Tag: Historic

THE FINAL COUNTDOWN

After all this time, this is the final post of our 2023 sojourn. After a night in Birstwith we spend a couple of days in historic Banbury and Bath  before returning to London to fly home to Australia.

Weir on River Nidd, Wreaks Road, Birstwith, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, England UK

River Nidd, Wreaks Road, Birstwith, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, England UK

Town Hall, Bridge Street, Banbury, Oxfordshire, England UK

“Lamprey’s Buildings”, Bridge Street, Banbury, Oxfordshire, England UK

Very hard to find information on this heritage building.

Alamy Stock Photos quotes:-

“Lampreys Building. In 1834 John Lamprey bought the corn merchandising business of R. Edmunds and Son. He lived above his shop here and the building became the company headquarters.”

This building bears the date of 1839 so I can only guess that the business was established elsewhere prior to construction of these premises.

Post Box, High Street, Banbury, Oxfordshire, England UK

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HSBC Bank, Market Place, Banbury, Oxfordshire, England UK

Cornhill Corn Exchange (Castle Shopping Centre), Market Place, Banbury, Oxfordshire, England UK

The Wine Vaults, Parsons Street, Banbury, Oxfordshire, England UK

A Grade II Listed Building

Parson’s Street, Banbury, Oxfordshire, England UK

Ye Olde Reine Deer Inn on the right – said to have hosted both William Shakespeare and Oliver Cromwell in their days.

Bar Door, The Cromwell Hotel, North Bar Street, Banbury, Oxfordshire,England UK

No. 1 Parson’s Street, Banbury, Oxfordshire, England UK

Originates in the 17th century and is a grade II Listed Building

Doorway, No. 1 Parson’s Street, Banbury, Oxfordshire, England UK

Abraxas Cookshop, Market Place, Banbury, Oxfordshire, England UK

The dark bit between the buildings is a separate individual place.

JT Davies Bar & Restaurant, Cornhill, Market Place, Banbury, Oxfordshire, England UK

“Capri”, 24 Cornhill Market Place, Banbury, Oxfordshire, England UK

Now an Italian restaurant

Nationwide Building Society, Market Place, Banbury, Oxfordshire, England UK

Heritage Buildings, Market Place, Banbury, Oxfordshire, England UK

Old Sign, Mill Lane, Banbury, Oxfordshire, England UK

Lock 29, Banbury Lock, Oxford Canal, Banbury, Oxfordshire, England UK

Oxford Canal, Banbury, Oxfordshire, England UK

Tooley’s Boatyard, Oxford Canal, Banbury, Oxfordshire, England UK

Tooley’s Boatyard is a Scheduled Ancient Monument!

Tooley’s was established in 1778 and is the oldest continuous working dry dock in Britain. It was established to build and repair the wooden horse-drawn narrow boats which regularly travelled up and down the newly constructed Oxford Canal network which was completed in 1790 and was vital to the development of the Industrial Revolution in Banbury.

Narrow Boats, Oxford Canal, Banbury, Oxfordshire, England UK

“Fine Lady” Statue, South Bar Street, Banbury, Oxfordshire, England UK

Pepper Alley, High Street, Banbury, Oxfordshire, England UK

White Lion Walk, High Street, Banbury, Oxfordshire, England UK

White Lion Shopping Walk, High Street, Banbury, Oxfordshire, England UK

The Old Wine House, Cnr High Street & Marlborough Road, Banbury, Oxfordshire, England UK

A Grade II Listed building dating to the early 16th century as a house but now utilised as commercial premises.

The Banbury Cross, South Bar, Banbury, Oxfordshire, England UK

Banbury Cross. 1858 by J. Gibbs of Oxford to comemmorate the marriage of Victoria, Princess Royal, to the Crown Prince of Prussia. Additions made in 1914 include the figures of Queen Victoria, Edward VII and George V. Carved by Boulton and Sons. Limestone. In the style of an Eleanor Cross with niches, statues and small spire. 3 medieval crosses are mentioned in Banbury. There is no evidence that a medieval cross stood in Horse Fair but the site was probably selected for the 1858 cross because the historian Alfred Beesley writing in 1841 considered that it had been the site of the principal cross at Banbury. From medieval times onwards Banbury Cross has assumed significance as a local landmark.

Heritage Building, Child First Nursery, Horse Fair, Banbury, Oxfordshire, England UK

8 Horsefair, overlooking Banbury Cross. This historic building, originally built for Banbury’s Poor Law Guardians and is dated 1900. It was once home to the Banbury Museum until 1999.

The street name “Horse Fair” probably dates from the 16th century when there was a leather market, a horse market, a sheep market, a cattle market, a swine market, a leather market, a corn market and a flax market. There were also specialized annual fairs in Banbury. There was a leather fair, a horse fair, a cow fair, a fish fair, a cheese fair and a wool fair. Banbury cakes were first mentioned in 1586.

Solicitors Offices, South Bar Street, Banbury, Oxfordshire, England UK

On a previous visit in 2016, this was a private residence up for sale.

The Old Vicarage, Horse Fair, Banbury, Oxfordshire, England UK

Dates to 1649, is Grade II Listed and built for Samuel Wells the Vicar of Banbury.

