Herb Riddle's photos

A re-visit to our local Parkbridge country park brings us by this rowan tree. Its always a great pleasure to see these with their bright red berries and so I never tire of photographing them. The fences hide deep holes into the underground mines that abounded around here at one time. Of course it is nice to see the heather coming into bloom too. The PiP shows the same spot from the other side taken six years ago. Spot the same tree! Enjoy the weekend.

As we try to navigate the walks along this splendid river, my eyes are led to numerous old bridges and buildings. Best viewed full screen Enjoy the day.

Oldham Aug 19, 2026. No, this is not a photo that typifies all of my home town (or my own photography) but one that shows the filth and thoughtlessness of so many of the world’s population. I have the fortune to travel to many places across our planet and I find this sort of thing everywhere although I know that there are still rare places where this sort of human disregard is alien. Unfortunately, I live only a half a mile (800 m) from this and we have many more spots just like it. Who is at fault, the local inhabitants of these houses, the local town councils or government? It seems that pride in our community or even countryside is a side issue for others to think about. - A sight that always disappoints me but I fear that things are getting worse not better. Happy World Photography Day:)

After landing at Kinloch on the Small Island of Rum, we head directly to the most imposing structure on this otherwise mostly barren Island. We were allowed to walk directly past the front of this, between the fence and walls, only passing 1-3 meters from the windows and being able to climb the front steps to the door. We saw that it still looked fully furnished with old ornaments and pictures now covered in sheets and cobwebs. Such a shame. This a Category A listed Edwardian mansion. Built between 1897 and 1900 as a luxury hunting lodge for the wealthy industrialist Sir George Bullough, it is constructed from distinctive red Rùm sandstone. It is Edwardian gothic/baronial in style and features ornate turrets, battlements, and lavish original interiors including a sprung-floor ballroom. It is now owned by the public nature agency NatureScot, the vacant building has required major structural preservation and has been put up for sale or restorative in recent years See PiP’s for close look at the entrance and one of the corners. Enjoy full screen and have a good day.

As our ferry approaches the Small Island of Rum we get to see a great view of its two rugged peaks; Askival (left) and Hallival (right) . This is part of the Rum Cuillin ridge, situated within the Inner Hebrides off the west coast of the Scottish Highlands. Askival: Rising to 812 meters (2,664 ft), it is the highest peak on the Isle of Rùm and a prominent Corbett characterized by its sharp, conical profile. Hallival: Positioned immediately adjacent to the east, recognizable by its broad, stepped ridge formed from ancient layered igneous rock intrusions. Enjoy full screen

As we start our walk around the deer park and gaze to our left here at the enclosed gardens and right to the bishops palace itself. You can see it is a good place to relax – just before the heat waves started here too. Have a perfect day.

Otherwise known as Beacon Rock. It is in reality a small, active navigation light built in 1901 and is 7.5 meters high standing just outside of Mallaig harbour. In the background we see the shores of the Isle of Skye with its impressive mountains further away. Have a good day.

Our garden plants, trees and grasses all takes their toll of this years hot drought conditions. An early demise for many of our plants after months of little or no rain. We here in the NW of England would normally have one of the nations most persistent yearly rainfalls things are still tinderbox dry, as could be witnesses last night by the first real National Alarm that was broadcast automatically through everybodies mobile phone warning of wildfires and dangers to life. Here we see my first attempt at close-up with my Lumix 1000. Does it do the job? Enjoy the weekend.

The most imposing building on the Island of Rum Is Kinloch Castle. From its old front lawns runs an old path to bordering woodland. Here are the gates. They were very stiff indicating that they have not been used for a very long time hence the rust as well. Enjoy the weekend.

A day trip to Durham is an unforgettable experience. We see here the River Wear looping around the Romanesque Durham Cathedral and Norman Durham Castle. There is much to do and like about this old city.

As our ferry departs on its approx. ninety minutes sail from Mallaig to the village of Kinloch on the Isle of Rum, the deck hands get ready to release the hawser. We are very lucky here as our usual holidays of damp grey weather has miraculously turned warm with blue skies. From this photo you can just see where I took a previous photo of the harbour from. Pip . Enjoy full screen and have a good day.

As I try-out of my new to me Lumix FZ1000, I am turned away from my favourite photographic area of Dovestones reservoir for danger of fire. This taken from a high vantage point next to the closed carpark and shows the darkened valley on the right were recent moorland fires have burned away all the top bracken and heather. Below us here you can see one of the local fire-engines still patrolling the area with the red fire welfare unit at the top of this dam wall. See Pip for adjacent view of our water depleted Yeoman Hey reservoir. Best viewed full screen Enjoy the day.

We are at the Hartlepool National Museum of Royal Navy here, aboard Britain’s oldest warship still afloat. It is a historic 19th-century Leda-class sailing frigate, built in Bombay, India, in 1817. This space features traditional wooden deck planking, stern windows overlooking the quarter gallery, and period-style furnishings used to recreate the living quarters of a Georgian-era naval captain. Have a perfect day.

After exploring the Palace and town centre of Bishop Auckland we ventured to the edge of town to have a walk and picnic around the river here. Someone had obviously decided that this was a good spot to pitch their tent to do some river fishing. “Newton Cap Viaduct is a historic 19th-century structure in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, spanning the River Wear. Originally built in 1857 for the railway, it was later converted to carry road traffic. It was opened in April 1857 by the North Eastern Railway; closed to trains in 1968 and converted for road use in 1995. It is 828 feet long, 100 feet high with 11 stone and brick arches.” Google Best viewed full screen Enjoy the day.

A funny moment seen at a ‘Yanks’ 40’s festival at Oxenhope in Yorkshire some sixteen years back. As this hamlet with its heritage railway centre was a locations for the famous Yanks film of 1978 it has been celebrated annually here. Ah, happy memories. PiP Best viewed full screen.

As we continued our walk along the banks of the Loch I spot quite a different view that shows the ever present fences keeping the sheep in order. This soft moorland terrain was typical around here. HFF, enjoy the day.

A busy day as we had walked the shores of Loch Morar in the morning and now we are at the little village of Arisaig with its tiny harbour where one can take a boat trip to the Small Isles of Eigg and Rum. In front of us showing its Prominent pitchstone ridge is the profile of An Sgùrr on the Isle of Eigg. Much further than it looks here across the sea loch of Loch nan Ceall into the Atlantic. Best viewed full screen Enjoy the day.

Taken at the side of the River Wear just outside Bishop Auckland. These steps took you up to the bridge that goes over the river. As you may see they are well worn indicating much use, but not nowadays. Enjoy the day.