Tour Scotland Autumn Photograph Video David Douglas Memorial Scone Perthshire

Tour Scotland Autumn photograph of a tree and the David Douglas Memorial in Scone, Perthshire, Scotland. David Douglas, 25th June 1799 to 12th July 1834, was a Scottish botanist. He worked as a gardener, and explored the Scottish Highlands, North America, and Hawaii, where he died. The son of a stonemason, he was born in the village of Scone north east of Perth, Scotland. He attended Kinnoull School and upon leaving he found work as an apprentice to William Beattie, head gardener at the estate of the 3rd Earl of Mansfield at Scone Palace. He spent seven years at this position, completing his apprenticeship, and then spent a winter at a college in Perth to learn more of the scientific and mathematical aspects of plant culture. After a further spell of working in Fife, during which time he had access to a library of botanical and zoological books, he moved to the Botanical Gardens of Glasgow University and attended botany lectures at the University of Glasgow. William Jackson Hooker, who was Garden Director and Professor of Botany, was greatly impressed with him and took him on an expedition to the Highlands before recommending him to the Royal Horticultural Society of London. Hooker recommended Douglas to London's Royal Horticultural Society, which then sent him on a plant-hunting expedition in the Pacific Northwest in 1824 that ranks among the great botanical explorations of a heroic generation. In the Spring of 1826, David Douglas was compelled to climb a peak near Athabasca Pass to take in the view. In so doing, he became one of the first mountaineers in North America. He introduced the Douglas-fir into cultivation in 1827. Other notable introductions include Sitka Spruce, Sugar Pine, Western White Pine, Ponderosa Pine, Lodgepole Pine, Monterey Pine, Grand Fir, Noble Fir and several other conifers that transformed the British landscape and timber industry, as well as numerous garden shrubs and herbs such as the Flowering currant, Salal, Lupin, Penstemon and California poppy. His success was well beyond expectations; in one of his letters to Hooker, he wrote " you will begin to think I manufacture pines at my pleasure ". Altogether he introduced about 240 species of plants to Britain.



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Tour Scotland Photographs Rural Strathearn Perthshire October 26th

Tour Scotland photograph shot today of rural Strathearn, Perthshire, Scotland.

Tour Scotland photograph shot today of rural Strathearn, Perthshire, Scotland.

Tour Scotland photograph shot today of rural Strathearn, Perthshire, Scotland.

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

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Crieff and Strathearn Through Time is a unique insight into the illustrious history of this part of Scotland. Reproduced in full colour, this is an exciting examination of well-known streets and famous faces, and what they meant to the people of this area throughout the 19th and into the 20th Century. Looking beyond the exquisite exterior of these well-kept photos, readers can see the historical context in which they are set, and through the author's factual captions for every picture, and carefully-selected choice of images, the reader can achieve a reliable view of the local history. There is something for everyone here, whether they have lived in the area all their lives, or whether they are just visiting for the first time. Crieff & Strathearn Through Time also shows how photography has continually evolved to keep up with an ever changing society. Crieff and Strathearn Through Time.

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Tour Scotland Photograph Stained Glass Window St Bean’s Church Perthshire

Tour Scotland photograph of a stained glass window in St Bean's Church, Fowlis Wester, Perthshire, Scotland. This window was installed in memory of Reverend Thomas Hardy, beloved Minister of the Parish from 1852 to 1910.

Hardy is an English and a French surname, of Old French origin. Hardy comes from Old French hardi, meaning bold or courageous, which comes from Old Frankish hardjan meaning, to make hard. The final -y is also typical of the French proper names, first names, surnames and place names, with the notable exception Henri, when it is a given name. The name could also be an Anglicized form of the Irish name Mac Giolla Deacair meaning, son of the hard lad.



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

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Tour Scotland Photographs Video Madderty Parish Church Perthshire

Tour Scotland photograph of Madderty Parish Church and Churchyard, Perthshire, Scotland. A simple stone building standing on a knoll among fields and pasture. This church was built from the stones of Inchaffrey Abbey about half a mile away. The first church here was built in 1688 during the stormy times of the covenanters; there is a date of 1668 on the west gable. The church was rebuilt in 1689 and the bell-cote added in 1801.



Tour Scotland video of Madderty Parish Church and Churchyard, Perthshire, Scotland.

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

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Tour Scotland Photographs Methven Castle Perthshire October 26th

Tour Scotland photograph shot today of Methven Castle, West of Perth, Scotland. The lands of Methven were owned by the Mowbray family from the 12th century. The Mowbrays supported the claim of John Balliol against Robert the Bruce, and on the latter's victory, Methven was confiscated by the crown, and given to Walter Stewart, the Bruce's son-in-law. His descendant, Walter Stewart, Earl of Atholl, was deprived of the lands following his involvement in a plot to kill King James I. The castle sustained a siege in 1444, and was visited by King James II in 1450. King James IV visited several times in the 1490s.

Tour Scotland photograph shot today of Methven Castle, West of Perth, Scotland.

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

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