Interesting places in Blantyre:

Bothwell Castle		High Blantyre
Hamilton International Technology Park		David Livingstone Birthplace Museum

the Blantyre is part of Mudi Estate, Malawi.

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The sun is out/the sky is blue
Made by xxxrmt
Bothwell Castle is a large medieval castle sited on a high, steep bank, above a bend in the River Clyde, in South Lanarkshire, Scotland. It is located between Uddingston and Bothwell, about 10 miles (16 km) south-east of Glasgow. Construction of the castle was begun in the 13th century by the ancestors of Clan Murray, to guard a strategic crossing point of the Clyde. Bothwell played a key role in Scotland's Wars of Independence, changing hands several times. The huge cylindrical Donjon was built in the 13th century, but before the rest of the castle was completed it was severely damaged in a series of sieges. Rebuilding in the early 15th century enlarged the castle, but it was abandoned by the 18th century. The present ruin is rectangular, with the remains of the Donjon to the west, and the later Great Hall to the east. The courtyard is enclosed by long curtain walls, with round towers at the south-east and south-west corners. King David I granted the barony of Bothwell to David Olifard (or Olifant), Justiciar of Lothian, in the mid 12th century. The lands passed to his descendents, and in 1242 the barony became the property of Walter de Moravia, or Walter of Moray, who had married the last Olifard baron's heir. He began construction of the castle, but by the start of the Wars of Scottish Independence in 1296, only the main donjon, the prison tower, and the short connecting curtain wall were completed. Foundations of the remainder were probably in place, and would have been defended by a wooden palisade. The forces of King Edward I of England invaded Scotland at the start of the war, and seized Bothwell, also capturing Walter's son, William Moray of Bothwell. The English garrison holding the castle was besieged by the Scots for 14 months in 1298—1299, and eventually capitulated. Edward I returned in 1301, capturing the castle once more with a force of 6800 men, and specially constructed siege engines. Bothwell became the headquarters of Aymer de Valence, 2nd Earl of Pembroke, Edward's appointed Warden of Scotland, and remained in English hands for several years. Following Robert the Bruce's victory at Bannockburn in 1314, the castle provided shelter for several English nobles. However, the castle's constable, Sir Walter FitzGilbert, surrendered the castle to the approaching Scots. For this act, he was granted the barony of Cadzow, where his descendents became the powerful Hamilton family. The Scots slighted the castle after its surrender. In 1336 the English returned again, this time under Edward III. The English king had the castle repaired, and again made it his headquarters in Scotland. The following year, however, Sir Andrew Murray, nephew of Sir William and the rightful owner of Bothwell, recaptured the stronghold, again using siege engines. Following his victory he slighted the castle once more, pulling down the west side of the Donjon and tumbling it into the Clyde, in order that it could not be reoccupied by the enemy. The castle remained derelict until the 1360s. In 1362, Joan Moray of Bothwell, heiress of the Morays, married Archibald Douglas, nicknamed the Grim and later to be Lord of Galloway and Earl of Douglas. Douglas commenced rebuilding Bothwell, repairing the donjon and completing the walls. The work was continued by his son, Archibald, the 4th Earl. By 1424 they had constructed the Great Hall and adjacent chapel, with towers at the north-east and south-east corners, and curtain walls connecting to the Donjon, enclosing the courtyard. The Black Douglases were forfeited in 1455, and their lands returned to the crown. James III granted Bothwell to Lord Crichton, and then to Sir James Ramsey, who were both forfeited in turn. In 1488 Bothwell was granted again to Patrick Hepburn, 2nd Lord Hailes, and the Earldom of Bothwell was created for him. Hepburn did not retain Bothwell Castle for long, however, exchanging it with Archibald Douglas, 5th Earl of Angus, known as Bell-the-Cat, in return for Hermitage Castle in Liddesdale. James IV visited Bothwell in 1503 and 1504. Bothwell thus reverted to the Douglases, and descended through the Earls of Angus to the Earls of Forfar. Archibald Douglas, 1st Earl of Forfar began construction of a new mansion nearby, demolishing the castle's north-east tower for its stone. (His house was demolished in 1926 due to mining subsidence in the area). After the death of the 2nd Earl at Sheriffmuir in 1715, a lawsuit was fought over the inheritance of Bothwell, the winning party being Archibald Stewart of Grandtully. The castle then descended to the Earls of Home. In 1935 the then Earl gave Bothwell into state care. It is now managed by Historic Scotland, and is open to the public (entrance charge).


