THE BEST OF THE REST: Fall Scotland 2018 Part 3

This post is made up of the Best of the Rest of my photos from the fall trip to Scotland. These haven’t been seen in the blogs from this trip, but deserve some viewing time. And I have a request for those of you who view the blog—give me some feedback on the photos. If I get the usual three or four responses, I’ll appreciate your comments, but I’ll also be disappointed. I really want to hear from those who follow the blog. Specifically, I want to know which photo or photos you suggest I consider for art shows; which photos have artistic merit and quality of composition to enter into an art competition, like a judged show. Also, which photos should I consider for making prints for framing to sell when we set up our book and photo booth at fairs and shows. Sometimes, but not always, a photo might end up in both category. Winter is the time when I can get ready for sales and shows, so your help would be appreciated. The photos in this post are organized into arbitrary categories for convenience, but don’t let that affect your choices when considering photos for sales and/or shows. I hope you enjoy the challenge I’m asking you to take on—it’s sort of what I do whenever I’m in a gallery or looking through someone’s portfolio of work at a shop of booth.

FLORA AND FAUNA

There were plenty of flowers in bloom on this trip to Scotland, but this photo of the fronds blowing in the wind is the one I like best.

Hielan'Coos (Highland or hairy cows) always make for a good photo, particularly with the sheep in the background.

Reindeer were reintroduced to Scotland in the 1950s. Now the Cairngorm herd numbers around 200. After hiking up to the herd, we wandered among them and this guy just walked right up to me looking for a handout.

Tough photo to get--a fast moving gannet skimming the water while I photograph from a car ferry bouncing in the chop.

This harbour seal (or is it a sea lion?) was a much easier target. in the Pittenwee, Harbour He was as curious about me as I was about him.

ARCHITECTURE

This grotesque was on display at Elgin Cathedral after having been in storage for decades. Grotesques and gargoyles (those with water spouts) were meant to remind church goers of the the devil's fearsome work.

A picturesque house at Pittenweem Harbour.

Dean Village (a section of Edinburgh) is one of the few places I've seen to make  drain pipes into art.

A lovely stairway in Falkland Village.

One of the features of Falkland Village is the dated lintels above doorways.  In this case, even though the doorway is gone, the lintel announces that GB married MH in 1686 and moved into this dwelling.

PEOPLE ARE IMPORTANT

J L Gills in Crieff may not be the largest whisky shop in Scotland, but largely due to its owner, Andrew Cuthbert, it probably has the most personality.

You can see the rain is on the way, but the wind is already here.

Speaking of wind, just try to get a good picture in the wind on a fast moving ferry.

A group of hunters hiking to their hunting ground were spotted through the trees near the Roman Bridge.

The story: inside the old section of Dunkeld Cathedral a father patiently answers his young daughters questions.

At the park beside Dunkeld Cathedral, Anne contemplates the River Tay--which was as high as we've ever seen it.

THE PLACE IS THE THING

Looking up toward Drummond Castle from the formal gardens. The gardens were used in the Outlander TV series to represent Versailles Garden.

Part of Dean Village, just north of Edinburgh's downtown area.

The skeleton of Elgin Cathedral which at one time rivaled St Andrews Cathedral for size and power.

A typical Highland croft with resident locals.

Glen Lyon in Perthshire has one of the tightest drives in a country of narrow roads.

A small island (I think it might be Swona) we passed on our way to St Margaret's Hope on the Orkney Islands. 

The Italian Chapel on the Orkney island Lamb Holm was built by Italian POWs during World War II. The ornate chapel is now privately maintained and is a real gem.

Midhowe Chambered Cairn on Rousay is a Neolithic burial tomb more than 27 meters long which has been preserved within a cement hanger and is viewed from paths on scaffolding which runs the length of the tomb. The remains of 25 people have been found in the tomb.

The Roman Bridge in Glen Lyon is not of Roman origin having been built in the 15th or 16 century --the Romans left the British Isles in the 4th century. "Roman" most likely refers to the Roman-style arch of the bridge's design.

Skaill Bay Beach, on the main Orkney island, is one of the many picturesque beaches throughout Scotland. 

