Nigel's Photo Blog

This post follows a visit to the Dovecot Studios , an art gallery in Edinburg h, Scotland. Here can be seen the first tranche of a portfolio of images recording the exhibition. The core of the exhibition centres on four artists known as the Scottish Colourists. These persons are Leslie Hunter (1877-1931), S.J. Peploe (1871-1935), J.D. Fergusson (1874-1961) and F.C.B.Cadell (1883-1937). These artists are deemed to be one of the most talented, experimental and distinctive groups in 20th century British art.They did not emerge as a quartet until relatively late in their respective careers. This occurred when their Glasgow dealer stages the first group show in Paris in 1924 and another the following year in London.  Paris-Plage by S.J. Peploe. 1907 Arenig, North Wales, by James Dickson Innes,. 1913 The Blue Pool by Augustus John. 1911 The Pool of London by Andre Derain. 1906 Ka Cox with a Red Scarf on her Head by Duncan Grant.1912. Portrait of Mrs Peploe. 1911      The H...

 Introduction This evening, I am posting information on Strathnavar Museum which is located in village of same name. Location is a few miles east of Tongue on Scotland’s northern coast. Tongue features on the North Coast 500 driving route. Strathnavar Museum, Scotland  Information on Strathnavar Museum This small museum is a ‘must’ for visitors wishing to connect with their ancestry and/or social and wider history of the area. Key aspects: The museum is based in a redundant Presbyterian Church. The surrounding burial ground contains a high percentage of burials of persons named Mackay.  Inside,displays are focused on social history, including the Highland Clearances , and Clan Mackay. Outside the museum can be found a re-located burial cist from the Bronze Age (2100 to 750 BC). There is also a Pictish-era carved stone (8th/9th centuries AD) thus indicating a long period of human occupation in the area. Pictish Carved Cross Bronze Age Burial Cist (c. 3300 – c. 12...

 Introduction Today, I visited one of Glasgow's best known pubs, namely the Clutha. Location is Stockwell Street, a short walk from the city centre. Information on the Clutha The name 'Clutha' is the ancient name for the River Clyde which flows just a few yards away. The pub has a long history but has now evolved into a cultural hub for the city, attracting musicians, artists and locals seeking a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere.Here, there is a commitment to live music including folk, a feature which has been influential in establishing the pub's reputation as one of Glasgow's best music venues. Welcome Sign Bar Upcoming Live Music Sessions Clutha is remembered for a disastrous event on November 29th 2013 when a helicopter crashed onto the pub's flat roof, killing three crew and seven patrons inside.More information can be found here . Here is an image of the helicopter being recovered. More information for the visitor More information on Glasgow , Scottish h...

Introduction This afternoon, I am reporting on Loch Fyne in the west of Scotland. Image of Loch Fyne taken from Inveraray looking north.   Information on Loch Fyne This is a sea loch (fjord) which links with the Firth of Clyde and forms part of the coast of the Cowal Peninsula . The loch is located on the west coast of Argyll and Bute . The loch extends to forty miles inland from the Sound of Bute masking it the longest of Scotland's sea lochs.It is connected to the Sound of Jura by the Crinan Canal. Image taken from Inveraray looking west.   Most visitors encounter this scenic loch en-route from Glasgow to either Oban on the west coast or Campbeltown to the south. Principal stops are usually Inveraray and its popular castle .At the northern end of the loch is Fyne Ales Craft Brewery and Loch Fyne Oyster Bar. The latter is actually a high end restaurant.   Loch Fyne Oyster Bar   Image taken from Inveraray looking north. Inveraray is about 63 miles N.W.of Glasgow ...

 Introduction Tonight, I am reporting on famous English artist, JMW Turner (1775-1851). Information on Turner . Turner was a famous romantic painter, printmaker and watercolourist who left behind a portfolio of 550 oil paintings, 2,000 watercolours and 30,000 works on paper. Turner's work is noted for expressive colouring, imaginative landscapes and turbulent, often violent marine paintings. The images featured in this post comprise some of the38 watercolours donated to the people of Scotland by art collector, Henry Vaughan in 1900 They are displayed each January when light levels are at their lowest. The exhibition at The National Galleries of Scotland coincides with the 250th anniversary of Turner's birth. National Galleries of Scotland, Edinburgh.   Images of Turner's work   The West Gate, Canterbury, Kent. About 1705.  Shakespeare's Cliff, Dover. 1794-7  Old Dover Harbour, Kent. 1794-7  The Fall of the River Velino, near Terni. 1794-7     Slu...