5 Star Guided Historic and Ancestral Tours of Scotland
5 Star Guided Historic and Ancestral Tours of Scotland
Small group tours of Scotland, led by historians
Pick up from any hotel, airport or cruise terminal
Let us help you start your ancestral journey today
Bespoke Multi Day tours of Scotland
Solway Tours have been guiding guests on bespoke historic and ancestral tours of Scotland since February 2015
and is the only Visit Scotland rated five star tour company in the South of Scotland.
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#LoveDandG
Are you interested in finding out more about Dumfries and Galloway?
#LoveDandG Hour takes place on the last Thursday of every month from 9-10pm on Twitter.
Join us to find out all that is happening across D&G and where are the best places to visit in the Region.
Mark’s final day with the Rhode Islanders saw us drive from the North of Skye to the centre of Glasgow.
We stopped at Glenfinnan to see the Jacobite Steam Train crossing before spending some time in Glencoe and on Loch Lomond
I wish the guys a great second half of their holiday in the Cotswolds and Sussex.
VisitScotland #YS2022
It has been an extremely busy few months for Solway Tours with tours around Dumfries and Galloway, Aberdeenshire, Skye ,Lewis and Harris, Belguim, France and many more fantastic places across Scotland!
We are delighted with our latest trip advisor review of a recent tour to Orkney with a lovely family that have travelled with us a number of times now. Thank you so much for your kind words!
If you are wondering what travelling with Solway Tours is like please check out the review below 👇
#SolwayTours #5StarTours #GuidedHistoricTours #ToursofScotland
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowUserReviews-g186513-d8421515-r849055301-Solway_Tours-Dumfries_Dumfries_and_Galloway_Scotland.html
What a windy day it was today on Skye. We started this morning in sunshine at Kilt Rock but quickly the mist settled on the North of the Island and stayed all day.
We had great day visiting the Quairing, Museum of Island Life, the Fairy Glen and the Fairy Pools before enjoying a great meal at The Portree Hotel
Another great day with two lovely couples!
#clootiedumpling #heckler #Chuckisastandupcomedian
A day of much hilarity and fun in Mark’s Tour group from Rhode Island
Day 3 started with some shopping on Loch Ness before a great visit to Urquhart Castle. We then spent some time chatting to some Highland Coos on the road to Skye before visiting Eilean Donan
We had a great lunch with great service at the Plockton Inn before enjoying our drive via the eternal fairy waters below Sligachan Bridge and onto our home for the next 2 days at Dunvegan.
A great day
#coosday #ifJoedoesntknowthenChuckdoes
#eternalbeauty
Craigmillar Castle in the south of Edinburgh is the original Casle near the Capital of the Preston family. The tower house was built in the late 1300s and was added too over time with East and West ranges.
In the gardens you can still see the famous pond shaped in the letter P. The Castle was bought by the Gilmours around 1660 and although not inhabited today the buildings give a real insight into Scottish noble life across 450 years.
A great place to visit.
Historic Scotland VisitScotland #YS2022
Mark has had another great day with Joe, Sandy, Chuck and Michelle from Rhode Island.
We started the day by visiting the Hermitage at Dunkeld and then went onto the Queens View above Loch Tummel.
After spending an hour in the beautiful Victorian inspired town of Pitlochry we headed up to the emotive Culloden Battlefield & Museum and the awe inspiring Cairns at Clava.
Another great day of Scottish history and scenery!
#SolwayTours #cappellitours #hangry VisitScotland Culloden Battlefield & Visitor Centre #YS2022
A few shots of the hidden gem of the West Kirk on the edges of Culross. A church dating back centuries that went out of regular use with the building of the new church in the town in the mid 17th Century.
Outlander fans will know it as the Black Kirk where Tammas Baxter fell Ill. A lovely walk up from the village gives you access to the Kirk.
VisitScotland #YS2022 #outlander Royal Burgh of Culross
Mark has had a great day with his two lovely couples from Rhode Island on the first day of a 5 day tour.
Today we had a focus on some of the key Outlander sites with the guests even staying tonight in the Covenanter Hotel in Falkland.
In the morning we spent time at Craigmillar Castle, Midhope Castle and Hopetoun House before a delicious lunch as always at The Railbridge Bistro in South Queensferry.
The afternoon was spent in the historic village of Culross including a walk out to the Black Kirk location.
A great day of laughter and fun.
VisitScotland #YS2022 #Outlander
A rather windswept Mark early on this Sunday morning at the Devil’s Beeftub above Moffat.
