DUNNOTTAR CASTLE, SCOTLAND

 

Dunnottar Castle (Scottish Gaelic: Dùn Fhoithear, "fort on the shelving slope") is a ruined medieval fortress located upon a rocky headland on the north-eastern coast of Scotland, about 2 miles (3 kilometres) south of Stonehaven. The surviving buildings are largely of the 15th and 16th centuries, but the site is believed to have been fortified in the Early Middle Ages. Dunnottar has played a prominent role in the history of Scotland through to the 18th-century Jacobite risings because of its strategic location and defensive strength. Dunnottar is best known as the place where the Honours of Scotland, the Scottish crown jewels, were hidden from Oliver Cromwell's invading army in the 17th century. The property of the Keiths from the 14th century, and the seat of the Earl Marischal, Dunnottar declined after the last Earl forfeited his titles by taking part in the Jacobite rebellion of 1715. The castle was restored in the 20th century and is now open to the public.

The ruins of the castle are spread over 1.4 hectares, surrounded by steep cliffs that drop to the North Sea, 160 feet (50 metres) below. A narrow strip of land joins the headland to the mainland, along which a steep path leads up to the gatehouse. The various buildings within the castle include the 14th-century tower house as well as the 16th-century palace. Dunnottar Castle is a scheduled monument, and twelve structures on the site were listed buildings.

CALTON HILL, EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND

 The panoramic views from Calton Hill have astonished and inspired visitors for centuries. Major landmarks can be seen from a bird’s eye view: Arthur’s Seat with the Crags behind Holyrood Palace and the Parliament, Leith and the Firth of Forth, Princes Street in its New Town grid and the Royal Mile climbing up towards the Castle. Calton Hill is also famous for its collection of historic monuments, which form some of the most important landmarks of the city. One of the most striking is the National Monument, inspired by the Parthenon in Athens. Intended to commemorate the Scottish servicemen who died in the Napoleonic Wars, it was never completed leaving just the twelve columns you see today. Also look out for the Nelson Monument, shaped like an up-turned telescope. Completed in 1816 the monument commemorates the death of Admiral Lord Nelson at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. However in 1852 a time ball was added to the top to enable ships moored in the Firth of Forth to set their time-pieces accurately. The Nelson Monument is open to the public, and the Time Ball still drops at one o’clock six days a week. The City Observatory is also located here, a Greek temple styled building designed by William Henry Playfair in 1818. It was here that Professor Thomas Henderson, appointed first Astronomer Royal for Scotland in 1834, discovered how to measure parallax and the distance of the stars in this building. Calton Hill is a favourite spot with locals for enjoying the Hogmanay fireworks and many of the August festival events take place here. The last day of April also sees the Beltane Fire Festival reviving an old Celtic tradition.

THE KELPIES, SCOTLAND

The Kelpies are 30-metre-high horse-head sculptures depicting kelpies (shape-shifting water spirits), standing next to a new extension to the Forth and Clyde Canal, and near River Carron, in The Helix, a new parkland project built to connect 16 communities in the Falkirk Council Area in Scotland. The sculptures were designed by sculptor Andy Scott and were completed in October 2013. The sculptures form a gateway at the eastern entrance to the Forth and Clyde canal, and the new canal extension built as part of The Helix land transformation project. The Kelpies are a monument to horse-powered heritage across Scotland. The sculptures were opened to the public in April 2014. As part of the project, they have their own visitor centre, and sit beside a newly developed canal turning pool and extension. This canal extension reconnects the Forth and Clyde Canal with the River Forth, and improves navigation between the East and West of Scotland.

FAIRY POOLS, ISLE OF SKYE

At foot of the Black Cuillins near Glenbrittle are the Fairy Pools, beautifully crystal clear blue pools on the River Brittle.
These famous pools entice visitors from all over the world, as they make some great ‘Wild Swimming’ for those brave enough to enter the cold water. For the less adventurous these magical Fairy Pools make some fantastic photos.

