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.
Tour Scotland Autumn video shot today of a Virgin Hot Air Balloon flight in Perth, Perthshire, Scotland. a Virgin Hot Air Balloon taking off on a flight from North Inch Park on a cloudy Autumn evening in Perth, Perthshire.
Tour Scotland Autumn photograph shot today of a Virgin Hot Air Balloon flight in Perth, Perthshire, Scotland.
Tour Scotland Autumn photograph shot today of a Virgin Hot Air Balloon in Perth, Perthshire, Scotland.
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
Tour Scotland travel video of two Fighter Jets taking off at RAF Leuchars on visit near St Andrews, Fife, Scotland. Leuchars passed from the RAF to the British Army in 2015 and is home to the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, the Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineers (REME) and the Royal Military Police.
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
Tour Scotland video of the view from the top of St Rule's Tower in St Andrews, Fife, Scotland. St Rule's tower is located in the Cathedral grounds but predates it, having served as the church of the priory up to the early 12th century. The building was retained to allow worship to continue uninterrupted during the building of its much larger successor. Originally, the tower and adjoining choir were part of the church built in the 11th century to house the relics of St Andrew. Today the tower commands an admirable view of the town, harbour, sea, and surrounding countryside.
Tour Scotland photograph shot today of a Scottish rainbow near St Andrews, Fife, Scotland. Shot these photographs and video on the road from Guardbridge to St Andrews
Tour Scotland photograph shot today of a Scottish rainbow near St Andrews, Fife, Scotland.
Tour Scotland photograph of Lindores Abbey by Newburgh, Fife, Scotland. This now ruined Scottish abbey was founded as a daughter house of Kelso Abbey around 1191 by David, Earl of Huntingdon, brother of William the Lion. The first abbot was Guido, Prior of Kelso, under whom the buildings were mostly completed. The earliest record of scotch whisky cited by the exchequer roll for 1494 is a commission from King James IV to Friar John Cor of Lindores Abbey to make about 'eight bols of malt' or 580 kg of aquavitae.
Tour Scotland travel video of a Dry Stone Wall at the University Botanic Garden on history visit and trip to Dundee, Scotland. A dry stone wall, also known as a dry stone dyke, drystane dyke, dry stone hedge, or rock fence, is a wall constructed from stones without mortar to bind them together. When used as field boundaries, dry stone structures often are known as dykes, particularly in Scotland.
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
Tour Scotland photograph shot today of Scone Palace, by Perth, Perthshire, Scotland. This Scottish mansion house was built for the Earls of Mansfield by William Atkinson. Built of red sandstone with a castellated roof, it is a classic example of the late Georgian Gothic style. Presently on view in the state rooms of Scone Palace are fine collections of furniture, ceramics, ivories, and clocks. Some of the prized contents of Scone Palace are Rococo chairs by Pierre Bara, and Dresden and Sèvres porcelains. The gardens and grounds are also open to the public.
The Castles of Scotland. The main function of the castle was defensive, to protect the laird and his family from their enemies, in as comfortable surroundings as possible; but the castle also served as the centre of administration of the laird's lands, where tenure, economy and trade were controlled. The Castles of Scotland is the most complete and comprehensive guide available to the nation's wealth of castles. This new edition is the culmination of 10 years' research, and covers more than 2700 castles as well as mansions and historic houses, all alphabetically organised, with detailed maps, visiting information, illustrations, and anecdotes of hauntings and family histories. This is the bible of Scottish castles, an absolute must for all castle enthusiasts and anyone interested in Scottish history. The Castles of Scotland.
Tour Scotland travel video of the Greyfriars Bobby dog statue on ancestry, genealogy, history visit and trip to Edinburgh, Scotland. Greyfriars Bobby was a Skye Terrier who became known in 19th century Edinburgh for spending 14 years guarding the grave of his owner until he died himself on 14 January 1872. The story continues to be well known as active oral history in Edinburgh, through several books and films, and became a prominent commemorative statue and nearby graves act as a tourist attraction. The best known version of the story is that Bobby belonged to John Gray, who worked for the Edinburgh City Police as a night watchman. When John Gray died he was buried in Greyfriars Kirkyard, the graveyard surrounding Greyfriars Kirk in the Old Town of Edinburgh. Bobby then became known locally, spending the rest of his life sitting on his master's grave.
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
Tour Scotland travel video of the King Robert The Bruce statue on the esplanade on ancestry, genealogy, history visit and trip to the castle in Stirling. The statue was sculpted by Andrew Currie between 1876 and 1877 and designed by the famous illustrator George Cruikshank.
