Scottish Tour Guide's Blog

Last night was bitterly cold ( about minus 10 C in Glasgow and minus 16 C in the Scottish Highlands).

This morning I arose early with intention of obtaining some images showing the effects of the unusual low temperatures. So, I went off early on my mountain bike to Eaglesham Moor which has a high elevation and hence prospective good views of Glasgow and surrounding area. I had hoped to get images of the City of Glasgow basking in the winter sunshine but this proved not possible. However, I did obtain many other images with which I am reasonably happy and which are discussed below.

This shows Montgomery Street, Eaglesham ( a conservation village) with the local church.

Stag with his entourage of hinds.

Small copse (wood) basking in the winter sunshine.

Aspect of the wind farm on Eaglesham Moor. This is the largest wind farm in Europe.

View towards East Kilbride.

The following four panoramic images were all taken from a high standpoint and look towards the snow covered Campsie Fells (hills) beyond Glasgow. The City of Glasgow sits roughly in the centre of the images but is obscured by shadow.

This is the spire of Eaglesham Church

Upon return I was suffering from mild hypothermia because of the extreme cold and chill factor due to cycling downhill. Just about back to normal now.

Another cold night tonight then there are some prospects of the temperature lifting a little.

This morning, I took advantage of the reasonably sunny weather and drove up to Eaglesham ( an upscale, heritage village south of Glasgow) which benefits from a high elevation and thereby affords good photo opportunities. Eaglesham Moor is also home to Europe’s largest wind farm.

Here is an image of a just a snapshot of the huge collection of wind turbines on Eaglesham Moor.

View of Glasgow with Campsie Fells in the background.

Another view of Glasgow looking north with hills in the background.

Local farmstead with sheep and a wind farm.

This video clip shows the City of Glasgow looking north with various ranges of hills in the background including Kilpatrick Hills, Campsie Fells and Kilsyth Hills. Good visibility for December!

This evening, I am posting some still images to record my visit Dunwan Hill, a prominent feature which lies in open moorland south of Eaglesham and in turn south of Glasgow.

This is an historic site which was thought to be an iron-age hill fort but latest thinking suggests something less defensive in nature and perhaps a high status homestead of the first millennium AD.

Access to this site is quite an ordeal, via a very boggy landscape-resulting in two very wet feet! However, I was rewarded with stunning views on reaching the 300m summit. At the base of the hill I encountered a rectangular sheepfold with the foundations of ruined farm buildings.

Image taken atop Dunwan Hill looking towards Glasgow with Dunwan reservoir in the foreground.

Two aspects of Dunwan which now sits in the midst of an emerging giant wind farm. An interesting combination of ancient and modern!