching it once but by the ending you’ll have experienced a piece of important art.

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WINE TASTING

A WINE FOR

Autumn work

Brilliant reds, glowing golds and fiery orange leaves make October picture postcard perfect. Leaves are falling and this month many of us will be outside enjoying the last of the colours and the crisp air. Leaves to rake, logs to split and gardens to winterise. All this outdoor exercise deserves a reward, so before donning gloves and hat, pick up a bottle of Gigondas Carobelle 2019, available from Majestic. Open, decant and let the wine breath while you put in the hours outside. Your hard work and patience will be rewarded! Upon opening, the first exploratory nosing shows a tight wine, not yet willing to reveal its secrets. If allowed several hours to breath, the wine will relax and open. Swirl and lift the glass to your nose, breath in spice, liquorice and

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vanilla. The wood spices are wrapped in rich dark forest fruits, blackcurrant touched with dark chocolate and a little plum. On the palate, blackcurrant gives way to surprisingly hot black pepper. Tannins are firm and cradle the wine with a gentle grip and structure which is supported by acidity and warming presence of 15% alcohol. Black pepper, blackcurrant and wood spices roll through the finish leaving a satisfying flavour and mouth feel. Gigondas Carobelle is from the Gigondas region in the Rhone, France. It is a fabulous wine and a delicious reward for your hours of hard work in the garden. It is available from Majestic at £15-£20 a bottle. Enjoy with a selection of cheeses and a cosy fire. The monthly wine tasting column is contributed by Joanne Frette. Joanne lives in Juniper Green with her 3 children. She is a Sommelier Wine & Spirit Specialist who runs Swirl Sip Socialise, an online wine tasting business which connects friends and family across the UK.

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PUZZLE

OCTOBER SUDOKU

Autumn food to go

The October crossword puzzle can be found on page 13. See page 38 for Sudoku solution.

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LOCAL ENVIRONMENT

Let’s go fly a kite I was going to write about red kites, and suggest a visit to Argaty to see them. However in the last few weeks I’ve been sent a picture of one over West Lothian, which is incredibly exciting! I’ve got so much to say about the birds you might see them feature a few times, which I’m sure nobody will mind. I’ve been visiting Argaty since 2016, and now volunteer there as one of the rangers. It’s one of my favourite places to go and is home to a huge variety of wildlife including red squirrels and ospreys. Mainly though, people visit to see the red kites. I might be biased but to me they’re the most beautiful UK bird of prey. The colours in their feathers vary so much throughout the year but as we come in to autumn, they’re at their best. They’ve now shed their breeding plumage, and are sporting a dazzling array of reds, browns and oranges. On the right day, with autumn sun shining on them they’re an incredible sight to see. They’re our 4th biggest birds of prey in terms of wing span, but as you can see by the picture, are actually quite slight 32 | CALDERS

compared to other birds. To see them for yourself, you can visit Argaty Red Kites in Doune. They feed the birds a small amount of food each day, and I’ll never tire of hearing people’s amazement as they perform the most wonderful aerial acrobatics. This column is contributed by Clare Harte and Kate Stevenson, who grew up in Edinburgh and now live in West Lothian. Together they run Scottish Sisters Photography and travel around the country to watch and photograph amazing wildlife and scenic landscapes. Follow them on Facebook @ ScottishSistersPhotography @KonectMagazines

Autumn... the season for hedgehogs and winter pansies What can you do to encourage hedgehogs into your garden and your winter flowering pansies to flower all winter?

Less of a critical life or death project is planting Winter Flowering pansies. Get them planted in pots or borders by the middle of the month, add some controlled release fertiliser and sit back to watch them getting established for a winter-long life of flowering and delighting you! Hedgehog

Hedgehogs are gardener’s friends as they eat slugs, caterpillars, earwigs and leatherjackets. Also, they are really cute to see and like the pansy flowers in winter they cheer us up.

As they prepare to go into hibernation in late October it’s important to feed them up to take them through the winter, especially for the young ones to get them big enough to survive hibernation, they need a body weight of at least 1lb (550g). Pick up our ‘Purple Hoglet Project’ recipe card from the garden centre with lots of helpful hints about providing food, water and shelter for hedgehogs.

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The gardening project is contributed by Dougal Philip, New Hopetoun Gardens. Inspiring, informing and entertaining, for more than 40 years.

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PARENTING

Hocus Pocus Puff!

I remember taking my eldest for her first flu vaccine like it was yesterday. I wasn’t worried. She was the kind of child who didn’t get phased by much. We’d talked about what was going to happen, she’d asked questions, and she wasn’t worried either. But when we got in that room. All white walls and strange smells and a very friendly nurse smiling in that way that let you know she was up to something. My daughter decided she wasn’t having any of it. She wasn’t screaming and crying but there was a silent determination that nothing was getting up her nose if she had anything to say about it. And my girl can be stubborn. So, we went back out into the waiting room to have a chat while someone else went in before us. And I was sitting there in a “first time mum” panic wondering how on earth to tackle this. And so was born the little puff of magic. I told my 2-year-old how the nice lady was going to give her a little puff of magic up her nose. And that magic would last all through the winter to protect her from getting sick. I could see she was excited about this idea, and I knew I was on to something. 34 | CALDERS

Every year since then she’s had a little puff of magic up her nose, and when her sister came along she got let in on the secret too. They are getting old enough now to know it’s not the kind of magic they thought but they don’t want to let go of the idea entirely. Each year they’ve asked more questions and they’ve understood more about what it was.

