Uploads from conner395, tagged highlandscapital

Views of Inverness Castle Scotland

nobody@flickr.com (conner395) — Sun, 19 May 2013 14:30:14 -0700

conner395 posted a photo:

The North Tower, formerly Police HQ and now a Court. The Round Tower, or Drum Towe, which links the two buildings aesthetically (but not practically) can be seen to the left.

A spare half hour before the Pipe Band
played in the City Centre meant an opportunity for a wander around the grounds of Inverness Castle - the weather was bright but the sky was heavy to the south, and the rain did not appear until later. Being weekend, there were no vehicles parked outside the Castle!!

There has been a Castle or fortress on the "Castle Hill" overlooking the main crossing of the river Ness in the centre of the City of Inverness for ad long as history has been recorded. Other sites nearby were also used from time to time (such as at Auld Castle just east, reputed location of MacBeth's stronghold which overlooked the seaward approach to the city).

Castle Hill was however the main location - any army approaching down the glen would be seen a distance away! The problem was that whenever the Castle changed hands it was inevitably destroyed, either by the retreating incumbents or by the victors. The last such occasion was in 1746 when it was blown up after the Battle of Culloden. As such, latterly it served no great purpose other than to provide stone for other buildings.

It was eventually rebuilt (as a castellated structure) in pink sandstone to beautify the Royal Burgh of Inverness - although in point of fact it was not actually IN the Burgh. It was an exclave of the County of Inverness, an island of “County-ness” in the centre of the Burgh. It thus became County Sheriff Court House, County Prison, and County Council HQ - and of course County Police HQ too.

The building was completed in two parts, in the 1830's (main part) and 1840's (North Tower). The Castle was built from scratch (apart from some ramparts remaining from previous versions).

The Prison portion (part of the North Tower) was vacated in 1902 when a new Government prison was built nearby at Porterfield (still in use), and thus the County Constabulary was able to expand into that part of the building.

The front (Main Section) of the Castle - as featured here - was built first and is a better standard of stone work as befits its striking location. Quite why one corner is rounded and the other square is likely known only to the architect but despite not being "matching" the appearance is remarkably pretty (I think!)

“Inverness Castle was originally a 12th century earth and timber enclosure fortress, founded by King David I. In the early 14th century during the Wars of Independence, English troops under King Edward I occupied the castle, which was taken and destroyed by King Robert the Bruce in 1310. In the early 15th century Alexander, earl of Mar, founded a stone castle on the hill and in the 16th century George Gordon, earl of Huntly added a high square stone tower. Seized and badly damaged by the Royalists in 1649, from 1653-8 Cromwell's Fort was built at the mouth of the River Ness. In 1726, General Wade transformed the castle into the square Hanoverian Fort George, with a governor's house and a chapel, encased by barracks. Surrendered to the Jacobite army of Prince Charles Edwards Stuart in 1746, the castle was blown up after the Battle of Culloden. A dramatic mid 19th century neo-Norman castle now stands on the site, built to house the Sheriff Courthouse and County Hall and all that remains of the medieval castle are a deep resorted well and part of the bastion wall.”
www.castleuk.net/castle_lists_scotland/26/invernesscastle...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inverness_Castle

In front (south face ) of the Castle is a statue of Flora Macdonald, famed heroine of Highland folklore who encountered Bonny Prince Charlie during his flight after the Battle of Culloden in 1746 and who disguised him as her Irish maid "("Betty Burke") in order to sneak him through lines of Government soldiers.

Flora and her husband subsequently emigrated to the Carolinas (now USA) before returning to their home on the Isle of Skye.

The brass statue - erected in 1896 - was designed by Andrew Davidson, a sculptor from Inverness. Captain Henderson Macdonald bequeathed £1000 towards the cost of the monument.

With a Scottish hound at her feet, she is depicted looking out over the valley and shielding her eyes. This one of few statues which depict an animal (other than a horse).

The inscription on the statue reads (in English and Gaelic): 'The preserver of Prince Charles Edward Stuart will be mentioned in history, and if courage and fidelity be virtues, mentioned with honour'.
www.ambaile.com/en/item/item_photograph.jsp?item_id=75473

Views of Inverness Castle Scotland

nobody@flickr.com (conner395) — Sun, 19 May 2013 14:30:25 -0700

conner395 posted a photo:

The Main Building of the Castle, looking from the top of the Castle Brae

A spare half hour before the Pipe Band
played in the City Centre meant an opportunity for a wander around the grounds of Inverness Castle - the weather was bright but the sky was heavy to the south, and the rain did not appear unti later. Being weekend, there were no vehicles parked outside the Castle!!

There has been a Castle or fortress on the "Castle Hill" overlooking the main crossing of the river Ness in the centre of the City of Inverness for ad long as history has been recorded. Other sites nearby were also used from time to time (such as at Auld Castle just east, reputed location of MacBeth's stronghold which overlooked the seaward approach to the city).

Castle Hill was however the main location - any army approaching down the glen would be seen a distance away! The problem was that whenever the Castle changed hands it was inevitably destroyed, either by the retreating incumbents or by the victors. The last such occasion was in 1746 when it was blown up after the Battle of Culloden. As such, latterly it served no great purpose other than to provide stone for other buildings.

It was eventually rebuilt (as a castellated structure) in pink sandstone to beautify the Royal Burgh of Inverness - although in point of fact it was not actually IN the Burgh. It was an exclave of the County of Inverness, an island of “County-ness” in the centre of the Burgh. It thus became County Sheriff Court House, County Prison, and County Council HQ - and of course County Police HQ too.

The building was completed in two parts, in the 1830's (main part) and 1840's (North Tower). The Castle was built from scratch (apart from some ramparts remaining from previous versions).

The Prison portion (part of the North Tower) was vacated in 1902 when a new Government prison was built nearby at Porterfield (still in use), and thus the County Constabulary was able to expand into that part of the building.

The front (Main Section) of the Castle - as featured here - was built first and is a better standard of stone work as befits its striking location. Quite why one corner is rounded and the other square is likely known only to the architect but despite not being "matching" the appearance is remarkably pretty (I think!)

“Inverness Castle was originally a 12th century earth and timber enclosure fortress, founded by King David I. In the early 14th century during the Wars of Independence, English troops under King Edward I occupied the castle, which was taken and destroyed by King Robert the Bruce in 1310. In the early 15th century Alexander, earl of Mar, founded a stone castle on the hill and in the 16th century George Gordon, earl of Huntly added a high square stone tower. Seized and badly damaged by the Royalists in 1649, from 1653-8 Cromwell's Fort was built at the mouth of the River Ness. In 1726, General Wade transformed the castle into the square Hanoverian Fort George, with a governor's house and a chapel, encased by barracks. Surrendered to the Jacobite army of Prince Charles Edwards Stuart in 1746, the castle was blown up after the Battle of Culloden. A dramatic mid 19th century neo-Norman castle now stands on the site, built to house the Sheriff Courthouse and County Hall and all that remains of the medieval castle are a deep resorted well and part of the bastion wall.”
www.castleuk.net/castle_lists_scotland/26/invernesscastle...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inverness_Castle

In front (south face ) of the Castle is a statue of Flora Macdonald, famed heroine of Highland folklore who encountered Bonny Prince Charlie during his flight after the Battle of Culloden in 1746 and who disguised him as her Irish maid "("Betty Burke") in order to sneak him through lines of Government soldiers.

