Dingwall Environment

Attribution: unknown (Greenhill street  in Dingwall looking North)

Dingwall and the Environment

Situated at the head of the Cromarty Firth, Dingwall is a small market town, but was the capital of Scotland to the Vikings. The countryside on either side contrasts starkly. To the east is the Black Isle, one of the richest agricultural areas in Scotland, with many attractions for visitors. Cromarty, at its eastern edge, is a wonderful mix of old buildings, one of the most interesting villages in Scotland. This whole area is great for wildlife lovers, with the best dolphin-watching areas in the UK as well as frequently seen magnificent Red Kites.

West of Dingwall the landscape is much more rugged, with fine woodland walks along the Blackwater river, with Rogie Falls only one example of the wonderful cascades in this area. Higher up, the valley becomes hemmed in by even higher mountains, with Ben Wyvis a true giant with magnificent views.

01 Dingwall Environment

View of Dingwall from Mitchell Hill

Attribution: unknown

02 Dingwall Environment

Attribution: unknown

James' Bridge

James Blake was a much loved young man who died in February 2019. He and his wife Sarah lived near the former harbour at the end of what was once Dingwall’s canal. The canal fell into disuse in the 1880s but since that time its banks have been popular walkways for townsfolk and with the provision of a footbridge at the harbour end it was possible to have an extended, circular walk. This was something James and Sarah loved to do …..

16 James' Bridge, Dingwall

Attribution: unknown

The Peffery Way

The Peffery Way Association has been established with the aim of creating a low level foot/cycle path link between Strathpeffer and Dingwall using the disused railway line as much as possible.

05 Peffery Way

Attribution: unknown

View more photos of Dingwall Environment

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Dingwall » Dingwall Work » Dingwall Drover Sculpture
01 Drover Sculpture
01 Drover Sculpture
The site of the sculpture - Dingwall and Highland Marts.
02 Drover Sculpture
02 Drover Sculpture
Lucy Poett and her creation.
03 Drover Sculpture
03 Drover Sculpture
Preliminary sketches courtesy of Lucy Poett.
04 Drover Sculpture
04 Drover Sculpture
Preliminary sketch courtesy of Lucy Poett.
05 Drover Sculpture
05 Drover Sculpture
Courtesy of Lucy Poett.
06 Drover Sculpture
06 Drover Sculpture
Courtesy of Lucy Poett.
07 Drover Sculpture
07 Drover Sculpture
The Drover's legs. [Photo courtesy of Lucy Poett.]
08 Drover Sculpture
08 Drover Sculpture
Two sides of Drover. [Photo courtesy of Lucy Poett.]
09 Drover Sculpture
09 Drover Sculpture
The Drover's dog. [Photo courtesy of Lucy Poett.]
10 Drover Sculpture
10 Drover Sculpture
The bull. [Photo courtesy of Lucy Poett.]
11 Drover Sculpture
11 Drover Sculpture
The bull, now cast. [Photo courtesy of Lucy Poett.]
12 Drover Sculpture
12 Drover Sculpture
Bull, finally cast, with Lucy Poett (left) in her studio. [Photo: Lucy Poett.]
13 Drover Sculpture
13 Drover Sculpture
Where to place it? And facing east or west?
14 Drover Sculpture
14 Drover Sculpture
Prototype bull (fierce horns!) and modern drover Henry Meiklejohn.
15 Drover Sculpture
15 Drover Sculpture
Preparing the site.
16 Drover Sculpture
16 Drover Sculpture
Andrew Macphee at work.
17 Drover Sculpture
17 Drover Sculpture
Preparing the site.
18 Drover Sculpture
18 Drover Sculpture
Foundations.
19 Drover Sculpture
19 Drover Sculpture
Electrical work.
20 Drover Sculpture
20 Drover Sculpture
Electrics connection.
21 Drover Sculpture
21 Drover Sculpture
Landscaping.
22 Drover Sculpture
22 Drover Sculpture
Landscaping continues.
23 Drover Sculpture
23 Drover Sculpture
Still more landscaping.
24 Drover Sculpture
24 Drover Sculpture
George Tait giving guidance.
25 Drover Sculpture
25 Drover Sculpture
Still working on site.
26 Drover Sculpture
26 Drover Sculpture
"Site foreman" George Tait leaning on obligatory shovel .
27 Drover Sculpture
27 Drover Sculpture
Delivery day.
28 Drover Sculpture
28 Drover Sculpture
Lucy Poett, ARBS, with her sculpture.
29 Drover Sculpture
29 Drover Sculpture
Lucy Poett as more of her work is uncovered.
30 Drover Sculpture
30 Drover Sculpture
Four men who did much of the practical work: Henry Meiklejohn, Kenny Mackenzie, David Henderson and George Tait.
31 Drover Sculpture
31 Drover Sculpture
Preparing base for plaque.
32 Drover Sculpture
32 Drover Sculpture
Putting plaque in place. George Tait, David Henderson, Lucy Poett observing.
33 Drover Sculpture
33 Drover Sculpture
Then it was time to unload. Getting ready .....
34 Drover Sculpture
34 Drover Sculpture
..... up ......
35 Drover Sculpture
35 Drover Sculpture
Still handing around.
36 Drover Sculpture
36 Drover Sculpture
Lowering.
37 Drover Sculpture
37 Drover Sculpture
Still lowering.
38 Drover Sculpture
38 Drover Sculpture
Safely landed.
39 Drover Sculpture
39 Drover Sculpture
Now for the Drover.
40 Drover Sculpture
40 Drover Sculpture
Just about in place.
41 Drover Sculpture
41 Drover Sculpture
Well, we made it, Lucy!
42 Drover Sculpture
42 Drover Sculpture
At last, in situ, and looking over at the Black Isle.
43 Drover Sculpture
43 Drover Sculpture
Well protected.
44 Drover Sculpture
44 Drover Sculpture
More electrical work.
45 Drover Sculpture
45 Drover Sculpture
Final tasks.
46 Drover Sculpture
46 Drover Sculpture
Unwrapping begins.
47 Drover Sculpture
47 Drover Sculpture
Christmas comes early for Henry Meiklejohn!
48 Drover Sculpture
48 Drover Sculpture
Bruce Mackintosh hopes there's no more bubblewrap to recycle!
49 Drover Sculpture
49 Drover Sculpture
Unwrapped.
50 Drover Sculpture
50 Drover Sculpture
Protective gear.

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