Old Photograph Balloch Castle Scotland

Old photograph of Balloch Castle on the southern tip of Loch Lomond, Scotland. This Scottish castle was built as a residence in 1808 by the architect Robert Lugar at the order of John Buchanan of Ardoch, a partner in the Glasgow Ship Bank. The Buchanans of Ardoch are descended from William Buchanan, first of Ardoch who was the eldest son of Thomas Buchanan of Gartincaber. The family are Cadets of Drummakill, via Gartincaber, Blairlusk, and Carbeth. John Buchanan of Ardoch, the bearer of these arms was fifth of Ardoch. He was born 1761 and married in 1785 Elizabeth Parkes. By this marriage he had, Mary who married Robert Finlay, John, and two daughters who died unmarried. John Buchanan of Ardoch took a leading part in the affairs of Dunbartonshire, and was appointed in 1794 as Deputy Lieutenant, and in 1820 Vice Lieutenant of the County. In 1821 he was elected Member of Parliament for the county. During his life time he purchased the estate of Balloch and built Balloch castle which until recently was in the possession of the Finlay family. He died in 1839.



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Old Photograph Dunbeath Castle Scotland

Old photograph of Dunbeath Castle, Caithness, Scotland. Although a castle has stood here since the 15th century, the present building is of mainly 17th century origin, with 19th century extensions. The first recorded laird was Alexander Sutherland. It later became the property of the Clan Sinclair through the marriage of the daughter of Alexander Sutherland to William Sinclair, the first Sinclair Earl of Caithness. The Sinclairs replaced the earlier structure with a four storey tower house in 1620.


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Old Photograph Longhope Orkney Scotland

Old photograph of Longhope, Orkney Islands, Scotland. Longhope is a coastal settlement on the island of South Walls which is one of the Orkney Islands off the northern coast of Scotland. South Walls is linked to Hoy by causeway; Longhope is the largest settlement on the two islands. An RNLI lifeboat has been stationed at Longhope since 1874; a former lifeboat station is now a museum. On 17 March 1969 the station suffered one of the worst tragedies in British lifeboat history when its lifeboat, T.G.B., was lost with all eight crew after answering a mayday call during severe storms. In total, as of 2004, the station has received 26 bravery honours.


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Old Photograph Overgate Dundee Scotland

Old photograph of the Overgate, Dundee, Scotland. The modern city centre is still divided into the six medieval thoroughfares: the Seagait, Murraygait, Nethergait, Overgait, Wellgait and the Cowgait, Gait” being an old Scots word for street, which all remain today, although the “Overgate” and “Wellgate” are now enclosed shopping centres.



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Old Photograph Prince's Dock Glasgow Scotland

Old photograph of Prince's Dock, Glasgow, Scotland. Prince's Dock on Govan Road, was originally known as Cessnock Dock and built between 1893 and 1897 for the Clyde Navigation Trust. The formal opening was performed by the Duchess of York on 10 September 1895.


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Old Photographs Annan Scotland

Old photograph of Annan, located 15 miles from Dumfries, Scotland. Each year in July, Annan celebrates the Royal Charter and the boundaries of the Royal Burgh are confirmed when a mounted cavalcade undertakes the Riding of the Marches. During his retreat from Derby, Bonnie Prince Charlie stayed in the High Street at the old inn. It was at Annan in December 1332 that Bruce supporters overwhelmed Balliol's forces to bring about the end of the first invasion of Scotland in the Second War of Scottish Independence.



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Tour Scotland Video Small Pipes Music Festival Auchtermuchty

Tour Scotland travel video of the Small Pipes being played on ancestry, genealogy, history visit and trip to Auchtermuchty, Fife, Scotland. Hamish Moore playing the Small Pipes in the Square in Auchtermuchty. Scottish Smallpipes were one of the first documented bagpipes in Scotland, along with the Border pipes, which were popular in the Lowland areas of Scotland as far North as Aberdeen. Evidence shows them to have existed since the 15th century, Highland pipes can only be documented from the 16th Century, when they were used for dancing and entertainment in Court and castle, later they became popular amongst Burgh Pipers, and Town Minstrels until the early 19th Century, when the demise of the Town Pipers lead to their disappearing from the record. Being bellows blown this made them suitable for playing for long periods. Bellows blown smallpipes are believed to have entered Scotland via England, and the Continent of Europe, examples are preserved in many drawings, carvings, and paintings from 15th century onwards, and in Europe from the 12th century onwards.

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