On the scent of our rather fragrant soap-free history

As it’s time for the dogs to take a bath, Fiona reflects back on time when famous females from the past bathed in goat’s milk and wine

Darling daughter has been away for some time. Now she is coming home and the fatted calf is being killed. Lavish celebrations are in train. Indeed, we may even eat the wild salmon that has been sitting in the freezer for three months. Anyhow, DD comes bubbling through the door; all bags, hair and nails. And the first thing she does is find the MacNaughties.

She bends down. They run barking into her arms. Then she recoils.

“Oh, they smell terrible!”

“Yes, they smell of dog.”

“Smell of dog?”

Well, they’re hardly going to smell of Chanel No. 5, are they?

Living with two hounds, you get used to whiffy things. But now it is my turn to crouch on the floor and have a sniff.

The chief is also asked to put his nose into practice. But at this point, DD has pointedly cleaned her hands.

“Mum, you really need to wash them more often!”

I probably do. And the cocker spaniel is fairly easy going when it comes to soap and water.

Yes, he is heavy and it takes some effort to lift him into the boiler-room sink. But once there, he is resigned to his fate.

The naughty Norfolk is a different kettle of fish. Typical terrier, he does not like being soggy and scented. And he will fight all the way.

Oh for the old days when people were prepared to put up with a pong or two…

Back in the 40s and 50s, most folk had a once-a-week bath.

Whether they needed it or not. Which I suppose was an improvement on the really old days.

In the Middle Ages, it was not uncommon for a person to take the plunge once a year.

Again, whether they needed it or not. Over the centuries, water has been considered a very dangerous thing.

Taking a dip might suck the life out of a body. Yet with royalty, it seems to have been a different matter.

Cleopatra famously bathed in goat’s milk. And Mary, Queen of Scots, is said to have bathed in white wine.

Scotland’s sovereign is on my mind this week as we film at Glasgow’s Hunterian museum.

Mary only reigned for six years. Yet this cultured, red-headed beauty, the woman with three husbands, the monarch executed on the orders of

Back in the 40s and 50s, most folk had a once-a-week bath. Whether they needed it or not.

another, continues to be a fascination.

For more than 400 years, Mary’s life has been immortalised in music, books, plays and art.

Now, with a new film out, a project led by the University of Glasgow wants to understand how her legend has impacted on Scottish society and culture.

It will be an absorbing undertaking. And if you have a memento relating to Mary, please let them know.

In the meantime, it is back to less romantic things. Now where is that dog shampoo?

Mary, Queen Of Scots, remains a person that the public are fascinated by.