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.
Tour Scotland photograph of the beach at Applecross, Wester Ross, Scotland. Extremely isolated in the Highlands, Applecross was only accessible by boat until the early 20th century, and for many years after that the only road access was over one of Scotland's most notoriously treacherous roads, the Bealach na Ba. Pass of the Cattle, which crosses the peninsula and reaches a maximum height of 2053 feet below the Sgùrr a' Chaorachain mountain. The settlement is now connected via a winding coastal road which travels around the edge of the peninsula to Shieldaig and Torridon. The road skirts the shore of the Inner Sound and Loch Torridon.
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
Wester Ross and Lochalsh are amongst the most popular areas for walks in the Scottish Highlands. The Lochalsh peninsula between the shores of Loch Duich and Loch Carron offers varied walking from villages such as Plockton as well as the region's main town at Kyle of Lochalsh. Across the dramatic Mam Ratagan pass is the remote and secluded Glenelg peninsula, a tranquil and peaceful haven far from busy routes. Further north are Applecross and Lochcarron, with mountains that yield nothing in ruggedness to their more famous counterparts in Torridon, as well as attractive fishing villages and forest walks. Finally around Gairloch is an area that has long been famous for its fine sandy beaches, many of them still very quiet. Inland is a vast area of little-visited, rocky peaks known to walkers as The Great Wilderness. This latest pocket guide features 40 of the best walks in this popular area in an attractive and accessible format. Wester Ross and Lochalsh: 40 Coast and Country Walks.
Tour Scotland photograph of the shoreline, Knoydart Peninsula, Scotland. This is a remote, beautiful and rugged peninsula often described as the last wilderness in Scotland. Knoydart formed part of the kingdom of Somerled, before passing to the Macruari branch of his descendants, the eventual heiress of whom married John of Islay. The Macdonald family that held Knoydart from the 15th century to the beginning of the 17th century is generally believed to have descended from Allan Macdonald, 2nd of Clanranald. However, in the early 17th century, Macdonell of Glengarry succeeded in wresting control of Knoydart from Clanranald, receiving official confirmation of his ownership from the king in 1613. Prior to the 1745 Jacobite Rebellion the population numbered nearly a thousand and in spite of much emigration, mainly to Canada, remained at that level in 1841. In 1852 four hundred of the inhabitants were given notice of eviction for the following year and offered passages overseas, originally to Australia, but later their destination was changed to Canada. On 9 August 1853 three hundred and thirty inhabitants from the west coast of the peninsula went on board the Sillery and left for Canada. However, 11 families comprising over 60 people refused to go and the story of their eviction became notorious as part of the Highland Clearances. Knoydart was finally sold by the MacDonell family in 1856, passing into the hands of an Ayrshire ironmaster, James Baird of Cambusdoon.
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
Walking in Torridon. Unlike most of the Cumbrian and Welsh peaks, the mountains of Torridon rarely have clearly defined paths to their summits, but the many excellent stalkers' paths take walkers deep into wild territory and often provide a flying start to an ascent. Exploring this remote and much-loved area of the Highlands involves free-ranging over heather, grass, rock and marsh and this guide will give experienced walkers the confidence to find the best ways across the landscape. Covering the 200 square miles south west of Loch Maree and north of the Achnasheen-Achnashellach-Lochcarron road, and also including Slioch and its environs, and taking Shieldaig as its base, this unique book offers a wealth of routes of different grades and differing characters. It is also beautifully illustrated with Peter Barton's original drawings, alongside clear OS map extracts. Routes described include 11 easy walks, 11 long or high-level walks, ascents of 32 summits over 2000ft and 5 outline suggestions for major ridge walks. Walking in Torridon (British Mountains).
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