Old Photograph Holborn Head Lighthouse Scotland

Old photograph of Holborn Head lighthouse near Scrabster, Caithness, Scotland. Designed and built by David and Thomas Stevenson, it was completed in 1862. The tower for the light is integral with the keepers' house which is unusual since most Scottish lighthouses are separate from the house. After entering the upper floor front doorway there is a vestibule with two entrances, one to the Lightkeepers House and the other to the Lighthouse Tower. There were two Lighthouse keepers houses and the Tower within the building. Separate to this was the Principal Keeper's House. The light was discontinued in 2003. Blog post of interest to folks with ancestry, genealogy or Scottish Family Roots in Scotland who may wish to travel and visit one day.



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Old Photograph Butt of Lewis Lighthouse Isle Of Lewis Scotland

Old photograph of Butt of Lewis Lighthouse, Isle of Lewis, Scotland. This is the northernmost point of the Isle of Lewis. It is the location for an unmanned lighthouse built in the 1860s and designed by David Stevenson. Blog post of interest to folks with ancestry, genealogy or Scottish Family Roots in Scotland who may wish to travel and visit one day.



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Old Photograph McArthur's Head Lighthouse Islay Scotland

Old photograph of McArthur's Head lighthouse at the entrance to the Sound of Islay, Islay, Scotland. This Scottish lighthouse was established in 1861 and built by lighthouse builders, David and Thomas Stevenson. Blog post of interest to folks with ancestry, genealogy or Scottish Family Roots in Scotland who may wish to travel and visit one day.



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Old Photograph Lighthouse North Ronaldsay Orkney Islands Scotland

Old photograph of the old lighthouse on the island of North Ronaldsay, Orkney Islands, Scotland. Dennis Head, in the northeast of the island, is home to an historic lighthouse known as the Old Beacon. The light was first established in 1789 by Thomas Smith. It was to be the first of many island lighthouses for Smith, who had previously worked on the lights at Kinnaird Head and Mull of Kintyre. Smith received assistance with the North Ronaldsay light from Ezekiel Walker and from his stepson Robert Stevenson. In 1809 with the construction of other nearby lighthouses it was decided that the North Ronaldsay light was no longer required and it was extinguished. Blog post of interest to folks with ancestry, genealogy or Scottish Family Roots in Scotland who may wish to travel and visit one day.





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Old Photograph Minard Castle Scotland

Old photograph of Minard Castle on the North western shore of Loch Fyne near Inveraray, Scotland. This castellated mansion stands on a low promontory South of Minard Bay, bounded on the East by Loch fine and on the West by steep wooded slopes. It incorporates a plain Georgian house built by Archibald Campbell of Knockbuy, born 1693, died 1790, who was a noted improving landlord who since about 1740 had been developing the policies, North and West of Minard Bay. The estate was sold in 1842 to H W Askew, who immediately began extensive alterations and additions, completed in 1848, to the castellated designs of the Glasgow architect J T Rochead. It was owned by the Lloyd family from 1875 to 1938, and after a period of use as a hotel or guest house it was extensively renovated in the 1970s by the present owner. Blog post of interest to folks with ancestry, genealogy or Scottish Family Roots in Scotland who may wish to travel and visit one day.

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Old Photographs Whiting Bay Island Of Arran Scotland

Old photograph of Whiting Bay on the Island of Arran, Scotland. The village is approximately 3 miles south of the village of Lamlash. Whiting Bay is the third largest village on the island, after Lamlash and Brodick, and was once the site of the longest pier in Scotland. Like all villages on Arran, tourism is important to the village. To the north of the village at Kings Cross Point between Lamlash and Whiting Bay is an Iron Age fort known locally as the Viking Fort. According to local legend, this is the site where Robert the Bruce mistook farmers' fires on the mainland as the signal to launch his campaign. This site was also the location of a Viking ship burial excavated in the earlier 20th century. Blog post of interest to folks with ancestry, genealogy or Scottish Family Roots in Scotland who may wish to travel and visit one day.

