Author: The Hampden Collection

Glasgow Green looks magnificent. I look back to when I met Rangers’ founders in Berkeley Street, where Moses McNeil thundered past me in a race. I am determined to show him a thing or two on the football field.Billy Mackinnon and I see others jogging towards the pitch on Fleshers’ Haugh. “There is Harry McNeil, … Continue reading Chapter 145 – Twenty Two Men →

April passes into May without drama. Thompson & French’s new Directors, James Hogg and Robert MacLeod are now running the company’s business affairs in Scotland, while I have taken time out. The rest and recovery are rewarding with time spent with Emelia and the children. Lewis, Arabella and Adair are growing at an astonishing speed.My … Continue reading Chapter 144 – Glasgow’s Fleshers Haugh →

I stare into Robert McLeod’s eyes. Robert stares right back into mine. “You have passed the final test, Robert. I am promoting you to Director of Thompson & French. You and James Hogg are my trusted lieutenants and proven yourselves admirably. We are expanding, and the organisation needs to match our ambitious plans.”Robert’s eyes change … Continue reading Chapter 143 – Divide To Conquer →

I sit in Waverley Station waiting room and finish the letter to James Hogg, "I have every confidence in your ability to deliver success in our Edinburgh office. I will not return for two months, giving you ample space to progress our new plan."I hand the letter to the porter to post and make my … Continue reading Chapter 142 – Assessment and Appraisal →

The man, draped in velvet, continues, “My friends call me Louis. Bob is my cousin and an aspiring artist. Charles Baxter, James Ferrier, and I study law at Edinburgh University.”I introduce James Hogg and I, to the four friends.“Welcome to our club. Your initiation is to accept our motto.”, said Louis.James and I chorus together, … Continue reading Chapter 141 – Robert Louis Stevenson →

We walk along the Royal Mile and stand atop a steep alley of steps, which used to be one of the most fashionable addresses in Edinburgh."James, learn these five lessons and inscribe them for all to see, at our offices. These are the bridges from which Thompson & French will stretch out to the world", … Continue reading Chapter 140 – Liberty, Justice, Reverence →

We order two pints of the local beer and close today’s enlightening lesson by turning to one of Scotland’s greatest scientific minds.“Joseph Black went to Belfast at twelve years old to learn Greek and Latin, before being enrolled in Edinburgh University to study the arts, at the age of sixteen.”, I said.“Amazing how young he … Continue reading Chapter 139 – Joseph Black, Chemist →

We enter the Tavern, “Two pints of Belhaven, please?”, I asked and we take our seats.“Belhaven has brewed on the East Lothian coast, since 1719.”, said James Hogg, “The Austrian Emperor once declared Belhaven beers as the ‘Burgundy of Scotland’.”“Those accolades transform a company.”“Some transformations are better than others. By day, William Brodie was Deacon … Continue reading Chapter 138 – Robert Burns, Poet →

The Royal Mile is a bustling metropolis of people, where two men of Thompson & French continue discussing the enlightening past residents of Edinburgh.“Quite a leap from philosophy to geology?”, asked James Hogg.“Well, this man changed the theory on the ground beneath your feet. In his day, people believed the Earth was only six thousand … Continue reading Chapter 137 – James Hutton, Geologist →

James Hogg and I sit in Parliament Square with the Law Courts building in front of us, holding the College of Justice, the pinnacle of the Scottish Legal System.“James, this building holds both the Court of Session, Scotland’s supreme civil court, and the High Court of Justiciary, Scotland’s supreme criminal court.”, I said.“The Act of … Continue reading Chapter 136 – David Hume, Philosopher →