Mrs Audrey Fergus. (Born 1848).
She was widowed after her husband died in the River Tay rail disaster. . (At approximately 7:15 p.m. on the stormy night of 28 December 1879, the central navigation spans of the Tay Bridge collapsed into the Firth of Tay at Dundee, taking with them a train, 6 carriages and 75 souls to their fate.). Her husband had been an architect who had worked for Russell’s grandfather. Russell’s grandmother insisted that Audrey came to Glasgow and she became the part time live-in housekeeper at 221 Victoria Circus. She also works occasionally for a bakery on Byres Road in Glasgow.
Mrs Fergus’ homemade Rhubarb Pie.
Mrs Fergus’ Scone Recipe.
8 oz of fine flour, sifted to remove any grains.
2 oz of white sugar
3 oz dried fruit mix.
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
2 oz unsalted butter, cold
¼ pint of milk cream and a small egg whisked in.
Mix ingredients (flour, sugar, baking powder, salt) in a large bowl. Cut the butter into small pieces and rub in with your fingertips. Once butter is fully worked in, add milk/egg until the mixture becomes a soft.
Roll the dough out onto a floured wooden cutting board to about 1 inch thick. Cut into rounds with a biscuit cutter or the rim of a small glass. Place on a greased baking sheet and brush with milk.
Bake for 12 minutes until lightly golden and well risen. Remove from the oven and place on a wire rack to cool.
James McEwan 