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Old Photograph Isle of Eigg Scotland

Old photograph of Isle of Eigg, one of the Small Isles, in the Scottish Inner Hebrides, located South of Isle Of Skye, Scotland. During the sixteenth century there was a lengthy feud between the MacLeod and MacDonald clans, which may have led to the massacre of the island's entire population in the late 16th century. According to Clanranald tradition, in 1577 a party of MacLeods staying on the island became too amorous and caused trouble with the local girls. They were subsequently rounded up, bound and cast adrift in the Minch but were rescued by some clansmen. A party of MacLeods subsequently landed on Eigg with revenge in mind. Their approach had been spotted by the islanders who had hidden in a secret cave called the Cave of Frances located on the south coast. The entrance to this cave was tiny and covered by moss, undergrowth and a small waterfall. After a thorough but fruitless search lasting for three to five days, the MacLeods set sail again but a MacDonald carelessly climbed onto a promontory to watch their departure and was spotted. The MacLeods returned and were able to follow his footprints back to the cave. They then rerouted the source of the water, piled thatch and roof timbers at the cave entrance and set fire to it at the same time damping the flames so that the cave was filled with smoke thereby asphyxiating everyone inside either by smoke inhalation or heat and oxygen deprivation. Three hundred and ninety-five people died in the cave, the whole population of the island except for one old lady who had not sought refuge there. Blog post of interest to folks with ancestry, genealogy or Scottish Family Roots in Scotland who may wish to travel and visit one day.



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Old Photograph Dunnet Head Scotland

Old photograph of Dunnet Head, Caithness, Scotland. Near the Dunnet Head lighthouse are minor fortifications built during World War II to protect the naval base at Scapa Flow, including a Chain Home Low radar station and a bunker used by the Royal Observer Corps during the Cold War. The lighthouse stands on the cliff top of Easter Head on Dunnet Head. Dunnet Head Lighthouse is 66 feet tall and was built in 1831 by Robert Stevenson, grandfather of Robert Louis Stevenson. Blog post of interest to folks with ancestry, genealogy or Scottish Family Roots in Scotland who may wish to travel and visit one day.



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Old Photograph Husband And Wife Perth Scotland

Old photograph of a husband and wife in Perth, Perthshire, Scotland.



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Old Photograph Young Man Leith Scotland

Old photograph of a young man from Leith, Edinburgh, Scotland. Leith has played a long and prominent role in Scottish history. As the major port serving Edinburgh, it has been the stage on which many significant events in Scottish history have taken place. Mary of Guise ruled Scotland from Leith in 1560 as Regent while her daughter, Mary, Queen of Scots remained in France. Mary of Guise moved the Scottish Court to Leith, to a site that is now Parliament Street, off Coalhill. Leith Docks became known as the port for Edinburgh and modest shipbuilding and repair facilities grew. On 20 May 1806. Blog post of interest to folks with ancestry, genealogy or Scottish Family Roots in Scotland who may wish to travel and visit one day.



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Old Photograph Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh Scotland

Old photograph the Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh, Scotland. A Lord Provost is convenor of the local authority, the civic head and the lord lieutenant of one of the principal cities of Scotland. The role is similar to that of a mayor. Only the cities of Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow have a Lord Provost; other Scottish local authorities have provosts. A Lord Provost has a higher status than a Lord Mayor in other parts of the United Kingdom. He is ex officio the lord-lieutenant for that city, in accordance with section 1 of the Lieutenancies Act 1997, which allows the city council to choose its own representative for the monarch. The Lord Provosts of Edinburgh and Glasgow enjoy the style of " The Right Honourable " before their names. Permission to use the title is granted to a city by the monarch, under the royal prerogative, acting on the advice of government ministers. Blog post of interest to folks with ancestry, genealogy or Scottish Family Roots in Scotland who may wish to travel and visit one day.



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Old Photograph Scotsman Banff Scotland

Old photograph of a Scotsman in Banff, Scotland. Banff is situated on Banff Bay and faces the town of Macduff across the estuary of the River Deveron. Banff is a former royal burgh, and is the traditional county town of Banffshire. The first recorded Sheriff of Banff was Richard de Strathewan in 1264, and in 1372 Royal Burgh status was conferred by King Robert II. By the 15th century Banff was one of three principal towns exporting salmon to the continent of Europe, along with Aberdeen and Montrose. Blog post of interest to folks with ancestry, genealogy or Scottish Family Roots in Scotland who may wish to travel and visit one day.



