This evening, my blog theme is historic Dunvegan Castle on the Isle of Skye (above). Will go into details later but in meantime will address today's developments:

You Tube: Had an unusual comment posted to my video clip of Raby Castle in England. This seemingly emanates from a self-confessed poacher who bagged some of the deer in the castle grounds.

Ancestry Research: Posted to my separate Glasgow Ancestry blog information on the Hill family, one member of which is actually buried in Ashkum, U.S.A. (1858).

Glasgow Weather: Dry but getting colder.

Tour Arranging: Close to finalising a few days of private tours from Edinburgh for a visiting group in June. New enquiry in for group tour of the Highlands later in the Fall/Autumn.

Dunvegan Castle: My theme tonight focuses on a press report of major restoration work planned for Dunvegan Castle which is Scotland's oldest continuously occupied property dating back 700 years and home to the Chief of Clan MacLeod.

It appears that Dunvegan Castle suffered a fire in 1938 the repair of which was 'sub optimal' and now requires further attention costing GBP1.1M. This cost is to be funded GBP598k from Scottish Government Agency, Historic Scotland , GBP100K from an organisation called Highland Opportunity with the balance coming from the MacLeod Estate.

First phase of the building work should be completed by End 2010 but the entire project could take 25 years to final completion.

In 1739 MacLeod of Dunvegan hit on a novel fund raising concept by selling a significant number of his people to South Carolina as indentured servants. More recently (2003), the Clan Chief wanted to sell the Black Cuillin mountain range (on Skye) in order to cover the cost of repairs to the castle but the sale appears not to have been concluded. I have to award the Chiefs of Clan McLeod 10/10 for innovative financing ideas worthy of a hot shot hedge fund manager!

Labels: isle of skye

posted by Catswhiskers @ 1:11 PM  0 comments

This evening, my theme is the famous West Highland line which has just been voted as the world's greatest rail journey for a second time.

Before going into details of the rail journey, I will first cover off daily developments, viz:

Glasgow Ancestry: Posted to my separate GlasgowAncestry blog information on the Lowndes family at Paisley, Scotland.

Glasgow Weather: Dull, mild and overcast but basically dry.

Arranging Tours: Corresponded with various clients in regard to tours which are in process of finalisation. Responded to enquiry from Germany for a group seeking a DVD of a Highland Games for which I recommended they visit the Braemar Gathering website. This evening I will be attending to micro details of a lengthy self drive tour of England, Scotland and Ireland.

West Highland Line: Over the weekend the press reported that this journey from Glasgow to Mallaig, covering 164 miles, has been voted (by readers of Wanderlust magazine) as the world's greatest rail journey, even surpassing the Trans-Siberian Express and the Orient Express. I have personally undertaken this rail journey a couple of times and am not sure if I am as enthused as the Wanderlust readers. The journey is slow with many stops, refreshments average and the carriages not exactly state of the art. On the plus side, views are stunning IF you obtain a window seat on the appropriate side of the train and the weather is fine.

The West Highland route takes in Loch Long, Loch Lomond, Loch Etive and Loch Eil. For passengers interested in engineering,the line crosses the world's first concrete rail viaduct at Glenfinnan. Glenfinnan is where Bonnie Prince Charlie landed in 1745 in an ultimately doomed attempt to wrest back the thrones of England and Scotland for the Stewarts. This is also one of the best locations to view the famous 'Harry Potter' steam train as it trundles over the bridge as per this video clip.

During the summer months, the Jacobite Express ( aka 'Harry Potter' train) operates a regular steam train service on part of the West Highland route, between Fort William and Mallaig, which is extremely popular with families because of the Harry Potter connection. Here is a video clip of the train as it winds its way up from Fort William.

In course of my tours I travel this route by road many times, particularly on the way to/from Isle of Skye. Lots of photo opportunities!

