This trip was motivated by crisp, clear visibility with good sunlight.Object was to venture out to the highly elevated Eaglesham Moor, south of Glasgow, with aim of obtaining images of the city of Glasgow bathed in the sunlight. However, this did work out quite as I had hoped, principally due to the low elevation of the sun at this time of year. However, my trip was not entirely in vain as I did manage to secure some reasonable images of other vistas.

Firstly, I should mention that Eaglesham Moor has two main claims to fame,viz:

1. It is where the Nazi leader, Rudolph Hess crash landed on May 10th 1941 in context of a hair brained scheme to end World War 2.
2. It hosts one of Europe's largest wind farms..

The top of the moor is usually wet and boggy but was frozen firm which aided my mobility.

Here is an aspect of the wind farm showing the frozen ground surface.

Here is a view of Glasgow (from the south).

Another, view of the wind farm.

Frozen hillocks with wind turbines in background.

 

This shows the wind farm BUT the shadow in the foreground is deceptive. It is actually Dunwan Hill, an ancient site, originally thought to be Iron Age but more likely a high status homestead of the first millennium AD. I have climbed this hill in the past, when the terrain was very wet underfoot.

Overall, a productive trip which produced a useful portfolio of images.

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Labels: EAGLESHAM

posted by Nigel Cole @ 9:14 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 the reasonably sunny weather and drove up to Eaglesham ( an upscale, heritage village south of Glasgow) which benefits from a high elevation and thereby affords good photo opportunities. Eaglesham Moor is also home to Europe's largest wind farm.

Here is an image of a just a snapshot of the huge collection of wind turbines on Eaglesham Moor.

View of Glasgow with Campsie Fells in the background.

Another view of Glasgow looking north with hills in the background.

Local farmstead with sheep and a wind farm.

This video clip shows the City of Glasgow looking north with various ranges of hills in the background including Kilpatrick Hills, Campsie Fells and Kilsyth Hills. Good visibility for December!

Labels: EAGLESHAM

posted by Nigel Cole @ 4:23 AM  0 comments

This evening, I am posting some still images to record my visit Dunwan Hill, a prominent feature which lies in open moorland south of Eaglesham and in turn south of Glasgow.

This is an historic site which was thought to be an iron-age hill fort but latest thinking suggests something less defensive in nature and perhaps a high status homestead of the first millennium AD.

Access to this site is quite an ordeal, via a very boggy landscape-resulting in two very wet feet! However, I was rewarded with stunning views on reaching the 300m summit. At the base of the hill I encountered a rectangular sheepfold with the foundations of ruined farm buildings.

Image taken atop Dunwan Hill looking towards Glasgow with Dunwan reservoir in the foreground.


Two aspects of Dunwan which now sits in the midst of an emerging giant wind farm. An interesting combination of ancient and modern!

Labels: EAGLESHAM

posted by Nigel Cole @ 11:47 AM  0 comments

Today, I went to photograph the conservation village of Eaglesham, south of Glasgow. This is a 'planned village' with some fascinating architecture. The place name appears to have nothing to do with eagles; its a corruption of the Low Latin word for church ecclesia with an unusual English -ham ending. Here is a selection of images taken late November.






This is the Eglinton Arms hotel in the centre of Eaglesham



On the way home stopped at the aptly named Waterfoot and took some pics of the weir and river.

Labels: EAGLESHAM

posted by Nigel Cole @ 3:34 AM  0 comments