Monday 28 September 2009

Angry Laig 01


Angry Laig 01, originally uploaded by PaulArthurPhotography.

Cleadale, Isle of Eigg.

Richard Childs I think called this the Angry Place, and I'm afraid that this composition is nothing new. Having spent a few days in bed with the flu, I decided when I spotted this that I would take this image rather than run around like a loony trying to find something that wasn't there.

It proved to be a good call since the following day I spent five hours here and came away with nothing.

You couldn't take this image on a digital due to the amount of flare that you would get from the lens. This lens has four bits of glass. On top of that, I pointed the lens directly at the sun and then moved the back to get the composition I wanted. No flare for me!

Dawn Light on the Lake of Menteith (2)

The light was fantastic on Sunday morning on Scotland's only lake. It was amazing watching the ever changing colours reflecting on the clouds and the water. Well worth getting up half an hour before going to bed!

Saturday 26 September 2009

Laig 02


Laig 02, originally uploaded by PaulArthurPhotography.

Isle of Eigg, Inner Hebrides, Scotland.

Findlater Castle


Findlater Castle, originally uploaded by Pleasureprinciple2009.

With thanks to http://www.castlexplore.co.uk where the below information came from.

On the coast between Cullen and Sandend are the ruins of Findlater Castle, perched precariously on an outcrop of rock. There has been some form of fortification on the site since at least the 13th century, but the remaining buildings probably date from the late 14th century when the castle was owned by the Sinclairs, or possibly from the mid 15th century when it passed to the Ogilvies.

In 1546 Sir Alexander Ogilvie disinherited his son and signed the property over to Sir John Gordon, son of the Earl of Huntly. James Ogilvie, the disinherited son, was keen to get his lands back and used his influence as Steward to Queen Mary’s household to try and settle the matter. When, in 1562, Sir John Gordon refused to surrender the castle and grant entrance to Mary, Queen of Scots, she sent a company of troops to seize it. They were defeated by Sir John Gordon, but he in turn was defeated at the Battle of Corrichie, and taken to Aberdeen where he was beheaded. The castle was returned to the Ogilvies, but they abandoned it soon after 1600 when they moved to a new home in Cullen.

The castle is in a very dramatic and picturesque setting, however it is in a very ruined and dangerous condition and should be visited with care.

Wednesday 23 September 2009

Aberdeen Sunrise


Aberdeen Sunrise, originally uploaded by JimJim ->.

Knapps Morning Mist


Knapps Morning Mist, originally uploaded by ericwyllie.

Another morning, at the Knapps, Kilmacolm, Scotland. The scene may be similar to many other shots from here but, the light once again creates a unique beauty.

Monday 21 September 2009

Schiehallion Road


Schiehallion Road, originally uploaded by orangep33l.

Wee road that winds down towards Kinloch Rannoch.

Fair Isle North Lighthouse at dusk

Fair Isle North Lighthouse was designed by David Alan Stevenson and first lit in 1892.

During the Second World War the lighthouse was bombed and some outbuildings destroyed.

The lighthouse was automated in 1983 and shorty afterwards the keepers' accommodation block behind the lighthouse was demolished.

Monday 7 September 2009

A new dawn?


A new dawn?, originally uploaded by Stuart Stevenson.

In danger of sounding like a stereotypically moaning Scotman (think Victor Meldrew), but can not believe the amount of rain we've had recently.

Landscapes aren't an option at the mo, so this one's from a month ago... and is photographic evidence that at least one day felt like summer in 2009 :-)

Stuart Stevenson

Cold, dark, misty and lost


Cold, dark, misty and lost, originally uploaded by BoboftheGlen.

Should you ever venture into the wilderness at night and decide to get lost, be sure to take a tent, a torch and, above all, an interesting book.
There is nothing worse than getting lost on the Scottish moors in Winter, only to find you have nothing to read.

Maps and compasses are all very well, but they take up valuable space and are pretty low in entertainment value.
Also, and very importantly, a powerful battery is required. With around sixteen hours of darkness, it would be jolly irritating to reach the final chapter of "Kidnapped" or some other rivetting read, only to find one's battery is getting low.

Remember, as mobile telephone coverage can be patchy in many areas, it may not be possible to phone anyone before you perish, to find out how the book ended.

Finally, I would also advise the inclusion of a couple of Mars Bars. These might allow you to concentrate on those final chapters, as the intense cold saps at your rapidly-dwindling energy reserves.

Happy reading

BoboftheGlen