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Torphichen Preceptory in the village of Torphichen, West Lothian, Scotland is an unusual remnant of a little known corner of Scottish history. It comprises the tower and the two transepts of the church associated with the Preceptory of the Knights Hospitaller of the Order of St John of Jerusalem. The Order maintained just two such establishments in Britain, the other being in London. Torphichen is therefore the sole Scottish link with an Order whose name resonates through history: from its formation in the Crusades to its occupation of Malta in the face of Turkish siege in 1565, and beyond.

Another view of this canal barge on the Union Canal, near Ratho, Midlothian, Scotland. See The Union Canal near Ratho, Scotland and Canal Barge to view the other shots in this series. This 31.5 mile contour canal travels from The Falkirk Wheel to Edinburgh. Popular features of this gentle lock-free waterway include the Avon, Almond and Slateford Aqueducts, which are among the finest in Britain. Best viewed LARGER.

Towering over the town of Broxburn, West Lothian, Scotland, Greendykes Bing (95m in height) rises to 195 m above sea level. It is the largest of the counties post-industrial spoil-heaps. Bing, a Scots word meaning pile or heap, is derived from Old Norse ‘bingr’: a heap. The word has been in use from the 16th century and is still common in the every-day language of central Scotland. The result of retorting mineral oil from deep-mined carboniferous shale beds at a time when Scotland was the major oil producing nation in the world. They tower above the naturally low-lying landscape of West Lothian. In 1851, James Young opened Britain's first commercial mineral oil refinery in Bathgate using cannel (parrot) coal. "Paraffin Oil" was a brand ...

An interesting sign on the corner of a barn next to a bend on a narrow country road in Lanakshire, Scotland. BEST VIEWED LARGER

Brazilian Tapir

The High Street in Biggar, Lanarkshire, Scotland, looking South West. Three bracketed JPGs converted to HDR in Photomatix Pro.

The Bridge Inn is a nice restaurant located by the Union Canal at Ratho, Midlothian, Scotland. The bridge in question (on the left) carries the main road into Ratho. This 31.5 mile contour canal travels from The Falkirk Wheel to Edinburgh. Popular features of this gentle lock-free waterway include the Avon, Almond and Slateford Aqueducts, which are among the finest in Britain. Best viewed LARGER.

A view of the Avon Viaduct taken from the Whitecross road, just outside Linlithgow Bridge, West Lothian Scotland. Linlithgow Bridge is dominated by this Viaduct which was constructed in 1840 to carry the main Edinburgh to Glasgow railway line across the valley of the River Avon to Linlithgow, which it still does today. Three bracketed JPGs converted to HDR in Photomatix Pro. BEST VIEWED LARGER

Lin's Mill Aqueduct over the River Almond at Loup o Lees, between Newbridge and East Calder, Scotland. The Aqueduct carries the Union canal over the river Almond. BEST VIEWED LARGER

A section of the Avon Aquaduct in Muiravonside Country Park, near Whitecross, Falkirk District, Scotland. The Avon Aquaduct runs through the middle of Muiravonside Country Park. Formerly an estate owned by the Stirling Family of Falkirk, this 170 acre park comprises woodlands, parkland and the River Avon. At 810 feet long, this aquaduct is the second longest in Britain and lifts the Union Canal 86 feet over the River Avon. The spectacular views from the top make the climb worthwhile. Three bracketed JPGs converted to HDR in Photomatix Pro.

Canon Rebel T3i. Gorillas are the largest of all apes, western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) are the smallest of the three gorilla subspecies. The great apes also include the chimpanzee, bonobos and the orangutan. Male gorillas stand about 5½ feet tall and weigh around 300–450 pounds; females are only half the weight of males. Western lowland gorillas are found in the tropical rainforests of West Africa, including southwest Nigeria, Cameroon, Rio Muni, Gabon and eastern Congo. Gorillas’ coats are black, brown or gray, with adult males having “silverback” saddles reaching to the thighs. Hands, faces, feet and chests are black and hairless. Their skulls are large with heavy brow ridges. Noses are the most distinguishing fe...

