Today in 1850 James Young obtained the patent for the extraction of paraffin from shale.

The products created in his Lothian works had a wide range of applications, from waxes for lamp fuel and waterproofing to oils and naphtha for the textiles and dry-cleaning industries, meaning that Young's business was a huge success. It employed 13,000 men at its height and earned the Glasgow-born chemist the nickname "paraffin Young".

On this day in 1995 the bridge to the Isle of Skye opened. Though it remains controversial, there is no doubt that the graceful bridge from Kyle of Lochalsh to Skye is more convenient than the ferries it replaces. The resulting increase in traffic to the island has been beneficial to inhabitants, both by increasing the amount of money coming in and by allowing them easier access to the mainland.

However, the undeniably high level of the tolls of this privately-run enterprise has led to anger and protest from many islanders, and there have even been discussions of a buyback of the bridge from the private sector by the Scottish Executive.

Today's recipe: this is the best time of year to try sweet pumpkin pie.