"Scottish Snippets"

"Colour Supplement"

4 March 2006

Each week the Scottish Snippets Newsletter includes a number of photographs which illustrate the weather, flora and fauna of the current week around Scotland. There are so many such graphics worth including that a separate "colour supplement" is created so as not to totally overload the Newsletter. Here is this week's crop!

Firth of Clyde

Although northern parts of Scotland were covered in snow, the high pressure system that brought that in also created clear skies further south in the central lowlands. This picture was taken from the highest point on the island of Cumbrae, off the Ayrshire coast, in the Firth of Clyde. In the distance is the island of Bute and mainland Argyll.

Largs

The ferry to Cumbrae leaves from the Ayrshire town of Largs. Still a popular seaside resort, the beachfront at Largs is not perhaps its most attractive asset - and the ten-pin bowling alley and amusement arcade (on the right of the picture) may be useful on a wet day but is architecturally an eye-sore. The red sandstone of the spire of St Columba's Parish Church has been a prominent landmark in Largs since 1892. The art-deco Nardini's Café on the next corner is probably the most famous attraction in Largs (followed closely by the "Pencil" - the monument to the defeat of the Vikings at the Battle of Largs in 1263). It has been a haven for visitors for 70 years and in its heyday, it sold 1,000 gallons of ice-cream over summer weekends.

Calmac Ferry and Largs

The Caledonian MacBrayne (otherwise known as Calmac) car ferry "Loch Àlainn" takes just ten minutes to cross the narrow channel to the island of Cumbrae (also known as Great Cumbrae to differentiate it from the neighbouring Little Cumbrae). All cars are charged the return fare, on the not unreasonable assumption that they will leave Cumbrae at some stage. After all, Great Cumbrae is only four kilometres (2.5 miles) long by 2 kilometres (1.25 miles) at its widest point.

Cathedral of the Isles, Cumbrae



Despite its small size, Cumbrae boasts a cathedral in Millport, its one and only town. True, the "Cathedral of the Isles" is the smallest cathedral in the British Isles (and maybe even in Europe) with a capacity for only 100 worshippers. It is a cathedral because it is the centre for the Diocese of Argyll and the Isles, within the Episcopal Church of Scotland (Anglican Communion). The cathedral was founded by George Frederick Boyle, 6th Earl of Glasgow and opened in 1851.

Wigeon

Many people travel to Cumbrae to see the wide variety of wildlife there. These Wigeon off the seashore were unperturbed by the waves being whipped up by the strong northerly wind which was a feature of the weather this week.

Crocus, Newlands Park

Despite the low temperatures, the spring bulbs are continuing to advance. This parch of golden yellow crocus were growing in Newlands Park in Glasgow.

Sunset over Glasgow

The clear skies which produced so much sunshine in central Scotland this week also created the conditions for some glorious red and orange sunsets. This picture was taken in Bishopbriggs, looking over Glasgow in the distance.

If you want to look back at earlier editions of this Colour Supplement, there is an Index Page



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