Whately Hall Hotel, Horse Fair, Banbury, Oxfordshire, England UK

A Grade II Listed building dated 1652

St Mary’s Church, Horse Fair, Banbury, Oxfordshire, England UK

St Mary’s Church was built in the 1790s to replace the Medieval one damaged during the English Civil War. It is Banbury’s only Grade I listed building and its most conspicuous landmark .

The Church House, Horse Fair, Banbury, Oxfordshire, England UK

Grade II Listed building dated 1905 now in use as a Bar, Restaurant, Café.

Thai Orchid Restaurant, North Bar Street, Banbury, Oxfordshire, England UK

White Horse, North Bar Street, Banbury, Oxfordshire, England UK

The Coach & Horses, Butcher’s Row, Banbury, Oxfordshire, England UK

Bust of William Shakespeare, Sheila’s Sweets, Parson’s Street, Banbury, Oxfordshire, England UK

Flowers, Caffè Nero, High Street, Banbury, Oxfordshire, England UK

Banksy Tribute Mural, Butcher’s Row, Banbury, Oxfordshire, England UK

The Bell, Park Street, Stow on the Wold, Gloucestershire, England UK

Residential, Maugersbury Road, Stow on the Wold, Gloucestershire, England UK

Park Street, Stow on the Wold, loucestershire, England UK

Dining Room, The Salutation Inn, The Gibb, Castle Combe, Wiltshire, England UK

The Lamb & Lion, Lower Borough Walls, Bath, Somerset, England UK

Ghost Sign, Lulu Caffe, Hot Bath Street, Bath, Somerset, England UK

Door, Holy Trinity Church, Cnr Chapel Row & Monmouth Place, Bath, Somerset, England UK

Views from our Window at The Black Fox, St James’s Parade, Bath, Somerset, England UK

The Bar, The Crown Hotel, Cnr High & Church Streets, Alton, East Hampshire, England UK

White Knight on White Horse, High Street, Guildford, Surrey, England UK

Aston Martin Dealership, New Zealand Avenue, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, England UK

Gate & Door, 258 High Street, Guildford, Surrey, England UK

“Hadleigh Gate”, High Street, Guildford, Surrey, England UK

Old Building, High Street, Guildford, Surrey, England UK

“GR” Mailbox, High Street, Guildford, Surrey, England UK

A Few Drinks Along The Way

Pub Signs Along the Way

Our Hired Car – Vauxhall Grandland

 

BAMBURGH CASTLE

Whilst staying on Holy Island, it was a short drive down the coast to the village of Bamburgh where we were able to visit the historic castle.

Bamburgh Castle, is on the northeast coast of England, by the village of Bamburgh in Northumberland and is a Grade I listed building.

The site was originally the location of a Celtic Brittonic fort known as Din Guarie and may have been the capital of the kingdom of Bernicia from its foundation c. 420 to 547. In that last year, it was captured by King Ida of Bernicia. After passing between the Britons and the Anglo-Saxons three times, the fort came under Anglo-Saxon control in 590. The fort was destroyed by Vikings in 993, and the Normans later built a new castle on the site, which forms the core of the present one. After a revolt in 1095 supported by the castle’s owner, it became the property of the English monarch.

In the 17th century, financial difficulties led to the castle deteriorating, but it was restored by various owners during the 18th and 19th centuries. It was finally bought by the Victorian era industrialist William Armstrong, who completed its restoration. The castle still belongs to the Armstrong family and is their private home. It is open to the public.

[Wikipedia]

The view of the village from the castle walls

Etched into the walls of the “dungeon”

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Nesting birdUhtred of Bebbanburg

Bamburgh, under its Saxon name Bebbanburg, is the home of Uhtred Uhtredson, the main character in Bernard Cornwell’s The Saxon Stories. He is one of the few characters in the show “The Last Kingdom”to be fictional. The book series became a TV series and this character, Uhtred of Bebbanburg is loosely based on Uhtred the Bold, an ealdorman of all Northumbria from 1006 to 1016.

LINDISFARNE – HOLY ISLAND III

This post is primarily the ruins of the historic Lindisfarne Priory.

English Heritage – The history of the priory.

Headstones, St Mary’s Churchyard, , Holy Island, Northumberland, England UK

Hope Family Headstones, St Mary’s Churchyard, , Holy Island, Northumberland, England UK

Statue, St Aidan, Lindisfarne Priory, Holy Island, Northumberland, England UK

Monument to St Aidan, Lindisfarne Priory, Holy Island, Northumberland, England UK

After a number of Viking raids, St Cuthbert’s coffin was removed from Lindisfarne and eventually buried in Durham Cathedral. As no evidence of his original shrine survives, English Heritage has commissioned a new monument, designed by sculptor Russ Coleman, to mark where the saint’s original burial place and the site of the miracles may have been located. Made from a large basalt boulder found locally, the monument in inset with Frosterley marble as a nod to the grave slab that marks St Cuthbert’s final resting place at Durham. Sitting on a Swaledale fossil plinth, which was found in the region and contains sea creature fossils, the monument stands within the ruins of the 12th-century priory, which claims direct descent from the early monastery.

Lindisfarne Priory, Holy Island, Northumberland, England UK

LINDISFARNE – HOLY ISLAND I

Lindisfarne, also called Holy Island, is a tidal island off the north-east coast of Northumberland, England.  Holy Island has a recorded history from the 6th century AD; it was an important centre of Celtic Christianity under Saints Aidan, Cuthbert, Eadfrith, and Eadberht of Lindisfarne. The island was originally home to a monastery, which was destroyed during the Viking invasions but re-established as a priory following the Norman Conquest of England.

