Highland Contemplations 2010

[Mathos]

We stayed at a really nice family type small hotel in Inverness.


The Heathmount.

It was certainly well presented.





Very seductive looking bedroom.





It had certainly been re-furbished to a high standard.




Extremely comfortable, very clean, warm rooms.

A general feeling of genuine warmth and friendliness too.





The pub section sported an excellent bar
and restaurant, both of which were quite
busy for the time of year, with local trade.





We spent two nights there, which enabled us to take in a little of Inverness, (a very pleasant City.)

The food at the hotel, be it breakfast, bar snack or evening meal.

Was outstanding. Service excellent.


Inverness town map - Ronald P A Smith Street Plans
CITY AND ROYAL BURGH OF INVERNESS
Inverness is, by some considerable margin, ...
Steeple - Replacing an earlier tolbooth, the
Inverness Town Steeple (left), ...
R P A Smith - Scottish Town Maps and Old Bartholomew Maps
inverness.htm - Cached - Similar

Nice link.


This one also on the hotel and restaurant.

Inverness Restaurant - Eating out at the Heathmount Hotel Restaurant
Try a meal at the Heathmount restaurant
and see for yourself why this is one of the
most popular Inverness restaurants.
Our chef demands the very best ...
www.heathmounthotel.com/restaurant.htm - Cached - Similar



Two really good links above.


I think the links I give when I can,
make the thread more interesting
giving the reader the option of taking
them on board or leaving them be.

Viz a viz.

[Happyman]

What a fantastic looking building/home this was as well.





It looked like it belonged in a 'fairy-tale;

An amazing building.

You mean old bugger Mathos !
Should have stopped there - bloody sure Flobo would have liked it !

Fordyce Castle, Banff - Location and Attractions

[Mathos]

It's really interesting to myself and Flobo
taking the photographs, the threads enable
us to keep a comprehensive record of our jaunts
here and there, including those in the Far East,
which are certainly not completed by any chance of the imagination.

Time is wonderful bugger for controlling issues.


We have seen some really nice places on this last trip to
The Highlands.

We have a tremendous number of photographs to select from,
hopefully to keep it interesting throughout.


This was a fantastic place, which I shall write up on in due course and provide plenty more photographs.





Outstanding.

The Highlands have something else very special to their existence in my thoughts.





The 'Beasties'


This fellow detached himself from The herd and came over to me.

He was a fantastic 'Monster' he must have been like the Herd Pet
to the farmer.




The way he let me pat and stroke him was amazing.

[Mathos]

^^ Hi Happyman, nice to see you.

You trying to get me in trouble?

I told her it was closed for painting and decorating.

[sunsetter]

hello there mathos! just knew this would be a cracker when i saw your name on it, looking good, hope your well and congrats on aniversary

looks like a proper smugglers cove this one, made me imagine pirates hauling gear up the cliffs and all that kind of pirate type shenanigans,cheers!

[Smug Farang Bore]

Truly stunning pics. Thing is if all the Jocks went home the place would sink.

I'm surrounded by them.

[Mathos]

^^ Thanks Sunsetter.

Great Anniversary thanks.

There are plenty of coves that look purpose designed for smuggling.

Those were the days though:- " Pirates of The Scottish Highlands."


^ Hi SFB Plenty of Jocks all across the Globe. Always sure of a good night out and a good tale or two.


My mate Jock is something else.

Flobo's Grandad was in The Seaforth Highlanders too.

"Ladies from Hell" those Germans referred to them as.

You can imagine why too. Those kilted bag-pipe blowers with a rifle, bayonet and a dirk, coming out of their trenches and over the top at you in the midst of battle:-

They proved a formidable force indeed.

Queen's Own Highlanders (Seaforth and Camerons) Regimental ...
The Queen's Own Highlanders have their base at Cameron Barracks
in Inverness with the Regimental Museum at Fort George in Scotland.
Cameron and Seaforth ...
Queen's Own Highlanders (Seaforth and Camerons) Regimental Association including the Lovat Scouts - Cached - Similar


Nice Link above.

[Mathos]

Flying visit tonight.


Having said that, I have pulled out few really interesting photographs:-





Be it historical man made products like the
Esso Pump and tracked vehicle,
they really are special finds.

I had a look around to see if there was anybody
who could give me some information on these two
classics.

Alas it was not to be.

But aren't they super.




More informative close up here.




I'm quite impressed by these two antiques.

They probably should be in a museum,
but considering they are parked up
outside and by the sea.

The condition appears to be quite good.

Quite a selection of 'Deer Skulls' on his garage apex.

