Herb Riddle's photos

Take a seat and enjoy this view over Loch Carron towards the village of Plockton from near the Duncraig Railway halt and its castle (PiP). The pier and indeed the nearby tree-topped Island (Sgeir Bhuidhe) are actually part of the castle estate HBM, enjoy the week.

After a fine shoreside walk we come to Duncraig Castle which as you can see is in reality an old Mansion. We are allowed to wander through the grounds and past the building itself. "Built in the 1860s, Duncraig Castle was used during WW2 as a naval hospital and from 1945 to 1989 as a domestic science college. It earned TV fame when it was bought by the Dobson family in 2003 and their attempts to refurbish it were made into a reality show, The Dobsons of Duncraig. After the being made into a luxury B&B it has recently been bought again by a mystery buyer. " www.whfp.com/2022/09/30/castle-for-keeps-mystery-buyer-snaps-up-historic-property-near-plockton-on-the-market-for-2-85-million See PiP for modern lawn control on here. There were three or four of the auto grass mowing machines running around that very big lawn. Enjoy full screen

As we continue toward Duncraig Castle the Loch opens up for us here. The beautiful village of Plockton is just beyond the headland on the left. In the distance we see the mountains of Applecross. The PiP shows us the way to the castle and back to the village. Best full screen Enjoy the day.

A view of this lighthouse and fenced pier on the small Island of Eilean Bàn taken from high on the Skye bridge itself. Built in 1857 by David and Thomas Stevenson. It was discontinued in 1993. There were originally two lighthouse keepers resident with their families on the Island in a nearby cottage. When the lighthouse keeper moved out the lighthouse residence cottage (see PiP) was bought by the writer Gavin Maxwell (Ring of Bright Water fame). After his death the cottage became derelict but has since been restored as a visitors centre. Have a good weekend.

Today was to be an exciting one with a walk along this Loch to Duncraig Castle and then on to the village of Plockton and beyond. As per usual, the weather started poor but we had high hopes for better to come. Our path goes along the top of the small wall on our right here and the village will come into view on our left shortly. The peak is ‘Carn a Bhealaich Mhoir’ at 343metres. Best full screen Enjoy the day.

Part of the walled landscapes around Llyn Barfog (The Bearded Lake) in Wales. Essential full screen. Have a good day.

This was seen from the harbour of Kyleakin on the Isle of Skye. The seagull was a late arrival :) See PiP for harbour scene. The castle, an ancient seat of Clan Mackinnon, was a fortress commanding the strait of Kyle Akin between Skye and the mainland, through which all ships had to pass or else attempt the stormy passage of the Minch. The present building dates back to the 15th century, but is traditionally reputed to be of much earlier origin. WiKi Best full screen Enjoy the day.

Who says we have to have sunny clear blue skies for good landscapes. Here is one taken on my recent Scottish trip. A wonderful walk to and from the Drunbui Railway halt here and since it is Spring the yellow gorse is radiant too. We are actually at a place called Port Cam, south of Plockton which is north of Kyle of Lochalsh in North West Scotland and I am looking north over Loch Carron. Enjoy full screen

Taken near ‘Greenfield Reservoir’ not far from my hometown of Oldham. This has not in fact been here that long and I have never seen anybody sitting on it. For sure, it’s a work of art, no doubt by a keen local craftsman. HBM, enjoy the week.

This natural public park area lets you take your car to a splendid viewpoint. Here we are on the top, after a further short walk, with views across to Skye and north to the Applecross Peninsular. Across from us is the Skye village of Kyleakin , another hot spot for bridge photos and the old Skye ferry harbour. The water is Lochalsh itself and we see the Skye viaduct to the bridge too. A very cloudy day with spots of rain and we were to come here again with no better luck with the weather. The PiP shows the bridge from the lower shore viewpoint on the Plock. Best full screen Enjoy the day.

Saw these mushrooms or perhaps toadstools hiding under one of our potted Azealia trees. I thought I would capture them before they faded. It was all harder to capture than I expected. Enjoy the day.

A gate that has shed its fence some time ago I guess. This rusty gate sitting between the wild garlic was seen on the shore just beyond Broadford harbour. PiP Have a good weekend.

We were informed that otters inhabit this area but unfortunately not today for us. However a wonderful view from the north facing shore greets us. This was at the edge of a golf course once and so I wonder if this water is full of old golf balls or maybe the otters have collected them all (˚◡˚) Best full screen Enjoy the day.

A view up to this rock wall from Greenfield Brook not too far from my home. The lone high rock on the right is actually The Trinnacle, a local high spot for climbers who want their pictures taken on top of them. This photo is quite unique for me as I nearly never see these rocks with the sun shining on them as I did on this morning stroll. It was clearly due to the fact that it was coming up to the longest day. See PiP for an earlier view from the top of The Trinnicle. Best full screen Enjoy the day

Nature can turn up some unexpected views. A high aeroplane view down to the volcanic magna flows of Iceland perhaps, but no, this was seen in an artificial dammed pool at the bottom of a fast stream coming from our high moors and so was full of peat induced foam. A little post-editing did the rest. (˚◡˚) Best full screen Enjoy the day.

A wonderful spot for our picnic lunch here on the south eastern shore of Loch Voil. There must be a lot of fish in here as I saw and heard a few large plops in the water nearby. This used to be a very popular resting place near a wonderful wild camping spot but fences, gates and notices made it clear the trespassers were not welcome. That being said –we were pointed to this bench by a local who reminded us that in Scotland there is now a freedom to roam law and unless we were intent on damaging property or land we were perfectly entitled to go to the bench along a well-trodden path. He and his wife sat on the bench regularly. “The Land Reform Act 2003 gives everyone rights of access over land and inland water throughout Scotland, subject to specific exclusions set out in the Act and as long as they behave responsibly. These rights are sometimes referred to as 'freedom to roam'. “ HBM, enjoy the week.

Seen on our way around Fountains Abbey. This is the male (Phasianus colchicus) with is very distinctive colourings. It is in a small area of garlic plants and so my nose twitches. These will have been bred at the abbey and nearby county estates for game and so when we see these we always hope that they are safe from being shot. See PiP for closer view of the garlic. Best full screen Enjoy the day.

Allium sativum is a perennial flowering plant that grows from a bulb. The bulb has a strong odor and is typically made up of 10 to 20 cloves. It has long been used as a seasoning worldwide, with a history of several thousand years of human consumption and usage.