1. Jan, 2022
The Reverend Charles Cordiner, an 18th century visitor to the very far north of Scotland.
The Reverend Charles Cordiner (1746? - 1794) was episcopal minister of St Andrew's Chapel, Banff. He was also an antiquarian, and a fine artist, who travelled all over the Highlands of Scotland, recording the sights he came across - ruins and carved stones were of particular interest to him.
In 1780, he published a record of his journey up the east coast, and along the north coast as far as Tongue and Loch Hope in Sutherland, which he wrote in the form of a series of letters to Thomas Pennant. Antiquities and Scenery of the Far North of Scotland was published in London, and included some fine engravings after drawings by the author. His account is one of three significant 18th century journeys to Sutherland which I investigate in my book, the other two being by Bishop Pococke, and Thomas Pennant.
Cordiner also published a more general book of what he calls "remarkable ruins and romantic prospects" throughout the Highlands. The full title is Remarkable Ruins, and Romantic Prospects of North Britain, with Ancient Monuments and Singular Subjects of Natural History. It was published in two volumes, in 1795, by which time the author had died.
Both works provide significant details of the far north, at a time when it was rarely visited by anyone from outside, and I shall post a photo album page of a number of images from Cordiner's two books.