The Scottish Snippets Newsletter in its original format began in April 1997 and continued in an unbroken series for 591 issues. Although no longer produced in that style, there is now this regular update on the new and updated pages on the Rampant Scotland site including "Scottie's Photo Diary From Scotland".
To receive a text version of this newsletter as a reminder to look at these Web pages when they are published, just send an e-mail to Scottie@RampantScotland.com with "Subscribe Newsletter" in the subject line.
Scottie's Photo Diary - October 2015
Despite being Autumn/Fall and overnight mist still hanging around in the early morning, there were a lot of dry days with some sunshine and relatively mild temperatures - by our standards (in the 50-60F range). I paid another visit to the Scottish Borders, particularly in Hawick and nearby. Dean Castle in Ayrshire and Edinburgh were also on my schedule. And the weather meant that after a poor summer for butterflies, 4 Red Admirals enjoyed the banquet laid on for them in my garden and kept returning every day till the last week of October! See: Scottie's Photo Diary - October 2015
Places to Visit - Dryhope Tower
Dryhope Tower is in the valley of the Yarrow Water, in the historic county of Selkirkshire (now part of the Scottish Borders). It was one of many such towers designed to offer some protection when invaders arrived, sometimes from neighbouring clans/families, sometimes from England. Dryhope Tower is near St Mary's Loch, the largest natural loch in the Scottish Borders (well worth a visit - there is a sign-posted walk round the shores). There is a track from the main road to a farm that continues a short distance into the hills. The Dryhope Burn in a deep ravine but a bridge has been built across it to the other side. There is a steep track down to the bridge - I was there after a dry spell so it wasn't too bad a climb! See: Places to Visit - Dryhope Tower
Castle Photo Library - Buccleuch Castle
Buccleuch Castle was the first major building associated with the Scotts when they moved into the countryside near Selkirk in what is now the Scottish Borders. Since the building no longer exists, it was a challenge to write an illustrated page about the location. But a farmhouse was built on the site (using stone from the original castle) and there is a tunnel to a house on the other side of the Rankil Burn which carries sounds from one building to the other! A picture of trees in autumn colours beside the Rankil Burn also added to the illustrations! See: Castle Photo Library - Buccleuch Castle
Scotland's Clans on YouTube
Copies of the BBC TV series by Paul Murton (around 30 minutes in length) on aspects of the histories of a number of Scottish clans had been uploaded to YouTube by various editors. Due to copyright reasons, the longer uploads have been removed but the Paul Murton videos split into three parts remain. Searching for alternative videos turned up another series of short clan histories (mainly 2/3 minutes long) by Carl MacDougall in the "Scotland Now" series. The 13 clans covered are listed at: Scotland's Clans on YouTube
Scotland's Scenic Beauty on YouTube
In a similar vein, there are lots of YouTube videos on Scottish landscapes - See over 20 videos at: Scotland's Scenic Beauty on YouTube
National Trust for Scotland "Streetmaps"
The National Trust for Scotland has joined forces with Google Maps to bring some of the Trust's most stunning countryside to virtual visitors all over the globe. Some of Scotland's most iconic landscapes - from coastline to countryside - have been captured by NTS staff using Google's StreetView technology. Simply select a location and take a trek from the comfort of your armchair. Locations include Ben Lomond, Culzean Castle & Country Park, Glencoe, Glenfinnan Monument, Grey Mare’s Tail Waterfall, Inverewe, Iona, Isle of Mull, Mar Lodge Estate, St Abb's Head Nature Reserve, Staffa. See: National Trust for Scotland "Streetmaps"
Memory Lane
There are more items to be added to the "Memory Lane" pages received from readers but time pressures have meant they have had to be carried forward to a future newsletter.
Next Newsletter
The next newsletter is scheduled for 21 November and will be mainly current news items from Tam O'Ranter.Of course, if you have any Scottish memories which you would like to contribute to "Memory Lane" please send them in!
Yours aye
Scottie
Previous editions of this Newsletter are available in an Archive. The Index to the other pages of the Rampant Scotland site is available here.
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