Glasgow In Late December. The Art Of Darkness

An obvious pun on a classic book but it suits this post. Much of the month has been either rain or grey murky weather so I've had little inclination to go up hills and get soaked. However two days over the holiday period stand out, as perfect inversions occurred over Glasgow and the surroundings and I just happened to be there to capture it all.

                                               ALL PHOTOS CLICK FULL SCREEN
Cycle ride along the Forth and Clyde canal at Blairdardie to get something in Clydebank. As soon as the sun dropped the temperature did as well and it felt well below zero. Bike is in the cellar now for the winter probably. Me no like icy roads and hard falls on tarmac these days.

As there was an inversion over Glasgow's low lying districts I knew from previous winters Mugdock Country Park had a chance of being clear as it sits on a ridge between the Campsie Fells and Glasgow. Same area as last weeks post but very different conditions.

Craigmaddie Muir and a hidden Glasgow lying under the murk. It was a murky and fairly surreal mist-land over most of the city.

Maryhill Hi Rise Flats sticking up above the clouds.Wyndford district and the colourful gable mural on Maryhill Road. Fairly hazy as the mist was swirling  around Mugdock which was just above the layer by only a couple of hundred feet. Dawsholm Park is the wooded area left of the Hi Rise Flats.

More sheep grazing above Glasgow.Kyber Pass area.

The weird thing was in the other direction the hills slightly to the north, like Dumgoyne here, were clear.

Paisley and the Gleniffer Braes. You can see the Coats Observatory and Church Spire sticking up here.

Looking North West from the flagpole summit towards Anniesland Tower. As I could see Ruchill Park was just clear of the murk I decided to go there for the sunset. Ruchill park at night used to get a pretty grim reputation for gangs after dark but as it was around minus five degrees I thought it would be safe enough and so it proved. Parking available on Murano Street, near the park gates and new flats. It has great panoramas over the city which is why it is included in my latest book... yet to be published on Kindle.

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A misty Port Dundas.

Park Circus Towers.

What I was really here for was the sunset and misty conditions often produce good ones because of the frozen moisture in the air distorting the spectrum. A fiery red or orange sunset is common at this time of year. University of Glasgow.

The Sun dropping lower. Ra Descending.(I usually say at this point I,m a follower of Isis (ancient Egyptian sun worshipers) but folk might get the wrong idea.

On the way back home I stopped off at Knightswood Park as I already knew it had great night time potential from previous visits here in the dark. I wanted to get beak to beak close ups this time so I sat down at the pond edge and waited for them to come to me. Judging by the plaintive pecks they seemed to be hungry as folk probably haven't got as much spare cash these days. Mind you mouldy or constant white bread is probably as bad for them than no bread at all as it makes them sick after a while. The wildlife islands that they recently built in the pond, presumably in part for nesting on or so they wouldn't get frozen into the ice in hard winters are hidden under water thanks to all the rain. If they keep paddling around constantly all night it usually stays partly ice free.

A spooky scene. Personally, I like wandering around on a dark misty night. Very surreal and atmospheric and you can hear anyone coming long before they see you.Altered sound and movement changes the game to a whole new level. Great conditions for creepy crawl work.

And so to bed. (There is something very weird happening with the photos here in this post as they have perfect definition and clarity full screen on my computer before I post them on the blog then they get all mottled in places on here, even when reduced in size. Mist on the lens doesn't help as the air is constantly damp below the murk.
As I put a lot of time and effort into my photographs and wanted this post to be special I've now exchanged the bad, mottled photos for a better updated set.

Sheep in Amber Light.

Milngavie Reservoirs.

Dog walker under the murk layer.

More mist effects.

Knightswood Pond at Christmas. Swans, Geese, Mallards, Tufted Ducks, and a little Grebe.

Found another great video of Catherine the Great. Most top climbers still regard an ascent of The Old Man of Hoy as a climbing partnership, (with ropes up each pitch), a massive achievement. La Belle Destivelle- three months pregnant and a virtual solo outing with a sizable back pack. This is ten years on from the Mali Video and seems to be a year after she fell over 60 feet on a mountain in Antarctica, fracturing her leg. Age here is around 37 years old. She cut back on soloing after this to become a wife and mum. Worth watching full screen.



My comedy novel about a Glasgow outdoor club featuring chapters on Hillwalking, Kayaking, Caving,Rock Climbing, Island bagging, back packing across Europe and many other adventures is available now on kindle. The first couple of chapters can be read for free here. I also have a photo heavy guide book out. A Guide to Walking and Cycling around the River Clyde and the Firth of Clyde which has over 80 walks and cycles in it from Glasgow to Girvan and all points in between.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00JNAIGAO/ref=s9_simh_bw_p351_d0_i1?pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=center-1&pf_rd_r=1JJCYXJSZ223VH4A4R09&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=511296287&pf_rd_i=341689031