Old Photograph Egg Hunting Shetland Islands Scotland

Old photograph of hunting for eggs on the Shetland Islands, Scotland. For a population living in some of the harshest conditions in the British Isles, the eggs and the birds were an essential source of vitamin D and other essential nutrients. Gannet hunting was also an essential survival skill which gave the community a measure of independence, while gannet numbers were soaring. Blog post of interest to folks with ancestry, genealogy or Scottish Family Roots in Scotland who may wish to visit one day.



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

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Old Photograph Dalswinton House Scotland

Old photograph of Dalswinton House near Dumfries, Scotland. This Scottish mansion house was commissioned by Patrick Miller, born 1731, died 1815, sometime after 1785 when he bought the Dalswinton Estate. Miller, a banker, entrepreneur and inventor, became a friend and landlord of the poet Robert Burns whose Ellisland Farm was on the Dalswinton Estate. Blog post of interest to folks with ancestry, genealogy or Scottish Family Roots in Scotland who may wish to visit one day.



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

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Old Photographs Whale Shetland Islands Scotland

Old photograph of cutting up a whale at Ronas Voe, Shetland Islands, Scotland. A sizeable inlet in the northwest of the Shetland Mainland, the most substantial in the district of Northmavine, Ronas Voe penetrates that peninsula for 6 miles almost dividing it in two as it approaches Quey Firth to the east. Ronas Voe opens into the North Atlantic between The Faither and Ketligill Head. Two Norwegian owned whaling stations operated in Ronas Voe between 1903 and the outbreak of the First World War, when the catching of whales in British waters was suspended on the orders of the Admiralty. Blog post of interest to folks with ancestry, genealogy or Scottish Family Roots in Scotland who may wish to visit one day.

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

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Old Photograph Brydekirk Scotland

Old photograph of cottages in Brydekirk in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland. The original village was called Bridechapel and was north west of what is now Brydekirk Mains farm. In 1507, over 500 years ago, it was known as Bridechapel, in 1517 Brydekyrk and in 1660 Brydekirk. It had its own water at St Brydes Well and the spring is still there 500 years later. In 1837, over 200 years ago the list of people in the village were, 1 minister, 2 clog makers, 1 cooper, 3 grocers and whisky spirit dealer, 4 mason builders, 1 miller, 1 tailor, 1 vinter, 1 flax dresser and 2 blacksmiths. Blog post of interest to folks with ancestry, genealogy or Scottish Family Roots in Scotland who may wish to visit one day.



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

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Old Photographs Kippford Scotland

Old photograph of people, cottages, shop and houses in Kippford in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland. This is is a small village along the Solway coast. It stretches along the banks of the Urr estuary and in places is only one house wide. Kippford is a popular sailing village, with many small yachts moored in the tidal estuary of the River Urr, and events organised by the Solway Yacht Club. Kippford can only be accessed by car from Barnbarroch, passing by Craigieknowes Golf Course. Between Kippford and Rockcliffe lies the Mote of Mark, a hill fort. Victorian Kippford had interests in the granite quarrying industry. Blog post of interest to folks with ancestry, genealogy or Scottish Family Roots in Scotland who may wish to visit one day.



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

View the most recent Tour Scotland photographs.