Neptune's Staircase With Music On History Visit To The Caledonian Canal In Highlands Of Scotland

Tour Scotland 4K short travel video clip, with Scottish music, of a steam train and Neptune's Staircase, a lock comprising eight locks on the Caledonian Canal, on ancestry, genealogy, family history visit to the Scottish Highlands, Britain, United Kingdom. Built by Thomas Telford between 1803 and 1822, it is the longest staircase lock in Britain. The system was originally hand powered but has been converted to hydraulic operation. The Caledonian Canal was conceived by the engineer Thomas Telford after the government asked him to look at measures which might stem emigration from the Highlands. He suggested that the construction of public works would provide employment, and would also help to develop industry, fishery and agriculture. An Act of Parliament obtained in July 1803 established a board of commissioners to oversee the work. Telford was appointed as principal engineer, with William Jessop as consulting engineer. There were two resident engineers; the one covering the southern section, including Neptune's Staircase, was John Telford, who was no relation to the principal engineer. Thomas Telford was born the son of a shepherd at Westerkirk, near Langholm, Dumfriesshire in August 1757. 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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Winter Morning Road Trip Drive To Harbour On History Visi To Crail East Neuk Of Fife Scotland

Tour Scotland Winter morning 4K travel video of a road trip drive, with Scottish bagpipes music, from Kilrenny, East on A917 route, to the harbour and coast on ancestry, genealogy, family history visit to Crail in the East Neuk of Fife, Britain, United Kingdom. rail, Scottish Gaelic: Cathair Aile is a settlement dates from as far back as the Pictish period. Well settled by the 800s, Crail was a thriving town by the 1100s and was made a royal burgh by Robert the Bruce in 1310. He also gave it the right to hold markets on a Sunday. At one time, Crail was the most important sea port in the East Neuk of Fife, a centre for the export of fish, salt mutton and wool to mainland Europe, particularly Holland. Crail continues to support some fishing as well as a significant tourist industry. Crail was noted in the middle ages for the export of salted herring and “ Crail Capons ” which were haddock dried in the sun or smoked by the fire. The burgh has a long association with royalty. King David 1 resided at Crail Castle and Mary of Guise landed at Fife Ness in 1538 and stayed the night at Balcomie Castle before her wedding to King James V in St Andrews Cathedral. The west pier was rebuilt in 1828 by Robert Stevenson. The village is now a tourist destination situated on the Fife Coastal Walking Path which passes through Crail, it is a Scottish long distance walking footpath that runs from Kincardine to Newburgh. It runs for 117 miles along the coastline of Fife and passes through many seaside towns and villages including Anstruther, Cellardyke, Crail, Elie, Lower Largo and Pittenweem. The path would take around one week to walk completely from end to end. By the meteorological calendar, the first day of Winter is always 1st December in Scotland; ending on 28th of February. Of interest to folks with ancestry, genealogy or Scottish Family Roots in Scotland who may wish to visit one day. Find things to see and do in Scotland where you are always welcome. When driving on Scottish roads in Scotland slow down and enjoy the trip All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.

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Birds And Grey Squirrel On Winter Monday Visit To Cottage Garden Scone By Perth Perthshire Scotland

Tour Scotland 4K Winter Monday wildlife nature camera travel video of the sight and sounds of birds and a Grey Squirrel on a morning visit and trip to my cottage garden in Scone by Perth, Perthshire, Britain, United Kingdom. Survival for birds can be challenging at any time of year, but in particular during the colder Autumn and Winter months. Small birds especially struggle due to having a large surface area and comparably small volume. This means they lose heat to their surroundings very quickly and must eat a lot of food to replace the energy lost. The ground during winter is too hard for birds to dig for worms, and caterpillars, aphids, beetles and grubs stay well-hidden, hibernating in thick vegetation. These factors combined with the limited hours of light in which birds can actively search for food can cause them to be very vulnerable during winter. But with a little helping hand from us, many more birds can survive the cold. Grey squirrels are mainly herbivorous, eating acorns, hazel nuts, berries, fungi, buds and shoots, and even bark. Squirrel movement decreases significantly in the winter months, with some squirrel species even hibernating during this time. The grey squirrel was introduced to Great Britain in the middle of the 19th century. There is now an estimated population of 2 million making them much more common than the native red squirrel. They arrived in England from North America and are now one of Britain's most well known and frequently seen mammals, with an estimated population of 2 million. Being in nature, or even viewing scenes of nature, reduces anger, fear, and stress and increases pleasant feelings. Exposure to nature not only makes you feel better emotionally, it contributes to your physical wellbeing. By the meteorological calendar, the first day of Winter is always 1st December in Scotland; ending on 28th of February. Of interest to folks with ancestry, genealogy or Scottish Family Roots in Scotland who may wish to visit one day. Find things to see and do in Scotland where you are always welcome All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.