Mark is on his way to Edinburgh to start a 5 day tour to Falkland, Inverness and Skye. VisitScotland #YS2022
A few of Lesley’s favourite photos from her tours around Dumfries and Galloway this week!
A Region steeped in history, stunning scenery and beautiful coastline and is well worth a visit!
#LoveDandG
Today was Lesley’s last day with the Hunter family and it was another great day!
Before travelling to Edinburgh we visited the fascinating Devil’s Porridge Museum and then we spent some time in Gretna and at Gretna Green.
It’s been a wonderful four days with a lovely family exploring the Hunter ancestral castle and some of the best historic and scenic spots across Dumfries and Galloway.
We hope they enjoy the rest of their time in Scotland and hopefully they will get back again one day soon!
#LoveDandG #GuidedHistoricTours
Lesley has had another great day exploring Dumfries and Galloway with the Hunter family from Tennessee.
Today we started out at the Devil’s Beef Tub and then did a short climb at the Grey Mare’s Tail waterfall just North of Moffat.
We then spent some time in Moffat having a great lunch at Cafe Ariete’s and we managed to fit in some Moffat Toffee as well!
The rest of the day was spent exploring around Caerlaverock Castle, Castledykes Park and various stops in Dumfries connected to Robert the Bruce, Robert Burns and Lady Devorgilla.
Another brilliant day with a lovely family!
#LoveDandG
THE BETRAYAL OF A HERO ON THIS DAY 717 YEARS AGO
It is on this spot in the early hours of the 3rd of August 1305 that the great patriot William Wallace was betrayed by John Menteith.
Wallace had been staying in the house of a friend in Rab Raes Toun which today is Robroyston on the edges of the NE of Glasgow. He had became a major obstacle to King Edward 1 of England successful annexation of Scotland and a large bounty had been on his head for years.
The keeper of Dumbarton Castle at the time Menteith saw an opportunity as Wallace only had his friend William Kerlie with him on that night. Kerlie was slain and Wallace was captured, taken initially to Dumbarton Castle and then taken to London to be tried for treason. He was later hung drawn and quartered.
The saltire and memorial mark the site of the house whilst along the road is the site of Wallace’s Well a natural spring where he is reputed to have drunk from earlier that night. Today Wallacewell Road is one of the main thoroughfares in the north of Scotland’s biggest city.
In 1305 it would have been surrounded by countryside but today it is on the edge of the city but it is an incredible site to visit. The capture of Wallace and his subsequent execution was to prompt Robert the Bruce to begin his campaign to ensure Scotland’s Independence from England.
#williamwallace VisitScotland #YS2022 #glasgowsmilesbetter
Lesley has had an extremely busy but fantastic day with the Hunter family from Tennessee exploring gorgeous Galloway in the glorious sunshine!
We started out this morning with visits to Cairn Holy Chambered Cairn, Garlieston and into Whithorn to the Museum and the Iron Age Roundhouse.
After a delicious lunch at the Steam Packet Inn in the Isle of Whithorn we then spent the afternoon enjoying the sunshine at Portpatrick, Dunskey Castle and at the Mull of Galloway , Scotland’s most Southerly Point.
A fantastic day in sun exploring the Machars and Rhinns !
#LoveDandG VisitScotland Steam Packet Inn, Isle of Whithorn, Wigtownshire, Dumfries & Galloway The Whithorn Trust
Today Lesley has started a 4 day tour with the lovely Hunter family.
Some of the family have travelled with us before so it was great to meet the rest of the family and get them all to their ancestral castle, Hunterston Castle, where we had a fascinating guided tour around the 13th Century Castle.
We then enjoyed a delicious lunch at the Seamill Hydro before travelling South through the Galloway Forest Park.
Our final stop today was at Bruce’s Stone at Loch Trool where although it was starting to rain and get misty the views from Bruce’s Stone were still amazing!
A great day with a lovely family and we are looking forward to exploring more of Dumfries and Galloway tomorrow!
#HunterClan #LoveDandG #AncestralTours
ST Andrews Castle
On this day the 31st of July 1547 French naval forces in support of the Catholic Mary Queen of Scots bombard St Andrews Castle and capture some Protestant rebels. These include John Knox who is employed as a tutor at that time.
The French take Knox prisoner and he he is sent to become a galley-slave. He spends the next 19 months as a slave before being freed by English forces.
The Castle today is a real wonder and a magical place to visit in a very historic town.
