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Atlantic trawl floats are made from the best materials available, and are designed to withstand heavy blows and high pressure. Trawl floats with center hole, designed for general trawling. Strong and durable
Diameter; 8" / 200 mm
Size; 4 ltr
Weight; 1500 gr
Max Depth (1 hour); 1300 m
Max Working Depth (4 hours); 1200 m
Buoyancy; 2470 gr
Lancing holes; Center
Hole size; 21 mm
Standard Color; Yellow
Shipping details (Carton/Bag); Carton
Quantity; 18
Weight; 28 kg
Volume; 0,143 m³
Source; Atlantic Floats
Ik las het boek "Flotsametrics and the floating world - How one man's obsession with runaway sneakers and rubber ducks revolutionized ocean science" geschreven door Curtis Ebbesmeyer.
Deze Amerikaanse oceanograaf beschrijft daarin hoe flessenpost, maar ook een opengebarsten overboord geslagen container met Nike sportschoenen in het midden van de Stille Oceaan van invloed is geweest op de oceanografie.
Tijdens zijn studie maakt hij ook kennis met strandjutters, en beschrijft dezen als volgt:
"The sneaker spill introduced me to the world of beachcombing, a culture I only had brushed up against before but from which I've since learned a great deal.
Beachcombing appeals to deep-seated impulses and aspirations -to the scientist, explorer, collector, and treasure hunter in everyone and, deepest of all, to the inner hunter-gatherer.
It's a poor man's oceanography, research as play, unconstrained by professional ambition and open to everyone with eyes to see and feet to walk
Most beachcomber are uncelebrated salt-of-the-earth types, some are salty dogs.
If they weren't seeking washed up treasure and curiosities, they might be at home keeping scrap books or restoring old cars.
Often they have little formal education, but they are far more intelligent and inquisitive than many of the academics I have known.
Beachcombing is a hobby -an unfashionable word these days - that opens up on everything else.
Franklin D. Roosevelt credited his uncanny knowledge of world geography and history to his lifelong passion for stamp collecting.
Likewise , to be interested in beachcombing is to be interested in everything.
Beachcomber are the keepers of ocean's memory, sifting and sorting the chaotic surfeit thrown upon by the waves and tides, transforming trash into artistic and scientific gold."
Ik kan niet anders, dan het hier helemaal mee eens zijn.
Het enige wat niet klopt is dat een Harley-Davidson 1943 WLC motorfiets aan het restaureren ben, in plaats van een oude auto.
First visit of 2019 for me to this stunning castle today Thursday 28th March 2019.
Dunnottar Castle.
The rock the Castle sits upon was forced to the surface 440 million years ago during the Silurian period. A red rock conglomerate with boulders up to 1m across known as Pudding Stone is incredibly durable.
The ancient Highland rock pebbles and cementing matter is so tough that faults or cracks pass through the pebbles themselves.
I first visited Dunnottar Castle summer 2017, this magnificent castle sits high on a hill, last time I visited I captured my shots from the cliffs overlooking the site, though today I made the journey up the hill and entered the castle walls , wow what a magnificent experience, just perfect with loads of great photo opportunities to capture real Scottish history,after two hours wandering around and capturing as many shots that caught my eye , I made my way home, a magnificent experience indeed.
Dunnottar Castle (Scottish Gaelic: Dùn Fhoithear, "fort on the shelving slope" is a ruined medieval fortress located upon a rocky headland on the north-east coast of Scotland, about 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) south of Stonehaven.
The surviving buildings are largely of the 15th and 16th centuries, but the site is believed to have been fortified in the Early Middle Ages. Dunnottar has played a prominent role in the history of Scotland through to the 18th-century Jacobite risings because of its strategic location and defensive strength. Dunnottar is best known as the place where the Honours of Scotland, the Scottish crown jewels, were hidden from Oliver Cromwell's invading army in the 17th century. The property of the Keiths from the 14th century, and the seat of the Earl Marischal, Dunnottar declined after the last Earl forfeited his titles by taking part in the Jacobite rebellion of 1715.
The castle was restored in the 20th century and is now open to the public.
The ruins of the castle are spread over 1.4 hectares (3.5 acres), surrounded by steep cliffs that drop to the North Sea, 50 metres (160 ft) below. A narrow strip of land joins the headland to the mainland, along which a steep path leads up to the gatehouse.
The various buildings within the castle include the 14th-century tower house as well as the 16th-century palace. Dunnottar Castle is a scheduled monument, and twelve structures on the site are listed buildings.
History
Early Middle Ages
A chapel at Dunnottar is said to have been founded by St Ninian in the 5th century, although it is not clear when the site was first fortified, but in any case the legend is late and highly implausible. Possibly the earliest written reference to the site is found in the Annals of Ulster which record two sieges of "Dún Foither" in 681 and 694.
The earlier event has been interpreted as an attack by Brude, the Pictish king of Fortriu, to extend his power over the north-east coast of Scotland. The Scottish Chronicle records that King Domnall II, the first ruler to be called rí Alban (King of Alba), was killed at Dunnottar during an attack by Vikings in 900. King Aethelstan of Wessex led a force into Scotland in 934, and raided as far north as Dunnottar according to the account of Symeon of Durham. W. D. Simpson speculated that a motte might lie under the present caste, but excavations in the 1980s failed to uncover substantive evidence of early medieval fortification.
The discovery of a group of Pictish stones at Dunnicaer, a nearby sea stack, has prompted speculation that "Dún Foither" was actually located on the adjacent headland of Bowduns, 0.5 kilometres (0.31 mi) to the north.
Later Middle Ages
During the reign of King William the Lion (ruled 1165–1214) Dunnottar was a center of local administration for The Mearns. The castle is named in the Roman de Fergus, an early 13th-century Arthurian romance, in which the hero Fergus must travel to Dunnottar to retrieve a magic shield.
In May 1276 a church on the site was consecrated by William Wishart, Bishop of St Andrews. The poet Blind Harry relates that William Wallace captured Dunnottar from the English in 1297, during the Wars of Scottish Independence. He is said to have imprisoned 4,000 defeated English soldiers in the church and burned them alive.
In 1336 Edward III of England ordered William Sinclair, 8th Baron of Roslin, to sail eight ships to the partially ruined Dunnottar for the purpose of rebuilding and fortifying the site as a forward resupply base for his northern campaign. Sinclair took with him 160 soldiers, horses, and a corps of masons and carpenters.
Edward himself visited in July, but the English efforts were undone before the end of the year when the Scottish Regent Sir Andrew Murray led a force that captured and again destroyed the defences of Dunnottar.
In the 14th century Dunnottar was granted to William de Moravia, 5th Earl of Sutherland (d.1370), and in 1346 a licence to crenellate was issued by David II. Around 1359 William Keith, Marischal of Scotland, married Margaret Fraser, niece of Robert the Bruce, and was granted the barony of Dunnottar at this time. Keith then gave the lands of Dunnottar to his daughter Christian and son-in-law William Lindsay of Byres, but in 1392 an excambion (exchange) was agreed whereby Keith regained Dunnottar and Lindsay took lands in Fife.
William Keith completed construction of the tower house at Dunnottar, but was excommunicated for building on the consecrated ground associated with the parish church. Keith had provided a new parish church closer to Stonehaven, but was forced to write to the Pope, Benedict XIII, who issued a bull in 1395 lifting the excommunication.William Keith's descendents were created Earls Marischal in the mid 15th century, and they held Dunottar until the 18th century.
16th century rebuilding
Through the 16th century the Keiths improved and expanded their principal seats: at Dunnottar and also at Keith Marischal in East Lothian. James IV visited Dunnottar in 1504, and in 1531 James V exempted the Earl's men from military service on the grounds that Dunnottar was one of the "principall strenthis of our realme".
Mary, Queen of Scots, visited in 1562 after the Battle of Corrichie, and returned in 1564.
James VI stayed for 10 days in 1580, as part of a progress through Fife and Angus, during which a meeting of the Privy Council was convened at Dunnottar.
During a rebellion of Catholic nobles in 1592, Dunnottar was captured by a Captain Carr on behalf of the Earl of Huntly, but was restored to Lord Marischal just a few weeks later.
In 1581 George Keith succeeded as 5th Earl Marischal, and began a large scale reconstruction that saw the medieval fortress converted into a more comfortable home. The founder of Marischal College in Aberdeen, the 5th Earl valued Dunnottar as much for its dramatic situation as for its security.
A "palace" comprising a series of ranges around a quadrangle was built on the north-eastern cliffs, creating luxurious living quarters with sea views. The 13th-century chapel was restored and incorporated into the quadrangle.
An impressive stone gatehouse was constructed, now known as Benholm's Lodging, featuring numerous gun ports facing the approach. Although impressive, these are likely to have been fashionable embellishments rather than genuine defensive features.
Civil wars
Further information: Scotland in the Wars of the Three Kingdoms
In 1639 William Keith, 7th Earl Marischal, came out in support of the Covenanters, a Presbyterian movement who opposed the established Episcopal Church and the changes which Charles I was attempting to impose. With James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose, he marched against the Catholic James Gordon, 2nd Viscount Aboyne, Earl of Huntly, and defeated an attempt by the Royalists to seize Stonehaven. However, when Montrose changed sides to the Royalists and marched north, Marischal remained in Dunnottar, even when given command of the area by Parliament, and even when Montrose burned Stonehaven.
Marischal then joined with the Engager faction, who had made a deal with the king, and led a troop of horse to the Battle of Preston (1648) in support of the royalists.
Following the execution of Charles I in 1649, the Engagers gave their allegiance to his son and heir: Charles II was proclaimed king, arriving in Scotland in June 1650. He visited Dunnottar in July 1650, but his presence in Scotland prompted Oliver Cromwell to lead a force into Scotland, defeating the Scots at Dunbar in September 1650.
The Honours of Scotland
Charles II was crowned at Scone Palace on 1 January 1651, at which the Honours of Scotland (the regalia of crown, sword and sceptre) were used. However, with Cromwell's troops in Lothian, the honours could not be returned to Edinburgh. The Earl Marischal, as Marischal of Scotland, had formal responsibility for the honours, and in June the Privy Council duly decided to place them at Dunnottar.
They were brought to the castle by Katherine Drummond, hidden in sacks of wool. Sir George Ogilvie (or Ogilvy) of Barras was appointed lieutenant-governor of the castle, and given responsibility for its defence.
