This morning, I went off to visit a historic site on Lurg Moor, above and behind Greenock and Port Glasgow. This was quite a jaunt because I had to navigate across some very rough ground and barbed wire fences. Clearly, the ground conditions are normally extremely wet but were fortunately frozen over today ( temperature about zero centigrade) thus enabling me to get around without the customary wet feet. The underlying purpose of this unusual trip will feature as the theme of tomorrow's blog posting but, in the meantime, I am posting an interesting collection of images focusing on the stunning scenery. Weather conditions were very favourable comprising near freezing temperature coupled with bright sunshine, a combination very conducive to photography.

Firstly, this video clip covers a span of scenery from Dunoon and Cowal in the west (left) through to Loch Long, Gare Loch, Helensburgh and the Kilpatrick Hills in the east (far right) . The water in the middle is the River Clyde

This image shows Greenock with the Clyde and then Gare Loch and Helensburgh in the distance.

The following are interesting images arising from freezing conditions affecting a couple of burns (streams) I came across on my adventure across the moor,

Labels: Greenock

posted by Nigel Cole @ 7:14 AM  0 comments

This morning I am posting information and images from last evening's Ceilidh Dance held at Glasgow City Chambers in aid of Scottish Epilepsy Initiative.

Ceilidh is pronounced KAY-lay and is derived from a Gaelic word meaning visit or house party. The term has evolved to mean an informal Scottish traditional dance event.

At the event last night, music was provided by the Caledonian Fiddle Orchestra and the programme included a list of popular dances including Gay Gordons, Dashing White Sergeant, Strip the Willow, St. Bernard's Waltz and many more.

Also present were the McGinty Pinks and the Leaping Piper ( on which more below).

The venue was the sumptuous ballroom at Glasgow City Chambers which dates from the late 1880s. For more information on the City Chambers please refer my blog post of Jan 21st 2010.

Dancing in process. Refer also this video clip


The Leaping Piper

Next two images are of the McGinty Pinks, a very skilled quartet with pipes and drums.


This shows the Caledonian Fiddle Orchestra


Another view of the ballroom with 19th century chandelier

Labels: Ceilidh

posted by Nigel Cole @ 3:29 AM  0 comments

Today's Blog Theme: This morning, I visited Paisley and took photographs (above) of a church which always intrigued me, namely the Oakshaw Trinity Church which sits on a high location and is home to the combined Church of Scotland and United Reformed Church.

The building dates from the 18th century. Here are some key pieces of information:

• Both church and tower designed by Baillie John White. Former completed 1754 and latter 1767-1770.
• Unusually, the tower was built by the town council under whose ownership it remains to this day.
• Tower is 161 feet ( 49M) high.
• The building was refurbished 1876-77 and again in 1994. Inside is the largest ecclesiastical ceiling of its type in Europe.

In the surrounding burial ground can be found many ancient memorials dating back to the early 19th century and late 18th century. Many of these memorials can be found listed in my separate GlasgowAncestry blog.

Glasgow Weather: Commenced with a snow/sleet shower this morning but thereafter brightened up. Cold with clear sky for rest of the day.

Ancestry Research: Following visit to Paisley Abbey, I have posted to my GlasgowAncestry blog a listing of Boer War military casualties obtained from a plaque in the Abbey entrance.

Scotland Tours: Various admin main matters. Responded to enquiry from South America for a Scotland castles tour.

Labels: Paisley

posted by Nigel Cole @ 9:01 AM  0 comments

Tour Arranging: Today, I have not managed to get out, instead being preoccupied with admin work and correspondence on various tours under discussion. Tying up details on tours is time consuming but key to a successful outcome. Apart from an enquiry on a Loch Ness tour, my main focus has been on designing a one day Glasgow tour for a group off a cruise ship. I have suggested that the tour include:

• Glasgow Necropolis
• House for Art Lover
• Burrell Collection
• Auchentoshan Distillery.
• Glasgow Cathedral.

Image above shows the new 'squiggly' bridge over the River Clyde, part of a project which has improved greatly the riverside area in central Glasgow.

Glasgow Weather: Mild, but relatively dry. Possibility of a looming cold snap. Snow is projected for parts of the Highlands.

Glasgow Ancestry: Have posted information on a Glasgow family named Brodie to my separate GlasgowAncestry blog. Brodie is an interesting name, seemingly emanating from the Moray area and with a history dating back to Pictish times.

Website: A tranche of new pages is in process with more to follow over next week or so.

Labels: Tours

posted by Nigel Cole @ 12:25 PM  0 comments

This morning, I went off to join a tour of Hampden Park, Scotland's national football (soccer) stadium. As there were no other visitors I had the benefit of a personal tour.

