Nigel's Photo Blog

This evening, I am posting information on Taymouth Castle, which is not a visitor attraction and  not normally open to the public. Location is central Scotland, within walking distance of Kenmore which was covered in yesterday's post . Some key facts: Built on the site of ancient Balloch Castle which was built in 1550 for Sir Colin Campbell of Glenorchy. This branch of the Campbell Clan subsequently fell on hard times but the family fortunes were subsequently restored. The current castle dates from 1842 when it was completed in time for the visit of Queen Victoria and the Prince Consort. The family estates were broken up prior to WW1. The Castle then went through various changes of ownership and function including hotel, convalescent home, civil defence and a school. After lying dormant for many years the building is now in private ownership. Here are images of aspects of the sumptuous interior.  Presumably, a young Qu

This evening, I am posting information on the delightful village of Kenmore on the northern tip of Loch Tay in Perthshire, central Scotland. Location is about 81 miles north of Edinburgh. The name translates as 'big headland'. Kenmore is a popular visitor destination, particularly for persons interested in outdoor activities such as hiking, boating, watersports, fishing and golf . There is a large timeshare resort and holiday park but the area is not over commercialised. The centre of the village is dominated by the Kenmore Hotel, one of the oldest inns in Scotland. There is also a small shop and Post Office. Nearby places to visit and explore include: Taymouth Castle (Not open to the public.) Connected with Clan Campbell. Queen Victoria visited in 19th century. Aberfeldy :A small town with whisky distillery, about 7 miles N.E. Croft Moraig Stone Circle: Between Kenmore and Aberfeldy on A827. Crannog Centre: A reconstructed iron-age dwelling close t

Tonight, I am posting a listing of topics which may be of interest to potential visitors to Scotland. Ancestry and Genealogy.  Kingskettle Burial Ground, Fife. Scottish Clan connections .  Clan Munro Reunion Sightseeing: Highlands, islands, Loch Ness , Scottish Borders, etc.  Loch Ness Castles.  Hermitage Castle, Scottish Borders Gardens  Inverewe Garden Cities and architecture .  View from Edinburgh Castle History: Five thousand years from the Neolithic through Iron-Age, Picts , Roman Scotland, Vikings and medieval to the early industrial period.  Callanish Stones, Isle of Lewis Photography .  Sunset, Northern Isles Crafts .  Craft shop on Isle of Skye Whisky distilleries .  Stills at Glenfiddich Backroads .  Glen Quaich Golf.  Tiger Woods at St Andrews Battlefields Culloden near Inverness

This evening, I am reporting on Lochleven Castle, near Kinross in Perthshire, Central Scotland. Loch Leven is about thirty miles (one hour) north of Edinburgh. This castle is located on an island in Loch Leven and hence to access the site entails a boat trip, of about 10 minutes. The boat trip itself is of great interest as the Loch (lake) is a freshwater nature reserve and home to a large of number of waterfowl including swans, geese,ducks and herons. At peak of the autumn migration season the bird population can exceed 35,000. Loch Leven The castle dates from around 1257 and comprises: Outer Courtyard. Curtain Wall Tower House Great Hall and Kitchen. Glassin Tower (16th century). North Range. Lochleven Castle was visited by many distinguished Scots including King Robert I (Bruce), King David II and Robert Stewart prior to becoming King Robert II, founder of the Stewart dynasty. However, the Castle will be forever associated with Mary, Queen of

This evening, I am reporting on Portencross Castle, Ayrshire, a small but historically important castle which situated on the coast, thirty four miles S.W. of Glasgow facing the Firth of Clyde and Little Cumbrae Island. Portencross was recently restored at cost of GBP1m  under aegis of the Friends of Portencross Castle. Brief history of the site and castle: The site had been inhabited for thousands of years, with definitive evidence of Iron Age (800BC to 100BC) settlement. The castle was constructed in three phases commencing around 1360. Originally held by the Boyd family for King Robert I (of Scotland) in recognition for support at Battle of Bannockburn (1314). The castle had close links with Scottish royalty resulting in a number of Royal charters being signed at the castle. Occupied by local fishermen after 1600s. Roof was destroyed by a gale in 1739. Became a scheduled ancient  monument in 1955. Consequent on GBP1.0m fund raising a full and extensive restorati

Kilchurn Castle is a romantic ruin situated at the northern end of Loch Awe in Argyll , West of Scotland. Location is about 16 miles directly north of Inveraray. The name translates as 'straits of the cairn' (on Loch Awe). The castle is managed by government agency, Historic Environment Scotland and is open between April 1st and September 30th. Access is from the Dalmally roadside (A85) under the nearby railway viaduct. To reach the site entails waking over agricultural land which can be subject to flooding. For persons wishing to avoid the cross-country trek there is an unofficial vantage point on A819 highway. A long lens or binoculars would be helpful. Care is required here due to volume of traffic. Diligent and patient photographers can obtain excellent results here by timing visit to coincide with sunset, sunrise and/or suitable weather conditions such as snow and rainbows. A brief history of Kilchurn Castle: Originally a Tower House dating from 1440

Clan Macnab burial ground at Killin Background information on Scotland and its people. The Scots are, essentially, a mix of five core groups of people: the Picts (original iron-age inhabitants), the Scots (who migrated from Northern Ireland), the Britons (native people in the S.W. of Scotland), Norse (from Scandinavia) who dominated the North and West and the Angles who invaded from Europe in the 5th century AD. The first three named groups had an affinity in that they were of Celtic origin. From around the 9th century the country was subject to hostile attacks from Norwegian Vikings who subsequently settled and left their mark in place names, particularly in the West of Scotland. Orkney and Shetland were ceded by Norway to Scotland in 1472. The Highlands Clan system started to develop around the 12th century and has provided us with a legacy of names recognised the world over which include Armstrong, Bruce, Cameron, Campbell, Clanranald, Colquhoun, Davidson, Douglas, D

Mousa Broch This evening, I am posting information on the uninhabited island of Mousa which lies off the east coast of Mainland Shetland (itself an island). The name translates as 'moor island'. In Britain a moor is usually a desolate, relatively flat piece of land which is wild and not suitable for agriculture. Mousa is an official RSPB (bird) reserve but arguably the key attraction is the 2000 year old (approx.)  Iron Age broch, the only virtually complete such structure remaining out of about 500 which have been identified around Scotland. For more information on Scottish brochs refer this blog post. Access The Mousa Boat is a private ferry which operates to a pre-set schedule from the pier at Sandsayre, Sandwick. Visitors usually spend about 2 hours 30 mins on Mousa during which time it is possible to circumnavigate the island on foot. Birds and Wildlife Subject to seasonal conditions the following may be seen: Black Guillemots. Butter Wort, a carni