Scotland

Taken from the A702 at Dalveen, the white house is the Dalveen Toll Cottage. I loved the lush green fields and hills and the way the light drifted lazily across the landscape. I think I am going to miss these views and dream about them for a long long time. My link is a song by Linda Ronstadt called 'A Long Long Time' www.youtube.com/watch?v=OADhKjNz8mI I would appreciate it if you could view this on full screen. Many thanks

Taken at Staxigoe Harbour., near Wick, Caithness, Scotland on a beautiful day Staxigoe is from the Norse 'gja or geo' meaning inlet and 'stakkr' meaning stack or rock, thus inlet of the stack. It is a pretty little harbour, dating back to at least 1878, which was when the harbour was to be found on the first Ordnance Survey Map, although it is a natural harbour and there are suggestions the harbour itself could date back to the 1600s. It was once the largest herring salting stations in Europe. I have added a Gene Clark song called 'Rough and Rocky' as my link www.youtube.com/watch?v=cio5lkFpRcg

Captured at Farr Bay and Bettyhill Beach in Sutherland. I was trying to take a low shot of the beach and Clachan Burn when I was photobombed by this beautiful old border collie! He brought his stick for me to throw for him. There was no sign of an owner anywhere, - I guess he was just a beach bum! When we left the beach he ran ahead and waited for us to open the gate for him. When we got to the car park we saw a man and another dog and he ran up to them so I asked if it was his dog. The man replied that no, it wasn't and he thought he was ours! He went back to his beach with the newcomers without a backward glance and my new friend was gone! He was so cute I think he took a little bit of my heart with him! As this is on Farr Bay I could not resist adding a song by Tyler Farr called 'I wish Dogs Could Live Forever' www.youtube.com/watch?v=87VQbYFQiZQ

Moine House and Ben Loyal captured on a moody day that added atmosphere to an already somewhat bleak and remote landscape. Moine House is situated on the edge of a large peat bog, known as Moine, the Gaelic for peat or moss, lying West of Tongue between Sutherland and Caithness in an area know as 'Flow Country'. This wild and inhospitable area was a difficult and dangerous place for travellers until the Duke of Sutherland built a road in the 1830s and Moine House was situated half way along it as a resting place for weary travellers. In the late 19th century it became home to a forester and and his family of eight children and grandchildren. The old road is situated on the far side of the fenced area although the new road, the A838 is behind me and access can be gained off this road where there is a small car park As you can see Moire House has not been lived in for a long time and it no longer has a roof but some conservation work has been done to preserve the shell of the building. Although not traditionall pretty there is something strangely compelling about standing in this wild and lonely place with the threatening clouds above. I have added a song called 'Traveller' by Chris Stapleton www.youtube.com/watch?v=yI8XsgJyC7Q www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kBnFgLP8po Probably best viewed large. Many thanks

Seen at Port Logan, Wigtownshire, this 'fisherman' was collecting for the RNLI. (Royal National Lifeboat Institution) Sitting on a bench with his fishing nets and wet weather gear on and with a beautiful flower boat beside him bedecked in flags he was eye catching and really made me smile! The song I have added as a link is 'Give a Little Bit' a Supertramp song, sung here by Roger Hodgson of Supertramp www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SQGJmgnEI8&list=RD4SQGJmgnEI8&start_radio=1&rv=4SQGJmgnEI8&t=13

This is Lybster Lighthouse, Lybster, Caithness and taking another photo on the left hand side of the picture is my husband, the light of my life. I decided the only appropriate link is a song called 'You Light Up My Life' by LeAnn Rimes www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsBY722rb2M

Captured at Port Logan, looking across to the pier and old lighthouse/bell tower. The three stage circular lighthouse tower with open light chamber to the third stage was built in 1818 and has been designated as a category B listed building. According to the Visit Scotland site the tower was designed by Thomas Telford. Port Logan is a pretty village and was the location for the BBC series ' '2000 Acres of Sky,' and was used as a location in the film 'Keepers' starring Gerard Butler All that aside it is just a pleasant place to sit and take in the view. I have added a song by Robin Gibb called 'Saved By the Bell' www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhaM84bcQCs

