Nigel's Photo Blog

  Alexander Selkirk Statue at Lower Largo This evening, I am posting information on Alexander Selkirk, a Scot who spent his early boyhood at Lower Largo on the Fife Coast in eastern Scotland. He had a fierce temper and following family disputes he went to sea. In 1704 he was sailing master of the vessel Cinque Ports. After elapse of 8 months Selkirk had a violent quarrel with the ship’s captain and was put ashore on the uninhabited Juan Fernandez island off the coast of Chile. Archaeologists have  located his camp on the island. After 4 years and 4 months he was rescued and later returned to Lower Largo with considerable wealth gained from piracy. Daniel Defoe met Selkirk in a London coffee-house in 1715 and learned of his (Selkirk’s) exploits which he used a material for the fictional Robinson Crusoe. The above image shows Selkirk’s statue in his boyhood home at Lower Largo.

  Shore Porters Society, Aberdeen This evening, I am providing information one of Europe’s oldest continuing businesses, namely the Aberdeen Shore Porters Society which is believed to have roots going back to the 1100s but with firm records from 1498. The business originated as a mutual self-help society for labourers (longshoremen) working at Aberdeen Harbour in N.E. Scotland. Over the subsequent centuries the businesses has grown and evolved into a quasi co-operative focused on haulage and removals with interests in warehousing and property operating from bases in Aberdeen and London . Membership of the Society is by invitation only and persons so joining are required to contribute a cash investment and be subject to a probationary period of three years. Clearly the business structure and employment practices are a far cry from the hurly-burly of the Stock Market and competitive employment interviews. However, based on past record, this business will probably outlas

  Buchanan Castle, Drymen, Scotland This evening, I am posting information on Buchanan Castle, a romantic ruin situated close to the village of Drymen and about 17 miles (27km) north of Glasgow . The estate in which the castle sits belonged to the Lairds of Buchanan from the 13th century until 1682 when it was sold to James Graham, 3rd Marquess of Montrose and thereafter became a Graham family property. The original Buchanan-era castle burned down in 1852 and was replaced by the current building built for the 4th Duke of Montrose in 1854 which became the official seat of Clan Graham. Design by William Burn in Scottish baronial style. The Castle was sold in 1925 and was used as a hospital in WW2. Here, leading Nazi,  Rudolf Hess was treated in 1941 after his forced landing near Eaglesham. The roof of the Castle was removed in 1954 and thereafter the property fell into decline although the remaining walls are believed to be in sound condition. Within the former grounds o

  Shakespeare Mural This evening, I am reprising a trip to London. First, we transferred down to London from Glasgow by rail, arriving at our hotel, close to the south bank of the River Thames, about 5.00pm. Our prime objective was to attend a performance next day at the Globe Theatre which is a reconstruction of the original Globe Theatre associated with William Shakespear e.This was built in 1599, destroyed by fire in 1613, rebuilt in 1614, and finally demolished in 1644. The locale of the Globe Theatre, close to London Bridge, is very compact and offers excellent photo opportunities of important and historic sites as shown in this post. Replica of Golden Hind , an English galleon best known for her privateering circumnavigation of the globe between 1577 and 1580, captained by Sir Francis Drake. Remains of the 12th century Palace of the Bishops of Winchester River Thames Tour Boat Globe Theatre London architecture Tour Boat on Thames River Thames at night The Sha

  Violinist at Cashel, Ireland This  evening, I am reprising a one day section of a custom tour of Ireland for a small group. First,we departed our lodgings in Dublin and drove S.W.to our first destination of the town of Cashel, Tipperary and the Rock of Cashel. The Rock of Cashel is a historic site which benefits from a high elevation and thus affords good views over the local landscape. Here is a summary of the site’s history: Seat of the overkings of Munster in 4th or 5th centuries. Site given to the Church in 1101, partly as a tactic to deprive competing claimants for title of ancient royal seat. By around 1111 it is likely that a large church or cathedral existed on the site. Cormac’s Chapel consecrated 1134. Remains of present cathedral date from 13th century. Cathedral altered in 15th century. Cathedral sacked by English Parliamentary forces in 1647. Site used for worship by Church of Ireland ( Episcopalian) until 1749 when site abandoned and progressively fell into dis

T his evening, I am focusing on the fine city of Dublin, capital of the Republic of Ireland .Salient sites are covered below. O’Connell Street with its fine architecture, memorials to famous citizens and the Monument of Light. Perhaps the most important building is the General Post Office built 1818 but became a symbol of the 1916 Irish Uprising against British rule. General Post Office Trinity College which dates from 1592 and is perhaps best known for the Book of Kells which is the most richly decorated of Ireland’s medieval manuscripts. This famous work is believed to have been the product of Iona based monks who fled to Kells, Ireland to escape Viking raids. The Book of Kells is contains four gospels written in Latin with Celtic script text. At time of a our visit the College was buzzing with students and visitors. Molly Malone’s statue. Molly Malone Nassau Street. The National Gallery in Merrion Square. Leinster House, which houses the Dail and Seanad, the two chamb

This evening, I am providing information on the Cotswolds Distillery in Stourton, England.  Single malt whisky Location Within eas y range of s uch popular sites as Whichford, Chipping Norton and Shipston-on-Stour. Approximately 90 miles N.W. of London. History First three-year old malt was launched in October 2017  Distillery site Products Cotswolds Signature Single Malt, Cask Collection comprising four cask expressions. Annual, limited edition Arts & Crafts series. Selected, single cask releases. Cotswolds Dry Gin.  Technical Specifications The distillery features a 0.5 tonne   mash tun   and eight 2,500-litre washbacks. The distillation takes place in two copper pot stills. The   gin   is produced on a 500-litre hybrid pot and column still . Using just the pot still section of the still, the gin is rectified using the 'steep and boil' method, and the gin is collected in one shot, as opposed to the multi-shot method traditionally used by larger gin brands. With this

  Match in process This afternoon, my wife and I paid a short visit to a local cricket event in Glasgow Southside.In fact, it was so local it took us an entire two minutes to walk there! In recent years cricket competitions at the location have multiplied, principally due to support from participants from the Indian sub-continent including Sri Lanka.These are serious competitions strongly supported by local ethnic communities and their families. Children are catered for and locally cooked food is provided.Today, I was informed that the East Renfrewshire Lord Provost (Mayor) plus some members of the Scottish Parliament were scheduled to attend. It was pleasing to see that events included a competition for the ladies.   Ladies competition My wife and I were particularly attracted by the cooked food on offer and took the opportunity to 'stock up' on prospective meals.  Indian food   Indian food Sri Lankan food Overall, a well organised and popular community event.

    Scarecrow This afternoon, I availed of the opportunity to visit a local allotment (Glasgow Southside) consequent on the holders inviting in the public by way of an 'open day'. For benefit of readers outside the U.K. allotments are, typically, about one acre plots of land subdivided into into strip/blocks which are allocated to local interested persons for the purpose of growing vegetables and other crops such as flowers. Allotments are usually found near urban areas where residents of houses and flats (with minimal or no back yard) can connect with nature by growing their own vegetables and in so doing link with like minded persons on the same allotment. In the case illustrated, the entire block of land was once (in the 19th century) the kitchen garden of a local mansion which became derelict. About ten years ago, members of the local community, in conjunction with the local Council which owns the land, managed to resurrect the garden by way of the allotment model. The sche