Scotsman Walking Wearing Kilt By Hoddom Castle On History Visit To Dumfries and Galloway Scotland

Tour Scotland short 4K Autumn travel video of a Scotsman wearing a kilt and Sporran and walking by trees and Hoddom Castle on ancestry, genealogy, family history visit and trip to Dumfries and Galloway, Britain, United Kingdom. Built as a critical military stronghold in a highly volatile border region, the castle has evolved from a heavily fortified barracks into a sprawling Victorian mansion, before ultimately being stripped back to its stone core. Construction began around 1563 under Sir John Maxwell, later 4th Lord Herries. Built to serve as his headquarters as the Warden of the Scottish West March, it guarded a primary English invasion route into western Scotland. Because Maxwell was a staunch supporter of Mary, Queen of Scots, the Regent Moray besieged and captured the castle in 1568. It changed hands rapidly, and in 1570, English forces under Lord Henry Scrope blew up and heavily damaged the tower. Maxwell rebuilt and restored it by 1578. In 1626, the castle was sold to the Murray of Cockpool family. They added the iconic pinnacle roofs over the corner rounds and expanded the courtyard. The castle eventually passed to the Sharpe family. The famous antiquarian Charles Kirkpatrick Sharpe grew up there; his close friendship with Sir Walter Scott famously inspired the setting of Scott’s novel Redgauntlet. In 1877, the estate was purchased by the Brook family. They hired renowned architect William Burn to encase the entire ancient tower house inside a massive, asymmetrical Scottish Baronial mansion. During the Second World War, the property was requisitioned by the War Office to house Allied servicemen and operate as a military hospital. 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. Meteorological Autumn or Fall is different from standard and astronomical Autumn and begins September 1 and ends November 30 All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.

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Scotsman Walking Wearing Kilt By Repentance Tower On History Visit To Dumfries and Galloway Scotland

Tour Scotland short 4K Autumn travel video of a Scotsman wearing a kilt and Sporran and walking by trees and Repentance Tower on ancestry, genealogy, family history visit and trip to Dumfries and Galloway, Britain, United Kingdom. A rare, exceptionally well preserved 16th century fortified watchtower located on Trailtrow Hill that was built in 1565 by John Maxwell, 4th Lord Herries, the square, three-storey sandstone tower stands 30 feet high and served as a vital lookout station to guard the West March against English border raids. It takes its name from the word Repentance carved in Gothic script above its first floor entrance lintel. During the Anglo Scottish conflicts, John Maxwell pledged to the English forces that he would not take up arms, a promise secured against the lives of 14 Scottish hostages held at Carlisle Castle. He later broke the pledge, resulting in the execution of the hostages. It is said he built the tower out of remorse and as a monument to them. Unlike standard peel towers of the Scottish Borders, Repentance Tower was purely a defensive military station rather than a domestic home. The Maxwell name is traditionally traced back to Maccus, son of Undweyn, a prominent Norse-Gaelic or Anglo-Norman aristocrat who lived in the early 12th century during the reign of King David I of Scotland. Living on the border, the Maxwells quickly mastered the art of political survival. In 1296, Sir Herbert Maxwell appeared on the Ragman Rolls, swearing temporary allegiance to Edward I of England to preserve his lands. However, the clan's loyalties shifted back to Scotland when Sir Eustace Maxwell famously held Caerlaverock Castle against the English and fought alongside King Robert the Bruce at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314. For centuries, the Maxwells served as the hereditary Wardens of the West March, tasked with defending the treacherous western border between Scotland and England. 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. Meteorological Autumn or Fall is different from standard and astronomical Autumn and begins September 1 and ends November 30 All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.

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Scotsman Walking Wearing Kilt By Lochmaben Castle On History Visit To Dumfries and Galloway Scotland

Tour Scotland short 4K Autumn travel video of a Scotsman wearing a kilt and Sporran and walking by trees and Lochmaben Castle on ancestry, genealogy, family history visit and trip to Dumfries and Galloway, Britain, United Kingdom. During his invasion of southwest Scotland, King Edward I of England, Longshanks, captured the area and decided the old Bruce fort was insufficient. He established a completely new, massive wooden peel on a strategic promontory jutting into Castle Loch. This site eventually evolved into the stone castle whose ruins stand today. Positioned right in the violent West March borderlands, the castle was a constant target, frequently changing hands between the English and the Scots. In 1299 Robert the Bruce attempted and failed to retake his family’s seized lands in a fierce siege. The English held the castle as their primary garrison in the region for decades. In 1385 Archibald the Grim, Lord of Galloway, alongside the Earls of Douglas and March, launched a devastating 9 day siege. They starved out the English garrison and tore down parts of the fortress as a symbolic erasure of English rule. In 1445, the castle was annexed to the Scottish Crown after the fall of the Black Douglases. It entered a grander era, serving as a royal residence. King James IV visited frequently, heavily renovating the castle, adding a great hall in 1504, and even using it to host card games with English border officials. King James V stayed here in 1542 just before the disastrous Battle of Solway Moss. Mary, Queen of Scots and Lord Darnley sought refuge at Lochmaben in 1565 following the Chaseabout Raid. Following the Union of the Crowns in 1603, the borderlands quieted, and Lochmaben Castle lost its strategic purpose. It was completely abandoned by the early 1700s. 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. Meteorological Autumn or Fall is different from standard and astronomical Autumn and begins September 1 and ends November 30 All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.

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Grey Squirrel On Autumn Monday Visit To My Cottage Garden Scone Perth Perthshire Scotland

Tour Scotland 4K Autumn Monday wildlife nature camera travel video clip of the sight and sounds of a bushy tailed Grey Squirrel eating 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. Meteorological Autumn or Fall is different from standard and astronomical Autumn and begins September 1 and ends November 30 All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.

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Magpie Birds On Autumn Monday Visit To My Cottage Garden Scone Perth Perthshire Scotland

Tour Scotland short 4K Autumn Monday wildlife nature camera travel video clip of the sight and sounds of beautiful, sociable, black and white Magpie Birds 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. Meteorological Autumn or Fall is different from standard and astronomical Autumn and begins September 1 and ends November 30 All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.

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