Old Travel Blog Photograph Beach Helensburgh Scotland

Old travel Blog photograph of a rowing boat by the beach in Helensburgh a town in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. This Scottish town is located on the north shore of the Firth of Clyde and the eastern shore of the entrance to the Gareloch. In 1752 Sir James Colquhoun, died 1786, chief of the Clan Colquhoun of Luss, bought the land which was to become Helensburgh; at that time it was known by such names as Malig, Millig or Milligs. In 1776 he placed an advertisement in a Glasgow newspaper seeking to feu the land, and in particular he stated that " bonnet makers, stocking, linen and woolen weavers will meet with encouragement ". However his efforts were unsuccessful, partly because roads were rudimentary and also because the shore at Helensburgh made it unattractive to shipping, it was shallow, dotted with large rocks and subject to a prevailing onshore wind. No precise date is known for the change of name to Helensburgh. However it was probably around 1785 when Sir James decided to name the town after his wife, Lady Helen Sutherland, born 1717, died 1791; she was the granddaughter of the 16th Earl of Sutherland. Of interest to folks with ancestry, genealogy or Scottish Family Roots in Scotland who may wish to visit one day.



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Old Travel Blog Photograph Matron Largs Scotland

Old travel Blog photograph of a Matron from Largs in Ayrshire, Scotland. The term House Matron was used in boarding schools, and is still used in some British public schools, for the woman in charge of domestic affairs in a boarding house or the school nurse. In the past, the matron was sometimes the wife of the housemaster.



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Old Travel Blog Photograph Gardens Drummond Castle Scotland

Old travel Blog photograph of the gardens at Drummond Castle on ancestry visit South of Crieff, Perthshire, Scotland. This Scottish castle is best known for its gardens, often described as the best example of formal terraced gardens in Scotland. The castle comprises a tower house built in the late 15th century, and a 17th century mansion, both of which were rebuilt in Victorian times. The gardens date to the 1630s, although they too were restructured in the 19th century. The lands of Drummond were the property of the Drummond family from the 14th century, and the original tower house was built over several years by John Drummond, 1st Lord Drummond of Cargill, from about 1490. In 1605 the 4th Lord Drummond was created Earl of Perth, and added to the castle. John Drummond, 2nd Earl of Perth, laid out the first terraced garden around the castle in the 1630s. The gardens were redesigned and terraced in the 19th Century. The formal gardens that you see today were replanted in the 1950s but preserve many of the original features, the ancient yew hedges and the remaining beech tree planted by Queen Victoria, commemorating her visit in 1842. The Gardens have featured in many films, TV programmes and adverts, most notably in the United Artist feature film Rob Roy and standing in for the Palace of Versailles in the Outlander series.



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

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Old Travel Blog Photograph Of The School And Schoolmasters House Symington Scotland

Old travel Blog photograph of the school and schoolmasters house in Symington in South Ayrshire, Scotland. It is located in Symington Parish and lies close to the A77 road from Ayr to Glasgow. Its church, built in 1160, remains one of the finest examples of a Norman churches in Scotland. The name of the village and parish of Symington is derived from the person of a Norman Knight, Symon Loccard or Lockhart, who held the barony of Symington lands under Walter fitz Alan, the first Steward in 1165. John Kelso Hunter, born 1802, died 1873, was born at Gillhead Cottage, close to Symington cemetery, on the Dankeith Estate and was at first employed here during his indenture as a herd boy, his father being a gardener. John moved to the village of Dundonald and became a respected artist, noted for portraiture. In 1847 he exhibited at the Royal Academy in London, England, before becoming a regular exhibitor at the Royal Scottish Academy for the next 25 years. He is buried in the Southern Necropolis in Glasgow. 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.

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Old Travel Blog Photograph Of Heylipol Church Isle of Tiree Scotland

Old travel Blog photograph of Heylipol Church on the Isle of Tiree, Scotland. An island in the Scottish Inner Hebrides, southwest of Coll. Heylipol Church was built in 1906 and is thought to resemble Iona Abbey. The island is at the same latitude as southern Alaska and the same longitude as the border between Spain and Portugal. Britain’s twentieth largest island, it is just over ten miles at its longest, five miles at its widest, and a little over half a mile at its narrowest.



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

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