Scotland

Pleasure trip boats at Loch Katrine, The Trossachs, Scotland. Pictured in the main image are 'The Lady of the Lake', and 'Rob Roy III, (also pictured in the first PiP), and the smaller boat is the Osprey private charter boat. At the rear of the image the 'Sir Walter Scott' steam ship can be seen, with a better view in the second PiP. Sir Walter Scott which came into service in 1900, is the only screw steamer still in regular service in Scotland. Lady of the Lake was named after the famous poem by Sir Walter Scott that was published in 1810, which was set in the Trossachs and was responsible for the popularity of the area with Victorian visitors. Rob Roy was named after Rob Roy MacGregor, clan chief and outlaw, born at the head of the loch in 1671. With such literary references I think my choice of music will be 'The Words' by Christina Perri www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9tc9R_Y3FY

Callander Park, in the Stirling Council area, Perthshire Scotland. The day has been lovely and the reflections in the River Teith are beautiful. A quiet descends on the pretty park as a storm front approaches, and the benches are empty as people make their way towards the town for shelter. Only the ducks drift elegantly across the water. If you are going to stick around you had better leave your hat on Please listen here to Joe Cocker and 'You Can Leave Your Hat On' www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDR2fXoHdQw

Captured at the Crinan Basin this pretty little lighthouse marks the western entrance to the 9 mile long Crinan Canal connecting Crinan to Ardrishaig and the Sound of Jura. Built in 1851 this tapered hexagonal cement rendered tower has an iron railed gallery and wooden lantern with pyramidal roof and filial and is fitted with an external ladder. Modern navigational lights are in place On a lovely sunny day the bench affords a lovely place to sit and enjoy the view, - or maybe just take a nap like the person seated on the left, but I am taking a nap so please don't turn out the lights!! I have added a song by the Gibb Collective ( the Gibb Brothers' children) called 'Please Don't Turn Out The Lights' www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbz8sLY3ZdY I have also added Lighthouse by Birdy as my second link www.youtube.com/watch?v=UphFYOraqKM

Kelpies are shape shifting aquatic spirits that often take the form of horses, although they can take human form. They inhabit the rivers and lochs of Scotland and In some tales they lure unsuspecting humans down to the depths to a watery grave. The Kelpies at Helix Park, Falkirk are fantastic sculptures designed by Andy Scott and were completed in October 2013. They are 30 metres high (100 feet) and were designed to pay homage to Scotland's working horses who used to pull barges along the canals. These magnificent sculptures dominate the landscape and I understand are beautifully lit at night. There are also two smaller versions outside of the restaurant and two more at Ardrishaig harbour. I have added a track called 'Kelpie' by Jethro Tull www.youtube.com/watch?v=GyR7pdLDz_g a second track is a nod to the shapeshifting kelpie . Here are the Shapeshifters with Lola's Theme (I'm a Different Person) www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIC0aQ56ASE HBM. (Best viewed large I think. Thank you)

Seals basking in the sun at Macrihanish, west of Campbeltown at the tip of Kintyre. RAF Machrihanish is now MoD Macrihanish which incorporates Campeltown airport, and it has the second longest runway in Europe. The US maintained a Navy SEAL Commando unit here - the 20 person Navy Special Warfare Detachment 1 and it was also used by the Royal Marines for training exercises It was a strategically important NATO airfield during the Cold War, and was sold to MoD in June 1995. I have added a song by Seal called 'Secret' as a nod to the top secret airbase and the SEAL unit once based there www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDm4CQydktc Best viewed large, I think. Thank you

Stirling Castle, Scotland and the PiP shows the Wallace Monument Best viewed large I think, thank you. Stirling castle dates from the early 12th century, with a lot of the important buildings within the walls added between 1490 - 1600. Built high on a crag with steep cliffs on three sides It was a very important castle both strategically and historically with many batltles fought over it. During the wars of independence it changed hands eight times over a 50 year period. When Edward I of England invaded Scotland in 1296 he found the castle empty and claimed it. After 60 years of war the English were defeated by the Scots led by William Wallace and Andrew Moray at the Battle of Stirling Bridge. The leaders of the English army retreated into the castle but were starved into surrender by the Scots Recent history sees the castle as the home of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlands. Concerts have been held here inluding the one by Runrig in 2017. The National Wallace Monument is a monument to Scottish hero William Wallace. Sited on Abbey Craig, a hilltop overlooking Stirling, it is said to be the point from which William Wallace watched the gathering of Edward I's army before the Battle of Stirling. The link I have chosen to go with these images is by Runrig, live from Stirling Castle. Here is 'Hearts of Olden Glory' www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7cId63P65E