Flora and her husband subsequently emigrated to the Carolinas (now USA) before returning to their home on the Isle of Skye.

The brass statue - erected in 1896 - was designed by Andrew Davidson, a sculptor from Inverness. Captain Henderson Macdonald bequeathed £1000 towards the cost of the monument.

With a Scottish hound at her feet, she is depicted looking out over the valley and shielding her eyes. This one of few statues which depict an animal (other than a horse).

The inscription on the statue reads (in English and Gaelic): 'The preserver of Prince Charles Edward Stuart will be mentioned in history, and if courage and fidelity be virtues, mentioned with honour'.
www.ambaile.com/en/item/item_photograph.jsp?item_id=75473

Views of Inverness Castle Scotland

nobody@flickr.com (conner395) — Sun, 19 May 2013 14:30:19 -0700

conner395 posted a photo:

This cute but seeming impractical annex to the North Tower was the Caretaker's flat.

A spare half hour before the Pipe Band
played in the City Centre meant an opportunity for a wander around the grounds of Inverness Castle - the weather was bright but the sky was heavy to the south, and the rain did not appear unti later. Being weekend, there were no vehicles parked outside the Castle!!

There has been a Castle or fortress on the "Castle Hill" overlooking the main crossing of the river Ness in the centre of the City of Inverness for ad long as history has been recorded. Other sites nearby were also used from time to time (such as at Auld Castle just east, reputed location of MacBeth's stronghold which overlooked the seaward approach to the city).

Castle Hill was however the main location - any army approaching down the glen would be seen a distance away! The problem was that whenever the Castle changed hands it was inevitably destroyed, either by the retreating incumbents or by the victors. The last such occasion was in 1746 when it was blown up after the Battle of Culloden. As such, latterly it served no great purpose other than to provide stone for other buildings.

It was eventually rebuilt (as a castellated structure) in pink sandstone to beautify the Royal Burgh of Inverness - although in point of fact it was not actually IN the Burgh. It was an exclave of the County of Inverness, an island of “County-ness” in the centre of the Burgh. It thus became County Sheriff Court House, County Prison, and County Council HQ - and of course County Police HQ too.

The building was completed in two parts, in the 1830's (main part) and 1840's (North Tower). The Castle was built from scratch (apart from some ramparts remaining from previous versions).

The Prison portion (part of the North Tower) was vacated in 1902 when a new Government prison was built nearby at Porterfield (still in use), and thus the County Constabulary was able to expand into that part of the building.

The front (Main Section) of the Castle - as featured here - was built first and is a better standard of stone work as befits its striking location. Quite why one corner is rounded and the other square is likely known only to the architect but despite not being "matching" the appearance is remarkably pretty (I think!)

“Inverness Castle was originally a 12th century earth and timber enclosure fortress, founded by King David I. In the early 14th century during the Wars of Independence, English troops under King Edward I occupied the castle, which was taken and destroyed by King Robert the Bruce in 1310. In the early 15th century Alexander, earl of Mar, founded a stone castle on the hill and in the 16th century George Gordon, earl of Huntly added a high square stone tower. Seized and badly damaged by the Royalists in 1649, from 1653-8 Cromwell's Fort was built at the mouth of the River Ness. In 1726, General Wade transformed the castle into the square Hanoverian Fort George, with a governor's house and a chapel, encased by barracks. Surrendered to the Jacobite army of Prince Charles Edwards Stuart in 1746, the castle was blown up after the Battle of Culloden. A dramatic mid 19th century neo-Norman castle now stands on the site, built to house the Sheriff Courthouse and County Hall and all that remains of the medieval castle are a deep resorted well and part of the bastion wall.”
www.castleuk.net/castle_lists_scotland/26/invernesscastle...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inverness_Castle

In front (south face ) of the Castle is a statue of Flora Macdonald, famed heroine of Highland folklore who encountered Bonny Prince Charlie during his flight after the Battle of Culloden in 1746 and who disguised him as her Irish maid "("Betty Burke") in order to sneak him through lines of Government soldiers.

Flora and her husband subsequently emigrated to the Carolinas (now USA) before returning to their home on the Isle of Skye.

The brass statue - erected in 1896 - was designed by Andrew Davidson, a sculptor from Inverness. Captain Henderson Macdonald bequeathed £1000 towards the cost of the monument.

With a Scottish hound at her feet, she is depicted looking out over the valley and shielding her eyes. This one of few statues which depict an animal (other than a horse).

The inscription on the statue reads (in English and Gaelic): 'The preserver of Prince Charles Edward Stuart will be mentioned in history, and if courage and fidelity be virtues, mentioned with honour'.
www.ambaile.com/en/item/item_photograph.jsp?item_id=75473

Views of Inverness Castle Scotland

nobody@flickr.com (conner395) — Sun, 19 May 2013 14:30:34 -0700

conner395 posted a photo:

The shortest distance between two police stations anywhere - probably! I am standing where the former Inverness Burgh Police Station used to be in Castle Wynd (demolished 1960s) and the North Tower of the Castle was the Headquarters of the Inverness-shire Constabulary until 1968 - and became the combined Inverness Constabulary HQ on 16.11.1968 when the Burgh and County Police forces merged. The Castle remained a Police office until 1999. The two walls pre-date the Castle.

A spare half hour before the Pipe Band
played in the City Centre meant an opportunity for a wander around the grounds of Inverness Castle - the weather was bright but the sky was heavy to the south, and the rain did not appear unti later. Being weekend, there were no vehicles parked outside the Castle!!

There has been a Castle or fortress on the "Castle Hill" overlooking the main crossing of the river Ness in the centre of the City of Inverness for ad long as history has been recorded. Other sites nearby were also used from time to time (such as at Auld Castle just east, reputed location of MacBeth's stronghold which overlooked the seaward approach to the city).

Castle Hill was however the main location - any army approaching down the glen would be seen a distance away! The problem was that whenever the Castle changed hands it was inevitably destroyed, either by the retreating incumbents or by the victors. The last such occasion was in 1746 when it was blown up after the Battle of Culloden. As such, latterly it served no great purpose other than to provide stone for other buildings.

It was eventually rebuilt (as a castellated structure) in pink sandstone to beautify the Royal Burgh of Inverness - although in point of fact it was not actually IN the Burgh. It was an exclave of the County of Inverness, an island of “County-ness” in the centre of the Burgh. It thus became County Sheriff Court House, County Prison, and County Council HQ - and of course County Police HQ too.

The building was completed in two parts, in the 1830's (main part) and 1840's (North Tower). The Castle was built from scratch (apart from some ramparts remaining from previous versions).

