John Clerk of Eldin

‘John Clerk of Eldin, the author of the work on naval

tactics, died in May, 1812. An interesting and delightful

old man; full of the peculiarities that distinguished the

whole family — talent, caprice, obstinacy, worth, kindness,

and oddity. His claim to the merit of having first sug-

gested the idea of breaking the enemy's line in naval war,

is now disputed on grounds which are at least plausible

and formidable. It is possible that the same thought may

have occurred to different men at the same time; and my

conviction of the honesty of Clerk is so complete, that I

am certain he would have disdained to claim a discovery

which he had not made. That conception however forms

just a small part of his scientific merit; for though it

the matter with which his name happens to be chiefly con-

nected in public talk, he was looked up to with defer-

ence by all the philosophers of his day, who were in

the habit of constantly receiving hints and views from

him, which they deemed of great value. He was a

striking looking old gentleman with his grizzly hair, vig-

orous features, and Scotch speech. It would be difficult

to say whether jokes or disputation pleased him most. I

know no better account of the progress of a father and a

son than what I once heard him give of himself and of

his son John, in nearly these very words — "I remember

the time when people, seeing John limping on the street,

need to ask, what lame lad that was? and the answer

would be, that's the son of Clerk of Eldin. But now,

when I myself am passing, I hear them saying what,

auld gray-headed man is that? And the answer is, that's

the father of John Clerk." He was much prouder of the

last mark than of the first. ‘

The description of John Clerk of Eldin above was written by Henry Cockburn, and is found in his “Memorials of his Time”.  John Clerk was the brother of Walter Scott’s friend Will Clerk.  Today marks the 200^th anniversary of John Clerk of Eldin’s death; May 10, 1812. 

Battle of Loudoun Hill

'...The efforts of Bruce were not uniformly successful. Two of his brothers, Thomas and Alexander, had landed in Galloway, but were defeated and made prisoners by Roland Macdougal, a chief of that country who was devoted to England. He sent the unfortunate brothers to Edward, who executed them both, and became thus accountable to Bruce for the death of three of his brethren. This accident rendered the king's condition more precarious than it had been, and encouraged the Gallovidians to make many attempts against his person, in some of which they made use of bloodhounds. At one time he escaped so narrowly, that his banner was taken, and, as it happened, by his own nephew, Thomas Randolph, then employed in the ranks of the English. When pressed upon on this and similar occasions, it was the custom of Bruce to elude the efforts of the enemy by dispersing his followers, who, each shifting for himself, knew where to meet again at some place of rendezvous, and often surprised and put to the sword some part of the enemy which were lying in full assurance of safety.

At length, after repeated actions and a long series of marching and counter-marching, Pembroke was forced lo abandon Ayrshire to the Bruce, as Percy had done before him. Douglas on his part was successful in Lanarkshire,  and the numerous patriots resumed the courage which they had possessed under Wallace. A battle was fought at Loudoun-hill, in consequence of an express appointment between Bruce and his old enemy the earl of Pembroke, who was returning to the west with considerable reinforcements, the 10th of May, 1307. in which the Scottish king completely avenged the defeat at Methven...'

The Battle of Loudon Hill was the first major victory over the English, for Robert Bruce as King of Scotland.  Bruce's forces were approximately 600 strong.  English troops, under Aymer de Valence, number 3,000.  Bruce's brother Edward also fought at Loudoun Hill.  The text above is from Sir Walter Scott's "The History of Scotland".  The battle took place on May 10, 1307.

Ruthwell Savings Bank Founded

The creation of the world's first savings bank is credited to Reverend Henry Duncan of Lochrutton.  According to scotsbank.org, the Ruthwell Savings Bank did not lend to businesses, or issue bank notes.  Instead, deposits were invested with the Commissioners of the National Debt.  Duncan's vision was for "the erection of an economical bank for the savings of the industrious", which would help the poor achieve financial independence (http://www.rampantscotland.com/famous/blfamduncan.htm).

Henry Duncan had a deep appreciation of literature, and knew Robert Burns, among others.  His connection with Sir Walter Scott is somewhat a reactionary one.  Duncan derived from a line of Covenanters - on both the paternal and maternal sides.  Reportedly, Duncan enjoyed Scott's works, but felt the treatment afforded to Covenanters in "Old Mortality" was inequitable.  He therefore endeavored to set the record straight with a novel of his own.  In 1926, Duncan published "William Douglas, or the Scottish Exiles".