Kenneth Steven and Pete Clark Perthshire Scotland

Kenneth Steven and Pete Clark, 04 February 2009, Birnam Institute, Birnam 7.30pm. An evening of music and poems, an interweaving of words and tunes. Much of Kenneth Steven's writing is inspired by the wildscape and people of Highland Perthshire; his many poetry collections are celebrations of the world he's grown up in. Perhaps best known for his interpretation of the music of Niel Gow and other 18th Century fiddler-composers, Pete divides his time between teaching and performing. He is currently a tutor at the RSAMD (Royal Scottish Academy of Music & Drama) in Glasgow and runs a weekly fiddle class at The Taybank in Dunkeld. Much of Pete’s playing is with The Benachally Ceilidh Band. Admission - Tickets £6. Contact - BI Arts Centre, Telephone - 01350 727674.

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The Doocot Cottage Dunning Perthshire Scotland

The Doocot Cottage, Dunning, Perthshire, Scotland. The Doocot is a delightful and secluded cottage, set in woodland beside an 18th Century doocot. From here you can enjoy the quiet, peaceful surroundings, play nine holes of golf on the local course at the end of the garden or perhaps at the five star Gleneagles courses nearby.

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River Cottage Enochdhu Perthshire Scotland

River Cottage, Enochdhu, Perthshire, Scotland. A lovely two bedroom holiday cottage on the banks of the River Ardle near Pitlochry available for rent. River Cottage lies amongst some of the prettiest countryside in Scotland, and is surrounded by unspoiled "policy ground" of the former Kindrogan Estate, with abundant wildlife right on the doorstep.

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Basset Cottage Auchterarder Perthshire Scotland

Basset Cottage, Auchterarder, Perthshire, Scotland. Basset Cottage bed and breakfast is a small cozy town house situated in the heart of Auchterader, Perthshire, Scotland.

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Sma Glen Cottage Perthshire Scotland

Sma Glen Cottage, Perthshire, Scotland. Sitting in idyllic surroundings, with exclusive views of the Sma Glen, this attractive, century old stone cottage offers a base for exploring the stunning rural Perthshire countryside or even just a retreat from city-life. It is centrally located in the Golden triangle between Dunkeld, Aberfeldy and Crieff and only half an hour from Perth.

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Keltney Burn Cottage Perthshire Scotland

Keltney Burn Cottage, Perthshire, Scotland. Keltney Burn Cottage is an award winning and particularly attractive three bedroom cottage of great character situated on the banks of the Keltney Burn in the heart of Highland Perthshire, just five miles from the pretty town of Aberfeldy.

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Old Balbeggie Perthshire Scotland

An old view of Balbeggie, Perthshire, Scotland.

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Winter Road Trochry Perthshire Scotland

Winter Road near Trochry, Perthshire, Scotland.

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Winter Highland Cattle Perthshire Scotland

A winter view of Highland Cattle today in Southern Perthshire, Scotland.

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Frozen Loch na Craige Perthshire Scotland

Frozen Loch na Craige, Perthshire, Scotland.

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Burns Night Balbeggie Perthshire Scotland

Burns Night, Balbeggie, Perthshire, Scotland. Burns Night on Saturday evening, January 24th, 2009, at MacDonald Arms Hotel. Please contact Euan or Kirsten for further details. Telephone 01821 640242. MacDonald Arms Hotel is attractively situated in the village of Balbeggie, just six miles from the city of Perth. A warm and friendly welcome awaits you. We serve traditional home cooked Scottish food complemented by a fine selection of wines, spirits and malts. Five comfortable furnished bedrooms all with en-suite facilities, televisions and hospitality trays. Robert Burns the National Bard of Scotland.

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Historic Station Road Birnam Perthshire Scotland

Historic Station Road, Birnam, Perthshire, Scotland.

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Killiecrankie Ghost Perthshire Scotland

Killiecrankie, Perthshire, Scotland. On 27 July 1689, the Pass of Killiecrankie saw the Jacobite army led by Bonnie Dundee defeat government forces in the first Jacobite campaign. Reports of ghost soldiers, some dead, some still fighting, have been recorded It is said that a red glow covers the area on the anniversary of the battle. The area is also reputed to be haunted by the drifting head of a woman, murdered on the site during the 17th century. Scottish Ghosts.