The Prison portion (part of the North Tower) was vacated in 1902 when a new Government prison was built nearby at Porterfield (still in use), and thus the County Constabulary was able to expand into that part of the building.

The front (Main Section) of the Castle - as featured here - was built first and is a better standard of stone work as befits its striking location. Quite why one corner is rounded and the other square is likely known only to the architect but despite not being "matching" the appearance is remarkably pretty (I think!)

“Inverness Castle was originally a 12th century earth and timber enclosure fortress, founded by King David I. In the early 14th century during the Wars of Independence, English troops under King Edward I occupied the castle, which was taken and destroyed by King Robert the Bruce in 1310. In the early 15th century Alexander, earl of Mar, founded a stone castle on the hill and in the 16th century George Gordon, earl of Huntly added a high square stone tower. Seized and badly damaged by the Royalists in 1649, from 1653-8 Cromwell's Fort was built at the mouth of the River Ness. In 1726, General Wade transformed the castle into the square Hanoverian Fort George, with a governor's house and a chapel, encased by barracks. Surrendered to the Jacobite army of Prince Charles Edwards Stuart in 1746, the castle was blown up after the Battle of Culloden. A dramatic mid 19th century neo-Norman castle now stands on the site, built to house the Sheriff Courthouse and County Hall and all that remains of the medieval castle are a deep resorted well and part of the bastion wall.”
www.castleuk.net/castle_lists_scotland/26/invernesscastle...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inverness_Castle

In front (south face ) of the Castle is a statue of Flora Macdonald, famed heroine of Highland folklore who encountered Bonny Prince Charlie during his flight after the Battle of Culloden in 1746 and who disguised him as her Irish maid "("Betty Burke") in order to sneak him through lines of Government soldiers.

Flora and her husband subsequently emigrated to the Carolinas (now USA) before returning to their home on the Isle of Skye.

The brass statue - erected in 1896 - was designed by Andrew Davidson, a sculptor from Inverness. Captain Henderson Macdonald bequeathed £1000 towards the cost of the monument.

With a Scottish hound at her feet, she is depicted looking out over the valley and shielding her eyes. This one of few statues which depict an animal (other than a horse).

The inscription on the statue reads (in English and Gaelic): 'The preserver of Prince Charles Edward Stuart will be mentioned in history, and if courage and fidelity be virtues, mentioned with honour'.
www.ambaile.com/en/item/item_photograph.jsp?item_id=75473

Views of Inverness Castle Scotland

nobody@flickr.com (conner395) — Sun, 19 May 2013 14:30:39 -0700

conner395 posted a photo:

A rarely seen view - looking up from Bridge Street.

A spare half hour before the Pipe Band
played in the City Centre meant an opportunity for a wander around the grounds of Inverness Castle - the weather was bright but the sky was heavy to the south, and the rain did not appear unti later. Being weekend, there were no vehicles parked outside the Castle!!

There has been a Castle or fortress on the "Castle Hill" overlooking the main crossing of the river Ness in the centre of the City of Inverness for ad long as history has been recorded. Other sites nearby were also used from time to time (such as at Auld Castle just east, reputed location of MacBeth's stronghold which overlooked the seaward approach to the city).

Castle Hill was however the main location - any army approaching down the glen would be seen a distance away! The problem was that whenever the Castle changed hands it was inevitably destroyed, either by the retreating incumbents or by the victors. The last such occasion was in 1746 when it was blown up after the Battle of Culloden. As such, latterly it served no great purpose other than to provide stone for other buildings.

It was eventually rebuilt (as a castellated structure) in pink sandstone to beautify the Royal Burgh of Inverness - although in point of fact it was not actually IN the Burgh. It was an exclave of the County of Inverness, an island of “County-ness” in the centre of the Burgh. It thus became County Sheriff Court House, County Prison, and County Council HQ - and of course County Police HQ too.

The building was completed in two parts, in the 1830's (main part) and 1840's (North Tower). The Castle was built from scratch (apart from some ramparts remaining from previous versions).

The Prison portion (part of the North Tower) was vacated in 1902 when a new Government prison was built nearby at Porterfield (still in use), and thus the County Constabulary was able to expand into that part of the building.

The front (Main Section) of the Castle - as featured here - was built first and is a better standard of stone work as befits its striking location. Quite why one corner is rounded and the other square is likely known only to the architect but despite not being "matching" the appearance is remarkably pretty (I think!)

“Inverness Castle was originally a 12th century earth and timber enclosure fortress, founded by King David I. In the early 14th century during the Wars of Independence, English troops under King Edward I occupied the castle, which was taken and destroyed by King Robert the Bruce in 1310. In the early 15th century Alexander, earl of Mar, founded a stone castle on the hill and in the 16th century George Gordon, earl of Huntly added a high square stone tower. Seized and badly damaged by the Royalists in 1649, from 1653-8 Cromwell's Fort was built at the mouth of the River Ness. In 1726, General Wade transformed the castle into the square Hanoverian Fort George, with a governor's house and a chapel, encased by barracks. Surrendered to the Jacobite army of Prince Charles Edwards Stuart in 1746, the castle was blown up after the Battle of Culloden. A dramatic mid 19th century neo-Norman castle now stands on the site, built to house the Sheriff Courthouse and County Hall and all that remains of the medieval castle are a deep resorted well and part of the bastion wall.”
www.castleuk.net/castle_lists_scotland/26/invernesscastle...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inverness_Castle

In front (south face ) of the Castle is a statue of Flora Macdonald, famed heroine of Highland folklore who encountered Bonny Prince Charlie during his flight after the Battle of Culloden in 1746 and who disguised him as her Irish maid "("Betty Burke") in order to sneak him through lines of Government soldiers.

Flora and her husband subsequently emigrated to the Carolinas (now USA) before returning to their home on the Isle of Skye.

The brass statue - erected in 1896 - was designed by Andrew Davidson, a sculptor from Inverness. Captain Henderson Macdonald bequeathed £1000 towards the cost of the monument.

With a Scottish hound at her feet, she is depicted looking out over the valley and shielding her eyes. This one of few statues which depict an animal (other than a horse).

The inscription on the statue reads (in English and Gaelic): 'The preserver of Prince Charles Edward Stuart will be mentioned in history, and if courage and fidelity be virtues, mentioned with honour'.
www.ambaile.com/en/item/item_photograph.jsp?item_id=75473

Views of Inverness Castle Scotland

nobody@flickr.com (conner395) — Sun, 19 May 2013 14:30:02 -0700

conner395 posted a photo:

The North Tower. looking from the perimeter fortified wall above Inverness City Centre. The frist floor was formerly the County Hall, the meetign place for the County council but then became a Court. The remainder of the bullding was Police HQ until 1974, and part of the ground floor remained a police office iuntil 1999. A Criminal Court continues to sit her although the principal courts (High and Sherriff) sit in the other, earlier, building of the Castle.

A spare half hour before the Pipe Band
played in the City Centre meant an opportunity for a wander around the grounds of Inverness Castle - the weather was bright but the sky was heavy to the south, and the rain did not appear unti later. Being weekend, there were no vehicles parked outside the Castle!!