Lindisfarne Priory, Holy island, Northumberland, England UK

Holy Island – is one of the most important centres of early English Christianity. Irish monks settled here in AD 635 and the monastery became the centre of a major saint’s cult celebrating its bishop, Cuthbert. The masterpiece now known as the Lindisfarne Gospels was created here in the early 8th century. The ruins now visible are those of a 12th-century priory, which claimed direct descent from the early monastery.

English Heritage History

Historic England Listing

View to Lindisfarne Castle, Holy Island, Northumberland, England UK

St Mary the Virgin Church, Church Lane, Holy Island, Northumberland, England UK

Lindisfarne’s parish church of St Mary’s is thought to stand on the site of the wooden church built by St Aidan in 635 AD. Dating from between 1180 and 1300, the parish church is the oldest building on the island (older than the ruined Norman priory), though a round headed arch in the chancel, and a strange high level doorway, are certainly Saxon in style. Mostly, the church now dates from the 12th century.

The long nave could indicate that this is one of the churches of the original monastery, or it could have been built by the Christianised Vikings, for whom this was an important place.

Headstone, St Mary’s Church, Lewin’s Lane, Holy Island, Northumberland, England UK

I have not been able to find any information on this particular grave.

Askew Family Headstones, St Mary’s Church, Lewin’s Lane, Holy Island, Northumberland, England UK

Names:
Elizabeth Ann Askew – 1772 – 1857
Hugh Bertram Askew – 1785 – 1868
Isabel Askew – 1780 – 1864
John Askew – 1732 – 1794

Unknown Tomb, St Mary’s Church, Lewin’s Lane, Holy Island, Northumberland, England UK

Headstone of Lancelot Wilson, St Mary’s Church, Lewin’s Lane, Holy Island, Northumberland, England UK

Lancelot Wilson – d. 15 May 1822 Aged 77
Elizabeth Wilson – d. 2 October 1799
Joyce Wilson – d.14 June 1801
Ann Wilson d. 17 September 1802
Anne Wilson – d. unknown

Old Headstone, Graveyard, St Mary’s, Lewin’s Lane, Holy Island, Northumberland, England UK

” Here lyeth the Body of Mr Alexander Nicolson who being 10 years Minister of the Gospel in Holy Island Departed this life the 31st day of August 1711 and his age 65 “

‘Filled In’, St Mary’s Church, Lewin’s Lane, Holy Island, Northumberland, England UK

St Aidan Statue, Lindisfarne Priory Grounds, Holy Island, Northumberland, England UK

In need of urgent preservation.

The Manor House Hotel & Car Park Entry, Church Lane, Holy Island, Northumberland, England UK

1962 Austin Healey 3000 Mk II, Manor House Hotel, Church Lane, Holy Island, Northumberland, England UK

793 Spirits Co., Fenkle Street, Holy Island, Northumberland, England UK

Holiday Rentals, Farne Court (top) & Farne View (bottom), Fenkle Street, Holy Island, Northumberland, England UK

Holiday Rentals, Marygate, Holy Island, Northumberland, England UK

The Ship Inn, Marygate, Holy Island, Northumberland, England UK

Sally’s Cottage, Marygate, Holy Island, Northumberland, England UK

Stone Carving, T Wilson 1792, Marygate, Holy Island, Northumberland, England UK

Again, I have been unsuccessful in finding information on this.

To Kyle Gardens, Marygate, Holy Island, Northumberland, England UK

The Lindisfarn Gospel Garden, Marygate, Holy Island, Northumberland, England UK

Note the lack of an “e” on Lindisfarn

Laneway, Marygate, Holy Island, Northumberland, England UK

Entrance Door, Marygate House, Marygate, Holy Island, Northumberland, England UKMarygate House Rear View, Lewin’s Lane, Holy Island, Northumberland, England UK

Entrance Door, Town View Cottage, Lewin’s Lane, Holy Island, Northumberland, England UK

Residential Property, Lewin’s Lane, Holy Island, Northumberland, England UK

Bird Boxes, Victoria Cottage, Lewin’s Lane, Holy Island, Northumberland, England UK

St Cuthbert’s Centre United Reformed Church, Lewin’s Lane, Holy Island, Northumberland, England UK

Gate, Vicarage, Lewin’s Lane, Holy Island, Northumberland, England UK

Flowers, St Mary’s Church, Lewin’s Lane, Holy Island, Northumberland, England UK

Inscription on Gate, Lewin’s Lane, Holy Island, Northumberland, England UK

“Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you “plant.

Priory Ruins, from St Mary’s Church, Church Lane, Lindisfarne, Holy Island, Northumberland, England UK

Old Post Office House, Market Place, Holy Island, Northumberland, England UK

NORTH BERWICK & DUNBAR

On the way to our next stay, we passed through two wonderful towns that are well worth the stopover.

North Berwick & Dunbar

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St Andrew’s Church, Kirk Ports, North Berwick, East Lothian, Scotland UK

Category B Listed building and a National Monument.

St Andrew’s at Kirk Ports continued to be the main church in North Berwick, with renovations and extensions taking place for over two centuries. In the 19th century, a population boom caused by growing industry led to its space for 500 churchgoers to become insufficient. The town’s second St Andrew’s held its last service one year and two days short of the 220th anniversary of its inauguration, on June 3, 1883. The third St Andrew’s held its first services just a week later.