Bothwell Castle
Made by G w Clark
Bothwell is Scotland's largest and finest 13th century castle. It is in a fabulous location on a bend in the River Clyde where a fairly deep gorge has been cut. The oldest parts of the castle are built of the most beautiful deep red sandstone and the masonry work is breathtaking. The castle stands at a very strategic location - this would be the main crossing point of the Clyde for any invaders coming from the south. As such it has played a major part in the wars between England and Scotland and both sides gained and lost posession of the castle many times. The castle was originally built by Walter of Moray or, quite likely, his son William 'The Rich'. It was planned to be the most beautiful building in christendom and in the mid 1200s many of the finest masons from continental Europe were brought in. The fabulous quality of the work of the master masons is still there to see in the beautifully dressed mouldings around windows and doorways and arches in the old tower. However, work stopped long before the castle was finished. Maybe money ran out. Maybe the wars with Edward I of England got in the way. Most likely both of these were factors. In 1296 Edward captured William and took the castle. In 1298 the Scots laid seige for over a year before finally retaking the castle. Edward was back in 1301 with innovative new seige engines and the castle changed hands again. The English held on to it until the Battle of Bannockburn. A number of the English lords took shelter here, but the constable of the castle surrendered the fortress and it was once mone in the hands of the Scots in 1314. Twenty-two years later, Endward III invaded from England and captured Bothwell and made it his invasion headquarters. But just a few months later Sir Andrew, a descendant of Walter of Moray, retook the castle. Robert Bruce's policy was to destroy castles that the English could use to control the Scots, and Andrew pulled down much of the donjon tower. The Black Douglasses took posession of the castle when Archibald 'The Grim' married Joanna of Bothwell in 1362. In the late 1300s and early 1400s the Douglasses repaired and extended the buildings and their work is the substantial part of what stands today.


Uglyworld #917 - Irn-Bru (Project BIG - 2-365)
Made by www.bazpics.com
Project B.I.G: - Image 2/365 As this is my lasts day in Scotland it seems only rights to me that I shoulds tells you alls abouts the Scottish drink that Mireille likes to drinks and Barry is addicteds to, calleds Irn-Bru. Irn-Bru was firsts made 110 years ago in a place in Scotlands called Falkirk and at that times was called Strachans Brew, but 45 years laters they were tolds that as it wasn't breweds that they couldn't use this in it's name, so the sneakies chairman spells it differently and everyone was happies again. It is rumoureds that the name also comes from supplyings the workers who was rebuildings Glasgows Central Station at the starts of the 19th centuries, as they was drinkings beer insteads then to cools down in the steels (and irons) works. In Scotlands it is easilies the mosts popular drink, with Coca-Cola seconds, and is so populars infacts that it is the thirds populars in alls of the UK after Coca-Cola and Pepsis. If you wants to sees some cools adverts that they makes for televisions and internets you can visits the irn-bru website which I does oftens from Germany to sees what all is news. I trieds to finds out what the specials ingredients in it was, but I gets told by peoples who works there that they can't tells me or it wouldn'ts be a secrets anymore, which I supposes is trues. They tells me that only the olds chairman Robert Barr who retireds in 2009, his daughters Julie and one other secret persons knows the full recipes, and that only Robert gets to mixes the essences of the drinks in a sealeds room. If I hads to tries explains what it tastes of I would says that there is a kind of Citrus flavours, and others than that it doesn't tastes like anythings else I has ever hads on Earths yet. You needs to tries it at leasts once, and when you does I suggests to makes it nice and colds as it tastes betters then! Time for me to packs my travels bag and drives down to the bottoms of England now for the ferries trip to France tomorrows on our ways homes to Aachen. From the Uglydoll blog at adventuresinuglyworld.blogspot.com/