VisitScotland #YS2022 Historic Scotland
109
3 Comments
Solway Tours️
Updated their cover photo.
2 weeks ago
Mark had a great day today with a family from Michigan and Washington DC which included a young Celtic fan from the Mitten state.
You can’t beat a day spent in Stirling at Bannockburn and Stirling Castle in glorious sunshine.
#YS2022 #lovescotland VisitScotland
Over the last few days Lesley has reversed her role and has been a tourist out exploring some of the fantastic experiences you can have here in Dumfries and Galloway and in the Scottish Borders!
It’s been a great few days trekking with Alpacas at Beirhope Alpacas, making pottery at the Wee Pottery in Kirkcudbright, Ice cream making at Cream of Galloway, kayaking on St Mary’s Loch and watching the Pipe band and Highland dancers at the Scottish Night in Kirkcudbright.
There is so much to see do in the South of Scotland!
#LoveDandG #LoveScottishBorders Beirhope Alpacas Cream o' Galloway The Wee Pottery - Kirkcudbright @KayakandSupHireandSalesScottishBorders
Today Mark had a tour with Joyce and her sister Lynn from Paisley.
We explored the stunning countryside in and around Dumfries. In the morning we visited Irongray Church, the Routin Brig, Lag Tower, Dalswinton, the Hermitage and the outside of Ellisland Farm.
In the afternoon we spent time at Castledykes, Caerlaverock Castle, Burns House and mausoleum and the Robert Burns Centre. We were even lucky enough to get inside the Mausoleum to pay our respects to Robert Burns and his family.
A great day with lovely people as the sun shone!
VisitScotland #YS2022 #LoveDandG
Mark had a great day today with the Neilsen family from Switzerland.
In the morning the weather was mainly dry as we explored the Kelpies, the Falkirk Wheel and Bannockburn.
In the afternoon the weather got a little wetter as we climbed the 246 steps to the top of the Wallace Monument and saw Maggie Jencks new statue in the Hall of Heroes and Heroines. We also explored Stirling Auld Brig and Stirling Castle.
I hope that the family have a great week as they head up to the Orkney Islands.
VisitScotland #YS2022
It’s been a wild and wet journey up to Edinburgh this early Sunday morning but blue skies have greeted Mark above the Grassmarket.
Have a great Sunday!
88
3 Comments
Solway Tours️
Updated their cover photo.
3 weeks ago
Today Mark had an ancestral tour with a lovely family from San Diego. Three generations of male Gallochers have been visiting Scotland over the last week walking in the footsteps of their ancestors.
Today we visited some important sites related to their family who lived in and around Dumfries from the 1820’s until the 1870’s. We got to a number of houses that the family lived in in English St and St Michael Street as well as some of the places where they were employed before travelling across the pond for a different lifestyle.
A great day!
#ancestraltours #YS2022 #LoveDandG
226 years ago on the 21st of July 1796 Robert Burns died in his house at Mill Street Dumfries. The great poet and writer had spent a few weeks at the Brow Well and the Solway Firth prior to his death at only 37 years old.
Today you can visit the mausoleum in Dumfries where Burns and most of his family are buried. It is only 200 yards from the house where Robert lived the last few years of his life.
Burns was originally buried in a corner plot in St Michael’s Churchyard but his body was later moved to his mausoleum after much campaigning both locally and across the world to give him a more fitting place of burial.
Dumfries and the surrounding countryside have so many links to the life of Burns and are well worth investigating.
#LoveDandG VisitScotland
Mark was out and about early this morning doing some ancestral research for an upcoming tour.
Applegarth Church in Annandale looked beautiful in the sunshine although it was a slog getting through some of the long grass to check a few gravestones.
#LoveDandG #guidedhistorictours #ancestraltours
Lesley’s week with Jason , Chris, Casey and Hallie came to an end yesterday as they travelled South from Kirkwall to Edinburgh in the glorious sunshine!
It’s been a fabulous week including four days on Orkney visiting some amazing scenic spots and incredible historic sites.
The fascinating variety of historic sites from Neolithic sites to sites connected to the First and Second World War along with the stunning scenery, wildlife, and incredibly friendly people make this Island a wonderful place to visit!
An incredible week with a lovely family and we wish them a safe journey home.
#GuidedHistoricTours #LoveOrkney #MakingMemories
Lesley has had another amazing day on Orkney with Jason, Chris, Casey and Hallie.
This morning we stared to explore Orkney’s connection to both the First and Second World War with stops at the Italian Chapel, Scapa Flow and the Churchill Barriers.