The current ruin status of the second kirk was partly by design, as it was decided that upon moving the religious services to the new church, this older one was to have its roof disassembled and the rest of the building stripped of the most valuable materials. The walls would be allowed to stand to become what it is now: a ‘picturesque ruin’.

View an information pamphlet here:

War Memorial, Cnr Quality Street and East Road, North Berwick, East Lothian, Scotland UK

Victorian Era Street Lamp, Quality Street, North Berwick, East Lothian, Scotland UK

Commemoration Tree, Quality Street, North Berwick, East Lothian, Scotland UK

Inscription:

This sycamore tree was planted by King Edward VII on October 10th 1902 to commemoration the Royal visit to North Berwick in the year of his coronation.

Street Sign, Quality Street, North Berwick, East Lothian, Scotland UK

….and not a box of chocolates in sight….

The Lodge, Walltower House, East Road, North Berwick, East Lothian, Scotland UK

Originally Well Tower, named due to nearby (now covered) well.

The Ship Inn, Quality Street, North Berwick, East Lothian, Scotland UK

Zitto Wine Bar & Restaurant, Quality Street, North Berwick, East Lothian, Scotland UK

No. 12, Hotel & Bistro, Quality Street, North Berwick, East Lothian, Scotland UK

Former Blackadder Free Church, Cnr Forth Street & Victoria Road, North Berwick, East Lothian, Scotland UK

This is now a Baptist church

Information on John Blackadder here:

St Andrew Blackadder Church, High Street, North Berwick, East Lothian, Scotland UK

Bronze Church Bell, St Andrew Blackadder Church, St Andrew Street, North Berwick, East Lothian, Scotland UK

The bell dates to 1642

County Police Station Sign, High Street, North Berwick, East Lothian, Scotland UK

Pink, Police Station Flower Pots, High Street, North Berwick, East Lothian, Scotland UK

Dog’s Head Door Knocker, 74 High Street, North Berwick, East Lothian, Scotland UK

Street Sign, Kirk Ports, North Berwick, East Lothian, Scotland UK

West Bay, North Berwick, East Lothian, Scotland UK

Bass Rock, Canty Bay, North Berwick, East Lothian, Scotland UK

The rock is uninhabited, but historically has been settled by an early Christian hermit, and later was the site of an important castle, which after the Commonwealth period was used as a prison. The island belongs to Hew Hamilton-Dalrymple, whose family acquired it in 1706, and before to the Lauder family for almost six centuries. The Bass Rock Lighthouse was constructed on the rock in 1902, and the remains of an ancient chapel survive.

Craigleith, Firth of Forth, North Berwick, East Lothian, Scotland UK

Craigleith is part of a chain of four islands near North Berwick, along with Bass Rock, Fidra and the Lamb. Of these, it is the closest to the town’s harbour.

North Berwick across Milsey Bay, Haugh Road Beach, North Berwick, East Lothian, Scotland UK

Former Dunbar Tolbooth, High Street, Dunbar, East Lothian, Scotland UK

The first municipal building in Dunbar was a tolbooth which dated back at least to the first half of the 16th century. After it became dilapidated, it was rebuilt in the Renaissance style with harled rubble masonry from a quarry at Innerwick to create the current structure which was completed in 1593.

Used as a council chamber and as a courthouse. It was the venue for the trials and convictions of some 73 women accused of witchcraft, for which the penalty was execution by strangulation and burning.

Mercat Cross, High Street, Dunbar, East Lothian, Scotland UK

The charter of 1370 by David II King of Scots establishing Dunbar as a burgh of barony required, among other things, the erection of a “public mercat cross”, to be the location of a weekly market. “[Mercat” – Scottish version of “Market”.]

The cross that stands in front of Dunbar Town House is not the original one. It was placed there in 1912 when it was assembled from fragments of different dates, the ashlar octagonal shaft then being thought to have been part of the historic cross. Research into its’ history continues, but present evidence suggests it can best be described as being representative of a possible succession of crosses that stood in the High Street from 1370 to the mid-18th century.

Statue Dedicated to John Muir, High Street, Dunbar, East Lothian, Scotland UK

A romanticized Peter Pan-like statue of world famous conservationist John Muir born in Dunbar 1838, then emigrated to the USA in 1849.  Muir became a naturalist and founded the National Parks in the States, beginning with Yosemite, California. Further details from John Muir’s Birthplace museum, 128 High Street. In October 1997, the bronze statue was unveiled by Magnus Magnusson, inquisitor of the television quiz Mastermind.

Sculptor Valentin Znoba (1929-2006)was born in the Ukraine. Studied at Ukraine Institute of Fine Art between 1947 and 1953. Participated in many exhibitions in Europe, the UK and elsewhere. Between 1995 and 1997, Znoba executed several other works in Scotland, notably Freedom – a  bronze of Sir William   Wallace astride a rearing  horse now in the   possession of Abertay University, Dundee

Pub Sign, The Eagle Inn, High Street, Dunbar, East Lothian, Scotland UK

Black Bull Close, High Street, Dunbar, East Lothian, Scotland UK

Eyemouth Beach, Eyemouth, Scottish Borders, Scotland UK

KIRKCALDY, FIFE, SCOTLAND

Our last day at South Queensferry, we made sure we took the train across the famous Forth Rail Bridge (and back) and then drove to Kirkcaldy in Fife, the long way around by driving to the Kincardine Bridge. We returned via the newer Queensferry Crossing Bridge so have now crossed all three Forth bridges.

