Sassenach Historian Tours

01/03/2025

Really looking forward to attending this! I’ve been so excited for this book to finally be out! I definitely don’t talk enough about how my masters dissertation was on witchcraft in Scotland. I definitely want to incorporate it more into my tours & content. I hope to work with Witches of Scotland in the future, somehow! This event is going to be AMAZING!! I can’t wait :)

An Evening with Witches of Scotland podcasters, Dr Zoe Venditozzi and Dr Claire Mitchell KC in conversation with CJ Cooke

26/02/2025

If those who lay in the Black Kirk could talk, what tales do you think they’d tell?
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Culross West Kirk was the former parish church of the Royal Borough of Culross.
It was built in 1500’s, before the Scottish Reformation. However it was already in ruins before being officially declared abandoned, after being replaced by Culross Abbey as the town’s parish church in 1643 by an Act of Parliament.
The West Kirk was dubbed, “The Black Kirk” in Outlander episode 1x03 “The Way Out.” Here is where Jamie & Claire try to determine what poisoned Tomas Baxter, & they discover the Lily of the Valley. Jamie then shares with Claire the structure of his education & tales of his childhood. Here is the first time we truly see them bond as friends.
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25/02/2025

Have you ever seen a signpost in Scotland that looked like this?👀 That's because across our Highlands and Islands many signs are written in both English and Scottish Gaelic! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

They exist as a part of the effort to preserve and promote the Gaelic language, which is still commonly spoken in many areas of Scotland today.

This week is 'World Gaelic Week' or 'Seachdain na Gàidhlig' a celebration of the Scottish Gaelic language. To find out more about what's on or how to get involved check out ➡️ https://seachdainnagaidhlig.scot/

📷 IG/holeynheritage.photography and
IG/sassenachhistorian

25/02/2025

Have you ever wondered why the thistle is the national flower of Scotland?
Legend has it that possibly around the 13th century, Norse invaders were attempting to ambush the Scots in the middle of the night. Allegedly, one of the barefoot Norse soldiers stepped on a thistle & cried out in pain! This alerted the Scots to their presence & they were ready for the attack. The thistle, ultimately saved them. Since then, the thistle has stood as a symbol of resilience, protection, & strength. It has been deeply woven into Scotland’s history, culture, & identity. Even now from ancient battles, royal military use, & gift shop store fronts, the thistle remains one of Scotland’s most powerful & iconic symbols.

(If you decide to use my photo for personal use, sharing on other platforms & features, please ask for permission.)
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For your chance to see the thistles in bloom:
📧: [email protected]
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24/02/2025

It’s been two years since I became a volunteer & ambassador for . Two years of learning, enlightenment, inspiration, & being witness to such a level of devoted compassion. All this brand is doing is trying to improve the world. To make it better for those who are in it, who deserve it, by taking action. It’s not just a clothing brand when every sale, purchase, design, purpose, is to make a direct impact on the systemic issue of homelessness & social decay.

It’s an honour & a privilege to be affiliated with a brand that fights for what is right every single day. I’m even more grateful that Gerard has truly become one of my closest friends that I value very much. He is an inspiration. I still have hopes for the future of & with the brand’s ideas, projects, & collaborations I have faith WILL eventually happen.

My job takes me back to the past often, but I am determined to forge a better future. It is so uplifting that countless of my own clients ask me questions & express interest in supporting the brand. It shows maybe I too, am making a difference.

I encourage you all, to read up on the stories TBF tells, & to consider making a purchase knowing that it will go directly back to someone in need & continue to fight for the success of this mission.

***no longer located at the store pictured. find them at .glasgow & online theblankfaces.co.uk***

21/02/2025

Love what you do & you’ll never work a day in your life.

Happy International Tourist Guide Day from myself here at Sassenach Historian Tours! Thank you all, for making this the career of my dreams 🤍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿
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📸: the first ever photo .photography ever took of me! The rest is history ✨

19/02/2025

“What’s for you won’t go by you” 🤍🤫
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📸: .photography

18/02/2025

Kicking it back to E D I N B U R G H tomorrow w/ Holeyn Heritage Photography to film an outlandishly spectacular, major announcement!! Cannot wait to share what that is! 👀🏰🤍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿
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14/02/2025

Happy Valentine’s Day from Sassenach Historian Tours!
Do something you love today. Do something for yourself. Be the person who loves what they see in themselves today & every single other day 💗
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📸: .photography
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12/02/2025

But why is Craigievar Castle pink?? 💗
The castle was originally an off-white colour. It wasn’t until the 1820s, when Forbes, the Laird at the time, was instructing some repairs, & Aberdeen architect John Smith suggested the castle should be pink to match the granite mouldings. It is this very pink castle that is said to have inspired the design of Cinderella’s Castle by none other than Walt Disney. 🏰
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Built by the Mortimers of Craigievar between c1575–95, Craigievar Castle in its original form would have looked a little different: rather than the iconic turrets, the uppermost level of the castle was likely much plainer and less soaring in height. The late 16th-century castle is everything below the carved stone corbel, decorated with projecting stone cannons that wraps around the castle walls. Due to the skill of the architect-masons who worked on Craigievar, it’s not immediately apparent that Craigievar is actually the result of two building phases!