Canon Rebel T3i. Gorillas are the largest of all apes, western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) are the smallest of the three gorilla subspecies. The great apes also include the chimpanzee, bonobos and the orangutan. Male gorillas stand about 5½ feet tall and weigh around 300–450 pounds; females are only half the weight of males. Western lowland gorillas are found in the tropical rainforests of West Africa, including southwest Nigeria, Cameroon, Rio Muni, Gabon and eastern Congo. Gorillas’ coats are black, brown or gray, with adult males having “silverback” saddles reaching to the thighs. Hands, faces, feet and chests are black and hairless. Their skulls are large with heavy brow ridges. Noses are the most distinguishing fe...

Canon Rebel T3i. Gorillas are the largest of all apes, western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) are the smallest of the three gorilla subspecies. The great apes also include the chimpanzee, bonobos and the orangutan. Male gorillas stand about 5½ feet tall and weigh around 300–450 pounds; females are only half the weight of males. Western lowland gorillas are found in the tropical rainforests of West Africa, including southwest Nigeria, Cameroon, Rio Muni, Gabon and eastern Congo. Gorillas’ coats are black, brown or gray, with adult males having “silverback” saddles reaching to the thighs. Hands, faces, feet and chests are black and hairless. Their skulls are large with heavy brow ridges. Noses are the most distinguishing fe...

The River Almond in Almondell and Calderwood Country Park, West Lothian, Scotland with the Naysmith Bridge (built 1800) just upstream. The park is a semi wild nature retreat open to all. Camera: Canon EOS 450D (Digital Rebel XSi in the USA) Lens: Canon 18-55mm IS Handheld Three bracketed JPGs Tonemapped in Photomatix Pro.

The lovely quiet little churchyard at Abercorn Parish Church, three miles west of South Queensferry, Scotland, in the tiny hamlet of Abercorn. The site of Abercorn Parish Church has been sacred ground since St Ninian visited during a mission to the Picts in the late 400s. Before long his followers had established a church here, perhaps the earliest in this part of Scotland. And by the late 600s the Northumbrians established Abercorn as the seat of one of their four Bishops: the others residing at York, Hexham and Lindisfarne. The Bishop of the day, Bishop Trumwin, fled with his monks to Whitby after the Picts defeated the Northumbrians at the battle of Nechtansmere in AD685 (see our Historical Timeline). Three bracketed JPGs converted to...

Canon Rebel T3i. Gorillas are the largest of all apes, western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) are the smallest of the three gorilla subspecies. The great apes also include the chimpanzee, bonobos and the orangutan. Male gorillas stand about 5½ feet tall and weigh around 300–450 pounds; females are only half the weight of males. Western lowland gorillas are found in the tropical rainforests of West Africa, including southwest Nigeria, Cameroon, Rio Muni, Gabon and eastern Congo. Gorillas’ coats are black, brown or gray, with adult males having “silverback” saddles reaching to the thighs. Hands, faces, feet and chests are black and hairless. Their skulls are large with heavy brow ridges. Noses are the most distinguishing fe...

Linn's Mill Aqueduct over the River Almond at Loup o Lees, between Newbridge and East Calder, Scotland. The Aqueduct carries the Union Canal over the River Almond. BEST VIEWED LARGER

A view of the Avon Viaduct taken from the top of the Avon Aqueduct. The Avon Viaduct is at Linlithgow Bridge, Linlithgow, West Lothian, Scotland. Linlithgow Bridge is dominated by this 26 arch Viaduct which was constructed in 1840 to carry the main Edinburgh to Glasgow railway line across the valley of the River Avon to Linlithgow, which it still does today. The Viaduct is 442 yards (404m) long and 92 feet (28m) tall at its highest part. The Avon Aqueduct runs through the middle of Muiravonside Country Park. Formerly an estate owned by the Stirling Family of Falkirk, this 170 acre park comprises woodlands, parkland and the River Avon. At 810 feet long, this aqueduct is the second longest in Britain and lifts the canal 86 feet over the R...

just the baby in the tapir fam!

