Nigel's Photo Blog

  Golfers at Western Gailes, Scotland This evening, I am reprising a small group golfing experience at Western Gailes, one of the finest and unspoiled links courses in Scotland. Location is S.W.Scotland near Irvine and close to Troon . In this area can be found a concentration of quality courses included Glasgow Gailes, Royal Troon,  Prestwick and Trump Turnberry.  This course is 32 miles SW of Glasgow. Dating from 1897, Western Gailes has staged many important championships over the years including the Curtis Cup, the PGA Championships, the Seniors’, Scottish and Boys Championships and is regularly used as a final qualifying course for the Open Championship itself.    In this post my group benefited from dry, if somewhat overcast, weather and reported very positively on the course. Golf party at Western Gailes     Golf in process at Western Gailes Video clip   Clubhouse  More information on Scotland Please refer Visitors’ Guide to Scotland which contains nearly 80

This evening, I am reprising a one day ancestry themed tour consisting of Northern Ireland and return to Scotland via ferry. View of Ballintoy After departing our Ballycastle lodgings we drove to Lisnagunogue via Ballintoy , stopping for photos at latter.  Lisnagunogue Church At Lisnagunogue we walked through the village, passing a small flock of rams (sheep) being used as eco grass cutters, to the church where we spent a short time viewing grave markers.  Eco Grass Cutters Next, we drove to Ballycastle and then nearby Bonmargy Friary. The latter being the remains of a 16th century Franciscan Friary with the grounds used as a burial ground for local people.Here also in buried 16th century local chieftain, Sorley Boy MacDonald plus several Earls of Ulster.  Bonmargy Friary Sorley Boy MacDonald Memorial Next, we drove south to Belfast where we availed of lunch in an Irish Pub near the Europa Hotel in the city centre. Next, we travelled north to Larne to connect with our retu

  Inchtuthil Roman Fort, Perthshire This evening, I am posting information on an extensive legionary site at Inchtuthil near Dunkeld in central Scotland. This site dates from the Flavian period ( AD 69-96) which covers the rule of Vespasian and his two sons, Titus and Domitian. The Inchtuthil fort was not an isolated outpost but formed an integral part of a frontier zone comprising a twenty-mile wide corridor which embraces the Gask Ridge and forts at Bertha, Fendoch, Cargill and Carndean. Purpose of this deployment was to provide a supervised zone which controls exits to the Highlands. Facts and information concerning Inchtuthil- Site is largely intact and undisturbed and as such provides the only complete plan of a legionary fortress in the Roman Empire. Area extends to 50 acres ( 20 hectares). At peak would have held complement of about 5000 men. Roman  name was Pinnata Castra ( Fortress on the wing.) Facilities included a hospital, workshop and 64 barrack buildings. Excav

  Stonehenge. This post reprises a one-day tour taking in two important historic sites in Southern England. First, we departed our lodgings near Chichester in southern England and drove west towards Salisbury where we visited two important sites, namely Old Sarum and Stonehenge.Weather was relatively benign Old Sarum This is a hilltop location with a period of human occupation lasting about 4000 years, from the Neolithic to the medieval. Around 400 BC the site was an Iron-Age hill fort but the Romans appear to have ignored it. Next, the Saxons acquired control around the 6th century and it was used as stronghold against Viking attacks. Final phase was the medieval period when the invading Normans built a motte-and- bailey castle which evolved into a power base for Henry I comprising castle, cathedral and royal palace. In the 13th century a new cathedral was built in what is now Salisbury and Old Sarum was abandoned and went into decline. Video clip of Old Sarum   Ruins

