Tour Scotland Video Marriage Lintel Newburgh North Fife

Tour Scotland video of a Marriage Lintel in Newburgh, Fife, Scotland. Located at 60 High Street Newburgh, this marriage stone records the marriage of Thomas Anderson and Janet Williamson in 1759. It is a beautiful, and well preserved, example of a Scottish marriage lintel. These stones served as a record of a marriage, especially important in aristocratic families and also sometimes practised amongst the newly established middle classes. They were sometimes added to a building which was constructed specifically as the new family home for the married couple, especially when the dowry was large, or were carved into a pre-existing lintel. The stones also clearly indicated the ownership of the building to onlookers at the time as well as serving as a record for posterity of both marital bliss and often also of social advancement.

Anderson is an English and Scottish patronymic surname, meaning " son of Andrew ". In this form, it is more common in the Lowlands, but it is widespread in Scotland in different forms. In the Highlands, it was rendered as MacAndrew, of medieval Scottish origin. Both names share the same Scottish Gaelic derivation of Gilleaindreas, meaning literally a servant of St. Andrew, Scotland's patron saint. Though it is said there is no exact place of origin, the Kinrara manuscript contains details of a claim that the MacAndrews came to Badenoch from Moidart around 1400. The tales of the vengeance of Iain beg MacAindrea on cattle lifters who raided Badenoch may confirm this. However, there is no disputing the intellectual pedigree that his kinfolk subsequently established. The tradition of scholarly erudition has significant roots in Anderson clan history throughout all the disciplines. This tradition was first established by Alexander Anderson who published works on geometry and algebra in Paris, France, between 1612 and 1619. His cousin, David Anderson of Finshaugh, shared a similar skill in mechanics and mathematics that he applied to removing a large rock that had obstructed the entrance to Aberdeen harbour. This achievement earned him the nickname Davie Do All Things. The lands of Clan Andrew are in Badenoch. The Clan itself is recorded in the Kinrara manuscript as coming to the lands of Badenoch, in the heart of the Chattan Confederation territory, from Moidart around 1400. Thus Clan Anderson became part of the Chattan Confederation. The Clan profile Motto: Spem successus alit, means, Success nourishes hope and Stand sure. The Clan Crest is an Oak Tree. Clan Septs include, Andrew, Dingwall, Gillanders, MacAndrew, MacCulloch, MacLulich, MacTaggart, MacTear, MacTier, MacTire, Taggart, Vass, Wass.

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

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