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Old Photograph Golf Course Nairn Scotland

Old photograph of golfers on the golf course in Nairn, Moray, Scotland. Nairn is an ancient fishing port and market town around 16 miles of Inverness. It was the county town of the wider county of Nairn also known as Nairnshire. The town is now best known as a seaside resort, with two golf courses, and award winning beaches. Charlie Chaplin, used to holiday every year in Nairn and stayed at the Newton Hotel. Blog post of interest to folks with ancestry, genealogy or Scottish Family Roots in Scotland who may wish to travel and visit one day.



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Old Photograph Glasterlaw Scotland

Old photograph of a cottage, horse and cart and people in Glasterlaw by Friockheim, Angus, Scotland. Blog post of interest to folks with ancestry, genealogy or Scottish Family Roots in Scotland who may wish to travel and visit one day.



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Old Photograph Tram New Bridge Musselburgh Scotland

Old photograph of a Tram on the New Bridge in Musselburgh, Scotland. The New Bridge over the River Esk was designed in 1806 by architect Sir John Rennie, with five arches and niched piers over rounded cutwaters. It was greatly widened in 1924 by Blyth & Blyth. Blog post of interest to folks with ancestry, genealogy or Scottish Family Roots in Scotland who may wish to travel and visit one day.



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Old Photograph Lovers Walk Rothesay Scotland

Old photograph of Lovers Walk by Rothesay, Isle of Bute, Scotland. During the Victorian era, Rothesay developed as a popular tourist destination. It became hugely popular with visitors from Glasgow. Blog post of interest to folks with ancestry, genealogy or Scottish Family Roots in Scotland who may wish to travel and visit one day.



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Old Photograph High School Kirkcaldy Fife Scotland

Old photograph of the High School in Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland. The school was established in 1582 as Kirkcaldy Burgh School; the " High School " name dates from the middle part of the 19th century. The school's motto is Usque conabor, " I will strive to my utmost ". The pupils of Kirkcaldy High School are organised into four different houses. Originally the House system was named after areas of Kirkcaldy, Balwearie, Raith, Ravenscraig, and St. Serfs. Now the houses are named after famous persons of the town. Oswald, named after an old Kirkcaldy family, at one time associated with the Dunnikier estate, on which the school is now sited. Adam Smith, named after the famous economist who wrote " The Wealth of Nations " and attended the school in the eighteenth century. Carlyle, named after the famous writer Thomas Carlyle who famously wrote " The French Revolution, A History " and taught at the school between 1816 and 1818.



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Old Photographs Polton Street Bonnyrigg Scotland

Old photograph of cottages, people, houses and school on Polton Street in Bonnyrigg located eight miles South East of Edinburgh, Scotland. Bonnyrigg, a small ex mining town in Midlothian, located eight miles South East of Edinburgh city centre. In 1766 a village called Bannockrigg, is shown on maps, then in 1815, the spelling changes to Bannocrig. This spelling remains until 1854, when for some unknown reason the spelling changes to the now familiar Bonnyrigg. The first church in Bonnyrigg was built in 1845 and its first minister was Thomas Pitcairn. In 1865 the villages of Bonnyrigg, Red Row, Polton Street, Hillhead and Broomieknowe combined to form the burgh of Bonnyrigg. Bonnyrigg was a mining village until the 1920s and had a carpet factory that was demolished in 1994. The village centre mostly dates from the 19th Century. Bonnyrigg railway station was a railway station that served the town of Bonnyrigg, Midlothian, Scotland from 1855 to 1965 on the Peebles Railway. Blog post of interest to folks with ancestry, genealogy or Scottish Family Roots in Scotland who may wish to travel and visit one day.

