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

Street Regulations - February 1778

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.


1. No water, ashes, filth or other nuisance be thrown out at any time form doors, windows or stairs, nor any carpets or floor cloths shaken from a window.
2.That all nuisances be laid out only in the morning before 7 o'clock from 1st March to 1st September and before 8 o'clock during the other half of the year, and couped, shaked or dusted before 8 o'clock in the morning throughout the whole year.
3. Nuisance shall not in any pretence be laid out on Sunday.
4. That no chaff be emptied or laid upon the street but every person having chaff beds to empty are to inform the scavenger who is thereby commended without delay to carry and empty the same into the bottom of the dung carts of the bounds.
5. No ashes be riddled upon the street and the riddles of those offending are hereby declared confiscated for which purpose the town officers, porters and scavengers are empowered and required to seize all riddles.
6. The stable dung, bark and timber, rubbish, earth, stones or other obstructions laid upon the street shall, under penalty of 10/- sterling be carried off immediately or at least within three hours of being laid out.
7. The masons shall not dress stones upon the street. 1st offence - 2/-; 2nd offence - 5/-; 3rd offence - 10/- besides 24 hours confined in Tollbooth of person who actually committed the offence.
8. Servants have formerly been convicted and prosecuted but the procurator fiscal is enjoined to cite the possessor i.e. the Master or Mistress of family.
9. No person shall hurl, barrow or carry wood or burdens on the plainstones under penalty of 2/6.
10. No carts shall stand on the streets either empty of full under penalty of 5/- sterling and cart and horses shall be detained till payment or sold therefore.
11. No swine shall be allowed to go on the streets or in the closes, penalty 5/-.
12. No flaps, shop covers, stools, chairs, earthen ware or any articles for sale or other obstructions shall be set in the plainstones, penalty 5/-.

Notes from the Council Minutes:

In June 1786 - Note that George Street is being laid and paved. The Council decree that there be a plainstone pavement and the street in the middle shall be paved with "rock stones" whereof 1/3 of the middle to be done with dressed stone and the remainder on each side to be paved with the quarry rubble stone.

In 1787 - Note that Perth Bridge was to be paved with whinstone from the quarry at Huntingtower (by permission of Duke of Athole).

In 1792 - "Some years ago the Council decreed that all forestairs in the High Street be taken down. Those not yet down must be removed at once."