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Winter Robin And Blackbird On Windy Winter Visit To My Cottage Garden Scone Perth Perthshir Scotland

Tour Scotland Winter 4K Sunday wildlife nature camera travel video of the sight and sounds of a Robin bird and a male Blackbird spotted eating on a windy weather afternoon visit and trip to my cottage garden in Scone by Perth, Perthshire, Britain, United Kingdom. With its bright red breast ithe Robin is familiar visitor to my garden. As the name suggests, the male blackbird is entirely black in colour. Males have a bright yellow bill and distinctive yellow eye ring. This widespread bird is a common visitor to United Kingdom gardens, and has adapted well to suburban areas, it’s often possible to get quite close. It can also be found in woodland and grassland areas, but you’re much less likely to see it on areas of higher ground and in some parts of Scotland, Common and widespread across Britain, the blackbird population is currently stable, although it has seen periods of decline in the past. One of the biggest threats is lack of food availability, particularly when the weather is dry. Being in nature, or even viewing scenes of nature, reduces anger, fear, and stress and increases pleasant feelings. Exposure to nature not only makes you feel better emotionally, it contributes to your physical wellbeing. By the meteorological calendar, the first day of Winter is always 1st December in Scotland; ending on 28th of February. Of interest to folks with ancestry, genealogy or Scottish Family Roots in Scotland who may wish to visit one day. Find things to see and do in Scotland where you are always welcome All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.

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Drum Castle With Music on History Visit To Aberdeenshire Scotland

Tour Scotland 4K travel video, with Scottish music, of the exterior and interior of Drum Castle on ancestry, genealogy, family history visit and trip near Drumoak in Aberdeenshire, Britain, United Kingdom. The castle is located approximately 6 North East of Banchory and 3 miles West of Peterculter. The original 13th century tower of Drum Castle has been suggested as the work of medieval architect Richard Cementarius, also known as Richard the Mason, who became the first Provost of Aberdeen in 1272. He held the title of Kings Master Mason to King Alexander III of Scotland, and built the Brig o' Balgownie, the first Bridge of Don, in Old Aberdeen. It is believed to be one of the three oldest tower houses in Scotland. The castle and its grounds were granted to William de Irwyn in 1323 by Robert the Bruce, and remained in the possession of Clan Irvine until 1975. William de Irwyn, of the Irvings of Bonshaw clan, was armour bearer, secretary and neighbour to King Robert the Bruce. In June 1636 Sir Sir Alexander Irvine of Drum and his wife Magdalene Scrimgeour were censured for harbouring the outlaw Gilderoy. Drum played a role in the Covenanting Rebellion, as did nearby Muchalls Castle, leading to its being attacked and sacked three times. In the 19th century, it was the home of Alexander Forbes Irvine of Drum, born 1818, died 1892. He had inherited the estate in 1861, on the death of his father. In 1875 he arranged for a restoration of the courtyard, and the addition of an arched entrance and angle tower. He was also partly responsible for a restoration of the chapel. There was an older church located here; it was modified to create the chapel in the 1500s and 1600s. In 1857, the west window was enlarged and the cross was added; a new roof was also installed and some restoration of the interior was completed. The site was once served by Drum railway station on the Deeside Railway. Service was discontinued in 1951. Of interest to folks with ancestry, genealogy or Scottish Family Roots in Scotland who may wish to visit one day. Find things to see and do in Scotland where you are always welcome. All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.

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