This afternoon, Glasgow was still very wintry with sub-zero temperatures. However, the sun was shining with a blue sky so I went off to photograph Pollock House which dates from the mid 18th century and sits on the bank of the White Cart Water (river). This is the third generation of castle or mansion built on or near this site in the past 1000 years.

Pollock House, a Palladian mansion. was begun by famous Scottish architect, William Adam and finished by his son, John. The patron/owner was John Maxwell.

The woodlands and walled garden date from 1741.

John Stirling Maxwell placed the house and estate ( 458 hectares) under control of the National Trust for Scotland. Since 1998 the house and gardens have been managed by Glasgow City Council and are open to the public.

Here is the front aspect of the house (facing the river) with a snowman.


A weir on the White Cart. At one stage there was a small hydro electric scheme here to provide power for the house.
A dash of bright colour. These primula (polyanthus?) were found outdoors but in a sheltered alcove.

Labels: Glasgow Pollock

posted by Nigel Cole @ 8:10 AM  0 comments

Scotland continues to suffer from an exceptionally harsh winter spell. Yesterday the daytime temperature in central Scotland (Perthshire) fell to an incredible minus 17 degrees centigrade which is on a par with places like Iceland. Many properties are suffering from burst water pipes and/or frozen water pipes. Glasgow ( S.W. Scotland) is slightly milder than some of the cold spots in the Highlands but, nevertheless, temperatures remain at or below freezing and there is a good layer of snow and ice around.

This morning, there were some slushy snow showers combined with low temperatures and overcast skies, conditions which are not ideal for photography. In the circumstances, I went to off on my bike to visit a nearby herd of Highland Cattle. These animals are actually ideally suited to the type of weather we are experiencing and seem totally non-plussed.

This breed of cattle is very docile which meant I was able to up right close without unnerving them. The images below show these attractive animals in their icy habitat.


Mother and calf.



This video shows the entire herd. I think they viewed me as a curiosity!

Labels: highland cattle

posted by Nigel Cole @ 5:40 AM  0 comments

This morning, with relatively clear skies but still sub-zero temperatures, I went off on my bike to visit Glasgow's Necropolis (City of the Dead) with two objects in mind: (a) to obtain information on various memorial stones for my Glasgow Ancestry blog and (b) to photograph some of the grander memorials in anticipation of setting up a new web page for this important site which is popular with visitors to Glasgow.

In essence the Necropolis was founded in the 19th century to house the remains of the wealthy and high status elite of Victorian Glasgow at a the time when the City was growing rapidly and aspired to the position of Second City of the (British) Empire.

This is an elevated site, conveniently close to the Cathedral, and as such affords a good panorama over Glasgow and environs.

The magnificent tombs and memorials now feature in a dedicated Heritage Trail for the benefit of interested visitors. In total there are 35 significant memorials which feature in the Trail. Below can be found a selection of relevant images. I aim to complete the set in due course.

This is the Major Archibald Douglas Monteath Mausoleum (1842). Monteath made his fortune in India. The design is based on the Knights Templar Church of the Holy Sepulchre.


This 35 ft high memorial to William McGavin dates from 1834. McGavin had a varied business career but was notable for his publication "The Protestant" which campaigned against Catholicism.


This is the Peter Lawrence Monument (1840). Lawrence was himself a sculptor of some note with examples of his work elsewhere in the Necropolis.

This is the Davidson of Ruchill Mausoleum and dates form 1851.

Davidson was a wealthy businessman whose wealth came from the lucrative muslin trade. The monument is modelled on a Greek temple.


Aitken of Dalmoak Mausoleum.

This grand and impressive building was designed by James Hamilton II and dates from 1875. Designed in Greek renaissance style it ranks as one of the largest mausolea on the site.
This is the William Miller Monument which dates from 1872. Miller was Glasgow born poet who lived 1810-1872. He died penniless but is remembered for for the poem " Wee Willie Winkie runs through the toon."


This is the entrance facade dating from 1836. Due to flooding and change of sentiment this subterranean crypt never achieved its original purpose.

This video clip provided a panoramic shot of the Necropolis including the nearby Cathedral. Included is the 70 ft. John Knox Monument (1825) which actually predates the Necropolis Cemetery. Knox was a famous Protestant reformer of the 16th century who is buried in St Giles Kirkyard, Edinburgh.

Labels: Glasgow

posted by Nigel Cole @ 8:18 AM  0 comments

Today we remain in the depths of a harsh winter spell in Glasgow, Scotland. Untreated roads are frozen solid, some of the main roads are blocked due to accidents and the elderly are suffering because of the severe cold which has gone as low as minus 16 centigrade. On the plus side four of Scotland's ski resorts are operational and the unusual weather makes for good photographs and various leisure activities.

This morning the weather prognosis was not good and I forced myself out with the aim of getting a few images showing just how bad things were here. I aimed for Queen's Park which benefits of a high elevation and on reaching the park was pleasantly surprised to witness the sun actually shining an a good part of Glasgow city. With the snow covered Campsie Fells (hills) in the background this vista provided some interesting photo opps the results of which are provided below.

Youngster out with sledge.


Frozen pond. Not much space let for the wildlife!

Glasgow City glistening in the winter sun with snow covered hills in the background.

Another aspect of Glasgow City.

Video clip of Glasgow panorama.

Labels: Glasgow

posted by Nigel Cole @ 8:11 AM  0 comments

This morning proved something of a challenge for images.