We then spent some time at the beautiful Sheila Fleet Kirk Galllery and Cafe where we had a delicious lunch and made a few purchases.
The rest of our afternoon was spent doing the walk up to the Kitchener Memorial which commemorates the men of HMS Hampshire who lost their lives in 1916.
We then enjoyed some time along the cliffs and were totally amazed when we saw puffins, an Orca Whale and a dolphin!
Another wonderful day in a truly special place with a lovely family!
VisitScotland orkney.com
Yesterday was all about Palaces, a Broch, an honesty shop, whisky and puffins!
Another fantastic day exploring around Orkney and thanks to Jason who captured the amazing photo of the puffins!
Well it’s been an amazing day here in The Neolithic Heart of Orkney!
Lesley has had an incredible day with Jason, Chris, Casey and Hallie exploring some of the most fascinating Neolithic sites!
We started out at Skara Brae first thing this morning before moving on to a guided tour at the Ness of Brodgar where they are still actively excavating and it was fascinating!
The rest of the day was spent exploring the amazing Ring of Brodgar, Maeshowe Chambered Cairn, the Standing Stones of Stenness, Barnhouse Settlement and Unstan Tomb.
A fascinating day getting an insight into life in Neolithic Orkney 5,000 years ago!
Mark was at #Culloden today and the emotive and pivotal battlefield site was even more thought provoking than ever with the heather just starting to bloom @VisitScotland#ys2022
Yesterday Lesley started a 4 day tour with the lovely Hunter family.Some of the family have travelled with us before so it was great to meet the rest of the family and get them all to their ancestral castle, Hunterston Castle, where we had a fascinating guided tour.
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Mark’s final day with the Rhode Islanders saw us drive from the North of Skye to the centre of Glasgow. We stopped at Glenfinnan to see the Jacobite Steam Train crossing before spending some time in Glencoe and on Loch Lomond I wish the guys a great second half of their holiday in the Cotswolds and Sussex. VisitScotland #YS2022
It has been an extremely busy few months for Solway Tours with tours around Dumfries and Galloway, Aberdeenshire, Skye ,Lewis and Harris, Belguim, France and many more fantastic places across Scotland! We are delighted with our latest trip advisor review of a recent tour to Orkney with a lovely family that have travelled with us a number of times now. Thank you so much for your kind words! If you are wondering what travelling with Solway Tours is like please check out the review below 👇 #SolwayTours #5StarTours #GuidedHistoricTours #ToursofScotland https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowUserReviews-g186513-d8421515-r849055301-Solway_Tours-Dumfries_Dumfries_and_Galloway_Scotland.html
What a windy day it was today on Skye. We started this morning in sunshine at Kilt Rock but quickly the mist settled on the North of the Island and stayed all day. We had great day visiting the Quairing, Museum of Island Life, the Fairy Glen and the Fairy Pools before enjoying a great meal at The Portree Hotel Another great day with two lovely couples! #clootiedumpling #heckler #Chuckisastandupcomedian
Mealt Falls on Skye with Kilt Rock in the background looking great this morning. 5 minutes later the mist had descended.
