Tour Scotland very short 4K Spring travel video clip of a Scotsman wearing a Kilt and and Sporran and walking by the Windmill on Spring ancestry, history visit and trip to St Monans coast of East Neuk of Fife, Britain, United Kingdom. The St Monans Windmill overlooking the Firth of Forth. and is the last remaining windmill in Fife and serves as a striking landmark on the Fife Coastal Walking Path. Built in the late 18th century it was not used for milling grain but as a wind powered water pump for the local salt industry. The windmill pumped seawater through wooden pipes into nine nearby salt pans. Locally mined coal was then used to heat the water in these pans until it evaporated, leaving behind valuable salt, often called " white gold. " Of interest to folks with ancestry, genealogy or Scottish Family Roots in Scotland who may wish to visit one day. Find things to see and do in Scotland where you are always welcome. The date for astronomical Spring is 20th March, ending on 21st June
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
View the most recent Tour Scotland photographs
Tour Scotland
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.
Spring Road Trip Drive Music On History Visit To St Monans East Neuk Of Fife Scotland
Tour Scotland 4K Spring travel video of a short road trip drive, with Scottish bagpipes music , to the harbour in St Monans on ancestry, genealogy, family history visit to the coast of East Neuk of Fife, Britain, United Kingdom. I was raised in the East Neuk. St Monans, often spelt St Monance, is a village and parish in the East Neuk of Fife and is named after the legendary Saint Monan. Situated approximately 3 miles west of Anstruther, this small community, whose inhabitants formerly made their living mainly from fishing, is now a tourist destination situated on the Fife Coastal Walking Path. Like other small East Neuk towns, St Monans is rich in vernacular fisher and merchant houses of the 17th to early 19th centuries, with characteristic old Scots features, e.g. forestairs, crow-stepped gables, datestones, pantiled roofs. The original settlement was, according to early sources, known as Inverin, Invery, Inverie, Finvirie, Inweerie, Inverry or even elsewhere Innerny and possibly derived from the Gaelic for at the mouth of a stream. The origin of the present name, St Monans, although similarly there were other spellings St Monance persisting until quite recently, is derived from a 6th century Irish abbot bishop, St Moinenn, from Clonfert who died in 571. One tradition is that he was killed by Vikings there nearby on the Isle of May, and another is that his relics came over with the Scots monks when they originally settled in St Monans circa 870). St Moinenn’s shrine became a popular destination for pilgrims en route to St Andrews, along with the nearby spring to the east of the village which was said to have wide ranging healing properties. This chalybeate spring, located at East Braes, is shown on early maps as St Monan’s Well. In the 17th century, chalybeate, iron rich, water was said to have general health giving properties and that the local fishermen even washed their nets in the water to strengthen them and bring them luck. The well became polluted by pumped mine water and was eventually abandoned and filled in. . From the 14th century and into the 20th century St Monans was essentially a fishing village. Centred as it was on the harbour, fishing and boatbuilding had a direct influence on the development and character of the historic village. From the 16th century until well into the 18th century St Monans had separate fishing and farming communities, the Lower or Nethertown and the Upper or Overtown respectively, the latter located just north of Braehead. A second area of industry was centred on the mines and saltpans to the east of the village. However these communities remained largely separate and there was little direct impact on the development of the character and appearance of the historic village. St Monans was created a burgh of barony with a free port and harbour on the grant of a charter from King James VI to his tenant in chief William Sandilands of St Monans in 1596. The original harbour pier, on site of the current middle one, was built by Baron Newark in the mid-15th century. Herring had been fished on the Forth from medieval times. From the 17th century there was off-shore great-line fishing for white fish; with herring fishing in the autumn and spring. Young men traditionally also joined the whaling fleets, returned in the autumn for the herring and then crewed on private ships during the winter. St Monans was for much of this formative period in its development, the poorest of the East Neuk Burghs and the one most dependent on a single industry, namely fishing. Women and girls worked at baiting the lines and making nets. Many of the men and boys were away at sea for much of the year. St Monans, as a consequence, became an isolated community, both socially and geographically. In 1877 the old west pier was demolished and a new harbour again surveyed, designed and constructed by lighthouse engineers, brothers, Thomas and David Stevenson. Finally, in 1902 a new pier was built to the west. However, after the Great War the Scottish fishing industry entered a period of serious decline. Of interest to folks with ancestry, genealogy or Scottish Family Roots in Scotland who may wish to visit one day. Find things to see and do in Scotland where you are always welcome. When driving in Scotland slow down and enjoy the trip. The date for astronomical Spring is 20th March, ending on 21st June
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