Hampden Park is a strange set up, it is actually owned by a Glasgow amateur team, albeit of long pedigree, called Queen's Park F.C. which still plays at the stadium. Queen's Park FC . the oldest football club in Scotland, was founded in 1867 and set the foundation for the modern Scottish game of football. Football legend, Sir Alex Ferguson actually started his career with Queen's Park in 1958-60.

Although owned by Queen's Park, the stadium is leased to the Scottish Football Association who use the facility for games at national level. Because of the high quality facilities, UEFA have approved the stadium for European finals which are not necessarily connected with Scotland.

Hampden park was extensively refurbished in 1999 at cost of GBP63M. Apart from football, the stadium is also used for conferences and concerts.

The stadium is set in a natural bowl with result that the pitch is some 30 ft (10 metres) below the nearby street level. Maximum seating capacity is 52,000.

Queen's Park FC has had a stadium on the site since 1903.

Hampden is very well presented, offering both tours of the stadium and access to the Scottish Football Museum under the same roof. Scotland has been at the forefront of football (soccer) evolution. Glasgow hosted the first international match in 1872 and in 1873 the Scottish Football Association was formed.

The name 'Hampden' has a strange origin. It comes from a nearby street name which in turn was derived from John Hampden, a notable player in the English civil war who died fighting for the parliamentarians in 1643.

Hampden has no less than 12 changing rooms. Here is the main visitors changing room.


Baths for after match 'therapy'. Which is the Early Bath?

Indoor practice pitch used for pre-match warming up.

Practice goal with facility for measuring speed of the shot.

This is where the teams line up before entering the stadium. Beyond the two double doors is the pitch.

After passing through the doors, this is the vista presented to the teams. See also this video clip.

Overall, a worthwhile tour. Will now be better prepared for football (soccer) themed tours of Glasgow.

Labels: Glasgow

posted by Nigel Cole @ 10:03 AM  0 comments

This morning, I went off to one of my favourite spots in Scotland, namely the Dunkeld area in Perthshire.

This region suffered from the recant bout of extreme weather with temperatures down to minus 16 centigrade together with heavy snow which still lingers on the hills and sheltered places.

During my travel around the area the temperature was just above freezing with ice still evident on one particular loch (lake).

Images from the trip can be found below together with commentary.

This was taken from the 200 year old Bridge over the River Tay looking towards a snowy Dunkeld with Craig a Barns (hill) in the background.

This was taken from the north bank of the Tay with the Telford Bridge on the right looking towards Birnam Hill in the centre. Birnam has connections with Shakespeare's Macbeth via Birnam Wood and the Birnam Oak.


The following three images cover Loch of the Lowes, maybe 3 miles from Dunkeld. This is a wildlife reserve (predominantly birds) with well placed viewing hides. I was the only visitor. Ice still covered large sections of the loch.

In summer, Loch of the Lowes is famous for its visiting Ospreys which breed there and can be viewed on CCTV. There are many other water birds, red squirrels, pine martens, otter and deer. I was particularly intrigued by the bird feeding stations which attracted a huge range of 'customers' particularly siskins (small yellow birds). This is a quality experience for visitors interested in wildlife and ornithology.




This shows the snowed over Dunkeld and Birnam Golf Course. No teeing off today!

This was taken at a fishing beat on the bank of the River Tay near Dalguise looking towards a snow capped Capel Hill.

Overall, an interesting trip. A completely different micro climate to that prevailing in Glasgow.

Labels: Dunkeld

posted by Nigel Cole @ 10:06 AM  0 comments

This evening I am posting experiences from a local community Burns Night Ceilidh and Dinner which was arranged to support the Govanhill Baths Community Trust.

Piper welcoming guests.

Chef enjoying a joke with some guests.

Opening address.

Here are the first and last verses of Address to a Haggis by Rabbie Burns:

Fair fa your honest, sonsie face,
Great Chieftain o the puddin'-race
Aboon them a'ye tak your place
Painch, tripe, or thairm
Weel are ye wordy of a grace
As lang's my arm


Ye Pow'rs wha mak mankind you care,
And dish them out their bill o fare,
Auld Scotland wants nae skinking ware
That jaups in luggies
But, if ye wish her grateful prayer,
Gie her a haggis!



Haggis warm reeking rich wi' Champit Tatties, Bashed Neeps


Ceilidh Band-The Drueth


Toast to the Lassies

Response from the Lassies

Poems and songs
Ceilidh dancing

This event was extremely patronised. The event was organised to raise funds for the preservation and conservation for public benefit of the Govanhill Baths and for the redevelopment and reopening of the Edwardian swimming pool and wash house in Govanhill, Glasgow.