There has been a Castle or fortress on the "Castle Hill" overlooking the main crossing of the river Ness in the centre of the City of Inverness for ad long as history has been recorded. Other sites nearby were also used from time to time (such as at Auld Castle just east, reputed location of MacBeth's stronghold which overlooked the seaward approach to the city).

Castle Hill was however the main location - any army approaching down the glen would be seen a distance away! The problem was that whenever the Castle changed hands it was inevitably destroyed, either by the retreating incumbents or by the victors. The last such occasion was in 1746 when it was blown up after the Battle of Culloden. As such, latterly it served no great purpose other than to provide stone for other buildings.

It was eventually rebuilt (as a castellated structure) in pink sandstone to beautify the Royal Burgh of Inverness - although in point of fact it was not actually IN the Burgh. It was an exclave of the County of Inverness, an island of “County-ness” in the centre of the Burgh. It thus became County Sheriff Court House, County Prison, and County Council HQ - and of course County Police HQ too.

The building was completed in two parts, in the 1830's (main part) and 1840's (North Tower). The Castle was built from scratch (apart from some ramparts remaining from previous versions).

The Prison portion (part of the North Tower) was vacated in 1902 when a new Government prison was built nearby at Porterfield (still in use), and thus the County Constabulary was able to expand into that part of the building.

The front (Main Section) of the Castle - as featured here - was built first and is a better standard of stone work as befits its striking location. Quite why one corner is rounded and the other square is likely known only to the architect but despite not being "matching" the appearance is remarkably pretty (I think!)

“Inverness Castle was originally a 12th century earth and timber enclosure fortress, founded by King David I. In the early 14th century during the Wars of Independence, English troops under King Edward I occupied the castle, which was taken and destroyed by King Robert the Bruce in 1310. In the early 15th century Alexander, earl of Mar, founded a stone castle on the hill and in the 16th century George Gordon, earl of Huntly added a high square stone tower. Seized and badly damaged by the Royalists in 1649, from 1653-8 Cromwell's Fort was built at the mouth of the River Ness. In 1726, General Wade transformed the castle into the square Hanoverian Fort George, with a governor's house and a chapel, encased by barracks. Surrendered to the Jacobite army of Prince Charles Edwards Stuart in 1746, the castle was blown up after the Battle of Culloden. A dramatic mid 19th century neo-Norman castle now stands on the site, built to house the Sheriff Courthouse and County Hall and all that remains of the medieval castle are a deep resorted well and part of the bastion wall.”
www.castleuk.net/castle_lists_scotland/26/invernesscastle...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inverness_Castle

In front (south face ) of the Castle is a statue of Flora Macdonald, famed heroine of Highland folklore who encountered Bonny Prince Charlie during his flight after the Battle of Culloden in 1746 and who disguised him as her Irish maid "("Betty Burke") in order to sneak him through lines of Government soldiers.

Flora and her husband subsequently emigrated to the Carolinas (now USA) before returning to their home on the Isle of Skye.

The brass statue - erected in 1896 - was designed by Andrew Davidson, a sculptor from Inverness. Captain Henderson Macdonald bequeathed £1000 towards the cost of the monument.

With a Scottish hound at her feet, she is depicted looking out over the valley and shielding her eyes. This one of few statues which depict an animal (other than a horse).

The inscription on the statue reads (in English and Gaelic): 'The preserver of Prince Charles Edward Stuart will be mentioned in history, and if courage and fidelity be virtues, mentioned with honour'.
www.ambaile.com/en/item/item_photograph.jsp?item_id=75473

Northern Constabulary doghandler 1994

nobody@flickr.com (conner395) — Mon, 13 May 2013 15:53:13 -0700

conner395 posted a photo:

This superb photograph adorned the cover of a Community Safety Handbook produced by Northern Constabulary Crime Prevention/Community Safety Department for wide distribution.

The doghandler is PS 226 "Jock" Maclean, who was (I think) only the second Sergeant-in-charge of the force dog section.

Jock retired in 1995, a year or so after this shot was taken.

Jock's son also became a dog handler and was the last Sergeant-in-charge of Northern Constabulary's Dog Section.

I suspect the location for this photo was the grassed area behind the then Force HQ. A few years later a new HQ would be built on that grassed area and the former HQ was then demolished to make a car park.

Inverness Castle & Flora MacDonald Statue Inverness Scotland

nobody@flickr.com (conner395) — Sun, 12 May 2013 11:51:56 -0700

conner395 posted a photo:

The view from the path overlooking the river.

A spare half hour before the Pipe Band
played in the City Centre meant an opportunity for a wander around the grounds of Inverness Castle - the weather was bright but the sky was heavy to the south, and the rain did not appear unti later. Being weekend, there were no vehicles parked outside the Castle!!

There has been a Castle or fortress on the "Castle Hill" overlooking the main crossing of the river Ness in the centre of the City of Inverness for ad long as history has been recorded. Other sites nearby were also used from time to time (such as at Auld Castle just east, reputed location of MacBeth's stronghold which overlooked the seaward approach to the city).

Castle Hill was however the main location - any army approaching down the glen would be seen a distance away! The problem was that whenever the Castle changed hands it was inevitably destroyed, either by the retreating incumbents or by the victors. The last such occasion was in 1746 when it was blown up after the Battle of Culloden. As such, latterly it served no great purpose other than to provide stone for other buildings.

It was eventually rebuilt (as a castellated structure) in pink sandstone to beautify the Royal Burgh of Inverness - although in point of fact it was not actually IN the Burgh. It was an exclave of the County of Inverness, an island of “County-ness” in the centre of the Burgh. It thus became County Sheriff Court House, County Prison, and County Council HQ - and of course County Police HQ too.

The building was completed in two parts, in the 1830's (main part) and 1840's (North Tower). The Castle was built from scratch (apart from some ramparts remaining from previous versions).

The Prison portion (part of the North Tower) was vacated in 1902 when a new Government prison was built nearby at Porterfield (still in use), and thus the County Constabulary was able to expand into that part of the building.

The front (Main Section) of the Castle - as featured here - was built first and is a better standard of stone work as befits its striking location. Quite why one corner is rounded and the other square is likely known only to the architect but despite not being "matching" the appearance is remarkably pretty (I think!)

“Inverness Castle was originally a 12th century earth and timber enclosure fortress, founded by King David I. In the early 14th century during the Wars of Independence, English troops under King Edward I occupied the castle, which was taken and destroyed by King Robert the Bruce in 1310. In the early 15th century Alexander, earl of Mar, founded a stone castle on the hill and in the 16th century George Gordon, earl of Huntly added a high square stone tower. Seized and badly damaged by the Royalists in 1649, from 1653-8 Cromwell's Fort was built at the mouth of the River Ness. In 1726, General Wade transformed the castle into the square Hanoverian Fort George, with a governor's house and a chapel, encased by barracks. Surrendered to the Jacobite army of Prince Charles Edwards Stuart in 1746, the castle was blown up after the Battle of Culloden. A dramatic mid 19th century neo-Norman castle now stands on the site, built to house the Sheriff Courthouse and County Hall and all that remains of the medieval castle are a deep resorted well and part of the bastion wall.”
www.castleuk.net/castle_lists_scotland/26/invernesscastle...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inverness_Castle

In front (south face ) of the Castle is a statue of Flora Macdonald, famed heroine of Highland folklore who encountered Bonny Prince Charlie during his flight after the Battle of Culloden in 1746 and who disguised him as her Irish maid "("Betty Burke") in order to sneak him through lines of Government soldiers.

