He was born in 1270, probably near Paisley, Renfrew, Scotland. He was a Scottish knight who became one of the main leaders during the First War of Scottish Independence.
Sir William Wallace is remembered for leading the Scottish resistance forces to free Scotland from English rule. Many of the stories about Wallace (which are not supported by documentary evidence) have been traced to a late 15th-century romance ascribed to Harry the Minstrel, or “Blind Harry.”
After his betrayal and capture, Wallace was taken to London, where he was tried. He was found guilty, hanged, disemboweled, beheaded, and quartered on 23rd August 1305.
Wallace’s death did not end Scotland’s Wars of Independence. Robert the Bruce continued the fight and achieved victory at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314.
The William Wallace Statue was erected 1888 in Aberdeen, Scotland, and depicts Sir William Wallace. Sculpted by William Grant Stevenson, the statue is positioned opposite His Majesty’s Theatre and across from Union Terrace Gardens.
William Wallace Statue, Aberdeen
Thank you very much for taking the time to join me on my travels through Scotland. I hope you enjoyed it just as much as I did.
It is the largest theatre in north-east Scotland, seating more than 1,400. The theatre is sited on Rosemount Viaduct, opposite the city’s Union Terrace Gardens. It was designed by Frank Matcham and opened in 1906.
The granite-clad theatre is the brainchild of Robert Arthur, of Glasgow, who started his group of theatres in the 1880s focusing on Her Majesty`s Theatre, Dundee, and others in England. His plans for Rosemount Viaduct were submitted to Aberdeen City Council in 1901, construction started in 1904, and completed in 1906.
Aberdeen City Council bought the theatre in 1975, the Council duly allocating £3.5 million to ensure the building’s survival. After 23 months of closure the theatre was reopened in 1982 by Prince Charles. After a National Lottery grant was awarded in 1999, the theatre was the subject of a refurbishment and extension. The refurbishment and new glass-fronted box office, café and restaurant was designed by esteemed Aberdeen City Council architect Trevor Smith. The auditorium and public areas were completely refurbished and new seats were installed. Backstage facilities were also upgraded. The refurbishment went on to win several awards.
His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen, ScotlandHis Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen, Scotland
His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen, Scotland
Thank you very much for taking the time to join me on my travels through Scotland. I hope you enjoyed it just as much as I did.
I know it is been a while since I posted about our Grand Tour of Scotland.
We spend the night at Skene House Rosemount. To be honest it was the most uncomfortable place we stayed on our entire tour. Every room in the hotel room was closed up by a heavy door. It was very hot and I felt claustrophobic and uncomfortable. I understand it is for fire safety, but believe me I did not feel safe. When we booked in nobody even told us to use our keycard to switch on the lights. So we stood in the dark trying to find a light switch. At all the other places we stayed they at least offered to help with our bags.
Dads BreakfastMy Breakfast
After Breakfast we loaded the car and we started exploring Aberdeen.
Bon Accord Free Church
Bon Accord Free Church
Aberdeen Market
We had our list of places we wanted to see but like always I had to take the wrong turn and ended up in a dead end. But like always getting lost worked out just great. We came across the most beautiful doors and windows.
Oor Wullies Big Bucket Trail
The Old Kings Highway
The Old Kings Highway
Thank you very much for taking the time to join me on my travels through Scotland. I hope you enjoyed it just as much as I did. Will share some more photos in my next post of Aberdeen.
Today we continue our Grand Tour of Scotland. Our next stop was the Dunnottar Castle. I got the following information for Wikipedia.
“Dunnottar Castle “fort on the shelving slope” is a ruined medieval fortress located upon a rocky headland on the northeastern coast of Scotland, about 2 miles (3 kilometers) south of Stonehaven. The surviving buildings are from the 15th and 16th centuries, but the site is believed to have been fortified in the Early Middle Ages. Dunnottar has played a prominent role in the history of Scotland through to the 18th-century Jacobite risings because of its strategic location and defensive strength.
Dunnottar is best known as the place where the Honours of Scotland, the Scottish crown jewels, were hidden from Oliver Cromwell’s invading army in the 17th century. The property of the Keiths from the 14th century, and the seat of the Earl Marischal, Dunnottar declined after the last Earl forfeited his titles by taking part in the Jacobite rebellion of 1715. The castle was restored in the 20th century and is now open to the public.
The ruins of the castle are spread over 1.4 hectares (3 1⁄2 acres), surrounded by steep cliffs that drop to the North Sea, 160 feet (50 meters) below. A narrow strip of land joins the headland to the mainland, along which a steep path leads up to the gatehouse. The various buildings within the castle include the 14th-century tower house as well as the 16th-century palace. Dunnottar Castle is a scheduled monument, and twelve structures on the site were listed buildings.”