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Old Photograph Woman Stranraer Scotland

Old photograph of a woman in Stranraer, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland. Around 1600, Stranraer had become the market town for western Wigtownshire. At about this time, Stranraer was reached by a military road built from Dumfries to allow easier access to Portpatrick for transportation of people to Ireland for the Plantation of Ulster. Stranraer became a royal burgh in 1617. The first harbour in Stranraer was built in the middle of the 18th century, with further port development in the 1820s. The arrival of the railway from Dumfries in 1861, which closed in 1965), which gave the shortest journey to/from London, England, established Stranraer as the area's main port. In 1862, the line was extended to serve the harbour directly, and a link to Portpatrick was also opened. In 1877, a rail connection north to Girvan and Glasgow was also established. Stranraer remained the main Scottish port for the Irish ferries for the next 150 years or so. Blog post of interest to folks with ancestry, genealogy or Scottish Family Roots in Scotland who may wish to travel and visit one day.



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Old Photograph Family Huntly Scotland

Old photograph of a family in Huntly, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Huntly is the historic home of the Gordon Highlanders regiment which traditionally recruited throughout the North East of Scotland. John Perie VC was born in 1831 in Huntly. he was a Scottish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. He died on 17 September 1874. Huntly was the home town of the writer George MacDonald born 1824, died 1905. Ian Cameron, father of British Prime Minister, David Cameron, was from Glass, Huntly; he was born at Blairmore House. Blog post of interest to folks with ancestry, genealogy or Scottish Family Roots in Scotland who may wish to travel and visit one day.



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Old Photograph Young Soldier Dundee Scotland

Old photograph of a young soldier in Dundee, Scotland. Blog post of interest to folks with ancestry, genealogy or Scottish Family Roots in Scotland who may wish to travel and visit one day.



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Old Photograph Large Family Dunfermline Fife Scotland

Old photograph of a large family in 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, King David I in 1128. Blog post of interest to folks with ancestry, genealogy or Scottish Family Roots in Scotland who may wish to travel and visit one day.



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Old Photograph Thomas Guthrie Scotland

Old photograph of Thomas Guthrie born 12 July 1803 in Brechin in Angus, Scotland. John was one of the most popular preachers of his day in Scotland, and was associated with many forms of philanthropy, especially temperance and Ragged Schools, of which he was a founder. Guthrie studied at Edinburgh University for both surgery and anatomy, under Dr Robert Knox, but then concentrated on Theology. He was licensed to preach from 1825, and became the Minister of Arbirlot, in Angus in 1830, and then of Old Greyfriars Parish Church, Edinburgh in 1837. In 1840 he planted a new church in Victoria Street called St. John's Parish Church Edinburgh. After the Disruption of 1843 his congregation worshiped for 2 years in the Methodist Hall in Nicholson Square before moving into the purpose built Free St John's, Johnston Terrace, now St Columba's Free Church, in 1845. He possessed of a commanding presence and voice, and a remarkably effective and picturesque style of oratory. He was made Moderator of the Free Church of Scotland in 1862. Other roles included manager of Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, work for the Blind Asylum and work at the Night Refuge. He died in at his house in St. Leonards, Edinburgh in 1873 and was buried in The Grange Cemetery, Edinburgh. His grave is in a commanding position, terminating the main central avenue at its southern end. His will left his copy of the National Covenant to the Free Church. His wife, Anne Burns, born 1810, died 1899, daughter of Reverend James Burns of Brechin, is buried with him. Blog post of interest to folks with ancestry, genealogy or Scottish Family Roots in Scotland who may wish to travel and visit one day.



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Old Photograph Francis Grant Scotland

