Old Photograph Ailsa Craig Scotland

Old photograph of Ailsa Craig, an island in the outer Firth of Clyde, in South Ayrshire, Scotland. The now uninhabited island is formed from the volcanic plug of an extinct volcano. The only surviving buildings on the island are the lighthouse on its east coast facing the Scottish mainland, a ruined tower house, that was built by Clan Hamilton to protect the area from King Felipe II of Spain in the 16th century and the old quarry manager's cottage. The Steamship Pennnon loaded with Iron Ore, bound from Duddon, England, to Glasgow was stranded on the South West corner of Ailsa Craig on 23 Jan 1889, the crew of 11 all were saved. Research has shown that the granite on Ailsa Craig has an unusual crystalline composition that has a distinctive appearance but a uniform hardness. These properties have made the island's rock a favourite material for curling stones.



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Old Photograph Railway Station Juniper Green Scotland

Old photograph of the railway in Juniper Green located South West of Edinburgh, Scotland. The railway serving Juniper Green was a loop made off the Caledonian Railway line that ran from Edinburgh Caledonian Station to Carstairs where it linked with the Glasgow to Carlisle line in England. Juniper Gree bridges the city bypass, and extends along the foothills of the Pentlands. It is bordered by Colinton to the east and Currie to the south-west. It centres on Lanark Road, the main road leading out south-west of Edinburgh into the central Borders. The village stands on an elevated ridge above the Water of Leith to its south. Of interest to folks with ancestry, genealogy or Scottish Family Roots in Scotland who may wish to visit one day.



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Old Photograph Sir George Street Thurso Scotland

Old photograph of a horse and cart, houses and church on Sir George Street in Thurso, Caithness, Scotland. Sir George Sinclair was a was heritor of St Peter's Church and became a national leader of the Evangelical wing of the Church of Scotland, from 1833 to 1843. He later joined the Free Church and was responsible for numerous churches of this denomination in the Caithness area. He was the first to propose a union between the Free Church and the united Presbyterians.



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Old Photograph Johnstone Castle Scotland

Old photograph of Johnstone Castle in Johnstone located three miles West of Paisley, Scotland. This Scottish castle belonged to the Houstouns of Milliken, who acquired the estate of Easter Cochrane in 1773. The original structure was substantially enlarged in 1771 and 1812 by George Houstoun. Johnstone Castle's principal claim to fame is a visit by the Polish composer Chopin in 1848. He had been invited by Anne Houstoun, wife of the then laird Ludovic, as part of his Scottish tour. Although like many others he was charmed by the estate and grounds, the weather deteriorated, and he wrote to his friend Wojciech Grzymała.



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Old Photograph Dumfries House Scotland

Old photograph of Dumfries House near Cumnock in East Ayrshire, Scotland. The estate and an earlier house was originally called Lochnorris, owned by Craufords of Loudoun. The present house was built in the 1750s for William Dalrymple, 5th Earl of Dumfries, by John Adam and Robert Adam. Having been inherited by the 2nd Marquess of Bute in 1814, it remained in his family until 7th Marquess decided to sell it due to the cost of upkeep. 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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