“Stop dreaming about your bucket list and start living it.” ~Annette White
Thank you very much for taking the time to join me on my travels. I hope you enjoyed it just as much as I did.
We left Dundee on our way to Arbroath. We spend so much time in Dundee that time was running out and, we had to start making decisions about what places of interest on our list we were going to skip. The roads were busy and, I took the wrong turn off. Had to get someplace to turn around to at least take a photo of the Declaration of Arbroath.
Arbroath was the location of the Battle of Arbroath in 1446. A series of disagreements between the Chief Justiciary of Arbroath, Alexander Lindsay, third Earl of Crawford, and Bishop James Kennedy of St Andrews resulted in Lindsay sacking the bishop’s lands and burning his properties. Lindsay was excommunicated for his troubles and, it was felt that this was incompatible with his role as Chief Justiciary. The monks of Arbroath Abbey selected Alexander Ogilvy of Inverquharity as his replacement and, the insult led to a pitched battle in the town, leaving 500 dead, including Lindsay and Ogilvy. Large parts of Arbroath were destroyed in the aftermath by the Lindsay family.
Declaration of Arbroath
Declaration of Arbroath
Arbroath
Arbroath
Arbroath
Arbroath
Arbroath
Arbroath
Arbroath Abbey was founded in 1178 by King William the Lion for a group of Tironensian Benedictine monks from Kelso Abbey. It was consecrated in 1197 with a dedication to the deceased Saint Thomas Becket, whom the king had met at the English court. It was William’s only foundation — he was buried before the high altar of the church in 1214.
The last Abbot was Cardinal David Beaton, who in 1522 succeeded his uncle James to become Archbishop of St Andrews. The Abbey is cared for by Historic Environment Scotland and is open to the public throughout the year. The distinctive red sandstone ruins stand at the top of the High Street in Arbroath. Unfortunately, dad and I ran out of time and, the Abbey had already closed. I took some photos through the fence.
Arbroath Abbey
Arbroath Abbey
On route from Arbroath
On route from Arbroath
Thank you very much for taking the time to join me on my travels. I hope you enjoyed it just as much as I did.
Till next time, safe travels and keep dreaming.
Have a fabulous day.
Coreen
“Stop dreaming about your bucket list and start living it.” ~Annette White
Hope you are all having a great day so far. I decided to share the last part of our visit to Dundee with you today. I know 2 days in a row…. We drove around Dundee trying to check off the different places of interest on our list.
Dudhope Castle
Dudhope Castle is an extended late medieval tower house located on the southern face of Dundee Law in Dundee. It was built in the late 13th century by the Scrymgeour family, with the original castle being a smaller tower house. In 1792 the castle was rented in an attempt to use it as a woolen factory, although the plan never came to fruition. In 1795 the park and the grounds were leased to the Board of Ordnance. They used Dudhope as a barracks for 95 years, from 1796 to 1879. Additional buildings were constructed, including a hospital, officer’s quarters, stables, and guard-rooms. The castle itself was used to accommodate 400 soldiers. The Board of Ordnance finally abandoned it in 1881.
Dudhope Castle
Dudhope Castle
Dudhope Castle
Steeple Church
The Tower is the oldest part of the structure, dating from the 15th century. Over centuries several church buildings have been erected and have fallen on the site. The present Steeple Church dates from 1789. The other parts of the building on the east side, the Mary Slessor Centre and Dundee Parish Church (St. Mary’s ), were built in 1840 after a fire.
Steeple Church
St Mary’s Parish Church
St. Mary’s Parish Church
Dundee
Oor Wullie’s Big Bucket Trail
Adam Duncan Statue
Admiral Adam Duncan, 1st Viscount Duncan (1 July 1731 – 4 August 1804) was a British admiral who defeated the Dutch fleet off Camperdown on 11 October 1797. This victory is considered one of the most significant actions in naval history.
Adam Duncan was born and schooled in Dundee. He joined the Royal Navy, following in the footsteps of his uncle, Captain Robert Haldane. He went on to serve under him on HMS Trial and HMS Shoreham. In 1755 he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant, then in 1759 to a commander.
In 1763 Duncan returned home on half-pay. Despite his repeated efforts to gain another naval command, he spent much of the next fifteen years on the family estate at Lundie or in Dundee. On 6 June 1777, he married Henrietta. His father-in-law pulled some strings and, in late 1778, he was given command of HMS Suffolk and then of HMS Monarch.
Duncan remained in command of the North Sea fleet until he retired in 1801. He died three years later at the age of 73 and was buried in Lundie.
