Claypotts Castle in Dundee. A well preserved example of the Scottish fortified tower house. Once owned by John Graham of Claverhouse, better known as Bonny Dundee, who died leading the Jacobites to victory at Killiecrankie in 1689.
The V&A Dundee is probably not my usual choice of museum visit. But I was able to find my inner Jacobite with this fine selection of memorabilia. Plus gun models from the Carron Ironworks, and a Palestinian headdress made from coins, which gave the wearer a literal headache.
This painting is of the 4th Battalion, Black Watch at Neuve Chapelle in 1915. Almost all the officers depicted were killed in action. Lest we forget.
No prizes for guessing where I am working this week😂. The McManus Museum always has something to catch the eye. This is a Polish version of the British WW2 battledress.
No way through Persia for Napoleon, on his way to India. The colourful Persians show they can fight as well as design fancy uniforms. Blucher rules in 15mm.
Napoleon is going full Trump at the club today, with an invasion of Persia. 15mm with Blucher rules.
OTD in 1824, Lord Byron died leading a campaign in the Greek War of Independence. He was 36 and died from a fever contracted after the first and second sieges of Missolonghi. Some of my 15mm Greek troops of the period, with the Philhellenes. His house at Newstead Abbey is worth a visit.
OTD in 1783, the Russian Empire under Catherine the Great formally annexed the Crimean Khanate, following many invasions of the Crimean Peninsula and three wars against the Ottoman Empire. No 'little green men' on this occasion, but plenty of strapping grenadiers.
Why are Harvard’s slavery researchers quitting or being fired? At least six different plantations in Antigua were owned by early Harvard benefactors or leaders who, in sum, enslaved at least 362 people and potentially more than 600 people. www.theguardian.com/news/ng-inte...
Book review: Farewell to Salonika. Leon Sciaky's memoir covers the period around the turn of the century in the run-up to WW1. A fascinating description of life in the only city in Europe with a majority Jewish population.
balkandave.blogspot.com/2026/04/fare...
OTD in 1897, the Greco-Turkish war broke out. A badly prepared Greek army faced a newly reorganised Ottoman army. It did not go well, and they lost some territory and paid reparations. Some 28mm Ottoman troops of the period.
Grand Scottish castle for sale in 'extremely rare' £15m opportunity. Don’t break open your piggy bank too quickly 😂. This ‘castle’ is actually a grand Victorian mansion, although it once served as the home of Field Marshal Haig. www.scotsman.com/news/grand-s...
Archaeologists have discovered 12,000-year-old dice – here’s what they reveal about the history of play. You can compare throwing one of these ancient dice to a coin toss – although this discovery also underscores that dice are much older than coins. theconversation.com/archaeologis...
Library alliance to strengthen Scotland’s sector voice. She described libraries as the “antidote to garbage” in a time when misinformation and other low-quality content are everywhere.👏👏 www.heraldscotland.com/news/2602785...
Could the Ottoman Empire Have Made a Better Middle East? Recent scholarship shows the promise—and limits—of a historical path not taken. We all enjoy a what-if, but they rarely survive first contact with events. foreignpolicy.com/2026/04/10/o...
Victory for the Bonnie Prince! Butcher Cumberland surrounded and defeated. Culloden in 28mm, using Lust for Glory!
The Highland charge has blown away the government flanks. But the centre is holding. No more shock left, so it’s going to be a grind from now on for the Bonnie Prince’s men.
Today is the anniversary of the Battle of Culloden. So, only one option for the midweek game. Government forces in position. Highland charge warming up. 28mm using Lust for Glory! Lots of myths about this battle. Worth listening to the latest Prime & Load podcast.
Off the painting bench this week for my 28mm 1737 war project. Austrian Dragoon Regt. No.9, generally styled ‘Savoyen’, due to its association with Prince Eugene. Front Rank miniatures.
Wargaming outreach. The ageing of hobby means we should be doing more to take the hobby beyond our normal comfort zone into other related events. One modest example of this outreach work was our stall at the GVVT Open Day last Sunday. balkandave.blogspot.com/2026/04/warg...
‘Explosive’ discovery illuminates events from Culloden Battlefield. Intact and gunpowder-packed when it was discovered, the 5.5-inch shell is the first piece of complete government ordnance found at Culloden battlefield. www.heraldscotland.com/news/2601605...
Feeling distracted? How hobbies can help you find ‘flow state’ and save your brain. Hobbies are a fun way to turn down the noise and increase focus. theconversation.com/feeling-dist...
A photo of Hungary's new prime minister. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has conceded election defeat after 16 years in power, with the opposition on course for a landslide win Péter Maqyar is set to be the country's new prime minister - with two thirds of the votes counted, his party is set to win a massive majority in parliament Record numbers turned out for an election which was seen as pivotal to the future of Hungary and Europe Orbán's defeat will come as a blow to his close allies Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump Magyar, a former Orbán ally who became his fiercest critics, has promised closer ties to the EU and an anti-corruption agenda
Péter Magyar defeated the 16-year authoritarian reign of Victor Orbán!
77% of Hungarians turned out to vote for a new path forward, providing the 2/3rds majority in parliament to actually undo Orbán's pro-Putin, anti-EU, illiberal damage.
The people of Hungary are free!
Voting was their power! ✊🏼🗳
He’s out! 🥳
A record turnout. A decisive result.
Congratulations to the free democratic world!
That’s me finished the longest TV series I have ever watched. Ertuğrul ran for 5 series and 485 episodes - around 365 hours of TV. Ertuğrul was the father of Osman, founder of the Ottoman dynasty. Much of the history was dodgy but fabulous entertainment with a great cast of villains.
Some lovely military models at the vintage vehicle show today. Not to mention buses!
That’s us set up for the Glasgow Vintage Vehicle Trust Model Open Day, in the Bridgeton Bus Depot. The participation game is Pillage.
And we're off to Arnhem for #ClogLard 2026. Last preps for a game of Strength & Honour done. Everybody travelling today good luck and hope to see you at dinner! #SpreadtheLard
Book review: The Star Captains by Tom Wareham. If you are looking for the stories of naval actions, this is probably not the book for you. However, if you want to know more about how frigates were commanded, this is an invaluable data source. balkandave.blogspot.com/2026/04/the-...
