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.
Old photograph golfers on the Golf Course at Stromness, Orkney Islands, Scotland. The club was formally established in 1890, with women members admitted as early as 1894.
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
Old photograph of Trams, people, buildings and shops on Charing Cross, Glasgow, Scotland. Charing Cross is situated north of the River Clyde at the intersection of Sauchiehall Street, St George's Road, Woodlands Road, North Street and Newton Street, as well as being at a major interchange of the M8 motorway. Formerly the gateway from the shopping area of Sauchiehall Street to the more prosperous Woodlands area, its architectural qualities were largely razed by the building of the motorway. It still marks the boundary between the City Centre and the West End of the City. Nearby landmarks include the Mitchell Library, the biggest reference library in Western Europe. Charing Cross was also part of the so called Square Mile of Murder, the location of a series of sensational murders which scandalised Victorian society,
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
Old photograph of Crichton Castle, Midlothian, Scotland. In the late 14th century John de Crichton who died in 1406 built a tower house here as his family residence. John's son, William who died in 1453, served as Lord Chancellor of Scotland, and was made Lord Crichton around 1443. In 1440 he had been partly responsible for organising the " Black Dinner ", where the young Earl of Douglas was murdered. As a result, he obtained the Douglas property of Bothwell Castle in Lanarkshire for himself. John Forrester of Corstorphine, a Douglas adherent, stormed and slighted the castle in 1445 in retaliation. William, however, reconstructed and extended the castle, and also built the nearby collegiate church. The 3rd Lord Crichton was a supporter of Alexander Stewart, Duke of Albany, and his lands and titles were forfeit in 1483, when Albany was sentenced for treason. Crichton Castle, along with Bothwell Castle, was briefly granted to Sir John Ramsey, who forfeited it in 1488.
That year, James IV granted Crichton to Patrick Hepburn, Lord Hailes, who was later made Earl of Bothwell. His son, the second Earl, died at the Battle of Flodden in 1513. Adam was succeeded by his son Patrick, who intrigued with the English against the Scottish crown, but eventually made peace with the regent, Mary of Guise. James Hepburn, 4th Earl of Bothwell sided with Mary of Guise during the Scottish Reformation, and when he took English money sent to the Lords of the Congregation, Regent Arran ordered an assault on Borthwick and Crichton, and the castle was besieged and captured by the Earl of Arran on 3rd November 1560. The castle was the scene of the marriage and wedding festivities, on 4th January 1562, of Patrick's daughter Jean and her first husband, John Stewart, Lord Darnley, Prior of Coldingham, and illegitimate son of King James V. John Stewart's half-sister Mary, Queen of Scots, spent a few nights at the castle while attending this wedding.
The Earl of Bothwell was implicated in Feburuary 1567 in the murder of Queen Mary's husband Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley, and became Mary's third husband in May of that year. In December, all Bothwell's titles and estates, including Crichton, were forfeited. In 1568, Crichton, along with Bothwell's other estates, was granted to Francis Stewart, son of John Stewart, Lord Darnley, and Jean Hepburn, and thus bastard grandson of James V. Francis travelled in Europe, and he designed the very modern Italianate north range in the 1580s. He was created Earl Bothwell in 1577, but conspired against the young James VI, and was accused of witchcraft. He forfeited his estates in turn in 1592, and was forced to flee to Naples. His son Francis was reinstated, but laboured under his father's debts, and sold Crichton to the Hepburns of Humbie. It is now a Scheduled Ancient Monument administered by Historic Scotland.
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
Old photograph of the Michael Scott Tomb at Melrose Abbey, Borders, Scotland. According to legend, Melrose Abbey has a strange demonic connection. The 13th century wizard Michael Scott is said to be buried there. Through the power of prophecy he is said to have predicted his own death, by a small stone falling on his head.
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
Tour Scotland photograph shot this afternoon of the Prince Albert memorial statue in Perth, Perthshire, Scotland. This statue of Albert, Prince Consort was inaugurated by Queen Victoria herself in August 1864 and is located by the park called the North Inch.
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
Tour Scotland photograph shot this afternoon of the thistle sculpture in Perth, Perthshire, Scotland. There are a large number of sculptures in and around the parks in Perth, the thistle sculpture is by a park called the North Inch.
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 shot this afternoon of the duck pond in Scone, Perthshire, Scotland. Stopped at the local park today in Scone, to feed the ducks, as always they were glad to see me.
