Scotland

Taken from the grounds of Dunstaffnage Castle looking out over Ardmucknish Bay with the Connel Bridge in the distance The link is 'Sittin On the Dock of the Bay' by Otis Redding www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYf1zHCG-2g

Volunteer crew of the RNLI Inshore Lifeboat the Atlantic 85 B-856 'Spirit of Fred Olsen' set off from the Kyle of Lochalsh. The lifeboat has been launched on eight separate occasions in the past month. Money for this lifeboat was raised by the Fred Olsen Cruise line, the name being chosen in a competition run by the cruise. The lifeboat is capable of speeds in excess of 35 knots and because of her two inversion proof engines and manually operated righting system she is able to remain operational even after capsize. She has been equipped with radar, chart plotter and VHF radio direction finding equpment. Information taken from the RNLI Kyle Lifeboat website These guys are heroes in my book. I have added 'Hero' by Mariah Carey as a link www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IA3ZvCkRkQ

Trotternish, Isle of Skye and sheep graze contentedly in the sunshine. The rock above them is basalt rock In the background the stretch of water is the Sound of Raasay. The link is a gentle song to fit the mood of this image and is 'Mister Rock of Ages' by Gordon Lightfoot www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJrrAN2Dl1I Best viewed large please

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

Taken from Trumpan, Waternish Peninsula, Isle of Skye.

Maclellan's castle, Kircudbright, Galloway, Scotland c1560 was built on the site of the former convent of Greyfriars , built in 1449 and demolished when the new owner, Sir Thomas MacLellan, Provost of Kircudbright acquired the buildings and land Unlike many of Scotland's castles it has no 'bloody' history and seemed more for show than defence. It passed into state care in 1912 and is now looked after by Historic Environment Scotland. When we visited it appeared to be having some renovation by the scaffolding clearly seen here, but to my delight there was a 'maiden' imprisoned in the upper part of the castle, her 'hair' flowing down the castle walls. It made me think of Rapunzel, a story my children adored as children, always requesting 'Rapunzel Rapunzel let down your hair!' before bedtime. For a little bit of fun I have added 'Let Your Hair Down' by Magic! www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5YP_oLcgpg

A different view of Dunure Castle, Ayshire showing it's beautiful location on the coast. Below here and out of sight are the remains of a maze. 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 bench a floral posy had been left and this is just visible if you enlarge the image. I have no idea why it was there, but If this was to mark someone's favouite place I can fully understand it. Best viewed large I think. Please press z. HBM and have a good week ahead

Irvine, North Ayshire, Scotland - Bridge of Scottish Inventors Built in 2000 The telescopic bridge slides closed to connect you to the Ardeer Peninsula, but has not been used since the closure of the Science Centre in 2003. It has been left locked in the open position to allow access for shipping. The music is 'The Gap' by the Kooks www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFAoiMz3pcU This is best viewed large I think

Seilebost, Isle of Harris Oh dear!! Half a bench captured at Seilebost, Isle of Harris. Seilebost is a small village on the coast road along the west side of Harris and the beach was named as one of the ten most beautiful beaches in the world (see PiP). The sea is the most beautful blue colour and I have added a song by Ella Fitzgerald called 'The Half of It, Dearie Blue' www.youtube.com/watch?v=wk71Xut37iU