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Architecture Themed Tour of Scotland
Saturday, September 30, 2006
DAY 1
Collect hotel 0915 for walking tour of Old Town:
We then drive to see the famous Forth Rail Bridge which was completed in 1890. Nearby is the sister Road Bridge which is much younger but currently suffering from corrosion problems.
After exploiting the many photo opportunities we enjoy a spot of lunch at the Hawes Inn which is a traditional type pub sitting under the arches of the rail bridge-so we are able to hear the trains trundling overhead!
Now relaxed and refreshed we drive back to Edinburgh and the famous Calton Hill skyline. However, en-route we stop to admire the Royal High School building which dates to 1825-29.
A study of the appropriateness of form to purpose demonstratwes the extent to which the choices on Calton Hill were made on architectural grounds all being individually subservient to the totality of the composite skyline which comprises:
Drive on to Charlotte Square, which was designed by Robert Adam in 1791. This comprises individual terraced houses sublimated within monumental palace facades which had a strong influence on the later New Towns.
Then to the nearby Dome in George Street for some afternoon tea. This is a fascinating, former bank Head Office which was constructed in 1844 under architect David Rhind.A perfect setting to end the day.
This concludes our day in Edinburgh and we retire back to the hotel for the evening.
DAY 2
Collect 0930 then drive out of Edinburgh, across the Forth Road Bridge which affords good views of the nearby Rail Bridge as we pass over.
To Castle Campbell which sits in isolation on a narrow ridge overlooked by a crescent of the Ochills.The castle dates back to the 15th century and was under ownership of the Campbells of Argyll. Both John Knox and Mary, Queen of Scots visited the castle. The end of the castle as a residence came during the Civil War when it was attacked by General Monck in 1654. It is now a semi-ruin. Location affords outstanding views and superb photo opportunities.
Then we drive on to Perthshire and the country town of Crieff to the ruins of a Clearance Village set high upon a hill in a remote location. We try and empathise with the people who lived here prior to their enforced exit, possibly to other parts of Britain and North America in the early 1800s. We encounter plenty of sheep-and a pair of deer.
Back to Crieff for a light lunch at the famous Crieff Hydro, which proved most enjoyable.
On the way to Falkirk we stop and visit Ardoch Roman Fort.
This site is actually a candidate for categorisation as a World Heritage Site-in conjunction with other parts of the Roman Frontier in Britain and Germany.
Very close to Ardoch , but almost hidden away from the passing traveller, is a beautiful Pack Horse Bridge, which is interesting from both historic and architectural perspectives- and provides superb photo opportunities when the light is right.
On to the Falkirk Wheel, a magnificient piece of engineering which connects the Forth & Clyde (Glasgow) canal to Edinburgh's Union Canal. The Wheel replaced a series of 11 locks which fell into disrepair.
Because of time constraints we were, unfortunately, unable to make our appointment with the owner of a nearby Grade A listed 1820 house.So, back to Glasgow and the hotel. However, we do drive past parts of the Antonine Wall which was built by the Romans around AD 140.
Visit unusual parts of Scotland with catswhiskerstours
DAY 3
Collect at 0930.
Commence with a walking tour of historic Glasgow, centering first on Glasgow's historic links with the Tobacco industry and the Southern United States.
At no. 42 Miller Street is the last of the so-called Virginia tobacco merchants' houses to survive in Glasgow's Merchant City. We are unable to enter the property but take photos of the exterior.
Then, via Virginia Street, we move on to the Corinthian at 191 Ingram street. This was built by David Hamilton in 1842 on the site of the Virginia Mansion, and remodelled in in 1876 by James Burnett. The Corinthian is one of Glasgow's most stunning buildings, both internally and externally. The building impresses to the extent that a reservation for dinner that evening is made at the restaurant there.
Visit Glasgow architecture with catswhiskerstours
Now we indulge in the work of the famous architect/designer, Charles Rennie Mackintosh.
First we visit the Lighthouse. This is a former newspaper building it is now home to Scotland's award winning Centre for Architecture and Design.
Then for some tea in the famous Willow Tea Rooms at 217 Sauchiehall Street. These rooms were owned by Catherine Cranston who more or less invented the Glasgow tea room phenomenon. Uniquely, ladies' rooms were offered where respectable women could go out to meet at a time when women without men in the urban scene were usually taken for servants or prostitutes. This was not a cafe but offered a range of provacies in the public world. We also visit the Billiard Room on the premises.