Tour Scotland photograph shot this afternoon of the duck pond in Scone, Perthshire, Scotland.
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 shot this afternoon of a farm in Perthshire, Scotland. Sunny and windy this afternoon with lots of clouds moving quickly over the landscape. Shot this photograph as the sun highlighted the farm buildings.
Tour Scotland photograph shot this afternoon of a farm in Perthshire, Scotland.
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 Uig, Isle Of Skye, Scotland. The village of Uig is located at the head of the sheltered inlet of Uig Bay on the west coast of the Trotternish peninsula on the Isle of Skye, Scotland. Uig is situated partly on the raised beach around the head of the bay and partly on the steep slopes behind it.
Tour Scotland photograph of Uig, Isle Of Skye, Scotland. From its sheltered port, Caledonian MacBrayne ferries run to Tarbert on Harris and Lochmaddy on North Uist providing links with the Outer Hebrides. Uig is served by the A856 road from Portree to the south and the A855 road which runs northwards around the end of the Trotternish peninsula before also turning south to Portree. Uigg, Prince Edward Island, Canada was named by settlers from Uig.
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
Old photograph of cottages and houses in Kilchrenan, Argyll, Scotland. Kilchrenan is located at the foot of the Munro mountain, Ben Cruachan, near to the end of the B845 road, about a mile inland from Loch Awe.
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
Old photograph of Pennan, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Pennan became famous in the 1980s for being used as one of the main locations for the film Local Hero, and representing the fictional village of Ferness.
Old photograph of houses, shops and people in Langholm, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland. This Scottish town is also known colloquially as the " Muckle Toon ". The town grew around the textile industry, but is now best known as the birthplace of Hugh MacDiarmid and Thomas Telford. The town was an important centre for the Border Reivers.
Old photograph of Langholm, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland.
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
Old photograph of shops, cars, buildings and people on the High Street, Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland. The town was first recorded in the 11th century, with the marriage of Malcolm III, King of Scotland, and Saint Margaret at the church in Dunfermline. As his Queen consort, Margaret established a new church dedicated to the Holy Trinity, which evolved into an Abbey under their son, David I in 1128.
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
Tour Scotland photograph of Glamis Castle, Scotland. Glamis Castle was the childhood home of Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, best known as the Queen Mother. Her second daughter, Princess Margaret, was born there. The most famous of the " legends " connected with the castle is that of the Monster of Glamis, a hideously deformed child born to the family. In the story, the monster was kept in the castle all his life and his suite of rooms bricked up after his death
Old photograph of the Train Station in Aberdour, Fife, Scotland. Opened by the North British Railway in 1890, as part of the approach routes linking the Edinburgh and Northern Railway to the new Forth Rail Bridge, it became part of the London and North Eastern Railway during the Grouping of 1923. The line then passed on to the Scottish Region of British Railways on nationalisation in 1948. When Sectorisation was introduced by British Rail, the station was served by the ScotRail sector until the Privatisation of British Railways. The station has won numerous awards for its gardens. Near the railway station, built in the 14th century sits, Aberdour Castle which had been in Douglas ownership from 1342 until it passed into state care in 1924.
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
Old photograph of cottages and houses in Milnathort, Perthshire, Scotland. For a small town, Milnathort has a rich history. Settlement in the area can be dated as far back as 2000BC, with two Neolithic standing stones being nearby where human remains were found and dated. Additionally, the remains of Burleigh Castle can still be seen just outside of the town, which is a 15th century castle built for the Balfours of Burleigh to rule over what was then a market town. There is another nearby medieval castle on an island on Loch Leven, the infamous Loch Leven Castle. This castle is known to have been visited by Robert the Bruce in 1313 and 1323, but is perhaps most famous for the imprisonment of Mary Queen of Scots, in 1567.
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
Old photograph of Hopeman Beach near Elgin, Moray, Scotland. There are quite a few birds to be found on the beach, such as the herring gull, the great black-backed gull, the black headed gull, the curlew and the oystercatcher. The areas of gorse heathland surrounding the eastern beaches are home to the whitethroat, the robin and the yellowhammer.
Old photograph of a crofter with sheep outside a cottage in Sutherland, Scotland. Crofting was a form of small scale food production unique to the Scottish Highlands and the Islands of Scotland. The name Sutherland dates from the era of Norwegian Viking rule and settlement over much of the Highlands and Islands, under the rule of the jarl of Orkney. Although it contains some of the northernmost land in the island of Great Britain, it was called Suðrland, " southern land, " from the standpoint of Orkney and Caithness.