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Remembrance Monument, The Rail Bridge Bistro, Newhalls Road, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

Inscription:-
IN REMEMBRANCE OF THE THOUSANDS OF MEN AND BOYS WHO WORKED ON THE FORTH RAIL BRIDGE AND THOSE WHO DIED DURING ITS CONSTRUCTION

Train from Forth Rail Bridge, Edinburgh-Aberdeen Line, Dalmeny, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

Forth Road Bridges, Firth of Forth, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

Train Emerging from Tunnel, Fife Circle Line, North Queensferry Railway Station, Fife, Scotland UK

Tanker Berthed, Hound Point Terminal, Firth of Forth, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

Former Coast Guard Quarters, Battery Road, North Queensferry, Fife, Scotland UK

Former accommodation of married Coast Guard officers, patrolmen and their families. The property was effected as a result of the Forth Bridge Railway Act of 1873, which gave the Company the right to acquire the old Coast Guard Station to make way for the building of the then new Forth Bridge. However, the Company was obliged to construct suitable new Coast Guard buildings to the satisfaction of the Admiralty. It was as late as 1911 before the site was disponed to the Admiralty by the Bridge Company, the site being occupied between 1873-1911 under the terms of the Act. In 1899 the Royal Navy took over an area of the site and formed a gun battery which was used during the First World War. Prior to this, the six cottages were built between 1882 and 1883 as a Coast Guard Station and these consisted of an officer’s house, five cottages and a Watch House, also known as High Battery (formally to E of cottages). The present signal station tower was erected around 1917 and it was at this time that the Coast Guard Station was dis-used. The cottages were used between the Wars to accommodate the Forth River Pilots. It is understood that there were no gun emplacements on the site during the Second World War. The existing external WCs became redundant and are now used as stores.

Inchgarvie, Firth of Forth, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

Uninhabited now but was inhabited at various periods going back to late 15th century. The place has quite an interesting history that can be read here;

Betty Nicols, 297 High Street, Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland UK

Historical documentation for the property dates back to 1741 for a hostelry on the site and the pub as it is now was built as an exact replica of the original in 1902 with a plaque on the outside of the building confirming this.
The pub has a reputation for ghosts and there have been several visits from psychics and the Scottish Paranormal Society, who have found activity in all parts of the pub. In particular the cellar area, which is part of the original building and is reputed to be built on a monks’ cemetery, has a strange atmosphere and presence and the lounge area is said to be haunted by a man and dog. The cellar area, where the outlook was to the sea, contains a blocked up tunnel which is believed to have been used by smugglers in bygone years and during the Second World War Polish airmen were billeted in the cellar area.

Former King’s Theatre, 262 High Street, Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland UK

Masonic Hall, West Quality Street, Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland UK

Inscription above door:-

“MASONIC HALL. PRESENTED BY THE RIGHT HONOURABLE EARL OF ROSSLYN 1890”
A church from 1845 and a Masonic Hall from 1890.

Dysart Toll Booth & Town House, Cnr High, Cross & Victoria Streets, Dysart, Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland UK

Built in 1576 and seriously damaged by Cromwell’s troops storing munitions that caused an explosion in 1651. Extensively restored in 2009.
Category A Listed Building.

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Steps, Dysart Toll Booth & Town House, Cnr High, Cross & Victoria Streets, Dysart, Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland UK

Inscription in pavement:

“The Royal Burgh of Dysart’s mercat cross stood near to this spot”

Dysart Toll Booth & Town House, Cnr High, Cross & Victoria Streets, Dysart, Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland UK

Formerly The Mechanics Institute, 54-56 High Street, Dysart, Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland UK

Baxters was a pub but is now permanently closed.

Coat of Arms, The Mechanics Institute, High Street, Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland UK

” Sigil. de Dysert.” The “General Armory,” however, blazons this as a coat-of arms, with the field argent and the tree proper.

The Pineapple emblem may be associated with William of Wallace.

Coastal View to West Wemyss, The Walk, Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland UK

Saipem 7000 & Fidra Island, Firth of Forth, Scotland UK

Oil Platform, Firth of Forth, Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland UK

“The Walk”, Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland UK

St Serf’s Church Tower, Shore Road, Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland UK

St Serf’s is a 6 storey church tower dating to around 1500. St Serf’s church was abandoned in 1802 and demolished in 1807 and only the tower and cemetery remains now.

Erosion Defences, Beach Front, Pan Ha’, Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland UK

Oil Rigs, Firth of Forth, Scotland UK

Boat on a Slip, Dysart, Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland UK

Stone Breakwater, Dysart Harbour, Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland UK

Stone Breakwater & Slipway, Dysart Harbour, Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland UK

Dysart Harbour, Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland UK

Derelict Harbourside Building, Dysart Harbour, Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland UK

Harbourmaster’s House, Hot Pot Wynd, Dysart Harbour, Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland UK

Now operates as a Café

Lamp, Car Park, Hawes Inn, Newhalls Road, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

INCHCOLM ABBEY RUINS

If you are in this part of the world then a visit to this historic site is well worth while.

