BBC Radio Orkney

Our Story

Factual: History

Communities around Scotland tell the stories that matter to them. With Mark Stephen.

Our Story: Series 3

Our Story: Series 3: Episode 6

Episode 6

Series 3

BBC Radio Scotland - Our Story, Series 3, Episode 6

Mark Stephen visits Glenesk in Angus and unearths a love affair from the early 1900s.

Mark Stephen hears stories of the north east's distinctive past. He visits Glenesk in Angus and unearths a long-distance love affair from the early 1900s.

'Dear Minnie. I now take up my pen to fulfil my promise of writing to you. You will be thinking by the time you get this that I have forgot about you, but I will never do that.'

In 1902, a young joiner called Alexander Middleton left home in Glenesk in Angus to seek his fortune in the Gold Rush of North America. Over a hundred years later, a box containing 55 letters from him to his sweetheart, Minnie Lindsay, was discovered at the Glenesk Folk Museum. It contained evidence of a love affair no one in the Glen knew about. 

Through exclusive readings from Alex's love letters to Minnie - spanning the early part of the 20th Century - we get an insight into life in Glenesk during that time. And Mark discovers that many of the places and social events described in these letters are perfectly preserved to this day.

BBC Radio Scotland

Mark Stephen hears the stories of the North East's distinctive past.

Mark Stephen hears the stories of the North East's distinctive past from those who are part of its rich history.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Our Story

Series 3

Episode 6

Genres

Brand

Series

BBC Radio Orkney

About BBC Radio Scotland