Old Photograph Rattachan Pass Highlands Scotland

Old photograph of the road through Rattachan Pass which goes to Kyle of Lochalsh in the Highlands of Scotland. The photograph shows the mountain peaks known as The Five Sisters above Loch Duich. The peaks are are called Sgurr na Mòraich, Sgurr nan Saighead, Sgurr Fhuaran, Sgurr na Carnach and Sgurr na Ciste Duibhe. Legend relates that two Irish Princes, washed ashore during a storm, fell in love with two of the seven daughters of the King of Kintail. Having promised to send their five brothers for the remaining sisters, the Princes married the two youngest Princesses and returned to Ireland. The five sisters waited in vain, and eventually asked the Grey Magician of Coire Dhunnaid to extend their vigil beyond life itself, whereupon he turned them into mountains.



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

View the most recent Tour Scotland photographs.

Old Photograph Interior Canisbay Church John O' Groats Scotland

Old photograph of the interior of Canisbay Church in John o' Groats, Caithness, Scotland. This Scottish place takes its name from Jan de Groote, a Dutchman who obtained a grant for the ferry from the Scottish mainland to Orkney, recently acquired from Norway, from James IV, King of Scots, in 1496. The nineteenth century church was sometimes used by the Royal Family as it is not far from the Castle of Mey which was owned by the Queen Mother. Inside the church which is open to the public is a memorial to Jan de Groot who started the ferry service to Orkney in 1496.



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

View the most recent Tour Scotland photographs.

Old Photograph Road To Dalwhinnie Scotland

Old photograph of the road to Dalwhinnie, Scotland. Dalwhinnie village in the Highlands is one of the coldest villages in the United Kingdom, having an average annual temperature of 6 degrees Centigrade, making it suitable for winter walking and mountaineering. It is north of Drumochter, just off the A9 road from Perth, Perthshire to Inverness and has been bypassed since 1975 by the main A9 road. It is about 2 to 2½ hours drive from both Edinburgh and Glasgow, 25 miles from Aviemore, 13 from Newtonmore and 17 from Kingussie. Dalwhinnie railway station lies on the Highland Main Line from Perth to Inverness. The local distillery, the highest elevation working distillery in Scotland. Dalwhinnie Single Malt is a light, heathery whisky. Dalwhinnie railway station lies on the Highland Main Line from Perth to Inverness.



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

View the most recent Tour Scotland photographs.

Tour Scotland Video Accordion Music Strathmore

Tour Scotland video of traditional Scottish accordion music in a shop in Strathmore, Scotland. Gaelic: An Srath Mòr is a strath or Glen in east central Scotland running from north east to south west between the Grampian mountains and the Sidlaw hills. The title of Earl of Strathmore refers to this area, and the Earl's principal seat lies within it at Glamis Castle. The first cylindrical form accordion was invented by two Scotsmen, the Wymper brothers, Peter, born 1871, died 1950 and Daniel, born 1882, died 1957. Scottish Diatonic accordion player Jimmy Shand became famous in 1940, when he founded his first orchestra. He recorded numerous records and participated in many television and radio broadcasts.

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

View the most recent Tour Scotland photographs.

Tour Scotland Video Fiddle And Smallpipes Music Cathedral Perth Perthshire

Tour Scotland video of fiddle and smallpipes in the Cathedral on visit to Perth, Perthshire, Scotland. Smallpipes are extremely popular with Highland pipers, many of whom keep them, or a set of Border pipes as a second instrument, usually preferring the mouth blown versions, and play them according to the Highland tradition. The Scottish smallpipes were the first widely available instrument to allow Highland pipers to participate in musical sessions with fiddlers, flautists and other instruments, as well as to accompany singers. However, modern Scottish Border pipes, many of which are becoming quieter and more reliable than their predecessors, may slowly be replacing the Scottish Smallpipes as the highland piper's session instrument of choice.

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

View the most recent Tour Scotland photographs.