Today I visited Brougham Castle in England. This castle dates from Norman times and is actually located on the site of a Roman fort which would pre- date the castle by about 1000 years.



Very briefly, the castle was founded by a Norman family and was passed to Robert Clifford who strengthened the defences. His descendant, Lady Ann Clifford inherited the castle and died there in 1676 subsequent to which the castle fell into ruin.



The site is very appealing with a river running close by and new born lambs gamboling in the sunshine.

Labels: lake district

posted by Nigel Cole @ 2:28 PM  0 comments

This afternoon, I visited one of architect, Charles Rennie Mackintosh's buildings namely the Scotland Street School Museum which dates from 1903-1906.

This building is located at 225 Scotland Street, Glasgow and represents Mackintosh's last major commission. Note the impressive leaded glass towers, tiled entrance hall, unique stonework and the interplay of light and space.

Inside, the museum tells the story of education in Scotland from 1872 to late 20th century.

Labels: Mackintosh Tours

posted by Nigel Cole @ 2:10 PM  0 comments

Inspired by unseasonal bright sunshine, this morning I cycled around the outer southern suburbs of Glasgow and obtained some good video images of Glasgow and environs.

Video 1 shows images of Barrhead (with reservoir in foreground), Paisley and Clydebank with the Kilpatrick Hills and Campsie Fells in the background.

Video 2 is a view from Rouken Glen golf course showing the centre of Glasgow with the Campsie Fells in the background.

Very unusual visibility for Glasgow at this time of year!

Labels: Glasgow

posted by Nigel Cole @ 1:00 PM  0 comments

This afternoon, I visited Dunkeld, a small town which sits in the centre of Scotland. The reason was to witness a march by the Atholl Highlanders, the only legal private army in Britain (and Europe), to commemorate the 200th anniversary of completion of the bridge over the River Tay at Dunkeld. There are a couple of issues of significance here, viz:

1. As stated above, the Atholl Highlanders are a private army. They were originally authorised by Queen Victoria in 1839 and 'belong' to the Eleventh Duke of Atholl who has a castle nearby at Blair Atholl. The regiment is about 100 strong but has never seen active service. However, many of the regiment served with the Scottish horse in both World Wars.
   
2. The bridge was designed by one of Britain's leading engineers, Thomas Telford, originally for horse and cart traffic but today comfortably accommodates 40 ton trucks and its robustness is testimony to the skills of Telford and the builders.
   

Here is the regiment marching over the bridge.

Local ladies in period costume

Ladies with the bridge in background


Atholl Highlanders
Atholl Highlanders

Video of the Highlanders marching across the b ridge.

Labels: Dunkeld

posted by Nigel Cole @ 1:37 PM  0 comments

This evening, I am posting an image of a couple of elaborate memorials located at Glasgow's famous Necropolis (City of the Dead).

In the foreground is the John Houldsworth of Cranston Hill Mausoleum, designed by John Thomas in 1845.

This is a Graeco-Egyptian style monument made in marble with two statues at the entrance. On the left stands Hope and the right stands Charity.

John Houldsworth (1807-59) was a prominent local politician and founder of the Anderston Foundry and Machine Works. He was the son of a Nottingham cotton-spinner and educated at Glasgow, Geneva and Heidelberg. He was keen on art and sailing.

To the right of the picture is a memorial to Charles Clark Mackirdy, the owner of a large cotton spinning company who lived 1811-1891. The monument was designed by James Thomson of Baird & Thomson with David Buchanan being responsible for the finely detailed choragic Corinthian rotunda.

The Necropolis contains a vast array of elaborate monuments dedicated to the wealthy Glasgow business community of Victorian times and is well worth a visit as such offers a combination of social history and design work.

Labels: Glasgow

posted by Nigel Cole @ 2:27 PM  0 comments

This afternoon, I cycled into the centre of Glasgow with prime aim of visiting the Necropolis (City of the Dead). Visibility was mixed with some rain in the air.

Here is an image of Glasgow Cathedral taken from the Necropolis. This building dates from the 13th century but on the site of much older places of worship, possibly dating back to the 6th century.


View from high point of the Necropolis looking south towards the industrial city of Glasgow.



