Sorbie Tower and Clan Hannay, Scotland



Tour group visitors with Convenor at Sorbie Tower
This afternoon, I am posting information on Sorbie Tower which is located near Wigtown, about three hours drive south of Glasgow.

The tower is connected with Clan Hannay through a family of that name which was prominent in the Galloway region since the 13th century.The Hannays of Kirkdale had their seat between Creetown and Gatehouse of Fleet from 1786 and Sorbie Tower.The Tower is in process of restoration by the Hannay Society with ultimate objective of re-roofing the building and making it habitable.

Nearby is an early medieval motte on which stood a defensive structure built of wood.

The tower probably dates from the 16th century and was not built as a single project.

The name Sorbie reflects settlement by the Vikings in the first millennium. It derives from the Old Norse saur byr which translates as 'muddy farm'.

Here is an image of the Lesser Periwinkle which is the official badge of Clan Hannay.


Lesser Periwinkle at Sorbie Tower

Coat of Arms at Sorbie Tower, Scotland

Ramsay Hannay memorial at Sorbie Tower, Scotland

Architectural detail at Sorbie Tower, Scotland
Video clip of the interior of Sorbie Tower.




Sorbie Tower, Scotland

Medieval Motte near Sorbie Tower, Scotland
Posted by on
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Reconstructed Roman Villa

Image
This evening, I am reporting on my visit earlier today to a meticulously reconstructed Roman Villa in Somerset, England.   Funding for the project was provided by a South African billionaire. Specific features of the reconstruction project which is known as 'Villa Ventorum': Employed hundreds of architects, builders, archaelogists, mosaic makers, fresco painters and experts on ancient plumbing. The new build was built close to the remains of the original villa which dates from AD351. Incorporates the only working hypocaust system in Europe to create authentic Roman underfloor heating. Thne system also provides heating for the internal baths. Designed to appear to visitors as though still in use. Mosaics and frescoes have been made below the top standards of the time (e.g. Chedworth ) to reflect the social rank of the resident family. Incorporates a Roman 'fast food bar' allong the lines of that found in Pompeii . (Core of above information sourced from the Times newspap
Read more

Glen Quaich, one of Scotland's best backroads tour routes

Image
This afternoon, I am reporting the route of Glen Quaich in Central Scotland. This is a scenic, single track road which is usually closed to traffic in winter. The route covers about twelve miles and runs between the villages of Amulree and Kenmore on the northern tip of Loch Tay in Perthshire. Depending on time of year it is possible to encounter low lying snow, many sheep, grouse and other exceptional opportunities for photography. Incidentally, Quaich means a drinking cup. In a certain place the landscape is shaped like a bowl. Glen Quaich, Perthshire, Scotland Glen Quaich Black Grouse at Glen Quaich Here are a couple of video clips.
Read more

Fort Augustus, a popular visitor site on southern tip of Loch Ness

Image
Loch Ness from flight of locks at Fort Augustus, Scottish Highlands This evening, I am posting information on Fort Augustus, a busy tourist village on the southern tip of Loch Ness in the Scottish Highlands. Summary information on Fort Augustus as follows:- Population about 650 persons. Distance, about 160 miles from Edinburgh and 35 miles from Inverness entailing journey times of 3.5 hours and 1 hour respectively. Well endowed with hotels and other accommodation plus shops, restaurants and visitor attractions. From here visitors can avail of boat trips on Loch Ness. Home to an impressive flight of five locks on the Caledonian Canal. Latter dates from 1822 and is now primarily used by pleasure boats. Closely linked with the 18th century Jacobite uprising in that (a) the village was renamed Fort Augustus (after Prince William Augustus, third son of King George II) consequent upon construction of a British military (redcoat) fort in 1742 and (b) the same Prince
Read more