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
Tour Scotland video of the The Martyrs Monument in the old Town Cemetery below Stirling Castle, Stirling, Scotland. The three figures represent an angel keeping watch over two young girls, one of whom is reading the Bible to the other. The reader is Margaret Wilson, the listener is her younger sister Agnes. The two girls belonged to Wigtonshire, the daughters of Gilbert Wilson, a committed Episcopalian. Despite this, the sisters were followers of the Covenanters, an extreme Presbyterian group strongly opposed to the Anglican reforms of Charles II. Margaret and Agnes, aged 18 and 13 respectively, were arrested for their beliefs and along with Margaret McLauchlan, an elderly neighbour, tried for and found guilty of high treason. All three were sentenced to death by drowning.
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
Tour Scotland travel video of the Mary Buick gravestone in the cemetery on ancestry, genealogy, family history visit and trip to Kilrenny by Anstruther, East Neuk of Fife. Mary Buick of Dundee became the 2nd wife of local fisherman Thomas Watson. In 1799 Thomas was taken by a press-gang, and Mary ran after them and asked them to take her too. The pair of them served aboard HMS Ardent, and during the Battle of Copenhagen in 1801, as the Ardent was being shelled by the Danish shore batteries, Mary Watson Buick went into labour and gave birth to their first child, a girl called Mary. Little Mary Watson lived to be 90, dying in 1891. The day after the Battle of Copenhagen, Thomas Watson, and his wife and child, were transferred to HMS Bellona, and a year or so later Thomas was discharged at Spithead and made his way home to Cellardyke, where he used his prize money to build a house by the harbour, now 7 Shore Street, and opened an ale and pie shop.
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
Tour Scotland Autumn travel video of Loch Tummel on ancestry, genealogy, family history visit and trip to Highlands of Perthshire. Scotland. This is a long, narrow Scottish loch, located 5 miles north west of Pitlochry. The loch is traversed by roads on both north and south banks, offering splendid views of the surrounding countryside. The best known is Queen's View from the north shore, which Queen Victoria made famous in 1866. The loch is popular with anglers who fish for trout and for campers and canoeists, and with photographers all year round.
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
Tour Scotland rare travel video of Sea Queen day at the harbour in Cellardyke by Anstruther, East Neuk of Fife, Scotland. This is where I was raised in Scotland. Sea Queen Day was a common fishing tradition of Scottish coastal villages.
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
Old Tour Scotland video of the harbour in Anstruther, East Neuk of Fife, Scotland. This is where I was raised in Scotland. The video includes fishing boats in the harbour, dancing on the Folly, and the The Doctors Lifeboat. The Doctors, was a self-righter, a 37ft Oakley Class, designed by R.A. Oakley, whom along with Dr Norah Allan (who gifted the boat) was present on the pier in Wednesday 26th May, 1965, when she arrived after a four-and-a-half day passage from Littlehampton.
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
Old photograph of the Signet Library in Edinburgh, Scotland. The Signet Library building, designed by Robert Reid with interiors by William Stark, was completed for the Society of Writers to Her Majesty’s Signet Society in 1822 in time for the famous visit to Edinburgh of King George IV. William Playfair and William Burn were also involved in alterations to the building.
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
Old photograph of the Lady Chapel on ancestry, genealogy, history visit and trip to Rosslyn Chapel, Scotland. Rosslyn Chapel was founded in 1446 by William Sinclair, Earl of Orkney, it is situated just South of Edinburgh.
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
Old photograph of shops, houses and people in Innerleithen near Peebles in the Borders of Scotland. The name Innerleithen comes from the Scottish Gaelic meaning " confluence of the Leithen ", because it is here that the river joins the Tweed.
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
Old photograph of Catacol, Island of Arran, Scotland. Catacol's main feature is the row of cottages called the 'Twelve Apostles'. They were built to house those people cleared from the surrounding countryside, when much of the interior of the island was set aside for deer.
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
Old photograph of cottages in Longniddry in East Lothian, Scotland. John Knox, main figure in the Scottish Reformation and disciple of John Calvin spent significant time in Longniddry as tutor to the sons of the Douglas family who lived at the west side of the village. James Bond actor Pierce Brosnan lived in Longniddry from August 1964 with his mother and new stepfather William Carmichael before moving to London.
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
Old photograph of Macdonalds of Kingsburgh Mausoleum on the Isle Of Skye, Scotland. The family mausoleum of the Macdonalds of Kingsburgh is where the remains of Flora Macdonald were first interred in 1790. She is now commemorated by the nearby memorial.
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
Tour Scotland video of salmon leaping at the Black Linn waterfall on the River Braan, Hermitage, Dunkeld, Perthshire, Scotland. Above the waterfall is the romantic folly known as Ossian’s Hall. This is very popular viewpoint and area which attracts many walkers. Every year Atlantic salmon make their way from the sea to their spawning grounds up river and you can watch them leap out of the water. The best sightings tend to be in October and November.
