Tour Scotland Video Monticule Band Royal Mile Festival Fringe Edinburgh

Tour Scotland video of the Monticule Band singing outside St Giles Cathedral on the Royal Mile at the Festival Fringe on ancestry visit to Edinburgh, Scotland. Edinburgh based trio Monticule, bring the roots of soul and blues together with refreshing simplicity. Built upon the jazz influences of drummer Jason Irvine, the expressive and dynamic vocals of Jamie Struthers blend perfectly with the powerful guitars of younger brother Mike Struthers.

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Tour Scotland Video Jesse McCormack Royal Mile Festival Fringe Edinburgh

Tour Scotland video of Jesse McCormack singing Rounding the Horn outside St Giles Cathedral on the Royal Mile at the Festival Fringe on ancestry visit to Edinburgh, Scotland. Jesse is from Tasmania. Rounding the Horn appears to be about the journey of HMS Conway to Valparaiso in 1835.

The gallant frigate, Conway, she lay in Plymouth Sound,
Blue Peter at the foremast head for we were outward bound;
We was waiting there for orders to send us far from home;
Our orders they come for Rio, and thence around Cape Horn.
Next day, we weighed our anchor, boys, and waved goodbye all round,
And some of us we knew would never more see Plymouth Sound;
But still our hearts were light and gay, and when all was taut and snug
We foraged out the bumboat grog and each man filled his mug.
When we arrived in Rio we prepared for heavy gales;
We bent on all the rigging, me boys, bent on all new sails.
From ship to ship they cheered us as we did sail along,
And they wished us pleasant weather in the rounding of Cape Horn.
In beating off Magellan Strait it blew exceeding hard;
Whilst shortening sail two gallant tars they fell from the topsail yard.
By angry seas the ropes we threw from their poor hands was torn
We were forced to leave them to the sharks that prowl around Cape Horn.
Now when we got round the Horn, my boys, we had some glorious days
And very soon our killick dropped in Valparaiso Bay.
Them pretty girls came down in flocks; I solemnly declare
That they're far before the Plymouth girls with their long and curling hair.
Because they love a jolly sailor when he spends his money free,
They'll laugh, they sing, they merry, merry be, they enjoy a jovial spree.
And when your money it is all gone they won't on you impose,
They are not like them Plymouth girls that'll pawn and sell your clothes.
So it's farewell to Valparaiso and farewell for a while,
Likewise to all them pretty Spanish girls all along the coast of Chile;
If ever l live to be paid off l'll sit and I'll sing this song:
"God bless them pretty Spanish girls we left around Cape Horn."

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

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Old Photograph Cameron Barracks Inverness Scotland

Old photograph of soldiers outside Cameron Barracks near Inverness, Scotland. Cameron Barracks stands on Knockentinnel Hill on the eastern outskirts of Inverness in the Highlands. It was constructed by the Royal Engineers' Office, Edinburgh, between 1876 and 1884. The barracks was the home of the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders from 11 June 1886 until September 1960 when the regiment moved to Fort George, shortly before the amalgamation of Seaforths and Camerons. During the First World War, the barracks was used to process many thousands of volunteer recruits. Returning wounded and demobilising soldiers also passed though the barracks towards the end of the war and on its conclusion. Conscientious objectors were, for a time, held here, as was the crew of a captured German submarine.



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

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Old Photograph Culdees Castle Muthill Perthshire Scotland

Old photograph of Culdees Castle by Muthill, Perthshire, Scotland. The original architect of Culdees Castle was James Gillespie Graham in 1810, but extensive additions were carried out by David Bryce in 1866. The building was demolished in 1967. James Gillespie Graham was born in Dunblane on 11th June 1776, the son of Malcolm Gillespie, a solicitor. He was christened simply as James Gillespie. Graham designed principally country houses and churches. He is also well known for his interior design, his most noted work in this respect being that at Taymouth Castle and Hopetoun House. Some of his principal churches include St Andrew's Cathedral in Glasgow, and St Mary's Roman Catholic Cathedral and the Highland Tolbooth Church in Edinburgh. His houses include Cambusnethan House in Lanarkshire. He was also responsible for laying out the Drumsheugh area of Edinburgh's New Town, and for the design of Hamilton Square and adjoining streets in the then new town of Birkenhead, England. In 1815 he married Margaret Ann Graham, daughter of a wealthy landowner, William Graham of Orchill in Perthshire. On 1825, on the death of his wife's father, they inherited his large country estate and James thereafter became known as James Gillespie Graham. James had two daughters by Margaret who died in 1826, soon after the inheritance. James secondly married Elizabeth Campbell, daughter of Major John Campbell of the 76th Regiment of Foot. James Gillespie Graham died in Edinburgh on 11 March 1855 after a four-year illness.



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

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Old Photograph St John's Head Hoy Orkney Islands Scotland

Old photograph of St John's Head, Island of Hoy, Orkney Islands, Scotland. St John's Head is the highest vertical sea cliff in the United Kingdom. History Blog post of interest to folks with ancestry, genealogy or Scottish Family Roots in Scotland who may wish to travel and visit one day.



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

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