Dr Karen McAulay
@karenmca.bsky.social
Musicologist historian, RCS Fellow, @iashedinburgh.bsky.social alumna. Athenaeum award for research into Dundee's Leng Scots Song competition.
2x Routledge 'Music in C19th Britain' titles.
https://karenmcaulaymusicologist.blog/
Wary of folk w/o profiles!
2x Routledge 'Music in C19th Britain' titles.
https://karenmcaulaymusicologist.blog/
Wary of folk w/o profiles!
Pinned
Silver and Gold: Leng Medal Memories
Do you have schooldays memories of taking part in the Dundee-based Leng Medal Scots song singing competitions? Perhaps you were a proud prize-winner of a Silver or Gold Leng Medal? Mayb…
karenmcaulaymusicologist.blog
I've been awarded an #AthenaeumAward by @rcsofficial.bsky.social, to facilitate my exciting new research project! It's about a long-standing #Dundee Singing Competition:-
Silver and Gold: Leng Medal Memories karenmcaulaymusicologist.blog/2026/02/16/s...
Silver and Gold: Leng Medal Memories karenmcaulaymusicologist.blog/2026/02/16/s...
Politely requested to cook onions 'softer than last time'.
Replied that the cook would gladly resign if He could engage another ...
Replied that the cook would gladly resign if He could engage another ...
February 17, 2026 at 5:22 PM
Politely requested to cook onions 'softer than last time'.
Replied that the cook would gladly resign if He could engage another ...
Replied that the cook would gladly resign if He could engage another ...
A semi-retirement day. Obviously, attending a lunchtime seminar on consultancy was a good idea, as was lunch! I'm invigorated.
Now, having tweaked a 5-minute presentation and sent an email, maybe I should consider less scholarly pursuits. Like -
Have we any lemons? It's #PancakeDay! #ShroveTuesday
Now, having tweaked a 5-minute presentation and sent an email, maybe I should consider less scholarly pursuits. Like -
Have we any lemons? It's #PancakeDay! #ShroveTuesday
February 17, 2026 at 4:12 PM
A semi-retirement day. Obviously, attending a lunchtime seminar on consultancy was a good idea, as was lunch! I'm invigorated.
Now, having tweaked a 5-minute presentation and sent an email, maybe I should consider less scholarly pursuits. Like -
Have we any lemons? It's #PancakeDay! #ShroveTuesday
Now, having tweaked a 5-minute presentation and sent an email, maybe I should consider less scholarly pursuits. Like -
Have we any lemons? It's #PancakeDay! #ShroveTuesday
Reposted by Dr Karen McAulay
Precisely. The subject of one of my favorite pieces by Lynn Hunt, which I love teaching
February 17, 2026 at 12:34 PM
Precisely. The subject of one of my favorite pieces by Lynn Hunt, which I love teaching
Always keen to learn! Turn your expertise into impact - Academic Consultancy 'Lunch and Learn'
Date: 17 feb • 12:30
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/turn-your-...
Date: 17 feb • 12:30
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/turn-your-...
Turn your expertise into impact - Academic Consultancy 'Lunch and Learn'
Hear from the University's Academic Consultancy Service how consultancy can realise the impact of your research & catalyse new partnerships
www.eventbrite.co.uk
February 17, 2026 at 12:35 PM
Always keen to learn! Turn your expertise into impact - Academic Consultancy 'Lunch and Learn'
Date: 17 feb • 12:30
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/turn-your-...
Date: 17 feb • 12:30
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/turn-your-...
Remember the #Dundee Leng Prize for Scots song singing? John Leng’s contest still runs 125 yrs later! I’ve begun a project to talk to past Leng medallists, entrants, teachers, adjudicators. If you participated, please fill in short questionnaire, I’ll contact you: tinyurl.com/LengMemories #LengMedal
Microsoft Forms
tinyurl.com
February 17, 2026 at 11:00 AM
Remember the #Dundee Leng Prize for Scots song singing? John Leng’s contest still runs 125 yrs later! I’ve begun a project to talk to past Leng medallists, entrants, teachers, adjudicators. If you participated, please fill in short questionnaire, I’ll contact you: tinyurl.com/LengMemories #LengMedal
Phew! I thought I'd lost it!
