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Duke of Sutherland Monument

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  Introduction This evening, I am focusing on the Duke of Sutherland Monument. This edifice sits atop Ben Bhraggie (a mountain) close to the N.E. coast of Scotland, near the village of Golspie. Information on the Duke The Duke of Sutherland’s life spanned the period 1758-1833. Through marriage to Elizabeth, Countess of Sutherland, he became the largest private landowner in Europe at the time. The Duke also held the title Marquess of Stafford and was a Member of Parliament 1778-84 and 1787-98. During the Duke’s tenure in the Scottish Highlands many thousands of his tenants, were forcibly evicted and left destitute. Hitherto, these people had eked out a subsistence existence from crofting (small scale farming). Many emigrated and others were absorbed into the factories of the Industrial Revolution...
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Prehistoric Chambered Tombs

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 Introduction This evening, I am reporting on two prehistoric monuments located near Creetown in Galloway, southern Scotland. They date from between 4000 and 6000 years ago, mainly during the Neolithic period. More information on the tombs These chambered tombs were built to house the remains of many people and were in use over many centuries.Their creation required a major work commitment by the community. This work was seasonal taking place during quiet times in the farming and fishing year. Chambered cairns can be found in parts of Scotland, Ireland and the Atlantic coast of Europe although designs vary. The two cairns (Cairnholy I and II) would have looked quite different when first constructed. All that remains are the basic 'skeleton' of each cairn. This is because the core 'in-fill' of each structure has removed to form field boundaries and for other purposes. In Cairnholy 1 the curving facade of standing stones once formed the backdrop to a forecourt in fro...
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Ely, England

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Introduction Today, I am reporting on the quaint town of Ely (pop 15,000) which is located in the Fens, 17 miles north of Cambridge . Information on Ely    This town was founded in the 7th century by Etheldreda, a Northumbrian Queen and later became famous as site of the last (unsuccessful) stand by Hereward the Wake against William the Conqueror in the 11th century. Ely Cathedral, Cambridgeshire, England The name is generally believed to originated from the Old English Elig, which translates as 'Eel Island' or 'district of Eels'. Benefiting from its relatively remote location Ely has retained a good number of medieval and Tudor buildings. Main attraction is the 14th century Cathedral, a gothic design by local monk Alan de Walsingham. The building features an octagonal tower which stands prominently on the local landscape. Ely Cathedral, Cambridgeshire, England Centre of Ely, Cambridgeshire Other places of interest include: Pubs and restaurants on the River O...
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England's Favourite Stained Glass Window.

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    Today's press (Times Newspaper) carries a report that the East Window at Carlisle Cathedral (above) won the Divine Light competition. This competition was set up to find England's favourite stained glass window. Runner ups were windows at Chester , Ely , Gloucester, Newcastle, Sheffield, St. Albans, St.George's Windsor, Wells , Westminster Abbey , Worcester and York Minster . Carlisle Cathedral dates from 1122 and the East Window contains some of the largest surviving medieval stained glass in England. The medieval work is complemented by Victorian panels depicting Christ's Life. The Divine Light campaign was a collaboration with author, Janet Gough, OBE and was based on her latest book of the same name. The campaign attracted over 2.1M participants via social media. Carlisle (pop 110,000) is a city in NW England close to the western end of Hadrian's Wall.          
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Skelbo Castle, Scotland

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  Skelbo Castle, Sutherland, Scotland Introduction  This afternoon, I am focusing on Skelbo Castle which is in a ruinous condition. Location is the southern edge of Loch Fleet in Sutherland, north of Dornoch in the Scottish Highlands. Historically, the castle would have commanded control of the important ferry crossing route from/to Littleferry across Loch Fleet. Information on Skelbo Castle   Today, the ruins comprise a keep, curtain wall, courtyard and mansion house. A summary history is as follows: 13th century: Gilbert de Moravia. 15th century: Kynnards. 16th century: William Sutherland of Duffus. 18th century: Eric Sutherland of Duffus. Access to the castle is not assured. The site affords superb views across Loch Fleet which is renowned for its wildlife, mainly birds and seals. Seals at Loch Fleet, Scotland   Embo Beach- 3.5 miles north of Dornoch The above sites are roughly equidistant between Golspie and Dornoch and can be accessed via a shor...
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World's Shortest Street

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  Introduction  This evening, my theme is the world’s shortest street which is known as Ebenezer Place in Wick , N.E. Scotland Information on Ebenezer Place  The street (illustrated above) extends to just the one door at corner of building and is known as Ebenezer Place.This is the entrance to the somewhat upscale Mackay’s Hotel in Wick, Caithness, north of Scotland. Wick is Old Norse for ‘bay’.  In the 19th century, Wick was known as the ‘Herring Capital of Europe’ as a function of the town’s situation as hub of a vibrant and extensive fishing industry which is now all but gone. I found Wick a pleasant enough place, a good base for touring the far north of Scotland and featuring an excellent Heritage Centre. Wick is on the route of the North Coat 500 tour route.  More Information For more information on touring Scotland, including the North Coast 50 0, please refer to the Visitors’ Guide to Scotland, ISBN 978-1-9161332-0-4. This book is also availa...
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Ginger the Horse

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  Introduction This post is consequent on my recent visit to Greenoc k in the West of Scotland. Information on the Equine Statue. This is a story of loss and bereavement in context of working relationship between man and his working horse during the 19th century. Greenock was an important port. Before mechanisation, powerful work horses laboured in the shipyards and pulled laden carts to and from the harbour and quaysides to factories and mills on the hillside.Reliable horses were loved and revered by their masters as they represented the cartiers primary income. In the novel 'Dancing at the Rascal Fair' author Ivan Doig describes how on Oct 23rd 1889 Ginger was conveying a consignment of sugar on the quay at Albert Harbour when one of the cartwheels caught a mooring stanchion causing the cart and animal to fall into the water.This resulted in the drowning of the horse.The owner was inconsolable in his grief for his beloved horse and the sudden loss of his livelihood. Greenock...
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