GLENCOE, BEN NEVIS, SCOTLAND

Since the Fort William and Lochaber area is a very mountainous part of the west Highlands, it is no surprise that it is well serviced with Mountain Guiding businesses who can collectively provide hill-walking, scrambling, ridge-walking, rock climbing, and winter climbing guiding courses and personal tuition from beginners to experienced walkers and climbers. Fort William is a key destination for novice and experienced climbers and mountaineers, with a good range of accommodation to suit your needs. One of Scotland's experienced mountaineers Alan Kimber has a mounteering-friendly self catering "Calluna" which I recommend.

PEEBLES, CORNWALL

Nestled within an area of outstanding beauty and only 23 miles south of Edinburgh, the Borders town of Peebles sits straddling the majestic River Tweed.
But the world famous salmon fishing river - Peebles motto is "Against the stream they multiply" - is only one of the many treasures on offer to visitors.
A Royal Burgh since 1152 and the rule of King David I, Peebles has for many years been a market town cherished by locals and visitors alike for its picturesque and unspoilt character.

OUT SKERRIES, SHETLAND, SCOTLAND

OUT SKERRIES are an archipelago about 10 miles (16km) east of the Shetland. Covering about 1.5 square miles (4 sq km), the two biggest islands are linked by a bridge and between them support a population of 76. Boasting the UK's smallest secondary school, this community of fisherman (including fish farm workers) is accessed by a 2.5 hour ferry journey from Lerwick though Shetland Island Council also runs a 20 minute flight three days a week (return fare £43 (£22 for pensioners), request stop at Whalsay) The house on the picture belongs to what we call a croft. Crofts are, in fact, a species of small-holding unique to the north and west of Scotland, particularly the islands. The typical croft is about 5 to 10 acres (2-4ha) and located in a "township" of, typically, 10 to 20 crofts. As well as their individual holdings where their crops were grown and animals wintered (known as "in-bye"), the crofters in a township share a much larger surrounding area called the "common grazing". This can be hundreds or even thousands of acres.

BRORA, SCOTLAND

This is Brora in Scotland. The name Brora is derived from ancient Norse, meaning 'river with a bridge.' A small industrial village having at one time a coal pit, boat building, salt pans, fish curing, lemonade factory, the new Clynelish Distillery (as well as the old Clynelish distillery which is now called the Brora distillery), wool mill, bricks and a stone quarry. Stone from the quarry was used in the construction of London Bridge, Liverpool Cathedral and Dunrobin Castle. When in operation, the coalmine was the most northerly coalmine in the UK. Brora was the first place in the north of Scotland to have electricity thanks to its wool industry.

ARGYLL, SCOTLAND

Argyll is situated in the west part of Scotland. Here you'll find the magic of the west: sea-lochs and mossy, lush woodlands, long views to a horizon where the sun sinks behind the islands. This is a beguiling and romantic kind of place.

ARTHUR'S SEAT, EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND

The highest point of Holyrood Park is Arthur's Seat, a dormant volcano, and sits 251metres above the sea level giving excellent view of the city; it is also the site of a large and well preserved fort.  This is one of four hill forts dating from around 2000 years ago.  With its diverse range of flora and geology it is also a site of Special Scientific Interest.
Within the park you can also visit St Anthony’s Chapel - a 15th century medieval chapel, Salisbury Crags – a series of 150 foot cliff faces dominating Edinburgh’s skyline as well as Duddingston Loch – a fresh water loch rich in bird life.

GLENFINNAN, SCOTLAND

This small, beautiful village has sat comfortably among the hills of Glen Finnan for centuries. The village is located within a lovely u-shaped valley that follows a north-east to south-west route with Loch Shiel in the centre of the glen. This unique site at the head of Loch Shiel is to the memory of the Jacobite Uprising of 1745. Erected in 1815 the monument is a tribute to the clansmen who fought and died in the Jacobite cause.