Next visit is the McLellan Galleries across the road to see the Glasgow Style Gallery but, unfortunately, the building is closed. So, we move on to the Glasgow School of Art at Renfrew Street. This is truly magnificient with the added dimension of the "buzz" of students. We spend considerable time here and avail of the photo opportunities.
Our next scheduled visit is the House for an Art Lover but, we are thwarted again as this is closed for a special occasion.
Visit Mackintosh properties with catswhiskerstours
Undaunted, we move to see the work of another famous architect, Alexander 'Greek' Thomson at Holmwood House, Cathcart.
Central in the design is the circular lantern over the staircase. Horizontality predominates and the wall which links house and stable lodge emphasises this. Many rooms are richly ornamented in wood, plaster and marble. Thanks to investigation by Historic Scotland, Thomson's original rich decoration, based on themes from the classical world, is beginning to emerge. Much of the original stencilled decoration has been found, and visitors may follow the progress of continuing conservation work. The small kitchen garden is planted with a range of Victorian herbs, fruit and vegetables.
This is quite an awesome property, both architecturally and from a social history perspective. We indulge in the atmosphere and avail of photo opportunities.
After a some afternoon refreshment and a short visist to a local synagogue for information purposes, we try again to visit the 1820 house near Falkirk but, sadly, heavy traffic militates against meeting our re-scheduled appointment so we elect to return to the hotel. and fond farewells.
Overall, a varied tour covering a wide range of architecture,engineering and social history.
Catswhiskerstours specialises in tailored tours of Scotland.
Collect hotel 0915 for walking tour of Old Town:
- Scott Monument
- RSA Building
- National Gallery
- Cannonball House
- Outlook Tower
- Milne's Court
- Bank of Scotland-The Mound
- St.Giles Cathedral
- Parliament Hall and High Court of Justiciary. We managed to see the magnificient Hall with its 122ft long hammerbeam roof which dates back to 1640. This is now used as a lobby for lawyers and we were able to walk freely in the Hall whilst the lawyers go about their perambulations in course of their professional duties. Quite an unusual experience!
- Charles II Statue, Parliament Square.
- Mercat Cross
- John Knox's House
- Chessel's Court. Early mansion flats dating to about 1748.
- Tolbooth, 163 Canongate. This dates to 1592 and was the former centre of a separate Burgh.
- New Scottish Parliament Building. Architecture is somewhat controversial.
We then drive to see the famous Forth Rail Bridge which was completed in 1890. Nearby is the sister Road Bridge which is much younger but currently suffering from corrosion problems.
After exploiting the many photo opportunities we enjoy a spot of lunch at the Hawes Inn which is a traditional type pub sitting under the arches of the rail bridge-so we are able to hear the trains trundling overhead!
Now relaxed and refreshed we drive back to Edinburgh and the famous Calton Hill skyline. However, en-route we stop to admire the Royal High School building which dates to 1825-29.
A study of the appropriateness of form to purpose demonstratwes the extent to which the choices on Calton Hill were made on architectural grounds all being individually subservient to the totality of the composite skyline which comprises:
- The National Monument (1822)
- Dugald Stewart's Monument (1832)
- Old Observatory (1776)
- New Observatory (1818)
- Playfair Monument (1826)
- Nelson's Monument (1816)
- Burns Monument (1830)
Drive on to Charlotte Square, which was designed by Robert Adam in 1791. This comprises individual terraced houses sublimated within monumental palace facades which had a strong influence on the later New Towns.
Then to the nearby Dome in George Street for some afternoon tea. This is a fascinating, former bank Head Office which was constructed in 1844 under architect David Rhind.A perfect setting to end the day.
This concludes our day in Edinburgh and we retire back to the hotel for the evening.
DAY 2
Collect 0930 then drive out of Edinburgh, across the Forth Road Bridge which affords good views of the nearby Rail Bridge as we pass over.
To Castle Campbell which sits in isolation on a narrow ridge overlooked by a crescent of the Ochills.The castle dates back to the 15th century and was under ownership of the Campbells of Argyll. Both John Knox and Mary, Queen of Scots visited the castle. The end of the castle as a residence came during the Civil War when it was attacked by General Monck in 1654. It is now a semi-ruin. Location affords outstanding views and superb photo opportunities.
