Herb Riddle's photos

A wet day does not deter us from a walk along this famous old disused railway line. We are heading towards the viaduct, a well-known photo attraction from our parking spot at Lochearnhead. Follow Pip for more info. Have a good weekend.

After yesterday’s photo of a close-up of three of the arches (pip) we see here two photos of the complete dam. There are in fact 6 arches to the left of centre and five on its right side. It was constructed in 1951-6 and measures 344m in length by 42m in height. It should be seen here that the wall is in fact solid to the top and there is no gap to let light (or water) through to the inside top of the arches and so an optical illusion there. Lochan Na Lairige is part of the Breadalbane Hydroelectric Scheme. The alternative front view (last photo) is from the reservoir itself and can be noted how low it is despite the amount of rain up here. See Pip for alternative view Enjoy full screen

As seen from the waterside. Also called 'Lochan na Lairige Dam' See next photo for full description.

A puzzle at first sight here. It is actually the back wall and buttresses of the Lochan na Lairige Dam here near Loch Tay in the Scottish central Highlands.. As I walked towards these massive archways I could not tell until stood underneath whether the top inside was lit up by a light through a gap to the top of the dam or was it simply an optical illusion of difference in the rock colouration. HWW, enjoy the week. ps A more complete photo of this to come!

Quite an amazing stone here of this massive rock balanced on what must be only inches of rock plinth the size of a football. It felt that if one was to lean on this, it would topple over but it really must have been like this for millennium now. See Pip for alternative view and previous picture. Brimham Rocks, once known as Brimham Crags, is a 183.9-hectare biological Site of Special Scientific Interest and an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The site is known for its water- and weather-eroded rocks, which were formed over 325 million years ago and have assumed fantastic shapes. Lots of the rocks, made of sandstone, have old druid names such as Druids Alta, Druids Writing desk etc. Enjoy full screen

A rather nice spot on the River Lochay on the outskirts of Killin as we ponder our next walk. This is one of the feeder rivers to Loch Tay. I liked the reflections here on this calm water. HBM, enjoy the week.

This Loch, only a few hundred metres from our holiday cabin in Killin seemed a wild, dark and lonely Loch. It is 14.5 miles (23.4km) long and typically 1 to 1.5 miles wide (1.6-2.4km) and is quite deep at 490ft (150mts) at its deepest. It is overlooked on one side by Ben Lawers with its six sister Monro’s (on our left side here). It's hard to believe that ancient settlers once lived on Loch Tay, inhabiting artificially created islands known as crannogs. We did attempt to drive the length along its wilder southern road (on our right) but bad weather defeated us at ¾ of its length before a hasty retreat. (Narrow single track roads with many blind summits in torrential rain is no fun!) Enjoy full screen

Killin and the Falls of Dochart Taken from the river towards the Bridge of Dochard in the village of Killin. A very popular spot as witnessed by the many tourist busses that stop here.

Our first walk of our new Scottish holiday at the village of Killin in Perthshire starts with some fine weather. We are walking along the River Dochard here and beyond the fence we think we are seeing Meall Liath although it might be part of Beinn Ghlas. Have a good weekend.

A trip to Brimham Rocks in North Yorkshire is a delightful one for photographers and children alike. A giant playground of fanciful rocks that look more man carved than natures. Here we see one of my favourite subjects, a ‘lone-tree’ growing almost miraculously from a crack and soil laden shelf on/in the bare rock itself . (A photo from the other side to come.) Brimham Rocks, once known as Brimham Crags, is a 183.9-hectare biological Site of Special Scientific Interest and an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The site is known for its water- and weather-eroded rocks, which were formed over 325 million years ago and have assumed fantastic shapes. Lots of the rocks, made of sandstone, have old druid names such as Druids Alta, Druids Writing desk etc. Enjoy full screen

Fountains Hall, a Grade I listed building owned by the National Trust, is situated within the World Heritage Site at Studley Royal Park which include the impressive ruins of Fountains Abbey. The late Elizabethan house dates back to between 1598 and 1604 and was built by Stephen Proctor. Stone from Fountains Abbey ruins was used in its construction. See adjacent photo for full view. Enjoy the day.

Fountains Hall, a Grade I listed building owned by the National Trust, is situated within the World Heritage Site at Studley Royal Park which include the impressive ruins of Fountains Abbey. The late Elizabethan house dates back to between 1598 and 1604 and was built by Stephen Proctor. Stone from Fountains Abbey ruins was used in its construction. Enjoy the day.

Situated just at the corner of our holiday cottage for a week, this was a most interesting sight to see and experience. Not only does the wheel work on certain days but one can visit the inside and see the workings too. It was originally called St Fillan’s Mill and built around 1840. It had fallen into disrepair and refurbished in 1989 and then again in 2013. It is now a folklore centre. See Pips of the actual wheel Enjoy full screen

See next photo for details.

Seen outside a preserved Scottish longhouse, now a folklore centre. Have a great day.

Seen near the Scottish Perthshire village of Killin. This is a rare sight for me living much further south in England, as the much more aggressive grey squirrel dominates and have made the reds almost extinct in England. This was seen scampering under a bridge that I was stood on trying to catch images of the river. Sciurus vulgaris: Due to their overall population declines, red squirrels are classed as endangered on The Mammal Society's Red List for Britain's Mammals. Scotland supports 75% of the UK population, yet even here they are classed as near threatened.

Seen near the centre of Boston, Massachusetts. I liked the play of light on these aluminium fences. After some recent horrific high-rise fires here in Britain, I am sure the residents here would be glad of these precautions. Have a good weekend. Ps another break for me now.

As I come to the end of this series on here of Fountains Abbey and the Studley Royal Water Gardens I finish with a classic capture of the tower with reflections. We are nearly at the end of our walking tour here and as it is getting close to the actual closing time of the grounds there are less tourist about. The weather has remained dry but as you see, overcast. I took many more photos and no doubt, some will show up as time goes by. Hope you have enjoyed them. Please Follow the PiP for more historical information. Enjoy full screen