My Scotland in Black and White

James Paterson, Mural in Dalbeattie

Painted on the gable end of a workshop in the small town of Dalbeattie, James Paterson is remembered in this impressive mural, sitting astride his TT Races motorcycle.
Dalbeattie with it’s small population of about 4,000 is the home of no less than several professional footballers, TT Race Winners and William McMaster Murdoch – the First Officer of the infamous RMS Titanic, on which he also lost his life.
A Modern Ruin

The Arrol Johnston car factory, Dumfries, situated in Heathhall. The factory was constructed in 1913, subsequently used to produce aircraft and components during World War 1. In the late 1920s the factory won a contract to re-body Captain Malcolm Campbell’s ‘Bluebird’ in preparation for an attempt to break the World Land Speed Record. Car production ceased in 1931.
The factory went on to produce rubber then carpet underlay before closing in 2013.
Barn Find

This austere looking barn sits at the side of a road in Ayrshire.
Doon Valley Station Hotel, Ayrshire

You’re likely realising by now that I have a bit of a thing for deserted, dilapidated buildings. This one I’ve titled the Doon Valley Station Hotel, into which I’ve done no research at all, but the artful and canny display of the word BAR, promoting offerings such as food, ale and pool, leave no doubt of at least some of the activities once provided.
People preparing to go canoeing on a river in Ayrshire

The Kelpies Sculptures

The Kelpies (photographed here in Black and White) are a huge, imposing steel sculpture by artist Andy Scott.
Visible from the M9 motorway, they are sited at the Forth & Clyde Canal in Falkirk, aptly located as their creation was inspired by the Clydesdale horses, which worked along the towpath here.
Each head is 30 metres (98 ft) high, making them the largest equine sculptures in the world.

The Wallace Monument

I guess no visit to Scotland would be complete without a visit to Stirling. For me, the Wallace Monument stands out more than anything in the area, I frequently pass the monument – a few miles away along the motorway, often seen shrouded in mist and clouds with mountains as its backdrop, it’s outstandingly atmospheric and draws the attention. On the day of my visit, there wasn’t any sign of low cloud or mist, but you can’t win them all, so here it is clear & bright, standing proud and screaming ‘Freedom!”
John Cowane’s House

Cowane, was the most successful merchant of Stirling, his professions included merchant, banker, ship owner, privateer, and politician of Stirling. Questions have been raised about his dealings, including if he was involved in the transatlantic slave trade. There’s no documented evidence of such, he lived and traded during the early 1600s, before the aforementioned slave trade started. His house was one of the largest in the town.
Cowane’s portrait statue stands over the door of Cowane’s Hospital, the alms house he founded.
Sweet Memories

Sweet Memories, is a step-back-in-time sweet shop in the popular visitor attraction town of Inveraray, which is located on the western shore of Loch Fyne.
The shop itself – sells loose sweets, weighed in the traditional fashion from large jars. I’m old enough to remember when this was the norm and the jars were made of glass. One of the things that’s genuinely better from back in the day.
Loch Fyne Whiskies, Scotland

On the same street as Sweet Memories – you’ll also find Loch Fyne Whiskies, both have ornamental manakin statues outside the front, drawing attention of potential customers.
Loch Fyne, Scotland

Loch Fyne “Loch of the Vine/Wine”, is no less than 40 miles long forming part of the coastline of the Cowal Peninsula. There’s no evidence of grapes being grown here, but Loch Fyne is famous for its oysters.
Inland there’s mountains of the Arrochar Alps, and during WWII Special Forces were trained here, including training for the D’Day Landings.
Inveraray Bridge

Inveraray Bridge is a stone built, double arch bridge with a central hole. The central hole isn’t merely decorative, it serves multiple purposes including stress reduction by allowing water to pass through. It also decreases the overall weight, subsequently less materials are required for the structure.
Perched atop the hill, Loch Fyne is overlooked by the Dun Na Cuaiche Watchtower, built as a folly in 1756, by then owners of the land and castle.
Loch Achtriochtan or Loch Trychardan

Loch Achtriochtan or Loch Trychardan is today a beautiful, imposing location close to the village of Glencoe.
It’s easy to stand here and take in the wonders of nature, allowing your mind to meander a while in the peace and tranquility of this serene valley with it’s surrounding high peaks, including ‘The Three Sisters’.
But here in the western Highlands the streams supplying this shallow, freshwater loch, once ran red with feudal Scottish blood.
On the 13th of February 1692, approximately 30 members of the MacDonald Clan, were slaughtered in what is nowadays referred to as ‘The Massacre of Glencoe’.
The liquidation attributed to the Campbell clan, ordered to do so by the loyalist government of the new monarchs William of Orange & Mary II.


Loch Leven

Just in case you’re confused, there are two lochs called Leven in Scotland, possibly the most famous of the two is the freshwater loch, close to Kinross – it’s very easy to find being sign posted from the M9 motorway, it’s proximity to Edinburgh also providing greater exposure.
However, the Loch Leven pictured here is a beautiful sea loch on the west coast, in Glencoe, Argyll.
Loch Leven is a picturesque sea loch on the west coast of Scotland, it’s almost 9-miles in length, with the village of Glencoe on its southern shore.
The burial place of the MacDonald clan of Glencoe is on the uninhabited island of Eilean Munde, opposite Glencoe village.
A ferry once crossed the mouth of the loch which was decommissioned following the erection of the Ballachulish Bridge.
Nowadays the loch is used for sporting activities including sailing and is home to the Glencoe Boat Club. I met a few of their friendly crew at the time of producing this image.
Like most of Scotland – It’s just stunning.
About Glencoe Boat Club: Glencoe Boat Club
Article and Photos by: David Glover Roberts
Updated: 20 July 2025