We are in the depth of winter, recovering from a exceptionally cold spell. There is still snow on the ground with continuing precipitation via a mix of wet snow and rain. Not surprisingly, there was little sign of sunlight.

Cognisant of the above conditions I set of for nearby Linn Park through which flows the White Cart Water (river) which, during the Industrial Revolution of the 18th and 19th centuries ,actually powered many of Glasgow's nascent heavy industries, mills, etc. So, what is now a pleasant area for relaxation was, in past times, a heavy industrial area with all sorts of manufacturing, coal mining and quarrying.

Linn is a Scottish word connected with water. Llyn was the Brittonic (Welsh) word for lake and linne is Gaelic for pool, so the word occurs in most parts of Scotland.

After a visit to the park I went on to the nearby cemetery to obtain images and information for my separate GlasgowAncestry blog, a task not made easy by the poor light and wet snow.

Here is an image of Old Cathcart Cemetery in this morning's weather conditions.

Kids sledging at Linn Park

Dog walkers and families enjoying the snow.

This image shows the White Bridge over the White Cart. It was built around 1835 and is the oldest cast iron bridge in Glasgow. Quite attractive in a snowy setting!

This video clip shows the White Cart in winter including the White Bridge adverted to above.

Labels: Linn Park

posted by Nigel Cole @ 6:16 AM  0 comments

This morning, Boxing Day, the temperature in Glasgow, Scotland rose to around zero but this relief was offset by a snow storm. I usually go out on my bike to get images but this morning I elected for the soft option and went off in the car to photograph historic Crookston Castle, which is the second oldest building in Glasgow. The wintry conditions certainly served to present the building in a different light!

The site may have been used as an Iron Age fort ( about 2000 years ago) but the current fortification probably dates from the late 12th century when Robert de Croc built the first recorded castle on the site. In 1330 the estate came into possession of the Stewarts of Darnley who undertook various improvements and embellishments. Following a siege in 1544 the castle was abandoned in the late 16th century.

Crookston Castle is under the care of Historic Scotland and is usually open to the public (but not today!). The castle stonework is noted to be exceptional quality and must have been the responsibility of a master mason.

Labels: castles

posted by Nigel Cole @ 5:44 AM  0 comments

Christmas morning in Glasgow. Overnight was below zero but seemingly not as cold as last night when parts of Britain were colder than Alaska.

With reasonable visibility and the main roads clear, I cycled down into Glasgow centre this morning to obtain some images of the River Clyde and the general snowy landscapes. Unusually we have a white Christmas so this opportunity might not arise again for a few more years. An interesting and productive morning without the severe cold of yesterday.

Here is an interesting shot, the paddle steamer Waverley, Armadillo Conference Centre, Finnieston Crane, the Squiggly Bridge and the Squinty Bridge.

This shot is looking downstream with the Tall Ship, 'Glenlee' on right bank.

Science Centre Tower on right and Ship-building cranes at Govan on right.


Similar to above.

View from the snow covered bank showing the Squinty Bridge and Science Centre Tower.

Aspect of the new, 'Squiggly' bridge. Official name is the Tradeston-Broomielaw Bridge.

This video clip shows the Steamship 'Waverley', Armadillo Conference Centre, Finnieston Crane ( a relic of Glasgow's shipbuilding past) and the Science Centre Tower. In the summer time it is possible to travel to top of the latter and obtain fantastic views of Glasgow and beyond.

Labels: Glasgow

posted by Nigel Cole @ 6:30 AM  0 comments

Last night was bitterly cold ( about minus 10 C in Glasgow and minus 16 C in the Scottish Highlands).

This morning I arose early with intention of obtaining some images showing the effects of the unusual low temperatures. So, I went off early on my mountain bike to Eaglesham Moor which has a high elevation and hence prospective good views of Glasgow and surrounding area. I had hoped to get images of the City of Glasgow basking in the winter sunshine but this proved not possible. However, I did obtain many other images with which I am reasonably happy and which are discussed below.

This shows Montgomery Street, Eaglesham ( a conservation village) with the local church.

Stag with his entourage of hinds.

Small copse (wood) basking in the winter sunshine.

Aspect of the wind farm on Eaglesham Moor. This is the largest wind farm in Europe.

View towards East Kilbride.


The following four panoramic images were all taken from a high standpoint and look towards the snow covered Campsie Fells (hills) beyond Glasgow. The City of Glasgow sits roughly in the centre of the images but is obscured by shadow.






This is the spire of Eaglesham Church

Upon return I was suffering from mild hypothermia because of the extreme cold and chill factor due to cycling downhill. Just about back to normal now.

Another cold night tonight then there are some prospects of the temperature lifting a little.

Labels: EAGLESHAM

posted by Nigel Cole @ 8:35 AM  0 comments

This morning, I took advantage of yesterday's snowfall and went out with my bike and camera around Rouken Glen Park, Glasgow Southside. This proved an interesting trip. My mountain bike certainly helped me to get around, despite the snow.

Here are the results:

Kids out with their sledges.

Jogger and canine friend in the snow.

Boating pond almost totally frozen over. Just a small patch of fresh water for the waterfowl.

View of the frozen pond.


View of Glasgow with snow covered Campsie Fells in the background.

Park scene.

Waterfall


Another waterfall
River scene
Tree vista
Snowed over park
Video of Glasgow City with Campsie Fells in the distance.

Labels: Glasgow

posted by Nigel Cole @ 3:15 AM  0 comments