Dunskey Castle #LoveDandG
A day of much hilarity and fun in Mark’s Tour group from Rhode Island Day 3 started with some shopping on Loch Ness before a great visit to Urquhart Castle. We then spent some time chatting to some Highland Coos on the road to Skye before visiting Eilean Donan We had a great lunch with great service at the Plockton Inn before enjoying our drive via the eternal fairy waters below Sligachan Bridge and onto our home for the next 2 days at Dunvegan. A great day #coosday #ifJoedoesntknowthenChuckdoes #eternalbeauty
Craigmillar Castle in the south of Edinburgh is the original Casle near the Capital of the Preston family. The tower house was built in the late 1300s and was added too over time with East and West ranges. In the gardens you can still see the famous pond shaped in the letter P. The Castle was bought by the Gilmours around 1660 and although not inhabited today the buildings give a real insight into Scottish noble life across 450 years. A great place to visit. Historic Scotland VisitScotland #YS2022
Mark has had another great day with Joe, Sandy, Chuck and Michelle from Rhode Island. We started the day by visiting the Hermitage at Dunkeld and then went onto the Queens View above Loch Tummel. After spending an hour in the beautiful Victorian inspired town of Pitlochry we headed up to the emotive Culloden Battlefield & Museum and the awe inspiring Cairns at Clava. Another great day of Scottish history and scenery! #SolwayTours #cappellitours #hangry VisitScotland Culloden Battlefield & Visitor Centre #YS2022
A few shots of the hidden gem of the West Kirk on the edges of Culross. A church dating back centuries that went out of regular use with the building of the new church in the town in the mid 17th Century. Outlander fans will know it as the Black Kirk where Tammas Baxter fell Ill. A lovely walk up from the village gives you access to the Kirk. VisitScotland #YS2022 #outlander Royal Burgh of Culross
Mark has had a great day with his two lovely couples from Rhode Island on the first day of a 5 day tour. Today we had a focus on some of the key Outlander sites with the guests even staying tonight in the Covenanter Hotel in Falkland. In the morning we spent time at Craigmillar Castle, Midhope Castle and Hopetoun House before a delicious lunch as always at The Railbridge Bistro in South Queensferry. The afternoon was spent in the historic village of Culross including a walk out to the Black Kirk location. A great day of laughter and fun. VisitScotland #YS2022 #Outlander
A rather windswept Mark early on this Sunday morning at the Devil’s Beeftub above Moffat. Mark is on his way to Edinburgh to start a 5 day tour to Falkland, Inverness and Skye. VisitScotland #YS2022
A few of Lesley’s favourite photos from her tours around Dumfries and Galloway this week! A Region steeped in history, stunning scenery and beautiful coastline and is well worth a visit! #LoveDandG
Today was Lesley’s last day with the Hunter family and it was another great day! Before travelling to Edinburgh we visited the fascinating Devil’s Porridge Museum and then we spent some time in Gretna and at Gretna Green. It’s been a wonderful four days with a lovely family exploring the Hunter ancestral castle and some of the best historic and scenic spots across Dumfries and Galloway. We hope they enjoy the rest of their time in Scotland and hopefully they will get back again one day soon! #LoveDandG #GuidedHistoricTours
Our first stop today is to the fantastic Devil’s Porridge Museum that tells the story of HM Factory Gretna during WW1
Lesley has had another great day exploring Dumfries and Galloway with the Hunter family from Tennessee. Today we started out at the Devil’s Beef Tub and then did a short climb at the Grey Mare’s Tail waterfall just North of Moffat. We then spent some time in Moffat having a great lunch at Cafe Ariete’s and we managed to fit in some Moffat Toffee as well! The rest of the day was spent exploring around Caerlaverock Castle, Castledykes Park and various stops in Dumfries connected to Robert the Bruce, Robert Burns and Lady Devorgilla. Another brilliant day with a lovely family! #LoveDandG
Lovely views at the Grey Mare’s Tail this morning !
THE BETRAYAL OF A HERO ON THIS DAY 717 YEARS AGO It is on this spot in the early hours of the 3rd of August 1305 that the great patriot William Wallace was betrayed by John Menteith. Wallace had been staying in the house of a friend in Rab Raes Toun which today is Robroyston on the edges of the NE of Glasgow. He had became a major obstacle to King Edward 1 of England successful annexation of Scotland and a large bounty had been on his head for years. The keeper of Dumbarton Castle at the time Menteith saw an opportunity as Wallace only had his friend William Kerlie with him on that night. Kerlie was slain and Wallace was captured, taken initially to Dumbarton Castle and then taken to London to be tried for treason. He was later hung drawn and quartered. The saltire and memorial mark the site of the house whilst along the road is the site of Wallace’s Well a natural spring where he is reputed to have drunk from earlier that night. Today Wallacewell Road is one of the main thoroughfares in the north of Scotland’s biggest city. In 1305 it would have been surrounded by countryside but today it is on the edge of the city but it is an incredible site to visit. The capture of Wallace and his subsequent execution was to prompt Robert the Bruce to begin his campaign to ensure Scotland’s Independence from England. #williamwallace VisitScotland #YS2022 #glasgowsmilesbetter
