BATTLEGROUND PERTHSHIRE is a concise account of the battles and minor military events that have taken place within the county of Perthshire. Comprising two thousand years of battles, raids, rebellions, sieges, riots, feuds, ambushes and skirmishes, Battleground Perthshire shines the spotlight on the military history of Scotland’s big county. Drawn from extensive primary and secondary sources: archives, eyewitness accounts and official records, it tells the fascinating stories of struggles for wealth, power, freedom and the right to self-determination. This chronicle of Perthshire’s military history stands as an important reminder of some of the events that have marked the development of the Scottish people. It will appeal both to the reader interested in the history of Scotland and to those interested in military history.

Battleground Perthshire can be bought from most bookshops in the Perthshire area: The Watermill at Aberfeldy; Sweet Words at Dunkeld; Waterstones - various stores including Perth; WHSmith - Perth and Pitlochry. And, in Perth Museum, the AK Bell Library, Gloagburn Farm Shop, the Brig Farm Shop by Bridge of Earn. Alternatively, it may be purchased for £7.00 with FREE postage and packing to any UK address {Please email for postage costs for locations outside UK}. Send cheque or postal order (payable to Tippermuir Books) to Tippermuir Books, c/o 3 Graham's Place, King Street, Perth, Perth, PH2 8HZ. It can also be bought through most of the UK online (internet) booksellers.

Spanish Thermopylae: Cypriot Volunteers in the Spanish Civil War, 1936-39 SPANISH THERMOPYLÆ is the story of the fifty-seven Cypriots who served in the International Brigades during the Spanish Civil War, 1936-39. It is also the story of a war that defined the lives of a generation and whose outcome decided the fate of hundreds of millions of people across the world. Drawing on recently released records from the Comintern Archive in Moscow, Spanish Thermopylae will appeal both to the reader interested in the experiences of the Cypriot volunteers, and to anyone looking for a concise history of the Spanish Civil War. 'This is the first book devoted solely to the contribution made by Cypriots to the cause of democracy and progress in the Spanish Civil War. It bears witness to the injustice committed against humanity by fascism in Spain and the inspirational sacrifices made by a small band of Cypriot volunteers. Spanish Thermopylae is a fitting tribute to them, and the International Brigades.' Demetris Christofias, President of the Republic of Cyprus 'True to the best traditions of their Greek forefathers, the heroes of the Greek War of Independence, the Cypriots rallied to the support of Spanish democracy and independence, realising that a defeat for the Spanish people would have meant world war. On the Spanish battlefields was being decided the fate of Europe and with it that of Cyprus. They recognised fascism as the greatest enemy of humanity and volunteered to help crush it... Many Cypriots lie buried in the Spanish soil fighting fascism. Cyprus is proud of her heroic sons who fell in the anti-fascist cause, but the fight is not over. We fight on until fascism is destroyed from the face of the earth.' Ezekias Papaioannou, Cypriot International Brigades volunteer and General Secretary of AKEL (1949-88) "Before many years have passed, their own countries will feel equally proud of the volunteers. That will be their best and highest reward." Juan Negrín, Prime Minister of the Spanish Republic (1937-39). It is available from www.amazon.co.uk

 

 


HISTORY

The Ruthven Family and the Gowrie Conspiracy

These notes are based on lectures given by Rhoda Fothergill - they were made by a local resident of Perth - Alan Darling - and have been passed to this website.

The Ruthven family were of Viking origin and were granted the lands of Ruthven and Tibbermore in the reign of David I (12th century). William - 4th Lord Ruthven received the abdication of Mary Queen of Scots at Loch Leven Castle. He was present at the coronation of James VI, her son, at Stirling. He became Treasurer of Scotland. In 1581 he was created the 1st Earl of Gowrie. In 1584 he was beheaded for his part in the Raid of Ruthven when the young James VI was held prisoner.

William left a large family:

James, 2nd Earl of Gowrie

John, 3rd Earl of Gowrie (and last)

Alexander, Master of Ruthven

William Ruthven

Patrick Ruthven

And daughters:

Mary (m. Earl of Athol)

Margaret (m. Earl of Montrose)

Sophia (m. Duke of Lennox)

Elizabeth (m. Sir Robert Gordon)

Jean (m. Lord Ogilvy of Airlie)

Beatrice (m. Sir John Hume) Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Anne

Lilias Maid of Honour to Queen Anne

Dorothea (m. John Wemyss of Pittencrieff)

Barbara Maid of Honour to Queen Anne

Their homes were Gowrie House (Perth), Ruthven Castle (Huntingtower), Scone Castle, Duteton Castle, Trochrie Castle.

John, 3rd Earl of Gowrie was born in 1578: Alexander Ruthven was born in 1581. They both attended Perth Grammar School where their tutor was Mr. William Rhynd. They went to Europe - Padua University in 1594. Alexander returned in 1597 and John on 20th May 1600.

5th August 1600 - The Gowrie Conspiracy:

After hunting at Falkland the King, James VI, came to Gowrie House where apparently an attempt was made on his life. "Gowrie Conspiracy, a remarkable and much disputed episode in the reign of James VI of Scotland; the story goes that Alexander Ruthven and his brother, the Earl of Gowrie, enticed the king to come to Gowrie House in Perth on the 5th August 1600 for the purpose of murdering or kidnapping him, and that in the scuffle Ruthven and Gowrie perished. Historians have failed to trace any motive incriminating the brothers, while several good reasons have been brought to light why the king might have wished to get rid of them."