A section of the Union Canal, at Muiravonside Country Park close to Whitecross, Falkirk District, Scotland. This 31.5 mile contour canal travels from The Falkirk Wheel to Edinburgh. Popular features of this gentle lock-free waterway include the Avon, Almond (Linn’s Mill) and Slateford Aqueducts, which are among the finest in Britain. Three bracketed JPGs converted to HDR in Photomatix Pro.

Kirknewton & East Calder Parish Church (KNEC) serves the communities of Kirknewton and East Calder, along with their outlying areas, in the West Lothian presbytery of the Church of Scotland. History 1146 - Kirknewton Church was founded and dedicated to St. Cuthbert 1148 - A church was similarly founded and dedicated in East Calder. Its ruin can be seen in the old graveyard. For the next 500 years, Kirknewton and East Calder were separate parishes 1750 - The present Church building (not shown here_) was opened in Kirknewton and served both Kirknewton and East Calder 1776 - A United Presbyterian Church was formed in East Calder. This subsequently became a United Free Church, and its building is the present church hall (not shown here_) ...

The western lowland gorilla is found inhabiting the tropical jungles and forests of western and central Africa, along with lowland swamps and secondary forests. The biggest threat to the western lowland gorilla is habitat loss caused by deforestation and also being hunted by humans. Parts of the western lowland gorilla’s territory have also been taken over by civil unrest in recent years, which, along with poaching, has had a truly devastating affect on wild populations. Photo taken at Taronga Zoo, Sydney on a Nikon Coolpix P610

Canon Rebel T3i. Gorillas are the largest of all apes, western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) are the smallest of the three gorilla subspecies. The great apes also include the chimpanzee, bonobos and the orangutan. Male gorillas stand about 5½ feet tall and weigh around 300–450 pounds; females are only half the weight of males. Western lowland gorillas are found in the tropical rainforests of West Africa, including southwest Nigeria, Cameroon, Rio Muni, Gabon and eastern Congo. Gorillas’ coats are black, brown or gray, with adult males having “silverback” saddles reaching to the thighs. Hands, faces, feet and chests are black and hairless. Their skulls are large with heavy brow ridges. Noses are the most distinguishing fe...

A host, of golden daffodils in Almondell and Calderwood Country Park, West Lothian, Scotland. The park is a semi wild nature retreat open to all. BEST VIEWED LARGER

The Mid-Calder Bridge which carries Bank Street over the Linhouse Water at Mid-Calder, West Lothian, Scotland. Camera: Canon EOS 450D (Digital Rebel XSi in the USA) BEST VIEWED LARGER Three bracketed JPGs converted to HDR in Photomatix Pro.

It was a glorious day today (2 April 09), so Sylvia and I went for a very pleasant walk in the country. We started off at the village of Ratho, Edinburgh, Scotland and walked along the Union Canal. On the way we passed a number of old bridges including this fine example. This 31.5 mile contour canal travels from The Falkirk Wheel to Edinburgh. Popular features of this gentle lock-free waterway include the Avon, Almond and Slateford Aqueducts, which are among the finest in Britain. Camera: Canon EOS 450D (Digital Rebel XSi in the USA) BEST VIEWED LARGER Three bracketed JPGs converted to HDR in Photomatix Pro.

