Kitesurfers on Barassie Beach
On a windy, but sunny February morning, a few of us from Ayr Photographic Society, met on Barassie Beach to enjoy the acrobatic activities of the local kitesurfing training school, run by Grant Clayton
Below are some of my action-packed images, captured with the new Sony zoom lens
What an amazing performance. Superb !!!!!
Dumfries House Estate – Another Day Out
Earlier this year, we visited Dumfries House Estate, located near Cumnock, in East Ayrshire. The first visit was towards the end of summer and then again later in the Autumn.
A great place to “chill out”, wandering in the well maintained woodland and garden areas, giving you a real sense of peace and tranquility
Below are a few images taken during our visits
Scottish Airshow 2014
The Scottish Airshow, was held in Ayr, this year, during early September.
It was an incredible performance that was enjoyed by around 50,000 spectators soaking up the atmosphere and the great weather.
Many thanks to all involved for a superb day.
A small sample of my images are shown below.
Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2014
I’m Back!
While visiting my new Granddaughter, (she’s a “wee cracker” of 2 weeks old), earlier this week, I paid a short 2 hour visit to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
Great atmosphere, superb acts and some real “odd” characters ……. just what I like.
I hope to return later this week for a longer visit, along with my “better” half, to capture more images, enjoy some lunch accompanied by a nice bottle of wine and bathe in the atmosphere of the worlds largest arts festival.
I can’t wait. Here are a few images from my visit.
For images of last year’s festival, please click on the link
Link to Fringe 2013 http://wp.me/P1WKsc-qm
Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2013 – Additional Images
“Armada” – Queen Elizabeth
Please click on this link http://wp.me/P1WKsc-qm for the rest of the images
Edinburgh Fringe Mania
As in previous years, Fringe Mania once again gripped Edinburgh at the beginning of August. So far, many thousands of festival “junkies” from near and far, have flocked to the Scottish Capital, perhaps to witness the spectacular street performers in the Royal Mile, to see one or more of the 2,000 shows being performed in many of the different venues in the city, or just to “bathe” in the unique atmosphere of the largest performing arts festival in the world.
If you can only visit one event in the year, in Scotland, The Edinburgh Festival Fringe should perhaps be at the top of your list. So far I have visited 3 times, mainly to “soak up” the atmosphere and to capture images of some of the interesting street performers, advertising their show. I hope to visit again, at least, once before it finishes on 26th August
I hope you enjoy the small sample of some of my images below.
More images of the 2013 Edinburgh Fringe Festival can be found at this link http://wp.me/P1WKsc-qm
Spectacular Vintage Festival – Glasgow 2013
A Spectacular Vintage Festival was the main theme, last week, at Glasgow’s Merchant City!!
Thousands of “retro” fans descended on Glasgow to take part in one of the cities main events of the summer, many dressed in costumes from the 1910s to the 1980s. The revellers enjoyed a feast of vintage styles covering 7 decades.
Vintage entertainment, fashion, makeovers, shopping and food markets were the main attractions during the day; and in the evenings Glasgow partied at vintage nightclubs, to the sounds of Rock and Roll, Soul Music and the Big Band Sounds of the 1930s, 40s and 50s.
We visited the festival on Saturday, where we met some “groovy” characters in “retro” style costume. There were many interesting people, including a couple I spoke with, Claire and Paul, from Wrexham, who were dressed in 30s/40s style; a great couple that would travel almost anywhere to experience the early to mid 20th century “retro scene”. It was great to meet the two of them!!
While at the festival, we took the opportunity to have lunch at “Arisaig”, in Merchant Square, where we enjoyed the home-made fish cakes starter followed by a superb king prawn risotto, all “washed down” with a nice bottle of Sauvignon Blanc.
Below are a few of the images I captured before lunch and the bottle of wine.
Images from previous Merchant city festivals at http://wp.me/P1WKsc-oI
More details on the Merchant City Festival at http://www.merchantcityfestival.com/Pages/default.aspx
Merchant City Festival – Glasgow
My “better half” and I have attended this superb event over the last 2 years and have been amazed by diversity and quality of this festival, which presents “best of the best” in theatre, music, visual arts, comedy, dance, film, fashion and the food scene.
