Halliday Sutherland

"A born writer, especially a born story-teller. Dr. Sutherland, who is distinguished in medicine, is an amateur in the sense that he only writes when he has nothing better to do. But when he does, it could hardly be done better." G.K. Chesterton.

Category Archives: Early life

The Pollockshaws murderer

This post continues Dr Halliday Sutherland’s reminiscences of his Glasgow childhood. His father, John Francis Sutherland, was medical officer to the Barlinnie Gaol, Glasgow. Outside the north wall of the … Continue reading

2 May 2020 · Leave a comment

Charging Thunder

When Halliday Sutherland was a boy, he saw Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show in Glasgow. He later described it as “the best entertainment of my childhood… a better show for boys … Continue reading

2 April 2020 · Leave a comment

Glasgow Necropolis

Continuing the series of Dr Sutherland’s childhood memories of Glasgow. My playground was the Necropolis on the hill to the right of the Cathedral. To enter you cross “The Bridge … Continue reading

1 March 2020 · Leave a comment

Clydebank and Gourock

Continuing the series of childhood reminiscences of Dr Halliday Sutherland: launching ships, toy boats and a susceptible curate. In my childhood many steamers were built and launched between Clydebank and … Continue reading

1 February 2020 · Leave a comment

A Kindly Man

This article continues Dr Sutherland’s reminiscences of his Glasgow childhood. One man owned a lot of pubs, and he was a very kind man because he gave silver watches to … Continue reading

1 January 2020 · Leave a comment

Glasgow chimneys

G.K. Chesterton described Dr Sutherland as “a born writer, especially a born story-teller.” The following passage is as good an example as any of Dr Sutherland’s craft and is the … Continue reading

1 December 2019 · Leave a comment

The Litri and Manuelito 1

Dr. Sutherland’s 1946 Spanish Journey (see previous post) was not his first visit: he had visited at the turn of the twentieth century. It was then that he had tried bull-fighting. …I spoke … Continue reading

1 September 2016 · Leave a comment

A return to Arcadia

Halliday Sutherland wrote in a style that at first sight appears to be economical, yet it is also very evocative.  The example given here is Dr. Sutherland’s description of his return to “Arcadia”. I made a pilgrimage two summers … Continue reading

1 May 2016 · Leave a comment

Merchiston Castle School 3

In this third post of three concerning Halliday Sutherland’s school days at Merchiston Castle school in Edinburgh, he discusses his friends and interests. My chief friend at school was George Munro … Continue reading

1 January 2015 · Leave a comment

Merchiston Castle School 2

In 1895, at the age of thirteen, Halliday Sutherland attended Merchiston Castle School near Edinburgh. In this second post of three, he recalls Rugby, Athletics, Swimming, Latin and Debating. Merchiston was … Continue reading

15 December 2014 · Leave a comment

Stopes v Sutherland libel trial 1922-24

Centenary of the House of Lords judgment21 November 2024
13 months to go.

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