Features - Scottish Food, Traditions and Customs

Modern Scots love and knowledge of our countryside owes a great deal to the late Tom Weir. We change our usual format for this feature to present a photographic tribute to Tom Weir which appeared recently on Electric Scotland, Our grateful thanks to both Alistair McIntyre, Electric Scotland, and photographer David McConnell Hunter for their permission to use the fine photograph’s of Scottish scenery in ‘Tom Weir’s Country’.

Pictures by David McConnell Hunter
Tom Weir's Country

In memory of the late Tom Weir who passed away at the age of 91 on July 6, 2006, here are a few photographs taken around Tom's home base of Gartocharn on the south shore of Loch Lomond. The selection includes a number of views of Tom's favourite hills -- the Campsie Fells. Located just north of Glasgow, these hills introduced Tom to a lifetime of outdoor adventure.

Tom Weir

Loch Lomond near Tom's home in Gartocharn

Loch Lomond from the Kilpatrick Hills.
The small hill (lower left) is Duncryne, which Tom used to climb every day.

The Campsie Fells from the Deil's Craig Dam near Mugdock

The Campsie Fells from Fintry

Duntreath Castle in the Blane Valley

Dumgoyne Hill from the West Highland Way

Dumgoyach Hill in the Blane Valley

The Blane Valley and the Campsies

Pastoral scene near Campsie Glen

Highland Cow near Fintry

Sheep grazing near Fintry. Ben Lomond
in the distance.

The Campsies on a Summer's evening -- view from Auchineden

Loch Lomond evening -- view from the Whangie in the Kilpatrick Hills

With the continuing good weather perhaps the only cooler places would be up the Scottish hills so beloved of Tom Weir. It is the sort of weather of which Scots say “We’ll pay for it! We’ll pay for it!” As the nights draw in, bit by bit, we have reminders that autumn is not too far off and thoughts should turn to preparing for a touch of summer sunshine in the depths of winter! Over the next few weeks we will provide some chutney and jam recipes which will do that, starting this week with Old Fashioned Apple Chutney.

Old Fashioned Apple Chutney

Ingredients: 1 ½ lb cooking apples, peeled, cored and chopped; 12 oz onions, peeled and chopped; grated rind and juice of 2 lemons; 6 oz sultanas; 4 oz chopped walnuts; 2 tbsp mixed spice; 1 tsp salt’ ¾ pint of good malt vinegar; ½ lb Demerara sugar

Method: Put all of the ingredients except the sugar into a large preserving pan, bring to the boil and simmer until the apples have softened. Add the sugar and continue to simmer until the mixture is thick and almost dropping consistency. Spoon into prepared jars, seal and label.