Looking forward to the next one. which runs from 24th to 28th July 2013
Brazilian Beauty
Please follow my link below to see more images of this annual, “not to be missed” event.
Canal Lock at Fort Augustus
Fort Augustus is one of the most picturesque towns along the length of the Caledonian Canal. On a beautiful autumn day, we spent a quiet hour watching the boats passing through the flight of locks. The image shows one of the five locks and on the far left, behind the lock, you can just see Loch Ness.
The 3 Sisters of Glencoe
The group of mountains of Beinn Fhada, Gearr Aonach and Aonach Dubh, shown in the image below, are more commonly known as the 3 Sisters of Glencoe. These mountains form part of a volcanic ridge in Glencoe, known as Bidean nam Bian
For more information please follow this link : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bidean_nam_Bian
For some of my other landscape images please follow this link http://wp.me/P1WKsc-M
Double Canal Locks at Corpach, on the Caledonian Canal
The 62 mile long Caledonian Canal, with a total of 29 locks was originally built to allow wooden sailing ships to travel from the north-east to the south-west of Scotland, avoiding the perilous route via Cape Wrath and the Pentland Firth. It was completed in 1822, after 19 years in construction at a cost of around £910,000. The canal had taken so long to construct, that much larger, iron hulled ships were now in use and the canal was too narrow to accommodate them.
Today the canal attracts many visitors who come to enjoy the magnificent scenery that stretches all the way from Inverness to Fort William.
The image below is of the of the double canal locks at Corpach. Ben Nevis can be seen in the background
Double Canal Locks at Corpach on the Caledonian Canal
For some of my other landscape images please follow this link http://wp.me/P1WKsc-M
Autumn “Peaks” in the Highlands of Scotland
Last week we were fortunate to spend a few days in the beautiful Scottish Highlands.
The end of October/beginning of November is the “height” of autumn here.
I am always amazed at the vivid colours, in the landscape, which is the result of high rainfall (often too much) and the excellent quality of light at this time of year. If you are lucky you may just get a “dusting” of snow on the moutains, which really is the “icing on the cake”
We spent 4 nights in the 2nd lodge, in the image, and travelled into Glencoe and the local countryside in search of beautiful scenery.
The mountain rising, just above the”scotch mist”, about a third in from the left in the image, is Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in Scotland (4,409 ft above sea level)
What an idyllic place ………………… I am now completely “chilled out”
“Scotch Mist” in Glen Nevis
For some of my other landscape images please follow this link http://wp.me/P1WKsc-M
Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2012 – Additional Images
6 Additional images of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2012 added today.
- Japanese Girl
Please go to http://wp.me/P1WKsc-jn for the rest of the images
Busier Than Ever – Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2012
Superb!! – 25 days of Events with over 2,600 shows from 47 different countries
Edinburgh, the Scottish Capital was “buzzing” this year, in August, with the annual Fringe Festival.
An amazing diversity of shows to suit all tastes ranging from Shakespeare to light comedy; classical to rock music accompanied by traditional “scottish” cuisine from the many local bars and restaurants. (Even haggis and neeps, deep fried mars bars or the usual fish supper, were on the menu, if that’s what you fancied)
I love Edinburgh, particularly at this time of year when the city is busy with tourists and “locals”, enjoying the “banter” of the performers and audiences, enjoying the culture and “soaking-up” the atmosphere.
Edinfringe Rocks
The Fringe is an opportunity for me to indulge in my photography, to capture portrait images of the “street” performers advertising their shows and to talk with some of the interesting “characters” taking part.
GI Girls at The Fringe
This year I visited the Fringe 3 times. On my last visit, my “better half” and I met up with some of my “old” school friends and rounded off a great day, with a delicious meal in a local restaurant, with a nice bottle of wine and good company.
Looking forward to August 2013.
For more images of the 2012 Edinburgh Fringe please click on http://wp.me/P1WKsc-jn
Loch Shiel – Glenfinnan Monument
The Glenfinnan Monument was erected in 1815. It is a memorial tower marking the place where Bonnie Prince Charlie (Charles Edward Stuart) raised his standard at the start of the Jacobite Rebellion of 1745.