But it will forever be known as the little puff of magic in our house. And it’s that time of year again when kids in schools across West Lothian will soon be offered the annual flu vaccine. This year though, the questions have changed. After listening to many of the adults in their lives talking in recent months about getting a vaccine and overhearing people at the school gates saying how rubbish they felt afterwards…this year they wanted to know if they had to have it, and if it would make them feel bad.

So, it was back to basics… only this time we were able to tell them exactly how the little puff of magic works. All these years later there was more science than magic in the conversation, but I could still see the excitement in their eyes as they understood.

I hate that they were worried about the flu vaccine this year in a way they haven’t been since that first time. It’s sad that the last year and a half has taken the shine off some of the magic of their childhood. But at the same time seeing them learn and understand for themselves is a different kind of magic. The parenting column is contributed by Laura Archibald. Laura lives in West Lothian with her family and their campervan Hank. She is mummy, wife, blogger and full-time personal assistant to her two girlie girls. @KonectMagazines

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THE BATTLE OF

RULLION GREEN If the hills could talk, they would have some incredible stories to tell. The Pentland Hills have seen a lot of action, and this month I went looking for the site of the battle which is commemorated by the large obelisk outside Dreghorn Barracks in Colinton – the Battle of Rullion Green. The Battle took place in the Pentlands in 1666 and was the culmination of decades of a specific religious struggle in Scotland. Scotland had broadly always viewed monarchs as the first among equals when it came to religious matters. But James VI strongly believed in and pushed the concept of the divine right of kings, i.e. that the monarch is not accountable to his people or parliament, but has authority direct from God alone and is therefore only accountable to God. In terms of the Kirk, this implied that the king was spiritual head of the church. James’ successors pushed this too. And that was the sticking point. Thousands of Scots signed a pledge in 1638 called the National Covenant, resisting the changes imposed on the Kirk. It was a struggle for religious freedom. Those involved in the resistance movement were known as the Convenanters. It caused decades of struggle, suffering and torture, especially during the reigns of King Charles I and II. Failure to swear an oath declaring loyalty to the King and, crucially, his position as head of the church, led to torture and execution of many Covenanters.

Battle of Rullion Green Memorial at Dreghorn Barracks, Colinton 36 | CALDERS

The battle here in South West Edinburgh in 1666 was a final showdown for the Convenanters, sparked when an elderly man in Kirkcudbrightshire was beaten by soldiers for not having enough money to pay the fine for failing to attend Government-approved church. It was one of many such cruelties, but this time the event sparked an organised rising. A troop of around 3000 Convenanters - a mixture of professional soldiers and @KonectMagazines

ordinary citizens under the experienced leadership of a Colonel James Wallace - assembled from Dumfries and Galloway, Ayrshire and Lanarkshire and headed to Edinburgh with the aim of petitioning the Government again, and hoping to get more support and volunteers for their cause. They took an arduous route in terrible weather via Bathgate, with a good number getting disheartened and deserting on the way. They got as far as Colinton on 27th November 1666, when they heard that the gates of Edinburgh were armed with canons against them, and there was no support forthcoming. Many more deserted and left. Wallace reluctantly turned the remains of his army back, planning to retreat back to the safety of the west.

The way west, however, was blocked by a Government army which had been sent to pursue them. It was led by General Tom Dalziel of House of the Binns. So the Convenanters headed east and then south instead, towards Biggar (roughly along the current A702) using line of the Pentland Hills as cover. They halted at Rullion Green, just south west of Flotterstone, to rest, regroup and wait for stragglers. They had dwindled to around 900 men.

Convenantors put up a stiff fight but were vastly outnumbered. Fifty died on the slopes of Rullion Green, and the rest fled over Turnhouse Hill and into the bleak winter’s night in the hills. Some were shot as they fled. Residents in the surrounding areas tended to wounded survivors. Women came out from Edinburgh the next day to wrap the dead and prepare them for burial. Some died from their wounds whilst trying to get home. Many were buried in the graveyards in Penicuik and Glencorse. Others were taken prisoner and hanged at Mercat Cross in Edinburgh. Over the course of the next couple of months, Covenantors all over Scotland were hanged or transported to slavery in the West Indies and American colonies. It was the end of the uprising and a period of violent repression against the Covenanters ensued. The actions of Tam Dalziel after the Pentland Rising earned him the sobriquet “Bluidy Tam”.

They clashed around Glencorse and Turnhouse Hill. The Covenantors had the advantage of high ground and held off the vanguard, but when the rest of the government force arrived, there were around 3000 armed men. The

You can walk through to Glencorse from this side of the Pentlands, which is exactly what Dalziel and the government forces did that day. Clear waymarked routes from Harlaw in Balerno or Bonaly lead to Glencorse, and from there you can keep walking to Turnhouse Hill. (There are signs to Scald Law, and Turnhouse is on the way). Or you can walk from Threipmuir via Loganlea. It’s a little trickier to get to Rullion Green itself; I don’t believe there is a waymarked path from Glencorse – if there is I couldn’t find it. I took the picture of Rullion Green from the gate at Rullion Green farm, which is private property, but did not walk across the field.

MAIN IMAGE: The slope of Rullion Green, with Turnhouse Hill in the background

This article was contributed by Helen-Jane, editor of Konect magazines. With thanks to thereformation.info and Historic Environment Scotland for background on the battle.

A vanguard of Dalziel’s army was in Currie at the time and, learning of the route the Convenantors had taken, decided to cut straight through the hills and intercept them.

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SOLUTIONS

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SOLUTION TO SEPTEMBER CROSSWORD

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SOLUTION TO SUDOKU ON PAGE 31

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