Then we drive on to Perthshire and the country town of Crieff to the ruins of a Clearance Village set high upon a hill in a remote location. We try and empathise with the people who lived here prior to their enforced exit, possibly to other parts of Britain and North America in the early 1800s. We encounter plenty of sheep-and a pair of deer.
Back to Crieff for a light lunch at the famous Crieff Hydro, which proved most enjoyable.
On the way to Falkirk we stop and visit Ardoch Roman Fort.
This site is actually a candidate for categorisation as a World Heritage Site-in conjunction with other parts of the Roman Frontier in Britain and Germany.
Very close to Ardoch , but almost hidden away from the passing traveller, is a beautiful Pack Horse Bridge, which is interesting from both historic and architectural perspectives- and provides superb photo opportunities when the light is right.
On to the Falkirk Wheel, a magnificient piece of engineering which connects the Forth & Clyde (Glasgow) canal to Edinburgh's Union Canal. The Wheel replaced a series of 11 locks which fell into disrepair.
Because of time constraints we were, unfortunately, unable to make our appointment with the owner of a nearby Grade A listed 1820 house.So, back to Glasgow and the hotel. However, we do drive past parts of the Antonine Wall which was built by the Romans around AD 140.
Visit unusual parts of Scotland with catswhiskerstours
DAY 3
Collect at 0930.
Commence with a walking tour of historic Glasgow, centering first on Glasgow's historic links with the Tobacco industry and the Southern United States.
At no. 42 Miller Street is the last of the so-called Virginia tobacco merchants' houses to survive in Glasgow's Merchant City. We are unable to enter the property but take photos of the exterior.
Then, via Virginia Street, we move on to the Corinthian at 191 Ingram street. This was built by David Hamilton in 1842 on the site of the Virginia Mansion, and remodelled in in 1876 by James Burnett. The Corinthian is one of Glasgow's most stunning buildings, both internally and externally. The building impresses to the extent that a reservation for dinner that evening is made at the restaurant there.
Visit Glasgow architecture with catswhiskerstours
Now we indulge in the work of the famous architect/designer, Charles Rennie Mackintosh.
First we visit the Lighthouse. This is a former newspaper building it is now home to Scotland's award winning Centre for Architecture and Design.
Then for some tea in the famous Willow Tea Rooms at 217 Sauchiehall Street. These rooms were owned by Catherine Cranston who more or less invented the Glasgow tea room phenomenon. Uniquely, ladies' rooms were offered where respectable women could go out to meet at a time when women without men in the urban scene were usually taken for servants or prostitutes. This was not a cafe but offered a range of provacies in the public world. We also visit the Billiard Room on the premises.
Next visit is the McLellan Galleries across the road to see the Glasgow Style Gallery but, unfortunately, the building is closed. So, we move on to the Glasgow School of Art at Renfrew Street. This is truly magnificient with the added dimension of the "buzz" of students. We spend considerable time here and avail of the photo opportunities.
Our next scheduled visit is the House for an Art Lover but, we are thwarted again as this is closed for a special occasion.
Visit Mackintosh properties with catswhiskerstours
Undaunted, we move to see the work of another famous architect, Alexander 'Greek' Thomson at Holmwood House, Cathcart.
Central in the design is the circular lantern over the staircase. Horizontality predominates and the wall which links house and stable lodge emphasises this. Many rooms are richly ornamented in wood, plaster and marble. Thanks to investigation by Historic Scotland, Thomson's original rich decoration, based on themes from the classical world, is beginning to emerge. Much of the original stencilled decoration has been found, and visitors may follow the progress of continuing conservation work. The small kitchen garden is planted with a range of Victorian herbs, fruit and vegetables.
This is quite an awesome property, both architecturally and from a social history perspective. We indulge in the atmosphere and avail of photo opportunities.
After a some afternoon refreshment and a short visist to a local synagogue for information purposes, we try again to visit the 1820 house near Falkirk but, sadly, heavy traffic militates against meeting our re-scheduled appointment so we elect to return to the hotel. and fond farewells.
Overall, a varied tour covering a wide range of architecture,engineering and social history.
Catswhiskerstours specialises in tailored tours of Scotland.
posted by Nigel Cole @ 6:05 AM 
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