Tour Scotland photographs and videos from my tours of Scotland. Photography and videography, both old and new, from beautiful Scotland, Scottish castles, seascapes, rivers, islands, landscapes, standing stones, lochs and glens.
Funny Fortune Teller Postcard from Scotland. Sandy, a middle aged Scotsman went to see a fortune teller. " Two women men are madly in love with me! " said Sandy. " Who will be the lucky one ? " The fortune teller answered, " Flora will marry you, and Fiona will be the lucky one. " Scottish Jokes.
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
Perthshire is at the very heart of Scotland and one of the most popular regions for visitors, offering a variety of Highland and Lowland landscapes with some of the most scenic and accessible countryside for shorter walks as well as evidence of its rich history at every turn. Perthshire 40 Town and Country Walks features traditional tourist hubs, such as Pitlochry, Dunkeld and Killin, with its historical connections to the county, as well as countryside around Blairgowrie, Crieff and Aberfeldy, finishing up at the Fair City of Perth and nearby Kinross. Perthshire: 40 Town and Country Walks (Pocket Mountains).
Tour Scotland photograph of Clootie Dumpling in a cafe in Edinburgh, Scotland. Clootie Dumpling with custard. A clootie dumpling is a rich dark fruitcake served as a dessert, like a Christmas pudding. It is boiled or steamed in a cloot, or cloth. In the old days, clootie dumplings were made as a birthday treat for children and, like Christmas Puddings, were often made containing sixpences. From Bawd Bree to Partan Bree, a distinctive culinary repertoire awaits the traveler to Scotland. Scottish Cooking.
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
Tour Scotland Ailein Duinn video. Ailein duinn or Dark-haired Alan, is a traditional Scottish song for solo female voice, a lament that was written in Gàidhlig for Ailean Moireasdan, Alan Morrison, by his fiancée, Annag Chaimbeul, Annie Campbell. In 1788, Ailean, a sailor, set off with his ship to Scalpay, Harris, where he and Annag would be married. In a tragic twist, the ship sailed into a storm and all on board were lost. Annag was devastated and lost her will to live, dying several months later. Her body was later discovered on the beach, not far from where Ailean's body was found. Before she died, Annag composed this lament for her lost love. Song is sung on this video by Capercaillie.
How sorrowful I am Early in the morning rising.
Chorus (after each verse): Ò hì, I would go with thee Hì ri bhò hò ru bhì Hì ri bhò hò rinn o ho Brown-haired Alan, ò hì, I would go with thee.
If it is thy pillow the sand If it is thy bed the seaweed.
If it is the fish thy candles bright If it is the seals thy watchmen.
I would drink, though all would abhor it Of thy heart's blood after thy drowning.
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
Tour Scotland video of Eilean Donan Castle on small tidal island where three lochs meet, Loch Duich, Loch Long and Loch Alsh, in the western Highlands of Scotland. This Clan MacRae stronghold dates from 13th century. Ruined by naval bombardment in 1719, rebuilt earlier this century. Causeway, three-arched bridge and gateway with portcullis lead through walls up to 14ft thick. Restored chambers, billeting room and banquet hall with furnishings.
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
Old photograph of pipers from the Argyll And Sutherland Highlanders in Scotland. The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders is one of the best known regiments in the British Army. They served all over the empire, taking part in the Indian Mutiny and the Boer War, and fought in both World Wars.
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
Tour Scotland photograph of the James Scott Skinner painting in the McManus Galleries in Dundee, Scotland. James Skinner was born in Arbeadie village, in the parish of Banchory-Ternan, Aberdeenshire, on the 5th August 1843. James’s first published composition, Highland Polka appeared in a magazine when he was only 17. It was the first of more than 600 compositions to reach print. In 1917 his portrait, now in the McManus Galleries, Dundee, was painted by the artist J. Young Hunter. It was publicly presented to him at a ceremony at the Music Hall, Edinburgh.
