Tag Archives: Scotland

Wordless Wednesday…… Another Favourite Place

Posted on by under David Oakes - Images, Everyday Life, Favourite Places, Isle of Skye, Peace, postaday, Scotland, The Cuillins, U.K.Travel, Wordless Wednesday

Red-Cuillins,-Skye

Location:-  The Isle of Skye and the Cuillin Mountains. Scotland

Regular followers will know of my love for the Isle of Skye.  There are many great views of, and then on, the Island.  But this view is one of my very favourite views.  You have crossed  “Over the Sea to Skye”.  Then after you pass through Broadford and head up the A87, you suddenly turn a bend on the road.  There, right in front of you, is your first real panorama of the Cuillin Mountains. The Black Cuillins are on the left whilst the Red Cuillins are to the right, reflected in the waters of Loch Ainort. On a sunny Skye morning the mountains look rather benign……  but make no mistake they can be, and often are, the complete opposite.

Care is always needed in the Mountains, but wherever you are 

Please Remember to ….

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

7th April

(C) David Oakes 2021

 

Wordless Wednesday…… Another Favourite Place

Posted on by under David Oakes - Images, Everyday Life, Favourite Place, Isle of Skye, Neist Point, Peace, postaday, Scotland, Trivia, Wordless Wednesday

Disc One

Location:-  Neist Point Lighthouse, Neist Point, North West Coast of the Isle of Skye, Scotland.

Lighthouses were erected to keep Mariners safe.  For everyone’s well being…

Please Remember to ….

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

31st March

(C) David Oakes 2021

Silent Sunday……. A Peaceful Place

Posted on by under Argyll, David Oakes - Images, Everyday Life, Kilmartin, Nether Largie, Peace, postaday, Scotland, Silent Sunday, Trivia

FIDDLESTICKS FREE

Nether Largie Standing Stones, Kilmartin Glen, Argyll, Scotland

The many Neolithic and Bronze Age Stones of Kilmartin Glen are part of, probably one of the biggest collection of stones and burial cairns, not just in Scotland, but maybe in the the UK.

This is the Central Group of Stones at Nether Largie.  For me it is the most dramatic…..  but standing there surrounded by all the stones and cairns it also the most spiritual of places.

The stones are laid out on a North East – South West Axis.  There have been many studies into the purpose of this grouping. A Lunar Observatory to help mark the seasons and the passage of the sun and moon seems to be the most accepted premise.

Last weekend we past the Spring Equinox. Today we take the very modern decision to play with time, moving our clocks forward by one hour. Makes me ponder on just what would have happened, at this time, in the cyclical seasonal circle that we have just passed through, all those thousands of years ago, by our ancestors.

Nether Largie Stones could not have been located in Kilmartin Glen by pure accident, we may never know just why.  They may well have had a Spiritual meaning all those thousands of years ago…..  but my visits always trigger a Spiritual awareness.

One of those very Special Place…

Please Remember to ….

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

28th March

(C) David Oakes 2021

Saturday….. so lets go for a Day Out

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

Castle-of-Mey,-Scotland-0583

The Castle of Mey, Caithness, Scotland

As its a Saturday, I though we would have a virtual “Day Out”

On the wild north coast of Scotland, high on cliffs overlooking the Pentland Firth, some 6 miles from John O’ Groats, stands the rather fabulous Castle of Mey.

Built around 1566 by the then Earl of Caithness, and also known for many years as Barrogill Castle, it has a endured a rather chequered and neglected life.

That all changed when in 1952 (the late) Queen Elizabeth, the Queens Mother acquired the Castle.  It was I am told in a sorry state.  No electricity, no water.   But after much restoration plus some very sympathetic extensions to the building, it became the Queen Mothers much loved Holiday Haven, and the original name of Castle of Mey restored.

Despite its extreme wild location, the gardens  of Castle of Mey are as grand as the Castle its self. High hedges and wall protect it from the extremes, but even so it is a quite an achievement for this wild sea view location above the Pentland Firth.

Castle-and-Gardens-of-MEY,-SCOTLAND-0541

With a view to the Castles future, the Queen Mother established a Trust Foundation., which in turn passed to the Princess Trust to Administer. Following her death in 2002 the Castle has been opened  to the Public.  In those early days of public visits we were lucky enough to visit.  My wife Jean enjoyed a small intimate tour of the interior, a small glimpse of life at Castle Mey that the Queen Mother so much enjoyed but also much to show her love of her family.

Prince Charles  (known in Scotland as the Duke of Rothesay) has overseen the development of a Visitor Centre and Improved visitor facilities…….   Now a must on any Tour of the Highlands.

CASTLE-OF-MEY,-SCOTLAND-0532

Now back to the real world of today, so wherever you are this Saturday….

Please Remember to ….

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

27th March

(C) David Oakes 2021

Moody Monday…… Changeable

Posted on by under David Oakes - Images, Everyday Life, Moody Monday, Peace, postaday, Scotland, Shetland Isles, Trivia, Weather Change

Sumburgh Head

The shore line of  the West Voe of Sumburgh, looking towards Sumburgh Head.  Shetland Isles

This last Saturday, we  crossed the equinox from winter to spring…  a time of change.   The above image was taken on the Autumn Equinox back in 2019, again a time of change. It was also a time when one could travel so freely, no clues as to what what would be in store for all of us…. we only had the weather to worry about.

On this particular day we certainly were enjoying weather, that was as they say, changeable.

Looking out on the above scene, across the West Voe, to Sumburgh Head Lighthouse, there had just been a heavy downpour of rain. It wasn’t long before the sun came out again, the temperature climbed again…..  but 10 minutes later we enjoyed a snow storm.  Then it was a case of repeat, until the day made up its mind, and then we enjoyed a fabulous sunny day that only the Shetlands can deliver.

Bressay-Lighthouse,-Lerwick

Bressay Lighthouse, Lerwick, Shetlands

But as we left the Shetlands that evening, the signs of the inevitable weather change could be seen.

Just a reminder that Change is always with us.

Wherever you are and whatever the weather…..

Please Remember to ….

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

22nd March

(C) David Oakes 2021