Nigel's Photo Blog

  Introduction This afternoon I am reporting on one of Scotland's most historic churches which is located a very short distance from Stirling 's famous castle . Information on the Church of the Holy Rude. Named after the Holy Rood, a relic of the true cross on which Christ was crucified. Original church on site was founded in 1129 but destroyed by fire in 1405. Current building constructed over period 1414-1530.  King James VI of Scotland was crowned in the church on July 29th 1567. The church contains many fine stained glass windows. There is a historic churchyard lying primarily to the west and north-west on the church. Burial markers date from the 16th century.  The church forms part of the Church of Scotland (Presbyterian). Until 1560 the current church and it's predecessor would have been part of the Roman Catholic congregation. Music plays an important role in the life of the church, The 4 manual organ is Scotland's largest pipe organ. Recitals and major concerts ...

  Yesterday I visited Scotland's smallest whisky distillery. Stirling Distillery is also one of the country's youngest distilleries, after starting life in 2019. Location is the heart of Stirling , close to the city's famous castle . In common with many such start-ups early production focused on gin which does not require the three year minimum maturation period which is mandatory for whisky. However, whisky production has continued in the background with 320 bottles scheduled for release-biannually- from 2027. Early whisky releases will be via the King James Cask Club. This club is built around the VI Casks for King James. This is a six bottle collection drawn from six distinct cask finishes: bourbon, sherry, port, rum, red wine and Madeira.King James VI (1566-1625) spent his early years at nearby Stirling Castle and later assumed the throne of England as well with title James I. The distillery is built on a philosophy of small- batch production, premium quality and a conn...

Introduction This evening, I am focusing on Muckross House, an Irish heritage property situated close to the popular town of Killarney in S.W. Ireland . Location is about 300 km (180 m) or 3.5 hours from Dublin .  Muckross House, Kerry, Ireland Information on Muckross House  This property was designed by Scottish architect, William Burn for Henry Arthur Herbert and his wife, Mary Balfour Herbert. Construction was completed in 1843. Queen Victoria visited in 1861. As will be evident from the images herein, the location benefits from a mild, wet climate which facilitates the lush and well maintained gardens for which Muckross is renowned. Other attractions at Muckross include: Farms Restaurant Craft Shop Tours of the interior which remains set in the Victorian period. Torc Waterfall. Jaunty Car (horse and buggy) rides. Lough Leane (lake). Muckross is well positioned for start/finish of a tour of the Ring of Kerry . Video clip of Lough Leane, parkland and Muckro...

Introduction Overnight, April 4th/5th, SW Scotland was predicted to be hit by very strong winds associated with Storm Dave.However, insofar as Glasgow was concerned, the veracity fell well short of that predicted. Nevertheless, Storm Dave did leave a legacy of volatile weather as manifested today, varying between heavy snow showers and bright sunshine. Today, April 5th.  At breakfast time we had a visit from one of the local urban fox community which availed of a grooming session on our back lawn. Visiting Fox   After breakfast I ventured out on a walk. Following a coffee stop in Giffnock I encountered a heavy snow storm which lasted about 15 minutes.This seemed to provide more actual snow than we experienced throughout the entire winter.  Video of snow storm in Giffnock   Next, I walked on for about 2 miles to a high elevation spot at Deaconsbank Golf Course. By the time I reached this destination the snow had given way to bright sunshine. This location afford...

  Dolphins at Chanonry Point, Scotland Introduction This evening, I am focusing on a popular Dolphin watching spot called Chanonry Point. Information on Dolphins at Chanonry Point.    Location is on the Black Isle , east coast of Scotland, a little north of Inverness at tip of a finger of land which juts into the Moray Firth.This is also where the lighthouse is sited. Access is via the village of Fortrose then a right turn through a golf course.Chanonry Point links with Rosemarkie Bay. The Dolphins here are of the Bottlenose variety.  Opposite Chanonry Point is the 18th century British military fort known as Fort George from where dolphins can also be spotted. Rosemarkie Bay, Scotland. View South from Chanonry Point. Lighthouse at Chanonry Point, Scotland Dolphin watchers at Chanonry Point Actual sightings of dolphins at Chanonry point is not guaranteed. The dolphins are attracted by the fish which in turn arrive in high numbers when the tide is hi...

Introduction  This afternoon, I am posting a portfolio of lighthouse images obtained in context of my tours around Scotland.   Isle of May Lighthouse, Firth of Forth. Information on the Scottish Lighthouses  There exist some 200 lighthouses positioned around Scotland’s rugged and challenging coastline. Lighthouse construction in the modern sense commenced in the 1780s under leadership of Thomas Smith of Dundee (1752-1814), son of ship’s captain.The first lighthouses were Kinnaird Head in 1787, Mull of Kintyre in 1788, North Ronaldsay in 1789 and Eileen Glas in 1789. Smith was succeeded by his son-in-law, Robert Stevenson (1772-1850) who became Chief engineer for the new, Northern Lighthouse Board. The Stevenson family became synonymous with lighthouse building, being collectively responsible for at least 80 structures over three generations.This started with Robert, his sons David and Thomas and David’s sons, David Allan and Charles Alexander.Stevenson f...