Nigel's Photo Blog

Introduction  This evening, I am posting information on Brodick Castle on Isle of Arran . Latter is located off Scotland’s west coast and can be accessed by ferry from Ardrossan or Claonaig Bay on the mainland.   Brodick Castle, Isle of Arran, Scotland. The name Brodick is derived from Old Norse and means ‘Broad Bay’.   Brodick Castle, Arran, Scotland.   Information on Brodick Castle    This castle is first glimpsed on arrival by ferry from the mainland. Adjacent to the castle are stunning gardens comprising a formal walled garden, woodland walks, three national collections of rhododendron, a Bavarian summer-house and an ice house.   The outer environs comprise an extensive country park  with abundant wildlife  and which extends from sea-shore to top of nearby Goatfell mountain (874m.) and includes over ten miles of hiking trails to explore.     Trail in Brodick Country Park.   Brodi...

Kyle of Lochalsh    Introduction  This evening, I am posting information on Kyle of Lochalsh, a village in the west of Scotland which is located at the entrance to Loch Alsh, a sea loch. Information on Kyle of Lochalsh From an etymological perspective, Kyke of Lochalsh means the narrow entrance to Lochalsh with Lochalsh being a name whose origins and meaning are obscure. Kyle of Lochalsh is positioned close to the Skye Bridge and thus offers easy access to the Isle of Skye, one of Scotland’s top visitor sites. More information: Population 630 About eighty miles S.W.of Inverness in the Scottish Highlands. Well endowed with hotels and other accommodation. Benefits from a railway station. Has harbour and marina. Marine wildlife is present in the local waters. Home to a range of retail outlets from grocery to specialist craft shops. Offers good views of Kyleakin across the stretch of water known as Kyle Akin. Just nine miles west of popular visito...

Gearrannan Blackhouse Village, Isle of Lewis This evening, I am posting information on the historic Gearrannan Blackhouse Village on the Isle of Lewis in Scotland’s Outer Hebrides. Video clip Location is a bay at Carloway, about twenty-five miles west of Stornoway. The traditional stone built houses with thatched roofs date from the late 19th century and housed a community engaged in traditional fishing and farming activities predicated on a basic, self-sufficiency lifestyle. Electricity was first introduced in 1952 with piped water and regular milk deliveries in the next decade.However, the last residents were re-housed in 1974 after which the buildings fell into decline. Restoration commenced following involvement of a local community trust using traditional methods. Gearrannan is now a visitor attraction with some cottages available for holiday/vacation rental. At this site is a craft shop, restaurant and Harris Tweed weaving demonstrations. There is ...

This evening, I am focusing on Glen Ord whisky distillery which lies in the village of Muir of Ord , between Beauly and Dingwall . This location is about fifteen miles west of  Inverness , 'capital' of the Scottish Highlands and hence is conveniently situated for the main tourist routes. Glen Ord was established in 1837 but its early life was ‘chequered’ having experienced three bankruptcies during its first 100 years. However, in 1923 it became part of a major drinks group which secured the distillery’s future ever since (now part of Diageo). In the past a number of brand names have been applied to product from ‘Muir of Ord’ to ‘Glenordie’ but clearly now settled with ‘Glen Ord’. The Singleton of Glen Ord single malt has proved extremely popular  since inception in 2006 with the brand now featuring in the top ten most sold whiskies in the world. It is principally targeted at the Taiwanese and Singaporean markets. Singleton 18 year-old  ...

Black Spout Waterfall, Pitlochry This afternoon, I am posting information on the Black Spout Waterfall at Pitlochry , central Scotland. Images herein were taken in February 2018. Here is a video clip of the waterfall. This waterfall forms part of the Edradour Burn (stream) and has a drop of 200 feet. Access is via the Black Spout Wood in turn reached via a trail (about half a mile long) which starts opposite the B.P. petrol (gas) station. The location is of interest to archaeologists and naturalists, viz: Archaeology A large, Iron Age (800 BC-43 AD) homestead site is perched on a cliff above the Edradour Burn near to the waterfall. I was a volunteer in the excavation of this site under Perth & Kinross Heritage Trust between 2005-2009. Nature Here can be found many species of fauna including Roe Deer, Red Squirrels, Foxes, Voles, Mice and Moles. Flora includes Wood Anemone, Wood Sage, Primrose, Dog Violet, Wood Sorrel, Blaeberry, Hard Fern, Wavy Hair ...

