Ecobird's photos

Taken at the Skye Museum of Island Life. When open visitors can wander around this island 'village' and get a real understanding of how harsh island life could be. From the largest of the crofts to smithy, barn, weavers' cottage and Ceilidh House the crofts or 'blackhouses' are equipped as they would have been around the close of the 19th century and feature tools used at the time and even an old hand loom. Each croft would have bagpipes, a fiddle or Jewish harp as this was the their entertainment through the harsh winters, and the Ceilidh house was their meeting place. The Ceilidh House has a gallery of photos of island life in it today. A peat fire provided heat and was where the cooking was done and lighting was by a cruise, a lamp burning fish liver oil. Caught in the light before the approaching storm the crofts look quite attractive. I have added a black and white version in the PiP which I felt fitted the mood of the harder times back then. I have added some Ceilidh music in the form of The Drams Ceilidh Band and 'Strip the Willow' www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGXAubk9BwA HFF Everyone

Take a seat with the ruins of the post Reformation St Mary's Church, Dunvegan at your back HBM! The lintel on the north door is dated 1694 and a burial enclosure dates back to around 1735. Although not the principal resting place for MacLeod chiefs a few are buried here as are generations of MacCrimmons who were the heridatary pipers to the MacLeods. There is an 18th century obelisk memorial to Lord Thomas Frazer in the graveyard Today there is a popular walk known as the Two Churches walk that leads from Duirinish Church through woodland and moor and ending here at St Mary;s Church. On the way there are views of Loch Dunvegan to MacLeod's Tables and the Cuillins in the distance to be enjoyed from the viewpoint of fthe Milennium Stone.

Loch Dunvegan, Skye on a day when the restless sky changed the mood constantly. I have added 'Restless (It's Alright) by Skydiggers (and an actual Skye digger in the PiP) www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnK1r2Pwock&list=OLAK5uy_nPtbmynykjL8CM6A0R5Kxx2sk3qKAxpSU&index=4 On the final day of 2021 here is Europe and 'The Final Countdown' to ease us into 2022 !! www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jK-NcRmVcw

Display in the local Somerset garden centre HFF and a Merry Christmas.

Display at the local Somerset garden centre Merry Christmas everyone. I hope you all have a wonderful, peaceful Christmas and a Happy New Year!

The colours of Autumn really sing on the approach to Loch Suardal, Dunvegan, Isle of Skye. I have added 'Autumn Song' by the Manic Street Preachers www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIT44QGvl7U Best viewed large I think

Taken at Maidens, Ayrshire. Maidens is supposedly named after the large rocks that form a natural safe harbour I have added The Everly Brothers and 'A Maiden's Prayer' as a link. www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFCGVoN-mrI and Willie Nelson singing 'A Maiden's Tale' www.youtube.com/watch?v=h49KvdzQmXw As a link to the PiP of the weathervane I have added Carly Simon and 'You're So Vain' Apologies - I couldn't resist! www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQZmCJUSC6g

Taken from the Dunvegan road on the Isle of Skye, with views across to North Uist. On the left the headland is Dunvegan Head and the water is Loch Dunvegan. This stretch of water is know as The Minch The sign on the gate at the top of the road says Point Piper, and I have added a song by Crispian St Peters called 'Pied Piper' www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kBj_SiZIrA

This is the way into the pretty and tiny village of Stein, Waternish, Isle of Skye. The village boasts the oldest pub on Skye. Stein looked quite charming in the sunlight with the white buildings, the trees and the flowers along the walls, , and the road leads on down to Loch Bay with a small slipway. I have chosen Diana Krall's 'Wallflower' as a link here. It is quite a pretty and gentle song and Diana's piano is a Steinway, hence the title here www.youtube.com/watch?v=yy79rhPrGcU Best viewed large for detail

Girvan Harbour, Ayrshire, Scotland The green fishing boat is called Academus ( n. an Arcadian whose estate became a meeting place for Athenian philosophers) I have added the slighly irreverent Philosophers' Song by Monty Python www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QgCfnBtF7M Please view large for better detail. Thankyou

The ruins of Dunure Castle, Ayrshire, and the romantic setting for some of the scenes from Outlander series 3 and 4. The castle dates back to the 1200s and was then the main fortress of the Kennedy Family, Lords of Carrick and Earls of Cassilis. On the right hand side is the 'Doocot', which probably dates to the 15th century, and I added the PiP as I thought the man in the kilt suited the surroundings perfectly I have added a bit of a tongue in cheek link this week. Andy Stewart with 'Donald Where's Your Troosers' www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqtFnAZu1YI

A happy clown for Happy Bench Monday!! Listen here to Manfred Mann and Ha Ha Said the Clown www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QN7kmOhBMw and today's earworm for you Opening Entry of the Gladiators played by the Great American Main Street Band www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_XVntliea0

Sheep grazing peacefully near Portree on the Isle of Skye with views of the Isle of Rona and the Applecross Peninsula in the background. What a Life! I have added 'Here's Looking at You' by Blondie www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-AXqLgtePw and Status Quo and 'Living on an Island' www.youtube.com/watch?v=Evafe6G8SNg Please view large. Thank you

Kyleakin harbour, Isle of Skye, and the the air seems to crackle with the promise of a storm to come. The light on the water and the clouds combine to add an electric mood and I have added ELO and 'Shine a Little Love' as a link www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJuTIxwQw0k

Loch Fyne and Inveraray Bridge,,and a bench to enjoy the view. To be fair I feel quite insignifant when I see views like this and I am adding Lene Marlin and 'Sitting Down Here' (But Hey..You Can't See Me!) as a link. www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClSVzlObxSc

A lazy evening on the River Brue at Burnham on Sea. I loved the wiggly reflections in the water The link is Alice Francis and 'Get a Wiggle On' www.youtube.com/watch?v=QURgausbDfE

Dolfijn - a Dutch barge moored up at Tarbert, Scotland, pictured at low tide. At one point it was used as a below deck restaurant. For my link I have added a song by a 'Shocking' Dutch lady, from her album 'The shocking miss Emerald' here is Caro Emerald and 'Liquid Lunch' Well maybe she isn't into fish or vegan meals!!! www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVlOmGoik2c

Taken at Steart Marshes Somerset A bench for use on dry days!! The link is Wet, Wet, Wet and Walking on Water www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ej6VYc_WKJ4 16.9 format so if you could view large this would be appreciated