Labels: West Highland Line

posted by Catswhiskers @ 9:19 AM  0 comments

This morning, I first visited Glasgow Necropolis to obtain information for my separate GlasgowAncestry blog. I always this burial ground a fascinating place whose memorial stones provide a fascinating insight in to Victorian Glasgow which at the time was powering ahead and aspired to status of second city of the (British) Empire. It is mainly the wealthy elite who could afford memorials and they record a wide range of business activities from cotton manufacturer to railway contractor to merchant (seemingly a catch all term for businessman) to traders with the West Indies-plus many more categories.

After the Necropolis I journeyed over to the West End to fulfil a long-standing ambition to tour Glasgow University, one of Scotland's oldest and most prestigious universities. Tours are provided every Thursday, Friday and Saturday. As no one else turned up I had benefit of a private tour albeit shortened because some of the main buildings were in use for various functions. However, I did obtain a good overview of the site.

Glasgow University had its origins in a Papal Bull issued in 1451 at which time the University was established in the (then Roman Catholic) Cathedral. It seems strange to me that some 900 years after collapse of the Roman Empire it was order from Rome that established an educational establishment in Scotland.

The University prospered and moved to premises in the High Street which in time became unsuitable and triggered a relocation to the current purpose built site on Gilmore Hill around 1860. The buildings were designed in neo Gothic style by English architect, Gilbert Scott who, unfortunately, died just prior to completion. (This was the same Gilbert Scott who designed the iconic British red telephone box which is still in service today.)

The University celebrated its quincentennial anniversary in 1951.

This image just part of the impressive iron gates at the Gilmore Street entrance. The design incorporates names of famous alumni which includes the famous economist Adam Smith.

This is the front of the building facing Kelvingrove. The entrance is medieval and was transferred from the former High Street site.

The following two images plus this video clip show the inner courtyard including the 1929 Remembrance Chapel.


Another transfer from the old site in the High Street. This is the Lion and Unicorn stairs which date from 1690.

Here is a closer view of the two beasts, which appear to have weathered well despite Glasgow's climate.
This was a useful tour. It seems that visitors are free to wander round the main areas without prior arrangement or restriction. I will have to return in the summer because the site is elevated and offers good views of Glasgow (for photographs).

Labels: Glasgow University

posted by Catswhiskers @ 12:33 PM  0 comments

This evening, my blog theme is the monument to Robert Burns. Before embarking on that subject I will first address other developments today:

Ancestry Research: Posted information to my separate GlasgowAncestry blog on one John Lowndes of Paisley.

Glasgow Weather: Dry and relatively mild.

Tour Enquiries: An extremely busy day:

• Arranged a one day tour for an extended family from the U.S.
• Worked on details of a private tour for a U.S. couple.
• Had confirmation of a one day tour from a cruise ship.
• Responded to enquiry for a private, family tour of Scotland in the summer.
• Responded to a very interesting enquiry for a Roman Britain themed tour. (One of my key passions!)
• Responded to enquiry for a one day tour for a large Spanish speaking group.

Burns Monument: The monument to Scotland's national poet was opened in 1823. The site was chosen because of the (then) spectacular view of Burns Cottage (birthplace), Alloway Kirk (burial place of Burns father) and the Brig o'Doon.

The monument is a 70 ft high circular temple built to a Grecian style by famous architect Thomas Hamilton. The monument comprises nine pillars representing the nine Muses of Greek mythology, sitting on a three-sided base evoking the three historic divisions of Ayrshire: Kyle, Carrick and Cunninghame.

Inside the monument can be found a marble bust of Burns (see above image).

The interior of the monument is open to visitors who can climb half-way up to the base of the pillars and from that viewpoint view the River Doon, the Carrick Hills and sometimes the Firth of Clyde.

Labels: Robert Burns

posted by Catswhiskers @ 12:28 PM  0 comments

This evening, my Blog theme is the cottage where the famous poet, Robert Burns was born on Jan 25th 1759. Before moving to that I will first cover off the day's developments:

Scotland Ancestry: Posted information to my GlasgowAncestry blog on Pinkerton family history as sourced from a memorial at Paisley Abbey.

