First trains to cross the Forth Rail Bridge

PLUS: Robert Burns born + Scotsman founded + Lady Grange abducted

First trains on Forth Rail Bridge

Trains made trial crossings of the Forth Rail Bridge this week in 1890 to prove that it could bear the weight of fully laden trains before opening for use. The process was conducted in a highly tentative manner, with the trains being allowed to stand side by side on the southern approach viaducts before moving very slowly onto the bridge.

The total load massed upon the spans was 1,800 tons, more than double what the bridge would ever be called upon in practice to sustain. The observed deflections were in exact accordance with the engineers' calculations, and the bridge was said to exhibit exceptional stiffness in all directions.

The Forth Bridge, now a World Heritage site, was the first major steel structure in the world and completed an unbroken rail line between Aberdeen and London upon its opening in 1890.

Robbie Burns born

Poet Robert Burns was born in Ayrshire this week in 1759. He spent his early years in Alloway before his family moved to Mount Oliphant farm. Despite a limited education, he wrote his first poem, "Handsome Nell," in 1774.

Burns gained fame after his poems were published, which led him to delay a planned trip to Jamaica. Instead, he moved to Edinburgh to work on an expanded collection of his work. He later returned to Dumfries, where he wrote "Auld Lang Syne" and "Tam O' Shanter."

Burns passed away aged just 37, leaving behind a significant literary legacy that continues to be celebrated, with his birthday being commemorated every 25th of January.

Scotsman founded

The Scotsman newspaper was launched in Edinburgh this week in 1817. Founded by journalists John Ritchie and Charles Maclaren, the paper was initially published weekly but introduced daily editions in 1855.

The newspaper, which billed itself as Edinburgh’s Political and Literary Journal, aimed to promote regulated freedom and independence. Over the years, it underwent changes in ownership, eventually being acquired by Johnston Press in 2005 and later passing to JPIMedia in 2018.

Lady Grange abducted

Lady Grange, also known as Rachel Chiesley, was taken prisoner by her husband, James Erskine, this week in 1732. She had accused him of disloyalty to the government and was held captive in various locations, including the Monarch Isles and the St Kilda archipelago, where she lived in harsh conditions. Despite efforts to restore her liberty, she was never freed and ultimately died in Skye in May 1745.

Women’s rights campaigner dies

Margaret Irwin, who died this week in 1940, was a prominent figure in the fight for women's rights and better working conditions for workers in Scotland. She was a leader in the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) and played a significant role in exposing and addressing the harsh working conditions faced by women in shops during the late 19th century.

Irwin was also an employer, running her own fruit farm in Perthshire, where she ensured that her workers had suitable housing. Her efforts and leadership led to her being awarded a CBE in 1927.

Her legacy as a dedicated campaigner for women's rights and improved working conditions continues to be remembered and celebrated.

Scotland’s master railwayman

Dunbartonshire-born James Carswell, who died this week in 1897, was known for his work on the Forth Rail Bridge, where he designed and built the brick approaches. Throughout his career, he also contributed to the development of several Scottish railway stations, including the addition of covered platforms to the Haymarket and a glazed roof to Glasgow’s Queen Street. He was appointed chief engineer in Edinburgh of the North British Railway, where he made significant improvements to the network, such as enlarging stations and doubling tracks between important hubs to reduce congestion.

His sudden death was attributed to a serious internal illness, and left behind a widow, three sons, and a daughter. One of his sons followed in his footsteps and was a district engineer on a section of the North British Railway at the time of Carswell's passing.

Edinburgh Castle gun first fired

The gun at Edinburgh Castle was fired for the first time this week in 1861. This tradition continues to this day, with the gun being fired at exactly one o'clock, six days a week, excluding Sundays, Good Friday, and Christmas Day.

The firing of the gun serves as a signal for nearby maritime traffic. The tradition was established as an alternative to the Time Ball on Nelson's Monument, which was dropped at precisely 1 pm to allow ships within view to set their chronometers, but was ineffective in foggy conditions.

Over the years, four different guns have been used to sound the time, with the first being an 18-pound cannon, which was subsequently replaced in 1913, 1952, and most recently in 2001.

Highlands avalanche

An avalanche on Buachaille Etive Mòr in Scotland resulted in the deaths of three climbers and injuries to six others this week in 2009. The climbers were caught in blizzard conditions, and the avalanche was caused by a slab of snow, 300m wide and weighing several tonnes, slipping and giving way. It was funnelled through a narrow pass and carried the climbers half a kilometre down the mountain. Despite not being covered to a great depth, it was enough to cost several of them their lives.

Rescue efforts were hindered by the difficult weather conditions, and the survivors were described as very lucky.

This event was one of several fatal avalanches that have occurred on Buachaille Etive Mòr over the years, with the most recent one before 2009 happening in 1995. Tragically, another avalanche the following year claimed the lives of two men from London. The area's challenging weather and terrain can make it a risky location for climbers and hikers, especially during winter months.