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 photograph of the Codfather in St Andrews, Fife, Scotland. The Codfather is a small fishing boat, presently undergoing maintenance on dry land beside St Andrews Harbour. In the background you can see the ancient city wall of St Andrews, and St Rule's Tower.
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
Tour Scotland photograph of the coastline and St Andrews Castle in St Andrews, Fife, Scotland. Shot these photographs at Low Tide this afternoon down by the old harbour in St Andrews. The castle sits on a rocky promontory overlooking a small beach called Castle Sands and the adjoining North Sea. There has been a castle standing at the site since the times of Bishop Roger, 1189 to 1202, son of the Earl of Leicester. It housed the burgh’s wealthy and powerful bishops while St Andrews served as the ecclesiastical centre of Scotland during the years before the Protestant Reformation.
Tour Scotland panorama photograph of St Andrews, Fife, Scotland. Shot these photographs from Kinkell Braes above St Andrews, looking down towards the old harbour by the East Sands and the ruins of St Andrews Cathedral.
Tour Scotland photograph of a beach in Anstruther, East Neuk of Fife, Scotland. A beautiful, sunny morning at Low Tide in Anstruther. I always take my tour guests to this old fishing village where I was raised in Scotland.
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
Tour Scotland photograph of Methven Castle, West of Perth, Scotland. The lands of Methven were owned by the Mowbray family from the 12th century. The Mowbrays supported the claim of John Balliol against Robert the Bruce, and on the latter's victory, Methven was confiscated by the crown, and given to Walter Stewart, the Bruce's son-in-law. His descendant, Walter Stewart, Earl of Atholl, was deprived of the lands following his involvement in a plot to kill King James I. The castle sustained a siege in 1444, and was visited by King James II in 1450. King James IV visited several times in the 1490s. Methven Castle is now an idyllic hideaway offering luxury bed and breakfast on an exclusive basis.
Tour Scotland photograph of long shadows at Huntingtower Castle, by Perth, Perthshire, Scotland. Huntingtower Castle once known as Ruthven Castle or the Palace of Ruthven is situated about 3 miles from the centre of Perth, on the main road to Crieff. The Castle was built in stages from the 15th century by the Clan Ruthven family and was known for several hundred years as the Palace of Ruthven. In the summer of 1582, the castle was occupied by the 4th Lord Ruthven, who was also the 1st Earl of Gowrie, and his family. Gowrie was involved in a plot to kidnap the young King James VI, son of Mary, Queen of Scots. During 1582 Gowrie and his associates seized the young king and held him prisoner for 10 months. This kidnapping is known as the 'Raid of Ruthven' and the Protestant conspirators behind it hoped to gain power through controlling the king. James eventually escaped and actually forgave Gowrie, but after a second abortive attempt by Gowrie and others to overthrow him, Gowrie was finally executed and his property, including Huntingtower, was forfeited to the crown. The Castle and lands were restored to the Ruthven family in 1586. However in 1600, the brothers John and Alexander Ruthven were implicated in another plot to kill King James VI and were executed. This time, the king was less merciful: as well as seizing the estates, he abolished the name of Ruthven and decreed that any successors would be ineligible to hold titles or lands. Thus the House of Ruthven ceased to exist and by royal proclamation the castle was renamed Huntingtower. The Castle remained in the possession of the crown until 1643 when it was given to the family of Murray of Tullibardine, from whom the Dukes of Atholl and Mansfield are descended. John Murray, 1st Duke of Atholl resided in the Castle, where his wife Lady Mary Ross bore a son 7 February 1717. The Castle began to be neglected and after Lady Mary died in 1767, it was abandoned as a place of residence except by farm labourers. Today, the Castle can be visited by the public and is sometimes used as a venue for marriage ceremonies. It is in the care of Historic Scotland and is open to the public.
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
Tour Scotland photograph of the Parish Church in Tibbermore, Perthshire, Scotland. Tibbermore Parish Church is a former parish
church remodelled in 17th century when the transepts were removed and the striking bellcote added. Reputed to be the burial place of three hundred Covenanters who perished in the Battle of Tibbermore. Tibbermore was once the residence of several of the bishops of Dunkeld, of whom Bishop Geoffrey died here in 1249, and Bishop Sinclair in 1337. A convent for Carmelite friars was founded by Bishop Richard in 1262; and the prelates continued to hold their synods at Tibbermore until the year 1460.
Tour Scotland photograph of gate to the Parish Church in Tibbermore, Perthshire, Scotland.
Tour Scotland video of the interior of the Parish Church in Tibbermore, Perthshire, Scotland.