Here is a video clip of the stunning John Knox Monument which is positioned at the highest point of the Necropolis and overlooks the Cathedral. In fact, the monument (designed 1825) pre-dates the Necropolis. The monument is some 70 feet high high and comprises a 58 feet high Doric column surmounted with a 12 foot statue of Knox in his Geneva gown with bible in right hand.

Knox lived 1512-72 and, in fact, had little connection with Glasgow, he was more closely associated with Edinburgh (where he died) and St. Andrews (where he studied) on the east coast of Scotland.

Knox was famous for his role in leading the Protestant Reformation and famously denounced the Catholic, Mary Queen of Scots from the pulpit of St. Giles Cathedral, Edinburgh.

Labels: Glasgow

posted by Nigel Cole @ 1:21 PM  0 comments

This afternoon, I a paid a visit to Rouken Glen, south of Glasgow. This is a public park adjacent to which is a Victorian walled garden associated with a former mansion. Both in the park and garden are signs of the colours of Spring, principally crocus, daffodils and polyanthus all of which served to brighten up a rather dull afternoon.

Here are crocus in the park area.


Inside the walled garden. This is very well maintained and In can imagine will be full of colourful plants in a month or so.

Close up of crocus



Video clip taken inside the walled garden. Now formally laid out but in Victorian times would have been planted with vegetables and fruit trees.

Labels: rouken glen

posted by Nigel Cole @ 1:16 PM  0 comments

This evening, I am posting some video and still images of a new footbridge over the River Clyde close to the centre of Glasgow. The architecture is quite distinctive but I cannot locate its name. Clearly, the bridge is near completion. It would be helpful if the contractors erected a sign stating the name and opening date of the bridge! Unfortunately, visibility was poor at time of my visit with rain in the air.

Labels: Glasgow

posted by Nigel Cole @ 3:26 PM  0 comments

This morning, I was inspired by the sunshine to pay a short visit to the walled garden at House for Art Lover in Bellahouston Park, Glasgow. This is a very well maintained garden and it was a pleasure to view the diverse colours of the emerging bulbs and flowers. Images and video clip are provided below.

posted by Nigel Cole @ 2:50 PM  0 comments

This morning, I decided to cycle down to Ingram Street, Glasgow to view Hutcheson's Hall, a heritage building which was originally a hospital founded by George and Thomas Hutcheson of Lambhill in 1639 and 1641 and subsequently rebuilt in 1805. Externally, there is an impressive 1805 facade complete with statues of the founders from an earlier building.

I was motivated to visit the site following press comment that the Hall is one of the properties under care of National Trust for Scotland which is scheduled to be a casualty of a cost cutting exercise.

The Hall has been available for conferences and other function but is now on the market seeking a long-term tenant.

Inside is a magnificent staircase which leads to a Grand Hall.

Labels: Glasgow

posted by Nigel Cole @ 2:32 PM  0 comments

This morning, I cycled up to Greenbank Garden which is located in Clarkston, some six miles south of Glasgow city centre.The garden is connected with Greenbank House, a heritage property dating from the 18th century. The walled garden was originally designed for fruit and vegetables but in the 1960s was transformed into an ornamental garden by the then owner, W.P. Blyth.

Greenbank now contains about 4000 named cultivars and is a centre for plant trials; it holds the National Collection of bergenias and a large narcissus collection.

The images and video clip below exhibit the emerging colours of Spring.

This garden is something of a hidden gem and somewhere to visit for quiet reflection all the year round.

Labels: greenbank

posted by Nigel Cole @ 11:30 AM  0 comments

This evening, I am posting some images of a recent tour of distilleries located in the Highlands region and Speyside.

We commenced at Tullibardine, Perthshire.

Here is the guide describing the barley.

Distillation at Tullibardine


On banks of the River Tay at Dunkeld.


Loading the draff at Edradour, Scotland's smallest distillery. This material is used for cattle feed.

The stills at Edradour
View of Edradour with burn ( stream) in foreground

Stills at Glenfiddich
Glenfiddich
Tour guide at Glenfiddich. He was very good with a passion for his distillery's product.

Macallan Distillery. (No pics allowed inside.)

Glen Grant
Sampling Glen Grant. This was a young and somewhat 'harsh' spirit. Not our favorite! However, very popular in Italy, Greece and Spain.

River Spey at Aberlour. Dots in the river are fishermen.