Captured at the Old Sunday School entrance, at Buittle, near Castle Douglas which is now a holiday cottage A slightly tenuous link this week - this is Amy Wadge and 'Faith's Song' from the Keeping Faith soundtrack album www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gzZEtiusO4

Taken at Wick Harbour which seemed to be the busiest part of Wick. The cannon in this shot (pun intended!!) was actually a fog signal gun and was given to the Pulteney Harbour Trust by John Pender MP in 1881 for use by fishermen and visiting crafts and was in use until it was replaced by a fog horn warning system. In 2011 the decision was made to re-site the cannon at Wick Harbour, as it was felt it was mostly going unnoticed and featuring it on the harbourside at Wick would add historical interest to the area for visitors. I have added a song called 'Cannonball' by Damien Rice www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vd2xYJEwFwc

Captured at Talmine, Melness, Sutherland, another of Scotland's hidden gems and another empty beach! I have added a 'chill-out' track to go with this peaceful scene 'Empty Beach' by Coco www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ob4Mng4CQkU This is probably best viewed large. Many thanks

Captured at the quayside at the Isle of Whithorn, Dumfries and Galloway. The bench sets are outside the very old pub called 'The Steam Packet', where we had lunch. Take a seat and have a drink as you enjoy the view, - after all 'It's 5 o' Clock Somewhere!' Listen to Alan Jackson and Brad Paisley here www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfL9Z6zpvvg

Taken at the Mull of Galloway on a beautiful, hot day. On the left of the picture you can just see the foghorn and a small but very necessary fence leading down towards it Best viewed large, I think. Thank you The music I have added is Pete Frampton and 'Show Me the Way' www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLgeTtYwQ7o

Captured at Loch Suardal. As we are nearing the Christmas season I thought I would like to share this picture with the wooden fence below the a lone Christmas tree. I have added Kelly Clarkson's 'Underneath the Tree' www.youtube.com/watch?v=EM2Fnp_qnE8

I spotted this delightful figure when we were on holiday in Dumfries and Galloway. In my lifetime the Queen's Speech was always a feature on Christmas Day, and I thought it would be nice to post this picture for Christmas. The Show must go on, and I have added the song by the same name by Queen www.youtube.com/watch?v=t99KH0TR-J4 Just because it is Christmas I have added another track by Queen - 'Thank God It's Christmas' www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BhIPx2gQW0 Happy Christmas to everyone!

Captured at the Isle of Whithorn, possible the earliest town in Scotland and an important place for pilgrims to St Ninian's Chapel. Whithorn is part of Dumfries and Galloway, formerly known as Wigtownshire I was attracted to the lone bench on the clifftop in the distance and it's view of the sea, and it seems someone else was heading in that direction. Any ideas who that might be?!! My bench for HBM is viewed from a distance and I have therefore added the song 'From a Distance' as my musical link, performed here by Bette Midler www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-4xzk26EcM

Captured at a picnic area at Latheronwheel, Caithness, Highlands, Scotland. Latheronwheel is a sleepy little harbour and a nice place to sit and enjoy the view and maybe have something to eat. That is of course unless it is your 'Last Meal' With tongue in cheek I have added a song by 'Asleep at the Wheel' called 'Last Meal' www.youtube.com/watch?v=GzuRCeq8uBk

Captured at Lybster Harbour, Caitness, Scotland I have added a song called 'Harbor Song' by Suzanne Vega www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqsn1WlkA4Y HBM Everyone. Have a good week ahead

Captured at the Mull of Galloway, Dumfries and Galloway with the lighthouse in the background. Amazingly the wall seems almost to drop off the edge of the cliff I have added a song called 'Rock Til You Drop' by Status Quo www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ckfFl090QU