In November 1651 Cromwell's troops called on Ogilvie to surrender, but he refused. During the subsequent blockade of the castle, the removal of the Honours of Scotland was planned by Elizabeth Douglas, wife of Sir George Ogilvie, and Christian Fletcher, wife of James Granger, minister of Kinneff Parish Church. The king's papers were first removed from the castle by Anne Lindsay, a kinswoman of Elizabeth Douglas, who walked through the besieging force with the papers sewn into her clothes.
Two stories exist regarding the removal of the honours themselves. Fletcher stated in 1664 that over the course of three visits to the castle in February and March 1652, she carried away the crown, sceptre, sword and sword-case hidden amongst sacks of goods. Another account, given in the 18th century by a tutor to the Earl Marischal, records that the honours were lowered from the castle onto the beach, where they were collected by Fletcher's servant and carried off in a creel (basket) of seaweed. Having smuggled the honours from the castle, Fletcher and her husband buried them under the floor of the Old Kirk at Kinneff.
Meanwhile, by May 1652 the commander of the blockade, Colonel Thomas Morgan, had taken delivery of the artillery necessary for the reduction of Dunnottar. Ogilvie surrendered on 24 May, on condition that the garrison could go free. Finding the honours gone, the Cromwellians imprisoned Ogilvie and his wife in the castle until the following year, when a false story was put about suggesting that the honours had been taken overseas.
Much of the castle property was removed, including twenty-one brass cannons,[28] and Marischal was required to sell further lands and possessions to pay fines imposed by Cromwell's government.
At the Restoration of Charles II in 1660, the honours were removed from Kinneff Church and returned to the king. Ogilvie quarrelled with Marischal's mother over who would take credit for saving the honours, though he was eventually rewarded with a baronetcy. Fletcher was awarded 2,000 merks by Parliament but the sum was never paid.
Whigs and Jacobites
Religious and political conflicts continued to be played out at Dunnottar through the 17th and early 18th centuries. In 1685, during the rebellion of the Earl of Argyll against the new king James VII, 167 Covenanters were seized and held in a cellar at Dunnottar. The prisoners included 122 men and 45 women associated with the Whigs, an anti-Royalist group within the Covenanter movement, and had refused to take an oath of allegiance to the new king.
The Whigs were imprisoned from 24 May until late July. A group of 25 escaped, although two of these were killed in a fall from the cliffs, and another 15 were recaptured. Five prisoners died in the vault, and 37 of the Whigs were released after taking the oath of allegiance.
The remaining prisoners were transported to Perth Amboy, New Jersey, as part of a colonisation scheme devised by George Scot of Pitlochie. Many, like Scot himself, died on the voyage.
The cellar, located beneath the "King's Bedroom" in the 16th-century castle buildings, has since become known as the "Whigs' Vault".
Both the Jacobites (supporters of the exiled Stuarts) and the Hanoverians (supporters of George I and his descendents) used Dunnottar Castle. In 1689 during Viscount Dundee's campaign in support of the deposed James VII, the castle was garrisoned for William and Mary with Lord Marischal appointed captain.
Seventeen suspected Jacobites from Aberdeen were seized and held in the fortress for around three weeks, including George Liddell, professor of mathematics at Marischal College.
In the Jacobite Rising of 1715 George Keith, 10th Earl Marischal, took an active role with the rebels, leading cavalry at the Battle of Sheriffmuir. After the subsequent abandonment of the rising Lord Marischal fled to the Continent, eventually becoming French ambassador for Frederick the Great of Prussia. Meanwhile, in 1716, his titles and estates including Dunnottar were declared forfeit to the crown.
Later history
The seized estates of the Earl Marischal were purchased in 1720 for £41,172, by the York Buildings Company who dismantled much of the castle.
In 1761 the Earl briefly returned to Scotland and bought back Dunnottar only to sell it five years later to Alexander Keith, an Edinburgh lawyer who served as Knight Marischal of Scotland.
Dunnottar was inherited in 1852 by Sir Patrick Keith-Murray of Ochtertyre, who in turn sold it in July 1873 to Major Alexander Innes of Cowie and Raemoir for about £80,000.
It was purchased by Weetman Pearson, 1st Viscount Cowdray, in 1925 after which his wife embarked on a programme of repairs.
Since that time the castle has remained in the family, and has been open to the public, attracting 52,500 visitors in 2009.
Dunnottar Castle, and the headland on which is stands, was designated as a scheduled monument in 1970.In 1972 twelve of the structures at Dunnottar were listed.
Three buildings are listed at category A as being of "national importance": the keep; the entrance gateway; and Benholm's Lodging.
The remaining listings are at category B as being of "regional importance".[39] The Hon. Charles Anthony Pearson, the younger son of the 3rd Viscount Cowdray, currently owns and runs Dunnottar Castle which is part of the 210-square-kilometre (52,000-acre) Dunecht Estates.
Portions of the 1990 film Hamlet, starring Mel Gibson and Glenn Close, were shot there.
Description
Dunnottar's strategic location allowed its owners to control the coastal terrace between the North Sea cliffs and the hills of the Mounth, 3.5 kilometres (2.2 mi) inland, which enabled access to and from the north-east of Scotland.
The site is accessed via a steep, 800-metre (2,600 ft) footpath (with modern staircases) from a car park on the coastal road, or via a 3-kilometre (1.9 mi) cliff-top path from Stonehaven. Dunnottar's several buildings, put up between the 13th and 17th centuries, are arranged across a headland covering around 1.4 hectares (3.5 acres).
The dominant building, viewed from the land approach, is the 14th-century keep or tower house. The other principal buildings are the gatehouse; the chapel; and the 16th-century "palace" which incorporates the "Whigs' Vault".
Defences
The approach to the castle is overlooked by outworks on the "Fiddle Head", a promontory on the western side of the headland. The entrance is through the well-defended main gate, set in a curtain wall which entirely blocks a cleft in the rocky cliffs.
The gate has a portcullis and has been partly blocked up. Alongside the main gate is the 16th-century Benholm's Lodging, a five-storey building cut into the rock, which incorporated a prison with apartments above.
Three tiers of gun ports face outwards from the lower floors of Benholm's Lodging, while inside the main gate, a group of four gun ports face the entrance. The entrance passage then turns sharply to the left, running underground through two tunnels to emerge near the tower house.
Simpson contends that these defences are "without exception the strongest in Scotland", although later writers have doubted the effectiveness of the gun ports. Cruden notes that the alignment of the gun ports in Benholm's Lodging, facing across the approach rather than along, means that they are of limited efficiency.
The practicality of the gun ports facing the entrance has also been questioned, though an inventory of 1612 records that four brass cannons were placed here.
A second access to the castle leads up from a rocky cove, the aperture to a marine cave on the northern side of the Dunnottar cliffs into which a small boat could be brought. From here a steep path leads to the well-fortified postern gate on the cliff top, which in turn offers access to the castle via the Water Gate in the palace.
Artillery defences, taking the form of earthworks, surround the north-west corner of the castle, facing inland, and the south-east, facing seaward. A small sentry box or guard house stands by the eastern battery, overlooking the coast.
Tower house and surrounding buildings
The tower house of Dunnottar, viewed from the west
The late 14th-century tower house has a stone-vaulted basement, and originally had three further storeys and a garret above.
Measuring 12 by 11 metres (39 by 36 ft), the tower house stood 15 metres (49 ft) high to its gable. The principal rooms included a great hall and a private chamber for the lord, with bedrooms upstairs.
Beside the tower house is a storehouse, and a blacksmith's forge with a large chimney. A stable block is ranged along the southern edge of the headland. Nearby is Waterton's Lodging, also known as the Priest's House, built around 1574, possibly for the use of William Keith (died 1580), son of the 4th Earl Marischal.
This small self-contained house includes a hall and kitchen at ground level, with private chambers above, and has a projecting spiral stair on the north side. It is named for Thomas Forbes of Waterton, an attendant of the 7th Earl.
The palace
The palace, to the north-east of the headland, was built in the late 16th century and early to mid-17th century. It comprises three main wings set out around a quadrangle, and for the most part is probably the work of the 5th Earl Marischal who succeeded in 1581.
It provided extensive and comfortable accommodation to replace the rooms in the tower house. In its long, low design it has been compared to contemporary English buildings, in contrast to the Scottish tradition of taller towers still prevalent in the 16th century.
Seven identical lodgings are arranged along the west range, each opening onto the quadrangle and including windows and fireplace. Above the lodgings the west range comprised a 35-metre (115 ft) gallery. Now roofless, the gallery originally had an elaborate oak ceiling, and on display was a Roman tablet taken from the Antonine Wall.
At the north end of the gallery was a drawing room linked to the north range. The gallery could also be accessed from the Silver House to the south, which incorporated a broad stairway with a treasury above.
The basement of the north range incorporates kitchens and stores, with a dining room and great chamber above. At ground floor level is the Water Gate, between the north and west ranges, which gives access to the postern on the northern cliffs.
The east and north ranges are linked via a rectangular stair. The east range has a larder, brewhouse and bakery at ground level, with a suite of apartments for the Countess above. A north-east wing contains the Earl's apartments, and includes the "King's Bedroom" in which Charles II stayed. In this room is a carved stone inscribed with the arms of the 7th Earl and his wife, and the date 1654. Below these rooms is the Whigs' Vault, a cellar measuring 16 by 4.5 metres (52 by 15 ft). This cellar, in which the Covenanters were held in 1685, has a large eastern window, as well as a lower vault accessed via a trap-door in the floor.
Of the chambers in the palace, only the dining room and the Silver House remain roofed, having been restored in the 1920s. The central area contains a circular cistern or fish pond, 16 metres (52 ft) across and 7.6 metres (25 ft) deep, and a bowling green is located to the west.
At the south-east corner of the quadrangle is the chapel, consecrated in 1276 and largely rebuilt in the 16th century. Medieval walling and two 13th-century windows remain, and there is a graveyard to the south.
First visit of 2019 for me to this stunning castle today Thursday 28th March 2019.
Dunnottar Castle.
The rock the Castle sits upon was forced to the surface 440 million years ago during the Silurian period. A red rock conglomerate with boulders up to 1m across known as Pudding Stone is incredibly durable.
The ancient Highland rock pebbles and cementing matter is so tough that faults or cracks pass through the pebbles themselves.
I first visited Dunnottar Castle summer 2017, this magnificent castle sits high on a hill, last time I visited I captured my shots from the cliffs overlooking the site, though today I made the journey up the hill and entered the castle walls , wow what a magnificent experience, just perfect with loads of great photo opportunities to capture real Scottish history,after two hours wandering around and capturing as many shots that caught my eye , I made my way home, a magnificent experience indeed.