Tree blackened by alcohol fumes at Aberlour

Sampling the product at Aberlour. The quality of this tour was excellent.


Bottling own whiskey at Aberlour

Coopers building and repairing casks at Speyside Cooperage. These oak casks are vital for the Scotch Whisky industry.

Overall, a good tour affording a useful insight into the whiskey industry.

Labels: Whisky

posted by Nigel Cole @ 2:53 PM  0 comments

This evening I am posting a record of our visit to the famous Quaich Bar at the Craigellachie Hotel, Speyside.We were mesmerised by the selection of over 600 different single malts on shelves all around the walls of the cosy bar .Excellent attention from the bar staff. Recommended.

Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device

posted by Nigel Cole @ 2:05 PM  0 comments

The image is of the stills at Tulliardine.

Today, we commenced a private tour to connect with Scotland malt whiskey distilleries. Our first stops were Tullibardine and Edradour both being located in Perthshire.

Both of the distilleries were in production and afforded us a good insight into the method of production. Samples were also provided which added to the experience.


Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device

posted by Nigel Cole @ 1:45 PM  0 comments

This evening, I am posting some images of a memorial to David Hume in the cemetery off Regent Road, Edinburgh.

David Hume (1711-77) was a leading figure of the Scottish Enlightenment. His main work was Treatise of Human Nature published 1739-40. Hume became Keeper of the Advocates Library and was a founder member of the Select Society, established 1754. He made his fortune from the six volume History of England which was published 1754-62. Hume returned to Scotland (from Paris) in 1769.

Labels: Edinburgh

posted by Nigel Cole @ 2:16 PM  0 comments

This evening I am posting an image of a unusual find, namely a memorial to Scottish American Soldiers (presumably American Civil War) atop of which is a statue of former U.S. President, Abraham Lincoln.

This memorial is one of many to the great and good of Victorian (19th century) Edinburgh which can be found in Calton Cemetery, Regent Road which is located at the eastern end of Princes Street, not far from the Balmoral Hotel.

Definitely worth a visit for those interested in connecting with the past.

Labels: Edinburgh

posted by Nigel Cole @ 2:25 PM  0 comments

This evening, I am posting a selection of images following my visit to Edinburgh's Royal Mile.

Firstly, the Royal Mile sits atop an ancient volcanic lava flow linking the Castle at top to the Palace of Holyrood House at the bottom. This is the oldest and most historic part of Edinburgh.

First image is that of a profile of John Knox House. John Knox was in the vanguard of the 16th century Protestant Reformation and may have died here in 1572. The unusual overhang dates from about 1508 when, as an incentive to clear a surplus of local timber, inhabitants were allowed to extend the frontage of their houses.


This is the Abbey Strand and Sanctuary, close to the Palace at foot of the Royal Mile. Strand is name for a small stream which used to run across the road at this point. Until 1880, the buildings were, in effect, a debtors prison of the aristocracy.


This is the World's End pub the name of which originates from medieval times when this was the City boundary and, effectively, 'end of the world' to inhabitants who would rarely venture outside the City gates.


Street trader

This is Reids Court or the Canongate Manse. Dating from 1690 the building was originally a coaching inn and later served as a manse from 1789-1832. The building is now the home of the minister for the nearby Canongate Kirk.


Here is an aspect of the Parliament Hall and High court of Justiciary dating from 1632-9. This was the home of the independent Scottish Parliament until union with England in 1707. Parliament Hall ( debating chamber) dating from this period still exists and can be visited by the public. The statue depicts King Charles II.


Here is the Mercat Cross with the High Kirk of St Giles in the background. The shaft is a 1970 copy of a 15th century original. The cross house dates from 1885.


Here is an aspect (from the west) of the High Kirk of St. Giles whose origins date back to the 12th century.

Here are the City Chambers ( civic offices) which date from 1753-61 when built as the Royal Exchange.

This is the famous Deacon Brodie's Tavern which dates from 1703. William Brodie aka Deacon Brodie led a double life combing pillar of community by day with robbery by night and was the role model for Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Brodie was hanged on Oct 1st 1788. Good pub fare can be obtained here.


The above images are just a snapshot of the wide range of historic buildings and places to see. To do the Royal Mile justice would take at least one full day.

Labels: Edinburgh

posted by Nigel Cole @ 9:57 AM  0 comments