Nigel's Photo Blog

 Introduction Today, I reporting on an oasis of serenity in Scotland’s busy Central Belt, namely the Carfin Lourdes Grotto Carfin Lourdes Grotto  Information on the Grotto:  Located near Newarthill, about 16 miles S.E. of Glasgow . A shrine dedicated to the Virgin Mary was opened 1922. Key driver behind the grotto was Canon Thomas Taylor who was inspired by his visits to Lourdes in France and Oastakker in Belgium. Constructed on land adjacent to St.Francis Xavier Church. Construction assisted by free labour from Irish and East European immigrants who had spare time due to 1921 Coal Miners strike.  The site had to be extended after opening due to popularity.50,000 pilgrims came in 1924. Today, approximately 35,000 pilgrims visit each year. An extensive and peaceful site populated with many examples of Catholic iconography.  Carfin Lourdes Grotto, Lanarkshire, Scotland  Carfin Lourdes Grotto, Lanarkshire, Scotland Video clip 1 Video clip 2 Video cli...

 Introduction This afternoon I am reprising a trip to Dalgarven Mill Museum of Country Life and Costume, near Kilwinning, Ayrshire about 30 miles S.W. of Glasgow in S.W. Scotland.   Ailsa Craig and Ayrshire Coast, Scotland Information on the trip The journey down provided superb views of the Ayrshire coast, as illustrated above. This museum has been created from a defunct water powered grain mill dating from Victorian times, although there have been mills on the site since the 13th. century. The museum has three sections: Country Life Collection. Grain Mill. Costume Collection. There is also a separate antique shop and a coffee shop. Overall, a quality experience illustrating the changes in fashions and rural life since the 18th century. Vintage children's toys  Vintage Oil Lamps Carpenter’s Tools Vintage Farming Implements Military Memorabilia Costume Collection Costume Collection  Mill Lade Mill with vintage farm implements Costume Collection...

 Introduction This evening, I am posting information on the Corrieshalloch Gorge which forms part of a National Nature Reserve in Scotland’s N.W. Highlands.  Falls of Measach, Scottish Highlands Information on the Corrieshalloch Gorge Facts and information as follows: Located about twelve miles south of Ullapool. Accessed via short, steep trail. Crossed by a suspension bridge. There is also a separate viewing platform. Translates as ‘Ugly Hollow’ in Gaelic but this is a misnomer as the view is far from ugly, in fact quite spectacular. Technically known as a Slot Gorge and was formed by glacial meltwater about 2.6m years ago. Through the gorge flows the River Droma. This drops 100 metres over 1.25km including the 150 ft drop at the Falls of Measach. Ranks as the U.K.'s smallest National Nature Reserve. Is home to a wide range of wildlife including red squirrels, finches and a rar species of cranefly. The sheltered and damp microclimate means that mosses and ferns are abun...

Introduction This evening, I am posting information on a famous Glasgow Bar (Scotland), namely the Horse Shoe which is located in Drury Street close to Central Station.   Information on the Horseshoe Bar, Glasgow The Horse Shoe is a good example of Glaswegian pub culture. In addition to drinks the bar is famous for its meat pies and value for money bar food. However, the Horse Shoe’s main claim to fame rests in the length of its bar which, at 104 feet, ranks it as one of the longest bars in Britain and possibly Europe. The Horse Shoe was first established in 1846. It was under ownership of former employee John Young Whyte, who acquired the Bar in 1923, that the equine theme was reinforced and extended throughout the establishment. The building has been assigned Category A listed status which affords protection to the structure. Video clip of Horse Shoe Bar External view of Horse Shoe Bar, Glasgow, Scotland    More information For more information on Glas...

 Introduction This afternoon , I am reprising a visit to Scotland's Cowal Peninsula during a heatwave.  Swimming in River Eachaig  Information on the Cowal Peninsula trip In the normal course of events the terms ‘Scotland’ and ‘outdoor swimming’ are mutually exclusive, but not today. The West of Scotland is currently subject to a heat wave resulting in temperatures on a par with Hawaii. To benefit from the unusual climatic conditions my wife and myself drove to Gourock (about 30 miles NW of Glasgow) on the Firth of Clyde and then connected with a ferry transfer to Dunoon .Thence onward to our destination of Glen Massan through which flows the River Eachaig.Our trip entailed passing through a valley floor with sheep, horses and haymaking in process. The mountains on either side were heavily wooded (commercial forestry). Glen Massan Haymaking in Glen Massan Marina, Holy Loch Holy Loch and Kilmun We were fortunate to find an isolated spot where the river w...