Dunnottar Castle (Scottish Gaelic: Dùn Fhoithear, "fort on the shelving slope" is a ruined medieval fortress located upon a rocky headland on the north-east coast of Scotland, about 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) south of Stonehaven.
The surviving buildings are largely of the 15th and 16th centuries, but the site is believed to have been fortified in the Early Middle Ages. Dunnottar has played a prominent role in the history of Scotland through to the 18th-century Jacobite risings because of its strategic location and defensive strength. Dunnottar is best known as the place where the Honours of Scotland, the Scottish crown jewels, were hidden from Oliver Cromwell's invading army in the 17th century. The property of the Keiths from the 14th century, and the seat of the Earl Marischal, Dunnottar declined after the last Earl forfeited his titles by taking part in the Jacobite rebellion of 1715.
The castle was restored in the 20th century and is now open to the public.
The ruins of the castle are spread over 1.4 hectares (3.5 acres), surrounded by steep cliffs that drop to the North Sea, 50 metres (160 ft) below. A narrow strip of land joins the headland to the mainland, along which a steep path leads up to the gatehouse.
The various buildings within the castle include the 14th-century tower house as well as the 16th-century palace. Dunnottar Castle is a scheduled monument, and twelve structures on the site are listed buildings.
History
Early Middle Ages
A chapel at Dunnottar is said to have been founded by St Ninian in the 5th century, although it is not clear when the site was first fortified, but in any case the legend is late and highly implausible. Possibly the earliest written reference to the site is found in the Annals of Ulster which record two sieges of "Dún Foither" in 681 and 694.
The earlier event has been interpreted as an attack by Brude, the Pictish king of Fortriu, to extend his power over the north-east coast of Scotland. The Scottish Chronicle records that King Domnall II, the first ruler to be called rí Alban (King of Alba), was killed at Dunnottar during an attack by Vikings in 900. King Aethelstan of Wessex led a force into Scotland in 934, and raided as far north as Dunnottar according to the account of Symeon of Durham. W. D. Simpson speculated that a motte might lie under the present caste, but excavations in the 1980s failed to uncover substantive evidence of early medieval fortification.
The discovery of a group of Pictish stones at Dunnicaer, a nearby sea stack, has prompted speculation that "Dún Foither" was actually located on the adjacent headland of Bowduns, 0.5 kilometres (0.31 mi) to the north.
Later Middle Ages
During the reign of King William the Lion (ruled 1165–1214) Dunnottar was a center of local administration for The Mearns. The castle is named in the Roman de Fergus, an early 13th-century Arthurian romance, in which the hero Fergus must travel to Dunnottar to retrieve a magic shield.
In May 1276 a church on the site was consecrated by William Wishart, Bishop of St Andrews. The poet Blind Harry relates that William Wallace captured Dunnottar from the English in 1297, during the Wars of Scottish Independence. He is said to have imprisoned 4,000 defeated English soldiers in the church and burned them alive.
In 1336 Edward III of England ordered William Sinclair, 8th Baron of Roslin, to sail eight ships to the partially ruined Dunnottar for the purpose of rebuilding and fortifying the site as a forward resupply base for his northern campaign. Sinclair took with him 160 soldiers, horses, and a corps of masons and carpenters.
Edward himself visited in July, but the English efforts were undone before the end of the year when the Scottish Regent Sir Andrew Murray led a force that captured and again destroyed the defences of Dunnottar.
In the 14th century Dunnottar was granted to William de Moravia, 5th Earl of Sutherland (d.1370), and in 1346 a licence to crenellate was issued by David II. Around 1359 William Keith, Marischal of Scotland, married Margaret Fraser, niece of Robert the Bruce, and was granted the barony of Dunnottar at this time. Keith then gave the lands of Dunnottar to his daughter Christian and son-in-law William Lindsay of Byres, but in 1392 an excambion (exchange) was agreed whereby Keith regained Dunnottar and Lindsay took lands in Fife.
William Keith completed construction of the tower house at Dunnottar, but was excommunicated for building on the consecrated ground associated with the parish church. Keith had provided a new parish church closer to Stonehaven, but was forced to write to the Pope, Benedict XIII, who issued a bull in 1395 lifting the excommunication.William Keith's descendents were created Earls Marischal in the mid 15th century, and they held Dunottar until the 18th century.
16th century rebuilding
Through the 16th century the Keiths improved and expanded their principal seats: at Dunnottar and also at Keith Marischal in East Lothian. James IV visited Dunnottar in 1504, and in 1531 James V exempted the Earl's men from military service on the grounds that Dunnottar was one of the "principall strenthis of our realme".
Mary, Queen of Scots, visited in 1562 after the Battle of Corrichie, and returned in 1564.
James VI stayed for 10 days in 1580, as part of a progress through Fife and Angus, during which a meeting of the Privy Council was convened at Dunnottar.
During a rebellion of Catholic nobles in 1592, Dunnottar was captured by a Captain Carr on behalf of the Earl of Huntly, but was restored to Lord Marischal just a few weeks later.
In 1581 George Keith succeeded as 5th Earl Marischal, and began a large scale reconstruction that saw the medieval fortress converted into a more comfortable home. The founder of Marischal College in Aberdeen, the 5th Earl valued Dunnottar as much for its dramatic situation as for its security.
A "palace" comprising a series of ranges around a quadrangle was built on the north-eastern cliffs, creating luxurious living quarters with sea views. The 13th-century chapel was restored and incorporated into the quadrangle.
An impressive stone gatehouse was constructed, now known as Benholm's Lodging, featuring numerous gun ports facing the approach. Although impressive, these are likely to have been fashionable embellishments rather than genuine defensive features.
Civil wars
Further information: Scotland in the Wars of the Three Kingdoms
In 1639 William Keith, 7th Earl Marischal, came out in support of the Covenanters, a Presbyterian movement who opposed the established Episcopal Church and the changes which Charles I was attempting to impose. With James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose, he marched against the Catholic James Gordon, 2nd Viscount Aboyne, Earl of Huntly, and defeated an attempt by the Royalists to seize Stonehaven. However, when Montrose changed sides to the Royalists and marched north, Marischal remained in Dunnottar, even when given command of the area by Parliament, and even when Montrose burned Stonehaven.
Marischal then joined with the Engager faction, who had made a deal with the king, and led a troop of horse to the Battle of Preston (1648) in support of the royalists.
Following the execution of Charles I in 1649, the Engagers gave their allegiance to his son and heir: Charles II was proclaimed king, arriving in Scotland in June 1650. He visited Dunnottar in July 1650, but his presence in Scotland prompted Oliver Cromwell to lead a force into Scotland, defeating the Scots at Dunbar in September 1650.
The Honours of Scotland
Charles II was crowned at Scone Palace on 1 January 1651, at which the Honours of Scotland (the regalia of crown, sword and sceptre) were used. However, with Cromwell's troops in Lothian, the honours could not be returned to Edinburgh. The Earl Marischal, as Marischal of Scotland, had formal responsibility for the honours, and in June the Privy Council duly decided to place them at Dunnottar.
They were brought to the castle by Katherine Drummond, hidden in sacks of wool. Sir George Ogilvie (or Ogilvy) of Barras was appointed lieutenant-governor of the castle, and given responsibility for its defence.
In November 1651 Cromwell's troops called on Ogilvie to surrender, but he refused. During the subsequent blockade of the castle, the removal of the Honours of Scotland was planned by Elizabeth Douglas, wife of Sir George Ogilvie, and Christian Fletcher, wife of James Granger, minister of Kinneff Parish Church. The king's papers were first removed from the castle by Anne Lindsay, a kinswoman of Elizabeth Douglas, who walked through the besieging force with the papers sewn into her clothes.
Two stories exist regarding the removal of the honours themselves. Fletcher stated in 1664 that over the course of three visits to the castle in February and March 1652, she carried away the crown, sceptre, sword and sword-case hidden amongst sacks of goods. Another account, given in the 18th century by a tutor to the Earl Marischal, records that the honours were lowered from the castle onto the beach, where they were collected by Fletcher's servant and carried off in a creel (basket) of seaweed. Having smuggled the honours from the castle, Fletcher and her husband buried them under the floor of the Old Kirk at Kinneff.
Meanwhile, by May 1652 the commander of the blockade, Colonel Thomas Morgan, had taken delivery of the artillery necessary for the reduction of Dunnottar. Ogilvie surrendered on 24 May, on condition that the garrison could go free. Finding the honours gone, the Cromwellians imprisoned Ogilvie and his wife in the castle until the following year, when a false story was put about suggesting that the honours had been taken overseas.
Much of the castle property was removed, including twenty-one brass cannons,[28] and Marischal was required to sell further lands and possessions to pay fines imposed by Cromwell's government.
At the Restoration of Charles II in 1660, the honours were removed from Kinneff Church and returned to the king. Ogilvie quarrelled with Marischal's mother over who would take credit for saving the honours, though he was eventually rewarded with a baronetcy. Fletcher was awarded 2,000 merks by Parliament but the sum was never paid.
Whigs and Jacobites
Religious and political conflicts continued to be played out at Dunnottar through the 17th and early 18th centuries. In 1685, during the rebellion of the Earl of Argyll against the new king James VII, 167 Covenanters were seized and held in a cellar at Dunnottar. The prisoners included 122 men and 45 women associated with the Whigs, an anti-Royalist group within the Covenanter movement, and had refused to take an oath of allegiance to the new king.
The Whigs were imprisoned from 24 May until late July. A group of 25 escaped, although two of these were killed in a fall from the cliffs, and another 15 were recaptured. Five prisoners died in the vault, and 37 of the Whigs were released after taking the oath of allegiance.
The remaining prisoners were transported to Perth Amboy, New Jersey, as part of a colonisation scheme devised by George Scot of Pitlochie. Many, like Scot himself, died on the voyage.
The cellar, located beneath the "King's Bedroom" in the 16th-century castle buildings, has since become known as the "Whigs' Vault".
Both the Jacobites (supporters of the exiled Stuarts) and the Hanoverians (supporters of George I and his descendents) used Dunnottar Castle. In 1689 during Viscount Dundee's campaign in support of the deposed James VII, the castle was garrisoned for William and Mary with Lord Marischal appointed captain.
Seventeen suspected Jacobites from Aberdeen were seized and held in the fortress for around three weeks, including George Liddell, professor of mathematics at Marischal College.
In the Jacobite Rising of 1715 George Keith, 10th Earl Marischal, took an active role with the rebels, leading cavalry at the Battle of Sheriffmuir. After the subsequent abandonment of the rising Lord Marischal fled to the Continent, eventually becoming French ambassador for Frederick the Great of Prussia. Meanwhile, in 1716, his titles and estates including Dunnottar were declared forfeit to the crown.