February 17, 2026 at 10:43 AM
Phew! I thought I'd lost it!
Reposted by Dr Karen McAulay
Book club scams are now threatening authors who don't fall for their BS. In December, I received an email from Herry Sharp, so-called CEO of "Super Book Lover Curator" praising my novella We Who Hunt Alexanders.
Totally AI-generated and a scam so I didn't respond.
Now Herry is threatening me. 1/
Totally AI-generated and a scam so I didn't respond.
Now Herry is threatening me. 1/
February 16, 2026 at 4:22 PM
Book club scams are now threatening authors who don't fall for their BS. In December, I received an email from Herry Sharp, so-called CEO of "Super Book Lover Curator" praising my novella We Who Hunt Alexanders.
Totally AI-generated and a scam so I didn't respond.
Now Herry is threatening me. 1/
Totally AI-generated and a scam so I didn't respond.
Now Herry is threatening me. 1/
Nightmare for the owners. Wonder if their insurance covers it? #GroundDisappearingUnderYou
The owners of the property have been urged to fix the damage as soon as possible.
Urgent calls to fix collapsed sea wall below ‘Californian’ beach house in Fife
The owners of the property have been urged to fix the damage as soon as possible.
dlvr.it
February 17, 2026 at 8:46 AM
Nightmare for the owners. Wonder if their insurance covers it? #GroundDisappearingUnderYou
Reposted by Dr Karen McAulay
Medieval, St. Sampson Church at South Hill, Wallington, Cornwall has ringing bells for the first time in 50 years after being fitted with stationary electronic timing. 4 of the bells date back to 1698. 👇
BBC News - A chime of the times - at the push of a button
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
BBC News - A chime of the times - at the push of a button
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Cornwall church bells back after 50 years use new button controls
The five bells at St Sampson's church near Callington cost about £40,000 to restore.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 17, 2026 at 7:56 AM
Medieval, St. Sampson Church at South Hill, Wallington, Cornwall has ringing bells for the first time in 50 years after being fitted with stationary electronic timing. 4 of the bells date back to 1698. 👇
BBC News - A chime of the times - at the push of a button
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
BBC News - A chime of the times - at the push of a button
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
This is my news, @balhnews.bsky.social - I can't wait to get started, and I'm keen to talk about it to anyone who'll listen!
#Dundee #Dundonian singing prize.
#Dundee #Dundonian singing prize.
I've been awarded an #AthenaeumAward by @rcsofficial.bsky.social, to facilitate my exciting new research project! It's about a long-standing #Dundee Singing Competition:-
Silver and Gold: Leng Medal Memories karenmcaulaymusicologist.blog/2026/02/16/s...
Silver and Gold: Leng Medal Memories karenmcaulaymusicologist.blog/2026/02/16/s...
Silver and Gold: Leng Medal Memories
Do you have schooldays memories of taking part in the Dundee-based Leng Medal Scots song singing competitions? Perhaps you were a proud prize-winner of a Silver or Gold Leng Medal? Mayb…
karenmcaulaymusicologist.blog
February 16, 2026 at 9:50 PM
This is my news, @balhnews.bsky.social - I can't wait to get started, and I'm keen to talk about it to anyone who'll listen!
#Dundee #Dundonian singing prize.
#Dundee #Dundonian singing prize.
I've been awarded an #AthenaeumAward by @rcsofficial.bsky.social, to facilitate my exciting new research project! It's about a long-standing #Dundee Singing Competition:-
Silver and Gold: Leng Medal Memories karenmcaulaymusicologist.blog/2026/02/16/s...
Silver and Gold: Leng Medal Memories karenmcaulaymusicologist.blog/2026/02/16/s...
