Category Archives: Scotland

A Little Gem……. on the Forth

Posted on by under David Oakes - Images, Everyday Life, Fife, Peace, PHOTOGRAPHY,, postaday, Scotland, Trivia

Scot-23

Pier House, Pittenweem, Fife, Scotland

This quaintly named Scottish fishing village of Pittenweem can be found on the shores of the Firth of Forth were in meets with the wild North Sea.  The harbour still serves a number of local fishing boats and has a smart fish market….. but like most of Scotland’s fishing industry it has suffered a decline over recent years.

The Harbour is a real beauty spot, surrounded by colourful buildings that have stood the test of time and wild weather….. a place to explore

Stay Safe …. Be Kind…. Look After Each Other

31st March

(C) David Oakes 2020

 

Silent Sunday…… So Off to Church

Posted on by under David Oakes - Images, Everyday Life, Off to Church, Peace, PHOTOGRAPHY,, postaday, Religious Heritage, Scotland, Silent Sunday, Trivia, U.K.Travel, West Highlands of Scotland

DORNAN--09-08-0349bb

St Dubhthach’s Church, Kintail, Scottish Highlands

This lonely ruin is located in the most lovely of Highland settings.  At the foot of Glen Shiel above Loch Duich were the Strath Croe flows down from Kintail into the Loch.

I am told the original church was dedicated to a little know Saint…. St. Duthae of Dubbthach thought to have died circa 1065ad.

Today this looks a tranquil place, but in the early 1700’s it was right in the middle of the Jacobite fighting in the area, notably the Battle of Glen Shiel of 1719.  The church was then used as a makeshift Field Hospital to treat the wounded. Following these hostilities the church was burnt down.  Later repaired in 1836 and rebuilt 1856. but soon fell again into disrepair.

It has through the centuries been the Clan Burial Ground for the Chiefs of the Clan Macrae.  

St Dubhthach’s Church may well be a ruin but still a place to explore and enjoy some peace from the world around.  It is also little known, yet sits on a small hill just above the busy A87, a road  travelled by thousands each year as they trundle along on ‘The Road to the Isles’.…. Isle of Skye of course. There isn’t a better place to pause on their journey.

Stay Safe …. Be Kind…. Look After Each Other

29th March

(C) David Oakes 2020

 

Wordless Wednesday…..another Favourite Place

Posted on by under David Oakes - Images, Everyday Life, Favourite Places, Peace, PHOTOGRAPHY,, postaday, Scotland, Trivia, Wordless Wednesday

Loch Muick

Location:-  Glen Muick on the Balmoral Estate, Aberdeenshire , Scottish Highlands.

A very favourite walk.  Park at Spittal of Glenmuick.  Then walk the circuit round Loch Muick.  At times the path is high… at others it is loch side. With a back drop of mountains such as Cairn Bannoch and Lochnager,  Loch Muick is like a gemstone nestling secure below the peaks.  All peace and quiet.

Stay Safe …. Be Kind…. Look After Each Other

25th March

(C) David Oakes 2020

 

Memories of the Scottish Coast……

Posted on by under Chanonry Point, David Oakes - Images, Everyday Life, Moray Firth, Peace, PHOTOGRAPHY,, postaday, Scotland, Trivia

Black-Isle

Chanonry  Point Lighthouse, The Black Isle, Scotland

This rather squat Lighthouse is located on a short peninsular of land that pokes out defiantly  into the Moray Firth.  It is located on an even bigger peninsular, known as the Black Isle, and is situated between the ancient Abbey town of Fortrose and the enchantingly named village of Rosemarkie.

More often than not the Lighthouse is pictured with the waters of the Firth, for me I just love the walk along the sand dunes that edge Rosemarkie Bay, whilst watching the lighthouse intriguingly getting closer.  In the early morning light it is rather a special place.

It is also a special place for Dolphin Watching.  At the Point the waters of the Firth narrow, then at times of tide change, when the Salmon are running, its is feeding time for the Dolphins.  Now I do wish I had a photo of the magical acrobatic antics that I have seen….but sadly, although the Dolphins have performed for all those watching, I have singularly failed to get a shot.  Never mind it is an excuse to get back and try again…someday.

As for the Black Isle, it is far from being Black, it is in fact a very fertile area of agricultural land, edged on two sides by two great waterways, The Moray Firth to the south and the Cromarty Firth to the north. Not sure where it is?…   well locate Inverness on the map of Scotland and look towards the north East.  Worth discovering.

***

Corvid news got worse yesterday.  The new restrictions has brought home the reality to just about everyone.  It is here for the long-haul.  At least I can get out with Buster for a careful walk for exercise for awhile, not sure how long.

If what we see on the news is correct, I do find it rather strange.  Here in the UK we are supposedly panic buying Toilet Rolls whilst in parts of the USA they are panic buying guns.

Stay safe and think of others…. help if you can

17th March

(C) David Oakes 2020