Uglyworld #915 - Hogmanay (1-365 - Project BIG)
Made by www.bazpics.com
Project B.I.G. - Image 1/365 Hi everyones, for those of yous who doesn't alreadies knows me I am Babo, from Uglyworld and I've beens here visitings Earth now for some years alreadies, and wanteds to explains many things to yous all this year through this, which is my informatives guide to lifes here on Earth. As it just becomes the 1st of January's and I is in Scotland (checks out my new cools t-shirt) I has no option than to explains the awesomes celebration of Hogmanay. There is manys customs, boths national and locals, which is associateds with Hogmanay. From what I learneds tonight the mosts widespread nationals custom is the practices of what peoples call 'first-footing' which seems to starts immediately afters midnight. It seems that this involves being the firsts person to crosses the thresholds of a friend or neighbour and oftens involves the givings of symbolics gifts likes coals, shortbreads and whiskys, which is all intendeds to brings different kinds of lucks to the householder. There is lots of foods and drinks for everyones, you can sees I has shortbreads and champagnes, and I has been tolds that this may goes on throughouts the early hours of the morning and well intos the next days. The person who does first-footings is supposeds to set the lucks for the rests of the year. Traditionally, tall darks men are preferreds as the first-foot. I also learneds that the favourites song here in Scotlands is Auld Lang Syne which was a traditionals poem which was reinterpreteds by the famous Scotsman Robert Burns, which was laters set to music. From me and all my friends arounds the world, I hopes you all has a happy new years!!! From the Uglydoll blog at adventuresinuglyworld.blogspot.com/


Uglyworld #638 - Best Use For An Active Imagination
Made by www.bazpics.com
After Babo told Wedgehead earlier, I needs some minutes to mentally prepares myself, I will be backs soon! Wedgie stood slamming ball after ball into the net with ever increasing force in anticipation of Babo's return to the net. As Babo walked back towards the net she didn't even glance for a split second in the direction of Wedgie, she was 110% focused on the job she had to do. Wedgehead took 3 shots in rapid fire, the first whizzed into the back of the net, the second Babo got her fingertips to, and the third - well you can see for yourself - a magnificent diving save by Babo kept the ball out of the net much to the frustration of Wedgehead. I asked Babo how she managed to improve so quickly to which she replied, I calls up my friend Manuel Neuer in South Africa for some tips, and he tells me that he practices by thinking the balls is Nutella, and he suggested I imagines they is cookies, it works too!!!. Babo said that she wished Manuel the best of luck for tonight and that if he can help Germany win she'll share some super-duper-choco-chipo cookies with him and the other players. Babo's prediction is 2-1 to Germany, when I asked why she thought Spain would score a goal she said, Spain will gets a lucky goal as Manuel gets distracteds by a fan eatings a roll with Nutella ons it. Only time will tell I suppose! From the Uglydoll blog at adventuresinuglyworld.blogspot.com/


Uglyworld #121 - Ugly Photography In Scotland
Made by www.bazpics.com
Recently we had paid a visit to Mireille's gran who also lived in Aachen, Germany. While there we got talking about photography and about many of the places that we would be visiting on our summer holiday this year (which we're now on coincidentally). Mireille mentioned that she would like to give taking film photographs a go too as she really likes the idea of getting them processed and not knowing if she framed it perfectly until she gets the processed prints back again, her Gran then mentioned that Grandpa's old film camera (a Beirette) was somewhere in her apartment. As soon was Wage heard this he was away rifling through all the cupboards and drawers and came back a few minutes later with the camera in question. So we're now in Glasgow and have a couple of relaxing days prior to heading North to the Isle of Skye where our main holiday adventures begin. This morning after breakfast Jeero, Icebat and Wage had already looked out the camera and were pestering us to buy some film so that they could take some test shots around the area mum lives prior to getting out into the wilderness of the Scottish Highlands and Islands.


Uglyworld #916 - What Makes Ups A Scottish Brekkie?
Made by www.bazpics.com
After Cinko heard Babo explaining all about the traditions of Hogmanay here in Scotland in the early hours of the morning he came to the conclusion that it's some kind of new game that they should all be playing together, explaining everything they do. As we're in Glasgow a fried breakfast was in order this morning to soak up the left over alcohol, so Cinko started explaining some of the contents that can be found in a traditional Scottish brekkie. When Babo heard Cinko nattering away about Tatties Scones, Squares Sausages & Frieds Eggs he came in to see what was going on. No Cinko, you dont's understands, I has to explains one things a day to everyones for the wholes year, now I cant's explains breakfasts tomorrow mornings before we leaves to drives South through Englands!. Cinko just winked to Mireille and me and giggled a little as Babo wandered off to work out what he could explain tomorrow instead of his original plan. From the Uglydoll blog at adventuresinuglyworld.blogspot.com/


