Nigel's Photo Blog

  The Southside of Glasgow (Scotland) where I live is not exactly a wildlife reserve, although we do have foxes, badgers, squirrels, etc.  Despite living here for many years I have never encountered any deer in my district although I have heard stories of the animals in the Deaconsbank area, opposite a major residential development. By chance, I took a different walking route yesterday and after about 30 minutes noticed a couple of deer in the distance at Deaconsbank. Despite being about 200 yards from the animals I did obtain a reasonable image from my 'phone camera with which I am pleased. In the past my encounters with wild deer in Scotland have been restricted to the Red species which are found in the Highlands and are now in such numbers that they present an over population problem due to absence of natural predators. Here is a Red Deer stag in the Highlands. In addition to the Red species there are also species known as Roe and Fallow. I suspect the image at top is one ...

This evening, I am posting information on Keppie family history as sourced from a memorial at Eastwood New Cemetery. This records the deaths of: Helen Keppie on Dec 25th 1939, age 65 yrs. Jane Dunn Keppie on Aug 12th 1942, age 72 yrs  

 Couple of ducks on frozen pond   In common with rest of the British Isles, Glasgow was hit by Storm Bert. As predicted, we were subject to a snow dump overnight (Fri/Sat) which provided a nice snowscape to wake up to but in the course of this morning the snowfall was replaced by rain. As the day (Sat) progressed the layer of snow turned into water laden slush which made motor transport and walking a challenge. I went out for my morning walk as usual but found my leather boots provided little protection.Towards the end of the walk I was experiencing mild hypothermia as my feet became saturated with freezing water.However, I eventually returned home safely and started to warm up again. Included in this post is a portfolio of images taken during my walk as I passed through Rouken Glen Park and the Glasgow suburb of Giffnock. Boat House Cafe at Rouken Glen Cold pigeons at Rouken Glen Auldhouse Burn (stream) at Rouken Glen. Hungry waterfowl at Rouken Glen Unusual vegetation at Ro...

Tonight, I am posting a portfolio of twenty images of Edinburgh, a top tourist destination and Scotland's capital. Portobello Beach George IV Bridge Waverley Station Mons Meg Cannon at Edinburgh Castle Royal Scottish Academy John Knox House on Royal Mile Canongate Kirk Inside St. Giles Cathedral Grassmarket Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo Victoria Street Scottish Parliament Greyfriars Bobby Balmoral Hotel Calton Hill Arthur's Seat Deacon Brodies Tavern Scott Monument George Street Edinburgh Castle More information for the visitor A wide range of information on Scotland, it's cities and much more can be found in the extensively illustrated Visitors’ Guide to Scotland.. ISBN is 978-1-9161332-0-4. This book is also available via Kindle.

Introduction This evening, I am focusing on Tomatin Distillery which is located in the Scottish Highlands , about twenty miles south of Invernes s. A selection of Tomatin Single Malts  Information on Tomatin Distillery Tomatin is relatively young by Scottish distillery standards, having been established in 1897. Subsequently, the history has been erratic with closures, re-openings and changes of ownership. During the late 1970s Tomatin was producing 12m litres of spirit per annum, the largest output in Scotland. However, to adjust to market conditions, the number of operational stills was reduced from 23 to 10 with resultant annual capacity of 5 million litres currently. Today, the distillery is under Japanese ownership with principal markets being U.S.A., Sweden and Japan. The core range of malts consists of: Legacy 12, 18, 30 and 36 year old as well as Cask Strength and a 14 year old port finish. There is also a peated malt aimed at the Japanese market.Sales of Tomat...

Introduction This evening, I am posting information on Auchentoshan Distillery in Glasgow, west of Scotland. Tasting Auchentoshan single malts    Information on Auchentoshan Distillery Auchentoshan was first licensed in 1823 but may date back to 1800 and earlier. Facts and information: Part of Suntory Group of Japan. Sister distilleries are Bowmore (Islay) and Glen Garioch (Highlands). Being a Lowland distillery, Auchentoshan  triple distills the spirit.. Capacity is 2.5m litres p.a. Most of the spirit is matured in ex-bourbon casks from Kentucky and Tennessee. Key single malts are American Oak and Three Woods. Auchentoshan has an excellent visitor centre and guide led tours of the distillery.  View of distillery buildings Tour group at Auchentoshan Distillery Tour guide explaining function of Mash Tun  Fermentation in washbacks Video clip of fermentation in process  Washbacks Triple distillation Video clip of stills in action  Maturation ...

 This post is a continuum of that of yesterday with emphasis on the wide variety of fungi available to foragers in the west of Scotland. Earlier today I spent about two hours exploring the dams to Darnley Country Park in Glasgow which is well endowed with habitat (dead wood) which acts a suitable host for various types of fungi.This trip rekindled memories of a Ranger led fungi expedition in 2013 a record of which is provided below.   The weather today was dull, damp and overcast but not actually raining.   Hopefully, these images will provide readers with a flavour for the range and diversity of colours and form in this little known niche of nature.     This is bracket fungi which from time immemorial has been known for it's tinder dry interior and used for nurturing of fire embers. Here are some non-fungi images and a video taken today.   Autumnal scene at Waulkmill Glen   A dash of colour on a grey/green dull day. Waterfall at Waulkmill Glen 2013 b...