Nigel's Photo Blog

On January 25th of this year I published information on the above John MacLean in my separate  ancestry blog By a chance meeting with a local today I learned that John MacLean is a person of historical importance.The following extract is taken from an article in the Scottish Banner publication:- This year marks 100 years since the death of John Maclean, “the most dangerous man in Britain” and “Lenin’s man in Scotland”.  A Glaswegian born of Highland parents, he was the leading light in the Red Clydeside era. He died at just aged 44 from pneumonia after he’d given his only overcoat to a destitute man. His funeral was one of the largest ever in Glasgow and he was considered both a political pariah and champion of the Scottish working class. Today, MacLean would  be categorised as a hard left militant but from another angle he was simply trying to improve the lot of the grinding poverty in working class Glasgow of the time.He died because he gave his only coat to a destitu...

 

Introduction  This evening I am reporting on an aspect of Scotland’s flora.This is an invasive, non-native plant known as Giant Hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum) which originates from Southern Russia and Georgia.   Giant Hogweed  Information on Giant Hogweed . This plant colonises riverbanks and grows to about twelve feet in height.It damages native wildlife by dominating sites and shading out vegetation. The sap of the plant can cause serious burns when in contact with the skin. A potential natural, non-chemical solution has been found in the form of sheep of which there are some 6.8m in Scotland. Trials have showed that sheep suffer no ill effects from the sap and actually develop a taste for the plant. A trial is underway to ascertain if grazing by sheep represents a cost-effective option for controlling the pest. Giant Hogweed plant at Rouken Glen, Glasgow.  More information The publication Visitors’ Guide to Scotland contains information on Sc...

 Calf stuck in mud Today, I planned a 6 mile hike starting and finishing Barrhead Railway Station near Glasgow .The route initially rises (over rough ground) to a height of 600 feet (180 m) which provides panoramic views over Paisley and the Clyde Valley. On the way down there is a rapid flowing burn (stream) with waterfalls. There is also a compact site of prehistoric rock carvings.  Although very wet and slippery underfoot I made it to the top whereupon chanced upon a calf stuck in mud in a field adjoining the trail. The poor animal may well have been there for some time. Instinctively, I tried to get through the barbed wire fence to reach the calf but achieved little other then a ripped jacket. I then had to navigate round the edges of the field until reaching an access gate from where I was able to reach the calf. As the images show this was a substantial animal. However, after much pushing and heaving I was finally able to free the animal from the jaws of the mud.Surpris...

 Introduction This evening, I am reporting on a small group hike centred on the historic Dunmore Estate near Falkirk. This location is about thirty miles north-west of Edinburgh on the south bank of the Firth of Forth.      Pineapple Pavilion , Dunmore Estate, Scotland  Information on the hike. Over a relatively short distance of six miles in mid-December we encountered a rich diversity of sites including: 19th century conservation village of Dunmore. Tree decorated with a human face. Tree with human face  River Forth (at low tide). River Forth near Dunmore, Scotland  Antique farm machinery. Antique plough, Dunmore, Scotland.  Fungi, both ground and tree. Tree Fungi, Dunmore Estate, Scotland.  Ground Fungi, Dunmore Estate, Scotland Rhododendron infested parkland. Hiking trail through Dunmore Estate, Scotland  Giant Redwood trees (native of California).  The ruined Elphinstone Tower, which dates from early 16th cent...

Introduction Barochan Hill is located north of Houston in S.W. Scotland.Here, in 1972 was rediscovered the site of a 1st century AD Roman Fort.    Information on Barochan Roman Fort  The site is difficult to access and there appear to be no above-ground remains visible. . The fort dates from around AD 80 or 81 and had a short life of around 5 years. It was built during the campaigns of Gnaeus Julius Agricola which predated both Hadrian’s Wall and the Antonine Wall. As will be evident from the video clip below, the site offers a superb strategic vantage point with 360 degree views over the local terrain including the Firth of Clyde . Key facts concerning the fort: Enclosed an area of about 3.25 acres (1.3 ha) and was oriented towards the west. Rampart was 15 ft ( 4.5m) wide and was constructed of turf fronted by a timber palisade and revetted at the back with clay. Northern defensive ditch was around 10-12 ft wide and 1.5 ft deep. There was an annexe of abo...