Nigel's Photo Blog

Introduction  This afternoon, I am posting a portfolio of lighthouse images obtained in context of my tours around Scotland.   Isle of May Lighthouse, Firth of Forth. Information on the Scottish Lighthouses  There exist some 200 lighthouses positioned around Scotland’s rugged and challenging coastline. Lighthouse construction in the modern sense commenced in the 1780s under leadership of Thomas Smith of Dundee (1752-1814), son of ship’s captain.The first lighthouses were Kinnaird Head in 1787, Mull of Kintyre in 1788, North Ronaldsay in 1789 and Eileen Glas in 1789. Smith was succeeded by his son-in-law, Robert Stevenson (1772-1850) who became Chief engineer for the new, Northern Lighthouse Board. The Stevenson family became synonymous with lighthouse building, being collectively responsible for at least 80 structures over three generations.This started with Robert, his sons David and Thomas and David’s sons, David Allan and Charles Alexander.Stevenson f...

    

Introduction This afternoon, I am reporting on a day tour of the Scottish Borders region (southern Scotland). Information on the Scottish Borders   Tour    Spider’s Web at Dryburgh Abbey , Scotland First we departed our lodgings in Melrose and drove to nearby Dryburgh Abbey. Now a romantic ruin, the Abbey was founded around 1150 for a cadre of monks known as premonstratensians. Influenced by its location, the abbey was subject to attacks by English armies in 14th and 16th centuries with final denouement at time of the Reformation in 1560. Here are buried Sir Walter Scott and Earl Haig. Dryburgh Abbey, Scotland Dryburgh Abbey, Scotland Next to Hawick to join 11.30 am tour of the Johnstons of Elgin cashmere textile mill. We benefited from a private tour which proved a fascinating and instructive experience. Cashmere at Johnstons Manufacturing at Johnstons Cashmere Johnstons Cashmere, Hawick, Scotland Tour Guide at Johnstons Cashmere After a light lunch a...