Later history
The seized estates of the Earl Marischal were purchased in 1720 for £41,172, by the York Buildings Company who dismantled much of the castle.
In 1761 the Earl briefly returned to Scotland and bought back Dunnottar only to sell it five years later to Alexander Keith, an Edinburgh lawyer who served as Knight Marischal of Scotland.
Dunnottar was inherited in 1852 by Sir Patrick Keith-Murray of Ochtertyre, who in turn sold it in July 1873 to Major Alexander Innes of Cowie and Raemoir for about £80,000.
It was purchased by Weetman Pearson, 1st Viscount Cowdray, in 1925 after which his wife embarked on a programme of repairs.
Since that time the castle has remained in the family, and has been open to the public, attracting 52,500 visitors in 2009.
Dunnottar Castle, and the headland on which is stands, was designated as a scheduled monument in 1970.In 1972 twelve of the structures at Dunnottar were listed.
Three buildings are listed at category A as being of "national importance": the keep; the entrance gateway; and Benholm's Lodging.
The remaining listings are at category B as being of "regional importance".[39] The Hon. Charles Anthony Pearson, the younger son of the 3rd Viscount Cowdray, currently owns and runs Dunnottar Castle which is part of the 210-square-kilometre (52,000-acre) Dunecht Estates.
Portions of the 1990 film Hamlet, starring Mel Gibson and Glenn Close, were shot there.
Description
Dunnottar's strategic location allowed its owners to control the coastal terrace between the North Sea cliffs and the hills of the Mounth, 3.5 kilometres (2.2 mi) inland, which enabled access to and from the north-east of Scotland.
The site is accessed via a steep, 800-metre (2,600 ft) footpath (with modern staircases) from a car park on the coastal road, or via a 3-kilometre (1.9 mi) cliff-top path from Stonehaven. Dunnottar's several buildings, put up between the 13th and 17th centuries, are arranged across a headland covering around 1.4 hectares (3.5 acres).
The dominant building, viewed from the land approach, is the 14th-century keep or tower house. The other principal buildings are the gatehouse; the chapel; and the 16th-century "palace" which incorporates the "Whigs' Vault".
Defences
The approach to the castle is overlooked by outworks on the "Fiddle Head", a promontory on the western side of the headland. The entrance is through the well-defended main gate, set in a curtain wall which entirely blocks a cleft in the rocky cliffs.
The gate has a portcullis and has been partly blocked up. Alongside the main gate is the 16th-century Benholm's Lodging, a five-storey building cut into the rock, which incorporated a prison with apartments above.
Three tiers of gun ports face outwards from the lower floors of Benholm's Lodging, while inside the main gate, a group of four gun ports face the entrance. The entrance passage then turns sharply to the left, running underground through two tunnels to emerge near the tower house.
Simpson contends that these defences are "without exception the strongest in Scotland", although later writers have doubted the effectiveness of the gun ports. Cruden notes that the alignment of the gun ports in Benholm's Lodging, facing across the approach rather than along, means that they are of limited efficiency.
The practicality of the gun ports facing the entrance has also been questioned, though an inventory of 1612 records that four brass cannons were placed here.
A second access to the castle leads up from a rocky cove, the aperture to a marine cave on the northern side of the Dunnottar cliffs into which a small boat could be brought. From here a steep path leads to the well-fortified postern gate on the cliff top, which in turn offers access to the castle via the Water Gate in the palace.
Artillery defences, taking the form of earthworks, surround the north-west corner of the castle, facing inland, and the south-east, facing seaward. A small sentry box or guard house stands by the eastern battery, overlooking the coast.
Tower house and surrounding buildings
The tower house of Dunnottar, viewed from the west
The late 14th-century tower house has a stone-vaulted basement, and originally had three further storeys and a garret above.
Measuring 12 by 11 metres (39 by 36 ft), the tower house stood 15 metres (49 ft) high to its gable. The principal rooms included a great hall and a private chamber for the lord, with bedrooms upstairs.
Beside the tower house is a storehouse, and a blacksmith's forge with a large chimney. A stable block is ranged along the southern edge of the headland. Nearby is Waterton's Lodging, also known as the Priest's House, built around 1574, possibly for the use of William Keith (died 1580), son of the 4th Earl Marischal.
This small self-contained house includes a hall and kitchen at ground level, with private chambers above, and has a projecting spiral stair on the north side. It is named for Thomas Forbes of Waterton, an attendant of the 7th Earl.
The palace
The palace, to the north-east of the headland, was built in the late 16th century and early to mid-17th century. It comprises three main wings set out around a quadrangle, and for the most part is probably the work of the 5th Earl Marischal who succeeded in 1581.
It provided extensive and comfortable accommodation to replace the rooms in the tower house. In its long, low design it has been compared to contemporary English buildings, in contrast to the Scottish tradition of taller towers still prevalent in the 16th century.
Seven identical lodgings are arranged along the west range, each opening onto the quadrangle and including windows and fireplace. Above the lodgings the west range comprised a 35-metre (115 ft) gallery. Now roofless, the gallery originally had an elaborate oak ceiling, and on display was a Roman tablet taken from the Antonine Wall.
At the north end of the gallery was a drawing room linked to the north range. The gallery could also be accessed from the Silver House to the south, which incorporated a broad stairway with a treasury above.
The basement of the north range incorporates kitchens and stores, with a dining room and great chamber above. At ground floor level is the Water Gate, between the north and west ranges, which gives access to the postern on the northern cliffs.
The east and north ranges are linked via a rectangular stair. The east range has a larder, brewhouse and bakery at ground level, with a suite of apartments for the Countess above. A north-east wing contains the Earl's apartments, and includes the "King's Bedroom" in which Charles II stayed. In this room is a carved stone inscribed with the arms of the 7th Earl and his wife, and the date 1654. Below these rooms is the Whigs' Vault, a cellar measuring 16 by 4.5 metres (52 by 15 ft). This cellar, in which the Covenanters were held in 1685, has a large eastern window, as well as a lower vault accessed via a trap-door in the floor.
Of the chambers in the palace, only the dining room and the Silver House remain roofed, having been restored in the 1920s. The central area contains a circular cistern or fish pond, 16 metres (52 ft) across and 7.6 metres (25 ft) deep, and a bowling green is located to the west.
At the south-east corner of the quadrangle is the chapel, consecrated in 1276 and largely rebuilt in the 16th century. Medieval walling and two 13th-century windows remain, and there is a graveyard to the south.
File name: 10_03_002681b
Binder label: Clothes
Title: Cellulois waterproof collars, cuffs & shirt bosoms. Economical, durable, handsome. The last invention. [back]
Created/Published: Five Points, N. Y. : Donaldson Brothers
Date issued: 1870 - 1900 (approximate)
Physical description: 1 print : chromolithograph ; 12 x 9 cm.
Genre: Advertising cards
Subject: Men; Caricatures; Accessories (Clothing & dress)
Notes: Title from item.
Collection: 19th Century American Trade Cards
Location: Boston Public Library, Print Department
Rights: No known restrictions.
First visit of 2019 for me to this stunning castle today Thursday 28th March 2019.
Dunnottar Castle.
The rock the Castle sits upon was forced to the surface 440 million years ago during the Silurian period. A red rock conglomerate with boulders up to 1m across known as Pudding Stone is incredibly durable.
The ancient Highland rock pebbles and cementing matter is so tough that faults or cracks pass through the pebbles themselves.
I first visited Dunnottar Castle summer 2017, this magnificent castle sits high on a hill, last time I visited I captured my shots from the cliffs overlooking the site, though today I made the journey up the hill and entered the castle walls , wow what a magnificent experience, just perfect with loads of great photo opportunities to capture real Scottish history,after two hours wandering around and capturing as many shots that caught my eye , I made my way home, a magnificent experience indeed.
Dunnottar Castle (Scottish Gaelic: Dùn Fhoithear, "fort on the shelving slope" is a ruined medieval fortress located upon a rocky headland on the north-east coast of Scotland, about 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) south of Stonehaven.
The surviving buildings are largely of the 15th and 16th centuries, but the site is believed to have been fortified in the Early Middle Ages. Dunnottar has played a prominent role in the history of Scotland through to the 18th-century Jacobite risings because of its strategic location and defensive strength. Dunnottar is best known as the place where the Honours of Scotland, the Scottish crown jewels, were hidden from Oliver Cromwell's invading army in the 17th century. The property of the Keiths from the 14th century, and the seat of the Earl Marischal, Dunnottar declined after the last Earl forfeited his titles by taking part in the Jacobite rebellion of 1715.
The castle was restored in the 20th century and is now open to the public.
The ruins of the castle are spread over 1.4 hectares (3.5 acres), surrounded by steep cliffs that drop to the North Sea, 50 metres (160 ft) below. A narrow strip of land joins the headland to the mainland, along which a steep path leads up to the gatehouse.
The various buildings within the castle include the 14th-century tower house as well as the 16th-century palace. Dunnottar Castle is a scheduled monument, and twelve structures on the site are listed buildings.
History
Early Middle Ages
A chapel at Dunnottar is said to have been founded by St Ninian in the 5th century, although it is not clear when the site was first fortified, but in any case the legend is late and highly implausible. Possibly the earliest written reference to the site is found in the Annals of Ulster which record two sieges of "Dún Foither" in 681 and 694.
The earlier event has been interpreted as an attack by Brude, the Pictish king of Fortriu, to extend his power over the north-east coast of Scotland. The Scottish Chronicle records that King Domnall II, the first ruler to be called rí Alban (King of Alba), was killed at Dunnottar during an attack by Vikings in 900. King Aethelstan of Wessex led a force into Scotland in 934, and raided as far north as Dunnottar according to the account of Symeon of Durham. W. D. Simpson speculated that a motte might lie under the present caste, but excavations in the 1980s failed to uncover substantive evidence of early medieval fortification.
The discovery of a group of Pictish stones at Dunnicaer, a nearby sea stack, has prompted speculation that "Dún Foither" was actually located on the adjacent headland of Bowduns, 0.5 kilometres (0.31 mi) to the north.
Later Middle Ages
During the reign of King William the Lion (ruled 1165–1214) Dunnottar was a center of local administration for The Mearns. The castle is named in the Roman de Fergus, an early 13th-century Arthurian romance, in which the hero Fergus must travel to Dunnottar to retrieve a magic shield.
