The Mel Sinclair Clan Web Site proudly presents:
............................ Mr. Andrew Spratt!
Welcome to a very unique part of the Mel Sinclair Clan web page. My very talented internet friend, Andrew Spratt (andrew@aspratt5.wanadoo.co.uk), has graciously bestowed upon this page several prints of his paintings showing us what it may have looked like in Scotland "a few years ago." Please join me and enjoy Mr. Spratt's shared collection and commentary. His bio and email address may be found at the end of the page. I hope that you enjoy the contributions by Mr. Andrew Spratt as much as I have enjoyed making them available. Andrew.... here's to you, my friend..........
Click on the "thumbnail" for a larger photo, then use your "back" button for returning to this page from the photos. Use the "back" button or the "Up" text on either of the navigation bars to return to this page from the narratives.
Where narratives are available, there is a hyperlink, so noted, under the photo.
Illustrations and Commentary by Andrew Spratt
Revised: December 23, 2011
Posted as of March 21, 2002
Air View of Girnigoe, Armada at Tantallon 1588
Braal Castle 500's
Sinclair Castle
Armada
Narrative
Bucholie Castle
Scrabster Castle
Close-up of Scrabster
Bucholie Narrative
Scrabster Narrative
Plan of Scrabster Castle Clyth Castle
Dirleton Castle
Clyth Narrative
(Sir James Gunn)
Dirleton
Narrative
Dirleton Castle
Dunivaig
Castle Herdmanston Photo
(Photo Snow)
Herdmanston Narrative
Inverlochy
Castle
Kildrummy
Castle
Newcastle 1402 Narrative
Inverlochy Narrative
Dovecot Wick Castle
Dounreay Castle
Dovecot Narrative
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Still More new post, these of Andrew!
Andrew in his Sinclair Surcoat! Great look there, Andrew!
Surcoat and Axe Cooking Pot Helmet Claymore & Shield
Ducking the Arrows
Note from Andrew: I'm attaching some photos of me in my Douglas surcoat and 1350's armour on 'Oscar' borrowed from the local stables. I've been using this armour for tours with local schools and history societies. A. Spratt
Andrew & Dummy Knight AS Bowling Green
Bowling
Green
Mayor of Teba Photos Ocala, Fla. Games
Teba Narrative
Slide Show, (A. Spratt right)
Previous works of Mr. Spratt with much information in the narratives!
Girnigoe Castle
Roslin
Castle
Whitekirk Castle
Girnigoe Narrative
Roslin Narrative
Whitekirk Narrative (includes
two
other reconstructions and info on the
three lines of Sinclair's.)
Sinclair of Herdmanston Castle
The "Good Sir James" Douglas
Herdmanston Narrative
Douglas/Sinclair Narrative
Ravenscraig
Castle (Fifeshire)
Ackergill Castle with Girnigoe in the Background
Ravenscraig Narrative
Ackergill
Narrative
Tantallon
Castle
Sacking of Newcastle by the Scots
Tantallon Narrative
with two other reconstructions Newcastle
Narrative
Battle of Homildon Hill
Homildon Hill Narrative
Other Reconstructions by Mr. Spratt:
Dirlot Castle 1350 Keiss Castle Old Slains Castle
North Berwick Castle
Andrew Spratt I was born in Edinburgh
in 1963
I'm married with two sons. At the moment I work for Historic Scotland as the
Custodian of Dirleton castle about 25 miles east of Edinburgh. Prior to this I
was employed as a graphic Artist with the Scottish Examination Board while also
doing history slide talks for SAGA and before this I worked as the Seasonal
Custodian of Tantallon castle for nine years beside my father who was the head
custodian. It was at Tantallon that I first used my reconstruction paintings of
Scottish castles and battles to explain Scottish history to the castle
visitors. As a boy I was inspired by the work of the late Allen Sorrell who did
beautiful reconstruction drawings of mostly English castles. Whereas I planned
to cover Scottish castles, battles and events from 1350 to 1650. I have produced
over 200 different castle/battle/event reconstructions in the past 17 years for
use in such publications as The Scots Magazine, East Lothian Life, Border Life
and various History Society journals. In my spare time I also write history
articles for Clan Newsletters in the U.S. Before starting a reconstruction
of a castle I dig out as much archaeological and architectural evidence as
possible and as many prints of the chosen castle from the 1700's and
1800's,though in ruins even then they still give clues as to their original
shape and form. There is even more research involved when doing reconstruction
battles since heraldry, weapons, armour and even things like the style of horses
bridles have to be check down to the last detail. In many castle
reconstructions I simply superimpose the outline of the original castle onto
the present ruin,almost rebuilding as it were level by level. This drawing is then
used as a template for the final watercolor painting. I use these finished
reconstructions in my history slide shows that I do for Schools, History
Societies and Clan Societies to help people understand the 'true' history of
Scotland. I try to make sense of it's wars with England. Not the simplistic
version presented by the likes of Hollywood with tartan and bagpipes. Scotland
as a nation was formed through centuries of blood shed that should be
remembered but not glorified. These great castles were built as symbols of
power but also as places of refuge to protect the Scots who lived in fear
through years of invasion, raids, wars, counter invasions and political treachery.
Scotland as a nation should learn from it's past not to make the same mistakes
twice. These great ruins throughout Scotland stand as reminders of our
uncivilised past. Andrew
Spratt You
can email Andrew at: andrewsp2009@live.co.uk If you reached this page from another server, please click on the
last icon on the page to visit my home page....at least visit the Caribbean, mon....
trip reports, photos, a hurricane in the Caribbean, a gale in the Gulf Stream
and other boring stuff....
Please let me know that you visited! Sign my
guestbook, linked
from my home page.
You can reach me at: melsinclair1@yahoo.comBy the way, the
Mel Sinclair Castle
needs a little work and we
are definitely accepting contributions!
I would love to hear from you!!
....
or just click on this button 
"To discover new oceans, you must first lose
sight of the shore."
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