Today in 1890 saw the first train cross the Forth Bridge.

The structure was built by Sir William Arrol and cost £2.5 million. An earlier design by Sir Thomas Bouch had been abandoned after his Tay Bridge collapsed in a storm in 1879.

January 24, 76AD, is the probable date of birth of Publius Aelius Hadrianus, who built Hadrian's Wall to cut off Scotland from the rest of Britain.The wall was built in 122AD and stood as the northern frontier of the Roman Empire for over two hundred years.

Today's recipe: crispy canapes with a Scottish accent. Potato wafers with smoked salmon.