I'm a finalist!!

I came home from shopping the other day and when I checked my e-mails I was surprised to find an e-mail from the Scottish Seabird Centre to let me know that one of my photos had been short-listed for the Nature Photography Awards!  I really wasn't confident about any of my photos this year, so I am really pleased to have made it through to the finals this year again.

The photo that has made it through can be seen on the post below this one - it's 'Day of the Aphid', which, like my Water Web Wonder last year, was one that I entered late into the competition - in fact I think I submitted it just the day before the deadline for entries!!

The results won't be known until February 2014, but now I have a visit to the Seabird Centre to look forward to so that I can see the other entries, and I will have an awards ceremony to attend early next year once the results are known.

The Scottish Seabird Centre Nature Photography Awards

Well, it's that time of the year again, with the deadline drawing near to get photos submitted for the Scottish Seabird Centre's Nature Photography Awards.  I was really lucky last year to have two of my photos chosen for the finals, and I decided to give it another go this year, although I'm not full of hope for this year at all.  I think I've been trying too hard to get that 'perfect shot'!!

However, I have managed to submit six photos prior to the deadline which is the 27th of October, so fingers crossed.  One of the photos I submitted last year that made it through to the finals was only submitted a few days prior to last year's deadline! 

These are my photos for this year, so keep your fingers crossed for me!!

Bee on Lavender (Scottish Wildlife category) taken in my neighbour's garden

Dandelion Sunset (Creative Visions of Nature category) taken down at the beach

Don't speak with your mouth full (Scottish Wildlife category) Puffin taken out at the Isle of May

Jiminy Cricket (Worldwide Wildlife category) taken in Egypt

Suspended Animation (Creative Visions of Nature category) snail shell caught in a spider's web

Day of the Aphid (Scottish Wildlife category) tiny aphid climbing on dead moss seed heads

Visit to and review of Rosslyn Chapel, Roslin, Midlothian

Superb architecture, good visitor facilities and a cat called William!

This is a place that I had always wanted to visit but had just never got round to doing.  However, when the news broke that the scaffolding that had been surrounding the chapel for many years had been removed, I decided that it was now time to visit!

We checked the website for opening times and admission prices, and it was there that I saw the very disappointing news that there is no photography or video allowed in the interior of the chapel at all.  I think this may be quite a new ruling, but it kind of took the shine off my excitement regarding the visit.  It is OK however to take as many photos of the outside of the building as you want, as long as they are for personal use only.

On arrival we parked in the nearby car park and could immediately see that this was going to be a busy visit.  We made our way up to the very nice visitor centre and after paying our admission we sat and had a coffee and cake to kill some time before the first presentation talk of the day.  First impressions were good – nice little shop, café and toilets, and very pleasant and informative staff. There is lots of information in the visitor centre too, with interactive facilities for adults and children alike.

We then made our way to the chapel and, yes, it is impressive from the outside with its grand architecture, statues and carvings.  Once we entered inside, it is simply stunning and such a shame that I missed out on many photo opportunities.  We sat on one of the pews and waited for the talk to begin.  The person who took us through the explanation was brilliant.  She was funny and informative and so passionate about her job!  One thing she did explain was that the most asked question about the chapel was “What’s the name of the cat?”  The black resident cat is called William and he was sitting curled up on one of the pews not batting an eyelid at the many visitors milling around! 

Please don’t go and visit expecting it to be exactly the same as the Holywood movie though, because a lot of the movie was done in the studios and not at the chapel!!  It is however a fascinating place to visit – the weather was a bit dull during our visit, but on a sunny day it will look simply stunning. 

Then, on your way home after your visit, you can ponder on the many theories and mysteries surrounding this wonderful place!!

I'll leave you with some photos that I took on the day.

Window detail

Window detail

Statue detail

Statue detail

A sneaky peek inside

Rosslyn Chapel

Artificial rose

 

A flying visit to Berwick-on-Tweed

The day after our trip to Tantallon Castle, it was another lovely day so we decided to head out once more and took ourselves down to Berwick-on-Tweed via the Lammermuir Hills.  It was a glorious day and the clarity was just wonderful.  we could see for miles!!

