Nigel's Photo Blog

Introduction This evening, I am posting information on a famous Glasgow Bar (Scotland), namely the Horse Shoe which is located in Drury Street close to Central Station.   Information on the Horseshoe Bar, Glasgow The Horse Shoe is a good example of Glaswegian pub culture. In addition to drinks the bar is famous for its meat pies and value for money bar food. However, the Horse Shoe’s main claim to fame rests in the length of its bar which, at 104 feet, ranks it as one of the longest bars in Britain and possibly Europe. The Horse Shoe was first established in 1846. It was under ownership of former employee John Young Whyte, who acquired the Bar in 1923, that the equine theme was reinforced and extended throughout the establishment. The building has been assigned Category A listed status which affords protection to the structure. Video clip of Horse Shoe Bar External view of Horse Shoe Bar, Glasgow, Scotland    More information For more information on Glasgow, other Sc

 Introduction This afternoon , I am reprising a visit to Scotland's Cowal Peninsula during a heatwave.  Swimming in River Eachaig  Information on the Cowal Peninsula trip In the normal course of events the terms ‘Scotland’ and ‘outdoor swimming’ are mutually exclusive, but not today. The West of Scotland is currently subject to a heat wave resulting in temperatures on a par with Hawaii. To benefit from the unusual climatic conditions my wife and myself drove to Gourock (about 30 miles NW of Glasgow) on the Firth of Clyde and then connected with a ferry transfer to Dunoon .Thence onward to our destination of Glen Massan through which flows the River Eachaig.Our trip entailed passing through a valley floor with sheep, horses and haymaking in process. The mountains on either side were heavily wooded (commercial forestry). Glen Massan Haymaking in Glen Massan Marina, Holy Loch Holy Loch and Kilmun We were fortunate to find an isolated spot where the river was deep en

Introduction This evening, I am reprising a small group hike along the Wildcat Trail, around Newtonmore in the Scottish Highlands. Effigy of Wildcat at Newtonmore   Information on the hike Newtonmore is a village with population of 982 which is located about forty-five miles south of Inverness.  Altitude is 253m or 829ft. Tourism is a major industry in the area. The Scottish Wildcat is an endangered species. Using the wildcat as a theme a hiking trail has been established in form of an orbital path around Newtonmore through a fascinating variety of woodland, gorge, river and moorland with associated scenic views. At this time of year there is residual snow on the mountains and Spring lambs in the valleys. The hikers benefited from dry, sunny weather with good visibility. The trail covers 6.2 miles or 10 km.  Woodland Crossing the River Calder River Calder Hiking the Wildcat trail Highland scenery, Wildcat Trail Spring lambs at Newtonmore More information For inform

Introduction Today, I am reprising a visit to Loudon Hill (1037 feet) near Darvel in East Ayrshire. Location is about 28 miles south of Glasgow in S.W. Scotland. Information on Loudon Hill Views of the stunning local scenery were aided by dry, sunny weather. Loudon Hill is a very visible landmark on a relatively flat/undulating landscape. It has origins as a volcanic plug. The feature, (a naturally defensive site) displays a very extensive period of occupation including: Iron Age settlement (c.750BC-AD 43.) A nearby Neolithic cairn. (c. 5000 BC) A Roman Fort extending to about 3.5 acres.This was an auxiliary fort during the Flavian period (Vespasian, Titus and Domitian) of AD 69-96 during which it may have undergone four phases of occupation.During the Antonine period (AD 138-161) the fort was equipped with a new ditch system and a broader rampart.Occupation continued until end of the 2nd century AD after which it was abandoned,. Battle sites: 1296 ( William Wallace ); 1307

 Martyrs’ Public School, Glasgow, Scotland Introduction This evening, I am focusing on Martyrs’ Public School, one of a portfolio of buildings designed by Glasgow’s most famous architect, Charles Rennie Mackintosh (1868-1928). Information on  Martyrs’ Public School, Glasgow This building, which is no longer used for educational purposes, is located in Parson Street, near to the High Street and Glasgow Cathedral , although access on foot is difficult. Close by is St.Mungo’s Church. The martyrs nomenclature derives from four Covenanters executed in 1684. The building dates from 1895-8 and is attributed to Mackintosh. Special features of note include: A ‘T’ plan with classrooms around three sides of a central hall at ground level and four sides on upper floors. Lintels above east and west entrances which are similar to features on Herald building. Projecting eaves of each of the staircase roofs have affinity with the Glasgow School of Art. The interior can only be accessed by

 Vindolanda Tablets at British Museum, London  Vindolanda is probably best known for the famous ‘Vindolanda Tablets’, a large number of routine military and private communications from the Roman era.These were written in a Latin script on thin veneers of wood in the mid 120s.Fortunately, the 'tablets' were unintentionally preserved owing to being discarded in a water-logged pit and then secured in  resulting anaerobic conditions. These tablets provide a unique insight into daily life and social conditions including, surprisingly, the presence of women on the frontier. Landscape view of Vindolanda  More information on Roman army life can be found here . More information for the visitor. Information on Hadrian’s Wall , the Antonine Wall and Scotland’s history can be found in Visitors’ Guide to Scotland. The ISBN is 978-1-9161332-0-4. This is also available via Kindle.