This morning I went out in the sunshine to take some images of the emerging spring.

I went to Greenbank Gardens and here are the results

Daffodils and Narcissus coming into bloom in the woods.

Garden pond with duck
Garden view
Garden view
This statue/fountain is called 'Foam' and dates from 1938 when it featured in the Empire Exhibition, Glasgow.
Another garden view.
Greenbank was very quiet and relaxing, yet very close to Glasgow.

Labels: Gardens

posted by Nigel Cole @ 5:42 AM  0 comments

Stirling Castle is an excellent example of a Scottish castle and well located for the visitor to Scotland. It is situated on the rock of Stirling (an ancient volcano) and was the key to medieval Scotland. All invading armies had to come to the rock of Stirling to to enter Scotland's hinterlands.

The first record of a castle date from Alexander I who died there in 1124.

Close by were fought two major, decisive battles in which the Scots beat the English:

• Stirling Bridge in 1297
• Bannockburn in 1314
  

The Stewart age brought stability, and money was lavished to tun the castle into a symbol of royal authority:

• The Great Hall of 1500
• Gatehouse 1510
• Royal Palace of King James V 1540

However, the palace was little used by royalty after 1603 but witnessed action in 1651 during a siege by Roundheads and was badly damaged.

Here is a recreation of the Castle kitchens.


Here is the main entrance
Here is the Palace (interior of which is being refurbished)

Another view of the entrance
Palace view

Labels: Stirling Castle

posted by Nigel Cole @ 12:57 PM  0 comments

This afternoon I am posting an image of a memorial from Glasgow's Southern Necropolis. This is unusual because it includes reference to a couple who appear to have died in Dunfermline which is in the east of Scotland, near Edinburgh.

The inscription simply records the passing of:

James Bryden
Jane Bryden, wife of James.

No dates or ages are given.

Judging by the sequence on the memorial, the Brydens appear to have died sometime between 1874 and 1898.

Labels: dunfermline

posted by Nigel Cole @ 4:55 AM  0 comments

This evening I am presenting some images, from a recent tour, of Inveraray Castle which is located on the West of Scotland.

We arrived late in the evening and had the grounds to ourselves, which was great.

Inveraray Castle is the seat of The Duke of Argyll, Chief of Clan Campbell. The castle is located close to Loch Awe and dates from 1745-86. It was designed by Roger Morris and Robert Mylne.

Inside the castle can be viewed:

• the famous Armoury collection
• French tapestries
• Scottish and European Furniture
• The Clan room with its genealogical display.

Labels: Inveraray

posted by Nigel Cole @ 1:37 PM  0 comments

This afternoon, I am presenting some images of a recent visit to Balnuaran of Clava, near Inverness which was incorporated in a recent tour.

This is an exceptionally well preserved group of prehistoric burial cairns dating back about 4000 years.

Here is a kerb stone with evidence of cup-marks.These are small, dish shaped depressions which have been carved into a rock surface by pecking away with a hard stone implement for what motive no-one knows for certain. There are 104 theories to explain the function of cup marks.


Here is an overview of the site looking towards the N.E.Cairn which is a well preserved passage grave.
Here is inside of one of the cairns which would have contained a body.

Anothse aspect of the site
Here is a friendly tour guide against one of the circle of standing stones which circle the N.E.Cairn.
Scotland is particularly well endowed with pre-history. If you are seeking a specialized tour then post a comment!

Labels: prehistory

posted by Nigel Cole @ 9:06 AM  0 comments

This evening I am posting some images of a recent Scotland tour which entailed a visit to Edradour which is a classic farm distillery and the smallest legal distillery in Scotland.

Edradour was founded in 1825 and currently produces 90,000 litres p.a.

The management of Edradour provide an excellent free tour taking visitors through the whole process of malting,mashing,fermentation, distillation and maturation.

There is an excellent whiskey shop at the Distillery which sells a wide range of specialist whiskeys.


Here is an aspect of the Distillery buildings.

Here is a copper still
Here is the glass-fronted spirit safe where the expert separates the middle cut containing the best quality alcohol from the feints or lower grade alcohol.