Our first stop was at the village of Foulden where my late Aunt Alice had lots of connections, having been the headmistress of the primary school there.

From there, along with a quick visit to where my Aunt was laid to rest, we headed down to Berwick to take some photos of the bridges.  It's a shame that the tide was out, but at least the sun was still shining!

While at Berwick we popped along to Berwick Garden Centre for a spot of lunch then made our way back home via Colstream where we stopped for a wee photo opportunity!

We then set off back through the Lammermuir Hills towards home.  Taking photos of the spectacular views doesn't really do them justice, but here goes anyway!!

Then it was off back home after a very nice day out!!

Visit to and review of Tantallon Castle, East Lothian

We had been due to travel out to the Isle of May for Open Lighthouse Day on the 7th September, but it had been cancelled due to bad weather.  The weather looked lovely too, but the sea was rough, so we weren't allowed to travel.  Exactly the same happened last year!!  We are now booked on the open seal day later in the month, so fingers crossed that the weather is kinder!!

So as not to waste what was to be a day out, we went down the coast to visit Tantallon Castle then on to the new Garden Centre at Dunbar for a coffee.  This is my review of the castle:

This castle sits high on the coast between North Berwick and Dunbar and commands spectacular views over East Lothian and the Bass Rock.  We visited here recently on a windy but sunny day, and found our visit very interesting.  There is ample car parking then a short walk to the castle, however for those that perhaps are not too mobile, you can travel further on up the road towards the castle where there are more car parking spaces.  There is an entrance fee to pay, and a small shop with very helpful and pleasant staff, where you can buy souvenirs and guide books.  There are also toilets, but no café.

The grounds of the castle are very well maintained and you are allowed to climb the stairs inside parts of the castle to take you high onto the ramparts were you are able to get the most fantastic views of the shoreline and the countryside.  It is certainly well worth spending an hour or so here exploring all the various nooks and crannies.  You won’t be disappointed.

Be warned though, that this castle sits right on the coastline so I wouldn’t advise visiting when the weather is extremely windy or if it is raining.  On a clear sunny day you will be able to see for miles, but if the weather closes in, as it often does, the majestic views will disappear into a grey and misty haze!!

As ever, the camera was to hand, so here are a few photos of our day out:

Tantallon Castle

Tantallon Castle

Entrance to Tantallon Castle

Bass Rock from Tantallon Castle

View from Tantallon Castle

Tantallon Castle

Tantallon Castle

Tantallon Castle

Runrig - Celebration in the City

I can't believe I forgot to mention that I'd been at the Runrig concert at Edinburgh Castle in July!!  It was part of their 40th anniversary tour - Celebration in the City!!  And what a setting it was!  Absolutely fabulous!!  I still think of Donnie Munro as the 'voice' of Runrig, but it was a great concert and the weather also held out.  It was warm and sunny to start with but after the sun went down, it became quite cold and windy, but that didn't detract from the concert at all.  We had a fantastic night.

As you can imagine, I took loads of photos so I think the best thing to do here is to post the link to my Flickr page where I have posted them to so that you can look at your leisure!!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/marlscat/sets/72157634732264425/

Trad on the Tyne - Donnie Munro

When I discovered that the Red Hot Chilli Pipers were going to be playing at the Trad on the Tyne event in Haddington, I also discovered that Donnie Munro (ex-Runrig) was to be playing in Haddington on the next again night!!  Fearing that the tickets might have been sold out, I phoned to see if I could reserve tickets for the concert that I would be able to pick up on the night.  Happily, there were some tickets left so I arranged for them to be waiting for me.  I had already seen Runrig at Edinburgh Castle earlier this year, so to see Donnie as well was going to be a bonus as I still regard him to be the 'voice' of Runrig.

Here are a couple of photos from the night.  His concert was great and we thoroughly enjoyed it.

Trad on the Tyne - Red Hot Chilli Pipers

The Trad on the Tyne Festival has been running for three years and this year I discovered quite by accident that the Red Hot Chilli Pipers were going to be performing at Haddington Corn Exchange, so I quickly went and bought tickets for the event.

We had a thoroughly enjoyable night and the band were just tremendous.  They also played two numbers along with Haddington Pipe Band, which was fantastic.

Here are a few photos that I took on the night