Lesley has had an extremely busy but fantastic day with the Hunter family from Tennessee exploring gorgeous Galloway in the glorious sunshine! We started out this morning with visits to Cairn Holy Chambered Cairn, Garlieston and into Whithorn to the Museum and the Iron Age Roundhouse. After a delicious lunch at the Steam Packet Inn in the Isle of Whithorn we then spent the afternoon enjoying the sunshine at Portpatrick, Dunskey Castle and at the Mull of Galloway , Scotland’s most Southerly Point. A fantastic day in sun exploring the Machars and Rhinns ! #LoveDandG VisitScotland Steam Packet Inn, Isle of Whithorn, Wigtownshire, Dumfries & Galloway The Whithorn Trust
Today Lesley has started a 4 day tour with the lovely Hunter family. Some of the family have travelled with us before so it was great to meet the rest of the family and get them all to their ancestral castle, Hunterston Castle, where we had a fascinating guided tour around the 13th Century Castle. We then enjoyed a delicious lunch at the Seamill Hydro before travelling South through the Galloway Forest Park. Our final stop today was at Bruce’s Stone at Loch Trool where although it was starting to rain and get misty the views from Bruce’s Stone were still amazing! A great day with a lovely family and we are looking forward to exploring more of Dumfries and Galloway tomorrow! #HunterClan #LoveDandG #AncestralTours
The East of Dumfries was looking sunny and still early this morning. #LoveDandG
ST Andrews Castle On this day the 31st of July 1547 French naval forces in support of the Catholic Mary Queen of Scots bombard St Andrews Castle and capture some Protestant rebels. These include John Knox who is employed as a tutor at that time. The French take Knox prisoner and he he is sent to become a galley-slave. He spends the next 19 months as a slave before being freed by English forces. The Castle today is a real wonder and a magical place to visit in a very historic town. VisitScotland #YS2022 Historic Scotland
Mark had a great day today with a family from Michigan and Washington DC which included a young Celtic fan from the Mitten state. You can’t beat a day spent in Stirling at Bannockburn and Stirling Castle in glorious sunshine. #YS2022 #lovescotland VisitScotland
The Queen Anne Garden at Stirling Castle looking splendid today as always! #lovescotland #YS2022 VisitScotland Historic Scotland
Over the last few days Lesley has reversed her role and has been a tourist out exploring some of the fantastic experiences you can have here in Dumfries and Galloway and in the Scottish Borders! It’s been a great few days trekking with Alpacas at Beirhope Alpacas, making pottery at the Wee Pottery in Kirkcudbright, Ice cream making at Cream of Galloway, kayaking on St Mary’s Loch and watching the Pipe band and Highland dancers at the Scottish Night in Kirkcudbright. There is so much to see do in the South of Scotland! #LoveDandG #LoveScottishBorders Beirhope Alpacas Cream o' Galloway The Wee Pottery - Kirkcudbright @KayakandSupHireandSalesScottishBorders
Today Mark had a tour with Joyce and her sister Lynn from Paisley. We explored the stunning countryside in and around Dumfries. In the morning we visited Irongray Church, the Routin Brig, Lag Tower, Dalswinton, the Hermitage and the outside of Ellisland Farm. In the afternoon we spent time at Castledykes, Caerlaverock Castle, Burns House and mausoleum and the Robert Burns Centre. We were even lucky enough to get inside the Mausoleum to pay our respects to Robert Burns and his family. A great day with lovely people as the sun shone! VisitScotland #YS2022 #LoveDandG
Mark had a great day today with the Neilsen family from Switzerland. In the morning the weather was mainly dry as we explored the Kelpies, the Falkirk Wheel and Bannockburn. In the afternoon the weather got a little wetter as we climbed the 246 steps to the top of the Wallace Monument and saw Maggie Jencks new statue in the Hall of Heroes and Heroines. We also explored Stirling Auld Brig and Stirling Castle. I hope that the family have a great week as they head up to the Orkney Islands. VisitScotland #YS2022
A local swan posing with some Kelpies on this Sunday morning! The Helix The Kelpies VisitScotland #YS2022
It’s been a wild and wet journey up to Edinburgh this early Sunday morning but blue skies have greeted Mark above the Grassmarket. Have a great Sunday!