Old photograph of Francis Grant who was the fourth son of Francis Grant, Laird of Kilgraston, near Bridge of Earn by Perth, Perthshire, Scotland. Francis born 18 January 1803, died 5 October 1878, was a Scottish portrait painter, who painted Queen Victoria and many distinguished British aristocratic and political figures of the day. He served as President of the Royal Academy. Grant was educated at Harrow School in England, and inherited a large sum of money on the death of his father in 1818, a fortune which was apparently soon spent. He had a passion for fox hunting, fishing and other sports as a young man, and initially intended to become a lawyer. However, he left his studies to take up painting, of which he was mainly self taught, partly by copying the works of Velasquez and other masters, though he briefly spent time in the studio of Alexander Nasmyth. Between 1834 and 1879 he contributed no fewer than 253 works, many of which were full length portraits, to the exhibitions of the Royal Academy. Among these works were equestrian portraits of Queen Victoria and the prince consort, painted for Christ's Hospital; the Prince of Wales; an equestrian group of the Duke and Duchess of Beaufort; Sidney Herbert, afterwards Lord Herbert of Lea; Lord John Russell, afterwards Earl Russell; Benjamin Disraeli, afterwards Earl of Beaconsfield; John Hick, afterwards MP for Bolton and Mrs Hick; General Sir James Hope Grant; Sir George Grey; Edward, earl of Derby, first lord of the treasury; Lord Clyde; Viscount Palmerston, painted for Harrow School; Viscount Gough; Lord Truro, lord high chancellor; Sir Frederick Pollock, lord chief baron; Sir William Erle, lord chief justice of the common pleas; John Sumner, archbishop of Canterbury; George Moberly, bishop of Salisbury; and John Gibson Lockhart. His portraits of the Marchioness of Waterford, exhibited in 1844, the Marchioness of Bristol, and of Mrs Markham, exhibited in 1857, were just some of the ladies he painted. Grant was elected an associate of the Royal Academy, and in 1851 an academician. In 1866, on the death of Charles Eastlake, Edwin Landseer turned down the seat of Academy President, and Grant was elected instead. He was knighted soon afterwards. After some years of gradually failing health, Grant died of heart disease very suddenly at his residence, The Lodge, Melton Mowbray,in England, on 5 Oct. 1878, and was interred in the church of England burial ground in that town, his relatives having declined the usual honour of burial in St. Paul's Cathedral. Sir Francis was the brother of General Sir James Hope Grant, and the father of Anne Emily Sophia Grant, whose portrait, by her father, hangs in the National Gallery in Edinburgh, and has been noted for its depiction of Victorian womanhood. Among several sons was Ferdinand Hope Grant, who played first class cricket and was also a chaplain to the Prince of Wales. His niece was the eminent Victorian sculptress, Mary Grant. Blog post of interest to folks with ancestry, genealogy or Scottish Family Roots in Scotland who may wish to travel and visit one day.



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Old Photograph Horatius Bonar Scotland

Old photograph of Horatius Bonar who was born on 19 December 1808 in Edinburgh, Scotland. Horatius was a Scottish churchman and poet. He was the son of James Bonar, Solicitor of Excise for Scotland. One of eleven children, his brothers John James and Andrew Alexander were also ministers of the Free Church of Scotland. In 1853 Bonar earned the Doctor of Divinity degree at the University of Aberdeen. He entered the Ministry of the Church of Scotland. At first he was put in charge of mission work at St. John's parish in Leith and settled at Kelso. He joined the Free Church at the time of the Disruption of 1843, and in 1867 was moved to Edinburgh to take over the Chalmers Memorial Church, named after his teacher at college, Dr. Thomas Chalmers who was born in Anstruther in the East Neuk of Fife. In 1883, he was elected Moderator of the General Assembly of the Free Church of Scotland. He had married Jane Catherine Lundie in 1843 and five of their young children died in succession. Towards the end of their lives, one of their surviving daughters was left a widow with five small children and she returned to live with her parents. Bonar's wife, Jane, died in 1876. He died on 31 May 1889 and is buried in the Canongate Kirkyard.



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Old Photograph Husband And Wife Dunbar Scotland

Old photograph of husband and wife in Dunbar, Scotland.



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Old Photograph Woman Leven Fife Scotland

Old photograph of a woman in Leven, Fife, Scotland. The origin of the name Leven comes from the Pictish word for flood. In 1854 the Leven Railway opened, linking the town with Thornton Junction on the Edinburgh to Aberdeen main line. This helped it to become a tourist resort popular with visitors from the west of Scotland, and particularly Glasgow. Leven is located on the coast of the Firth of Forth at the mouth of the River Leven, eight miles north-east of Kirkcaldy and six miles east of Glenrothes. Golf is also a major draw with two courses at Scoonie and Leven Links. The ecclesiastical and civil parish of Scoonie included the town of Leven. I was born in Randolph Street, in nearby village of Buckhaven. Blog post of interest to folks with ancestry, genealogy or Scottish Family Roots in Scotland who may wish to travel and visit one day.



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Old Photograph Two Women Perth Scotland

Old photograph of two women in Perth, Perthshire, Scotland.



