Nigel's Photo Blog

(Above image is a capture of an interesting fungi formation growing on a tree.) The weather this morning was the exact opposite of the sunny conditions experienced yesterday, being characterised by heavy rain with thunder in the distance. Notwithstanding the adverse conditions, I still ventured out as I find walking in heavy rain invigorating with the light conditions providing interesting dimensions for photography. Notwithstanding that my array of waterproofs proved virtually useless, I returned home very wet but satisfied with results of my morning excursion. Determined golfers braving the heavy rain. This apparently innocuous depression in a rock is actually a 'cup mark' made by our distant ancestors around 5000 years ago. Scotland is well endowed with hundreds of 'cup and ring' marks dating from the Neolithic period the purpose of which is not known. The existence of this carving does indicate that man has occupied the Glasgow region of west of Scot...

( Above image is a capture of an Orange Parade in Glasgow today.) Today, benefiting from superb, sunny weather, I ventured into central Glasgow, Scotland primarily to photograph a scheduled Orange March and by chance came across a pro-independence event held in George Square. For benefit of visitors from Alpha Centauri  and others I will endeavour to explain the subtleties of the two events whjch are actually at opposite ends of the Scottish political spectrum. Orange March The Orange march is a symbol of the entrenched sectarianism (catholic vs protestant) in the west of Scotland.These religious tensions date back to the Battle of the Boyne (Ireland) in 1690 when a protestant army under King William defeated a catholic army under the exiled James II. The Orangemen are protestants and enjoy close affinities with namesakes in Northern Ireland with both groups participating in the summer 'marching season' which is, essentially, a demonstration of protestant supremacy an...

This evening, I am posting images and information on the small group of abandoned fishing boats near Salen on the east coast of the Isle of Mull off the West Coast of Scotland. In the right light conditions these boats make excellent subjects for photography. Mull is an island forming part of the Inner Hebrides opposite Oban on the Scottish mainland.The island is characterised by narrow roads, stunning scenery and link to the historic island of Iona. Visitors usually arrive via the ferry port of Craignure a nd, if heading north to the colourful town of Tobermory , will suddenly encounter the small group of boats after passing through the village of Salen on the edge of the Sound of Mull (stretch of water). Sound of Mull  Depending on light conditions on the day, the site offers an interesting spectacle with views to the east and mainland Scotland. Limited parking is available on side of the narrow road.

Landscape view of Dunvegan Castle from Loch Dunvegan. Video clip p This evening, I am posting information on Dunvegan Castle, one of the top visitor attractions on the Isle of Skye which in turn is one of Scotland’s top visitor sites, located off the N.W.coast. This castle is the ancestral home of the Chief of Clan MacLeod and has been occupied by the MacLeods for 800 years, dating from the time when Leod, son of Olaf the Black, founded the dynasty.The landed estate extends to 65 square miles including the famous Cuillin mountains. The current Clan Chief (the 30th) is Hugh MacLeod of MacLeod. Following an extensive-and expensive-programme of refurbishment and repairs the castle is on course to double the number of visitors over the past decade to 175,000. Dunvegan Castle occupies a strategic, coastal position on the N.W. coast of Skye. Main entrance to Dunvegan Castle, Isle of Skye Historical features of note include: Square keep (14th c) and Fairy Tower...

This evening, I am focusing on the elusive Loch Ness Monster and its watery habitat which attracts many thousands of visitors each year whose spending underpins the local economy. In modern times the ‘monster’ gained credibility as a function of the famous 1934 ‘surgeon’s photograph’ which was subsequently proved to have been faked (a child’s toy).  To the best of my knowledge and belief no authentic and verifiable photographs or film of the monster have ever been taken which leaves the famous 1934 image as possibly the greatest PR stunt of all time, acting as catalyst for a huge tourist industry in the Highlands of Scotland. In simplistic terms the Plesiosaur, which the Monster is widely acknowledged to be, died out along with its dinosaur relatives many millions  of years ago whereas Loch Ness was created only about 10, 000 years ago at end of the last Ice Age. In any case the murky and peaty waters of the loch would not provide enough food f...

This evening, I am posting information on Cawdor Castle near Nairn in the Highlands of Scotland, about twenty miles N.E. of Inverness. This is a popular visitor attraction during summer time, no doubt aided by its close location to Inverness and the famous Culloden Battlefield site. Apart from the castle building (on which more below) there are other facilities for the visitor including: A country estate with waymarked hiking trails. Gardens : walled, flower and wild Golf course and putting green Gift shop, bookshop, wool shop and restaurant. The name Cawdor has its origins in the Brittonic (Welsh) words caled dobhar which translates as 'hard water'. Garden with castle in background   Archway in Garden It is believed the present castle dates from the 1400s when it was built, probably by the 3rd Thane of Cawdor ,to replace an earlier castle about one and half miles away. The building was a classic (by standards of the day) four ...

Stirling Bridge over the River Forth This evening, I am providing new information on the Battle of Stirling Bridge which took place on September 11th 1297 at a location about forty miles N.W.of Edinburgh, Scotland. Today's Times newspaper reports on work undertaken by Murray Cook of Stirling University who points out that the location of a medieval harbour at nearby Cambuskenneth indicates that the tidal range of the River Forth was up to about six feet higher seven hundred years ago. The water may have risen about twelve feet behind the English army as they slowly mustered on the  north bank thus entrapping them between the Scots in front and the rising water behind. Result was the English broke ranks with loss of about 5000 men. Clearly the English were ignorant of local conditions thus giving the advantage to Wallace and the Scots notwithstanding the superior size of the English force. The following narrative is taken from a previous blog post and should be interpr...