Today Mark had an ancestral tour with a lovely family from San Diego. Three generations of male Gallochers have been visiting Scotland over the last week walking in the footsteps of their ancestors. Today we visited some important sites related to their family who lived in and around Dumfries from the 1820’s until the 1870’s. We got to a number of houses that the family lived in in English St and St Michael Street as well as some of the places where they were employed before travelling across the pond for a different lifestyle. A great day! #ancestraltours #YS2022 #LoveDandG
226 years ago on the 21st of July 1796 Robert Burns died in his house at Mill Street Dumfries. The great poet and writer had spent a few weeks at the Brow Well and the Solway Firth prior to his death at only 37 years old. Today you can visit the mausoleum in Dumfries where Burns and most of his family are buried. It is only 200 yards from the house where Robert lived the last few years of his life. Burns was originally buried in a corner plot in St Michael’s Churchyard but his body was later moved to his mausoleum after much campaigning both locally and across the world to give him a more fitting place of burial. Dumfries and the surrounding countryside have so many links to the life of Burns and are well worth investigating. #LoveDandG VisitScotland
Just a few of Lesley’s favourite photos from her tour In Orkney last week! #GuidedHistoricTours #LoveOrkney orkney.com VisitScotland
Mark was out and about early this morning doing some ancestral research for an upcoming tour. Applegarth Church in Annandale looked beautiful in the sunshine although it was a slog getting through some of the long grass to check a few gravestones. #LoveDandG #guidedhistorictours #ancestraltours
Lesley’s week with Jason , Chris, Casey and Hallie came to an end yesterday as they travelled South from Kirkwall to Edinburgh in the glorious sunshine! It’s been a fabulous week including four days on Orkney visiting some amazing scenic spots and incredible historic sites. The fascinating variety of historic sites from Neolithic sites to sites connected to the First and Second World War along with the stunning scenery, wildlife, and incredibly friendly people make this Island a wonderful place to visit! An incredible week with a lovely family and we wish them a safe journey home. #GuidedHistoricTours #LoveOrkney #MakingMemories
Lesley has had another amazing day on Orkney with Jason, Chris, Casey and Hallie. This morning we stared to explore Orkney’s connection to both the First and Second World War with stops at the Italian Chapel, Scapa Flow and the Churchill Barriers. We then spent some time at the beautiful Sheila Fleet Kirk Galllery and Cafe where we had a delicious lunch and made a few purchases. The rest of our afternoon was spent doing the walk up to the Kitchener Memorial which commemorates the men of HMS Hampshire who lost their lives in 1916. We then enjoyed some time along the cliffs and were totally amazed when we saw puffins, an Orca Whale and a dolphin! Another wonderful day in a truly special place with a lovely family! VisitScotland orkney.com
Lesley is back at one of her favourite shops! #SheilaFleetJewellery #Orkney
Yesterday was all about Palaces, a Broch, an honesty shop, whisky and puffins! Another fantastic day exploring around Orkney and thanks to Jason who captured the amazing photo of the puffins!
What a fantastic way to end our day today, watching the amazing puffins at the Brough of Birsay! Absolutely incredible! #Puffins #Orkney
Well it’s been an amazing day here in The Neolithic Heart of Orkney! Lesley has had an incredible day with Jason, Chris, Casey and Hallie exploring some of the most fascinating Neolithic sites! We started out at Skara Brae first thing this morning before moving on to a guided tour at the Ness of Brodgar where they are still actively excavating and it was fascinating! The rest of the day was spent exploring the amazing Ring of Brodgar, Maeshowe Chambered Cairn, the Standing Stones of Stenness, Barnhouse Settlement and Unstan Tomb. A fascinating day getting an insight into life in Neolithic Orkney 5,000 years ago!
We are delighted with our latest 5Star trip advisor review of a recent tour to Orkney! #SolwayTours #GuidedHistoricTours tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowUserReview….
Mark was at #Culloden today and the emotive and pivotal battlefield site was even more thought provoking than ever with the heather just starting to bloom @VisitScotland #ys2022
Drumlanrig Castle (Scotland) @SolwayTours image & overlap mock-up of earlier Towerhouse raised by the Douglas family in the 1350s. #DrumlanrigCastle #ScottishCastles #HistoryRebuilt
A few of Lesley’s favourite photos from her tours around Dumfries and Galloway this week!
A Region steeped in history, stunning scenery and beautiful coastline and is well worth a visit!
#LoveDandG @VisitScotland @VisitSWScotland
Just a few of the fantastic sites across Dumfries and Galloway that we visited yesterday on our tour! #DunskeyCastle #MulllofGalloway #Portpatrick #Whithorn #Roundhouse #guidedhistorictours @VisitScotland @VisitSWScotland
Yesterday Lesley started a 4 day tour with the lovely Hunter family.Some of the family have travelled with us before so it was great to meet the rest of the family and get them all to their ancestral castle, Hunterston Castle, where we had a fascinating guided tour.
#HunterClan
Just a few of Lesley’s favourite photos from her tour In Orkney last week!
#GuidedHistoricTours #LoveOrkney @VisitScotland @orkneycom
Another fantastic visit earlier this week to the Sheila Fleet Kirk Gallery and cafe! We had a delicious lunch and then made a few purchases! @SheilaFleetSFJ #LoveOrkney #LoveSheilaFleetJewellery @orkneycom @VisitScotland
Craigmillar Castle is a magical place to visit. The late 14th century tower house built...