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
Perthshire is at the very heart of Scotland and one of the most popular regions for visitors, offering a variety of Highland and Lowland landscapes with some of the most scenic and accessible countryside for shorter walks as well as evidence of its rich history at every turn. Perthshire 40 Town and Country Walks features traditional tourist hubs, such as Pitlochry, Dunkeld and Killin, with its historical connections to the county, as well as countryside around Blairgowrie, Crieff and Aberfeldy, finishing up at the Fair City of Perth and nearby Kinross. Perthshire: 40 Town and Country Walks (Pocket Mountains).
Photograph of the Braemar Highland Gathering, Scotland. Queen Elizabeth II and the Prince of Wales at the Braemar Highland Games. The royal family have been regular visitors to the games since Queen Victoria first attended in 1848. There have been Gatherings of one sort or another at Braemar since the days of King Malcolm Canmore, nine hundred years ago. During much of that time large crowds have come each year to acclaim their Monarch as Chieftain of the Braemar Gathering. Photographic Print of Queen at Braemar Highland Games from PA Photos.
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
September 6th photograph of what I ate for dessert this evening in Scotland. A locally made strawberry flan, I didn't eat it all at once, but ate a good sized portion. Scottish Cooking.
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
Tour Scotland Jackie Leven video. Jackie Leven was a fellow Fifer, from Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland. He was a Scottish songwriter and folk musician. Sadly this great Scottish singer and song writer passed away on Monday, 14th November, at 8 o'clock in the evening. He had suffered from cancer. Jackie was a unique Scotsman, and we have lost an incredibly talented person. R.I.P.
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
Jackie Leven Said: A Double CD Release Of Storytelling, Laughter And Music. The first CD contains the story, Jackie Leven Said, written and read by Ian Rankin, from Ian and Jackie's live show at the Edinburgh Festival. Ian tells the story in short chapters which are illustrated by musical interludes and complete songs performed by Jackie and keyboard player Michael Cosgrave. The story evokes the suffering, and healing, of a Scottish family coming back together for a funeral in Fife on the east coast of Scotland. Although a work of fiction, the story resonates strongly with the life experiences of both Ian and Jackie who are themselves both from this part of the world. It sparkles with humour. At the end of the storytelling, Ian and Jackie then have a wildly funny knockabout discussion of what it means to come from Fife, with Jackie departing from the subject in his uniquely crazy way. The songs sung by Jackie reflect and blend the lives of Ian and Jackie, but also touch on the inner life of Ian's acclaimed fictional hero cop, the haunted genius that is Detective Inspector John Rebus, himself a Fifer. Jackie Leven Said: A Double CD Release Of Storytelling, Laughter And Music.
September 6th photograph of rural Perthshire, Scotland. Very windy, and sunny afternoon, in Perthshire, Scotland. This farmer has completed harvesting his barley field.
Perthshire is at the very heart of Scotland and one of the most popular regions for visitors, offering a variety of Highland and Lowland landscapes with some of the most scenic and accessible countryside for shorter walks as well as evidence of its rich history at every turn. Perthshire 40 Town and Country Walks features traditional tourist hubs, such as Pitlochry, Dunkeld and Killin, with its historical connections to the county, as well as countryside around Blairgowrie, Crieff and Aberfeldy, finishing up at the Fair City of Perth and nearby Kinross. Perthshire: 40 Town and Country Walks (Pocket Mountains).
Tour Scotland video of Loch Ness, Scotland. Just eight miles from Inverness in the Great Glen the picturesque village of Dores, is situated on the banks of Loch Ness, and is an ideal place from which to view Loch Ness, and maybe " Nessie " the Loch Ness Monster.
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
September 5th photograph of the Firth Of Tay looking towards Dundee, Scotland. Firth means Estuary in Scots. It was a stunningly beautiful afternoon in Scotland.
September 5th photograph of the Firth Of Tay looking towards Dundee, Scotland.
September 5th photograph of the Firth Of Tay looking towards Dundee, Scotland.
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
Tour Scotland photograph of the statue of Desperate Dan in Dundee, Scotland. Desperate Dan is a wild west character in the British comic The Dandy. He first appeared in its first issue, dated 4 December 1937. He is apparently the world's strongest man, able to lift a cow with one hand. Even his beard is so tough he has to shave with a blowtorch.