Inchcolm Abbey is a medieval abbey located on the island of Inchcolm in the Firth of Forth in Scotland. The Abbey, which is located at the centre of the island, was founded in the 12th century. Later tradition placed it even earlier, in the reign of King Alexander I of Scotland (1107–24), who had taken shelter on Incholm when his ship was forced ashore during a storm in 1123. It is said he resided there for three days with the Hermit of Incholm.

The Abbey was first used as a priory by Augustinian canons regular, becoming a full abbey in 1235. The island was attacked by the English from 1296 onwards, and the Abbey was abandoned after the Scottish Reformation in 1560. It has since been used for defensive purposes, as it is situated in a strategically important position in the middle of the Firth of Forth.

Inchcolm Abbey has the most complete surviving remains of any Scottish monastic house. The cloisters, chapter house, warming house, and refectory are all complete, and most of the remaining claustral buildings survive in a largely complete state. The least well-preserved part of the complex is the monastic church.

In July 1581 stones from the abbey were taken to Edinburgh to repair the Tolbooth

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Inchcolm Abbey Ruins, Inchcolm Island, Firth of Forth, Scotland UK

 

SOUTH QUEENSFERRY

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Firth of Forth Bridges, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

The “Forth Rail Bridge” on the right, was opened in 1890 and is a UNESCO Wold Heritage site. The “Forth Road Bridge” the central bridge was opened 1963 and the newest bridge is “Queensferry Crossing” which opened in 2017 and is on the far left.

South Queensferry Lighthouse, Hawes Pier, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

A category B listed building since 1971, it was built by the Scottish civil engineer John Rennie in 1812, probably in collaboration with Robert Stevenson of Bell Rock fame, and is contemporary with the pier itself (also a Rennie work). It was a beacon to guide the ferry which operated between Hawes Pier and North Queensferry before being made redundant by the construction of the Forth Road Bridge in 1964.

Rusted Mooring Ring, Hawes Pier, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

Hawes Pier, Firth of Forth, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

The pier was also constructed by Rennie in 1812.

Old Roadside Marker, Edinburgh Road, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

Former ‘Seals Craig Hotel‘, 23 Edinburgh Road, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

Doors of South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

Brass Plate, Vennel Kirk, The Vennel, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

The church has now been converted to a private residence.


Masonic Lodge & South Queensferry Mosaic Mural, The Vennel & Hawthorn Bank, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

The first school in Queensferry was at the top end of the churchyard of the Old Parish Church in the Vennel. In July 1671, it was decided to build a school using local stonework, at the south end of churchyard. The school was ready for occupancy in 1672 and still stands today as the Masonic Lodge.

Residential Block, Brewery Close, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

Jubliee Clock Tower from The Loan, South Queensferry, West Lothian. Scotland UK



“Loan House”, 10 The Loan, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

Category B Listed Building
The property fell vacant in the later 20th century and was gutted by fire in 1987. In 1990 the building was restored, with the addition of a north wing, by Douglas Abrahams and Partners for use as offices. As a result of the fire the original interior was lost and the interior of the building had to be rebuilt. Now Scottish Motor Trading Association Offices.

“Priory Lodge”, 8 The Loan, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

Category c Listed Building – 19th century gothic. This house is the only example of this style in the town centre.

Plewlands House, Cnr The Loan & Hopetoun Road, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

Plate – The National Trust for Scotland

Door – Marriage Lintel

The inscription above the door reads :-

[SPES MEA CHRISTUS, ‘Christ is my Hope’, and an anchor which indicates the occupation of the owner of the house. SW-AP were carved in relief with the year of the building, 1641.]

C.1641 – See its history here!


Priory Church of St Mary of Mount Carmel, Cnr Rose Lane & Hopetoun Road, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

Now a grade A listed building, the Priory Church is the only Carmelite foundation in the British Isles still in use for regular worship, out of the 12 founded in Scotland and the 39 in England.
George, the Laird of Dundas, invited the Carmelite Friars to come and settle in Queensferry around 1330. They were in temporary buildings until a century later. Architectural style suggests this was built no earlier than 1457.

Door Knocker, Priory Church of St Mary of Mount Carmel, Cnr Rose Lane & Hopetoun Road, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK


“1884”, Rose Lane, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

Unfortunately I have not been able to find any information to identify this symbol. It does look like what may have been an early Masonic Symbol.

Bellstane Bird, Bellstane, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

Bellstane takes its name from the ringing of the bell which was rung to tell people the market was about to start. The actual bell is now in Queensferry museum.


Harbour Lane, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

Bay View, Gote Lane, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

Forth Rail Bridge, Firth of Forth, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

Slipway, Gote Lane, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

Dedication Plaque, Rosebery Hall, High Street, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK


Memorial to John Reid, High Street, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

Inscription:- In Memory Of
John Reid
Provost of the Burgh
Of South Queensferry
1884 – 1899

Waterside Residential, High Street, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

“Black Castle”, 43 High Street, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

Category “A” Listed Building c. 1626. In 1626 mariner and explorer Willam Lowrie built the house for him and his wife Marion Speddie to live in and it is believed that the home would have originally been sandstone in colour. The name was most likely adopted during the “Witch Hunts” of the 1640s.

Scrolls, “Black Castle”, 43 High Street, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

The upper floor of Black Castle has 3 sets of windows, each with carvings and scroll details. The eaves above two of the dormer windows bear the date of construction (1626), along with Lowrie’s and Speddie’s initials. (WL – MS)

See a history surrounding its macabre story.