Torphichen Preceptory in the village of Torphichen, West Lothian, Scotland is an unusual remnant of a little known corner of Scottish history. It comprises the tower and the two transepts of the church associated with the Preceptory of the Knights Hospitaller of the Order of St John of Jerusalem. The Order maintained just two such establishments in Britain, the other being in London. Torphichen is therefore the sole Scottish link with an Order whose name resonates through history: from its formation in the Crusades to its occupation of Malta in the face of Turkish siege in 1565, and beyond. The Order of St John of Jerusalem was suppressed in Scotland after the Reformation in 1560, but it was reconstituted here.

It was a glorious day today (2 April 09), so Sylvia and I went for a very pleasant walk in the country. We started off at the village of Ratho, Edinburgh, Scotland and walked along the Union Canal. On the way we passed a number of old bridges including this fine example. This 31.5 mile contour canal travels from The Falkirk Wheel to Edinburgh. Popular features of this gentle lock-free waterway include the Avon, Almond and Slateford Aqueducts, which are among the finest in Britain. Camera: Canon EOS 450D (Digital Rebel XSi in the USA) BEST VIEWED LARGER Three bracketed JPGs converted to HDR in Photomatix Pro.

A path through the trees leading to one of the picnic areas in Vogrie Country Park in Midlothian, Scotland.

A slightly unusual view of the tops of the towers of the Forth Rail Bridge. The shot was taken from the banks of the Union Canal, near Ratho, Midlothian, Scotland. The metal towers you can see in front of the Rail Bridge are part of Edinburgh Airport. Best viewed LARGER.

The western lowland gorilla is found inhabiting the tropical jungles and forests of western and central Africa, along with lowland swamps and secondary forests. The biggest threat to the western lowland gorilla is habitat loss caused by deforestation and also being hunted by humans. Parts of their territory have also been taken over by civil unrest in recent years, which, along with poaching, has had a truly devastating affect on wild populations. They tend to live in groups which are led and protected by the alpha male.

This 31.5 mile contour canal travels from The Falkirk Wheel to Edinburgh. Popular features of this gentle lock-free waterway include the Avon, Almond and Slateford Aqueducts, which are among the finest in Britain. Related shots can be found at: Lowland Scotland and Boats. Best viewed LARGER.

In the churchyard at Abercorn Church near South Queensferry, Scotland, there is a fine collection of old gravestones on view. Many date back to the 1600s, before widespread literacy, so carry pictures rather than words. Common symbols include emblems of mortality such as skulls and bones or hourglasses; or emblems of immortality like angels, cherubs or doves. Also on show are symbols of the trade of the buried person, like an anvil and horseshoe for a blacksmith; or a rolling pin and baps for a baker. Abercorn Parish Church is a remarkable place. But even though a small part of it can be dated back to the 1100s, what you can see today is only part of the story. There are clues to an even longer history in the collection of stones on vi...

Blackness is a village on the shore of the Firth of Forth in Scotland. It lies within the council area of Falkirk, and the former county of West Lothian. The village originally served as a port for nearby Linlithgow (incidently, the town where I was born and grew up), with a harbour on Blackness Bay, an inlet of the Forth. As a port it was superdeded by Bo’ness, and fell into decline from the 17th century. The small village is today dominated by Blackness Castle, situated on a promontory overlooking the bay.

This is the floating restaurant barge belonging to the Bridge Inn on the Union Canal at Ratho, Midlothian, Scotland. The bridge in question is in the background and carries the main road into Ratho. This 31.5 mile contour canal travels from The Falkirk Wheel to Edinburgh. Popular features of this gentle lock-free waterway include the Avon, Almond and Slateford Aqueducts, which are among the finest in Britain. Best viewed LARGER.

The western lowland gorilla is found inhabiting the tropical jungles and forests of western and central Africa, along with lowland swamps and secondary forests. The biggest threat to the western lowland gorilla is habitat loss caused by deforestation and also being hunted by humans. Parts of the western lowland gorilla’s territory have also been taken over by civil unrest in recent years, which, along with poaching, has had a truly devastating affect on wild populations. Photo taken at Taronga Zoo, Sydney on a Nikon Coolpix P610