Introduction This evening, I am reprising a small group hike along the Wildcat Trail, around Newtonmore in the Scottish Highlands. Effigy of Wildcat at Newtonmore   Information on the hike Newtonmore is a village with population of 982 which is located about forty-five miles south of Inverness.  Altitude is 253m or 829ft. Tourism is a major industry in the area. The Scottish Wildcat is an endangered species. Using the wildcat as a theme a hiking trail has been established in form of an orbital path around Newtonmore through a fascinating variety of woodland, gorge, river and moorland with associated scenic views. At this time of year there is residual snow on the mountains and Spring lambs in the valleys. The hikers benefited from dry, sunny weather with good visibility. The trail covers 6.2 miles or 10 km.  Woodland Crossing the River Calder River Calder Hiking the Wildcat trail Highland scenery, Wildcat Trail Spring lambs at Newtonmore More informat...

Introduction Today, I am reprising a visit to Loudon Hill (1037 feet) near Darvel in East Ayrshire. Location is about 28 miles south of Glasgow in S.W. Scotland. Information on Loudon Hill Views of the stunning local scenery were aided by dry, sunny weather. Loudon Hill is a very visible landmark on a relatively flat/undulating landscape. It has origins as a volcanic plug. The feature, (a naturally defensive site) displays a very extensive period of occupation including: Iron Age settlement (c.750BC-AD 43.) A nearby Neolithic cairn. (c. 5000 BC) A Roman Fort extending to about 3.5 acres.This was an auxiliary fort during the Flavian period (Vespasian, Titus and Domitian) of AD 69-96 during which it may have undergone four phases of occupation.During the Antonine period (AD 138-161) the fort was equipped with a new ditch system and a broader rampart.Occupation continued until end of the 2nd century AD after which it was abandoned,. Battle sites: 1296 ( William Wallace ); 1307...

 Martyrs’ Public School, Glasgow, Scotland Introduction This evening, I am focusing on Martyrs’ Public School, one of a portfolio of buildings designed by Glasgow’s most famous architect, Charles Rennie Mackintosh (1868-1928). Information on  Martyrs’ Public School, Glasgow This building, which is no longer used for educational purposes, is located in Parson Street, near to the High Street and Glasgow Cathedral , although access on foot is difficult. Close by is St.Mungo’s Church. The martyrs nomenclature derives from four Covenanters executed in 1684. The building dates from 1895-8 and is attributed to Mackintosh. Special features of note include: A ‘T’ plan with classrooms around three sides of a central hall at ground level and four sides on upper floors. Lintels above east and west entrances which are similar to features on Herald building. Projecting eaves of each of the staircase roofs have affinity with the Glasgow School of Art. The interior can only ...

 Vindolanda Tablets at British Museum, London  Vindolanda is probably best known for the famous ‘Vindolanda Tablets’, a large number of routine military and private communications from the Roman era.These were written in a Latin script on thin veneers of wood in the mid 120s.Fortunately, the 'tablets' were unintentionally preserved owing to being discarded in a water-logged pit and then secured in  resulting anaerobic conditions. These tablets provide a unique insight into daily life and social conditions including, surprisingly, the presence of women on the frontier. Landscape view of Vindolanda  More information on Roman army life can be found here . More information for the visitor. Information on Hadrian’s Wall , the Antonine Wall and Scotland’s history can be found in Visitors’ Guide to Scotland. The ISBN is 978-1-9161332-0-4. This is also available via Kindle.

 Introduction This evening, I am posting information on Glasgow Evangelical Church which is located in Cathedral Square and as such is a close to both  Glasgow Cathedral and Glasgow Necropolis. Glasgow Evangelical Church   Information on Glasgow Evangelical Church The building dates from 1878-80 when designed by leading Glasgow architect John Honeyman who subsequently set up a partnership which employed Glasgow’s most famous architect, Charles Rennie Mackintosh. The building was always used for Presbyterian worship but by 1972 had become run down and was rescued by the current congregation which styles itself as Independent, Protestant and Reformed. Numbers have grown to about 200. The church is built from blond sandstone in the Italianate-style with statues of St. Peter, St. Paul and the Evangelists. Inside is an original Forster and Andrews organ dating from 1887.  Close by are tangible links with Protestant Presbyterianism as represented by a m...

Introduction   This evening, I am posting information on a small group hike through Dalzell Estate and Baron’s Haugh in North Lanarkshire.(Haugh is a Scots word meaning a river-meadow.) The site is located near Motherwell, about sixteen miles S.E. of Glasgow , Scotland.  Hiking through woods Information on the hike This site combines nature and history. Here is a stunning, designed landscape including fascinating historical features, while the woodlands and wetlands are home to an amazing array of birds and other wildlife.   Sand Martin nesting site   As will evident from the images, the weather was very benign, featuring bright sunshine. The hiking group encountered Dalzell House (17th c), a mausoleum, bird life, River Clyde , wetlands and ancient trees.   Spring tree blossom   Woodland garden Woodland garden Inside Dalzell Mausoleum  Tree on legs River Clyde Rural scene Happy hiking group  Anci...