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Gilmerton Village Perthshire Scotland

An old view of Gilmerton Village, Perthshire, Scotland.

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Rose Terrace Perth Perthshire Scotland

An old view of Rose Terrace, Perth, Perthshire, Scotland.

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Alyth Burns Supper Perthshire Scotland

Alyth Burns Supper, Perthshire, Scotland. Come and Experience a Burns Supper you will never forget, held in the spectacular setting of the Grand Hall. Tam O'Shanter performed by candlelight and haunting melodies will captivate you and make for a very special evening Sunday 25th January 2009. Lands of Loyal Hotel.

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Richard Thompson Concert Perthshire Scotland

Richard Thompson, 22 January 2009, Perth Concert Hall, Perth 7.30pm. Richard Thompson's fantastic project takes a journey through 1000 Years of Popular Music. This grew from a request to submit a list of the greatest songs of the Millennium. Displaying his trademark humour in the selection of songs, Thompson takes you on a succinct journey from the ballads of the early middle ages, through more modern songs originally made known by artists as varied as Nat King Cole, Nelly Furtado, Gilbert & Sullivan and The Who. Thompson's uncanny genius is evident in his astonishing guitar technique which sees him juggling simultaneous lead, rhythm, and bass parts on the same six strings. Bringing his personal slant to all the songs he presents an eccentric view of the last 1000 years of songwriting that subtly makes the point that songs are good whatever century they are from. Accompanying Thompson on this tour are Judith Owen (vocals, piano) and Debra Dobkin (percussion, vocals). Admission - Tickets £20 (Concessions £16). Contact - Perth Concert Hall, Telephone - 01738 621031.



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Ancestry Tours of Fearnan Scotland

Ancestry Tours of Fearnan, Perthshire, Scotland.

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St Johnstone FC Burns Supper Perthshire Scotland

St Johnstone FC Burns Supper, Perth, Perthshire, Scotland. 22nd January 2009, at McDiarmid Park, Perth, commencing at 7pm. Enjoy a celebration of Scottish culture with a delicious four course meal and all the traditional trimmings, music from a bagpipe and fiddle selection, and favourite Burns poems such as Address to a Haggis, Selkirk Grace and a Toast to the Lassies. Whether you’re new to Burns Night or a devoted fan, why not come along and celebrate this Scottish Annual event and celebrate the immortal memory of the Bard with a social evening of dining, entertainment, and poetry. Admission, Tickets £23. Telephone 01738 459099.



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Innislea Bed and Breakfast Pitlochry Perthshire Scotland

Innislea Bed and Breakfast, Pitlochry, Perthshire, Scotland. Welcome to Innislea Bed and Breakfast. Pitlochry Accommodation at Innislea Bed and Breakfast is an oasis of calmness in a tranquil setting, yet only a few minutes walk from the bustling Pitlochry town centre with all the amenities. Enjoy the warm Scottish, informal atmosphere which Isabel and Ian specially create for their guests. The house has a remarkable open location to a view of Clunie hills. There are over thirty way-marked walks in the local area. Park up and study your route, most car parks have display boards and of course leaflets are available from all Tourist Centres, including Pitlochry.Ian and Isabel will also be delighted to give you information of the surrounding area - where to visit, what walks to enjoy and where to have an enjoyable evening out. During the summer months our secluded patio lets the guests enjoy the feature of the wildlife or just sit in the sun and enjoy a refreshment with savour of a delicious taste of Isabel’s home baking. There are several excellent visitor attractions in the area such as: Pitlochry Festival Theatre, Blair Castle, Dewars World of Whisky, Scone Palace, Blair Atholl Distillery, House of Bruar.

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House of Gask Perthshire Scotland

House of Gask, Perthshire, Scotland. The House of Gask, the “auld house” of Lady Nairne’s song, in the middle of the eighteenth century stood upon a hill in the Strath of Earn, a curious, rambling house, which owed its interest to its quaintness and the picturesqueness of its situation.