Castle Leod at Strathpeffer is the ancestral home of the Mackenzie family and has been...
The things you do first thing in the morning on the Isle of Skye to...
A few shots of the majestic Inveraray Castle which stands close to the shores of...
St Mary and St Finnan Church at Glenfinnan on Loch Shiel The church was consecrated...
BOW FIDDLE ROCK Mark was up around the NE Coast over the last few sunny...
On this day the 8th of February 1587 Mary Stuart was beheaded at Fotheringay Castle...
OLD BUITTLE CHURCH The ruins of Old Buittle Church dedicated to St. Colman consist of...
Last week Mark visited his home village and spent some time at one of his...
Happy St Andrew’s Day wherever you are in the world from Solway Tours. Alba gu...
It was a rainy day last week when we visited the Gorge at Corrieshalloch just...
CALLINISH STANDING STONES Sometimes we are in the right place at the right time and...
Turnberry Castle is a ruined 13th Century Castle which sits on a promontory overlooking the...
The magnificent Hermitage Walk near Dunkeld has so much to enjoy within such a short...
Yesnaby Castle sea stack is a must see when you are in the Orkney mainland....
Ruthven Barracks were built in the early 18th Century on elevated ground on this previous...
Tonight’s sunset in Connel in Argyll and Bute. #scotland#sunsets #argyllandbute #argyll #oban #onlyinscotland @visitscotland #scotlandisnow...
The Devil’s Beeftub in the Moffat hills became infamous in the late medieval period and...
Today Mark did one of his favourite walks to one of the most historic sites...
RING of BRODGAR The Ring of Brodgar is the largest stone circle in the whole...
CASTLE SINCLAIR GIRNIGOE Castle Sinclair Girnigoe is a complex of coastal castellated structures built and...
EARL’S PALACE BIRSAY Robert Stewart, the illegitimate son of James V and half brother to...
The majestic 12th Century St Magnus Cathedral tonight in Kirkwall Orkney illuminated by a wonderful...
LOCHRUTTON CHURCH Lochrutton Church was built in 1819 and the bellcote and vestry were added...
CAERLAVEROCK CASTLE Caerlaverock is one of the best castles in Scotland to visit for history...
Dunadd Fort and the Fealty Footprint In the South of Kilmartin Glen sits the pivotal...
Today Mark had a busy day on the West Coast of Scotland preparing for future...
On this day the 15th of May 1568 Mary Stuart spent her last full day...
BROCH of GURNESS One of our favourite historic sites to visit when on the Orkney...
One of the best coastal walks in Scotland must be from Balcary Bay to Rascarrel...
THREAVE CASTLE on the RIVER DEE Although closed just now Threave Castle is one of...
Have you ever been to our own Scottish Mermaid? In our year of Coasts and...
THE BETRAYAL OF A HERO It is on this spot in the early hours of...
10th FEBRUARY 1306 On this day 715 years ago a meeting took place in Dumfries...
A lovely visit this morning to Lincluden Collegiate Church beside the confluence of the Nith...
Some lovely images of the majestic River Nith this morning as it passes its way...
Despite most sites being closed the fantastic Dundrennan Abbey looked splendid in the Galloway Winter...
Mark visited his home village this morning and with his brother took the stunning walk...
Happy St Andrew’s Day
The stunning Leaderfoot Viaduct over the River Tweed in the sunshine earlier this week. This...
Melrose Abbey looked stunning on this chilly, but sunny Autumnal day. The mid 12th Century...
Orchardton Tower looking great today. The mid 15th Century cylindrical tower built by the Cairns...
Today Mark made it to see the recently crowned Scottish tree of the year. The...
The wonderful waterfall at Sandyhills - locally known as the Mare’s Braids. It’s a lovely...
The Routin’ Brig At Kirkpatrick Irongray was the historic crossing point from Kirkcudbrightshire into Dumfriesshire....
Elgin Cathedral is known as the Lantern of the North and is an incredible site...
CLAN CAMPBELL at INVERARAY CASTLE One of the most powerful Scottish families in history has...
DUNDRENNAN ABBEY Today’s featured site In Dumfries and Galloway is the majestic Romanesque/Gothic Dundrennan Abbey....
Fatlips Castle sits above the River Teviot in the Scottish Borders. It is a 16th...
We made a trip to the Borders this morning with his first visit to the...