Nigel's Photo Blog

 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...

 Introduction This evening, I am posting information on one of Scotland’s most spectacular landforms, namely the Quiraing on the Isle of Skye. Skye lies off the west coast of Scotland.  Quiraing, Isle of Skye , Scotland.  Information on the Quiraing: Location is the Trotternish region of northern Skye where can be viewed one of the finest landslides in Britain. This feature was caused by a massive accumulation of basalt lavas from the Tertiary Age forcing movement of weaker sedimentary rocks from the earlier Jurassic age. In addition to the landslide effect the movement created labyrinths of huge blocks and pinnacles carrying such names as Quiraing, Table, Needle, Prison and Old Man of Storr . The movements are relatively recent in geological terms, having formed in the last 15000 years since the last period of glaciation.Information on Skye geology can be found here . Various interests and activities can be pursued here including bird watching , photography, ...

 Introduction This evening, I am posting information on Maryhill. This is a division of the City of Glasgow located in the City’s North West. Population is about 52,000 with a strong multi-cultural element, particularly Chinese.  Maryhill Road, Maryhill, Glasgow, Scotland Information on Maryhill  The 2nd century AD Antonine Wall runs through the area. However, the catalyst for development was construction in the late 18th century of the Forth & Clyde Canal , linking East and West Scotland. The route of the canal ran through lands owned by one Mary Hill who gave her name to the area. The new canal acted as a catalyst for various industrial activities, including a boatyard, in the area. These activities in turn triggered population growth and development. In 1877 a large military barracks was opened but this was demolished and replaced by social housing in the 1960s. However, parts of the former exterior wall of the barracks remain. Maryhill is ...

This evening I am reporting on an important collection of pottery on display at Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museum, Scotland. This collection  is a gift from the family of the late Alexander Arbuthnott Dunbar (1929-2012), which has been made on the understanding that each piece can be handled by visitors   Video clip of collection