Granny in the North: photographs from our family albums.
The photos are well annotated, though the writing is hard to read sometimes. This says "Loch Brora - Dirrie More." One of the few photos with more than one car in it.
"Dirrie Mor", in Wester Ross. Chris McNeill informs me that the mountain in the distance is An Teallach.
"Loch Brome from Ullapool."
A view from Loch Lubnaigg, with possibly Cul Mor and Cul Beag in the distance. Correction: I have been informed that it is Ben an Eoin behind Loch Lurgain.
Place unknown.Probably Stoer, in Assynt.
"Quinag".
"Loch Barolan." Cul More in the distance.
"The Inver." Quinag can be seen clearly, in the distance.
The lighthouse at Dunnet Head.
Looking out at John O'
Ben Klibreck (Kilbreck).
"Loch na Meide and Ben Loyal."
"Ford on the Altnahara to Eriboll(?) road."
? Trouble. Some sort of breakdown. His car proudly displays the AA badge, but I'm not sure how far it is to the nearest phone....
"Ben Hope." The road from Strathmore, that passes Dun Dornadilla.
"Summit of Hope - Erreboll."
"Desie(?) and Loch Erreboll (Eriboll).
Loch Eriboll again, but hard to read the inscription.
Two more views at Loch Eriboll. The bottom photograph is of what is now a much-visited beach, Ceannabeinne, just east of Durness.
My grandfather was clearly a keen driver, presumably a member of the Scottish Automobile Club. Three photos of a Hill Climb event.
"SAC Hill Climb."
"In Glen Shiel."
"On Man Rattachan" (Loch Duich area).
"In Glen Clunie."
"Kyleaken Ferry", now the site of the bridge across to Skye from Lochalsh.
In Glen Coe.
Three photographs of the ferry at Balachulish.
My grandmother, seemingly in an unusually adventurous mood.
The photographer, now on pram duty, pushing my mother around at Troon.
My grandmother, ever-patient in a sidecar.
All these photographs were taken by my grandfather, who clearly loved cars, Scotland and photography. What is more he was prepared to leave his base in Glasgow, and explore all of Scotland, even the far north which, at that time (many photos are dated 1913/14), was visited by very few people. The family now has various albums, which provide a superb record of travel in the early 20th century. My poor grandmother was taken on some of these expeditions, whether by car or in a motorbike sidecar, though she doesn't seem to have been present much once my mother had been born in 1914. I suspect she preferred the comforts of Glasgow!
