Scotland

A sunny little corner of Stein, Waternish, Isle of Skye.

Loch Bay Boats at Stein. Waternish, Isle of Skye Elena C is a dive boat I have added Ed Sheeran and 'Dive' as a link www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wv2rLZmbPMA

Portree, Isle of Skye on a rainy day in September I have added 'Rain Song' by Gene Clark www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUX4CAK4qms Probably best viewed large

An archive image of Plockton, Scotland which is known as the 'Jewel of the Highlands' I would have to say I agree, - it is a real gem of a location, so beautiful and peaceful.

Taken at the Iolaire Monument, Isle of Lewis. At the end of the Great War sailors were being transported home. They landed at the Kyle of Lochalsh and set sail on HM Yacht 'The Iolaire' late on 31st December 1918 for the final stage of the journey home to the Isles of Lewis and Harris. In the early hours of New Year's Day 1919 just off Holm Point and within sight of the lights of Stornaway harbour the Iolaire struck the rocks known as the Beasts of Holm resulting in the deaths of 205 sailors. There were a number of contributing factors to the event, including insufficient care being taken on the approach, the yacht going too fast, no lookout in place and insufficient lifeboats and rafts in place. The inquiry did however give special recognition to a sailor named J F MacLeod who swam ashore with a rope thus enabling many others to be saved. Iolaire means 'Eagle' The PiPs show the detail and the memorial in the background, the names of those lost including one of the central section. Best viewed large I think

Taken at Oban, Argyll, Scotland. I love the light and the colours reflected in the water. In a prominent position above Oban stands McCaig's Tower, a folly on Battery Hill which the banker John Stuart McCaig had built as a monument to his family and also to provide work for local stonemasons. It is made from Bonawe granite sourced from Aird's Bay, Loch Ewe. I have added 'Fool on the Hill' by the Beatles as a link www.youtube.com/watch?v=-b-MItE_D5U

A view of the Quiraing from Staffin, Isle of Skye, Scotland

Taken at Oban. Standing at the entrance the sea in the distance looks blue and inviting, but over the fence on the left some visitors in the form of grey geese found the sea of green grass more to their liking! (Please see PiPs). The group in the second PiP amused me, - all the other geese are facing one way but there was just one who turned his head to have a 'gander' at something over his 'shoulder'. A little tongue in cheek I have added a song by Mike and the Mechanics called (Looking Back) 'Over My Shoulder' www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7m1PO7wvYM We are away for a while so I will have little internet access. I will hopefully catch up when we return Have a good weekend everyone.

Pictured at Lybster Harbour, Caithness, these pretty wildflowers give an attractive show of colour as a background for the bench. From the description on the Wildlife Trust's website I think the flower is Rosebay willowherb (Scientific name: Chamerion angustifolium)

Captured in the evening light just after the harvest. The lane runs alongside the Old Sunday School at Buittle, outside of Castle Douglas, Kircudbrightshire I have added 'Harvest' by Neil Young www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOUNzIbz9K4

The Skyreburn Teapot Cafe on the A75 near Castle Douglas. Behind the cafe there is an attractive area bordering the Big Water of Fleet Will you stop? This pretty roadside cafe is very popular and the aromas coming from the kitchen were amazing. I have added Hazel O'Conner and 'Will You?' 'You drink your coffee, and I sip my tea...' www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sn3rdWwW9D0

Captured at Southerness junction, I could find no record of what the ruins were but I loved the way they caught the light and the tree almost seemed to be hugging them. I have added a song called 'Beauty and Ruin' by David Starr www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcK03JVQxng Taken in 16.9 so I would appreciate if you could view this on full screen. Thank you Many thanks to Beulipix who kindly searched and found that this ruin was in fact Wreaths Tower and who sent me the link to the history. I very much appreciate this after failing to discover this information in my searches. Here is the link:- castle-finders.co.uk/Scotland/wreaths%20tower.html

Taken at the Isle Of Whithorn, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland. The white square tower with the navigation light has been a navigation aid for hundreds of years and is situated on the most southerly point of the headland with wonderful views of the Kircudbrightshire coastline, the Lake District and the Isle of Man. There is a bench all around the base of the tower. During the Second World War, an anti-aircraft tracking station was set up here for firing practice. There is now a memorial stone here dedicated to the fishing boat, the Solway Harvester lost in a storm in 2000 off the coast of the Isle of Man with the loss of seven lives. An anchor is set into the granite block. I have added Tom Walker and ' Leave a Light on' www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCntEnZD3NE and a second link with heartbreaking words - Beth Hart and 'Leave the Light On' www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5JBJu4Dt68

Wigtown is known as Scotland's National Book Town and has many second hand book stores with cafes and restaurants also selling books. An annual book festival is held here. The books in this dispaly were originally real books, but in the PiP from this year they look to have been replaced with carved books. It is a shame to see how the store seems to have deteriorated and has hardly any books in the window display. The store prides itself on being 'the largest in Scotland'. A huge expectation but it seems to have fallen on hard times. I have added a song from a singer whose stage name was 'Charles Dickens', as of course both the books int the title were written by Charles Dickens. Wigtown is in Wigtownshire, part of the Dumfries and Galloway district of Scotland and is a pleasant place to visit with a central park and very wide main street as well as a variety of small shops. The link is 'The Way Love Goes' by Charles Dickens www.youtube.com/watch?v=De0hcdFABa0 Charles Dickens' real name is David Anthony and he toured with the Rolling Stones in 1965. After a brief career as a singer he returned to his original career as a photographer

Taken at Port William, Wigtownshire, Scotland. 'The Fisherman' bronze statue has a dedication to the poem by W.H. Davies called 'Leisure' What is this life if, full of care, We have no time to stand and stare. No time to stand beneath the boughs And stare as long as sheep or cows. No time to see, when woods we pass, Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass. No time to see, in broad daylight, Streams full of stars, like skies at night. No time to turn at Beauty's glance, And watch her feet, how they can dance. No time to wait till her mouth can Enrich that smile her eyes began. A poor life this if, full of care, We have no time to stand and stare. I would have to agree it is not a bad outlook on life and the fisherman's outlook is pretty good too!! The statue has been standing here alone, leaning on this fence for many years. I was delighted that he has a companion now, at least temporarily, although I am not sure her crocheted clothing will withstand the Scottish weather for long! She seems to be equally as taciturn as the Fisherman, although she has brought along her guitar to strum and soothe any troubles he may have.!! But I do have to say her colourful apparel doesn't make me think her music may be gentle, - more rock chick!! The poor man may not be able to hear himself think!! I have added a song called 'Still' by Lionel Richie as a link www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBAkONUjukk Best viewed large, I think. Many thanks

Captured at Port Logan Bay, formerly Port Nessock. Port Logan is a village in the parish of Kirkmaiden in the Rhins of Galloway and it's Gaelic name is Port Nesaig. The stretch of water is the North Channel. The light shimmers on the water and the clouds seem to fill the sky. The yellow wild flowers add a touch of summer gold to the scene. A boy and his dad spend time together walking and playing on this otherwise empty beach, leaving footprints in the sand. I have added 'Footprints in the Sand' by Leona Lewis as my link www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNSOc-LKPQc Best viewed on full screen I think. Many thanks

Captured at Portpatrick I thought the bench was a bit quirky and liked the colours of the rusty anchor I have added a song from Elvis Costello and Rusty, - the Resurrection of Rust, called 'I’m Ahead If I Can Quit While I’m Behind' www.youtube.com/watch?v=7is2-pssU1k