Glasgow Weather: Slightly warmer than yesterday which resulted in a progressive melt of the thin layer of snow. Damp but with little rain.

Tours: Spent most of the day working on the minutiae of a couple of tours: one self-drive and the other a private tour to be provided by me during April.

Burns Cottage: Now to my theme for the evening. The cottage shown above and below dates from 1757 when it was built by one William Burnes as his first family home. Here their first child and eldest son, Robert was born on Jan 25th 1759. Robert subsequently reached status as Scotland's national poet with over 600 poems and songs written and gathered by him during a relatively short lifetime.

Because of Burns' fame his birthplace became a tourist attraction from an early date. It is a traditional 'but and ben' design with accommodation for family, livestock plus storage space. The cottage has been restored to the condition pertaining during the period of Burns early life. This video clip provides a view of the interior.

Labels: Robert Burns

posted by Catswhiskers @ 12:02 PM  0 comments

This evening, my theme is the famous Brig o' Doon (Bridge over the River Doon) at Alloway, Ayrshire which has close connections with Scotland's national poet Robert Burns and on which more is provided below.

First a Catswhiskers new summary:

Glasgow Weather: Bitterly cold with temperature below freezing for the last 24 hours. This evening, we have a light layer of snow.

Ancestry Research: Have just posted to my separate GlasgowAncestry blog information on McKechnie family history obtained from information at historic Paisley Abbey.

Tours of Scotland: Worked on two new tours: An American family requiring a day tour from Edinburgh and large group from Sweden requiring a whisky themed tour.

Brig o' Doon: My theme this evening is the famous bridge over the River Doon which dates from the Middle Ages and become a famous landmark consequent on Robert Burns using the bridge as the setting for the climax of the poem Tam o' Shanter which is the story of a farmer from nearby Maybole who gets into trouble due to fondness for women and drink. At the end of the story Tam is chased by a group of witches and warlocks and makes a narrow escape on horseback via a heroic leap for the keystone of the bridge in course of which a witch grabs the horses tail which is ripped off leaving the stump as a salutary reminder of the dangers of drink and women.

"For Nannie, far before the rest
Hard upon noble Maggie prest,
And flew at Tam wi' furious ettle;
But little wist she Maggie's mettle!
Ae spring brought off her master hale,
But left behind her ain grey tail;
The carlin claught her by the rump,
And left poor Maggie scarce a stump."

This video clip shows the bridge and its surroundings including the nearby Burns Monument.

Labels: Robert Burns

posted by Catswhiskers @ 12:30 PM  0 comments

This morning I ventured out to Ayrshire to undertake research for an upcoming new web page. On setting out I had to navigate through a snow storm but after midday the weather was transformed into blue sky and sunshine.

On the way home I paid a visit to a very impressive castle which is situated close to the Ayrshire coast, south of Glasgow, namely Dundonald.

The site benefits from a high elevation and such dominates the local landscape and provides views out to Ben Lomond ( 40 miles away) and the Firth (estuary) of Clyde and Isle of Arran.

Archaeological evidence indicates the site was occupied prior to 2000BC while a Dark Age fortress on the site was destroyed by fire before 1000AD.

The current fortification dates from the 1370s following rebuild of an early castle dating from around 1260.

Dundonald Castle was associated with the (Royal) Stewart family from inception until it was sold to the Cathcart family in 1482 and then subsequently the Wallaces and Cochranes. Chief architectural feature of the castle is the medieval, barrel-vaulted ceiling.

An appreciation of the castle and its environs can be found by viewing this video clip.


Below is an image of the first snowdrops I have spotted this year, found in Alloway.

Labels: Dundonald Castle

posted by Catswhiskers @ 8:49 AM  0 comments