The Standing Stones of Stenness (Orkney) are the remains of what was once a 12-stone circle built in about 3100 BC. It may be the oldest henge in the British Isles and the stones stand as high as 16 feet.

The village of Dunkeld seems to fit the black and white format.

STREET PHOTOGRAPHY

Edinburgh Arches

An Edinburgh close or alley looking down from the Royal Mile toward Princess Street.

Doorway

My shadow on a bakery window create "Pie Man."

A rainy street in Kirkwall, Orkney.

Anne meets Sausage Man.

On the small island of Rousay it's hard to find a street for Street Photography, so I had to resort to Farm Road Photography. This road is the main road around the island.

NEXT: There may be some new or new/old travel stories to share.

MELROSE AND PEEBLES

We are back in Crieff at Merlindale B&B (our Scottish home) after a three day excursion to the Borders area.  We’ve played some entertaining golf at Bridge of Allan, Torwoodlee, and Minto, but we’ve also done a good bit of touring which becomes the subject of this photo rich entry.  

GETTING TO THE HEART OF THE MATTER: MELROSE ABBEY

                                   Melrose Abbey from the Main Street through the Village

Founded in 1136 by King David I for Cistercian Monks, the ruins we visited in the Borders town of Melrose are of late 14th century architecture.  The abbey has been destroyed and rebuilt several times. 

Edward II destroyed the abbey during the Scottish War of Independence.  King Robert the Bruce rebuilt it.  In the English Civil War Cromwell destroyed the abbey again.  

                                                                The Abbey at Night

This is the abbey now under the care of Historic Scotland (a national trust).  

The ruined Melrose Abbey is lovely to visit--towering facades, fascinating gargoyles and corbels, and special attractions.  

                                                                     The Cloisters

Two features to seek out at the abbey are the pig with a bagpipe and the heart of King Robert the Bruce.  The carved figure of a pig with a bagpipe is intriguing.  

                                                  The Pig with a Bagpipe Gargoyle

Appearing in other venues as well, the pig supposedly represents the local Scots whom the French masons thought smelled “like pigs” (according to the Historic Scotland stewart).  While the body of King Robert the Bruce is laid to rest in Dunfermline Cathedral, 

                                             Robert The Bruce's Heart Is Buried Here

his heart which was carried to the crusades was buried someplace at Melrose Abbey.  Found in the 1920s, the heart after medical examination was reinterred in a special ceremony in 1998.  Melrose Abbey is one four Borders abbeys (Dryburgh, Kelso, Jedburgh, and Melrose) built in the 12th century which should be on any list of places to visit. 

                                                           Corbels or Grotesques

WHO DOESN’T LOVE A PARADE

Sometimes mistakes can work out for the best.  We planned our Saturday around attending the Highland Games in Peebles.  We toured Melrose Abbey in the morning and then drove into Peebles to see the games only to find out when we got to town that the games were on Sunday when we were booked for golf at Minto 25 miles away.  We filled the rest of Saturday wandering the great gardens at Kailzie,

but I kicked myself for getting our scheduling wrong.  All my fault.  

On Sunday after golf we drove to Peebles where we were to spend the night at the Neidpath Inn.  As we checked in our host said, “Well, you’re just in time for the parade of the bands.”  

                                                         The Parade of Bands

When we asked what he meant he told us that at the end of the games--remember, the Peebles Highland Games were on Sunday--all the bands march from the park down the main street through town, and that the bands should start coming down the street any time now.  

                                                 A Variety of Locals Enjoy the Parade

We may have missed the games, but we had never seen a parade of pipe bands at any of the Highland games we’d attended.  This was a special treat!  

The best part was standing on a pedestrian island in the middle of the street and having the playing band divide around the island--

                                                        In the Middle of a Band

it was stirring to be in the middle of a band of Highland bagpipes and drums!   Seeing the games would have been nice, especially since our very first Highland Games had been in Peebles in 2000, 

                                                     Look Who Gets to Carry the Trophy

                                                         The Drum Corps

but seeing and hearing (and almost being in) the pipe band parade was a special treat. 

                                                       The Tail End of the Parade