Old Photograph The Haining House Scotland

Old photograph of The Haining House near Selkirk, Borders, Scotland. The Haining is recorded in the 15th century as a property of the Scott family. In 1625 Lawrence Scott sold it to Andrew Riddell, of Riddell, who built up the estate in the 17th century. In 1701 the estate was bought by Andrew Pringle of Clifton for his second son John Pringle, a lawyer. That first house may have been commissioned by John Pringle, or it may have already been in place when he arrived. The designed landscape was begun by John, and extended during the 18th and 19th centuries, with extensive tree planting carried out. In 1754 it was passed by Andrew Pringle's older son to John Pringle, merchant in Madeira, a younger brother of Andrew. It was passed in 1792 to the merchant's great nephew Mark Pringle. In 1794, Mark began construction of a new classical-style house, adjacent to the older house on the north shore of the loch. This new building has been attributed to Kelso-based architect and builder William Elliot. Mark died in 1812 and around 1820, his son John Pringle, who had inherited, rebuilt the new house with an Ionic portico and loggia, to designs by architect Archibald Elliot. Further extensions were planned to replace the old house, but these were never carried out. Marble statues were installed on the garden terrace at this time, and several estate buildings including the stables were erected. Captain John Pringle kept a menagerie on the estate, including a bear, wolf and monkey, whose cages still stand. On John's death in 1831, the estate passed to his brother Robert, also a soldier, then their sister Margaret. Her daughter Anne Pringle-Pattison left The Haining to a relative, Andrew Seth, born 1856, died 1931, a philospoher at the University of Edinburgh, who subsequently took the name Pringle-Pattison. During these years the house was leased, until 1939, when the estate was split up and sold. The house was requisitioned by the military during the Second World War, and was occupied by Free Polish soldiers, including their mascot, Wojtek the bear. The old house burnt down in 1944, and was demolished in the late 1950s.



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

View the most recent Tour Scotland photographs.

Old Photograph Byre Theatre in St Andrews Fife Scotland

Old photograph of the Byre Theatre in St Andrews, Fife, Scotland. This small Scottish theatre was originally founded in 1933 by Charles Marford, an actor and Alexander B Paterson, a local journalist and playwright, with help from a theatre group made up from members of Hope Park Church, St Andrews.



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

View the most recent Tour Scotland photographs.

Old Photograph Lifeboat Montrose Scotland

Old photograph of the lifeboat pulled by horses on the beach in Montrose, Scotland. Montrose Lifeboat Station is part of the RNLI, the charity that saves lives at sea. Find out about the station, its history, its lifeboats, its crew and its latest rescues.



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

View the most recent Tour Scotland photographs.

Old Photograph Wishing Stone Glen Nevis Scotland

Old photograph of the Wishing Stone in Glen Nevis, Scotland. The Wishing Stone, known as Samuel's Stone, Clach MicShomhairle, and the Counsel Stone, Clach Chomhairle, has many legends associated with it. It was said that the Wishing Stone would answer questions asked by elders who consulted it at certain times of the year when it supposedly revolved. Nowadays, people hop round it three times and make a wish. Legend has it that if you can make the stone turn your wish is granted.



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

View the most recent Tour Scotland photographs.

Old Photograph Johnstounburn House Scotland

Old photograph of Johnstounburn House near Humbie in East Lothian, Scotland. The current house was built in 1623 as a coaching Inn on the stagecoach route from Edinurgh to London. It became known as Highwayman's Haunt as it was a meeting place for thieves who robbed the coaches as they slowly moved up nearby Soutra Hill. The house was bought and expanded by Edinburgh whisky baron Andrew Usher in 1884 who entertained shooting parties there until his death in 1898. Another owner was John Hunt who climbed Mount Everest with Sir Edmund Hillary in 1953.



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

View the most recent Tour Scotland photographs.