In May 1276 a church on the site was consecrated by William Wishart, Bishop of St Andrews. The poet Blind Harry relates that William Wallace captured Dunnottar from the English in 1297, during the Wars of Scottish Independence. He is said to have imprisoned 4,000 defeated English soldiers in the church and burned them alive.
In 1336 Edward III of England ordered William Sinclair, 8th Baron of Roslin, to sail eight ships to the partially ruined Dunnottar for the purpose of rebuilding and fortifying the site as a forward resupply base for his northern campaign. Sinclair took with him 160 soldiers, horses, and a corps of masons and carpenters.
Edward himself visited in July, but the English efforts were undone before the end of the year when the Scottish Regent Sir Andrew Murray led a force that captured and again destroyed the defences of Dunnottar.
In the 14th century Dunnottar was granted to William de Moravia, 5th Earl of Sutherland (d.1370), and in 1346 a licence to crenellate was issued by David II. Around 1359 William Keith, Marischal of Scotland, married Margaret Fraser, niece of Robert the Bruce, and was granted the barony of Dunnottar at this time. Keith then gave the lands of Dunnottar to his daughter Christian and son-in-law William Lindsay of Byres, but in 1392 an excambion (exchange) was agreed whereby Keith regained Dunnottar and Lindsay took lands in Fife.
William Keith completed construction of the tower house at Dunnottar, but was excommunicated for building on the consecrated ground associated with the parish church. Keith had provided a new parish church closer to Stonehaven, but was forced to write to the Pope, Benedict XIII, who issued a bull in 1395 lifting the excommunication.William Keith's descendents were created Earls Marischal in the mid 15th century, and they held Dunottar until the 18th century.
16th century rebuilding
Through the 16th century the Keiths improved and expanded their principal seats: at Dunnottar and also at Keith Marischal in East Lothian. James IV visited Dunnottar in 1504, and in 1531 James V exempted the Earl's men from military service on the grounds that Dunnottar was one of the "principall strenthis of our realme".
Mary, Queen of Scots, visited in 1562 after the Battle of Corrichie, and returned in 1564.
James VI stayed for 10 days in 1580, as part of a progress through Fife and Angus, during which a meeting of the Privy Council was convened at Dunnottar.
During a rebellion of Catholic nobles in 1592, Dunnottar was captured by a Captain Carr on behalf of the Earl of Huntly, but was restored to Lord Marischal just a few weeks later.
In 1581 George Keith succeeded as 5th Earl Marischal, and began a large scale reconstruction that saw the medieval fortress converted into a more comfortable home. The founder of Marischal College in Aberdeen, the 5th Earl valued Dunnottar as much for its dramatic situation as for its security.
A "palace" comprising a series of ranges around a quadrangle was built on the north-eastern cliffs, creating luxurious living quarters with sea views. The 13th-century chapel was restored and incorporated into the quadrangle.
An impressive stone gatehouse was constructed, now known as Benholm's Lodging, featuring numerous gun ports facing the approach. Although impressive, these are likely to have been fashionable embellishments rather than genuine defensive features.
Civil wars
Further information: Scotland in the Wars of the Three Kingdoms
In 1639 William Keith, 7th Earl Marischal, came out in support of the Covenanters, a Presbyterian movement who opposed the established Episcopal Church and the changes which Charles I was attempting to impose. With James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose, he marched against the Catholic James Gordon, 2nd Viscount Aboyne, Earl of Huntly, and defeated an attempt by the Royalists to seize Stonehaven. However, when Montrose changed sides to the Royalists and marched north, Marischal remained in Dunnottar, even when given command of the area by Parliament, and even when Montrose burned Stonehaven.
Marischal then joined with the Engager faction, who had made a deal with the king, and led a troop of horse to the Battle of Preston (1648) in support of the royalists.
Following the execution of Charles I in 1649, the Engagers gave their allegiance to his son and heir: Charles II was proclaimed king, arriving in Scotland in June 1650. He visited Dunnottar in July 1650, but his presence in Scotland prompted Oliver Cromwell to lead a force into Scotland, defeating the Scots at Dunbar in September 1650.
The Honours of Scotland
Charles II was crowned at Scone Palace on 1 January 1651, at which the Honours of Scotland (the regalia of crown, sword and sceptre) were used. However, with Cromwell's troops in Lothian, the honours could not be returned to Edinburgh. The Earl Marischal, as Marischal of Scotland, had formal responsibility for the honours, and in June the Privy Council duly decided to place them at Dunnottar.
They were brought to the castle by Katherine Drummond, hidden in sacks of wool. Sir George Ogilvie (or Ogilvy) of Barras was appointed lieutenant-governor of the castle, and given responsibility for its defence.
In November 1651 Cromwell's troops called on Ogilvie to surrender, but he refused. During the subsequent blockade of the castle, the removal of the Honours of Scotland was planned by Elizabeth Douglas, wife of Sir George Ogilvie, and Christian Fletcher, wife of James Granger, minister of Kinneff Parish Church. The king's papers were first removed from the castle by Anne Lindsay, a kinswoman of Elizabeth Douglas, who walked through the besieging force with the papers sewn into her clothes.
Two stories exist regarding the removal of the honours themselves. Fletcher stated in 1664 that over the course of three visits to the castle in February and March 1652, she carried away the crown, sceptre, sword and sword-case hidden amongst sacks of goods. Another account, given in the 18th century by a tutor to the Earl Marischal, records that the honours were lowered from the castle onto the beach, where they were collected by Fletcher's servant and carried off in a creel (basket) of seaweed. Having smuggled the honours from the castle, Fletcher and her husband buried them under the floor of the Old Kirk at Kinneff.
Meanwhile, by May 1652 the commander of the blockade, Colonel Thomas Morgan, had taken delivery of the artillery necessary for the reduction of Dunnottar. Ogilvie surrendered on 24 May, on condition that the garrison could go free. Finding the honours gone, the Cromwellians imprisoned Ogilvie and his wife in the castle until the following year, when a false story was put about suggesting that the honours had been taken overseas.
Much of the castle property was removed, including twenty-one brass cannons,[28] and Marischal was required to sell further lands and possessions to pay fines imposed by Cromwell's government.
At the Restoration of Charles II in 1660, the honours were removed from Kinneff Church and returned to the king. Ogilvie quarrelled with Marischal's mother over who would take credit for saving the honours, though he was eventually rewarded with a baronetcy. Fletcher was awarded 2,000 merks by Parliament but the sum was never paid.
Whigs and Jacobites
Religious and political conflicts continued to be played out at Dunnottar through the 17th and early 18th centuries. In 1685, during the rebellion of the Earl of Argyll against the new king James VII, 167 Covenanters were seized and held in a cellar at Dunnottar. The prisoners included 122 men and 45 women associated with the Whigs, an anti-Royalist group within the Covenanter movement, and had refused to take an oath of allegiance to the new king.
The Whigs were imprisoned from 24 May until late July. A group of 25 escaped, although two of these were killed in a fall from the cliffs, and another 15 were recaptured. Five prisoners died in the vault, and 37 of the Whigs were released after taking the oath of allegiance.
The remaining prisoners were transported to Perth Amboy, New Jersey, as part of a colonisation scheme devised by George Scot of Pitlochie. Many, like Scot himself, died on the voyage.
The cellar, located beneath the "King's Bedroom" in the 16th-century castle buildings, has since become known as the "Whigs' Vault".
Both the Jacobites (supporters of the exiled Stuarts) and the Hanoverians (supporters of George I and his descendents) used Dunnottar Castle. In 1689 during Viscount Dundee's campaign in support of the deposed James VII, the castle was garrisoned for William and Mary with Lord Marischal appointed captain.
Seventeen suspected Jacobites from Aberdeen were seized and held in the fortress for around three weeks, including George Liddell, professor of mathematics at Marischal College.
In the Jacobite Rising of 1715 George Keith, 10th Earl Marischal, took an active role with the rebels, leading cavalry at the Battle of Sheriffmuir. After the subsequent abandonment of the rising Lord Marischal fled to the Continent, eventually becoming French ambassador for Frederick the Great of Prussia. Meanwhile, in 1716, his titles and estates including Dunnottar were declared forfeit to the crown.
Later history
The seized estates of the Earl Marischal were purchased in 1720 for £41,172, by the York Buildings Company who dismantled much of the castle.
In 1761 the Earl briefly returned to Scotland and bought back Dunnottar only to sell it five years later to Alexander Keith, an Edinburgh lawyer who served as Knight Marischal of Scotland.
Dunnottar was inherited in 1852 by Sir Patrick Keith-Murray of Ochtertyre, who in turn sold it in July 1873 to Major Alexander Innes of Cowie and Raemoir for about £80,000.
It was purchased by Weetman Pearson, 1st Viscount Cowdray, in 1925 after which his wife embarked on a programme of repairs.
Since that time the castle has remained in the family, and has been open to the public, attracting 52,500 visitors in 2009.
Dunnottar Castle, and the headland on which is stands, was designated as a scheduled monument in 1970.In 1972 twelve of the structures at Dunnottar were listed.
Three buildings are listed at category A as being of "national importance": the keep; the entrance gateway; and Benholm's Lodging.
The remaining listings are at category B as being of "regional importance".[39] The Hon. Charles Anthony Pearson, the younger son of the 3rd Viscount Cowdray, currently owns and runs Dunnottar Castle which is part of the 210-square-kilometre (52,000-acre) Dunecht Estates.
Portions of the 1990 film Hamlet, starring Mel Gibson and Glenn Close, were shot there.
Description
Dunnottar's strategic location allowed its owners to control the coastal terrace between the North Sea cliffs and the hills of the Mounth, 3.5 kilometres (2.2 mi) inland, which enabled access to and from the north-east of Scotland.
The site is accessed via a steep, 800-metre (2,600 ft) footpath (with modern staircases) from a car park on the coastal road, or via a 3-kilometre (1.9 mi) cliff-top path from Stonehaven. Dunnottar's several buildings, put up between the 13th and 17th centuries, are arranged across a headland covering around 1.4 hectares (3.5 acres).
The dominant building, viewed from the land approach, is the 14th-century keep or tower house. The other principal buildings are the gatehouse; the chapel; and the 16th-century "palace" which incorporates the "Whigs' Vault".
Defences
The approach to the castle is overlooked by outworks on the "Fiddle Head", a promontory on the western side of the headland. The entrance is through the well-defended main gate, set in a curtain wall which entirely blocks a cleft in the rocky cliffs.
The gate has a portcullis and has been partly blocked up. Alongside the main gate is the 16th-century Benholm's Lodging, a five-storey building cut into the rock, which incorporated a prison with apartments above.