Flora and her husband subsequently emigrated to the Carolinas (now USA) before returning to their home on the Isle of Skye.

The brass statue - erected in 1896 - was designed by Andrew Davidson, a sculptor from Inverness. Captain Henderson Macdonald bequeathed £1000 towards the cost of the monument.

With a Scottish hound at her feet, she is depicted looking out over the valley and shielding her eyes. This one of few statues which depict an animal (other than a horse).

The inscription on the statue reads (in English and Gaelic): 'The preserver of Prince Charles Edward Stuart will be mentioned in history, and if courage and fidelity be virtues, mentioned with honour'.
www.ambaile.com/en/item/item_photograph.jsp?item_id=75473

Inverness Castle & Flora MacDonald Statue Inverness Scotland

nobody@flickr.com (conner395) — Sun, 12 May 2013 11:52:04 -0700

conner395 posted a photo:

The impressive view which Flora has down the River Ness towards the Great Glen and Loch Ness - and ultimately to the West Coast where she anticipates that the Prince will return (he did not)

A spare half hour before the Pipe Band played in the City Centre meant an opportunity for a wander around the grounds of Inverness Castle - the weather was bright but the sky was heavy to the south, and the rain did not appear unti later. Being weekend, there were no vehicles parked outside the Castle!!

There has been a Castle or fortress on the "Castle Hill" overlooking the main crossing of the river Ness in the centre of the City of Inverness for ad long as history has been recorded. Other sites nearby were also used from time to time (such as at Auld Castle just east, reputed location of MacBeth's stronghold which overlooked the seaward approach to the city).

Castle Hill was however the main location - any army approaching down the glen would be seen a distance away! The problem was that whenever the Castle changed hands it was inevitably destroyed, either by the retreating incumbents or by the victors. The last such occasion was in 1746 when it was blown up after the Battle of Culloden. As such, latterly it served no great purpose other than to provide stone for other buildings.

It was eventually rebuilt (as a castellated structure) in pink sandstone to beautify the Royal Burgh of Inverness - although in point of fact it was not actually IN the Burgh. It was an exclave of the County of Inverness, an island of “County-ness” in the centre of the Burgh. It thus became County Sheriff Court House, County Prison, and County Council HQ - and of course County Police HQ too.

The building was completed in two parts, in the 1830's (main part) and 1840's (North Tower). The Castle was built from scratch (apart from some ramparts remaining from previous versions).

The Prison portion (part of the North Tower) was vacated in 1902 when a new Government prison was built nearby at Porterfield (still in use), and thus the County Constabulary was able to expand into that part of the building.

The front (Main Section) of the Castle - as featured here - was built first and is a better standard of stone work as befits its striking location. Quite why one corner is rounded and the other square is likely known only to the architect but despite not being "matching" the appearance is remarkably pretty (I think!)

“Inverness Castle was originally a 12th century earth and timber enclosure fortress, founded by King David I. In the early 14th century during the Wars of Independence, English troops under King Edward I occupied the castle, which was taken and destroyed by King Robert the Bruce in 1310. In the early 15th century Alexander, earl of Mar, founded a stone castle on the hill and in the 16th century George Gordon, earl of Huntly added a high square stone tower. Seized and badly damaged by the Royalists in 1649, from 1653-8 Cromwell's Fort was built at the mouth of the River Ness. In 1726, General Wade transformed the castle into the square Hanoverian Fort George, with a governor's house and a chapel, encased by barracks. Surrendered to the Jacobite army of Prince Charles Edwards Stuart in 1746, the castle was blown up after the Battle of Culloden. A dramatic mid 19th century neo-Norman castle now stands on the site, built to house the Sheriff Courthouse and County Hall and all that remains of the medieval castle are a deep resorted well and part of the bastion wall.”
www.castleuk.net/castle_lists_scotland/26/invernesscastle...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inverness_Castle

In front (south face ) of the Castle is a statue of Flora Macdonald, famed heroine of Highland folklore who encountered Bonny Prince Charlie during his flight after the Battle of Culloden in 1746 and who disguised him as her Irish maid "("Betty Burke") in order to sneak him through lines of Government soldiers.

Flora and her husband subsequently emigrated to the Carolinas (now USA) before returning to their home on the Isle of Skye.

The brass statue - erected in 1896 - was designed by Andrew Davidson, a sculptor from Inverness. Captain Henderson Macdonald bequeathed £1000 towards the cost of the monument.

With a Scottish hound at her feet, she is depicted looking out over the valley and shielding her eyes. This one of few statues which depict an animal (other than a horse).

The inscription on the statue reads (in English and Gaelic): 'The preserver of Prince Charles Edward Stuart will be mentioned in history, and if courage and fidelity be virtues, mentioned with honour'.
www.ambaile.com/en/item/item_photograph.jsp?item_id=75473

Inverness Castle & Flora MacDonald Statue Inverness Scotland

nobody@flickr.com (conner395) — Sun, 12 May 2013 11:52:15 -0700

conner395 posted a photo:

A spare half hour before the Pipe Band played in the City Centre meant an opportunity for a wander around the grounds of Inverness Castle - the weather was bright but the sky was heavy to the south, and the rain did not appear unti later. Being weekend, there were no vehicles parked outside the Castle!!

There has been a Castle or fortress on the "Castle Hill" overlooking the main crossing of the river Ness in the centre of the City of Inverness for ad long as history has been recorded. Other sites nearby were also used from time to time (such as at Auld Castle just east, reputed location of MacBeth's stronghold which overlooked the seaward approach to the city).

Castle Hill was however the main location - any army approaching down the glen would be seen a distance away! The problem was that whenever the Castle changed hands it was inevitably destroyed, either by the retreating incumbents or by the victors. The last such occasion was in 1746 when it was blown up after the Battle of Culloden. As such, latterly it served no great purpose other than to provide stone for other buildings.

It was eventually rebuilt (as a castellated structure) in pink sandstone to beautify the Royal Burgh of Inverness - although in point of fact it was not actually IN the Burgh. It was an exclave of the County of Inverness, an island of “County-ness” in the centre of the Burgh. It thus became County Sheriff Court House, County Prison, and County Council HQ - and of course County Police HQ too.

The building was completed in two parts, in the 1830's (main part) and 1840's (North Tower). The Castle was built from scratch (apart from some ramparts remaining from previous versions).