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
Aberdeen and Royal Deeside. Royal Deeside, Whisky, Castles and Coast. The royal connection is most obvious around Balmoral, and there are castles and distilleries throughout the area. There are also spectacular coastal routes, such as Collieston and the Sands of Forvie, Cruden Bay and the Bullers of Buchan, and a route from Cullen along a disused railway that takes walkers past Bow Fiddle Rock. Magnificent views of the surrounding countryside can be seen from Scolty Hill, Tap o'Noth (site of an Iron Age fort) and Mither Tap. This fully revised edition includes brand new walks at Loch of Fyvie, Glen Tanar and Tarland. Aberdeen and Royal Deeside: Walks (Pathfinder Guides).
Old photograph of children on St Kilda, Scotland. Often described as the islands at the edge of the world, the archipelago of St Kilda is located 41 miles west of North Uist in the Outer Hebrides. Now uninhabited, St Kilda was home to a community who survived the inhospitable conditions here for thousands of years before the final 36 people were evacuated in 1930.
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
Old photograph of farm workers and children in Carse of Gowrie, Perthshire, Scotland. Area is known for producing apples, pears, strawberries, and raspberries, and has long been a hub for fruit cultivation, particularly after monastic influence.
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
Old photograph of Milngavie, Scotland. A Scottish town in East Dunbartonshire, on the Allander Water, at the north western edge of Glasgow. James Grahame, Lord Easdale was born in March 1696 the son of John Grahame near Milngavie and his wife, Margaret Nisbet. and was was baptised in Glasgow on 26 March 1696. In October 1719 he enrolled as a burgess and guild brother in Glasgow. He trained as a lawyer passing the Scottish bar as an advocate in February 1723. He was then known as James Grahame of Kilmannan. On 3 June 1749 he was elected a Senator of the College of Justice adopting the title Lord Easdale, in place of the late Robert Dundas, Lord Arniston. Grahame's connection to the island of Easdale is unclear. He died on 15 August 1750.
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
Tour Scotland photograph of the railway crossing by Errol, Carse of Gowrie, Perthshire, Scotland. Errol Station, in Perthshire, was built in 1847 and operated as a Scottish railway station until closing down in 1985. The line is still busy with trains going back and forth from Perth to Dundee.
Tour Scotland video of the railway crossing by Errol, Carse of Gowrie, Perthshire, Scotland.
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
Old photograph of Banchory, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Banchory town in Aberdeenshire is about 18 miles west of Aberdeen, near where the Feugh River meets the River Dee. The name is thought to be derived from an early Christian settlement founded by St Ternan. It is claimed that Ternan was a follower of St Ninian. Tradition has it that he established his settlement on the banks of the River Dee. John Macqueen Cowan, who was born in 1892 in Banchory, was a prominent Scottish botanist in the mid 20th century. He died in 1960.
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
Old photograph of farm workers outside a cottage in Blairgowrie, Perthshire, Scotland. The town expanded hugely in the 19th century thanks to the employment provided by the many textile mills which were built along the River Ericht. Soft fruit growing, mainly raspberries and strawberries developed in the 20th century and became a very important part of the town's economy. Berry pickers were brought in by bus from Perth and Dundee, and large encampments were set up on farms for pickers from further afield, mainly from the Glasgow area, who made this their annual holiday. They were joined by the travelling community who congregated here for the berry season. The coming of the railway revolutionised the textile and soft fruit trade, but the last train ran in 1960.
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
Old photograph of cottages by Aberfoyle, Trossachs, Scotland. Aberfoyle has connections to many historical figures such as Rob Roy and Mary, Queen of Scots. Robert Roy MacGregor was born at the head of nearby Loch Katrine, and his well known cattle stealing exploits took him all around the area surrounding Aberfoyle. It is recorded, for example, that in 1691, the MacGregors raided every barn in the village of Kippen and stole all the villagers cattle. There currently stands a tree in the village that MacGregor was reputed to have climbed and hid in to escape the clutches of the law. Also, Mary, Queen of Scots, visited nearby Inchmahome Priory often as a child, and during her short reign. She also used the priory during her short reign, particularly in 1547, where she felt safe from the English Army.
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
Tour Scotland photograph shot today of the Leng Chapel in Fife, Scotland. The Leng Memorial Chapel was constructed around 1895-97 by Sir John Leng as a memorial to his first wife, Lady Leng. John Leng was a successful businessman in Publishing in Hull and Dundee.
Tour Scotland photograph shot today of the Leng Chapel in Fife, Scotland.
Tour Scotland photograph shot today of a Gargoyle at the Leng Chapel in Fife, Scotland. The gargoyles were carved by James Bremner.
Tour Scotland photograph shot today of the Leng Chapel in Fife, Scotland.
Tour Scotland photograph shot today of the Leng Chapel in Fife, Scotland.
Tour Scotland photograph shot today of the interior of Leng Chapel in Fife, Scotland.
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
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