 This evening I am focusing on the River Boyne and its place in Irish history. Boyne is one of the earliest recorded place names. Ptolemy recorded the river at the Bavinda ( a transliteration of the Celtic ‘illuminated cow’ ) as far back as AD 150.The name Boinn or Boand refers to the goddess or divinised River Boyne. Close to the Boyne can be found the famous prehistoric passage tombs of Bru na Boinne dating from the Neolithic and Bronze Ages. Here there are 30-40 tombs found at Knowth , Newgrange and Dowth. Passage tombs comprise a circular mound or cairn delimited by a ring or kerb of stones covering a structure consisting of a passage and chamber. Newgrange is the most famous of the passage tombs. The Boyne region is also noted for the concentration of megalithic art; some 70pct of decorated stones in Ireland can be found here. Moving forward to 1690 it was close to the Boyne that as fought the most famous military engagement in Irish history, the outcome of which

  Cahergall Stone Fort, West of Ireland. This evening, I am posting information on the stone, or ring, fort of Cahergall near Cahersiveen on the Ring of Kerry , West of Ireland. This type of defensive settlement is also known as a cashel. Cahergall like its contemporaries, is difficult to date to with precision but may have its origins in the 7th century or early medieval period.. Some reconstruction has been effected. Walls are up to 6 metres (18 feet) high and 3 metres (9 feet) thick. The site is easily accessible. Refer also separate post covering Leacanabuaile. Entrance to Cahergall Stone Fort, West of Ireland. Cahergall Stone Fort, West of Ireland. Cahergall Stone Fort, West of Ireland. Cahergall Stone Fort, West of Ireland Cahergall Stone Fort, West of Ireland. Cahergall Stone Fort, West of Ireland.

  Proleek Portal Tomb This evening I am reporting on two prehistoric sites which are located in close proximity close to a golf course at Ballymascanlon House Hotel near Carlingford on Ireland’s east coast. This site is 110km north of Dublin. The magnificent Proleek Portal Tomb (immediately above and below) dates from the Neolithic period, about 3500 BC. This period was the New Stone Age when settlers from Scotland introduced a settled lifestyle based on agriculture. Proleek is characteristic of portal tombs elsewhere with two tall stones at the front (portal stones) and a smaller stone at the back supporting a large capstone. This structure is sometimes called a dolmen meaning stone table. The example shown is some three metres high. Proleek Portal Tomb Close to Proleek is a Bronze Age (2000 BC) Wedge Tomb, shown below.This proves the site had special relevance in prehistoric times, perhaps over a period of 2000 years. Wedge Tomb Wedge Tomb For more information on touring

  Train passing through Carnforth Railway Station This evening, I am posting information on the small town (pop 5350 ) of Carnforth in N.W.England. Carnforth is best known for its railway station which featured in the classic 1945 British film ‘ Brief Encounter ‘ directed by David Lean. As will be evident from the images below, Carnforth is well endowed with hotels, shops, church, canal and marina. The town is also close to Morecambe Bay . Queens Hotel, Carnforth Carnforth Bookshop Carnforth Marina (canal) Inside Carnforth Bookshop Famous refreshment room at Carnforth railway Station Shadows at Carnforth Railway Station Refreshment Room at Carnforth Railway Station Carnforth Railway Station Centre of Carnforth, Lancashire Lancaster Canal at Carnforth Carnforth in Spring

  St Mary’s Church Tonight, I am reporting on the thriving country town of Carrick-on-Shannon which is situated 164km N.W. of Dublin in the N.W. of the Republic of Ireland. Population is about 4000 persons. The town is steeped in history. Important buildings include: The Costello Chapel, possibly the smallest chapel in Europe. 19th century former Courthouse. This building has been transformed into a centre for the arts known as The Dock.This houses a 100+ seat performance space, three art galleries, artists studios, an arts education room and the Leitrim Design House. Carrick-on-Shannon's marina is an attractive focal point. A popular regatta is held every July.   Additionally, on every June bank holiday is held the Carrick Carnival, a 10 day festival combining street entertainment, live music, kids fun days, traditional amusements and evening events. The town also offers a wide variety of restaurants, cafes, hotels and night time entertainment including lively traditional music. O