Old Travel Blog Chatelherault Hunting Lodge Hamilton Scotland

Old travel Blog photograph of Chatelherault Hunting Lodge in Hamilton, South Lanarkshire, Scotland. Its name is derived from the French town of Châtellerault, the title Duc de Châtellerault having been granted to James Hamilton, 2nd Earl of Arran in 1548 for his part in arranging the marriage of Mary, Queen of Scots, to Francis, Dauphin of France. The lodge was designed by William Adam and completed in 1734. From 1591, Hamilton Palace became the main residence of the Dukes of Hamilton. Rebuilding as the largest country house in Scotland with an imposing Palladian south front began in 1684, then from 1822 Alexander, 10th Duke of Hamilton had the palace considerably enlarged as a setting for a major art collection, with the north front designed by David Hamilton. Chatelherault is now a country park is centred on the former hunting lodge.



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

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Tour Scotland Winter Travel Video River Tay Perth Perthshir

Tour Scotland sunny Winter travel video of the River Tay on ancestry visit to Perth, Perthshire, Scotland. You can see vehicles crossing both bridges and St Matthews Church in the distance perfectly reflected on the river. With a perfect blue sky and birds singing from the nearby trees, it makes for a very serene moment in the town.

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

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Old Travel Blog Photograph Indoor Swimming Baths Portobello Scotland

Old travel Blog photograph of the Indoor Swimming Baths by the beach in Portobello, Edinburgh, Scotland. In 1833 Portobello became an independent burgh with its own elected council. In 1896 the citizens succumbed to the blandishments of its larger neighbour and voted to amalgamate with Edinburgh, but not before extracting promises to build a Town Hall that could be used as a theatre, a golf course and sea water swimming baths. Portobello reigned as Scotland's premier seaside resort from the late 19th century and the era of cheap public transport. Trams brought folk from Edinburgh and trains brought holidaymakers in thousands especially from Glasgow during the Fair to enjoy the beach, the fun fair and the entertainments.



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

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Old Travel Blog Photograph Road To Maybole Ayrshire Scotland

Old travel Blog photograph of the road to Maybole in South Ayrshire, Scotland. Maybole town is situated 9 miles south of Ayr and 50 miles South West of Glasgow by the Glasgow and South Western Railway. Maybole is an ancient place, having received a charter from Donnchadh, Earl of Carrick in 1193. In 1516 it was made a burgh of regality, but for generations it remained under the subjection of the Kennedys, afterwards Earls of Cassillis and, later, Marquesses of Ailsa, the most powerful family in Ayrshire. The current Marquess of Ailsa lives at Cassillis House, just outside Maybole. The ancestral seat of the Marquesses of Ailsa is Culzean Castle.



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

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Old Travel Blog Photograph Sheep Kirk Yetholm Scotland

Old travel Blog photograph of Sheep and children on the main street in Kirk Yetholm, Scottish Borders, Scotland. Kirk Yetholm is a small village in the Scottish Borders. The Border Hotel public house is the official end of the Pennine Way. Kirk Yetholm was for centuries the headquarters of the Romani people, Gypsies, in Scotland. The last king of the Gypsies was crowned in 1898 and the Gypsies have been integrated and are no longer a separate ethnic minority. In 1942 the village school building was converted into a Scottish Youth Hostels Association hostel. Of interest to folks with ancestry, genealogy or Scottish Family Roots in Scotland who may wish to visit one day. Queen Esther Faa Blythe, perhaps the most famous Gypsy monarch of all, took up residence in the Gypsy Palace on November 16th 1861. After Queen Esther’s death in 1883, the Gypsy Palace was renovated by the local wool manufacturer and owner of much of the village, Peter Govanlock. Queen Esther’s son, Charles Faa Blythe continued to live in the Palace though 15 years were to pass before his coronation as the new Gypsy King. The coronation took place on May 30th 1898 and was a huge event with over 10,000 people descending on Kirk Yetholm. King Charles II, as he was known, continued to live in the Gypsy Palace until his death just four years later.



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

View the most recent Tour Scotland photographs.