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Old Photograph Businessman Wick Scotland

Old photograph of a businessman in Wick, Scotland. Wick was granted the title of Royal Burgh in 1589. However, it was in the 1800s that Wick enjoyed its greatest prosperity as a thriving herring port, in time becoming the busiest in Europe. Work to enable the development of the huge seasonal herring fishing first began in 1803 under the auspices of the British Fisheries Society. By the time trade at Wick peaked around 1900 there was a fleet 1120 strong. Blog post of interest to folks with ancestry, genealogy or Scottish Family Roots in Scotland who may wish to travel and visit one day.



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Old Photograph Husband And Wife Brechin Scotland

Old photograph of a husband and wife from Brechin in Angus, Scotland. The town of Brechin stands beside the South Esk river, in the area of Strathmore set against the eastern Grampian mountains. Brechin was the site where in 1296 John Baliol handed over lordship of Scotland to King Edward I, represented by the Bishop of Durham. Brechin became a royal burgh in 1641. Blog post of interest to folks with ancestry, genealogy or Scottish Family Roots in Scotland who may wish to travel and visit one day.



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Old Photograph Mother And Daughter Fraserburgh Scotland

Old photograph of a mother and daughter in Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. The name of the town means, literally, burgh of Fraser, after the Fraser family that bought the lands of Philorth in 1504 and thereafter brought about major improvement due to investment over the next century. Fraserburgh became a burgh of barony in 1546. Fraserburgh's population boomed in the early 19th Century, from 2271 in 1811 to 2954 by 1831. This was primarily put down to the growth in herring fishing, which intensified in 1815. The herring season also brought with it an additional 1200 people working in the Parish. Blog post of interest to folks with ancestry, genealogy or Scottish Family Roots in Scotland who may wish to travel and visit one day.



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Old Photograph Soldier Largs Scotland

Old photograph of a soldier with his wife and daughter in Largs in Ayrshire, Scotland.



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Old Photograph Fishing Boat Oban Scotland

Old photograph of a fisherman on a fishing boat in the harbour in Oban, Scotland. The site where Oban now stands has been used by humans since at least mesolithic times, as evidenced by archaeological remains of cave dwellers found in the town Just outside the town stands Dunollie Castle, on a site that overlooks the main entrance to the bay and has been fortified since the 7th century. The modern town of Oban grew up around the distillery which was founded there in 1794, and the town was raised to a burgh of barony in 1811 by royal charter Sir Walter Scott visited the area in 1814, the year in which he published his poem The Lord of the Isles, and interest in the poem brought many new visitors to the town. The arrival of the railways in the 1880s brought further prosperity to local industry and giving new energy to tourism. Blog post of interest to folks with ancestry, genealogy or Scottish Family Roots in Scotland who may wish to travel and visit one day.



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Old Photograph Submarine Gare Loch Scotland

Old photograph of HMS Valiant submarine in Gare Loch Scotland. A Scottish sea loch in Argyll and Bute, the eastern shore of which is dominated by the Faslane Naval Base, the home of the United Kingdom's Trident nuclear submarines. The loch was the site of a major naval base during World War II and was used to store decommissioned naval vessels in the 1950s. HMS Valiant was the second of Britain's nuclear-powered submarines, and the first of the two-unit Valiant class. She was ordered on 31 August 1960, laid down 22 January 1962, launched on 3 December 1963 by Lady Thorneycroft, and finally entered service 18 July 1966. She was refitted in 1970, 1977 and 1989, and participated in the Falklands War in 1982, when she transmitted more than 300 early air warning alerts and spent 101 days on patrol off Argentina's Patagonian coast. Valiant suffered minor damage while submerged when an Argentine aircraft coming back from a mission jettisoned its bombs near the submarine. Blog post of interest to folks with ancestry, genealogy or Scottish Family Roots in Scotland who may wish to travel and visit one day.



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Old Photograph Family Pittenweem Scotland

Old photograph of a family in Pittenweem, East Neuk of Fife, Scotland. Blog post of interest to folks with ancestry, genealogy or Scottish Family Roots in Scotland who may wish to travel and visit one day.