The Auld Hoose.

Oh! the auld hoose, the auld hoose,
What tho' the rooms were wee,
Oh, kind hearts were dwelling there,
And bairnies fu' o' glee.
And wild rose and the jassamine,
Still hang upon the wa'
Hoo mony cherished memories.
Do they sweet flow'rs reca'.

Oh, the auld Laird, the auld Laird
Sae canty, kind and crouse.
Hoo mony did he welcome there,
His ain wee dear auld hoose.
And the leddy, too, sae genty,
There shelter'd Scotland's heir,
An' clipt a lock wi' her ain han'
Frae his long yellow hair.

The mavis still doth sweetly sing,
The bluebells sweetly blaw.
The bonnie Earn's clear, winding still.
But the auld hoose is awa'.
The auld hoose, the auld hoose.
Deserted tho' ye be,
There ne'er can be a new hoose,
Will seem sae fair to me.

Still flourishing the auld pear tree.
The bairnies liked to see.
And oh hoo often did they speir.
When ripe they a' wad be?
The voices sweet, the wee bit feet.
Aye runnin' here and there.
The merry shouts oh, whiles we greet.
To think we'll hear nae mair.

Meaning of unusual words:
bairnies = children
canty = lively
crouse = courageous
leddy = lady
mavis = song thrush
speir = ask

There lived Laurence Oliphant, the laird, descendant of an old family as proud as it was ancient, a Jacobite of the Jacobites, who loved the Stuarts with all the adoration of his absurd old soul. To win his undying favour it was only necessary for a neighbour to present him with a relic of the Royal house, a garter, a brogue, or spurs worn by His Royal Highness. To look at but for heaven’s sake not to touch, the sacred memorials, a lock of Prince Charlie’s red hair, his bonnet, his cockade or crucifix, was with him almost a religious service. With indignation he bundled off Mr. Cruikshank the chaplain’s gown and books by carrier when he learned that he had, on the death of Prince Charles, begun to pray for George III.; for a “nominal” prayer, that is, one in which the Hanoverian usurper was mentioned by name, was an abomination. With what care had he and his wife conveyed to Florence the piece of seed-cake which the hands of Mrs. Forbes, the nonjuring bishop’s wife, had prepared for His Majesty’s delectation; and with what joy he reported that when his sacred Majesty took it in his hands, he opened a drawer and graciously said: “Here you see me deposit it, and no tooth shall go upon it but my own.” There was something so sturdy, so honest, so loyal in his disloyalty that King George sent him his fine message, couched in phrases to conciliate his heart: “The Elector of Hanover presents compliments to the laird of Gask, and wishes to tell him how much the Elector respects the laird for the steadiness of his principles.”

When Lady Gask died her last words to the children gathered round her were: “See which will be the best bairn to papa.” To that household came the governess whom the aunt provided, with this recommendation: “Mr. Oliphant joyns me in thinking there is no better sign than diffidence in what one knows nothing about, therefore has no doubt Mrs. Cramond, for you know I cannot call her Miss when a governess, will make herself usefull to ye children with a little practice in many things besides ye needle, particularly as to behaviour, principles of Religion and Loyalty, a good carriage and talking tolerable English which in ye countrie is necessarie that young folks may not appear clownish when presented to company.” From which it would appear that Lady Henrietta’s own accomplishments did not entitle her to be too exacting in the qualifications of a governess, especially as the remuneration was to be twelve guineas for the first year and ten guineas “ever after.” Mr. Marconchi, the foreign fiddler, walked over from Perth once a week to teach the art of dancing and the harpsichord to the family of two sons and four daughters.

