Good afternoon from The Scotsman's heritage desk where we are working hard to tell Scotland's story as shaped over thousands of years. It doesn't matter if something happened 5,000 years ago or five minutes ago - if it relates to Scotland and its past, its people and places, we are interested. We hope you are too.

My name is Alison Campsie and I am the specialist heritage writer on The Scotsman. Please do get in touch at alison.campsie@nationalworld.com if you think there is anything we should be covering. We'd love to hear from you and find out what areas of Scottish history and heritage you are really interested in. Tales of Picts, Vikings and Jacobites are always in demand but there is also an appetite for the more recent - nostalgia and living memory is something that speaks to us all in an ever-changing world.

On that note, if anyone has any old photo albums or collections which capture a changing time or place, please do get in touch! We would love to share them with our readers.

It has already been a busy week and some of our best stories help illustrate the breadth of topics we cover and how we are able to bring the past to life with the help of Scotland's fabulous array of curators, researchers, writers, historians and archaeologists. We couldn't do it without them.

Talking about the Jacobites

The first story I want to highlight is about Lady Anne Drummond of Slains Castle who was The Woman Who Headed Jacobite Military Intelligence In Scotland after James VII was deposed from the throne. It is a fascinating tale of the woman who turned her castle into a secret post office for communications between Jacobites in Scotland and France and the role she played in helping to plan an invasion of Scotland in 1708. More than 5,000 Jacobites sailed from France to Scotland hoping to start a rising but, of course, the plan didn't quite go to plan. It really is a fascinating tale of one brave woman stirred by allegiance and family honour with the article based on a new book by author Mike Shepherd. 

What would you leave behind?

Now, to the Bronze Age. There is something so powerful about what was left behind by our ancient ancestors and what they can tell us about how they lived - and what mattered to them. Check out this story which we ran as an exclusive from National Museum of Scotland on the The mystery of this 4,000-year-old Necklace found by a Scottish river - and the woman who wore it.

The fruits of a long family tree

Meanwhile, we received a beautiful and moving account from John Chambers in the US who has recently discovered his long, family story - that he is descended from Scots royalty. Read about his revelation in his piece The King of Scots and His Black Grandson which firmly brings home the idea that what happened in the past shapes us today. 

From past to future - and back again 

Similarly, what happens today also impacts the past which we continually see from the impact climate change has on our historic buildings and treasured sites. Read about the latest research here in the Three great historic sites of Scotland most at risk from climate change.

And on a contemporary note, there is no escaping the news that Oasis are planning a reunion tour next year. Now, there are many of us who believe the Stone Roses were a more powerful musical force but there is no denying the impact Oasis had on a spell of British culture. We went back in time to revisit the band's gig at Balloch in 1996 when there were fewer selfie sticks being waved by music fans - but plenty of cigarettes and alcohol. Times do indeed change.

We hope you enjoy this newsletter and all the stories highlighted here. 

And remember, please do get in touch if there is anything you would like us to cover.

Until next week,

Alison

Specialist heritage writer

The Scotsman

Alison Campsie Specialist Writer