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Old Photograph Photographer Buckhaven Fife Scotland

Old photograph of photographer on the coast at Buckhaven, Fife, Scotland. I was born in this village on the East coast of Scotland. The fishing community of Buckhaven is said to have been largely the descendants of Norsemen who settled there in the 9th century. Centuries later, Buckhaven's fisherfolk bought an Episcopal Church in St Andrews in 1869 and transported it stone by stone to Buckhaven, using fishing boats. Blog post of interest to folks with ancestry, genealogy or Scottish Family Roots in Scotland who may wish to travel and visit one day.



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Old Photograph Mid Shore Street Scalloway Shetland Islands Scotland

Old photograph of a shop, people and houses on Mid Shore Street in Scalloway on the Shetland Islands, Scotland. Blog post of interest to folks with ancestry, genealogy or Scottish Family Roots in Scotland who may wish to travel and visit one day.





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Old Photograph Salmon Fishing River Dee Aberdeen Scotland

Old photograph of Salmon fishing by the River Dee in Aberdeen, Scotland. The River Dee, Scottish Gaelic: Dè / Uisge Dhè, flows from its source in Loch Dee amongst the Galloway Hills, firstly to Clatteringshaws Loch, then into Loch Ken, where it joins the Water of Ken. From there, the Dee flows 15 miles southwards to Kirkcudbright, and into Kirkcudbright Bay to reach the Solway. Historically the Dee had a good reputation as a productive salmon fishery. Commercial fishing in the river took many forms, with doachs, ladle nets, shoulder nets and draught nets all having been used at various times.Blog post of interest to folks with ancestry, genealogy or Scottish Family Roots in Scotland who may wish to travel and visit one day.



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Old Photograph Salmon Leaping Rogie Falls Scotland

Old photograph of salmon leaping at Rogie Falls near Strathpeffer, Scotland. Blog post of interest to folks with ancestry, genealogy or Scottish Family Roots in Scotland who may wish to travel and visit one day.



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Old Photographs West Clyde Street Helensburgh Scotland

Old photograph of cars, shops, buildings and people on West Clyde Street in Helensburgh, Scotland. This Scottish town is located on the north shore of the Firth of Clyde and the eastern shore of the entrance to the Gareloch. Blog post of interest to folks with ancestry, genealogy or Scottish Family Roots in Scotland who may wish to travel and visit one day.

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Old Photograph Brass Band Prestwick Scotland

Old photograph of a Brass Band in Prestwick, Ayrshire, Scotland. Blog post of interest to folks with ancestry, genealogy or Scottish Family Roots in Scotland who may wish to travel and visit one day.



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Old Photograph Shore Road Aberdour Fife Scotland

Old photograph of people, shops and houses on Shore Road in Aberdour, Fife, Scotland. Aberdour, Scottish Gaelic: Obar Dobhair, is a scenic and historic village on the south coast of Fife, Scotland. It is on the north shore of the Firth of Forth, looking south to the island of Inchcolm and its Abbey, and to Leith and Edinburgh beyond. The village's winding High Street lies a little inland from the coast. Narrow lanes run off it, providing access to the more hidden parts of the village and the shoreline itself. The village nestles between the bigger coastal towns of Burntisland to the east and Dalgety Bay to the west. Blog post of interest to folks with ancestry, genealogy or Scottish Family Roots in Scotland who may wish to travel and visit one day.



All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.

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Old Photograph Mercat Cross Elgin Scotland

Old photograph of the Mercat Cross in Elgin, Moray, Scotland. The Mercat Cross of Elgin, commonly known as the Muckle Cross, built in 1650, stood, until around 1792, on a site just east of St. Giles Kirk. The structure removed at that date seems to have been erected in the reign of King Charles I, and consisted of a hexagonal platform or raised balcony 12 feet high, from the centre of which rose a tall shaft surmounted by the Scottish Lion.



All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.

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Old Photographs Main Street Pitlochry Highland Perthshire Scotland

Old photograph of shops, cars, buildings and people on the main street in Pitlochry in Highland Perthshire, Scotland. Blog post of interest to folks with ancestry, genealogy or Scottish Family Roots in Scotland who may wish to travel and visit one day.

All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.

View the most recent Tour Scotland photographs.