Daviot Church Easter 2010

Daviot Church Easter 2010, originally uploaded by Duncan Brown (Cradlehall).

Here is an aerial picture of the landmark Daviot Church, situated a few miles south of Inverness.

It looks like it's in the middle of a giant roundabout!

Taken on April 4, 2010

The River Ness behind Holm Mills

The embankment covered with yellow flowers separates the Caledonian Canal from the river Ness just before the canal veers north away from the river. Just below the embankment the white water reveals the end of a long weir crossing the river diagonally to meet the far bank here. The building on the left is part of Holm Mills, now converted to retail shops. An overhead electric power line crosses the river here.

Taken 14th May 2010 © Copyright Les Shaw and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

A9 Tanker

A9 Tanker, originally uploaded by Duncan Brown (Cradlehall).

Here's a 22-wheeler tanker on the A9 dual carriageway travelling south from Inverness. What's it carrying? Whisky, perhaps?
The tanker belongs to B. Mundell Ltd, a road haulier operating from Glasgow.
Their web page states "There are not many jobs our fleet cannot manage, from bulk 38,000kg loads to delivering a TV to your house."
So now you know.
How many TVs are in the tanker do you reckon, ha-ha?!

Taken on June 1, 2010

Aultnaslanach Railway Viaduct at Moy

Aultnaslanach Railway Viaduct Moy Inverness Scotland, originally uploaded by conner395.

The only wooden viaduct remaining on the British railway network, the Aultnaslanach Viaduct (also Allt na Slanach or Allt na Slanaich) is located on the Perth-Inverness railway in Strathdearn, a half-mile (1 km) west southwest of Moy Hall and 8 miles (13 km) southeast of Inverness. The viaduct crosses the Allt na Slanaich, a modest tributary of the Moy Burn.

Completed in 1897, this timber-trestle viaduct was the work of Murdoch Paterson (1826-98), Chief Engineer to the Highland Railway. It comprises five spans each of 7m (23 feet) and wood was chosen to minimise the weight of the structure, which crosses boggy ground. Given its unique nature, the viaduct was Category A-listed in 1976.

A £2.6 million restoration programme by Arup Scotland was undertaken in 2002 after rot was discovered in some of the timbers. A concrete structure was inserted to take the load of the railway, thus protecting the original viaduct.

Information from the Gazetteer of Scotland.

Taken on May 9, 2010

Scots pine

The area around Ardersier and Nairn has an abundance of beautiful Scots pine woods. This is Carse Wood.

Taken 18th May 2010 © Copyright Dave Fergusson and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

67020 at Inverness

67020 Inverness, originally uploaded by Dave_SUFC.

67020 is seen at Inverness after arriving with 1S25 21:15 from London Euston which it had worked from Edinburgh Waverley.

Taken on April 13, 2010

Old High Church from Huntly Street

Old High Church Inverness Scotland from Huntly Street, originally uploaded by conner395.

There has been a church on this site for 900 years and the site may also have been the location for the first church in Inverness following St columba's preaching from (probably) this spot in 566.

In the aftermath of the Battle of Culloden (april 1746) the church was used to house Jacobite prisoners, and those sentended to death were executed in the graveyard.

Sadly the floral clock is awaiting attention.

For information on the church and its congregation see the Old High Church website.

Taken 17th May 2010

Delayed at Dingwall

A train from Kyle of Lochalsh to Inverness is delayed whilst waiting for a late northbound train to clear the single line.

Taken 18th May 2010 © Copyright OLU and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

Fortrose Cathedral

Fortrose Cathedral Ross & Cromarty - Black Isle - Scotland, originally uploaded by conner395.

Fortrose (Gaelic: A' Chananaich) is a burgh on the Moray Firth, approximately ten kilometres north east of Inverness. The town is known for its ruined 13th century cathedral, and as the home of the Brahan Seer. In the Middle Ages it was the seat of the Bishopric of Ross. The cathedral was largely demolished in the mid-seventeenth century by Oliver Cromwell to provide building materials for the citadel at Inverness. The vaulted south aisle, with bell-tower, and a detached chapter house (used as the tollbooth of Fortrose after the Reformation) remain. These fragments are in the care of Historic Scotland.

Further information on the history of Fortrose can be found at http://www.fortrosemarkie.org/fortrose.htm

Taken on May 17, 2010

Northern Constabulary HQ

Northern Constabulary - Police Headquarters Inverness Scotland, originally uploaded by conner395.

The building (opened 1999) was built behind the previous HQ building, which had been completed in 1974. The "old" building, which had been flat-roofed and was not capable of expansion was then demolished and flattened to form the car park of the present buidling.

It houses Headquarters Police services for the Highlands & Islands of Scotland: Northern Constabulary - the largest force area of any UK Police force.

Taken on May 16, 2010

Rapeseed crop

Near Milton of Balnagowan.

Taken 18th May 2010 © Copyright Dave Fergusson and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

Ruins at Shennachie

Ruins at Shennachie, originally uploaded by Duncan Brown (Cradlehall).

Evidence of the Highland clearances in Inverness-shire.

This Shennachie croft was cleared to make way for sheep.

Still no people live here but the sheep do.

Taken on May 18, 2010

Touchstone Maze

Touchstone Maze, originally uploaded by The Poss.

Touchstone Maze in Blackmuir Wood, Strathpeffer. Illustrates the different rock types and geological ages found in Scotland. And the labyrinth is based on Celtic and Pictish designs. Information boards identify the rock type for each boulder and explain how alignment of the "arms" is related to events such as the solstice.

Taken on May 12, 2010

Black Bridge, Kilmorack

The traffic light controlled bridge carries an unclassified road over the River Beauly, just below Kilmorack Power Station.

