Herb Riddle's photos

Around our Seven Seas, man has always fished. Here on the coast of Scotland, between Islands, the Scottish and Irish mainland and the wild Atlantic, fishing is a long established tradition. This fishing boat has returned from a short day out in our local Killbrannan Sound, the stretch of water dividing Kintyre and Arran. Nowadays, the catches are a shadow of what they used to be and as we come close to the home port of Carradale, some waste, as usual is discarded into the waters. It’s a feast for the local sea gulls of course. See PiP for alternative view Enjoy full screen.

Around our Seven Seas, man has always fished. Here on the coast of Scotland, between Islands, the Scottish and Irish mainland and the wild Atlantic, fishing is a long established tradition. This fishing boat has returned from a short day out in our local Killbrannan Sound, the stretch of water dividing Kintyre and Arran. Nowadays, the catches are a shadow of what they used to be and as we come close to the home port, some waste, as usual is discarded into the waters. It’s a feast for the local sea gulls of Carradale.

Another bench on the coast, taken on our recent trip to Scotland. We are here in the tiny hamlet of Keil on the very tip of the Mull of Kintyre. In the distance looking south east, we can see ‘Sanda Island’ with its smaller partner ‘Sheep Island’. In the far distance is the feint but very distinctive pudding shape of ‘Ailsa Craig’, an Island I once visited on my very first trip to Scotland about 50 years ago. Enjoy full size and enjoy your week in safety.

As Britain celebrates our Queens Platinum Jubilee this weekend, I share memories of my visit to London in 2010. A familiar if not interesting view of our famous Westminster Bridge landmark.

As Britain celebrates our Queens Platinum Jubilee this weekend, I share memories of my visit to London in 2010. Here we have the famous Tower Bridge taken in the golden hour. Tower Bridge is a Grade I listed combined bascule and suspension bridge, built between 1886 and 1894, designed by Horace Jones and engineered by John Wolfe Barry with the help of Henry Marc Brunel. See PiP and last photo for arched view. Enjoy.

In celebration of our Queens Platinum Jubilee I share memories of my visit to London in 2010. Here we have the famous Tower Bridge taken in the golden hour. Tower Bridge is a Grade I listed combined bascule and suspension bridge, built between 1886 and 1894, designed by Horace Jones and engineered by John Wolfe Barry with the help of Henry Marc Brunel. Enjoy.

Another view of this Island, this time in its entirety. You can also see the access to the Island via the causeway that is underwater twice a day. Taken from the mainland almost a mile away, just before coming into Cambeltown. We were to visit this Island and lighthouse some days later in heavy rain. Yes, we have a fence too, a little smaller in my picture than normal but running across the entire scene. The PiP shows a closer view of the lighthouse. Enjoy full screen and enjoy the weekend.

Just south of Machihanish, a wonderful coastal walk brings you to this landscape. While we see nice seabirds on the water, I also spot a bird of prey flying around the top edge of these cliffs. See the PiP for closer look at the big outcrop. Enjoy full screen.

A sister photo to the next on here showing the big outcrop here at The Gaudrons at Machrihanish. As rabbits hop about we also see birds of pray hovering above. A wild spot for us. Have a good weekend.

Also called the 'harbour seal' . Seen near the Marine Environmental Research Laboratory at Machrihanish on the Mull of Kintyre. See PiP

Another view of the Marine Environmental Research Laboratory at Machrihanish, this time with a closer look at the seals too.. See PiP

Its still water here near the village. This spot that looks so far from civilisation is almost in the back garden of a local row of houses, one of which must be the home of the owner of this boat. At times seals and sea otters visit here. Enjoy full screen.

As Ukraine is hammered relentlessly by bigger and bigger bombs we try to relax here for a while watching the seals. We are making a walk along the shores to a place full of rocks and boulders pounded by the Atlantic. The building in front of us is actually the ‘Marine Environmental Research Laboratory’ run by the Institute of Agriculture, University of Stirling. To the right is the Machrihanish Seabird/Wildlife Observatory and it is from that we see the blue and yellow flag of Ukraine proudly flying high with our support. Enjoy full size and enjoy your week in safety. ps the seals are on the rocks in the foreground plus the white baby seal.

Norman Hill Reservoir, Rochdale, low in water as it is being emptied for a repair. I do like the wave effect here with the shape of the background hill coupled with the wall and reflections. Even the foreground shape is trying to match too. Enjoy full screen.

Taken from the mainland about a mile away, just before Cambeltown on the Mull of Kintyre. We were to visit this Island and lighthouse a few days later. Enjoy full screen.

One from my trip of last year in the high NW of Scotland. This taken not far from our holiday cottage at Inverkirkaig. The sea-loch is just at ‘slack-water’ and after a cloudy day the sky clears and the water starts to show some long awaited reflections. We could see this small yacht from our chalet windows and it never did sail away. Enjoy the weekend.

Looking east from the village towards the Isle of Arran. The sun is setting behind me to my left, warming the hills and valleys of this Island. We can see the islands highest mountain ‘Goatfell’ at 874 metres with its daily hat of mist. It is in fact a Scottish ‘Corbett’ as it over 762m and under 914m. For most of our seven days here we could never see this mountain for low cloud. The far village is, I think 'Catacol' with the nearby bigger village 'Lochranza' just hidden further to its left.

Another look at this castle. This time from the front corner. A bit of sunshine lights up the castle for a minute or so as I walk along the edge of the stream that runs down to the sea from here, only a few metres away. I had to wait a while for the swans to locate themselves just here but patience was rewarded. The original castle was built in the 12th century but the current castle was built in the 1508 with further major restoration and repairs c 1774. The castle served as a bastion for the MacDonald family and several MacDonald lords resided here. The PiPs show other photos, all taken from around here too. Enjoy full screen