Today, I went out not anticipating any photo opps. However, in Giffnock (Glasgow Southside) came across this piper outside our local newsagent, which was a nice touch. However, only had my cellphone camera with me-hence quality is not A1. However, it is possible to enlarge by double clicking on the images.
Just a few hundred yards/meters away came across this memorial to a young lad who died on Christmas Eve-apparently, he just stepped out into the road and was killed by a car. Seems to have been a Celtic supporter. A sad event at any time let alone Christmas.

Labels: Glasgow

posted by Nigel Cole @ 5:49 AM  0 comments

Today, was mild and sunny with some snow on the high ground.

Here is a pic of Glasgow taken from southside looking towards Newton Mearns and Glasgow with the Campsie Fells in the background.


Note very small island in centre of the small loch (lake). This is probably a crannog-approx 2000 year old iron age dwelling.

Here are some Highland Cattle in their element-cold and poor quality hill pasture. Note snow on ground.

Labels: Glasgow

posted by Nigel Cole @ 10:02 AM  0 comments

Today, I went down to Glasgow with object of photographing the various statues in George Square. However, the Christmas gaudy fairground is still in situ so I had to give up and adopt Plan B, a visit to the Lighthouse, Scotland's centre for architecture, design and the City. I made the long climb up the Mackintosh Tower for some absolutely stunning views of Glasgow city, images of which are provided below.


Here is the spiral staircase looking down-quite a climb!


Here are various views of Glasgow taken on a dull December afternoon with rain in the air.







Here is the Mackintosh Tower staircase looking up.

Here is a one of the statues in George Square which i did manage to photo. James Watt, the son of a merchant, was born in Greenock, Scotland, in 1736.

Watt's main claim to fame is the refinement of the steam engine.


Here is the gaudy fairground in George Square. Unfortunately, it is due to remain in situ until around Jan 7th.

Labels: Glasgow

posted by Nigel Cole @ 9:17 AM  0 comments

Today is Boxing Day. Mild but very windy. Went out for a ride and encountered some flocks of black sheep. These are very unusual. The animals can be found on the very outer (southern) edge of Glasgow just beyond Newton Mearns. They seem quite happy just munching away.

Labels: Glasgow

posted by Nigel Cole @ 10:42 AM  0 comments

Today is Christmas Day. Cold but sunny and clear with excellent visibility.

Went out for a ride on my bike south of Glasgow. Here are some images of Glasgow taken from the south side/Newton Mearns area looking north.

Labels: Glasgow

posted by Nigel Cole @ 9:23 AM  0 comments

Today, I have been collating images from a recent two day Scotland Tour taking in Glasgow,Stirling, Inverness, Loch Ness and Glencoe.

Here are some images of Stirling Castle

Main entrance


Bullet/cannon shot holes in the outer defences. These date from the 17th century.


Exterior of the Great Hall.
Exterior of the former Royal Palace the interior of which is undergoing extensive refurbishment.
Interior of Great Hall. Note Minstrels Gallery


Tapestry inside Great Hall
17th century decoration inside Chapel. This was undertaken by a Glasgow artist in anticipation of a visit by Charles I

More detail of decoration. Note specific reference to Charles I


Pub lunch at Birnam House Hotel, Birnam. It was good. Nice open fire on a cold day!


Ice on the River Braan, near Dunkeld.


Frozen pool near Ossian's Hall

Part frozen falls at Ossian's Hall

River Ness at Inverness at night.Quite colourful!



Trebuchet at Castle Urquhart

The following are various images of Castle Urquhart on Loch Ness. Bearing in mind time of year (mid winter) the weather was reasonably clement with good views of Loch Ness.






A friendly Robin at Castle Urquhart.


Overall, a good tour. We had the benefit of reasonably clear roads and almost exclusive access to the castles.

Labels: Scotland tour

posted by Nigel Cole @ 3:34 AM  0 comments

Today, I returned form a two day mini-tour. Lots of images to input but I am very tired. Here is an image of Castle Urquhart on Loch Ness.

Lots more tomorrow.

Labels: Scotland tour

posted by Nigel Cole @ 1:57 PM  0 comments

Today, collected clients from Glasgow International Airport. Weather pretty awful, cold and foggy with temp about 0 centigrade. Something of a shock for clients who come from much hotter climes. Plane was over an hour late-not bad for time of year. I hear on the news that airport staff are planning to strike early next year-mmmm.

Have provisionally booked clients in for a pantomime, a uniquely British tradition at this time of year.


No opps for pics today-but watch this space!

Labels: Glasgow

posted by Nigel Cole @ 10:20 AM  0 comments

Not a lot of outside activity today. Spent most of the time on business admin and planning future tours. Also, Christmas is looming. Weather damp, cold and overcast-not very conducive to interesting pics. Hope to get up to speed with video over Christmas. Pleasing to see my website getting up the rankings for various categories of tours.

Hope to have something more interesting tomorrow.

Season's Greetings!

Labels: Glasgow

posted by Nigel Cole @ 1:48 PM  0 comments

Today, was cold but sunny. Went for a spin around nearby Rouken Glen but was stymied when my pedal fell off!!

Anyway, I obtained a couple of pics of the part frozen boating bond which has a huge population of marine birds.

Labels: Glasgow

posted by Nigel Cole @ 12:45 PM  0 comments

Today, I went to Paisley on a shopping trip. Paisley is a faded industrial town. Was formerly a textile boom town in the 19th century and still has street names evocative of that period, e.g.Cotton Street, Gauze Street, Linen Street.

Here is an image of Clarks Mills. The Mills actually started next to the Hammils which consists of a band of hard volcanic rock running across the river bed and forming a waterfall. The force of water flowing over the Hammils powered two mills, one at each side of the river.

They were established by the Clark Brothers in 1812. These two brothers had discovered that selling cotton thread for domestic sewing could be a profitable business, and had thereby laid the foundations for much of Paisley's fame and prosperity in the late nineteenth century.

View of River Cart with Town Hall on right



Paisley Abbey was founded when Walter Fitzalan signed a charter at Fotheringay in 1163.He was descended from the Norman conquerors and in 1141 was brought to Scotland by King David 1,the son of Malcolm Canmore and Saint Margaret. William Wallace was educated here. The image is of the West Door

View of Paisley Abbey

View of Paisley Town Hall- a reflection of Victorian confidence.

Labels: Paisley

posted by Nigel Cole @ 9:07 AM  0 comments