Taken 14th May 2010 © Copyright Les Shaw and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

Ruthven Barracks

Ruthven Barracks, originally uploaded by The Poss.

Ruthven Barracks. Built after the Jacobite rebellion of 1715 and finished in 1721 the barracks commanded the main north-south route of Strathspey. In 1745 it withstood an attack by Prince Charles Edward Stuart (Bonnie Prince Charlie) but surrendered to his main force in 1746 and was burnt. The stable block was added around 1734.

Taken on April 26, 2010

30025 in 1984

37025 Inverness 27.6.84 [RR84], originally uploaded by D9006.

Early morning at Inverness on the 27th June 1984 and 37025 (D6725) waits to depart with the 06:35 service for Wick. 37025 was named "INVERNESS TMD" during March 1994, these being removed in July 1999 shortly before withdrawal in December of the same year. The loco has since been sold for preservation and arrived at the Bo'ness & Kinneil Railway in August 2000.

Road to military training area

At Kirkton of Ardersier. The training area is used by the personnel from nearby Fort George.

Taken 18th May 2010 © Copyright Dave Fergusson and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

47805 Slochd

47805 Slochd, originally uploaded by Dave_SUFC.

47805 heads north from Slochd Summit on 0Z47 1000 Craigentinny-Inverness

Taken on April 26, 2010

Loch an Sgorr Gaoithe

The loch is the southernmost of a cluster of small lochs scattered among an area of craggy, birch-clad hillochs, north-west of the village of Milton.

Taken 4th May 2010 © Copyright Sandra Bardwell and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

Chambered Cairn Remains

Chambered Cairn Remains, originally uploaded by Alternate Perspective.

By the A96 at Allanfearn between Culloden and Inverness, looking towards Brecknish.

Taken on May 7, 2010

Kessock Bridge and the RNLI Station

Kessock Bridge and the RNLI Station, originally uploaded by Duncan Brown (Cradlehall).

This is the north end of the Kessock Bridge where it joins the Black Isle. Below the bridge is the RNLI Lifeboat station.

Taken on May 14, 2010

Loch Maolchan

An area of small craggy hillocks, extensive birchwood with juniper and heather, small streams and damp areas between the crags, draining generally south into the River Enrick (which flows into Loch Ness). The eastern fringe of a large conifer plantation lies along the western edge of the area. General elevation is above 300m.

Taken 9th May 2010 © Copyright Sandra Bardwell and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

Wood Lorry

Wood Lorry, originally uploaded by Duncan Brown (Cradlehall).

After all the tree felling at Culloden Forest during the winter months, the wood lorries have been busy collecting the timber.
Here can be seen the HGV driver in his other role as crane operator.

Taken on May 12, 2010

Lauder Pub

Lauders Pub, Inverness, originally uploaded by Duncan Brown (Cradlehall).

We're Nae Awa Tae Bide Awa
(18th century song)

CHORUS
Oh, we're nae awa tae bide awa
We're nae awa tae leave ye
We're nae awa tae bide awa
Till I come back and see ye.

As I was walkin' doon the street
I met auld Johnnie Scobie
Says he tae me, "Can ye go a hauf?"
Says I, "Mon, that's my hobby."

CHORUS

So we had a hauf and anither half
And then we had anither
We had a hauf and anither half
And we baith walked hame tigither.

CHORUS

Taken on May 8, 2010

Post Office Bus Stop

The bus-stop at the Post Office, Inverness, originally uploaded by Duncan Brown (Cradlehall).

Time for a fag at Queensgate, Inverness!

Taken on May 8, 2010

Cnoc Fhearchair

Taken about 75m south of actual summit of the minor hill. The hill stands about 300m north of the boundary of an extensive conifer plantation. Typically of the area, the summit is flat and partly grassed, and drops quite steeply on all sides. Ground cover is heather; scattered Scots pines are slowly colonising the open ground. The view is extraordinary, including Ben Nevis and the Glen Affric hills, among much else.

Taken 3rd May 2010 © Copyright Sandra Bardwell and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

Ploughing

Ploughing 1, originally uploaded by Duncan Brown (Cradlehall).

Here's a spot of ploughing at Little Kildrummie Farm, Nairn.
For all you anoraks out there, the plough is being pulled by a smart red Massey Ferguson 6485 tractor, woo-hoo!
I think this field is destined for the commercial growing of carrots, yum-yum!

Taken on April 30, 2010

Power to the People

POWER TO THE PEOPLE, originally uploaded by Duncan Brown (Cradlehall).

Here are the hydro-electric linemen erecting new electricity poles for the power lines running through Daviot Wood, a few miles south of Inverness.

Taken on April 27, 2010

Edge of Pheasant Wood

A track keeps to the field edge before cutting into Pheasant Wood that makes a pleasant detour from the Knockbain to Munlochy Road. Munlochy Bay is visible beyond the field of rape that will soon turn yellow and delight the bees and beekeepers. The picture was taken at 7 am after a hard frost for May at the start of a glorious day.

Taken 12th May 2010 © Copyright Dr Julian Paren and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

Gaelic Road Sign

Gaelic Road Sign, originally uploaded by The Poss.

Road sign on A835 going south approaching Tore roundabout. Highland Council have succumbed to pressure from the Gaelic mafia and replaced many road signs with bilingual. They must be awash with money but this is a complete waste. I expect more Polish speakers than Gaelic speakers traverse this stretch of road. And I would guess that less than 1% of people living within 20 miles of here would recognise the Gaelic version of the name.

Taken on April 13, 2010

The CDPB theme is "Funny Signs". Click here to view thumbnails for all participants.