March 2012 page 28
Dennis Cowan

Apparent Longitude Problems with some Scottish Sundials

This article investigates "longitude problems" on Scottish sundials from 1877-1913, including those by famous architects. The author discovers that the inscribed "longitude" is actually the time difference from Greenwich, making it more user-friendly for time telling and correcting previous assumptions about design errors.
How Sundials Work, Historical Dials

June 2012 page 31
Dennis Cowan

In the Footsteps of Thomas Ross. Pt. 1. Scotland’s Oldest Sundials – the forerunners to lectern dials?

This article is the first part of a quest to track down and photograph sundials identified by Thomas Ross in his late 19th-century work. It focuses on Scotland's oldest dials, specifically three 16th-century examples at Cockburnspath, Oldhamstocks, and Seton Palace, and a fourth at Fogo, all similar in type and potentially forerunners to lectern dials.
Dials: Multi Faced, Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials, Restoration projects

September 2012 page 16
Dennis Cowan

In the Footsteps of Thomas Ross. Part 2: The sundials at Craigiehall

This article details two sundials at Craigiehall: a 4-metre high obelisk dial, restored in 1965 after being found in fragments, and a horizontal brass dial by John England, dating from 1702-1714. The obelisk is unique due to an 18th-century globe base, while the horizontal dial features an Equation of Time table and armorial devices.
Dials: Multi Faced, Equation of Time, Historical Dials, Restoration projects

September 2012 page 33
Dennis Cowan

The Sundials of Gerald Laing

This article highlights the sundial works of pop artist Gerald Laing, known for at least four large sculptural pieces. These include two Scottish obelisk sundials, a 37ft market cross in Inverness, and "Axis Mundi" in Edinburgh, often featuring complex gnomonics and graphical representations of the Equation of Time.
Dials: Multi Faced, Sundial Design & Layout, Equation of Time, Dials: Scaphe

December 2012 page 6
Dennis Cowan

In The Footsteps Of Thomas Ross: Part 3: The Sundials Of James Gifford

This third part traces sundials attributed to 17th-century Scottish stonemason James Gifford, following Thomas Ross's research. It examines various cube-and-sphere dials in West Linton and Newhall House, as well as the intricate multi-faceted dial at Lennoxlove, detailing their designs, numerals, and historical context within the Scottish Borders region.
Dials: Cube, Dials: Multi Faced, Historical Dials, Sundial Design & Layout

December 2012 page 21
Dennis Cowan

The Strangest Place For A Sundial?

The article describes a 6ft high red sandstone cubic sundial atop an 8ft standing stone north of Luncarty, Perth & Kinross. Situated in a field, the dial's numerals and hour lines are indistinct, but gnomon holes are visible. Its century-long presence and origins remain a mystery.
Dials: Cube, Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials

June 2011 page 25
Dennis Cowan

Readers’ Letters

This letter provides additional information on Scottish polyhedral dials, specifically clarifying the history of Queen Mary’s Dial at Holyrood Palace and providing an update on the Mount Melville Multiple Dial's restoration plans after its removal for safekeeping.
Dials: Multi Faced, Restoration projects, Historical Dials

December 2011 page 38
Dennis Cowan

The Newstead Sundials

This article describes the author's quest to find and document sundials in Newstead, Scotland, following Thomas Ross's 19th-century account. It details several discoveries, including a cube dial, a semi-cylindrical dial, and other single-faced dials, some in private gardens, highlighting their historical significance and the challenges of locating them. The search continues for missing dials or fragments.
Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Multi Faced, Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials