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! They were all taken around the Stirling area on Wednesday.
The coldest March for 20 years has held back many of the spring flowers. Daffodils, in particular, have been in short supply. But the below average temperatures, which has been a feature of the weather much of the month, departed this week, bringing about an explosion in flowering of many spring blossoms. The photo here was taken in the graveyard of the Church of the Holy Rude, nestled below Stirling Castle. In typical fashion, the daffodils are in bright sunshine - while the sky behind is filled with leaden clouds, threatening another shower.
The statue of King Robert the Bruce at the site of the Battle of Bannockburn, is the one which gets more frequently photographed. But his statue, in front of Stirling Castle, has the advantage of the backdrop of the Ochil Hills - and the tower of the Wallace Monument.
Yes - there was a strong wind blowing on Wednesday! Often, with pictures of flags, it is difficult to get one with the material showing all the design. That was not a problem when this picture of the Scottish Saltire flag was taken at Bannockburn National Monument. The flag pole looking like a halberd (a pike with an axe on top) added to the scene!
It is easy to see why Tony Blair took the G8 world leaders to Gleneagles Hotel with its old world charm, golf courses and scenery. Driving in and taking a picture like this during the G8 conference would have been impossible, of course.
The Wallace Monument, on top of Abbey Craig, dominates the surrounding area around Stirling and is visible for miles in many directions. There is a great view from the top of the tower of the river Forth valley, including the area where Wallace achieved his famous victory, at Stirling Bridge. For more on the Wallace Monument, see Places to Visit - Wallace Monument.
To the north of Stirling lie the Ochil Hills, the remnants of ancient volcanic activity. The steep southern slopes (seen here from the top of the Wallace Monument) are due to a geological fault which caused the area to the south to subside.
Although there was a fair amount of sunshine on Wednesday, there was a significant amount of cloud in the morning when this picture of a part of Sheriff Muir (and some surprised local sheep) was taken. The Battle of Sheriffmuir between the Jacobites (mainly Highlanders) and the Hanoverian troops took place in this area in November 1715. The battle was inconclusive, but afterwards the Jacobites withdrew.
If you want to look back at earlier editions of this Colour Supplement, there is an Index Page
