The Immeasurable Wilds: Travellers to the Far North of Scotland

Nothing in my collection is odder than this! A German postcard, with sort of Scottish folk standing in a field of cabbages in which are concealed babies....!

Another, in the same vein.

This photo is a puzzle. A CDV by John Penny in Huntly of what appear to be leather workers. The ghostly image of a policeman can be seen at the back. Are they prisoners ? There is now a Huntly Open Prison, but that is near Dundee....

This CDV, taken by J Munro in Dingwall, shows a gentleman with remarkable facial decoration.

The Scottish sporran of course takes many forms. This gentleman is wearing almost half a fox. I like his outfit, and the fact that his face is somewhat fox-like too!

Here we have a Scotsman at his most dapper. Or is it just French fashion - the CDV is by Durand in Lyon?

Not sure who this is (maybe someone could tell me? (greywings89@gmail.com)
Presumably a figure from the Music Hall and Variety.

An unmistakably Scottish figure throwing the shot put (in this case, a rock). Yet the card was posted in Cape Town, South Africa in 1904, and sent to New York. I wonder what its history is.

No doubt about this sporting figure: Donald Dinnie, (1837 - 1916), a Scottish strongman who has been described as "The nineteenth century's greatest athlete."

A George Washington Wilson postcard "Remains of Floating Island, Luss Straits." Floating Islands are apparently a mass of floating aquatic plants etc. that are not attached to the loch-bed.

Nothing odd about this photograph, taken in the 1920s. It shows Bob McGuffog and Bob Webster shoulder netting on the River Dee at the Doughs Tongland, Kirkudbright. A striking fishing image. Look at the size of those fish!

Gathering reeds, \errol, \perthshire. 1940. A newspaper photograph which states on the back "Since the European conflict has forced Britain to use reeds for making its paper, reed-cutting has been revived along the banks for the River Tay.

Royalty: A 1937 press photograph of men preparing the King's bedroom on the Royal train, in readiness for his journey to Scotland.

"An Ill Wind..." Poor Princess Margaret's skirt takes off outside Balmoral Castle, 1959. These things will happen if yoy are in the public eye....

I love this photograph: the Queen in her youth, calmly acknowledging the defference of the assembled miners at Rothes Pit in 1958. Somehow all in a very different age.

The Queen, Balmoral, 1863.

The iconic GWW photo of Queen Victoria with John Brown. This a W.H. Mason, Brighton CDV .

A splendid Imperial image, a magic lantern slide by J.T. Chapman Ltd. Manchester. Said to be in Nigeria. I am not sure that the kilt is ideal garb for such a place!

More hot work in Africa, this time South Africa. From The Graphic, 1885.

Boys having fun, a Brechin CDV by Jameson.

The Scottish Newhaven Fisherwomen's Choir. Formed in 1927, the choir toured Scotland and beyond, always performing in their 'braws'.

It was formed by Mrs David [Marion!] Ritchie, and remained active until c.1985. I'm not sure if you had to be a Newhaven Fisherwoman to qualify for joining!

Nothing odd about this hotel, depicted on a postcard posted in 1908. But worth noting the message on the back: "You have chosen a slow train. Leave Euston 7:45pm arriving here 7:48am - only 12 hours." Today's sleeper leaves Euston at 21:15pm and arrives Aviemore at 07:39am. One wonders what the fast...

A reminder to close the gate! Spotted at Mull, not far from the lighthouse. A photograph by P. Jeffrey Smith.

An interesting pair of Cabinet photos taken in Russia (St Petersburg). The backs reveal names and details (see next photo).

Mr & Mrs McFarlane, from Dening, Stirling. He was a "Royal Mail Contractor." Were they on holiday in Russia?

Water Clock at Lochead, Dinnet. Built by George Coutts in the late 19th century, the water from a nearby burn powered a cog wheel. Sadly, the clock is no longer there.

Edinburgh Crimean Banquet

The Hobarton Mercury newspaper reported that "the great banquet to the troops stationed in Edinburgh, and who had served in the Crimean campaign, took place in the Corn Exchange on the evening of Friday, the 31st October [1856] ..... the galleries were filled with gaily dressed ladies...." In this engraving from the Illustrated Times, the ladies can be seen watching as their heroes tuck into the vast banquet!

Frae the Land of Cakes!

Definitely one of the more bizarre postcards in my collection, sent in 1905. Yes, a genuine bit of antique oatcake stuck to a card, and covered with a protective glassine sheet!

