Herb Riddle's photos

A promise of better weather tempts us to do a highland walk from the Scottish village of Kingussie. For those who love fishing, this Loch is stocked and I believe boat hire is available -not that we saw any fishermen nor boats. Enjoy large

Another view along the 'Peak Forest Canal' outside 'Ashton-u-Lyne'. A low contrast scene but the whole mood lifted by the florescent green jacket. Enjoy.

A view of this famous viaduct in misty wet weather. Quite different from my previous trip here. The piece of high land that I am standing on here is quite often packed with photographers in the Summer months when ' The Highlands West Coast special' steam train is running over this. Enjoy full size

A view of this most beautiful silver-birch tree on my favourite walk. It seems almost impossible that the silver trunk and branches can be natural but they are caused by the bark pigment reflecting the bright sunshine today. Seen on the round walk of Dovestones reservoir here in Greenfield. The tower on the hill is the local TV relay tower. I have included the wall as a nice curved lead-in to the centre of attraction here. Enjoy full size.

I must admit to never tiring of nice Autumn leaf scenes. Here we have another taken in one of the nicest wooded valleys imaginable. With a mix of beautiful deciduous trees, miles of good paths, a wonderful fast flowing rocky river and an old cotton mill with mirror pond (pip) – who could ask for more. HFF, enjoy the weekend.

Taken on our 2016 Northern Scotland tour. See adjacent parent photo for description.

What a difference a day makes. The PiP's shows what the weather was like in 2016 when we were last here. This time, the blue skies and sun have entirely been replaced with squally rain and mist and I am constantly wiping the rain off my protective lens filter. A visit today, along with nearby Fort William as part of our lightning bus tour of this area. Wiki: "A minor branch of the Clan Donald, built a memorial tower at Glenfinnan to commemorate the raising of the standard of the Young Pretender: Prince Charles initially landed from France on Eriskay in the Western Isles. He then travelled to the mainland in a small rowing boat, coming ashore at Loch nan Uamh just west of Glenfinnan. On arrival on the Scottish mainland, he was met by a small number of MacDonalds. Stuart waited at Glenfinnan for a number of days as more MacDonalds, Camerons, Macfies and MacDonnells arrived. On 19 August 1745, after Prince Charles judged he had enough military support, he climbed the hill near Glenfinnan as MacMaster of Glenaladale raised his royal standard. The Young Pretender then announced to all the mustered clans he claimed the British throne in the name of his father James Stuart ('the Old Pretender'). A MacPhee (Macfie) was one of two pipers with Bonnie Prince Charlie when he raised his banner above Glenfinnan. Afterwards brandy was distributed to the assembled highlanders to celebrate the occasion. Eight months later, Charles Stuart's claim to the throne ended in failure at the Battle of Culloden on the 16 April 1746. Many Macfies, who came from Glenfinnan, followed Donald Cameron of Lochiel on the right flank of the Jacobite Army at the battle."

It once covered the whole of Scotland, a vast primeval wilderness of Scots pine, birch, rowan, aspen and juniper, and now the Caledonian Forest is considered one of the most important habitats for biodiversity conservation in Scotland. Taken just outside the Cairngorm village of Kingussie. Enjoy this primeval glimpse of moss covered trees and imagine the sound of the stream that accompany this, maybe too, the fantasy creatures that might inhabit this stretch! Essential full screen

A warm winter keeps most of this snow away from here today at the edge of the famous Nevis Range in the Scottish Highlands (home of Ben Nevis, Britain's highest mountain). If you look carefully you can see the scenic gondola lift climbing to the peak of 'Aonach Mòr' on the right. The cloud was to drop much lower bringing heavy drizzle to us on this tour to Fort William.

Seen on Loch Laggan near Fort William in the Scottish Highlands. This is damming up the River Spean and is part of the Lochaber hydroelectric scheme. Opened in 1934 and is 157ft (48m) high. Req full screen. See PiPs

We see quite a few paths and tracks like this. With old moss-lined stone walls to mark the passing of time. Just how many people have walled down here through the centuries can only be guessed. This is just outside the busy town of Ashton-u-Lyne, joining no doubt, the canal to various cart tracks. Enjoy

A retrospective look at the Portland Canal basin in Ashton-u-Lyne. This is the junction of three canals: Ashton Canal to the left, Huddersfield Narrow canal to the right and I am on the Peak Forest Canal. The building you can see was originally the 19c Ashton Canal warehouse here, now a free museum and cafe. The 1835 bridge is an old cobbled pathway, that allowed horses to continue along the canal. The Pip is an old waterwheel of the same warehouse -just to the right of this scene. NB Nice full size. A canal basin is (particularly in the United Kingdom) an expanse of waterway alongside or at the end of a canal, and wider than the canal, constructed to allow boats to moor or unload cargo without impeding the progress of other traffic, and to allow room for turning, thus serving as a winding hole. (Wiki)

A new lake here for me, just by the canal at Ashton. It took a very slippy muddy path down to get to this spot but I think it was worth it.

Chugging* along the 'Peak Forest Canal' towards the 'Portland Basin' of Ashton-u-Lyne can be a cold if not miserable chore. No doubt though it is warm and cosy inside with his little log stove ablaze with the pot of brewing tea atop :) * To move forward slowly, as of a steam train (which stereotypically makes a chugging noise). Nice full size.

A fence full of ‘Common Gulls’ (Larus canus) that we see often in Britain. A smaller gentler version of our even more numerous 'Herring gull'. I liked not only the birds on here but also the gentle curve and light of this fence. This taken on the Rochdale Canal at Littleborough. I wish you all, a great weekend, Herb

A soft hazy start to our walk here that ended up with beautiful late lighting. Taken on the approach t'Summit' from Littleborough. This canal started life higher, at the small town of Sowerby Bridge (joining the Calder & Hebble navigation via the River Calder) and finishes in the centre of Manchester via the town of Rochdale. It is a broad canal because its locks are wide enough to allow vessels of 14 feet width (much wider than my own local Huddersfield Narrow canal). Completed in 1804. Best viewed full size.

The scene just below the lighthouse moments after being totally invisible with the dense fog. One of our most treacherous headlands on the most far flung of Britain's mainland. See adjacent photo for the lighthouse. Taken on our trip here in 2014

Another built by Robert Stevenson in 1828 and was manned until 1998. This spot is famous for its fog and high winds as located at the most North-Westerly point of the British mainland. One of the buildings below it, is a little cafe, most welcome by its few visitors after making the trek or ride here on some of our most far-flung paths and lanes. Notice the red giant fog-horn here to the left. See adjacent photo for the view below.