Old Well Head, High Street, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

A site where locals were able to draw water

Door Steps, Edinburgh Road, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

Belhaven Sign, Anchor Inn, Edinburgh Road, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

Interior scenes of Hawes Inn, Newhalls Road, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

“Weihenstephan”, Orocco Pier Hotel, High Street, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

ARRIVED AT SOUTH QUEENSFERRY, SCOTLAND

We reached our destination of The Hawes Inn under the famous Forth Rail Bridge, late afternoon and immediately went walking about. We spent a couple of hours here back in 2016 on a previous trip and were keen to take a better look over the place.

REMEMBER:  All images will open in a new window/tab, All images are geotagged and can be viewed on a map using:-  Geosetter Software (download here)

 The Hawes Inn, Newhalls Road, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

Formerly known as the Newhalls Inn, this is a category ‘B’ listed building with several additions and alterations over the years. It was certainly renamed the ‘Hawes Inn’ by 1886. In fact evidence shows that in the book “Duncan’s Itinerary of Scotland 1820” it is listed as “The Hawes Inn” then.
​The Hawes Inn, 7 Newhalls Road, South Queensferry, is a late 17th century Coaching Inn, with a date stone [Marriage Lintel] on the south east wall which says JS- 1638- BB, taken from the old house, Newhalls (no information on the ‘old house’ as yet). These initials are believed to be merchant John Smith, and his wife Bessie Bathgate. During the eighteenth-century, the inn was used as a change house for stagecoaches using the Newhalls Ferry and the adjacent ‘Hawes Garage’ used to be the stables and coach-house.

Rear of The Hawes Inn, Newhalls Road, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK
The Hawes Inn & Firth of Forth Rail Bridge, Newhalls Road, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK
Stone Window Frame [1893], The Hawes Inn, Newhalls Road, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK
Pub Sign, The Hawes Inn, Newhalls Road, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK
The Hawes Inn at Night, Newhalls Road, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK
The Hawes Inn Sign at Night, Newhalls Road, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK
      Firth of Forth Rail Bridge, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

Construction of the bridge began in 1882 and it was opened on 4 March 1890 by the Duke of Rothesay, the future Edward VII. The bridge carries the Edinburgh–Aberdeen line across the Forth between the villages of South Queensferry and North Queensferry and has a total length of 8,094 feet (2,467 m). When it opened it had the longest single cantilever bridge span in the world, until 1919 when the Quebec Bridge in Canada was completed. It continues to be the world’s second-longest single cantilever span, with a span of 1,709 feet (521 m). Completed in 1890, it is considered a symbol of Scotland (having been voted Scotland’s greatest man-made wonder in 2016), and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was designed by English engineers Sir John Fowler and Sir Benjamin Baker. It is sometimes referred to as the Forth Rail Bridge (to distinguish it from the adjacent Forth Road Bridge), although this is not its official name.

Award Plaques, Firth of Forth Rail Bridge, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

 Stone Pylons, Firth of Forth Rail Bridge, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK
 Forth Road Bridges, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

The bridge in the foreground is the oldest opening in 1964 and the background bridge opened in 2017. It is a  1.7 miles (2.7km) structure & the longest 3-tower, cable-stayed bridge in the world. It is also by far the largest to feature cables which cross mid-span. When we passed here in 2016 it was still under construction.

  “Thirty Knots” Newhalls Road, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK
 The Ferry Tap, 36 High Street, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

The building was erected in 1683 states the plaque on the wall and was originally a house. When it became an ‘Inn’ is unknown so far. There is no mention of it in the early census information for Queensferry. The first information found is in the 1881 census, when, as a hotel, it was named the ‘Prince of Wales’ until pre March 1890. When the future King Edward VII opened the magnificent Forth Rail Bridge in March 1890, the hotel’s name was changed to ​‘The Forth Bridge Hotel’. The Hotel suffered a fire in 1907 and it had to be rebuilt. Jessie Mackenzie was proprietor at this time. There was another fire in 1976, remembered by locals, and it was closed for a while. The new owner, Neil Waterman re-opened it as a public house with the rooms upstairs converted into flats.
Later it was renamed ‘The Forth Bridges’ and with another later name change it became ‘The Ferry Tap’.

Anchor Inn, 10 Edinburgh Road, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

It is believed to be the oldest “Pub” in Queensferry (not being a “hotel”), and is definitely the smallest ‘pub’ in Queensferry, a traditional village pub.

 “Black Castle”, 43 High Street, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

Category “A” Listed Building c. 1626. In 1626 mariner and explorer Willam Lowrie built the house for him and his wife Marion Speddie to live in and it is believed that the home would have originally been sandstone in colour. The name was most likely adopted during the “Witch Hunts” of the 1640s.

See a history surrounding its macabre story.

Old Buildings in East Terrace, Edinburgh Road, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

East Terrace is a roadway above the Edinburgh Road. The steps seen above lead to it.

Edinburgh Road to Former 'Seals Craig Hotel', 23 Edinburgh Road, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK
Former 'Seals Craig Hotel', 23 Edinburgh Road, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK
Doorway of Former 'Seals Craig Hotel', 23 Edinburgh Road, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

Category “C” Listed Building. c.1870

Orocco Pier Bar & Restaurant, 17 High Street, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

South Queensferry Tollbooth, 19 High Street, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

History of this building:   The building incorporates The Jubilee Clock Tower & Roseberry Hall.