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
Tour Scotland photograph of McManus Galleries on visit to Dundee, Scotland. The building was designed by the architect George Gilbert Scott, who was an expert for the restoration of medieval churches and advocate of the Gothic architectural style.The building was opened as the Albert Institute in 1867. The building now houses a museum and art gallery with a collection of fine and decorative art as well as a natural history collection.
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
September 5th photograph of HMS Unicorn in Dundee, Scotland. His Majesty’s Frigate Unicorn, of 46 guns, was built for the Royal Navy in Chatham dockyard, and she was launched in 1824. The classic sailing frigate was a fast and powerful warship, and was one of the most successful and charismatic ship designs of the age.
September 5th photograph of HMS Unicorn in Dundee, Scotland.
September 5th photograph of HMS Unicorn in Dundee, Scotland.
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
September 5th photograph of the statue of Robert Burns in Albert Square, Dundee, Scotland. Robert Burns was born near Ayr, Scotland, 25th of January, 1759.
September 5th photograph of the statue of Robert Burns in Albert Square, Dundee, Scotland.
September 5th photograph of the statue of Robert Burns in Albert Square, Dundee, Scotland.
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
Robert Burns, the most celebrated of all Scottish poets, is remembered with great devotion. His birthday on 25th January provokes fervour and festivity among Scots and many others the world over. Born in 1759 into miserable rustic poverty, by the age of eighteen Burns had acquired a good knowledge of both classical and English literature. In June 1786 his first collection of verse, Poems Chiefly in the Scottish Dialect, which included To a Mouse and The Cotter's Saturday Night, was greeted with huge acclaim by all classes of society. His later poems and ballads include Auld Lang Syne, the beautiful song My Love is like a Red Red Rose, Highland Mary, Scots Wha Hae and his masterpiece, Tam o'Shanter. The Collected Poems of Robert Burns (Wordsworth Poetry Library).
Perthshire is at the very heart of Scotland and one of the most popular regions for visitors, offering a variety of Highland and Lowland landscapes with some of the most scenic and accessible countryside for shorter walks as well as evidence of its rich history at every turn. Perthshire 40 Town and Country Walks features traditional tourist hubs, such as Pitlochry, Dunkeld and Killin, with its historical connections to the county, as well as countryside around Blairgowrie, Crieff and Aberfeldy, finishing up at the Fair City of Perth and nearby Kinross. Perthshire: 40 Town and Country Walks (Pocket Mountains).
September 24th photograph of an Oil Rig at Dundee, Scotland. This huge oil rig is towering over Dundee while maintenance work is carried out on the structure. The Rowan Gorilla VII jack-up rig is cutting a spectacular figure over the city.
September 24th photograph of an Oil Rig at Dundee, Scotland.
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
Tour Scotland photograph of St Salvator's Chapel, St Andrews, Fife, Scotland. A wedding car parked outside St Salvator's Chapel this afternoon. This chapel was founded in 1450, built in the Late Gothic architectural style, and refurbished in the 1680s, 1860s and throughout the 20th century. It is currently the chapel of the United college as well as being the major university chapel.
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
Tour Scotland photograph of the marina at Loch Leven, Perthshire, Scotland. There are toilets and a nice cafe here, a great place for morning coffee on my tours.
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
Perthshire is at the very heart of Scotland and one of the most popular regions for visitors, offering a variety of Highland and Lowland landscapes with some of the most scenic and accessible countryside for shorter walks as well as evidence of its rich history at every turn. Perthshire 40 Town and Country Walks features traditional tourist hubs, such as Pitlochry, Dunkeld and Killin, with its historical connections to the county, as well as countryside around Blairgowrie, Crieff and Aberfeldy, finishing up at the Fair City of Perth and nearby Kinross. Perthshire: 40 Town and Country Walks (Pocket Mountains).
Tour Scotland photograph of the lighthouse at Elie, East Neuk of Fife, Scotland. Elie Lighthouse standing on its own little tidal islet at Elie Ness. It was built by the renowned David Stevenson in 1908. The top of the tower and outbuilding are of a crenulated design more akin to castle than a lighthouse.
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
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