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
Tour Scotland June photograph of a Highland Cow in Perthshire, Scotland. I really enjoy shooting photographs of Highland Cows, and this one was no exception.
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
Tour Scotland photograph of the David Douglas Memorial in Scone, Perthshire, Scotland. David Douglas, 25th June 1799 to 12th July 1834, was a Scottish botanist. He worked as a gardener, and explored the Scottish Highlands, North America, and Hawaii, where he died. The son of a stonemason, he was born in the village of Scone north east of Perth, Scotland. He attended Kinnoull School and upon leaving he found work as an apprentice to William Beattie, head gardener at the estate of the 3rd Earl of Mansfield at Scone Palace. He spent seven years at this position, completing his apprenticeship, and then spent a winter at a college in Perth to learn more of the scientific and mathematical aspects of plant culture. After a further spell of working in Fife, during which time he had access to a library of botanical and zoological books, he moved to the Botanical Gardens of Glasgow University and attended botany lectures at the University of Glasgow. William Jackson Hooker, who was Garden Director and Professor of Botany, was greatly impressed with him and took him on an expedition to the Highlands before recommending him to the Royal Horticultural Society of London. Hooker recommended Douglas to London's Royal Horticultural Society, which then sent him on a plant-hunting expedition in the Pacific Northwest in 1824 that ranks among the great botanical explorations of a heroic generation. In the Spring of 1826, David Douglas was compelled to climb a peak near Athabasca Pass to take in the view. In so doing, he became one of the first mountaineers in North America. He introduced the Douglas-fir into cultivation in 1827. Other notable introductions include Sitka Spruce, Sugar Pine, Western White Pine, Ponderosa Pine, Lodgepole Pine, Monterey Pine, Grand Fir, Noble Fir and several other conifers that transformed the British landscape and timber industry, as well as numerous garden shrubs and herbs such as the Flowering currant, Salal, Lupin, Penstemon and California poppy. His success was well beyond expectations; in one of his letters to Hooker, he wrote "you will begin to think I manufacture pines at my pleasure". Altogether he introduced about 240 species of plants to Britain.
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
Tour Scotland photograph of the old Parish Church and graveyard in Scone, Perthshire, Scotland. Scottish Church built in 1286 near to Scone Palace. Moved to present site in 1806 using stone from original building.
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
The Heritage Trees: Britain and Northern Ireland. Rushing about our lives, we mostly take our trees for granted. Yet they shape the world around us, our countryside, towns and villages, public spaces and private gardens, bearing silent witness to our ever changing world. Some specimens are as important to our heritage as the greatest of our stately homes, and each has its own story to tell. This collection of portraits from around the United Kingdom records 88 individual trees of outstanding cultural and heritage value. Some have traditionally been special meeting places or boundary markers, like the Tortworth Chestnut that sprang from a nut planted during the reign of King Egbert in ad 800, or the wind-blasted hawthorn 'wishing tree' in the wilds of Argyll, encrusted with coins pressed into its bark by generations of superstitious travellers. Others tell a more human story. Rizzio's Chestnut was planted by the Italian lover of Mary, Queen of Scots, not long before he was murdered by her jealous second husband. While the rare layering beech at Kilravock Castle became known as the 'Kissing Beech' after the illicit embraces by a member of the owner's family and a housemaid under its spreading arms. All the trees featured are accessible to the public, from the original Bramley to the loneliest tree in Scotland. Each one has been designated a national monument by The Tree Council, as part of its campaign to gain special protection status for heritage trees. Combining striking full-colour photography with a range of archival sources and illustrations, from the Middle Ages to the present day, Jon Stokes and Donald Rodger bring to life for a new generation the rich history and legends surrounding these 'green monuments'. The Heritage Trees: Britain and Northern Ireland.
Tour Scotland photograph of statues in the gardens of Fingask Castle, Perthshire, Scotland. The garden is renowned for its topiary but also features statues by David Anderson, sculptor, of Perth, of characters from Scots literature. Works depicted include many of the characters from the poems of Robert Burns.
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
Tour Scotland photograph today of derelict cottage in Perthshire, Scotland. Far fewer farm workers are required to live on the farm these days in Scotland, and thus many of the old cottages that they once lived in are now in ruin.
Tour Scotland photograph today of derelict cottage in Perthshire, Scotland.
Tour Scotland photograph today of derelict cottage in Perthshire, Scotland.
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
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