Nigel's Photo Blog

Introduction This evening, I am providing images and information on a stunning ‘back roads’ drive in the  Scottish Borders region.  Hermitage Castle, Liddesdale, Scotland   Information on the Backroads Scottish Borders Tour The route follows a remote, single-track road from Hermitage Castle in Liddesdale to the tiny village of Fiddleton. This route then links with the main A7, north-south highway. The trip takes about thirty minutes in course of which the visitor will encounter rolling scenery (snow-capped in winter), flocks of sheep, two small rivers (Hermitage Water and Carewoodrig Burn) and various farms and communities. In the right weather conditions and visibility excellent photographic opportunities are available. Images herein were taken during  late November, in low light conditions. Video clip from car camera following flock of sheep on road between Hermitage Castle and Fiddleton.   Scottish Borders scenery: Hermitage Castle to Fiddleton...

Introduction     This evening, I am posting information on Pobull Fhinn Stone Circle. Location is about 5 miles (8km) from Lochmaddy on North Uist , Outer Hebrides.    . Key Features of the Site Located on a south facing hillside covered in bracken and heather overlooking Langass Loch(lake). Constructed on a level platform which was cut into the hillside, probably by using deer antlers as digging tools. The stones are actually set out in a flattened ellipse 124ft ESE-WNW. The stones range in height from turf-level to 6ft 6″ (2m). There exist portalled entrances at either end of the long axis.  Video Clip of the Site   About half a mile away is the Neolithic chambered tomb of Barpa Langass (below). This is a circular cairn which features a passage leading into a polygonal chamber.   More information for the visitor Overall, the Outer Hebrides have much to offer the visitor. For more information on stone circles and sightseeing in Scotland...

 Introduction  This afternoon, I am reporting on a Highland Games event using archive material. This event was held at Rouken Glen Country Park, Giffnock, Scotland.  Scottish Highland Dancers at Rouken Glen, Glasgow .  Information on the Highland Games Event This was a well-attended community event included: Caber tossing, hammer throwing and weight over bar. Scottish Native Championship (men). International Women’s Highlander Challenge. Local strong man competition. Drummers- Clann an Drumma Welly throwing competition. Neilston and District Pipe Band. Highland Dancing. Best of Scotland Craft Fair. Children’s entertainment. Farmers market. Images and videos are provided above and below. Neilston and District Pipe Band     Clann an Drumma.   Strong Man Competition  Women’s Weight over Bar competition  Highland Dancing Competition    Strong Man Competition    Putting the Shot   A well organised  cul...

Today, I visited a wide ranging exhibition of Italian Renaissance drawings at the King's Gallery,  Palace of Holyroodhouse , Edinburgh , Scotland. The exhibition included a portfolio of work by Leonardo da Vinci which is the subject of this post.  The muscles of the trunk and the leg.c 1510-11. Pen and ink with wash, over black chalk.  Design for a dragon costume.c 1517-18. Black chalk, pen and ink.   Designs for table fountains.c 1513. Pen and ink over red chalk, on blue paper.  Branch of blackberry. c 1506-12. Red chalk, touches of white chalk, on orange-red prepared paper.  Head of a youth.c 1510. Red and black chalks on orange-red prepared paper.    More Information. For more information on various other aspects of Scottish art & culture and help for tourists generally please refer to Visitors’ Guide to Scotland, ISBN 978-1-9161332-0-4.This publication is also available via Kindle .            

  Introduction To an extent this post is a continuum of recent posts incorporating references to Robert Burns , Scotland's National Poet. In particular, I refer to the posts covering Kilmarnock and Burns Night 2026 .  Information on Burns Portraits. Coinciding with Burns birthday celebrations, there occurred reports in the media of the discovery of a long-lost portrait of the poet. The work was painted by renowned artist Sir Henry Raeburn more than 200 years ago but then disappeared. By good fortune it turned up in a house clearance in Surrey (southern England). Subsequently, the portrait (above) was cleaned up, formally identified and sold for £68,000 at auction in 2025.The new owner then loaned the work to the Scottish National Galleries in Edinburgh for a short period. The new find was not painted from life but from an earlier painting (below) of Burns which is conveniently exhibited close to the Raeburn work.  Original portrait of Robert Burns    More In...

  Introduction This afternoon, I am reporting on  Dean Castle near Kilmarnock , about 30 minutes S.W. of Glasgow . This fortification has a long history but in conjunction with the associated country park is now operated as a visitor attraction by the local council.      Dean Castle: 14th C tower on left, 15th c palace on right. Essentially, the castle builds comprise two parts: A stand-alone keep or tower which was built about 1350 by the Boyd family , Lords of Kilmarnock. The design focused on defence as evidence by walls some 2-3 metres thick, few windows and just one entrance door positioned high above ground level. Absence of arrow slits would indicate that defensive fire was concentrated from the roof of the building.  Tower  Here is a video clip of the inner courtyard and Grand Hall. p  A small palace with an attached tower built by Robert Boyd about 1460. This features a large number of windows and projecting battle...