Malt mill
Tour group inspecting colling system which is used to cool the hot, alcoholic vapours rising up the neck of the still and condense them back into a liquid.


Edradour is located close to Pitlochry in Perthshire and is well worth a visit.

Labels: Whisky

posted by Nigel Cole @ 3:26 PM  0 comments

This afternoon I am presenting some images of a recent tour when we visited the Loch Tay area of Perthshire.

The Falls of Dochart are found at Killin at the south end of Loch Tay where the River Dochart enters Loch Tay.

Here it is possible to have a bit of fun and scramble across the rocks.

As will evident from one of the images, there was snow on the mountain peaks at time of our visit.

The name Killin is indicative of an early Christian settlement and means 'at the white cell'.

Labels: perthshire

posted by Nigel Cole @ 5:00 AM  0 comments

This afternoon, I am presenting some images from a tour just completed which was undertaken in very snowy conditions. The route took us up to Spittal of Glenshee in the Highlands where we came to an abrupt halt due to adverse weather which resulted in the road being closed.We had a break at the Spittal hotel ( full up with two stranded coach parties) and then doubled back to Pitlochry and on up to Inverness via Killiecrankie and the A9.

The expedition proved quite a bit of fun and provided opportunity for good photos-and some snowball fights!

Spittal is a Scots word meaning a hospice or refuge for travellers, especially in mountainous country. The Spittal of Glenshee proved very apposite on the day we arrived-just standing room only!

Labels: Highlands

posted by Nigel Cole @ 9:10 AM  0 comments

Today I was on the last leg of a Scotland tour which included a visit to the famous Castle Urquhart on Loch Ness. The visit coincided with a heavy snow storm but that did not upset enjoyment of the visit.

There was fortifications at the Urquhart site back in prehistory but the present ruins date from around AD 1275 under the powerful Comyns.Subsequently the castle experienced a chequered history including:

• Garrisoning by the English in 1296
• Attack by Robert the Bruce in 1306
• Embellishment and re-build by the Stewarts by 1400
• Capture by the MacDonalds in 1452
• Plundering by clansmen in 1544-45
• Slighting of the defences afetr a Jacobite uprising in 1689.
  

This was just one leg of a great 3 day tour.

Labels: castles

posted by Nigel Cole @ 1:05 PM  0 comments

This morning I went into the Gorbals area. This is a name long associated with social deprivation although back in the 18th century was an upscale area.

Here is an image of a former tenement block for which the area was notorious. Its all boarded up now but seems structurally sound.


This is an image of a local car repair company operating under a former railway bridge.


Here is an image of a road intersection with pub in foreground and a redundant derelict church in the background. the church is very interesting. It is known as the Caledonian Road Church and was designed by Alexander 'Greek' Thomson 1856-7. The tower is most unusual and may have been inspired by German architecture of the time.


Here are some images of tower blocks, formerly used for social housing, which are being prepared for demolition. There will be controlled explosions during first weekend in June. Should be quite a show!!


See this site for more information on the Gorbals area

Labels: Glasgow

posted by Nigel Cole @ 7:43 AM  0 comments

This evening I am presenting some images of Glasgow's Kelvingrove museum.

This is both art gallery and museum which dates from 1901 and re-opened July 11th 2006.

The building is of red sandstone and was designed by London architects Simpson and Milner Allen

Kelvingrove features over 8,000 objects including:

• Art masterpieces by Rembrandt and Titian
• Impressionist paintings
• Weaponry and suits of armour.
• Dali's Christ of St.John of the Cross
• A mummy and many other objects from ancient Egypt
  

This fascinating site is well worth a visit when in Glasgow.

Labels: Glasgow

posted by Nigel Cole @ 2:47 PM  0 comments

This evening I am posting images of today's tour Loch of Lomond, Scotland. For March the weather was unusually fine and dry.

Here are some images of former slate workers cottages at Luss on the banks of Loch Lomond and now a heritage site.

This is a view of a snow capped Ben Lomond. In the past I have climbed this mountain.


For more information on Loch Lomond tours contact www.catswhiskerstours.co.uk

Labels: Luss

posted by Nigel Cole @ 2:51 PM  0 comments