Labels: Govanhill

posted by Nigel Cole @ 12:26 PM  0 comments

This evening, my theme is then 18th century Tobacco Lord's House in Glasgow's Miller St. However, will first address other daily developments, viz:

Glasgow Weather: Dull, overcast and dry. May well dip below freezing tonight.

Glasgow Ancestry: To my separate Glasgow Ancestry blog I have posted information on Russell family history from information at Glasgow's Necropolis.

Scotland Tours: Three new tour enquiries: one from the Middle East; two from North America. Also, working away on details of tours which are already in the pipeline.

The Last Tobacco Lord's House, Glasgow: This is my theme for this evening and subject of image at top and video at foot of this posting.

Tobacco trading with what are now the Southern States of the U.S.A. generated huge fortunes for a cadre of Glasgow entrepreneurs in the late 18th century. Much of this wealth was invested in grand houses of which only the Palladian style mansion in Glasgow's Miller Street survives. It was built by John Craig in 1775 and first occupied by John Findlay but it left the Findlay family in 1826 and subsequently had a chequered existence, first becoming offices of a gas company and then housed a succession of jewellers, glass importers, cotton spinners and printers. It was acquired by a conservation trust in 1989 and then restored to its current condition. The building is opened to the public only once a year. An interesting legacy of Glasgow's commercial past.

Labels: Glasgow Architecture

posted by Nigel Cole @ 10:58 AM  0 comments

This evening, my blog theme is Charles Rennie Mackintosh's Lighthouse in Glasgow. First, however, will address other topical matters of the day:

Glasgow Weather: Dry and mild. As I write this I am witnessing a stunning and vibrant sunset.

Glasgow Ancestry: Just posted information to my separate blog on the Sommerville family from information obtained at Glasgow's Necropolis.

Tours of Scotland: Finalising formalities with a hotel on Isle of Skye re a group tour for September.

Website: Just completed re-vamping two of the older web pages. More to follow!

Mackintosh Architecture: This evening's theme is the Lighthouse in Mitchell Lane which dates from 1893-1895. Was previously known as the Glasgow Herald Building and is now a centre for architecture and design with a section on Charles Rennie Mackintosh. The image above shows the helical staircase (126 steps) leading to the top of the tower where there is a viewpoint affording magnificent views across the city of Glasgow.

Labels: Mackintosh Tours

posted by Nigel Cole @ 8:09 AM  0 comments

Today, I am posting an interesting video showing the central Glasgow skyline. Before addressing that I was kept busy:

• Glasgow Weather: Mild, overcast but dry. Not bad for time of year.
  
• Family History: Posted information on Aitken ancestry to my separate Glasgow Ancestry blog.
• Scotland Tours: (1) Finalised a quote and itinerary for a small group tour for Spanish speakers. (2) Responded to enquiry from Scandinavia for a Scotland Whisky Tour to include Cambeltown and Islay. (3) Various other admin actions on other work in progress re tours.
  
• Received enquiry in from an internship placing from Europe.Looks interesting.

The video clip below (and image above) show interesting views of Glasgow city centre taken from atop the Lighthouse, a Charles Rennie Mackintosh designed building which was originally used by a newspaper company (the Glasgow Herald) but is now a centre for architecture and design. To get the views I had to climb 126 steps of the helical staircase, useful exercise which burned up a few calories! For the less energetic there is a lift to a different viewing platform which is closed in by glass.

Labels: Glasgow

posted by Nigel Cole @ 6:36 AM  0 comments

This morning I joined in an escorted tour of Glasgow City Chambers (Town Hall) in order to get a better understanding of the interior decor and design of this important building which was built 1883-1888. This proved of great interest. A truly sumptuous building reflecting the grandeur and confidence of the late Victoria era.

• Architect was William Young, a London based architect born in Paisley and trained in Glasgow.
• Original budget was GBP150,000 compared to final cost of GBP578,232.
• The first four to six feet of the external wall are of red Aberdeenshire granite.
• Entrance arch was influenced by the historical arch of Constantine in Rome.
  

This is the ground floor. The ceilings are decorated with mosaic tiles. Altogether some 1.5m tiles were laid in the ceilings and domes. The pillars are made from grey Aberdeen granite, hand-polished red Scottish granite and topped with dark green marble in Ionic style.



This is the Council Chamber with 79 seats for the Councillors. Decoration is primarily Spanish mahogany. Meetings are held at six weekly intervals.

Lord Provost's Chair. This was donated by Queen Victoria in 1888.

Fire place in Council Chamber.

Glasgow coat of arms.

Banqueting Hall. The chandeliers date from 1885 when they were known as "electroliers".

Wedgwood feature in Upper Gallery.

Video clip of Upper Gallery which features portraits of former Lord Provosts (Mayors) of the City of Glasgow.

Labels: Glasgow

posted by Nigel Cole @ 11:22 AM  0 comments