ANNE OUTTERSON
In the early 1970’s I read a wonderful trilogy of novels about King Robert the Bruce by Nigel Tranter. These books sparked an interest in Scotland and her history which has stayed with me ever since and I have since bought all his historical books. Fortunately when I married Malcolm in 1978 he shared my passion for Scotland and her past. Nowadays we visit Scotland every year for a fortnight in June exploring historic sites and enjoying the beautiful scenery. It was during one of these holidays in 1998 that we visited Dundonald Castle in Ayrshire. As we walked round the opening exhibition Sons of Somerled was playing in the background. We bought the album before we left and have since bought all Steve’s Celtic music and play it frequently.
With the author Nigel Tranter at his home in Aberlady on the shores of the firth of Forth in 1990.
My other main hobby is genealogy and family history. My father’s family come from Yorkshire in England. My mother’s family originated in Scotland but she was born in
Ireland as her family left Scotland during the Highland Clearances. Malcolm’s family
came from the Scottish borders.
Learning about the lives of your ancestors helps you understand the social history of
the area they came from and also helps give you roots and a sense of your own identity. And visiting the places they lived, worked and worshipped is an emotional and fulfilling experience. I am very lucky to be an adult tutor and teach family history, and also computing.
And for me the best thing to come out of this fan club website? Getting to know Jackie, a lovely lady whose friendship I value highly.
Glencoe, the Valley of the Weeping. This photograph was taken in June in sunny weather but when the members of Clan
Donald were massacred in February 1692 a blizzard was blowing through the glen. Living in Britain means I can easily
visit the historic places about which Steve sings on his Scottish albums.
Glenfinnan, the site of the start of the ’45 rebellion of Bonnie Prince Charlie which ended so tragically at Culloden. The monument you see in the background was erected in 1815 as a tribute to the clansmen who fought and died in the cause of the Stuarts.
Culloden. The ’45 rebellion ended here. After the battle the dead of each clan was buried in a separate pit. If you look closely at the stone marking this burial site, it commemorates the fallen of Clan Donald. The battlefield is very atmospheric