Tour Scotland photographs and videos from my tours of Scotland. Photography and videography, both old and new, from beautiful Scotland, Scottish castles, seascapes, rivers, islands, landscapes, standing stones, lochs and glens.
Old photograph of the Parish Church and cemetery in Mouswald in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland. Mouswald is a parish and village 7 miles South East of Dumfries, and 10 miles West by North of Annan. It is situated in that district formerly called the Stewartry of Annandale, midway between the rivers Nith and Annan, and was anciently covered with wood, as its name implies, " The Wood near the Moss. " It is bounded by the parishes of Lochmaben, Dalton, Rothwell, and Torthorwald, and contains the village of its own name, and the hamlets of Old Brocklehurst and Cleughbrae. The parish was traversed by the old Glasgow and South Western railway, and by the coach roads from Dumfries to Annan and Ruthwell. The parish is in the presbytery of Lochmaben and synod of Dumfries.
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
Old photograph of the Parish Church in Galston, East Ayrshire, Scotland. Present church, designed by John Brash of Glasgow, erected 1809 on site of Christian worship since 1252. Third church since Reformation. Spire of 120 feet. Ministers included Doctor George Smith, great-grandfather of Robert Louis Stevenson and mentioned by Robert Burns in The Holy Fair. Also Reverend Robert Stirling, inventor of the Stirling Engine.
Tour Scotland video of old photographs of Galston, East Ayrshire, Scotland. Tour Ayr and Kilmarnock. The town stands on the Ayrshire Road from New Cumnock to Glasgow by the Mearns Moor. John Goldie, miscellaneous writer, was born in the parish of Galston in 1717 ; he moved to Kilmarnock, where he carried on the business of cabinetmaker, subsequently of wine merchant. He is author of a volume entitled Essays on Various Subjects, humorously known as Goldie’s Bible, and is held in grateful memory as a friend of Robert Burns. He died in 1809. The 17th century Presbyterians were against burials taking place within churches. In 1609 John Schaw of Sornbeg decided to bury his recently-deceased wife within Galston Church. He entered the kirk with a party of armed men and proceeded to break up flagstones and dig a grave where he interred his wife's body. He was fined £20 for this action and promised never to attempt this act again. Handball was popular in these parts during the 19th century and Galston was the site of the most important competition, held on the Saturday of the Glasgow Fair. Cessnock castle by Galston, dates from around the 15th Century. The Duke of Portland had it restored by 1900 and is now a private house. After her defeat at the battle of Langside, Mary Queen of Scots is reputed to have taken refuge there. Other visitors of note include the reformist preacher John Knox and the poet Robert Burns. 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.
Old photograph of the Parish Church in Irvine, Ayrshire, Scotladn. The church built in 1774 by David Muir, is the third to occupy the site. A large classical building with round-headed windows lighting the gallery. The clock in the 6 stage octagonal steeple was presented by Irvine Volunteers in 1803. The stained glass windows are a fine example of Keir brothers work.
Tour Scotland video of old photographs of Irvine, Ayrshire, Scotland. Irvine is an ancient settlement, in medieval times a royal burgh, and now a new town on the coast of the Firth of Clyde in North Ayrshire. The town was once a haunt of Robert Burns, after whom two streets in the town are named: Burns Street and Burns Crescent. He is known to have worked in a flax mill on the Glasgow Vennel. Despite being classed as a new town, Irvine has had a long history stretching back many centuries and was classed as a Royal Burgh. There are also conflicting rumours that Mary, Queen of Scots stayed here. The harbour has a long history and once was one of the most prominent ports in Scotland after Glasgow. I hope these might be of interest to folks with Scottish Ancestry or Roots in Scotland.
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
Old photograph of the Parish Church in East Kilbride, Ayrshire, Scotland. There have been several churches on this site; reference is made to church here in 1173. The present church was built in 1774 at a cost of £750; the architect was James Pollock. The tower and crown steeple were added in 1818 by Robert Pollock.
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
Old photograph of people on church street in Kilbarchan, Renfrewshire, near Glasgow, Scotland. This Scottish village was known for its former weaving industry. At one time there were 800 hand looms in this village. The steeple was erected in 1755 by James Milliken of Milliken. The bell was rung by the church at 6am, and 6pm and again at 10pm. The church was originally built with only one clock face, facing Kilbarchan cross. The other three faces were put in 27 years later.
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