Stone Steps, Tolbooth, 19 High Street, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

Plewlands House, Cnr The Loan & Hopetoun Road, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

This another property with a history. Unfortunately I did not photography the great Marriage on the doorway but see it here in Google Street View.

History is here:

See also:   Image 1 … & …   Image 2

Memorial to John Reid, High Street, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

In Memory Of
John Reid
Provost of the Burgh
Of South Queensferry
1884 – 1899

"Craig View", 5 Edinburgh Road, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK
Old Street Sign, Newhalls Road-Edinburgh Road, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

HAYDON BRIDGE to SOUTH QUEENSFERRY (Scotland)

We proceed further on our trip leaving Haydon Bridge and heading across the border and into Scotland with our destination and stay for the next few days being South Queensferry

Google Maps View of Locations

Old Bridge, Haydon Bridge, Northumberland, England UK

The old bridge built in 1680 is now a pedestrian bridge only. It is a Grade II Listed Building

England-Scotland Border Stone, Carter Bar, Jedburgh, Scottish Borders, Scotland UK

Jedburgh Abbey, Abbey Bridge End, Jedburgh, Roxburghshire, Scotland, UK

Jedburgh Abbey & Canongate Bridge, Abbey Bridge End, Jedburgh, Roxburghshire, Scotland, UK

Jedburgh is one of the four great abbeys established in the Scottish Borders in the 1100s. David I founded a priory here in 1138 and raised it to abbey status in 1154. The brethren may have come here from St Quentin Abbey, near Beauvais, France.  Monastic life was largely routine. But the abbey’s border location meant it was caught up in the conflict between Scotland and England in the later Middle Ages. The canons had to evacuate the premises during the Wars of Independence in the 1300s. The demise of Jedburgh’s monastic life was sealed by further attacks in the 1400s, major raids in the 1500s & the Protestant Reformation of 1560.

We did not visit the ruins as we had done so on a previous visit.

Trinity Church, Cnr Newcastle & Oxnam Roads, Jedburgh, Roxburghshire, Scotland UK

Melrose Abbey Ruins, Abbey Street, Melrose, Roxburghshire, Scottish Borders, Scotland UK

Unfortunately I could only walk around the outside of the building itself as it was undergoing preservation work and was considered dangerous within the ruin.

The abbey was founded in 1136 by King David I of Scotland. It was established by the Cistercian monks. It was attacked several times and following a foray by Richard II in 1385 it was completely rebuilt.

Only a very small part of the first abbey church survives. The present building of rose-coloured stone dates almost entirely to the post-1385 rebuilding. Yet Melrose is still considered one of the most magnificent examples of medieval church architecture anywhere in the British Isles.

It is the place where the heart of Robert the Bruce was interred.

Commendator’s House Museum, Cloisters Road, Melrose, Roxburghshire, Scottish Borders, Scotland UK

The Commendator’s House Museum lays claim to having the largest collection of medieval artefacts on display anywhere in Scotland. It forms part of Melrose Abbey.

A commendator is a person who is responsible for overseeing a benefice, which is a type of church property. They are called “commendators” because the property is entrusted to their care. In history, a “commendatus” was someone who swore loyalty to a lord and was placed under their protection.

Doors of the Commendator’s House, Cloisters Road, Melrose, Roxburghshire, Scottish Borders, Scotland UK

Image 1     *****     Image 2     ***** Image 3

The centre image is a door with a “Marriage Lintel”.  The initials of James Douglas, the Commendator of Melrose Abbey & those of his wife Mary Kerr of Ferniehirst (whom he married in 1587), appear with the date 1590 on a recut lintel over the main entrance. This was a common practice of the times but died out by the end of the 19th century.

The lintels serve as a record of a marriage and the joining together of two families, who were often aristocratic or monied. Lintels could be added to a building which was built specifically for the married couple, or were carved into a pre-existing lintel. They were always set over the main entrance and some also appear inside houses, above the most visible fireplace. Wherever they were placed, they were meant to be seen. They are a feature of the east coast of Scotland and date primarily from the sixteenth to the eighteenth centuries.

Windows, Commendator’s House, Melrose Abbey, Cloisters Road, Melrose, Roxburghshire, Scottish Borders, Scotland UK

Window 1 Window 2
Window 3 Window 4
Window 5 Window 6

Corbels, Commendator’s House Museum, Cloisters Road, Melrose, Roxburghshire, Scottish Borders, Scotland UK

Corbel 1 Corbel 2

Corbels were supports for the beams set into walls. These came from domestic buildings associated with the abbey. c1200s

Road Sign, Cloisters Road, Melrose, Roxburghshire, Scottish Borders, Scotland UK

Old Stone Gate Posts, Harmony Cottage, Abbey Street, Melrose, Roxburghshire, Scottish Borders, Scotland UK

Image 1 Image 2

Turret Clock Works, Commendator’s House, Cloisters Road, Melrose, Roxburghshire, Scottish Borders, Scotland UK

This was erected on the end of the abbey church in 1762.

Old Tweed Bridge, River Tweed, Galashiels, Roxburghshire, Scottish Borders, Scotland UK

Image 1 Image 2 Image 3

The Old Tweed Bridge was opened by Sir Walter Scott in 1832. Having operating as the main link between Selkirk and Galashiels for 140 years. It is now a dedicated pedestrian bridge.