Old Photograph Plainstones Stromness Orkney Islands Scotland

Old photograph of buildings and people on Plainstones street in Stromness, Orkney Islands, Scotland. First recorded as the site of an inn in the 16th century, Stromness became important during the late 17th century, when England was at war with France and shipping was forced to avoid the English Channel. Ships of the Hudson's Bay Company were regular visitors, as were whaling fleets. Large numbers of Orkneymen, many of whom came from the Stromness area, served as traders, explorers and seamen for both. Captain Cook's ships, Discovery and Resolution, called at the town in 1780 on their return voyage from the South Seas where Cook had been killed. 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 Church And Town Hall Inverkeithing Fife Scotland

Old photograph of the Church and Town Hall in Inverkeithing, Fife, Scotland. Inverkeithing is a town and a royal burgh, and parish, in Fife, located on the Firth of Forth. The Battle of Inverkeithing on 20 July 1651 was fought on two sites in the area, one north of the town close to Pitreavie Castle, the other to the south on and around the peninsula of North Queensferry and the isthmus connecting it to Inverkeithing. The battle took place during Oliver Cromwell's invasion of the Kingdom of Scotland following the Third English Civil War. It was an attempt by the English Parliamentarian forces to outflank the army of Scottish Covenanters loyal to Charles II at Stirling and get access to the north of Scotland. This was the last major engagement of the Wars of the Three Kingdoms and led to Scotland passing into Cromwell's control. Cromwell's troops crushed the Scots, forcing them to abandon Stirling and march south to support King Charles II. Of the estimated 800 Maclean clansmen who fought in the battle, only 35 were said to have survived. The Pinkerton Burn was said to have run red with blood for days afterwards. This was a significant episode in the history of Clan MacLean, and the 20th century poet Sorley MacLean mentions Inverkeithing in one of his poems. The port town was given burgh status by King David I of Scotland in the 12th century and is situated about 9 miles north from Edinburgh Airport and about 4 miles from the centre of Dunfermline. Inverkeithing is famous for its shipbreaking yard. The second RMS Mauretania and the hull of the RMS Olympic were dismantled here. 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 High Street Falkland Fife Scotland

Old photograph of people, cottage, houses, church and Palace on the High Street in Falkland village in Fife, Scotland.





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Old Photograph Wallyford Scotland

Old photograph of the Post Office in Wallyford near Musselburgh, Scotland. This Scottish village was initially populated by coal miners and later grew as a commuter town for workers in Musselburgh and Edinburgh. William " Willie " Park, Senior, born 30 June 1833, died 25 July 1903, was born in Wallyford, he was one of the pioneers of professional golf. He started out as a caddie, then later ran a golf equipment manufacturing business. On the course, he made his money from " Challenge matches" against rivals such as Old Tom Morris from St Andrews, Fife, Willie Dunn and Allan Robertson, which were the most popular form of spectator golf in his era. Park is best remembered as the winner of four Open Championships, including the inaugural event in 1860, when the field was just eight strong. His other victories came in 1863, 1866 and 1875. Park was the co holder of the record for most wins in the tournament until James Braid from Earlsferry, East Neuk of Fife picked up his fifth win in 1910. Park's brother, Mungo, and his son Willie, Jr. both also won the Open Championship.



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

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Old Photograph Railway Signal Box St Monans East Neuk Of Fife S

Old photograph of the signal box at the railway station in St Monans, East Neuk of Fife, Scotland. This intermediate station on the Thornton Junction, Leven, Crail, Leuchars Junction Fife coast line of the former North British Railway was opened as St Monance station by the Leven and East of Fife Regionon on 1st of September 1863. It was renamed St Monan's Station by the same company in October 1875 but resumed the original name in February 1936. It closed to regular passenger traffic on 6th of September 1965. 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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