I was sorting out some photos from the ones I took on my last time off for a round up blog and there was quite a pile. A large number of those were from the village of Kenmore, mainly because I liked the windows in it's church, so here it is in a wee blog of it's own.
The village of Kenmore, which was centred around Taymouth Castle, dates back to the 16th century. The main village today was laid out by the 3rd Earl of Breadalbane as a model village in 1760 and the wide street here and neat rows of cottages certainly give that impression.
You can just see the gates to the castle at the end of the village in this picture, they suggest something quite substantial beyond. I stuck my head through for a wee look but only saw a few more white washed buildings. I should have persevered and gone in because the castle itself (as I found from Wikipedia's photo later on) looks quite impressive. As far as I can see, it's not open to the public and is currently undergoing renovation as a hotel. As somebody who has recently spent three days in a tent, this is not likely to be frequented by me.
The main reason for stopping here was that the red light had come on on my tea tank. The Kenmore Hotel claims to be the oldest inn in Scotland having been established in 1572. I had to have a wee think about that as the Sheep's Heid Inn in Edinburgh edges this date by a fraction (212 years earlier) but it doesn't seem to do rooms any more which is probably key to the definition of an inn.
Inside in the lounge, I had my tea on a very interesting table. The barmaid told me that it used to be an old door but didn't know anything beyond that.
This bear sculpture outside the pub is the 2010 winner of the annual Carrbridge chainsaw carving competition. This is by Iain Chalmers who lives in a completely different part of Scotland - the Black Isle. There are several other carvings around the village. I wonder if they're all by him.
As I said, I visited the church but I completely forgot to take any pictures of it itself. I remembered later on and this was taken from across the loch at the Crannog Centre.
I found this little chap sitting (well screwed down actually) on a tree trunk just outside the church.
It has two very unusual etched windows by Anita Pate on either side of the alter.
The Pitlochry Dam - the first of these windows is to remember Alistair Duncan Millar who was the engineer on it as well as a local farmer and fisherman.
The other window celebrates the Reverend Kenneth MacVicar who was the minister here for 40 years. The building below is the manse..........
....and this is the church we are in.
An etched aeroplane in the Rev. MacVicar's window.
Outside the church, looking through one window to the other.
The church has three good stained glass windows. I'll leave you with just one of these, made in 1969 by W. Wilson RSA (I think that this is William Wilson - the information doesn't elaborate on the W)
5 comments:
"The red light had come on on my tea tank" - lovely phrase - how many mpg are you getting on that tank at the moment, Sandy? The etched glass is beautiful, seemed to complement the white exterior of the church, which is also rather uncommon I think.
The etched window is truly beautiful. I once learned to play a jig entitled "Kenmoor Is Up And Awa'" on the mouth organ!
You certainly come up with original posts Sandy.
That was certainly one ornate door.
I love the etched glass. There used to be quite a lot of etched windows in the pubs I used to frequent as a youngster in Fife.
I remember one on a toilet door in Hong Kong portraying the Brussels 'Manneken Pis'. I think the ladies had some sort of Can-Can etching, I never got to look too close.
Shundo, The red light is often on in my tea tank :) Little whitewashed churches, though very much in the minority, are not unknown in Scotland - I can think of another couple of the top of my head. They don't half stand out in the countryside.
John - Kenmoor is Up and Away is an unknown jig to me, even the internet can't help me. That's not to say I wouldn't recognise it if I heard it. I once could do The Hens March to the Midden on the mouth organ but at a fraction of the proper speed. Mike Harding has been enthusing about Brendan Power of late with some reason.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbJ84ESfKOs
Thanks Jim, The etched glass was lovely, I seem to be a sucker for anything glass. I'm sure the Hong Kong toilets would have been well worth a look to - I've been known to take the odd picture of interesting things in loos but you have to be carefull not to get caught or else you appear to be up to no good - an interesting lady's loo door would be just a little too much on the risky side.
what lovely windows, the etchings are beautiful. I love the wood sculptures too.
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