Three tiers of gun ports face outwards from the lower floors of Benholm's Lodging, while inside the main gate, a group of four gun ports face the entrance. The entrance passage then turns sharply to the left, running underground through two tunnels to emerge near the tower house.
Simpson contends that these defences are "without exception the strongest in Scotland", although later writers have doubted the effectiveness of the gun ports. Cruden notes that the alignment of the gun ports in Benholm's Lodging, facing across the approach rather than along, means that they are of limited efficiency.
The practicality of the gun ports facing the entrance has also been questioned, though an inventory of 1612 records that four brass cannons were placed here.
A second access to the castle leads up from a rocky cove, the aperture to a marine cave on the northern side of the Dunnottar cliffs into which a small boat could be brought. From here a steep path leads to the well-fortified postern gate on the cliff top, which in turn offers access to the castle via the Water Gate in the palace.
Artillery defences, taking the form of earthworks, surround the north-west corner of the castle, facing inland, and the south-east, facing seaward. A small sentry box or guard house stands by the eastern battery, overlooking the coast.
Tower house and surrounding buildings
The tower house of Dunnottar, viewed from the west
The late 14th-century tower house has a stone-vaulted basement, and originally had three further storeys and a garret above.
Measuring 12 by 11 metres (39 by 36 ft), the tower house stood 15 metres (49 ft) high to its gable. The principal rooms included a great hall and a private chamber for the lord, with bedrooms upstairs.
Beside the tower house is a storehouse, and a blacksmith's forge with a large chimney. A stable block is ranged along the southern edge of the headland. Nearby is Waterton's Lodging, also known as the Priest's House, built around 1574, possibly for the use of William Keith (died 1580), son of the 4th Earl Marischal.
This small self-contained house includes a hall and kitchen at ground level, with private chambers above, and has a projecting spiral stair on the north side. It is named for Thomas Forbes of Waterton, an attendant of the 7th Earl.
The palace
The palace, to the north-east of the headland, was built in the late 16th century and early to mid-17th century. It comprises three main wings set out around a quadrangle, and for the most part is probably the work of the 5th Earl Marischal who succeeded in 1581.
It provided extensive and comfortable accommodation to replace the rooms in the tower house. In its long, low design it has been compared to contemporary English buildings, in contrast to the Scottish tradition of taller towers still prevalent in the 16th century.
Seven identical lodgings are arranged along the west range, each opening onto the quadrangle and including windows and fireplace. Above the lodgings the west range comprised a 35-metre (115 ft) gallery. Now roofless, the gallery originally had an elaborate oak ceiling, and on display was a Roman tablet taken from the Antonine Wall.
At the north end of the gallery was a drawing room linked to the north range. The gallery could also be accessed from the Silver House to the south, which incorporated a broad stairway with a treasury above.
The basement of the north range incorporates kitchens and stores, with a dining room and great chamber above. At ground floor level is the Water Gate, between the north and west ranges, which gives access to the postern on the northern cliffs.
The east and north ranges are linked via a rectangular stair. The east range has a larder, brewhouse and bakery at ground level, with a suite of apartments for the Countess above. A north-east wing contains the Earl's apartments, and includes the "King's Bedroom" in which Charles II stayed. In this room is a carved stone inscribed with the arms of the 7th Earl and his wife, and the date 1654. Below these rooms is the Whigs' Vault, a cellar measuring 16 by 4.5 metres (52 by 15 ft). This cellar, in which the Covenanters were held in 1685, has a large eastern window, as well as a lower vault accessed via a trap-door in the floor.
Of the chambers in the palace, only the dining room and the Silver House remain roofed, having been restored in the 1920s. The central area contains a circular cistern or fish pond, 16 metres (52 ft) across and 7.6 metres (25 ft) deep, and a bowling green is located to the west.
At the south-east corner of the quadrangle is the chapel, consecrated in 1276 and largely rebuilt in the 16th century. Medieval walling and two 13th-century windows remain, and there is a graveyard to the south.
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Durable and flexible solar shade panels are connected and ready for deployment. At Camp Lemonnier the system has been constantly cranking out two kilowatts of power daily since July 2010, and continues to produce power. It has been running fans, hand held radio rechargers and lights. There’s an added bonus that the solar shades are significantly cooler than normal shades. The system produces power and gets about 70 to 80 percent blockage of the sun. So the shade is cooler than many of tents or shades now used.
U.S. Army photo
The silence of nonpolluting solar energy at work will someday replace the hum of muffled generators in remote field locations.
Maj. Tim Franklin from the U.S. Army Research Development and Engineering Command is the lead in coordinating an experiment using flexible solar cells that could eventually save millions in Army fuel costs. In fact, the project was recently nominated for recognition in the Annual Secretary of the Army Energy and Water Management Awards because of the more than $230,000 savings by using the solar shade.
The concept is simple – flexible solar cells affixed to a sun shelter then connected to a system of storage batteries.
“Solar shade produces two kilowatts of power -- that may not seem like a lot, but in a remote area it’s perfect because you don’t have to worry about transporting fuel or replacing parts,” Franklin said. “You could place this on a remote mountain site to provide power for a radio retransmission site [since] it requires very little maintenance,” Franklin said.
Flexible Solar Cell System
Quiet
Requires minimal maintenance
Produces clean energy from the sun
Works at night pending storage batteries charged
Cost effective
Operating area requires 40 by 60-foot area
Franklin added that the heart of the solar shade consist of four Hawker High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle batteries with a balancing system featuring a simple voltage meter with a 110 volt power inverter.
In July 2010, with the help of Kansas Army National Guardsmen assigned to the Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa, Franklin along with Steve Tucker, the lead for alternative power programs at U.S. Army Natick Research, Development and Engineering Center, traveled to Djibouti to set-up the solar shade.
Solar Cell Energy at Work
Running on fans, hand-held radio chargers and lights, the system has been cranking out two kilowatts of power daily, Franklin said.
“Soldiers with the Kansas Guard have been using the shade every day since last July – it has even survived some storms that damaged other structures,” Franklin said. “In the near future, [Steve and I] will travel to Djibouti to train a new group of CJTF – HOA Kansas National Guard Soldiers on use of the solar shade.”
Because of the overall benefits, Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa wants to keep the equipment and have added it to their property books since they plan to use it in other locations and on other missions in Africa.
“The solar shade produces power and gets about 70 to 80 percent blockage of the sun, so the shade is cooler than many of tents or shades used now and it produces clean energy from the sun,” Franklin said.
“You’re actually reducing the use of air conditioning units too, so there’s really a triple benefit along with the free clean source of energy,” he said.
Franklin concluded that they haven’t yet heard how they fared in the 33rd Annual Secretary of the Army Energy and Water Management Awards, but to be nominated is such an honor.
To learn more about U.S. Army Africa visit our official website at www.usaraf.army.mil
Official Twitter Feed: www.twitter.com/usarmyafrica
Official Vimeo video channel: www.vimeo.com/usarmyafrica
Join the U.S. Army Africa conversation on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ArmyAfrica
12" Tall, cast in solid marble resin, a very durable material that mimics carved stone. The exquisite detail of this statue creates a beautiful work of art
Bellerophon and Chimera. Statue by Johan Nepomuk Schaller, 1777-1842.Österreichische Galerie Belvedere,
Wien.
Bellerophon is a grandson of Sisyphus, and came originally from Ephyra (later called Corinth). Having accidentally killed his brother, Bellerophon came to King Proetus 1 and was purified, but at the same time he became this king's subject.
Quarrel between twins
Proetus 1 and Acrisius were twin brothers and quarrelled with each other while they were still in the womb. Acrisius gained mastery and drove Proetus 1 from Argos. However, once Proetus 1 was in exile, his father-in-law, King Iobates of Lycia (on the southern coast of Asia Minor), restored him to his own land with an army of Lycians, and he occupied Tiryns. The Argive territory was then divided between them, and Acrisius reigned over Argos and Proetus 1 over Tiryns. Acrisius is father of Danae, mother of Perseus 1, who in turn is the founder of Mycenae.
False accusation
When Bellerophon was living in the kingdom of Proetus 1, the king's wife Stheneboea (or Antia, as some call her) fell in love with him, and sent him proposals for a meeting; and when he rejected them, she told Proetus 1 that Bellerophon had sent her a vicious proposal. Proetus 1 believed her, and gave him a letter to take to Iobates, king of Lycia, in which it was written that he was to kill Bellerophon. Having read the letter, Iobates ordered him to kill the Chimera, believing that he would be destroyed by the beast.
The Chimera
The Chimera, offspring of Typhon and Echidna, was a monster which had fore part of a lion, the tail of a dragon, and its third and middle head that belched fire was that of a goat. The Chimera was reared by Amisodarus. This creature devastated the country and harried the cattle because it had the power of three beasts.
Bellerophon tested
Bellerophon mounted his winged horse Pegasus (read about Pegasus in Medusa 1) and shot down the Chimera from the height. Then King Iobates ordered him to fight, first the Solymi, and next the AMAZONS. And when also agains them he was victorious, Iobates bade the bravest of the Lycians to lay an ambush and slay him. But when Bellerophon had killed them also, Iobates, feeling that Bellerophon enjoyed the protection of the gods, showed him the letter and begged him to stay with him. Moreover, he gave him his daughter; and when King Ioabates died, he bequeathed to Bellerophon the kingdom of Lycia. Stheneboea committed suicide out of jealousy when she heard that Bellerophon had married Philonoe.
Bellerophon's fate
ut Bellerophon incurred the enmity of the gods, and was punished by them to wander in solitude across the Aleian Plain (in Cilicia, the mainland in front of Cyprus), avoiding contact with men. It is said that Pegasus threw him when Bellerophon attempted to reach Heaven, mounting the winged horse.
These statues etc. can be purchased at thelastenchantment.com if you don't see what you want send them an email.
via
Hoping to get into kayaking but don’t drive a big truck? An inflatable kayak is just what you need—many pack-up around the size of a hiking backpack and will fit in the trunk of even itsy, bitsy cars.
If you’re not careful, though, you’ll trade durability and usability for portability. Here at Hypevity, we don’t think that’s a fair trade.
That’s why we’ve put together this round-up of the best inflatable kayaks on the market in 2021, along with an in-depth buying guide to help make sure you get a kayak capable of surviving whatever you want to do out on the water. We’ll explore everything from choosing the right kayak size for your needs to set up. Let’s dive in.
Best Overall: Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame AE1012-R
The best all-around kayak with triple-layer construction and excellent tracking.
