THIS photo of Richmond left a lasting memory for an American tourist.

The photo, taking from Culloden Tower and featuring a double rainbow, was taken by Christopher Baker from San Francisco, California.

"It was the first trip to Europe in 15 years for me and my wife. Also along for their first trip across the pond were our daughters, ages 14 and 11," Mr Baker told The Northern Echo. 

The Northern Echo: Culloden Tower, hexagonal in shape, was built in the 18th Century to celebrate the end of the Jacobite rebellion after the battle of Culloden in 1746

Culloden Tower in Richmond

"We built our trip to the UK around our desire to stay in one of the Landmark Trust properties.

"We’ve had a printed catalogue lying around for years and the girls love to look at all the beautiful cottages and castles. When we decided to go I called Landmark Trust and asked “what might you have in a tower in mid-June?”.

"They mentioned Culloden Tower in Richmond and a few others. The Tower looked beautiful and Richmond looked great as well. So I booked the Tower and then built the trip around our time in Richmond."

The family spent some time in London and had two nights in Keswick in the Lake District - "a town recommended by American author Bill Bryson in one of his recent books about England".

"Then our three nights in Richmond and followed by train from Durham up to Edinburgh," said Mr Baker. "I told my wife just the other day that drive from the Lake District through the Yorkshire Dales into Richmond was one of the highlights of our entire trip for me because it was so starkly beautiful and unexpected.

"In particular coming across the Ribblehead Viaduct was remarkable.

"Richmond reminded me of San Francisco a little bit - the uphill walk to the town square was substantial. We live on a hill here as well.

"The shops on the square were great and the people very friendly. I visited the Green Howards Museum while my wife and girls shopped. Interestingly there was so much to do that we never made it into the Castle.

"We did however walk all around it from the outside.

"Somewhat related, our girls attend a Quaker/Friends School in San Francisco. So it was terrific attending Sunday meeting at the old Friends meeting house in Countersett. The friendly people there then directed us to the Berrys Farm Shop in Leyburn for lunch which was wonderful.

"We would love to come back to Richmond and explore some more."