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 travel Blog photograph of the suspension bridge at Cambus O' May, just East of Ballater, Royal Deeside, Scotland. The suspension bridge at Cambus O' May was built in 1905 to replace a ferry that helped pasengers cross the River Dee. The iron bridge was financed by Alexander Gordon, a native of Glen Girnock who had moved to London and made a fortune in the brewing trade. The story goes that when Gordon was a boy he had witnessed a drowning accident at this spot on the Dee, and he vowed that if he got the chance he would build a bridge so that people could cross safely. In 1988 the bridge had to be rebuilt for safety reasons, but the new bridge was constructed to the exact same design as the original, maintaining a real Victorian feel. It was opened by The Queen Mother in 1988.
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
Old travel Blog photograph of Sundrum Castle located North of Coylton village in South Ayrshire, Scotland. The original castle was built in the 14th century by Sir Robert Wallace, Sheriff of Ayr. This was incorporated into the present mansion, built by the Hamiltons of Sundrum in 1792. The village of Coylton is located 5 miles east of Ayr, and 2.5 miles west of Drongan, on the A70 road. Coylton was once a rural village that was transformed by the development of mining in the area and has since changed dramatically again with the cessation of all coal mining. Artist and sculptor, Robert Bryden was born in Coylton in 1865. After a period working in the office of Hunter & Morris, architects in Ayr, he moved to London, England, where he stayed for fifteen years studying, at the RSA and the Royal Academy, making a living from commissions and teaching art. He had a large output, working as a painter, engraver and sculptor. Among his works are bronze portraits of William Wallace and Robert the Bruce in Ayr Town Hall. he also specialised in carved wooded figures, a collection of which are to be found at Rozelle House Galleries, a museum of art, in Ayrshire. Bryden is also responsible for the Coylton War Memorial. In 1899 he was granted the title of Royal Engraver. He published three volumes of etchings illustrating castles in the County of Ayrshire. Robert died in 1939. 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 travel Blog photograph of Malcolm MacNaughton from Brodick on the Isle of Arran, Scotland. The Clan MacNaughton are amongst the Scottish clans who claim descent from the early Pictish rulers of the Mormaer of Moray. The name Nectan means pure or clear and was popular in at least one Pictish royal branch. Three brothers are recorded in the thirteenth century: Gilchrist, Athe and Gilbert, all sons of Malcolm MacNaughton. In 1297 Gilchrist received a charter from King Alexander III of Scotland which granted to him the keepership of a castle warding the narrow Pass of Brander, which was the gateway to the West.
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
Tour Scotland travel video of Robert Burns Night Supper Song on visit to Perth, Perthshire, Scotland. A Man's A Man For A' That. This famous Burns song, proclaims the equality of man, and was sung at the opening of the first Scottish Parliament for nearly 300 years, on 1 July, 1999.
Is there for honest poverty
That hings his head, an' a' that?
The coward slave, we pass him by -
We dare be poor for a' that!
For a' that, an' a' that!
Our toils obscure, an' a' that,
The rank is but the guinea's stamp,
The man's the gowd for a' that.
What though on hamely fare we dine,
Wear hoddin grey an' a' that?
Gie fools their silks, and knaves their wine
A man's a man for a' that.
For a' that, an' a' that,
Their tinsel show, an' a' that,
The honest man, tho' e'er sae poor,
Is king o' men for a' that.
Ye see yon birkie ca'd 'a lord',
Wha struts, an' stares, an' a' that?
Tho' hundreds worship at his word,
He's but a cuif for a' that,
For a' that, an' a' that,
His ribband, star, an' a' that,
The man o' independent mind,
He looks an' laughs at a' that.
A prince can mak a belted knight,
A marquis, duke, an' a' that!
But an honest man's aboon his might -
Guid faith, he mauna fa' that!
For a' that, an' a' that,
Their dignities, an' a' that,
The pith o' sense an' pride o' worth
Are higher rank than a' that.
Then let us pray that come it may
As come it will for a' that
That Sense and Worth o'er a' the earth,
Shall bear the gree an' a' that,
For a' that, an' a' that,
It's comin yet for a' that,
That man to man the world oe'r
Shall brithers be for a' that.
Burns Night is annually celebrated in Scotland on or around January 25. It commemorates the life of the bard, poet Robert Burns, who was born on January 25, 1759. The day also celebrates Burns' contribution to Scottish culture.
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
Tour Scotland video of a Burns Night song for January 25, 2018 on ancestry visit to Auchtermuchty, Fife, Scotland. Robert Burns was born in Alloway, Scotland, on January 25, 1759. He died in Dumfries, Scotland, on July 21, 1796. During his work collecting old Scottish songs, Burns came across the title of this song and created the words to go with it
By yon castle wa' at the close of the day,
I heard a man sing, tho his head it was grey,
And as he was singing, the tears doon came
There'll never be peace till Jamie comes hame
The Church is in ruins, the State is in jars,
Delusion, oppressions, and murderous wars,
We dare na weel sayl but we ken wha's to blame
There'll never be peace till Jamie comes hame
My seven braw sons for Jamie drew sword
But now I greet round their green beds in the yerd
It brak the sweet heart o my faithfu auld dame
There'll never be peace till Jamie comes hame
Now life is a burden that bows me down
Sin I tint my bairns, and he tint his crown
But till my last moments my words are the same
There'll never be peace till Jamie comes hame
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