[Mathos]

This we both thought to be a fantastic photograph.





It doesn't warrant dialogue, it says it all.


What about this for a building.




It's spectacular.


Not so far from John O'Groats.

That really is one hell of an impressive spectacle.


Brilliant in every aspect.

[Mathos]

Scenes like this, quite breath-taking at times.




There's a reflection of amazing construction
in the formation and a sense of well being in it's existence.


Put your hand in the hand of The Man who stilled the Water.

Absolutely wonderful.




We were impressed that there was no apparent road to this property.


Surely that had to make it extremely special.



This was wonderful to see as well.




He was just keeping an eye on us.

Making sure we left everything as we found it.


We did.

[ptrjakson]

Really great Scotland Pictures .

[brituser]

Haven't been back to the land of my birth since 1984. Mathos, your pics made me want to get on the first available plane. Thanks.

[Happyman]

Flying visit tonight.


Having said that, I have pulled out few really interesting photographs:-






I thought you had 'customised' your Rangerover for a minute !

[TSR2]

Esso Pump and tracked vehicle, they really are special finds.

That one of your old garages Mathos.

My mate Colin had a garage with that type of pump,

You had to hand crank it

There was always a loop from the pump to the car

What you should do is lift the the pipe to clear the trapped petrol

The crafty bugger used to hang the nozzle back on the pump then when the customer had gone tip the couple of pints into a can,

[klongmaster]

Where else on the planet would you find a trike in as good a condition as this obviously is, parked up in a field of turnips?

Baldrick will be right along...

[shunpike]

Great thread, lovely pix, thanks much for sharing!

[Mathos]

^Cheers Shunpike.

Thanks Pal.

[Mathos]

Really great Scotland Pictures .

Thanks PTrJakson.

Appreciated.

[Mathos]

Haven't been back to the land of my birth since 1984. Mathos, your pics made me want to get on the first available plane. Thanks.

You couldn't go to better place Brituser.

[Mathos]

Esso Pump and tracked vehicle, they really are special finds.

That one of your old garages Mathos.

My mate Colin had a garage with that type of pump,

You had to hand crank it

There was always a loop from the pump to the car

What you should do is lift the the pipe to clear the trapped petrol

The crafty bugger used to hang the nozzle back on the pump then when the customer had gone tip the couple of pints into a can,

I remember a few of the old Crankers TSR2.

In fact up to the mid 80's or so, Avery Hardoll (pump manufactures) had a drive handle for inserting into the pump (there was a key hole in the front panel)
in case of power failure.

It was hard work putting fifty gallons in a truck though.


Interesting to note too, I was paying up to £1..26p per litre in Scotland that equates to £5..72 per gallon.

Expensive indeed.

[Mathos]

I thought you had 'customised' your Rangerover for a minute !

You're fast Happy.




Nice One.

[Mathos]

Where else on the planet would you find a trike in as good a condition as this obviously is, parked up in a field of turnips?

Baldrick will be right along...

Sounds about right Klongmaster.

[Mathos]

This fellow (Larry The Ram) amused me.






"Let me out Mafos, I won't do it again. Honest!"

[Mathos]

There were some really nice water-falls in the locality.






Exceptionally interesting, extremely beautiful.


I tried to get as close to the drop at the top,
but it was a bit risky and steep as you can see.





I didn't fancy dangling off the edge by that drop and then going over.

It was a slippery section where I was.

Let common sense rule is my motto.

I'm not 21 any longer.




Marvellous setting though.

Sensational location.

Every River Flows to the sea.


All in all though.




Just another drop in the Ocean.

[Mathos]

I think these information boards are brilliant.





"One Million Years BC"

It's worth Googling that film, if you are not familiar with it.


Raquel Welch.

Typical Hamer movie.
Made it's own rules up on evolution including man
being here in cave man form, with the dinosaurs.

'It must be right, I saw it on the telly!'



Human beginnings contents

Just over three million years ago,
an ape in Africa began to walk on two legs
and took the first step on the long road to civilisation.
Along the way, we discovered flint tools,
fire and farming.
But what is it that makes us truly human?



The evolution of man
In 1974, one fossil changed our
understanding of our past.
Follow our three million year journey out
of the treetops in Africa and around the world.

It's all worth clicking on.

Interesting.


This was as well.





I'm not sure what type of bird this is, (Any assistance appreciated)
it was in a dive when I snapped it.

It went right down into the sea,
stayed under for about a minute,
came back up with a fish in it's mouth
(I think it was a fish) amazing sight.


Pity I was too slow to get the other shots as it came out of the ocean.