Winter at Bonar Bridge

Thank you Hector Macrae for allowing me to use your photo of Bonar Bridge.

This is the third bridge to be built at this site, the present one replacing an iron and granite one erected at the end of the 19th century and it in turn replaced an earlier stone bridge of 1810.

You click on the image above to see a larger image.

A zip containing even larger versions suitable for other sized screens can be downloaded here.

Kyle Of Sutherland

I played around with this lovely image of the Kyle of Tongue to make this desktop for you. This is an area dear to my heart...close to the Ancestral home of my ancestor Major John Scobie of Melness.

If you would like to see a larger version, simply click on the image. To download a zip file with a larger image and one suitable for a widescreen, click here.

Judy

Putting Granma in the Frame!

This beautiful picture has been created from an old photograph sent in by one of our members. Using scrapbook elements has turned it into what you see now. The owner of the original photograph is very pleased with the effect.

Photographs treated like this are great for digital scrapbooks, on your family history website, adding to our Member's Interests site, sending to other family members, etc.

Touch of Class group members are all happy to create scrapbook photographs for you if you so wish as long as you are happy for us to choose the elements, colours, etc., we use. We just enjoy being creative.

If you wish to send a photograph in please email it to me direct - you all know my email address but if you are stuck you can find it on the main website. Just in case we receive a large number of photographs to be worked on please note that we will email you giving you an idea of when we can do it.

Nice idea?

Chris

Desktop Wallpaper, Loch Fleet from the Mound

Hello again.

New desktop wallpaper for you. This one is a shot taken a couple of weeks ago from the Mound looking towards Rogart over Loch Fleet. Dusk was just falling after a sharp, cold day.

The preview does not do justice to the beautfy of the large desktop. You can download a zipfile containing two sizes, standard plus widescreen HERE.

There is also a card available in our CARD CORNER for you to send to your friends. Perhaps to tell them about this great addition to our site?

Thanks and enjoy.

Chris

November Calendar, Loch Fleet Nature Reserve

This delightful desktop (which also comes in the zip as a November calendar) has been created by Joan.

The reserve at Loch Fleet (the northernmost tidal basin on the east coast) contains within its boundary, coastal heath, sand dunes and pine woodland, as well as mudflats. Waders and shelduck feed on the invertebrates in the mud at low tide, and eiders feed on the mussels along the course of the river. In summer, arctic and common terns fish in the shallows, and in winter large numbers of wigeon graze the eelgrass growing on the tidal flats. Other ducks also take advantage of the estuary’s shelter in winter, among them long-tailed duck and common scoter.

Both within the estuary and along the coast to north and south, common seals can be seen. These are particularly conspicuous when they haul out on sandbanks at low tide. The pine woodland at Balblair Wood supports a number of rare pinewood plants as well as more common ones associated with such woodland. Mammals such as pine marten, red squirrel and roe deer also frequent these areas. The heathland at Ferry Links and some clearings within Ferry Wood support a wide range of interesting plants including orchids and a range of butterflies. The pinewoods support Scottish crossbills, crested tits and other more common species such as treecreeper, sparrowhawk, buzzard and great spotted woodpecker. In summer, ospreys fish regularly on the reserve, although they do not breed there, and in winter peregrines and hen harriers regularly visit to hunt. It is a very beautiful spot, situated between the Little Ferry and Golspie town.

Joan's delightful desktop will serve as either a souvenier of this lovely spot or a reminder to visit it when you visit Sutherland. Download the zip file HERE.

There is also a greetings card in our CARD CORNER for you to send to your family and friends.

November calendar, Achvaich, Dornoch

Hi Folks

This calendar, also available with no calendar, is from a photograph I took last week while Sheila and myself drove up Strath Achvaich looking for the old Murray home.

It struck me how isolated, wild, and beautiful it was up there but fear it must have been really hard work living and farming. People do still live there and with the advent of four wheel drives, etc. life must be easier than it was. It is situated about 6 miles from Dornoch town.

Hope you like the desktop. In the zip you will find the usual sizes - all with and without the calendar - you can download it HERE.

Anyone who is unable to download or simply does not know how please contact us and we will be happy to help.

Chris