Loch Tummel from Queen’s View This evening, I am reporting on the scenic site in central Scotland known as Queen’s View. This is located between  Pitlochry  and the village of Blair Atholl. Although Queen Victoria visited in 1866 there is an argument that the name relates to Queen Isabella of Mar (1277-1296), the first wife of King Robert the Bruce. Video clip of Loch Tummel from Queen’s View The vista features Loch Tummel (lake) and Schiehallion (mountain).  The Loch is 11km long and about 1km wide. In 1950 the Loch was incorporated into a hydro-electric scheme as a consequence of which the water level rose by some 4.5m (about 13 feet). Access is via a minor road leading off the main A9 North-South route. The site forms part of the Tay Forest Park within which can be found a variety of wildlife including Ospreys, Chaffinches, Wild Geese,  Red Squirrels, Buzzards, Eagles, Red Deer, Pine Marten and Capercaillie (grouse). Loch Tumme...

                                        (Above image is a capture of Blackness Castle at high tide.) Today, my wife and I visited Blackness Castle at the village of Blackness on the south shore of the Firth of Forth, about twenty miles N.W. of Edinburgh in the east of Scotland. Ochil Hills viewed from blackness Castle Blackness is a blend of English and Gaelic and means 'black point'. Artist's impression of castle life around the 1500s. Central Tower This castle dates back to the 15th century when built by Sir George Crichton, Admiral of Scotland, but all the buildings from that time were altered in subsequent years. The castle has been assigned the nickname 'the ship that never sails' due to its shoreline location and nautical design. South Tower Great...

   (Above image is a capture of Pollok House this morning with White Cart Water (river).) This evening, I am posting information on Pollok House in Glasgow, Scotland. This building is a Palladian mansion built for John Maxwell. It was begun in 1747 by William Adam and finished under the direction of his son, John. Pollok House is situated above the White Cart Water (river) in the 458-hectare grounds of the Pollok Estate. Moreover, Pollok Park e xtends to 146 hectares.  Front elevation in detail Sir John Stirling-Maxwell (1866-1956), was a founder member of the National Trust for Scotland, a not-for-profit heritage organisaton. Sir John placed the estate (including Pollok House) under the protection of the first Conservation Agreement of the National Trust of Scotland. Mrs Anne Maxwell MacDonald, (daughter of Sir John) gave the house and its collections of paintings, furniture and ceramics to the City of Glasgow in 1966. Side elevation w...

Abbey Strand and Sanctuary, , Edinburgh, Scotland This evening, I am posting information on the Abbey Strand and Sanctuary which are close to the Palace of Holyroodhouse at foot of the Royal Mile in Edinburgh, Scotland. Abbey Strand has just received media attention as a function of a report that the premises will open at luxury apartments from end of February 2020. The 16th century Abbey Sanctuary buildings are often overlooked by the many thousands of visitors who are focused on the nearby Royal Palace and Scottish Parliament. The buildings formed part of a residence for aristocratic and other privileged debtors from the late 17th century up until 1880 when imprisonment for unpaid debt was abolished. The occupants were known as ‘Abbey Lairds’ and were able to live under effective house arrest within the confines of a designated sanctuary area which included Holyrood Park, a few minutes away, and Arthur’s Seat, also close by. The occupants were safe from arres...

               (Above image is a capture of Adam Smith's statue in Edinburgh's Royal Mile) Scots-born Adam Smith was a great thinker of the 18 th .century who made a lasting contribution to the social science of economics across the world. Here is a summary of Smith’s life: Born 1723 in Kirkcaldy, about 35 miles north of Edinburgh on Scotland’s east coast. His father having died before Smith was born.   Educated locally and then attended Glasgow University at age 14. (Not unusual in those days.) At University was taught by Francis Hutcheson, a ‘father’ of the Scottish Enlightenment. (The Enlightenment refers to a period of new thinking entailing many intellectual and scientific accomplishments.) Received a scholarship and transferred to Oxford University in England where he studied for 6 years. Here Smith became fluent in standard English (as opposed to Scots English). Upon return to S...

Hermitage Street, Newcastleton . This evening, I am focusing on the pleasant village of Newcastleton which is located in Liddesdale (valley of the River Liddel) in the Scottish Borders and just a few miles north of the border with England. Timing of this post has been influenced by recent heavy flooding. Newcastleton has just experienced its worst flooding since 2005 with around 80 homes affected, several homes evacuated and 15 displaced residents accommodated in the local health centre. The writer assumes that the flood waters came from the nearby river known as Liddel Water although the ultimate driver was Storm Dennis which has caused flooding havoc elsewhere across the U.K. Information on Newcastleton The village is still known locally by its original name of “Copshaw Holm”. Population is about 800 persons. Unusually for Scotland, Newcastleton is a planned village which came into existence around 1793 for the purpose of engaging in various aspects of the text...