This evening, I am presenting some images taken just a few hours ago of Ben Lomond and the southern tip of Loch Lomond.

Ben Lomond rises to a height of 3195 feet and is known as the Beacon Hill. It is the most southerly of all the Munros ( peaks in excess of 3000 feet) and represents the very edge of the old geological fault known as the Highland Boundary.

The summit, which is easily accessed by the able bodied, comprises a fairly short, level ridge, curving gently round the head of the north-east corrie.




The above images were taken from Loch Lomond Gold Club.

Labels: loch lomond

posted by Nigel Cole @ 1:01 PM  0 comments

This evening, I am presenting some images of a recent tour entailing a visit to Drumclog.

Drumclog is famous for the battle which occurred there in 1679 when the Covenanters clashed with the forces of the establishment-and won.

The image below is a memorial to the battle and is located on the battle site which is some 6 miles south west of Strathaven in Lanarkshire.



This is the Drumclog Memorial Kirk which was built in 1912 and is named in remembrance of the Battle adverted to above. During June of each year a service is held to remember the Battle.

Labels: South Lanarkshire

posted by Nigel Cole @ 10:22 AM  0 comments

This evening, I am posting some images to record our recent visit to the site of the Battle of Drumclog in 1679 when the Covenanters (defenders of Presbyterianism) won their only victory against the Government forces under John Graham of Claverhouse. However, the victory was short lived as defeat followed at the subsequent Battle of Bothwell Bridge.

The battle site is located in a scenic, rural area six miles south west of Strathaven.


This semi-derelict building is the Old Drumclog School which is located on the actual site of the battle.


Inscription on memorial plinth
Memorial stone at Drumclog Church

Labels: battlefields

posted by Nigel Cole @ 1:02 PM  0 comments

This afternoon, I am posting a collection of images from a just completed four day tour based in Edinburgh.

Here are some views of Edinburgh taken from and including the Castle. This stands on 443 feet above sea level on a plug of volcanic rock. The buildings range in date from the 12th century St. Margaret's Chapel to the 20th century Scottish National War Memorial.



View with Mons Meg in the foreground



St Giles Cathedral, Edinburgh.

Palace of Holyrood House Architecture is mainly late 17th century to the design of Sir William Bruce.

Abbey at Holyrood

View of Edinburgh with Waverley Railway Station in foreground.


Former Royal High School. This was designed by Thomas Hamilton 1825-29 and is a building of international stature.
View of old Observatory dating from 1776 This is one of James Craig's very few surviving buildings.


View of Holyrood House from atop the Nelson Monument on Calton Hill

View of Princes Street from Calton Hill (Nelson Monument).



Rosslyn Castle This was destroyed by Cromwell during the Civil War period.




View of herbaceous garden at Dirleton Castle. This is the longest such border in the world.

Vaults at Direlton Castle. In the middle is a family enjoying a picnic. Dirleton Castle dates to the 12th century when it was built by the Anglo-Norman de Vaux family. The building was occupied through to 1650 when Cromwell's troops occupied and ruined the castle.


Ruins of Dirleton Castle
The following are images of a distillery tour at Glenkinchie.


Tour guide with copper stills in the background.

Guide explaining the spirit safe.

The following are images of the famous Rosslyn Chapel. Interior photographs are no longer allowed so the pictures are taken from previous visits.



This is the Apprentice Pillar at Rosslyn


Highland Cattle

The famous Govan Stones which date back 1000 years and represent some of Scotland's most important early medieval sculptures. These marked a major ceremonial and administrative capital of the kings of Strathclyde.


This is a Viking influenced 'Hogback' grave marker


Images of Glasgow Cathedral which dates from the 12th century



Inside the Blacadder Aisle (chapel)
The Nave
Rood Screen. One of the few in Scotland which escaped the Reformation.


View from the Wallace Monument near Stirling. This is dedicated to William Wallace aka 'Braveheart'.



View of the Wallace Monument

Site to commemorate the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314 at which a Scots army under Robert the Bruce defeated a much larger English army under Edward II

Aspects of Stirling Castle. The castle mainly dates from the 15th and 16th centuries when it was principal royal residence, witnessing thye birth of James III, the childhood of James V and the crowning of the infant, Mary Queen of Scots.

Here is the tour guide in full flow.

Inside the Great Hall. Note hammer beamed roof.

Tapestry inside the Chapel
Original decoration inside the Chapel at Stirling Castle

View of the Palace buildings at Stirling

Overall, we a great tour. Good food and good company. Haste ye back!!

Labels: Scotland tour

posted by Nigel Cole @ 7:56 AM  0 comments