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND

Edinburgh is one of Europe's most beautiful cities, draped across a series of rocky hills overlooking the sea. It's a town intimately entwined with its landscape, with buildings and monuments overshadowed by cliffs. From the Old Town's picturesque jumble of medieval tenements piled high along the Royal Mile, its turreted skyline strung between the black, bull-nosed Castle Rock and the russet palisade of Salisbury Crags, to the New Town's neat grid of neoclassical respectability, all columns and capitals, porticoes and pediments, the city offers a constantly changing perspective. And it's all small enough to explore easily on foot.

KILCHURN CASTLE, LOCH AWE, SCOTLAND

Kilchurn Castle is located at the northeastern end of Loch Awe in Argyll, Scotland (15th century) . It is one of the most photographed castle ruins in the country because of the picturesque location and the romantic images it evokes, even in its current state of decay. The only access to this castle is by boat, during the summer months. You will have to take the A85 road to Lochawe, from where the boats for the castle leave from the pier. A visit to Kilchurn Castle will entrance you and take you back in time to the days of the clans. Imagine yourself standing on the turret looking out to sea as you stand guard over the castle. Now book your plane ticket at once !!!

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND

Arthur's Seat is the main peak of the group of hills which form most of Holyrood Park, a wild piece of highland landscape in the centre of the city of Edinburgh, about a mile to the east of Edinburgh Castle. The hill rises above the city to a height of 251m (823 ft), provides excellent panoramic views of the city, is quite easy to climb, and is a popular walk. Though it can be climbed from almost any direction, the easiest and simplest ascent is from the East, where a grassy slope rises above Dunsapie Loch. If you go to Edinburgh for a visit don't forget to go there.

BASS ROCK, SCOTLAND

After a few days in Scotland I had to post something about it. So here it is.

Only a few miles from the centre of Edinburgh and situated in the Firth of Forth, lies a rock tooth island. This is the renowned BASS ROCK famous for its history and amazing wildlife. The Bass Rock is the closest sea bird sanctuary to the mainland and was the first to be studied by ornithologists during the 19th century. This colony is the largest on the east coast of Britain and holds approximately 10% of the world population of North Atlantic Gannets.

LOCH OSSIAN, SCOTLAND

Loch Ossian (Scottish Gaelic: "Loch Oisein") is a fantastic narrow loch that is about 5 km long on the north eastern edge of Rannoch Moor, on The Corrour Estate, with its western corner 2 km east of Corrour railway station. It is drained by the River Ossian, flowing north into Loch Guilbinn and ultimately to the River Spean. Mind you Loch Ossian is remote from public roads, and the nearest access is from Corrour railway station. That is why it remains unspoilt..... Just enjoy the picture.

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND

This is a cobbled street in Stockbridge. Stockbridge is an area of Edinburgh located towards the north of the city, bounded by the New Town and by Comely Bank. The name is Scots stock brig stocc brycg, meaning a timber bridge, in particular, a footbridge. Originally it was a small village incorporated into the City of Edinburgh. The actual "Stock Bridge" was built in 1801 and spans the Water of Leith.

HIGHLAND COW, SCOTLAND

I know you really enjoyed the previous picture. So, here's another one. But did you know that Highland cows are the oldest known cattle breed. Records of this breed's existence date back as far as the 12th century.The breed was first imported into the United States in the late 1880s. Highland cows are known for their gentle disposition, hardiness in adverse weather conditions and strong resistance to disease.

DIRLETON CASTLE, SCOTLAND

A couple take time to watch the world go by in the gardens of Dirleton Castle, In Scotland. Isn't it romantic ??

URQUHART CASTLE, SCOTLAND

This is a picture of the picturesque ruins of Urquhart Castle in Scotland. They are situated 2 miles from Drumnadrochit on a rocky peninsula on the banks of Loch Ness.
You cross over a wooden gangway which now lies in place of the original drawbridge across the defensive ditch. First you pass through the main gate-house - look for door on the left leading to a small exhibit about Historic Scotland - go up a couple of steps and you can peer into the tiny prison cell which was guarded by the gate-keeper. In the other (south) lodge of the gate-house, you can see the remains of an old kiln where grain was dried.
It is a wonderful place to be if you want to get a chance to see « Nessie » (The Loch Ness Monster). Have a picnic and watch carefully...