"Scottish Snippets"

"Colour Supplement"

25 August 2007

Each week the Rampant Scotland Newsletter includes a number of photographs which illustrate the weather and the seasons, plus the flora and fauna of the current week around Scotland. This separate "colour supplement" displays some more pictures, in a larger format. Here is this week's crop of Scottish views!


Red Admiral butterflies have been very scarce this year - this was specimen on a ligularia flower in the walled garden at Culzean Castle in Ayrshire was the first one I had seen this year - and it wasn't for the want of trying. This Red Admiral refused to unfold its wings as it was busy feeding, but that meant that the interesting under-wing markings were there to be photographed.




Historically, Culzean and the Ayrshire coast were involved with smuggling - the bays, cliffs and caves were useful to the smugglers. So the National Trust has placed this life-size statue outside the souvenir shop.


That curved beak, streamlined body and large feet to propel it quickly through the water, show just how well adapted this cormorant is to catch fish under water.




In August 1305, at Robroyston near Glasgow, William Wallace was captured by Sir John Menteith and handed over to the English authorities to be taken off to London and his cruel death. This memorial was erected in 1900 to mark the spot where he was captured. There are a number of inscriptions round the base of the monument. One Latin quote reads "Dico tibi verum, libertas optimum rerum, nunquam servili sub nexu, vivito fili" which translates as "I tell you the truth, the best of all things is freedom, never son, live under the bonds of slavery". It was said to have been taught to William Wallace in his boyhood when he was being educated at Paisley Abbey.


When it was first put up, the monument was isolated in farmland. These days, the memorial is surrounded by the urban sprawl of Glasgow. A recent housing estate (named by the developers as "Wallecefield") is just over a low fence from the monument. So it is surprising that the small replica sword is still surviving!




Culzean Castle's gardeners put on a terrific display of colour every year, not just with the herbaceous borders, but also with annuals and rows of dahlias, gladioli and sunflowers in all sorts of colours and hues. This gladioli was one of many dancing in the sunshine.

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





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