November

Scotland was hit by its largest ever earthquake in November 1880. Measuring 5.2 on the Richter scale, the tremor was felt right along Scotland’s west coast, the Inner and Outer Hebrides, and as far afield as Northern Ireland.

It was also the month during which 4000 spectators gathered at the cricket ground at Partick to watch what has since been recognised as the first ever international association football match. The game, between Scotland and England, caused some confusion among the spectators, who were more familiar with the rules of rugby. Newspaper reports of the time recorded the players’ weights, which would have been more important in a rugby meet, and the local spectators were sure their team had scored when the ball sailed over, rather than finding its way into the goal. Several years later, Celtic FC was founded in November.

The Surgeon’s Hall Riot, in which male students protested the right of the first female students to study on the same basis as themselves, occurred in November, a man in Livingston had a close encounter with what sounded very much like a UFO, and BBC Radio Scotland went on air for the first time.

Among those who died during this month were the inventor of Speedos, the originator of Bovril, and ‘Gentleman Johnny’, who spent around two thirds of his life in prison while earning a reputation for his politeness and good behaviour. Singer Lulu, the owner of the Isle of Lewis, and comedian Billy Connolly were all born in November.