View the most recent Tour Scotland photographs
View the most recent Tour Scotland photographs
Grey Squirrel On Spring Wednesday Visit To My Cottage Garden Scone Perth Perthshire Scotland
Tour Scotland 4K Spring Wednesday wildlife nature camera travel video clip of the sight and sounds of a bushy tailed Grey Squirrel spotted opening feeder box and eating peanuts on morning visit and trip to my Scottish cottage garden in Scone by Perth, Perthshire, Britain, United Kingdom. While Squirrels are known for their agility and resourcefulness in finding food, providing them with supplementary nourishment can offer an exciting opportunity for observation and interaction. As its name suggests, this squirrel typically has a grey coat with white undersides, though the coat colour can also be quite brown at times. Grey squirrels are mainly herbivorous, eating acorns, hazel nuts, berries, fungi, buds and shoots, and even bark. The grey squirrel was introduced to Great Britain in the middle of the 19th century. There is now an estimated population of 2 million making them much more common than the native red squirrel. They arrived in England from North America and are now one of Britain's most well known and frequently seen mammals, with an estimated population of 2 million. It is a myth that grey squirrels chase red squirrels away. Greys are just more adaptable to new surroundings. Being in nature, or even viewing scenes of nature, reduces anger, fear, and stress and increases pleasant feelings. Exposure to nature not only makes you feel better emotionally, it contributes to your physical wellbeing. Feeding grey squirrels provides a wonderful opportunity for observing their behaviours up close. You might witness their playful antics, social interactions, and even their impressive agility while navigating your garden. While squirrels may become accustomed to your presence, it's essential to remember that they are wild animals. Maintain a respectful distance, and never attempt to handle or approach them closely . Feeding grey squirrels in your garden can offer a unique connection to nature, fostering a sense of appreciation for the wildlife that coexists alongside us. By providing suitable and healthy food options, you can contribute to their well-being while enjoying the delightful charm these creatures bring to your outdoor space. The date for astronomical spring is 20th March, ending on 21st June
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
View the most recent Tour Scotland photographs
View the most recent Tour Scotland photographs
Magpie Bird On Spring Wednesday Visit To My Cottage Garden Scone Perth Perthshire Scotland
Tour Scotland short 4K Spring Wednesday wildlife nature camera travel video clip of the sight and sounds of beautiful. sociable, black and white Magpie Bird spotted eating on morning visit and trip to my Scottish cottage garden in Scone by Perth, Perthshire, Britain, United Kingdom. The magpie bird is one of our most familiar birds and the source of much myth and legend: '" ne for sorrow, two for a joy "is a rhyme that many children learn. Magpies are, in fact, small crows, and are omnivorous, feeding on carrion, invertebrates, and chicks and eggs. They are sociable birds and are often seen in small groups across many habitats, from gardens to parks, and heaths to hedges. The magpie is an unmistakeable long tailed bird. It is mainly black, with a white belly and white patches on the shoulders and wings. Folklore surrounds the magpie: from providing good luck when greeted, to being in league with the Devil, its ubiquitous presence has provided plenty of opportunities for stories. Many surround religion, including the belief that it didn't mourn with all the other birds at Christ's crucifixion, and that it refused to enter Noah's Ark, preferring to stay on the roof and swear for the whole journey. Find things to see and do in Scotland where you are always welcome. Being in nature, or even viewing scenes of nature, reduces anger, fear, and stress and increases pleasant feelings. Exposure to nature not only makes you feel better emotionally, it contributes to your physical wellbeing. The date for astronomical spring is 20th March, ending on 21st June
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
View the most recent Tour Scotland photographs
View the most recent Tour Scotland photographs
Scotsman Walking Wearing Kilt By Standing Stone On Spring History Visit To East Neuk Scotland
Tour Scotland very short 4K Spring travel video clip of a Scotsman wearing a Kilt and and Sporran and walking by a 7th century Pictish standing stone on Spring ancestry, history visit and trip to a field near Kilrenny, East Neuk of Fife, Britain, United Kingdom. While its exact origin is a mystery, it is believed to have been a waymarker or boundary stone for an ancient trackway. for pilgrims travelling to St Andrews. In the 7th century, the Picts were the dominant power in northern and eastern Scotland, transitioning from a fragmented collection of tribes into a more unified and powerful confederation. Named after one of the seven sons of the legendary first Pictish king, Cruithne, Fife, Fib, was one of the seven traditional sub kingdoms. Of interest to folks with ancestry, genealogy or Scottish Family Roots in Scotland who may wish to visit one day. Find things to see and do in Scotland where you are always welcome. The date for astronomical Spring is 20th March, ending on 21st June
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
View the most recent Tour Scotland photographs
View the most recent Tour Scotland photographs
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