Today the monument is in the care of the National Trust for Scotland.
This image was captured on a hill above the National Trust Visitor’s Centre.
Loch Shiel (Glenfinnan Monument)
St Mary and St Finnan’s Church – Glenfinnan
This beautiful church is built on the banks of Loch Shiel. It is a memorial to the Macdonalds of Glenaladale. It is believed that Charles Edward Stuart, “Bonnie Prince Charlie” stayed with the Macdonalds before raising the Jacobite standard in 1745.
St Mary’s and St Finnon’s Church – Glenfinnan
Oban View
We visited Oban during a recent trip to the Scottish Highlands. Oban, located on the mainland, at the northern end of The Firth of Lorn near the entrance to Loch Linnhe, is known as the “Gateway to the Isles”. It is also recognised as the “Seafood capital of Scotland”.
And while I love fresh seafood, for the chocoholics like me, I recommend a visit to the Oban Chocolate Company, who offer a range of delicious hand made chocolates manufactured in their factory in Oban.
More information at http://www.oban.org.uk/
Oban
Mallaig Harbour – “The Jacobite’s” Destination
The fishing port of Mallaig is the destination of the “The Jacobite” the vintage steam train, featured in last week’s post.
This peaceful view over Mallaig Harbour, shows the islands of Rum and Eigg on the horizon. In the foreground is the Caledonian MacBrayne car ferry to Skye
Mallaig Harbour
“The Jacobite”
“The Jacobite” is the vintage steam train which runs from Fort William, through some of the most beautiful countryside in Scotland, to the picturesque fishing port of Mallaig.
While this trip has always been a popular attraction with tourists visiting the Scottish highlands, the “Harry Potter” movies where the ” Hogwarts Express” crosses the Glenfinnan Viaduct has helped boost the popularity of this nostalgic journey. On its journey the “Jacobite” does cross the Glenfinnan Viaduct just like in the movies.
The image of the train below, was captured last week, during a short visit to the Scottish Highlands, as it travelled along the shoreline of Loch Eil, 4 – 5 miles from Fort William, on its way to Mallaig
More details at http://www.westcoastrailways.co.uk/jacobite/Jacobite_Details.html and for a journey across the Glenfinnan Viaduct on “The Jacobite” click on this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_GjT9nlAeM&feature=related
The Jacobite
Sir Walter Scott Monument; Edinburgh
This image of Sir Walter Scott’s Monument, erected for his contribution to Scottish Literature is captured, just before sunset, from “The Mound” (the old Bank of Scotland Headquarters; Edinburgh)
The monument, inaugurated in 1846, is 200ft high. A sculpture in marble, of the man himself, can be seen through the centre arch.
Sir Walter Scott Monument; Edinburgh
More information can be found at http://www.edinburgharchitecture.co.uk/scott_monument.htm
Blackrock Cottage “Close-up” (Monochrome) Version – Glencoe
Just thought I’d also post the monochrome “close-up” version. What do you think?
Blackrock Cottage_mono
Blackrock Cottage – Glencoe
One of the most beautiful and most photographed scenes in the Scottish Highlands.
Because of the wide variation in weather conditions, in this region, the “character” of this peaceful tranquil scene can quickly be transformed, into one of the bleakest, stormy, landscapes in Scotland.
Blackrock Cottage
Eilean Donan Castle
One of the most photographed castles in the world, Eilean Donan Castle can be found on the road to Kyle of Lochalsh; where Loch Alsh, Loch Duich and Loch Long combine.
The historical beginnings of Eilean Donan are believed to date back as early as the 7th century AD, at a time when Christianity was just being introduced in this area of Scotland. Details can be found at http://www.eileandonancastle.com/home.htm
This famous castle features in a number of Hollywood movies. The ones that come to mind are “Highlander” in 1986, with Christopher Lambert and Sean Connery http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErjCcqKzr0k and more recently, in 2008, “Made of Honor” with Patrick Dempsey and Michelle Monaghan. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E72ZeWEMP90
Today the castle is a beautiful, historical and romantic setting, owned by the Conchara Charitable Trust. It is open to the public during the months of March to October. It is also a popular wedding venue.
Eilean Donan Castle
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