The castle as it appears now was completed by William Forbes around 1626. He purchased the lands in 1610 and, keen to express the status his wealth (gained from working as a merchant through the Baltic trade) had brought him, he replaced the plain uppermost parts of the castle with the array of turrets and balustraded viewing platform we see today.

The Forbes family resided here for over 300 years before placing it in the care of the National Trust for Scotland in the 1960s. ()
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08/02/2025

in 1587, the axe finally came down on the neck of Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots. At just 44 years old, Mary had been a Queen her entire life from the time she was just 6 days old. However, her tumultuous life, would also be her undoing.
Having always put her own heart and country first, it still was never enough to secure her throne. From the long standing rivalry with her cousin, Queen Elizabeth I, the plotting, the accusations, and finally her trial, it was on this day that QEl gave the order for MQS’s ex*****on to be carried out after more than 2 decades of intense conflict, months of hesitation, and 19 years in prison.
Following a very long night, and 3 swings, Mary was beheaded at Fotheringhay Castle in Newhamptonshire.
In a world ruled by men, two queens defied the odds, but only one would be triumphant. February 8th, 1587 was a day that a true Queen was lost for the sake of love, heartbreak, betrayal, loyalty, blood, country, and a crown. 438 years later, Mary Queen of Scots still lives on as one of the most famous, triumphant, controversial, and legendary monarchs in history.
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Following her ex*****on, Mary’s embalmed body was laid in a secure lead coffin for 6 months. She requested for her body to be sent for burial in France, but was denied by Elizabeth. She was eventually buried in an aisle of Peterborough Cathedral.
After ascending the throne in 1603 after Elizabeth I, Mary’s son, King James I/VI spent 6 years arranging a re-burial of his mother. In 1612, Mary Queen of Scot’s was then laid to rest at Westminster Abbey, in the tomb opposite Queen Elizabeth I.
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07/02/2025

Eilean Donan, Scotland’s most photographed castle!

Construction of the original castle began in the 13th c. However, over the several centuries, the castle was subject to many changes in size. From having two medieval towers at once in the 14th c, a firing platform, & even being reduced to 1/5 of its size.
Eliean Donan was even a prominent member of the 1719 Jacobite rising, which ultimately led to its destruction.
For over 200 years it was blown to bits, & totally abandoned. But in 1911 the Macrae family spent 20 years rebuilding the original castle, completely restoring it. Although this may look like a castle from the 13th c, it really is only just over 100 years old.
The family still takes up residence in the castle’s apartments.
Pierce Brosnan’s Bond; “The World is Not Enough” has featured the castle as well as “Highlander”, and many others films & TV shows.
Eilean Donan Castle is a must see on your journey to or from the Isle of Skye!
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For all your castle desires, book a tour with me!
📧: [email protected]
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#007

04/02/2025

Achnambeithach Cottage, Glencoe, Scottish Highlands.
One of the loneliest & most photographed homes in all of Scotland throughout all the seasons & nearly every element it braves.
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Well over a century old, the cottage is built almost entirely of stone, which was the common practice for that time, & sits next to the south end of Loch Achtriochtan & only a stones throw from The Three Sisters.

The cottage has always been lived in, by the estate owner & farmers for a very long time. Sometimes you’re lucky enough to catch the sheep roaming around! It is now lived in by the Mountain Rescuers of the Glencoe.

A true introvert’s dream. Would you want to live here?
Come & see for yourself on one of my Glencoe Tours!
📧: [email protected]
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03/02/2025

On 19 August 1745 Prince Charles Edward Stuart landed at Glenfinnan & rose his royal standard. It was here that he announced to the attending clans of nearly 1200 men, that he had come to Scotland to claim the British throne in his father’s name, The Old Pretender, with the hope to restore the deposed catholic Stuart’s to the throne. Thus earning himself the title of the The Young Prentender. This was the start ‘45 & the beginning of the end for the final Jacobite Rising.
Just 8 months later, the Bonnie Prince’s claim & fight for the throne came to a tragic end at the Battle of Culloden on 16 April 1746.
Bonnie Prince Charlie was evading Cumberland’s troops as a fugitive following his defeat where he boarded a frigate on the shores of Loch man Uamh. This was close by to the very spot where he first made his claim, & it then became the last place where the Bonnie Prince was ever on Scottish soil.

In 1815, the 18m-high monument was built as a poignant reminder of those who gave their lives to the Jacobite cause. (NTS)
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29/01/2025

Just two gals with small businesses & a whole lot of passion, that are trying to reach our dreams & make an even bigger impact ✨🤍
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There’s so much we are working towards right now & so much we cannot wait to share. Watch our spaces… there are amazing things on their way! 💜🥃🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏔️📸🚐🏰
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Tours 🚐: Holeyn Heritage Photographys 📸: Holeyn Heritage Photography