Loch a' Bharain Locks, Crinan Canal and 'Mischief' is waiting for the lock gates to open to allow her to sail on and away through the canal. It looks like hard work for the lads who will then rush down to the next set of lock gates and do it all over again! The boat has come in via the Crinan Basin and will make it's way through to the other end of the canal at Ardrishaig. The nine mile stretch of waterway was opened in 1809 and is run by Scottish Canals. There are 15 locks, 3 of which are automated, and 7 bridges. Although sea locks, lock 14 and all bridges are fully manned, locks 5 -13 are manually operated which involves opening and closing lock gates and winding sluices which is heavy work. They recommend a minimum crew of 3-4 to do this and handle ropes but provide a list of individuals who you can ring for assistance at your own cost and risk. There is a bench on the right behind the man opening the lock gates so HBM to you all. I have added a song by the Allman Brothers Band called 'Sail Away' www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwqmcNA4i6U Christa has also suggested Enya's 'Sail Away', so many thanks Christa for the link www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTrk4X9ACtw The song is from their album called 'Enlightened Rogues' which I thought also fitted in with the 'Mishchief' Best viewed large I think. Thank you

Captured from across the harbour at Tarbert, Scotland, this shows the Funeral Director's premises and the harbour wall complete with small boat The PiP gives a wider view, - and more walls!! With apologies for the irreverent title! I have added a song called 'The Wall of Death' written by Richard Thompson and performed by Richard and Nanci Griffith www.youtube.com/watch?v=g706diyi9Xc and 'Wall of Death' by REM www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXyRCdNZoOA HWW everyone

Captured off the Ganavan Road. Oban. From here you can see the Isle of Lismore with the Isle of Mull behind it. The geese in the PiPs were in the field on the left hand side. The second PiP amused me with the geese at the bottom of the picture buried up to thir necks in grass, - so low in fact I am sure they could almost hear the grass growing!!! I have added a song by the Move called 'I Can Hear The Grass Grow' www.youtube.com/watch?v=qM0CE-O2CFg They put up with us taking photos for a while and then took off (PiP 3) I have also added a song called 'Birds' sung here by Linda Ronstadt www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wwnr0i6_L78 Best viewed large I think. Thank you

Campbeltown Loch, Argyll, Scotland. From this close up shot the tall 'Torbay Palm' trees seem to touch the sky. Framed between the trees you have a glimpse of Davaar Island situated at the mouth of Campbeltown Loch off the east coast of Kintyre I have added 'Touch the Sky' performed by the Mamas www.youtube.com/watch?v=SaGpewYsVaw www.youtube.com/watch?v=DkBdefuCdJg

Captured at Lendrick Hill, Callender, Perthshire. The woods here are so beautiful and peaceful and I have included detail in the PiPs which I really liked. I hope you do too I have added a song by Westlife called Evergreen www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_93dVrP7jM Best viewed large I think. Many thanks

On the way to Loch Katrine we stopped at Loch Achray. The lochside trees captured my attention, and I particularly liked the shape of the old bare tree as it caught the sunlight.. Best viewed large I think. Thank you I have added 'Naked' by James Arthur www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXyLdg4mJxo

Captured at the sea lock at Ardrishaig on the Crinan Canal The canal flows into Loch Gilp here. It is a quiet day and the seat by the lock remains empty

Castle Stalker was built on it's own little island on Loch Laich an inlet off of Loch Linnhe near Appin in Argyll on the west coast of Scotland. Built in the 16th cenury for the Stewarts of Appin it is a four storey tower house in a beautiful setting and was once used as a hunting lodge for James IV. Indeed the Gaelic for Castle Stalker is Caisteal an Stalcaire, with Stalcaire meaning 'hunter' or 'falconer;' Castle Stalker has been used in a number of films like 'Highlander - Endgame' and others, but will be instantly recognised by many as 'Castle Aaargh' from Monty Python and the Holy Grail. That fact alone is probably good enough reason to make this a 'Happy' Wall Wednesday!!! A close up of the castle walls can be seen in the PiP and I think the main image would benefit from viewing large. Many thanks and HWW I have added a song called 'Hunter' by Dido www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOqgXRxNz9I

Captured at Achray Forest and this moss covered fence caught my attention. Just around the corner in the top of the picture I turned to take another look as we were going back to the car and made a discovery. As you can see in the PiPs this is clearly what skiers do when there is no snow - they head for the forest:-)))))))). A strange sight indeed. The Green Man is a figure of folk culture and is a symbol of nature, spring and rebirth I have added a song called 'The Green Man' by Martin Donnelly www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKfLcCKdSEg This is much nicer on full screen. I would appreciate it if you could view this large. Many thanks

A beautiful day at Greenacre Bay, Ganavan,Oban with the Isle of Mull visible in the background. Note the Great Pyramids of Ganavan that look even more impressive when viewed on full screen:-))))))) No bench today, but please do feel free to take a seat on the beach in the shade of the pyramids and enjoy the view and the peace.

"Beinn Dorain" in the Bridge of Orchy range, captured from the Loch Tulla Viewpoint. Standing 1076m high, (3530.ft) it is high enough to qualify as a Munro. The river is the River Orchy. It was a beautiful day and I loved the fluffy clouds and the play of light across the scene. Best viewed large I think. Many thanks

Another from the archives, this time going back to 2012 and this shows the Kyle of Tongue Causeway, Sutherland