Nigel's Photo Blog

  Introduction This evening, I am posting information on the National Monument on  Calton Hill , Edinburgh , Scotland.   Information on the National Monument.  The monument forms part of the important skyline featuring classically inspired architecture which was designed to form the ‘Athens of the North’. Calton Hill Skyline  The Monument was designed by C.R.Cockerill (with William Playfair) and dates from 1822. It was conceived as a memorial to the dead of the Napoleonic wars.Originally designed as a church whose exterior was intended to replicate the Parthenon in Athens.Unfortunately, funds were short and only twelve columns were completed. National Monument, Calton Hill  This is quite a romantic site which affords excellent photo opportunities in the right visibility conditions.. There are many other interesting monuments and buildings on Calton Hill which also provides an excellent vantage point for view...

  Eassie Church, Angus, Scotland Introduction  This evening, I am focusing on a somewhat obscure site in  east-central Scotland, namely the village of Eassie which sites close to the A94 road between Glamis and Meigle. This site is easy to by-pass and few would normally give a ruined church a second thought. However, inside the well maintained ruins can be found a good example of a carved Pictish symbol stone , maybe dating from the 9th century AD. An image of the stone is provided below with photography of same hindered by the protective perspex screen. At nearby Glamis and Meigle  can be found collections of carved Pictish era stones.Clearly, the Eassie stone confirms the existence of  a significant Pictish community in the area until finally subsumed by the Scots. On an etymological note, the name Eassie usually indicates a Gaelic word for waterfall but there is no such feature today in the relatively flat, arable landscape. Pictish Carved Sto...

Tonight, I am reporting on a broch the remains of which is located close to Croick Church on which I have reported previously.Location is about 48 miles north of Inverness In essence brochs:  Comprise tall, round towers which are not dissimilar to modern-day lighthouses. Feature walls which were double-skinned and tapered. No mortar was used. The walls were bonded together at intervals by rows of flat slabs. Contain stairs were constructed between the double walls which provided access to galleries and small rooms on separate stories. Are invariably located on prominent positions on the landscape. Likely high status homes for a local chieftain type person and his extended family and animals. Feature ground level access via a small, narrow entrance which could be easily defended. Number about 500 which are concentrated in the north, particularly the Northern Isles (Orkney and Shetland), Western Isles and Caithness on the mainland. Date...

This post follows from related posts of April 25th and April 26th . Herein is a curated portfolio of images taken at the reserve.  Sunrise - at 5.30 am    Family group of Red Deer View North at about 650ft elevation. View of Alladale river flowing from SW Another view of Alladale river flowing from SW Pied Wagtail Woodland Primroses Close up of wild Primroses Landscape view Unusual Tree Fungi Mountains View Robin Gorse in flower Unusual conical shape tree in centre of image. More information For more information on a wide range of aspects please refer to Visitors’ Guide to Scotland, ISBN 978-1-9161332-0-4. This book is also available via Kindle .

Introduction To an extent this post is a continuum of that of yesterday . However, this records a trip deep into the 23,000 acre wilderness which is located in Scotland's N.W. Highlands., Information on the trip into Alladale Wilderness Reserve.  The trip was undertaken in a private car along single-track, forestry type roads with surfaces having a fair share of potholes resulting in a slow and cautious speed.  The particular route started in a SW direction before veering off to the NW. As will be evident from the images herein the trail followed the line of of a valley bounded by mountains. The landscape appears bland which is because it is predominantly covered by heather which will not flower until late August/early September. On flowering of the heather the landscape with burst into a riot of purple heather flowers. The area is remote and very quiet with negligible traffic.Wildlife sightings were restricted to birds and insects. Readers should note the rounded and smooth f...