Uglyworld #633 - Wee Bru & Big Toe = Perfect (188-365)
Made by www.bazpics.com
Project 365 - Image 188/365 This morning Scottish Babo woke me up to tell me that she had managed to arrange a special surprise for Big Toe who also travelled to Scotland with me (he has been a little sad that it's only a 2 day visit while I'm over in the UK with business). Back to the matter at hand, Babo's surprise - to say Big Toe was surprised would be a total understatement as he officially used a phrase Ice-Bat loves to call all his own WOWZERS!!!. Ox was a little confused as he looked on as to how Big Toe can be BIG, the Wee Bru can be WEE but they are infact the opposite way round. Babo thankfully answered that one without any need of assistance, Is justs how the worlds is, somethings is smalls and somethings is bigs, it's what makes us alls special!. Ox nodded in agreement, meanwhile Big Toe was already tucking into his wee bru with a massive smile on his face. From the Uglydoll blog at adventuresinuglyworld.blogspot.com/


This is Bothwell Castle (at night)
Made by xxxrmt
Bothwell Castle is a large medieval castle sited on a high, steep bank, above a bend in the River Clyde, in South Lanarkshire, Scotland. It is located between Uddingston and Bothwell, about 10 miles (16 km) south-east of Glasgow. Construction of the castle was begun in the 13th century by the ancestors of Clan Murray, to guard a strategic crossing point of the Clyde. Bothwell played a key role in Scotland's Wars of Independence, changing hands several times. The huge cylindrical Donjon was built in the 13th century, but before the rest of the castle was completed it was severely damaged in a series of sieges. Rebuilding in the early 15th century enlarged the castle, but it was abandoned by the 18th century. The present ruin is rectangular, with the remains of the Donjon to the west, and the later Great Hall to the east. The courtyard is enclosed by long curtain walls, with round towers at the south-east and south-west corners.


Monkey Adventures #1 - Say Hello to "Drunken" Bert
Made by www.bazpics.com
Everyone say hello to Bert, he's a rare monkey from the stitchio gene pool, which is normally only found in dark, quiet places and the Stitchio Monkeys like to keep themselves very much to themselves. Luckily for Bert he was invited to take part in an exchange trip which saw him come to visit Scotland for a while, and with me being in Glasgow at the time it meant having to introduce the wee chap to the normal sports played in Scotland, ok so when I say normal I mean normal drinking games. With Bert only being a wee chap he had to start off on the more girly drinks, and these images were taken during his first warm-up session, hence the Pineapple Bacardi Breezers being in shot too. He didn't do too well though, one and a half bottles and the poor wee bugger was already half baked. He's since been able to down a pint in under 6 seconds and holds the current Stitchio Monkey record for the most amount of pints consumed in a lunch break (his record currently stands at 17 pints).


Uglyworld #1182 - Scottishes Breakiesfaster (Project BIG 190 - 365)
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Project B.I.G. - Image 190/365 Before I explainers my photomagraph I has to pointers out that by no ways hosays in the worlder does I has the awesomer cookering skillers of my Californians cousiner, , checkers out his skillers if you has times, he can makers an amazering meal outs of whatevers he findies in your fridge in no timers. Even withouters the amazering cookering skillers I knows that the besters way to makes Baz happies when it comes to breakiesfast is to makers him some potatoer sconies, which is justs likes little flats cakies made from potatoes. From what I undermastanders they is a Scottishes specialitier, and I can tells you that hey tasties yummiers too, so I always makers just a littles too many for Baz to eaters so that I can has them, goods planner, huh? From the Uglydoll blog at adventuresinuglyworld.blogspot.com/


Uglyworld #639 - Strawberry Raid (189-365)
Made by www.bazpics.com
Project 365 - Image 188/365 After a quick visit to the local supermarket this morning to grab some goodies to take back to Germany with me, I had the job of making sure the strawberries my mum picked up went into her fridge ready for her to munch on after work. I should have been more careful, as while I was upstairs packing my stuff away I could hear something going on downstairs in the kitchen, and when I went to investigate this is what I found!!! Definitely some Mission Impossible strawberry raiding going on here! After giving the guys a ticking off I picked up some more strawberries and made them promise not to raid them once I left for my long drive down from Glasgow in Scotland to Ashford near the South East coast of England today. From the Uglydoll blog at adventuresinuglyworld.blogspot.com/


Uglyworld #1183 - Summer Saulters (Project BIG 191 - 365)
Made by www.bazpics.com
Project B.I.G. - Image 191/365 My Scottisher cousins were tellings me abouts a fun gamer that they says is normals to plays here in Scotlands. They callers the game Summer Saulters, or at leasts that's what they tellers me it was calleds. It involvers me runnings like the clapperoonies (I learners this phraser from Scottish Mama) across the grass and then jumperings up in the airs and spinnerings heads over heelers and trying to landers on my feeties again. As you can imagines my Scottisher cousins were all gathered arounds watchings, cheerings and shouterings while I trieds it overs and overs again. Funniers thing is that it only seemers to be me who does the Summer Saulters, maybies they knows somethings I doesn't! From the Uglydoll blog at adventuresinuglyworld.blogspot.com/


