On this day in 1659 William Carstares, the radical Scottish Presbyterian cleric was born.

Carstares was exiled because of his involvement in the "Rye House Plot" to overthrow King Charles II. He became chaplain to William of Orange, and after the Glorious Revolution in 1688, he headed the Church of Scotland during the reigns of William and Mary, and later Queen Anne. Carstares was instrumental in securing Scottish support for the Act of Unification between England and Scotland.

On February 11 1895 the coldest temperature ever in Scotland was recorded. The temperature recorded was -27.2°C and the shivering place was Braemar.

Today's recipe: deliciously dark, decadent and easy to make... Basic chocolate mousse.