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What we like
Reasonable price tag
Suitability for rapids up to class II
Optimal speed and stability
Comfortable rowing position
Exceptional build quality
What we don’t like
No hull drainage port
Relatively long dry time
You’ll need an inflation adaptor
The Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame AE1012 is the ultimate inflatable kayak. Ready to keep you paddling, this 10.5-foot, one-person model features durable triple-layer construction and built-in aluminum ribs in both the bow and stern to improve tracking. If you’re looking for excellent performance at a relatively low price tag, this is the one—it was an easy choice for our top pick.
Durability
Advanced Elements went above and beyond with this kayak’s construction to make absolutely sure it would resist punctures, tears, and leaks. It features three-layers of sandwiched double-coated RipStop, heavy-duty 30-gauge PVC, and high density, 1,000 Denier Polyester.
The hard-edge bow and stern boast reinforced welded seams prevent damage from bumps and thumps, while a multi-chamber design ensures that in the improbable event your kayak springs a leak, you won’t sink.
Size and Capacity
With a length of 10′ 5″ and a width of 32″, the AdvancedFrame AE1012 is far from tiny and is suitable for Class A (lake water) to Class I and II rapids.
It has a maximum capacity of 300 pounds yet weighs just 36. Despite its relatively large size, it deflates and folds into a small enough package to fit in a duffle bag for easy portability.
Seating and Onboard Storage
Its cushioned high-back seat can be adjusted backward and forward—your back will thank you for the better rowing positions. On the kayak bow, bungee deck lacing and rigging provide a secure place to store your gear. The empty space behind the seat is perfect for your fish finder, food, and emergency equipment.
Setup and Dry Time
The AdvancedFrame AE1012 has seven air chambers, and you’ll need a special adaptor to inflate five of them. Thanks to the unfortunate lack of a drainage port to remove water from the hull, this kayak also needs ample dry time on its own, but no worries, drying it using an absorbent microfiber cloth speeds things up considerably.
Performance
In terms of tracking, the AdvancedFrame AE1012 doesn’t disappoint. With the stern, fixed skeg on the underside of the bow and aluminum ribs, you’ll need minimal heading adjustments. These features also make this a super-fast kayak. They convert thrust into forward motion with no vector changes.
Runner-Up Best Overall: Intex Excursion Pro
A tandem kayak for fishing and optimal mobility in shallow and deep waters.
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What we like
Lightweight, durable construction
Two fishing rod holders
Deep and shallow water maneuverability
Ultra-easy setup
Comfortable seating
What we don’t like
Paddles are trash
Relatively weight capacity
The Intex Excursion Pro is a lightweight and comfortable kayak with plenty of storage space and removable skews that provide increased versatility. Consider all the above along with a very fair price tag, and this kayak barely missed the top spot for us. The AdvancedFrame AE1012 is slightly lighter and has a safer design with four additional air chambers.
Durability
Thanks to its 30-gauge vinyl and polyester-core-lamination reinforcement, this kayak is sure to stand the test of time, and whatever nature can dish out. Its triple-ply high-molecular PVC exterior is resistant to heat, sunlight, abrasion, gasoline, and even reactive oils—it’s near indestructible as far as inflatable kayaks go. I-beam supports in the base provide stability and a strong foundation that can take a hit and keep on floating.
Size and Capacity
The Intex Excursion Pro is 151″ x 13″ x 18″ and has a weight-bearing capacity of 400 pounds—plenty for two people and all your gear. That’s 100 pounds more than our top pick’s capability, but because the Excursion Pro is a tandem, technically, the maximum weight per person is lower.
Seating and Onboard Storage
Because the two seats are inflatable with an ergonomic backrest and adjustable footrests, this kayak is ultra-comfy for long distances. In addition to large seating areas, it has ample storage space in the bow and stern – complete with stainless steel D-rings to tie down your gear. It also features two integrated fishing rod holders, allowing you to catch lunch hands-free.
Setup and Dry Time
The Excursion Pro is one of the easiest tandem kayaks to set up as it only has three air chambers. With the simplistic spring-loaded high-pressure valves, high-output pump, and pressure gauge, it inflates to the correct pressure within minutes. It also deflates quickly and has a relatively short dry time.
Performance
Underneath the Excursion Pro are removable two-directional skegs – one for deep water and one for shallow water. They allow for flawless directional mobility regardless of water depth, making this model a fantastic choice for fishing, shore exploration, and touring.
It comes with two aluminum paddles, but the quality of those paddles doesn’t meet the same standards as the craft. We recommend replacing them.
Best Tandem: Sea Eagle 370 Pro
Three-person weight capacity with a class III white water capability.
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What we like
Three-person capacity
Quick setup time
Convenient onboard storage
Comfortable seating
What we don’t like
Stability could be improved
Not very fast
The Sea Eagle SE370 is highly versatile, with features for optimal maneuverability in various settings. Sea Eagle aimed to provide an all-in-one package with everything you need to take a friend out on the water, and they succeeded. You’ll get two adjustable, cushy deluxe seats, two paddles, a foot pump, a pressure gauge, a repair kit, and a carrying bag, along with a very cool kayak, of course.
Durability
Constructed of a military-grade 38 PolyKrylar material that is highly resistant to UV rays, abrasion, and saline water, coupled with a high-frequency, welded-flat bottom, the Sea Eagle SE370 offers impressive durability—arguably better than any other inflatable kayak in this review. It can handle up to class III whitewater conditions.
The material is also highly flexible and lightweight—no need to trade portability for durability. It weighs just 32 pounds.
Size and Capacity
The Sea Eagle SE370 is 2′ 6″ x 2′ 10″, a relatively large footprint, even for a tandem, but with a weight capacity of 650 pounds, it can comfortably accommodate two people with all their gear. If you don’t have a lot of equipment, you could even invite a third person or let a doggo tag along.
Seating and Onboard Storage
Even though the Sea Eagle comes with two seats, it has more than enough space to accommodate three people. We do wish they’d included that third seat, but additional seats can be purchased separately to fit this model.
The bow and stern feature cargo spaces to store all your camping and fishing gear, while a PolyKrylar covering makes sure nothing ends up soggy.
Set Up Dry and Time
The Sea Eagle SE370 package comes complete with a foot pump for the quick-and-easy inflation of the three air chambers via five deluxe one-way valves. It can be assembled in less than ten minutes! Disassembly and dry time only take roughly double that at around 20 minutes.
Performance
The Sea Eagle SE370 offers exceptional directional maneuverability and tracking, with two skegs that anchor the stern against force influences from the side—ensuring your kayak stays straight on course.
Best for Family: Aquaglide Chelan HB Tandem
Spacious 15.5-foot kayak with additional space for all your gear.
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What we like
Easy setup
High maneuverability
Seating for two adults and a child
Draining holes
Fully adjustable seating
What we don’t like
The pump must be purchased separately
Backpack isn’t very high quality
According to the Headwaters Kayak YouTube channel, the Aquaglide Chelan HB Tandem XL feels more like a hard-shell kayak than an inflatable. It has enough space for two adults and a child, but the seats are also removable and adjustable if you decide to strike out on your own.
Durability
The Aquaglide Chelan HB Tandem XL features Duratex HB Construction with HardBottom technology providing stability and rigidity for superior paddling performance. The HB floor is made of drop-stitch material that can withstand an inflated pressure of up to 12 pounds per square inch for optimal support.
Size and Capacity
This kayak has a weight capacity of 600 pounds and seats three people. With a length of 15.5 feet, it can handle waves, Class III rapids, and deep water. Despite its high weight capacity, it only weighs around 35 pounds.
Seating and Onboard Storage
With its comfortable seating, the Aquaglide Chelan HB Tandem XL is one of the best options for long-distance family touring. Each PRO-formance seat features an adjustable air cushion, mesh pockets for storage, and a high backrest. The seats also come with two built-in rod holders and an infinite adjustment system to keep your rowing or fishing experience comfortable.
Onboard cargo features include accessory straps on the bow and stern for accessible and dry gear storage. Uncommon? No, but convenient nonetheless.
Setup and Dry Time
Because of the kayak’s stiff flooring, it requires a high-pressure pump, and it doesn’t come with one. Even so, with the correct pump, you should be able to inflate the entire kayak to the correct pressure in just a few minutes.
The drain holes inside the cockpit allow for faster pack-ups. In direct sunlight, drying time is around ten minutes.
Performance
The Aquaglide Chelan HB Tandem XL has a long-waterline, lightweight, and retractable skeg for efficient paddling and tracking. With its fine-piercing bow, this kayak is also among the fastest in the recreational category.
Best for Whitewater: Aire Tributary Tomcat Solo
A lightweight, versatile, and stable inflatable single-paddler kayak.
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What we like
Durable construction
Optimal stability for whitewater
Quick and easy to inflate and deflate
Includes a one-year warranty
What we don’t like
Flips easily in cross currents
Has limited onboard storage
The Aire Tributary Tomcat Solo has a durable construction, self-bailing floor, and a three-chamber design for stability, making it the perfect option for whitewater kayaking.
Durability
If you are shopping for a whitewater kayak, durability should be your first consideration. The Aire Tributary Tomcat Solo has a PVC outer shell with welded seams to protect the three rugged vinyl AIREcell inner bladders from tears and abrasion. You can count on this kayak to stay afloat no matter how rough the water gets.
Size and Capacity
For a single-paddler kayak, the Aire Tributary Tomcat Solo also has a decent weight capacity of 325 pounds, which is sufficient for most adults along with ample gear. This kayak has a length of 10′ 3″ and a width of 36″, making it easy to turn and navigate passageways or inlets, even at high speed.
Seating and Onboard Storage
The Aire Tributary Tomcat Solo features one inflatable thwart seat that attaches anywhere in the boat. It offers back support to allow you to comfortably navigate whitewater for hours on end without wishing you hadn’t the next day.
On the downside, this kayak lacks onboard compartments for dry gear storage, but it does have D-rings and twelve pairs of cargo loops to attach thigh straps, dry bags, or other accessories.
Setup and Dry Time
The Aire Tributary Tomcat Solo has Summit II valves for quick-and-easy inflation and deflation. It has three air chambers, one on each side and one in the floor. Inflating all three chambers takes a few minutes.
Because this kayak is a self-bailer, removing water in the cockpit is a breeze. Expect the drying time in direct sunlight to be around ten to fifteen minutes.
Performance
The large inner bladders provide optimal stability, allowing the kayak to take on whitewater rapids with ease. It is also highly maneuverable in calm water, but it requires more paddling than touring kayaks. Be careful in crosscurrents, as they can cause the kayak to flip.
Best for Fishing: Sevylor Coleman Colorado
Has all the features you need for a memorable fishing experience.