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
Tour Scotland photograph of the William Lindsay Mercer Gravestone in Tibbermore, Perthshire, Scotland. William Lindsay Mercer was born in Edinburgh 23 April 1858. He married Ellen Lister in Cuckfield, Sussex, 1891. Ellen was born in Overton, Flintshire, Wales 1857. She was listed as a resident in the census report in 441 Langsell Road, Nether Hallam, Yorkshire, 1901. He was listed as a resident in the census report in 4 Great Stuart Street, Edinburgh, 1861. William was a boarder 1871 in The Rectory, Barkston, Lincolnshire. He was listed as a resident in the census report in Anglesey Barracks, Portsea, Hampshire, 1891. He was listed as head of household in the 1901 census in 441 Langsell Road, Nether Hallam, Yorkshire. Lieutenant, 1 Battalion Yorkshire Regiment (1891). Captain, Reserve of Officers (1901). Major in the Yorkshire Regiment, " The Green Howards. " Laid to rest on September 4th, 1926.
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
Tour Scotland photograph of the James David Lumsden gravestone in Tibbermore, Perthshire, Scotland. In loving memory of James David Lumsden of Huntingtowerfield, Born 28th November 1882, died 4th May 1920.
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
Tour Scotland photograph of Methven and Logiealmond Church in Perthshire, Scotland. Deeply affected by the death of his wife, Thomas Graham, Lord Lynedoch, commissioned a Mausoleum to her memory in the kirk yard at Methven, Perthshire. This gave the architect James Playfair, a chance to put to practice his most advanced ideas and the resultant design in the form of a gigantic sarcophagus is truly amazing for its period. After a long life Lord Lynedoch joined his wife in her last resting place in 1848. The Mausoleum is the free standing building in front of the church.
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
Tour Scotland photograph of the River Tay in Perth, Perthshire, Scotland. Shot these photographs at 10am this morning. A beautiful, sunny morning. The first signs of Spring.
Tour Scotland photograph shot today of a Soprano who was singing for The Charity Breakthrough Breast Cancer in Perth, Perthshire, Scotland. I was delighted to meet Kyla Lingley today in Perth. Kyla devotes her time, when she is not performing in shows and concerts, to raise money and awareness for the charity Breakthrough Breast Cancer. Kyla has currently raised over £12,000 by giving outdoor performances in city centres around the UK. She is a lovely lass.
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
Tour Scotland photograph of wood sculptures at Cairn O'Mohr, Perthshire, Scotland. These sculptures can be seen at Cairn O’Mohr winery which is located around an 18th Century farmstead at East Inchmichael, Errol, Perthshire. It is a unique place producing award winning fruit wines from berries, leaves and flowers. All the ingredients are gathered fresh from around the rolling hills of Perthshire. Ron Gillies from the winery also carves these sculptures.
Tour Scotland photograph of wood sculptures at Cairn O'Mohr, Perthshire, Scotland.
Tour Scotland photograph of wood sculptures at Cairn O'Mohr, Perthshire, Scotland.
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
Tour Scotland photograph of the Thomas Hunter Cox Gravestone in Western Cemetery, Dundee, Scotland. Thomas Hunter Cox was a partner of Cox Brothers of Dundee and Lochee, a large linen and jute weaving firm. He died in January 1892, aged 73.
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
Tour Scotland photograph shot this afternoon of sunset over the River Tay from Kinnoull Hill, Perthshire, Scotland. Shot this photograph at 5pm today. Black clouds rolling in over Tay Valley obscuring much of the sunset.
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
Perthshire is at the very heart of Scotland and one of the most popular regions for visitors, offering a variety of Highland and Lowland landscapes with some of the most scenic and accessible countryside for shorter walks as well as evidence of its rich history at every turn. Perthshire 40 Town and Country Walks features traditional tourist hubs, such as Pitlochry, Dunkeld and Killin, with its historical connections to the county, as well as countryside around Blairgowrie, Crieff and Aberfeldy, finishing up at the Fair City of Perth and nearby Kinross. Perthshire: 40 Town and Country Walks (Pocket Mountains).
Old photograph of people outside thatched cottages on the West Coast of Scotland. In much of Scotland, thatch remained the only roofing material available to the bulk of the population in the countryside, in many towns and villages, until the late 1800s.
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
Old photograph of Gourock, Scotland. As far back as 1494 it is recorded that James IV sailed from the shore at Gourock to quell the rebellious Highland clans. Two hundred years later William and Mary granted a Charter in favour of Stewart of Castlemilk which raised Gourock to a Burgh of Barony. In 1784 the lands of Gourock were purchased by Duncan Darroch, a former merchant in Jamaica. He built Gourock House near the site of the castle in what the family eventually gifted to the town as Darroch Park, later renamed as Gourock Park.
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
Old photograph of Thurso, Caithness, Scotland. Thurso was an important Norse port, and has a later history of trade with ports throughout northern Europe until the 19th century. A thriving fishing centre, Thurso also had a reputation for its linen cloth and tanning activities.
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