A new section for the 2009 re-launch. OK, for now, it mainly gathers together some of the older things that used to be scattered all over the place — most of which *needs some serious revision (forthcoming engagements in small print). One problem historians have always had with early Lothian is its glittering obscurity. But it's hardly unique in this. What's surprising is the relative lack of attention that historians traditionally give to Lothian, given its crucial role in Scotland's overall development. Even so, it is an elusive navel of the nation to try gazing at — especially when you try and make it your own. It's a place that spends a long time buried in cultural quicksand shifting between bigger, more powerful and famous things — written records tend to disappear in turbulent lands like this. But given the lack of historical sources to prove this or that solid ground, we might not just be cautious but curious, too. As far as written sources go, it's just bad logic to assume that lack of proofs = proof of lack. So most of the new stuff I'm working on just now can be found in the "STORIES" section — it's time to get to grips with the primary material that we do have. Once that job's done, I'll start re-working the old material listed below — after all, "history" begins with "STORIES"...