I have a lot of photographs from Scotland and more favourites than I can cover in one post. So, here’s the first set of my most liked photographs from Scotland.
This picture was taken in morning at Ballathie House, a hotel we visited in our travels. I arose early to get some photographs before breakfast and before we set out for our next destination. Ballathie House is a 19th-century mansion in Perthshire, Scotland, located around 9 miles (14 km) north of Perth, close to the River Tay. The present house was built in 1886, and since 1972 it has operated as a country house hotel.
In this photograph, I’ve captured a very old bridge. It’s no longer in use but we drove past it on our way into the Glenlivet Distillery, near Ballindollach in Moray Scotland. This bridge has no particular name but it falls in the category of packhorse bridges, bridges intended to carry packhorses across a river or stream. Really! Typically a packhorse bridge consists of one or more narrow masonry arches, and has low parapets so as not to interfere with the horse’s panniers.
We saw many ruins of old structures in our travels. Many of them, including this one are old cathedrals. And not unlike this one, several are in various stages of restoration. This one is known as Elgin Cathedral and not surprisingly, it’s located in Elgin near Inverness. The cathedral, dedicated to the Holy Trinity was established in 1224 on land granted by King Alexander II outside the burgh of Elgin and close to the River Lossie.
This photograph was taken in farming country on the Tarbat Peninsula, north of Inverness. I like the image of the lone farmhouse, somewhat isolated enduring a typical blustery day near the North Sea.
Today’s last photograph features Eileen Donan Castle, recognized as one of the most iconic images of Scotland. Situated on an island at the point where three great sea lochs meet, and surrounded by some majestic scenery, it is little wonder that the castle is now one of the most visited and important attractions in the Scottish Highlands.
Although first inhabited around the 6th century, the first fortified castle was built in the mid 13th century and stood guard over the lands of Kintail. Since then, at least four different versions of the castle have been built and re-built as the feudal history of Scotland unfolded through the centuries.
If you visit Scotland, it’s good to keep in mind this pearl of wisdom….
I’ll be back soon with more of my favourites.