Silver and Gold: Leng Medal Memories
Do you have schooldays memories of taking part in the Dundee-based Leng Medal Scots song singing competitions? Perhaps you were a proud prize-winner of a Silver or Gold Leng Medal? Mayb…
karenmcaulaymusicologist.blog
February 16, 2026 at 9:48 PM
I've been awarded an #AthenaeumAward by @rcsofficial.bsky.social, to facilitate my exciting new research project! It's about a long-standing #Dundee Singing Competition:-
Silver and Gold: Leng Medal Memories karenmcaulaymusicologist.blog/2026/02/16/s...
Silver and Gold: Leng Medal Memories karenmcaulaymusicologist.blog/2026/02/16/s...
Do @durham.ac.uk undergrads still wear gowns for formal occasions? I've used mine as an organist since about 1982. Had to bring it home for the odd stitching repair this week!
#Longlasting #SundayBest
#Longlasting #SundayBest
February 16, 2026 at 6:02 PM
Do @durham.ac.uk undergrads still wear gowns for formal occasions? I've used mine as an organist since about 1982. Had to bring it home for the odd stitching repair this week!
#Longlasting #SundayBest
#Longlasting #SundayBest
Ouch. Tiler came and went. I mopped the floor and slid gracefully across it, tearing an existing torn muscle just a bit more ...
And no, we haven't been tiled yet. Just need another two tradesmen first. Does it ever end 🤔
#PainInTheButt
And no, we haven't been tiled yet. Just need another two tradesmen first. Does it ever end 🤔
#PainInTheButt
a cartoon cat is walking in front of a sign that says " netflix "
ALT: a cartoon cat is walking in front of a sign that says " netflix "
media.tenor.com
February 16, 2026 at 12:53 PM
Ouch. Tiler came and went. I mopped the floor and slid gracefully across it, tearing an existing torn muscle just a bit more ...
And no, we haven't been tiled yet. Just need another two tradesmen first. Does it ever end 🤔
#PainInTheButt
And no, we haven't been tiled yet. Just need another two tradesmen first. Does it ever end 🤔
#PainInTheButt
Yesterday morning, I went back 120-odd years to revive
Music by the first two Principals of Glasgow's Athenaeum, aka @rcsofficial.bsky.social
karenmcaulaymusicologist.blog/2026/02/15/s...
Music by the first two Principals of Glasgow's Athenaeum, aka @rcsofficial.bsky.social
karenmcaulaymusicologist.blog/2026/02/15/s...
‘Seated One Day at the Organ’: Athenaeum Principals’ Music Revived
The first and second Principals of the Glasgow Athenaeum School of Music weren’t actually in post very long. Allan Macbeth managed twelve years (1890-1902); then Edward Emanuel Harper, only t…
karenmcaulaymusicologist.blog
February 16, 2026 at 7:01 AM
Yesterday morning, I went back 120-odd years to revive
Music by the first two Principals of Glasgow's Athenaeum, aka @rcsofficial.bsky.social
karenmcaulaymusicologist.blog/2026/02/15/s...
Music by the first two Principals of Glasgow's Athenaeum, aka @rcsofficial.bsky.social
karenmcaulaymusicologist.blog/2026/02/15/s...
Reposted by Dr Karen McAulay
Abusers withhold affection, attention, & kindness to punish you. It’s a subtle control tactic—if you don’t comply, they make you feel emotionally abandoned. Over time, you work harder to please them just to avoid their coldness. This weaponizes your need for connection.
#EmotionalAbuse
#EmotionalAbuse
February 15, 2026 at 10:31 PM
Abusers withhold affection, attention, & kindness to punish you. It’s a subtle control tactic—if you don’t comply, they make you feel emotionally abandoned. Over time, you work harder to please them just to avoid their coldness. This weaponizes your need for connection.
#EmotionalAbuse
#EmotionalAbuse
I enjoyed my organ-playing this morning! Research crept onto the music stand as I revived two forgotten pieces:-
karenmcaulaymusicologist.blog/2026/02/15/s...
karenmcaulaymusicologist.blog/2026/02/15/s...
