Nigel's Photo Blog

 Introduction This evening, I am reporting on a one-day trip to the Scottish Borders .This is an often overlooked part of Scotland with rolling hills, rich arable farmland and ancient buildings. Jedburgh Abbey  Information on the Scottish Borders Tour First stop was Melrose which has a history dating back to the Roman period. Here our key focus was Melrose Abbey . This now ruined structure was originally founded by King David I in 1136 for an order of Cistercian monks. Severe damage was inflicted by English armies during the Anglo-Scottish wars with re-building during 15th century. Catholic worship ceased at the Reformation in 1560 and the last monk died in 1590. Notable for a stone carving of a pig playing the bagpipes and (the alleged) burial-place of the heart of King Robert the Bruce . Melrose Abbey  Burial place of King Robert the Bruce ’s Heart at Melrose Abbey   Pig playing bagpipes at Melrose Abbey  Next, we moved on to nearby J edb...

Introduction This evening, I am posting information on a one-day, small group tour of Clan Armstrong sites.    Connecting with equine residents at Mangerton Tower Information on the Clan Armstrong Tour This morning, I collected tour guests from central Edinburgh , Scotland at 0915 and embarked on a trip to the Scottish Borders as follows: First stop at Johnstons of Elgin, Hawick. This company specialises in cashmere and fine woollen products. We availed of refreshments here and visited the showroom. Johnstons of Elgin Showroom. Next to the village of Teviothead where we visited the  Celtic Goldsmith  showroom. Celtic Goldsmith  Next, to nearby  Carlenrig , This the site where King James V had Johnnie Armstrong and fifty followers executed by hanging in 1530 in context of an initiative to control the unruly Borders region. Next to the small town of  Langholm : Here we called in at the Eskdale Hotel where we visited the Clan ...

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 .