Reminiscence of an Ancient Custom

Blairhead Laird offering his thirlage at Burngrange ruined mill (Kinross). An early 20th century postcardpublished by D. Gordon, Cupar. Thirlage was a feudal servitude: all tenants had to bring their corn to be ground at the landowner's mill - it was a way of ensuring that all the wheat, etc. could be accounted for, for tax purposes. In this case, it seems to be the Laird bringing his corn to be milled.

Scrap- Victoria, Albert & John Brown

A splendid large Victorian scrap, titled "The Queen and Prince Albert Touring in the Highland Summer 1860. Accompanied by the Gillie John Brown."

Invershiel, North Carolina

How to keep yout thatch neat. A postcard titled on the back "Invershiel, a Sixteenth century Scottish Highland village at Linville, North Carolina, showing "Bill Goat" mowing the sod roof of Croft house." Note the goat!

Infanterie Anglaise. - Ecossais.

A delightful sheet of 'Epinal' prints by Pellerin depicting Highland infantry. The Pellerin family began printing these sheets in the late 18th century.

The sheets were bought by children, who could cut them out and mount them, for military re-enactments. The firm continued into the late 20th century, latterly operating under the name Payonne, Gourier et Cie.

Cliff Egg Gatherers

A fine haul! This is not necessarily a Scottish image, though the card was sent from Duns in 1905. The sender was clearly a collector too: "Many thanks for yours received. Char,ed with them. Magpies no. to 14. J.M."

Bonny Maid Resists Wear & Tear

An advert for Canadian linoleum!

'England, Ireland, Scotland & Wales.' Dolls by Ethel Clarke.

National characteristics, displayed in a tableau of dolls.

A Piper in Glencoe, Argyllshire.

This image, a photograph by David Murray, published by J. Arthur Dixon, caught my eye. It somehow captured all that is best abd worst in Scottish tourism - the lady peering backwards out of the car, the frown on the little girl's face, and the whole situation!

Postman on skis, Scotland

A Wills (Aus) cigarette card, from the Royal Mail series. Osgood Mackenzie writes of the exploits of hardy postmen, butI hadn't heard of skis being used!

Camping Out Ardkinglas

A postcard sent in 1913. The house at Ardkinglas was restored in 1908. I wondered if this was the work-force employed on the restoration work.

Drawing of a Busker

A lovely drawing of a busker with dancing puppets, playing the bagpipes. Signed faintly bottom left "M. Gillies." Margaret Gillies (1803 - 1887) was a daughter of a Scottish merchant living in London.

Tain Sermon (1)

This is a postcard that was sent in 1910. The sermon is rather splendid - you can read it for yourselves on the next photo.

Tain Sermon (2)

The Tain Sermon, enlarged.

Evicted tenant & his Family.

A postcard dated 26/07/(19)11 bottom left. I believe this is an Irish scene, but the relevance to Scotland and the Clearances is obvious.

Picnic Lunch Party, Strathardle. Gladstone Family, 1893.

Illustrious pinickers on a Valentine postcard.

Shetland Crofter Cutting Peats

Nothing odd about this image, but it is a fine early (pre-WW1) image showing the process and effort involved in cutting peats.

Fog Horn, Mull of Galloway

I believe this magnificent fog horn was installed in 1896. The postcard was sent in 1922. Presumably this is the old fog horn, that was replaced by a new model 1n 1926.

Little girl Dundee CDV

I don't often succumb to "cute", but I couldn't resist this little sweetie. A Messrs. Prophet CDV, 59 Wellgate, Dundee.......

CDV by Shuart(?), Inverness.

...and here is another, though bought for the magnificent dress, rather than for the baby.

Cave of Lybster

An interesting CDV showing the interior of the Cave of Lybster in Caithness. Photographer unknown, persons unknown. Is one of them a minister?

Tigh-an-Truish Hotel & Clachan Bridge, Seil, Argyll

A Valentine photo registered in 1931, with an interesting piece of Scottish history (see next image for close-up of the text).

Clachan Bridge (2)

An Old-Fashioned Shetland Wedding

An old photo by R. Williamson.

Handloom Weaving, Strathaven

Apostcard sent in 1916, published by A. Morton, Strathaven.

Imperial English Scottish String Orchestra

Nothing very English about this orchestra, and the strings seem rather outnumbered by wind, brass and percussion!