Adam Duncan Statue
Adam Duncan Statue
Adam Duncan Statue
Oor Wullie’s Big Bucket Trail
St. Paul’s Cathedral
St. Paul’s Cathedral is an Anglican cathedral in the city of Dundee, Scotland. It is the cathedral and administrative center of the Diocese of Brechin in the Scottish Episcopal Church.
In 1847, Alexander Penrose Forbes was elected new Bishop of Brechin and chose to make Dundee his permanent residence.
The foundation stone of the cathedral was laid on 21 July 1853 and, it was completed in 1855. It was designed by George Gilbert Scott and is in the style of the Middle or Decorated period of Gothic architecture. There is a peal of 8 bells; the tenor bell weighs 23 cwt.
The total cost of the building exceeded £14,000, and ten years passed before the congregation could pay off all the debts incurred. The church was dedicated on All Saints Day, 1 November 1865. In 1905 St.Paul’s status was raised to cathedral.
St Paul’s Cathedral
St Paul’s Cathedral
St Paul’s Cathedral
Dundee
Mains Castle
Mains Castle (also known as Claverhouse Castle or Fintry Castle) is a 16th-century castle in Dundee, Scotland. It consists of several buildings surrounding a courtyard, although several of the original western buildings no longer exist. The family lived in the northern and eastern buildings, with the servants occupying the southern quarters. The castle also has a large, six-floor, square tower house with dressed cornerstones, which is typical of 16th-century construction.
Mains Castle
Mains Castle
Mains Castle
Mains Castle
Mains Castle
Claypotts Castle
Claypotts Castle is a late medieval castle in the suburban West Ferry area of Dundee, Scotland. It is one of the best-preserved examples of a 16th-century Z-plan tower house in Scotland. Now surrounded by modern housing, the castle is maintained as an Ancient Monument by Historic Environment Scotland.
It was built by John Strachan around 1569–1588 according to dates inscribed on stones that make up parts of the castle, which make its construction longer than usual for such a small building. The Strachan family leased the land from the Tironensian Abbey of Lindores starting in the early 16th century.
The legend has it that the castle was once home to an industrious brownie who helped the servants with their work, but that he left in disgust because of a lazy kitchen maid.
Claypotts Castle
Claypotts Castle
Claypotts Castle
Claypotts Castle
Claypotts Castle
Thank you very much for taking the time to join me on my travels. I hope you enjoyed it just as much as I did.
Till next time, safe travels and keep dreaming.
Have a fabulous day.
Coreen
“The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.” ~Saint Augustine
It’s been a while since I shared a post on our Grand Tour of Scotland. I think today is the day.
We continue our visit in Dundee. We headed up to Dundee Law. The views was breathtaking.
The Dundee Law is a hill in the center of Dundee. It is what remains of a volcanic sill and, it is the highest point in the center of Dundee. With a large war memorial at its summit, it is the most prominent feature on the local skyline.
Dundee Law comes from the Gaelic word for the mound. Lava was forced through fissures in old red sandstone from a volcanic area miles to the west. Actions by subsequent rain, wind, and ice movements eroded the sandstone. The glaciers of the ice ages deposited more debris around the base creating a crag and tail. The shallow gradient of the slopes on the north and eastern sides of it suggest a northeasterly movement of ice flows. The hill’s summit is over 500 feet above sea level.
Views of Dundee from Dundee Law
Views of Dundee from Dundee Law
On 16 May 1925, a war memorial for the fallen in both World War 1 and 2 was unveiled on Dundee Law.
War Memorial
War Memorial
War Memorial
Views of Harbor from Dundee Law
Views of Harbor from Dundee Law
Views of Dundee from Dundee Law
Views of V&A Museum from Dundee Law
Views of V&A Museum from Dundee Law
Views of Tay Bridge from Dundee Law
Views of Tay Bridge from Dundee Law
Views of Dundee from Dundee Law
Views of Tay river from Dundee Law
Views of Tay Rail Bridge from Dundee Law
Views of Tay Rail Bridge from Dundee Law
Oor Wullies Big Bucket Trail
Oor Wullies Big Bucket Trail
Oor Wullies Big Bucket Trail
Thank you very much for taking the time to join me on my travels. I hope you enjoyed it just as much as I did.
Till next time, safe travels and keep dreaming.
Have a fabulous day.
Coreen
“The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.” ~Saint Augustine
Today I am sharing some of the photo’s taken while exploring Dundee. We visited a few places of interest in Dundee and, I will break it up in different posts.
Alexandra FountainAlexandra FountainSeaplane Mercury Commemoration
The Tay Road Bridge is one of the longest road bridges in Europe. It was opened in 1966 when it replaced the old Tay Ferry. The 2,250m bridge carries the A92 road across the Firth of Tay from Newport-on-Tay in FIFE to Dundee in Scotland.