Caroline, whose baptismal name veneration for Prince Charles had once more made popular in Jacobite circles, was born in 1766, the third of the family, and she grew up reserved and dignified into a tall beauty with dark eyes and hair, the toast of the country as the “Flower of Strathearn.” At the county balls she danced with so fine a grace and skill, that the eyes of little Neil Gow, the prince of fiddlers, would gleam with delight as he watched her threading the gladsome windings of a strathspey. In 1792 the laird of Gask died, the soldier of the ’45 who suffered long, though he was not long-suffering, from his aches and ails, which the abominable concoctions prescribed as sovereign cures by his friend the laird of Thriepland had helped to intensify. He was true to the end to the Stuart cause, and never forgot when proposing a toast to look at his handsome son Charles, and to say with significant accent: “The King, Charles.” Never had he permitted any who read the newspapers to him to mention George III. and his queen, except as “K” and “Q.” In such Jacobite associations his sons and daughters grew up.

It was at a tenantry dinner given by the new laird that Miss Caroline Oliphant heard sung “The Ploughman,” a coarse song with a good Scots air. Vexed at finding such songs pleasing the people at their rustic meetings, and disgusted, as she passed through a country fair, to notice the broadsides and ballads which were greedily bought from barrows and pedlars’ packs, she became filled with desire to make verses more wholesome, and not less attractive, to take their place on the people’s lips. This she did in secrecy. It was the ancestral enthusiasm for the good old cause which then and afterwards quickened her fancy to write such songs as “Charlie is my darling,” “Will you no come back again?” “A Hundred Pipers,” with their romantic sentiment and martial strain that make the pulse beat faster, songs produced when the Jacobite cause was dead as Queen Anne, and when no romance or song could stir it to life again. Who imagined there could come from that stately damsel, and afterwards so proud a dame, with whom humour could scarce venture to dwell, the lively “John Tod” and “Laird o’ Cockpen,” which generations should sing with never-failing glee; or the humble “Caller Herrin’,” with its charming refrain caught from the sound of the chimes of St. Giles’ in Edinburgh? Fond recollection of Gask she enshrined in the “Auld House,” with its “auld laird, sae canty, kind, and crouse.”

But in the “Land o’ the Leal” the poet rose to her highest level, from the beginning “We’re wearin’ awa, John” to its close, in which the simplicity of true pathos moves with rare and tender touch.
In those days and for several years she was engaged to her cousin, Charles Nairne; but they were both poor, the young man having remote prospects of promotion in the army. “Miss Car the pretty,” as she was called by the people, was no longer the beauty at every county ball, the bloom of the “Flower of Strathearn” became somewhat faded as she matured into the staid, stately, handsome lady of forty. It was then, however, when her cousin, at the mature age of fifty, became a major, that the long engagement issued in a happy marriage, and life in Edinburgh in a frugal home called “Caroline Cottage.” They were poor, that high-bred couple, and they were pronouncedly proud; they belonged to the exclusive aristocratic set which was dwindling away in that city as London became the resistless centre of attraction for all who had claims to rank or position. Sydney Smith’s description of Edinburgh society as “a pack of cards without honours” was becoming true.

The new century had gone on its way some years when one day there called on Mr. Purdie, the music-seller, a lady giving the name of Mrs. Bogan of Bogan, who had already corresponded with him, transmitting songs in a feigned handwriting. Mrs. Nairne appeared before the worthy tradesman in the guise of an old lady of a bygone generation - which after all was on her part no very great deception - and told him of songs she had got to publish. This was good news, because the Scottish Minstrel was being compiled by him; and accordingly with extraordinary mystery verses set to well-known airs by “Mrs. Bogan of Bogan” were produced. [Songstresses of Scotland, ii. 130.] For years the exquisite song, the “Land o’ the Leal,” had been familiar throughout the land; the pathos of Scots hearts seemed voiced by it as by no other song, and to the strains of “We’re wearin’ awa, John, To the Land o’ the Leal,” eyes had grown dim with tears. Mrs. Nairne had heard them praised and seen them bewept; and had noticed with a fret the words changed to “Wearin’ awa, Jean,” but she said nothing. With inexplicable reticence she even kept the secret of authorship from her own husband, spreading a newspaper over her manuscripts if he came into the room. This may have been caused by doubts as to her husband’s powers of keeping a secret; but it was due also to that self-contained nature, that resolute reserve, which made her avoid with impatience the kiss which the bridegroom offered after the chaplain at Gask had married them.