Uglyworld #637 - Babo Struggles With The Goalkeeping Concept
Made by www.bazpics.com
With Germany set to play against Spain in the 2nd Semi-Final of this years World Cup, football fever has once again taken over my photographs of the little guys. It was almost comical to watch Babo standing in the goal while Wedgehead slammed ball after ball past her into the net behind. Babo called for a timeout to ask, Why does you keeps hitting alls of them to me really hards?. Wedgie explained, Is hows footballs is playeds, I musts get more balls into your goal than you cans into mines!. Hopefully Babo understood the concept now and gets better...we'll see as she left me with the parting comment, I needs some minutes to mentally prepares myself, I will be backs soon!. From the Uglydoll blog at adventuresinuglyworld.blogspot.com/


I'm...
Made by xxxrmt
An Englishman and a Scot were wandering through a Swiss forest when they came upon a local. Noticing their bows and arrows, he challenged them to shoot an arrow through an apple placed on the head of any fair maiden they so desired from his village. If successful, said maiden was the prize (for one night only). Beauties were picked... The Swiss guy went first. A success! After which, he said, By the way, I am William Tell. The Englishman was the second to try. Also successful, he introduced himself, I am Robin Hood. And finally the Scot took his turn. The arrow went straight through the poor woman's face. He said, I'm sorry.


Childhood
Made by Andy O'Donnell
We used to play here a lot as kids, before they strengthened the bridge. There were two paths in each tunnel, one on either side of the river, which split at the opposite end of the tunnels before coming together at the end. In summer you could walk along through these, but not in winter, when the paths would become completely submerged. I see that the fact that there are no paths inside the tunnels has not however stopped local neds from spraying graffiti (the meaning of which they probably barely understand) on the inside walls. I have very fond memories of this place (including a drookit friend and Mickey Mouse jumpers!), but I think that equally it is a dingy, unwelcoming area now, and unfortunately this will probably be my last visit here for a long time.


Uglyworld #914 - Thanks Everyone!!! (365-365) [Explored]
Made by www.bazpics.com
Explored #120 Project 365 - Image 365/365 Wage got some of the gang together this evening for a big celebration party as this is the final day of their photo a day, 365 project. Even though the guys are still disappointed that Babo wasn't able to make it back in time for the big finale party, they wanted to give all of you a massive thanks to each and every one of you for all yours views, comments and favourites every single day over the last year!!! And don't worry, this isn't the last you've seen of these guys and stay tuned for some more madness coming soon! p.s. Have a great new year everyone when it comes!!! From the Uglydoll blog at adventuresinuglyworld.blogspot.com/


What the Butler Saw?
Made by gdelargy
blog: Veverka with Roxy The Gentleman: Mr Bones The Lady: Roxy Stardust A sequence shot of Roxy and her bony beau getting up to some costumed shenanigans. The style of the shoot, plus the demure kiss behind the fan, made me think of the old what the butler saw mutoscopes, hence the title (and the old fashioned sepia/vignetted post-processing). This one has a certain innocence about it, at least compared to the later shots which, Roxy declared, made her look like a bit of a sex pest. I'll upload them later this week, hopefully.


A bit of old-fashioned glamour
Made by gdelargy
blog: Veverka with Roxy Model: Roxy Stardust One of my earlier attempts to make Roxy look pretty, something that's never been a priority for me up 'til now. Reclined on a chaise longue, she had that look movie stars used to have in the old Hollywood headshots of yore (although I resisted the temptation to black'n'white-ify it). Desaturated the reds a wee bit to give her a paler complexion, and to save the image being overwhelmed by her robe.


Uglyworld #118 - Icebat and Babo Get In Each Others Faces
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Things were already looking VERY VERY ugly and the new guys had only been out of their boxes for 2 minutes. For some reason Babo was the one doing much of the shouting and pointing from the group of original guys and Light Blue Icebat was fulfilling the same role for the new guys. There was a lot of jeering coming from the likes of Wage, but Babo decided that it would be better to deal with the issue by means of a bit of Q and A. Babo:- If you were allowed to say one word what would it be? Icebat:- Cookies! Babo:- Correct answer Everyone:- Woooooooohooooooooo