The Prison portion (part of the North Tower) was vacated in 1902 when a new Government prison was built nearby at Porterfield (still in use), and thus the County Constabulary was able to expand into that part of the building.

The front (Main Section) of the Castle - as featured here - was built first and is a better standard of stone work as befits its striking location. Quite why one corner is rounded and the other square is likely known only to the architect but despite not being "matching" the appearance is remarkably pretty (I think!)

“Inverness Castle was originally a 12th century earth and timber enclosure fortress, founded by King David I. In the early 14th century during the Wars of Independence, English troops under King Edward I occupied the castle, which was taken and destroyed by King Robert the Bruce in 1310. In the early 15th century Alexander, earl of Mar, founded a stone castle on the hill and in the 16th century George Gordon, earl of Huntly added a high square stone tower. Seized and badly damaged by the Royalists in 1649, from 1653-8 Cromwell's Fort was built at the mouth of the River Ness. In 1726, General Wade transformed the castle into the square Hanoverian Fort George, with a governor's house and a chapel, encased by barracks. Surrendered to the Jacobite army of Prince Charles Edwards Stuart in 1746, the castle was blown up after the Battle of Culloden. A dramatic mid 19th century neo-Norman castle now stands on the site, built to house the Sheriff Courthouse and County Hall and all that remains of the medieval castle are a deep resorted well and part of the bastion wall.”
www.castleuk.net/castle_lists_scotland/26/invernesscastle...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inverness_Castle

In front (south face ) of the Castle is a statue of Flora Macdonald, famed heroine of Highland folklore who encountered Bonny Prince Charlie during his flight after the Battle of Culloden in 1746 and who disguised him as her Irish maid "("Betty Burke") in order to sneak him through lines of Government soldiers.

Flora and her husband subsequently emigrated to the Carolinas (now USA) before returning to their home on the Isle of Skye.

The brass statue - erected in 1896 - was designed by Andrew Davidson, a sculptor from Inverness. Captain Henderson Macdonald bequeathed £1000 towards the cost of the monument.

With a Scottish hound at her feet, she is depicted looking out over the valley and shielding her eyes. This one of few statues which depict an animal (other than a horse).

The inscription on the statue reads (in English and Gaelic): 'The preserver of Prince Charles Edward Stuart will be mentioned in history, and if courage and fidelity be virtues, mentioned with honour'.
www.ambaile.com/en/item/item_photograph.jsp?item_id=75473

Inverness Castle & Flora MacDonald Statue Inverness Scotland

nobody@flickr.com (conner395) — Sun, 12 May 2013 11:52:23 -0700

conner395 posted a photo:

Inverness Castle & Flora MacDonald Statue Inverness Scotland

nobody@flickr.com (conner395) — Sun, 12 May 2013 11:51:50 -0700

conner395 posted a photo:

The view from the foot of the access road.

A spare half hour before the Pipe Band played in the City Centre meant an opportunity for a wander around the grounds of Inverness Castle - the weather was bright but the sky was heavy to the south, and the rain did not appear unti later. Being weekend, there were no vehicles parked outside the Castle!!

There has been a Castle or fortress on the "Castle Hill" overlooking the main crossing of the river Ness in the centre of the City of Inverness for ad long as history has been recorded. Other sites nearby were also used from time to time (such as at Auld Castle just east, reputed location of MacBeth's stronghold which overlooked the seaward approach to the city).

Castle Hill was however the main location - any army approaching down the glen would be seen a distance away! The problem was that whenever the Castle changed hands it was inevitably destroyed, either by the retreating incumbents or by the victors. The last such occasion was in 1746 when it was blown up after the Battle of Culloden. As such, latterly it served no great purpose other than to provide stone for other buildings.

It was eventually rebuilt (as a castellated structure) in pink sandstone to beautify the Royal Burgh of Inverness - although in point of fact it was not actually IN the Burgh. It was an exclave of the County of Inverness, an island of “County-ness” in the centre of the Burgh. It thus became County Sheriff Court House, County Prison, and County Council HQ - and of course County Police HQ too.

The building was completed in two parts, in the 1830's (main part) and 1840's (North Tower). The Castle was built from scratch (apart from some ramparts remaining from previous versions).

The Prison portion (part of the North Tower) was vacated in 1902 when a new Government prison was built nearby at Porterfield (still in use), and thus the County Constabulary was able to expand into that part of the building.

The front (Main Section) of the Castle - as featured here - was built first and is a better standard of stone work as befits its striking location. Quite why one corner is rounded and the other square is likely known only to the architect but despite not being "matching" the appearance is remarkably pretty (I think!)

“Inverness Castle was originally a 12th century earth and timber enclosure fortress, founded by King David I. In the early 14th century during the Wars of Independence, English troops under King Edward I occupied the castle, which was taken and destroyed by King Robert the Bruce in 1310. In the early 15th century Alexander, earl of Mar, founded a stone castle on the hill and in the 16th century George Gordon, earl of Huntly added a high square stone tower. Seized and badly damaged by the Royalists in 1649, from 1653-8 Cromwell's Fort was built at the mouth of the River Ness. In 1726, General Wade transformed the castle into the square Hanoverian Fort George, with a governor's house and a chapel, encased by barracks. Surrendered to the Jacobite army of Prince Charles Edwards Stuart in 1746, the castle was blown up after the Battle of Culloden. A dramatic mid 19th century neo-Norman castle now stands on the site, built to house the Sheriff Courthouse and County Hall and all that remains of the medieval castle are a deep resorted well and part of the bastion wall.”
www.castleuk.net/castle_lists_scotland/26/invernesscastle...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inverness_Castle

In front (south face ) of the Castle is a statue of Flora Macdonald, famed heroine of Highland folklore who encountered Bonny Prince Charlie during his flight after the Battle of Culloden in 1746 and who disguised him as her Irish maid "("Betty Burke") in order to sneak him through lines of Government soldiers.

Flora and her husband subsequently emigrated to the Carolinas (now USA) before returning to their home on the Isle of Skye.

The brass statue - erected in 1896 - was designed by Andrew Davidson, a sculptor from Inverness. Captain Henderson Macdonald bequeathed £1000 towards the cost of the monument.

With a Scottish hound at her feet, she is depicted looking out over the valley and shielding her eyes. This one of few statues which depict an animal (other than a horse).

The inscription on the statue reads (in English and Gaelic): 'The preserver of Prince Charles Edward Stuart will be mentioned in history, and if courage and fidelity be virtues, mentioned with honour'.
www.ambaile.com/en/item/item_photograph.jsp?item_id=75473

Inverness Castle & Flora MacDonald Statue Inverness Scotland

nobody@flickr.com (conner395) — Sun, 12 May 2013 11:51:44 -0700

conner395 posted a photo:

The view from the top of Castle Street.

A spare half hour before the Pipe Band played in the City Centre meant an opportunity for a wander around the grounds of Inverness Castle - the weather was bright but the sky was heavy to the south, and the rain did not appear unti later. Being weekend, there were no vehicles parked outside the Castle!!