Tay Road Bridge
Tay Road Bridge
Tay Rail Bridge
View from Seaplane Mercury Commemoration
The V&A design museum in Dundee was built in the form of a ship and was design by Kengo Kuma. The V&A Dundee is the first design museum in Scotland and the first Victoria and Albert museum outside London.
V&A Design MuseumRRS Compass
RRS Discovery Compass
The Royal Research Ship (RRS), Discovery is moored at Discovery Point in Dundee. It was built in the city in 1900, RRS Discovery was the ship, which carried Captain Scott on his first expedition across the Antarctic. For more information on the RRS Discovery please visit their Website.
The RRS DiscoveryRRS DiscoveryRRS Discovery
Oor Wullie’s Big Bucket Trail Statue
OOR Wullie’s Big Bucket Trail Statue
Thank you very much for taking the time to have a look at my work. Have a fabulous day. Till next time, please stay safe and healthy.
We left St Andrews and headed towards Dairsie. I wanted to go see Dairsie Old Parish Church and then Dairsie Castle.
Dairsie Old Parish Church
Dairsie Old Parish Church
Dairsie Old Parish Church
After walking around at the Old Parish Church I got into the car to get the directions to Dairsie Castle. Google maps said I have arrived at my destination. The castle was next to the church.
Dairsie Castle is a restored tower house that is situated next to the River Eden. They started building the first castle on the property around 1298. The Scottish parliament was held in the castle in early 1335. The castle was rebuilt in the 16th century by the Learmonth family.
In the 17th century it was sold to John Spottiswoode (1565–1639), Archbishop of St Andrews, who built Dairsie Old Church next to the castle in 1621.
For more information on Dairsie Castle please visit their website. Today it is being rented out as a Self Catering Castle.
I asked the grounds keeper if I could take some photos of the Castle and she said it was okay I could take a quick walk around the garden.
Our next stop was Pittormie Fruit Farm. What I had in mind when I planned this stop was a big farm with fruit trees with a restaurant and farmstall. I drove past twice looking for the entrance to the farm. Dad spotted the sign when we drove past. It was a small little shop with handmade goodies. We bought some strawberries and something to drink and got back on the road to our next stop.
Pittormie Fruit FarmPittormie Fruit FarmPittormie Fruit FarmHouse next to Pittormie Fruit Farm
Our next stop was Thai Teak. I scheduled this as a tea break. When we arrived we walked around a bit and then headed inside for a lovely cup of tea.
Thai Teak
Thai Teak
Thai Teak
Thai Teak
Thai Teak
Thank you for joining us on our Grand Tour of Scotland.
Good day everyone, It is cold and wet here in South Africa this morning. Last year this time I was busy packing the last of my things and weighing our suitcases for our holiday in Scotland.
I can’t believe that the time went by so fast. The worst of it all is, I am not even halfway through editing all my photos. I better get working on that. I will still be posting about our first trip to Scotland for a long time. I am enjoying editing, posting photos, and stories of that day. It’s like I am back in Scotland.
Today I am going to share the rest of my photos of St Andrews.
Molly MalonesCrow on St Leonard’s Church
The blue door of the Lions House caught my attention when I got closer to take a photo I saw the lions and the name of the house it is very appropriate.
The Lions House
The Lions House
The Lions House
The Lions House
My next stop was the Holy Trinity Church. Another beautiful church with lots of detail. It’s a shame I did not have enough time to capture every little detail as I would like too.
Holy Trinity Church
Holy Trinity Church
Holy Trinity Church
Holy Trinity Church
Holy Trinity Church
Holy Trinity Church
Holy Trinity Church
Holy Trinity Church
Holy Trinity Church
Holy Trinity Church
Holy Trinity Church
Holy Trinity Church
Holy Trinity Church
Holy Trinity Church
Holy Trinity Church
Holy Trinity Church
Holy Trinity Church
Holy Trinity Church
Holy Trinity Church
Holy Trinity Church
Holy Trinity Church
Holy Trinity Church
Holy Trinity Church
Holy Trinity Church
Holy Trinity Church
Holy Trinity Church
I love to capture the old buildings with their unique characteristics, for example, this corner bookstore.
Here are just a few more buildings that caught my eye on my way back to the car.
Our next stop the Blackfriars Chapel.
Blackfriars Chapel
Blackfriars Chapel
Blackfriars Chapel
Blackfriars Chapel
Oor Wullie at the Blackfriars Chapel
Madras College
Madras College
Madras College
Madras College
St Andrews Baptist ChurchSt Andrews Baptist Church
Thank you for joining me on my walk through St Andrews. Our next stop was St Andrew’s Cathedral. But that is a post all on its own.