Nigel's Photo Blog

  Introduction Today, I am posting information on the unique herd of wild cattle at Chillingham, Northumberland, NE England. Information on the Chillingham herd.  Chillingham Cattle   Key aspects: The herd amounts to just 100-200 and for about 800 years or so have enjoyed freedom from major human interference.They freely roam in their natural surroundings in the 365 acre Chillingham Park. The herd may be descendants of medieval cattle assembled around AD 1250.  Compared to modern cattle the Chillingham animals are of modest proportions resembling the typical size of beasts prevelant before the Agricultural Revolution. Other than in exceptional adverse weather conditions (e.g. a harsh winter) the animals are left to their own devices and do not benefit from feed supplements and animal medicines.They are not ear tagged. All the cattle are genetically identical with each animal receiving identical genes from its sire and dam.This feature is unique among wild living mammals and arises from

 Introduction This evening, I am reporting on the town of Seahouses in Northumberland, NE England.  Seahouses Harbour  Information on Seahouse Seahouses is just three miles from Bamburgh , as featured yeaterday. Seahouses Lifeboat  Seahouses Harbour Seahouses has a population approaching 2000 persons. It is a bustling fishing town that provides a gateway to the world-renowned Farne Islands National Nature Reserve. Seahouses is home to a wide range of shops and eateries.The harbour is both a working fishing port and embarkation point for the regular, daily boat trips which transport large numbers of visitors to view the Farne Islands and the local wildlife. Farne Islands scene with puffins in foregound.  Grey Seals basking on rocks Key members of the wildlife population include Atlantic Grey Seals and Puffins. Farne Islands lighthouse. Basking seals Shag drying wings Seabirds on Farne Islands

Introduction This evening, I am reporting on the Northumberland seaside village of Bamburgh in NE England. Landscape view of castle.  Information on Banburgh Bamburgh (pop 400) has recently been rated as the best seaside town taking into account its beach, seafront, scenery, tourist attractions and peace and quiet. Dominating the village is Bamburgh Castle which stands on a volcanic outcrop of rock above miles of white, sandy beach. The name Bamburgh is derived from Bebbanburge c 710-720 'Stronghold of a queen called Bebbe'.(Old English). . View of castle from village  View of North Sea from castle.  Village houses Old fashioned 'phone box (no longer in use). Specialist retailer Sandy beach as viewed from castle. One of castle entrance gates. Aspect of castle Village retail outlet Cricket pitch View of village from castle. More content on Northumberland to follow.

Introduction This afternoon, I am posting information on a fascinating example of mid-19th century architecture in Glasgow, Scotland.  Kirkhaven Church, Duke Street, Glasgow, Scotland Information on Kirkhaven Church . Images show a former Presbyterian church building the history of which is as follows: Built 1857-8 when known as Sydney Place United Presbyterian Church. Design by architects Peddie and Kinnear. Subsequently changed name to Trinity Duke Street Church. Became redundant after a fire in 1996. In 1998 was acquired by the Glasgow Building Preservation Trust who undertook restoration and repairs, a project which was completed in 2003. Now linked with adjacent former school and known as the Wellpark Kirkhaven Enterprise Centre. Location is Duke Street, in Glasgow’s East End, opposite Tennent’s Brewery and close to Glasgow Cathedral and Glasgow Necropolis. Architectural style is neo-Greek, which was popular at the time under local exponent Alexander ‘Greek’ Thomson . Note

 Introduction  This evening I am providing a portfolio of night time shots taken in Fort William , Scottish Highlands.  War Memorial, Parade, Fort William Information on Fort William Fort William is a large town in the Scottish Highlands which is best known for its outdoor activities such as: Hiking ( West Highland Way ). Mountaineering ( Ben Nevis ) Skiing.( Aonach Mor) Mountain Biking  (Aonach Mor ) It is a good base for touring the Western Highlands with access to Loch Ness , Glencoe , I sle of Skye and Oban . Outlander fans will be interested in site of the 17th century fort whilst Harry Potter fans will wish to travel on the Jacobite Express steam train (aka ‘ Harry Potter Train ‘) which operates in summer between Fort William and Mallaig . These images were taken on a dry evening with low numbers of visitors. They result from a stroll around the town in crisp light conditions.  Railway Station  Crannog Restaurant End of West Highland Way, Gordon Square. High Stre

 Introduction  This evening, I am posting information on the village of Glencoe in the Scottish Highlands.  Glencoe Village, Scotland Information on Glencoe Village This community sits in the heart of an area of rugged natural beauty . Close by are mountains and two lochs (lakes), Loch Leven and Loch Linnhe. The locale is popular with hikers, hill walkers and mountaineers. In the winter skiing is possible. The hiking route of the West Highland Way, from Glasgow to Fort William, runs close by. In addition to it’s famous scenery, Glencoe has achieved special recognition because of a massacre which took place in 1692, when a British military unit comprised of members of Clan Campbell massacred 38 members of the local MacDonald clan with many more dying on the mountains during the depth of winter. Images 2 and 3 below show the memorial erected in memory of the Clan Chief and other victims. Here is an image of Glencoe and North Lorn Folk Museum in the centre of the village. T