There has been a Castle or fortress on the "Castle Hill" overlooking the main crossing of the river Ness in the centre of the City of Inverness for ad long as history has been recorded. Other sites nearby were also used from time to time (such as at Auld Castle just east, reputed location of MacBeth's stronghold which overlooked the seaward approach to the city).

Castle Hill was however the main location - any army approaching down the glen would be seen a distance away! The problem was that whenever the Castle changed hands it was inevitably destroyed, either by the retreating incumbents or by the victors. The last such occasion was in 1746 when it was blown up after the Battle of Culloden. As such, latterly it served no great purpose other than to provide stone for other buildings.

It was eventually rebuilt (as a castellated structure) in pink sandstone to beautify the Royal Burgh of Inverness - although in point of fact it was not actually IN the Burgh. It was an exclave of the County of Inverness, an island of “County-ness” in the centre of the Burgh. It thus became County Sheriff Court House, County Prison, and County Council HQ - and of course County Police HQ too.

The building was completed in two parts, in the 1830's (main part) and 1840's (North Tower). The Castle was built from scratch (apart from some ramparts remaining from previous versions).

The Prison portion (part of the North Tower) was vacated in 1902 when a new Government prison was built nearby at Porterfield (still in use), and thus the County Constabulary was able to expand into that part of the building.

The front (Main Section) of the Castle - as featured here - was built first and is a better standard of stone work as befits its striking location. Quite why one corner is rounded and the other square is likely known only to the architect but despite not being "matching" the appearance is remarkably pretty (I think!)

“Inverness Castle was originally a 12th century earth and timber enclosure fortress, founded by King David I. In the early 14th century during the Wars of Independence, English troops under King Edward I occupied the castle, which was taken and destroyed by King Robert the Bruce in 1310. In the early 15th century Alexander, earl of Mar, founded a stone castle on the hill and in the 16th century George Gordon, earl of Huntly added a high square stone tower. Seized and badly damaged by the Royalists in 1649, from 1653-8 Cromwell's Fort was built at the mouth of the River Ness. In 1726, General Wade transformed the castle into the square Hanoverian Fort George, with a governor's house and a chapel, encased by barracks. Surrendered to the Jacobite army of Prince Charles Edwards Stuart in 1746, the castle was blown up after the Battle of Culloden. A dramatic mid 19th century neo-Norman castle now stands on the site, built to house the Sheriff Courthouse and County Hall and all that remains of the medieval castle are a deep resorted well and part of the bastion wall.”
www.castleuk.net/castle_lists_scotland/26/invernesscastle...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inverness_Castle

In front (south face ) of the Castle is a statue of Flora Macdonald, famed heroine of Highland folklore who encountered Bonny Prince Charlie during his flight after the Battle of Culloden in 1746 and who disguised him as her Irish maid "("Betty Burke") in order to sneak him through lines of Government soldiers.

Flora and her husband subsequently emigrated to the Carolinas (now USA) before returning to their home on the Isle of Skye.

The brass statue - erected in 1896 - was designed by Andrew Davidson, a sculptor from Inverness. Captain Henderson Macdonald bequeathed £1000 towards the cost of the monument.

With a Scottish hound at her feet, she is depicted looking out over the valley and shielding her eyes. This one of few statues which depict an animal (other than a horse).

The inscription on the statue reads (in English and Gaelic): 'The preserver of Prince Charles Edward Stuart will be mentioned in history, and if courage and fidelity be virtues, mentioned with honour'.
www.ambaile.com/en/item/item_photograph.jsp?item_id=75473

Northern Constabulary Pipe Band at Inverness City Centre Scotland

nobody@flickr.com (conner395) — Sat, 11 May 2013 13:55:22 -0700

conner395 posted a photo:

The bass drum decal

The force may not exist any longer (Northern Constabulary became part of Police Service of Scotland on 1st April 2013) but the Northern Constabulary Community Pipe Band lives on – despite quite a turnover in playing personnel over the past year or so!

Our first duty of the 2013 Summer (??) season was to lead off the parade at the Inverness Classic Vehicle Show on Saturday 11th May 2013.

Organised by Inverness BID (Business Improvement District) the event involves a variety of classic vehicles (cars, vans, trucks, motorcycles etc) on display at various points throughout the City Centre during the morning and early afternoon - before coming together for a final parade through the heart of the City.

The Band's purpose is to play for a short period outside Eastgate Centre to attract the public, and then to play through Eastgate and High Street, alongside the start of the (then static) partly-formed up parade. On reaching the Town Hall end of High Street the Band then forms a guard of honour, playing all the while, through which the parade passes en route around the City. When the entire parade has passed through, the Band then plays back to Eastgate to dismiss.

The weather over the last couple of days has ranged from warm sunshine to heavy rain bursts and back again in quick succession, so we were expecting at least one downpour in the hour of our involvement. Thankfully though the rain stayed away and the Band, and parade, and city Centre could be seen to best advantage in the sunshine. Judging by the crowds which thronged Eastgate and High Street, the event was successful, and the crowd's warm applause at the Band's performance was truly music to our ears.

As Mark Twain almost said "The rumours of the Band's demise have been greatly exaggerated".

Northern Constabulary Pipe Band at Inverness City Centre Scotland

nobody@flickr.com (conner395) — Sat, 11 May 2013 13:55:59 -0700

conner395 posted a photo:

Playing down Eastgate at the conclusion of the parade.

The force may not exist any longer (Northern Constabulary became part of Police Service of Scotland on 1st April 2013) but the Northern Constabulary Community Pipe Band lives on – despite quite a turnover in playing personnel over the past year or so!

Our first duty of the 2013 Summer (??) season was to lead off the parade at the Inverness Classic Vehicle Show on Saturday 11th May 2013.

Organised by Inverness BID (Business Improvement District) the event involves a variety of classic vehicles (cars, vans, trucks, motorcycles etc) on display at various points throughout the City Centre during the morning and early afternoon - before coming together for a final parade through the heart of the City.

The Band's purpose is to play for a short period outside Eastgate Centre to attract the public, and then to play through Eastgate and High Street, alongside the start of the (then static) partly-formed up parade. On reaching the Town Hall end of High Street the Band then forms a guard of honour, playing all the while, through which the parade passes en route around the City. When the entire parade has passed through, the Band then plays back to Eastgate to dismiss.

The weather over the last couple of days has ranged from warm sunshine to heavy rain bursts and back again in quick succession, so we were expecting at least one downpour in the hour of our involvement. Thankfully though the rain stayed away and the Band, and parade, and city Centre could be seen to best advantage in the sunshine. Judging by the crowds which thronged Eastgate and High Street, the event was successful, and the crowd's warm applause at the Band's performance was truly music to our ears.

As Mark Twain almost said "The rumours of the Band's demise have been greatly exaggerated".

Northern Constabulary Pipe Band at Inverness City Centre Scotland

nobody@flickr.com (conner395) — Sat, 11 May 2013 13:55:44 -0700

conner395 posted a photo:

Playign the parade through.

