Today, there is heavy rain in Glasgow which is preventing me from venturing out to obtain some topical images.

I am taking this opportunity to post a video clip of a (very) recent visit to Luss at Loch Lomond where I filmed this ancient, Viking era, 'hogback' grave marker in the burial ground of Mackessog's Church. Close by are a couple of similar (but less grand) hogbacks and the film clip ends with a shot of a tall single stone which has echoes of a stone circle but is probably nothing to do with that, prehistoric, era.

Hogbacks are not uncommon in Scotland. There is a strong Viking influence which harks back to the days of early Christianity. One school of thought suggests that hogbacks are meant to resemble dwelling houses contemporary with the deceased person.

The hogback shown here could be about 1100 years old. However, decoration on the sides is still discernable.

Contact me if interested in history/heritage themed tours of Scotland.

Labels: loch lomond

posted by Nigel Cole @ 6:46 AM  0 comments

Earlier today, I visited the 'Yon bonnie banks, and yon bonnie braes' of Loch Lomond. This loch (lake) is 27 miles long and 5 miles across at widest point. It covers more than 27 square miles and contains over 90,000 million cubic feet of water, two thirds of which lies below sea level.Maximum depth is 620 feet. Quite a body of water!!

The loch is home to a wide variety of fish and waterfowl. There at least 30 wooded islands one of which boasts a resident population of wallabies.

There are opportunities for walking, golf, cycling and boating. When the weather is right a good spot for an enjoyable day out-or a longer vacation.

Video clip below was taken from the pier at Luss and includes Ben Lomond, one of Scotland's highest mountains.

Labels: loch lomond

posted by Nigel Cole @ 12:58 PM  0 comments

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 Loch Lomond taken today from the pier at Luss.

Loch Lomond is a freshwater loch which sits just 27 feet above sea level. It was the actions of a glacier some 10,000 years ago which created this landscape.

Loch Lomond's proximity to the populated lowlands of Scotland means it well suited to meeting then leisure needs of recreational users of many kinds, including boating, hiking,angling and birdwatching.

The images show Ben Lomond

Labels: loch lomond

posted by Nigel Cole @ 3:04 PM  0 comments