In 1824 George IV. made his memorable visit to Scotland, when Sir Walter Scott worked himself up into grotesque enthusiasm in welcome of the not too respectable monarch. A memorial was prepared by Sir Walter praying His Majesty that the title forfeited by the Rebellion might be restored to Major Nairne. The petition was granted, and Major Nairne became a lord before he died in 1824.

In her later years Lady Nairne was involved in the atmosphere of pietism which began to prevail over Scotland, dating from the pious crusade of the Haldanes. Secular amusements - save painting - were no longer to her mind, the fashions of the world that pass away were no more to the taste of her who had in unregenerate days written the “Laird o’ Cockpen.” She had always been religious, though the humour would bubble over into fun in her songs. In later years the wave of evangelicalism went over her head, as it did over that of Susan Ferrier, who, it must with sadness be confessed, like Hannah More, degenerated as a writer as she became regenerated as a Christian. As years went on she returned to Gask, to which her nephew, the laird, had urged her to return. But it was not the “Auld House.” That had been knocked down, and a more pretentious dwelling built in expectation of a fortune that never came. With the quaint old home departed associations with the olden time. In the new house, amidst her kith and kin, Baroness Nairne died, and with her the last of the band of Scots songstresses of the eighteenth century passed away.

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Benarty Hill Perthshire Scotland

An old view of Benarty Hill, Perthshire, Scotland.

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Ancestry Tours of Braes of Rannoch Perthshire Scotland

Ancestry Tours of Braes of Rannoch, Perthshire, Scotland.

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Albert Monument Perth Perthshire Scotland

An old view of Albert Monument, North Inch, Perth, Perthshire, Scotland.

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Rait Smithy Perthshire Scotland

An old view of Rait Smithy, Perthshire, Scotland.

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Arngask Parish Perthshire Scotland

Arngask Parish, Perthshire, Scotland. " Arngask, parish in the counties of Kinross, Fife, and Perth. It contains Damhead village, with post office under Kinross. The surface includes hills of the Ochils, and is richly diversified. The church contains 380 sittings, and the public schoolhas accomodation for 150 scholars. " Photographs from a Tour of Scotland including Arngask.

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St Leonards Church Perth Perthshire Scotland

St. Leonards Church, Perth, Perthshire, Scotland.

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River Tummel at Ballinluig Perthshire Scotland

An old view of the River Tummel at Ballinluig, Perthshire, Scotland.

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Buckie Braes Perth Perthshire Scotland

An old view of Buckie Braes, Perth, Perthshire, Scotland.

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Dalnaglar Castle Perthshire Scotland

Dalnaglar Castle, Perthshire, Scotland. Dalnaglar Castle is set on a beautiful naturally elevated site in the heart of Glenshee, which is known locally as The Fairy Glen. Originally a 16th century hunting lodge, Dalnaglar Castle was commissioned by Lord Clyde, Queen Victoria's banker, and designed by Her Majesty's architect from Balmoral. Although primarily a private retreat for the owner, Dalnaglar is open for exclusive rental by a few groups of paying guests per year.

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Balmoral Road Blairgowrie Perthshire Scotland

An old view of Balmoral Road, Blairgowrie, Perthshire, Scotland.

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Winding Road Glen Artney Perthshire Scotland

Winding Road through Glen Artney, Perthshire, Scotland.

Tour Aberdeen, Tour Edinburgh, Tour Glasgow, Tour Inverness, Ancestry Tour of Scotland. Best Scottish Tours, Best Scottish Food, Best Scottish Hotels, Small Group Tours of Scotland, Rent a Cottage in Scotland. Tour Isle of Skye. Tour Scotland. Ancestry Research Scotland, Birdwatching Scotland, Guidebooks Scotland, Edinburgh Travel Guides, Coast Scotland, Guidebooks Scotland, Scotland Maps, Self Catering Scotland, Scottish Whisky, Homecoming Scotland 2009, Tour Scotland.