The force may not exist any longer (Northern Constabulary became part of Police Service of Scotland on 1st April 2013) but the Northern Constabulary Community Pipe Band lives on – despite quite a turnover in playing personnel over the past year or so!

Our first duty of the 2013 Summer (??) season was to lead off the parade at the Inverness Classic Vehicle Show on Saturday 11th May 2013.

Organised by Inverness BID (Business Improvement District) the event involves a variety of classic vehicles (cars, vans, trucks, motorcycles etc) on display at various points throughout the City Centre during the morning and early afternoon - before coming together for a final parade through the heart of the City.

The Band's purpose is to play for a short period outside Eastgate Centre to attract the public, and then to play through Eastgate and High Street, alongside the start of the (then static) partly-formed up parade. On reaching the Town Hall end of High Street the Band then forms a guard of honour, playing all the while, through which the parade passes en route around the City. When the entire parade has passed through, the Band then plays back to Eastgate to dismiss.

The weather over the last couple of days has ranged from warm sunshine to heavy rain bursts and back again in quick succession, so we were expecting at least one downpour in the hour of our involvement. Thankfully though the rain stayed away and the Band, and parade, and city Centre could be seen to best advantage in the sunshine. Judging by the crowds which thronged Eastgate and High Street, the event was successful, and the crowd's warm applause at the Band's performance was truly music to our ears.

As Mark Twain almost said "The rumours of the Band's demise have been greatly exaggerated".

Northern Constabulary Pipe Band at Inverness City Centre Scotland

nobody@flickr.com (conner395) — Sat, 11 May 2013 13:56:07 -0700

conner395 posted a photo:

Playing outside Eastgate Centre to conclude the performance.

The force may not exist any longer (Northern Constabulary became part of Police Service of Scotland on 1st April 2013) but the Northern Constabulary Community Pipe Band lives on – despite quite a turnover in playing personnel over the past year or so!

Our first duty of the 2013 Summer (??) season was to lead off the parade at the Inverness Classic Vehicle Show on Saturday 11th May 2013.

Organised by Inverness BID (Business Improvement District) the event involves a variety of classic vehicles (cars, vans, trucks, motorcycles etc) on display at various points throughout the City Centre during the morning and early afternoon - before coming together for a final parade through the heart of the City.

The Band's purpose is to play for a short period outside Eastgate Centre to attract the public, and then to play through Eastgate and High Street, alongside the start of the (then static) partly-formed up parade. On reaching the Town Hall end of High Street the Band then forms a guard of honour, playing all the while, through which the parade passes en route around the City. When the entire parade has passed through, the Band then plays back to Eastgate to dismiss.

The weather over the last couple of days has ranged from warm sunshine to heavy rain bursts and back again in quick succession, so we were expecting at least one downpour in the hour of our involvement. Thankfully though the rain stayed away and the Band, and parade, and city Centre could be seen to best advantage in the sunshine. Judging by the crowds which thronged Eastgate and High Street, the event was successful, and the crowd's warm applause at the Band's performance was truly music to our ears.

As Mark Twain almost said "The rumours of the Band's demise have been greatly exaggerated".

Northern Constabulary Pipe Band at Inverness City Centre Scotland

nobody@flickr.com (conner395) — Sat, 11 May 2013 13:55:36 -0700

conner395 posted a photo:

Police Scotland (Northern Constabulary as was) Traffic Warden leads the next contingent of the parade through High Street.

The force may not exist any longer (Northern Constabulary became part of Police Service of Scotland on 1st April 2013) but the Northern Constabulary Community Pipe Band lives on – despite quite a turnover in playing personnel over the past year or so!

Our first duty of the 2013 Summer (??) season was to lead off the parade at the Inverness Classic Vehicle Show on Saturday 11th May 2013.

Organised by Inverness BID (Business Improvement District) the event involves a variety of classic vehicles (cars, vans, trucks, motorcycles etc) on display at various points throughout the City Centre during the morning and early afternoon - before coming together for a final parade through the heart of the City.

The Band's purpose is to play for a short period outside Eastgate Centre to attract the public, and then to play through Eastgate and High Street, alongside the start of the (then static) partly-formed up parade. On reaching the Town Hall end of High Street the Band then forms a guard of honour, playing all the while, through which the parade passes en route around the City. When the entire parade has passed through, the Band then plays back to Eastgate to dismiss.

The weather over the last couple of days has ranged from warm sunshine to heavy rain bursts and back again in quick succession, so we were expecting at least one downpour in the hour of our involvement. Thankfully though the rain stayed away and the Band, and parade, and city Centre could be seen to best advantage in the sunshine. Judging by the crowds which thronged Eastgate and High Street, the event was successful, and the crowd's warm applause at the Band's performance was truly music to our ears.

As Mark Twain almost said "The rumours of the Band's demise have been greatly exaggerated".

Northern Constabulary Pipe Band at Inverness City Centre Scotland

nobody@flickr.com (conner395) — Sat, 11 May 2013 13:55:52 -0700

conner395 posted a photo:

Playing back down HIgh Street after the Parade has passed.

The force may not exist any longer (Northern Constabulary became part of Police Service of Scotland on 1st April 2013) but the Northern Constabulary Community Pipe Band lives on – despite quite a turnover in playing personnel over the past year or so!

Our first duty of the 2013 Summer (??) season was to lead off the parade at the Inverness Classic Vehicle Show on Saturday 11th May 2013.

Organised by Inverness BID (Business Improvement District) the event involves a variety of classic vehicles (cars, vans, trucks, motorcycles etc) on display at various points throughout the City Centre during the morning and early afternoon - before coming together for a final parade through the heart of the City.

The Band's purpose is to play for a short period outside Eastgate Centre to attract the public, and then to play through Eastgate and High Street, alongside the start of the (then static) partly-formed up parade. On reaching the Town Hall end of High Street the Band then forms a guard of honour, playing all the while, through which the parade passes en route around the City. When the entire parade has passed through, the Band then plays back to Eastgate to dismiss.

The weather over the last couple of days has ranged from warm sunshine to heavy rain bursts and back again in quick succession, so we were expecting at least one downpour in the hour of our involvement. Thankfully though the rain stayed away and the Band, and parade, and city Centre could be seen to best advantage in the sunshine. Judging by the crowds which thronged Eastgate and High Street, the event was successful, and the crowd's warm applause at the Band's performance was truly music to our ears.

As Mark Twain almost said "The rumours of the Band's demise have been greatly exaggerated".

Aldourie Castle on Loch Ness-side Inverness Scotland

nobody@flickr.com (conner395) — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 17:34:54 -0700

conner395 posted a photo:

Looking back through my "archives", I found a few more shots of Aldourie Castle which I had taken while the Band was performing there last summer. It is truly a lovely building in an idylic location on the shores of Loch Ness.

"Nestling on the quiet southern shore of the famous Loch Ness, close to the City of Inverness, the capital of the Scottish Highlands, Aldourie Castle Estate offers you a rare taste of Highland living at its best."
Please visit www.aldouriecastle.co.uk/ for lots more fascinating information about the Castle and its Estate.