Nigel's Photo Blog

This evening, I am posting images of artwork by Alasdair Gray (1934-2019) in what would have been the artist's 90th year.Gray was a Scottish writer and artist, best known for his novel, Lanark.The work is on display at Glasgow 's Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum .   Four folk in Glasgow Publishing 1977.   Original artwork for the cover of Poor Things, published in 1992.   Two versions of artwork in progress for the jacket design for a book of short stories.  A working mother, 1994.    Dust jacket design for Old Negatives , 4 verse sequences 1952-1983   Working Legs, A Play for Those Without Them, 1997       Cowcaddens Streetscape in the Fifties, 1964.  (Cowcaddens is part of Glasgow.) Songs of Scotland , 1996 with representation of legendary fiddler, Niel Gow.    This post connects nicely with Scottish art, architecture and culture . More Information For more information on Glasgow and many other asp...

  This morning, benefiting from bright autumn sunshine and absence of rain, I ventured out to nearby Rouken Glen Country Park where light conditions provided some useful photo opportunities. Here is a record of a similar trip from 2024. Above is a popular waterfall where the Auldhouse Burn (river) starts it's journey through the local gorge. River scene in heart of the glen (valley)      Another riparian scene  Preening swans at boating pond On return trip home I captured this image of Glasgow reflecting in the sunshine with Campsie Fells (hills) in background. Overall, a pleasant and rewarding trip.   More Information   For more information on Scotland’s landscapes, it’s cities and much more please refer to the Visitors’ Guide to Scotland, ISBN 978-1-9161332-0-4. This book is also available via Kindl e.       

  Introduction This afternoon I am reporting on the impending 130 year anniversary of the Shiskine Golf Club on Scotland's Isle of Arran. Information on Shiskine Golf Club Located on the S.W. coast of the Isle of Arran near the Machrie Moor Stone circles . Isle of Arran is situated off the S.W.of Scotland opposite Troon and within easy reach of Glasgow .  Originally designed as a nine hole course by Willie Fernie of Troon. Founded by Alexander Boyd and formally opened in 1896 by The Lord Advocate for Scotland.  In 1911 decision made to extend course to eighteen holes with majority of work completed by 1913.  Due to WW1 restrictions the course morphed into an unusual twelve hole layout which remains extant today. The club is heavily dependent on visitors.There are currently 763members of whom 177 live on Arran. The course boasts seven Par 3 holes with the signature third requiring a blind shot up a hill. Shiskine is one of seven courses on Arran the totality of which...

   Here in our Glasgow (S.W. Scotland) garden we have we have a well established collection of Sea Buckthorn bushes which, technically, should not prosper here but they do. I planted young bushes about 10 years ago inspired by a TV report focusing on the berries health properties which include: Vitamins A,C, E and K. Anti-inflammatory properties which help in treating conditions like eczema and cardiovascular function. Antioxidant effects. Skin health.  Potential blood sugar regulation  As will be evident from the image herein I had a good 'harvest' this morning. In the past I have eaten the berries with breakfast cereal.In isolation, the berries have a bitter-sweet taste.   More information The publication Visitors’ Guide to Scotland contains information on Scotland’s gardens plus a wealth of further information for the tourist. The ISBN of the publication 978-1-9161332-0-4. This is also available via Kindle .          

 Tour group at Dunbar’s Close Garden with Calton Hill in background Introduction This evening, I am focusing on an unusual oasis of calm in Edinburgh’s busy Royal Mile (Scotland). Information on Dunbar's Close Garden  Only a tiny fraction of the huge number of visitors to Edinburgh are aware of the little known Dunbar’s Close Garden in the Canongate section of the Royal Mile. A summary background of the garden is as follows:- The name ‘Dunbar’ is derived from one David Dunbar, a writer in Edinburgh. This gentleman owned tenements (apartments) on both sides of the close circa 1773. (A close is a passage-way leading to residential housing tenements.) The garden was the creation of Sir Patrick Geddes (1854-1932). He was an eminent Scots biologist who promoted the link between health and environment. The garden today is the work of restoration undertaken in 1978 by the Mushroom Trust. Style is that of a late 17th century garden with flowers, fruit trees and unusual p...

  Introduction This evening, I am reporting on the former royal residence of Osborne House, near Cowes on the Isle of Wight. Information on Osborne House  This property was owned and used by Queen Victoria and her family as a private residence for more than 50 years. Readers will be aware that during most of the the period of her occupancy, Victoria was, arguably, the richest and most powerful person in world. She died in 1901 with the House opening to the public in 1904. The building is of Italianate design. It was completed in 1851 by the building contractor Thomas Cubitt of London. As will be evident from the portfolio of images herein, the internal furnishings reflect the tastes of the Victorian era. The Durbar Room laid out for a banquet   Queen Victoria  Quality and variety of internal decor    Queen Victoria's Bedroom. She died in this room on Jan 22nd, 1901. View from Prince Albert's room The allegorical fresco Neptune Resigning the Empire of t...

 Extreme wet and windy conditions at Compton Bay at time of my visit.  Introduction  This afternoon, I am reporting on a recent visit to Compton Bay, one of the richest dinosaur remains sites in Europe.  Dinosaurs left their footprints and sometimes bones in the muddy lagoons which were prevalent in the region about 125 million years ago.  The local coast is subject to on-going erosion resulting in fossilised remains falling down onto the beach.  So far fossils from over 20 different dinosaur species have been in the area which comprise: Dinosaur bones (usually black and shiny with a honeycomb texture). Dinosaur teeth, which usually look like huge black teeth. Wood which is black and leaves a black mark when scraped on a stone.  Large, three-toed iguanodon foot casts at the base of the cliffs.These measure 30-60cm across.  To assist my understanding I engaged a specialist guide. Images and Further Information on the fossils at Compton Bay.  L...

 Meerkat This evening, I am reporting on a recent visit to the Wildlife Animal Sanctuary on the Isle of Wight in southern England. This is not a commercial zoo but a rescue haven for a wide range of animals which originate from across the world. Some of the animals are more receptive to photography than others.  Ring-tailed Lemur   Goat availing of mineral lick White Lion  Pig African Lion in snooze mode Video clip of Benji and Balu. Two brown bears having a play fight in water. Stay with the video as the longer it runs the closer the animals are to the lens.  Distance shot of Eurasian Lynx  Japanese Raccoon Dog  Carp Red-necked Wallaby Striped Skunk Spider Monkey Parrot In here, somewhere, is a Tiger. Overall, this was an enjoyable trip and derving of recommendation for others.