Postcrossing & History Lessons

Kings College Aberdeen

Am loving this Postcrossing. You're allowed to have up to 5 cards travelling at any one time (more if you've been at it for ages) so because 3 of my originals had arrived at their destinations I was allowed 3 more recipients. The new ones were in Vienna, Lithuania and another one for the Netherlands but this time it was a place called Hellevoetsluis (last time it was Rotterdam).

Some people put a preference for the type of picture postcard they want. I don't care but I guess if you've been collecting for a long time you might want different types. Anyway this time I chose postcards according to their requests.

I sent one of "Kings College" in Aberdeen, and thought since the person likes historical buildings they might want to know a bit about it. Had a great time researching "Kings College". They've had 5 Nobel prize winners!, and it's the third oldest university in Scotland. I never knew that and I've lived here nearly all my life!

Another person wanted bridges so I sent a card of the "Glenfinnan Viaduct" (the Harry Potter Bridge as it's also known) researching it I found out that it is over 1000ft long and 100ft high at it's highest points, has 21 arches and that it was the first bridge made entirely of concrete in the world. Not only that but the area where it's built was where Bonnie Prince Charlie took up the standard with the Jacobite's to fight the Clans.

I'm going to get a real education doing this, and it's great because I can discuss it with the kids too. Even researching the humble Scottish Thistle was another history lesson. I already knew it's role in helping Scottish Clans defeat invading Norsemen, but didn't know it was first used as a royal symbol of Scotland on silver coins issued by James III in 1470.

Hope you've enjoyed your little delve into Scottish History . I always enjoyed History but wasn't able to take it at school because it clashed with other subjects on the timetable. GRRR