‘Seated One Day at the Organ’: Athenaeum Principals’ Music Revived
The first and second Principals of the Glasgow Athenaeum School of Music weren’t actually in post very long. Allan Macbeth managed twelve years (1890-1902); then Edward Emanuel Harper, only t…
karenmcaulaymusicologist.blog
February 15, 2026 at 10:31 PM
I enjoyed my organ-playing this morning! Research crept onto the music stand as I revived two forgotten pieces:-
karenmcaulaymusicologist.blog/2026/02/15/s...
karenmcaulaymusicologist.blog/2026/02/15/s...
Because I can - annoyingly scrunched handtowel gets reincarnation as pleasingly unscrunched one! (I may be boring, but I'm eminently practical!)
February 15, 2026 at 8:58 PM
Because I can - annoyingly scrunched handtowel gets reincarnation as pleasingly unscrunched one! (I may be boring, but I'm eminently practical!)
Well, obviously that little devil would cause a lot of discomfort ...
Jesus exorcises - the demon is brilliantly rendered here (16thC, BM)
February 15, 2026 at 8:39 AM
Well, obviously that little devil would cause a lot of discomfort ...
Lovely new blind. But Himself, being very elderly, finds the cord hard to operate. So I crept downstairs to raise the blind first.
Now anticipate being told off for being 'patronising' ...
#CannotWin
Now anticipate being told off for being 'patronising' ...
#CannotWin
February 15, 2026 at 7:57 AM
Lovely new blind. But Himself, being very elderly, finds the cord hard to operate. So I crept downstairs to raise the blind first.
Now anticipate being told off for being 'patronising' ...
#CannotWin
Now anticipate being told off for being 'patronising' ...
#CannotWin
Your smallest, most #indispensable gadget?
Screwdriver for mending glasses when they fall apart!
Screwdriver for mending glasses when they fall apart!
February 14, 2026 at 10:46 AM
Your smallest, most #indispensable gadget?
Screwdriver for mending glasses when they fall apart!
Screwdriver for mending glasses when they fall apart!
Reposted by Dr Karen McAulay
Trying to decide if I need to stay up until midnight to tell you that in Wales they don’t celebrate Valentine, they celebrate Dwynwen who wanted to be away from [a specific man] Maelon so SOULFULLY, she literally walked on water until an angel agreed to turn him into ice
She felt bad about it, so:
She felt bad about it, so:
February 14, 2026 at 2:04 AM
Trying to decide if I need to stay up until midnight to tell you that in Wales they don’t celebrate Valentine, they celebrate Dwynwen who wanted to be away from [a specific man] Maelon so SOULFULLY, she literally walked on water until an angel agreed to turn him into ice
She felt bad about it, so:
She felt bad about it, so:
Reposted by Dr Karen McAulay
Do you have a Ten Minute Talk idea to share with us? We're always looking for new stories of local history research!
Find out more: www.balh.org.uk/news-promote...
#WeAreLocalHistory #LocalHistoryForAll
Find out more: www.balh.org.uk/news-promote...
#WeAreLocalHistory #LocalHistoryForAll
February 14, 2026 at 8:01 AM
Do you have a Ten Minute Talk idea to share with us? We're always looking for new stories of local history research!
Find out more: www.balh.org.uk/news-promote...
#WeAreLocalHistory #LocalHistoryForAll
Find out more: www.balh.org.uk/news-promote...
#WeAreLocalHistory #LocalHistoryForAll
To balance my cooking fails - a stitched monogram.
I never aspired to be a #DomesticGoddess!
I never aspired to be a #DomesticGoddess!
February 13, 2026 at 6:07 PM
To balance my cooking fails - a stitched monogram.
I never aspired to be a #DomesticGoddess!
I never aspired to be a #DomesticGoddess!
#CookingFail - lovely mushroom omelette declared to have "too many mushrooms".
There were plenty, but - can one have too many???
There were plenty, but - can one have too many???
February 13, 2026 at 1:27 PM
#CookingFail - lovely mushroom omelette declared to have "too many mushrooms".
There were plenty, but - can one have too many???
There were plenty, but - can one have too many???
Yay! Ethical approval hurdle is completed. Now ...
#FullSteamAhead
#FullSteamAhead
February 13, 2026 at 10:50 AM
Yay! Ethical approval hurdle is completed. Now ...
#FullSteamAhead
#FullSteamAhead