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What we like
High-end fishing features
Suitability for all river and lake fishing
Plenty of storage solutions
Reasonable price tag
Fast inflation and deflation
What we don’t like
Rod holders get in the way when paddling
Long drying time
The Sevylor Coleman Colorado 2-Person Fishing Kayak is customizable with a design to withstand all water conditions. With Sevylor trolling motor fittings, paddle holders, and adjustable Berkley Quick Set rod holders, this inflatable kayak offers the ultimate hands-free fishing experience.
Durability
It has an 18-gauge PVC-pipe frame with a 1,000 D tarpaulin bottom and an 840 nylon to provide the kayak with sure-fire protection against scrapes and punctures. Its patented airtight system prevents leaks, too.
Size and Capacity
The Coleman Colorado is National Marine Manufacturer’s Association (NMMA) certified with a total weight capacity of up to 470 pounds, sufficient for two people and fishing gear. With dimensions of 10′ 9″ x 3′ 3″, this kayak has a streamlined profile for effortless gliding through the water as well as sufficient onboard space.
Seating and Onboard Storage
It has two fully adjustable seats that offer back support and plenty of legroom, perfect for preventing cramps even on long trips. Onboard storage solutions include pockets for tool and equipment storage and mesh storage areas for food, phones, fish finders, and anything else you want to bring along.
Setup and Dry Time
With its double-threaded Boston valve, the Colorado inflates and deflates in as little as ten minutes, but it has a relatively long drying time. When you get home, unroll it and leave it in the sun for an hour or two.
Performance
The tracking fin keeps the kayak on course in all conditions, and it remains stable, even in strong currents–just what you’d expect from a quality kayak. The kayak’s dimensions and tracking abilities make it an excellent option for trolling and stalking fish.
Best for Long Distance: Sea Eagle 380x Pro
Plenty of storage space and comfortable seating for overnight trips.
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What we like
Suitability for all water types
Ample onboard storage
Large fin for tracking
Separate drop-stitch floor
What we don’t like
Kayak requires a Bravo 9 pump
Sea salt can damage seating clips
The Sea Eagle Inflatable 380X Explorer can withstand up to class IV whitewater conditions and offers a wide range of features to meet your kayak touring requirements. It’s relatively high weight capacity and spacious design make it the perfect choice for long-distance trips.
Durability
The Sea Eagle Inflatable 380X Explorer works well in all water conditions, including rivers, lakes, ocean surf. This kayak’s versatility results from a durable construction consisting of a modular, high-pressure, drop-stitch floor and a double hull that protects the kayak from damage.
Size and Capacity
The 12′ 6″ x 39″ Sea Eagle Inflatable 380X Explorer can accommodate one, two, or three paddlers. It has a maximum weight capacity of 750 pounds, which is plenty—especially for sole paddlers who want to carry emergency equipment, fishing gear, food, and water on long trips.
Seating and Onboard Storage
The Sea Eagle Inflatable 380X Explorer has two adjustable and inflatable seats offering proper back support for a stable paddling position. Their ergonomic design allows you to paddle continuously for hours without fatigue, discomfort, or lower back pain.
The roomy stern and bow pouches are the ideal onboard storage solutions for long-distance paddling.
Setup and Dry Time
This kayak inflates to a pressure of 3.2 psi within ten minutes through the three-recessed valves. Deflating takes around twenty minutes, and you need an additional twenty minutes to let the kayak dry. It folds into a small and manageable size that easily fits into even the tiniest car trunks.
Performance
The Sea Eagle Inflatable 380X Explorer features a large 9½-inch skeg, allowing for exceptional tracking on flat water. If you are heading out on choppy water, just remove the skeg to improve directional maneuverability.
Best Value for Money: Driftsun Voyager 2 Person Tandem
A compact tandem kayak that is easy to set up and use – even in harsh conditions.
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What we like
Excellent value for money
Durable construction
Ease of setup and inflation
Comfortable seating for two paddlers
Convenient storage
What we don’t like
Kayak is compact
Tracking needs improvement
The seat harness clamp is of low quality
The Driftsun Voyager inflatable kayak is a highly popular tandem option that offers a wide range of features at a reasonable price. It’s durable design, superb performance, and all-in-one sales package provide excellent value.
Durability
It has a heavy-duty construction with a rocker profile for added rigidity. The bottom is heavy-duty polyvinyl chloride, which makes it leak-proof and resistant to abrasion. Because of this durable construction, the Voyager can handle Class IV rapids with ease.
Size and Capacity
The Driftsun Voyager’s inflated dimensions are 10′ x 35″. Despite being somewhat compact, it has a maximum weight capacity of 450 pounds, which is usually sufficient for two paddlers who want to take on whitewater or go on a fishing trip. This kayak is also one of the lightest in this review at 27 pounds—a major plus if you plan to hike your way to the water.
Seating and Onboard Storage
With your Driftsun Voyager, you receive two removable seats with EVA padding and back support. They even recline!
For safe and dry onboard storage, the Voyager has sizeable bungee compartments at the bow and stern. These compartments are ideal for storing personal items, fishing gear, or emergency equipment.
Setup and Dry Time
Your Driftsun Voyager kayak package will include a double-action hand pump capable of inflating your kayak within ten to fifteen minutes. Deflating the kayak through the double-threaded Boston valves is also a quick process. By opening the self-bailing drain plugs, dry time can be cut to about fifteen minutes.
Performance
The Driftsun Voyager’s profile and size allow for responsive paddling, and the removable rear fin translates the paddling efforts into a forward motion to conserve energy. The kayak’s low weight also enhances its performance, especially on flat water.
Best Budget: Intex Challenger K1 & K2
A durable, fun little kayak for sole paddlers at a reasonable price.
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What we like
Reasonable price
Ideal kayak or beginners
Quality construction
Removable skeg for tracking
What we don’t like
Not suitable for rapids
Limited onboard storage
May be too small for some adults
The Intex Challenger K1 kayak is a one-person recreational craft ideal for children and suitable for slow-moving flat water. It comes in at a low price and sports an eye-catching green and blue graphic design—but it has much more than looks and affordability to offer.
Durability
It features heavy-duty puncture-resistant vinyl construction with an inflatable I-beam floor. Unlike higher-end kayaks for adults, the K1 doesn’t have additional hull protection, and the bottom is susceptible to punctures in shallow water, but in deeper lakes and slow-moving rivers, it performs well.
Size and Capacity
The Intex Challenger K1’s is 9′ x 2′ 6″ fully inflated, with a maximum weight capacity of 220 pounds. While this capacity is sufficient to accommodate most adults, the kayak is better for kids who want to get their feet wet.
Seating and Onboard Storage
It has just one adjustable, removable inflatable seat with an I-beam design that offers back support for optimal comfort. It has sufficient legroom, but the closed deck somewhat restricts movement.
On top of the closed deck at the bow is a cargo net for onboard storage, along with space inside the deck to store one or two personal items.
Setup and Dry Time
Setup is one aspect in which the K1 outshines other kayaks in this review guide. With your Intex K1, you’ll receive a powerful pump with a hose attachment that will inflate the craft within three minutes, and it deflates just as fast.
Its drying time comes in at around fifteen minutes, but that can be reduced using an absorbent microfiber cloth.
Performance
The removable skeg does an excellent job of keeping the kayak on track. While you paddle, the kayak maintains a straight line—no left to right swerving as many other kayaks do. Thanks to its light weight, it is quite agile and easy to maneuver.
Final Verdict
The best kayak for your needs will depend on your “adventure settings,” among other things. If you enjoy kayaking with someone else, consider a tandem with two seats instead of two single-seat crafts. If you usually paddle on rapids or ocean surf, be sure to choose a kayak suitable for Class III or IV rapids.
Overall, the Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame AE1012 is our top pick. It’s highly versatile, durable, has tons of onboard storage, and offers impressive performance. If you prefer a kayak that can seat two or more people, consider the Intex Excursion Pro or the Aquaglide Chelan HB Tandem XL.
How We Picked and Tested
We considered quite a bit in our inflatable kayak reviews, including the kayak features, functionality, and feedback from real kayakers who put them to the test.
Features, in particular, are a significant consideration, as they determine what you’ll be able to do with your new kayak. For example, the best inflatable fishing boat needs generous onboard storage compartments for fishing gear and rod holders. It should also provide ample stability and cut through the water smoothly.
Practicality is another factor to consider. When it comes to inflatable kayaks, practicality is especially essential. You don’t want to spend an hour inflating a 15-foot kayak or struggling to transport a deflated craft.
We selected kayaks with unique characteristics to make the buying process easier for you. While all the kayaks on our list are inflatable, they have different applications, such as long-distance or whitewater paddling.
If you aren’t seriously committed just yet, you don’t want to spend an arm and a leg on a kayak, but you do want decent quality and longevity. Our picks for the best value for money and budget are perfect in that regard. These kayaks have fewer features than the other entries in this list, but they offer exceptional quality and durability.
We rely heavily on actual user feedback in our inflatable kayak reviews and don’t offer any form of compensation to our testers to ensure unbiased, accurate information. When you choose one of our picks, you have peace of mind that the craft won’t let you down when you take it out on the water.
The Ultimate Inflatable-Kayak Buying Guide
Should you opt for a single or tandem kayak? What weight capacity do you need? Are inflatable kayaks really better than hard-shell options? Get ready to explore all the above and much more in our buying guide. We want to make absolutely sure that you buy the perfect inflatable kayak.
Single or Tandem
A tandem kayak allows you and a friend to work together as a team while you are out on the water. Family kayaks are particularly great for family bonding, especially during fishing trips.
On the other hand, single kayaks are more manageable to control, and they allow you the freedom to paddle where you want. You can also be particular about the features you want without consulting with your partner with a single kayak.
Materials and Durability
One of the drawbacks of inflatable kayaks is they are more susceptible to punctures and other types of damage than hard-shell kayaks. It’s a good idea to stick to materials such as PVC, PolyKrylar, and polyvinyl chloride.
A double hull, drop-stitch materials, and welded seams also offer protection against abrasion from rocks, which is critical if you like kayaking in shallow water.
Weight Capacity
The weight capacity of inflatable kayaks ranges from 300 to 700 pounds. Tandem and fishing kayaks typically have a weight capacity at the higher end of this range since these crafts need to carry more people or gear. To determine if the kayak you consider has a sufficient weight capacity, weigh yourself and your gear.
Seating
No one wants to spend all day on the water in an uncomfortable seat. Your kayak’s seating should have comfortable EVA or foam padding with proper back support, especially if you do a lot of long-distance kayaking.
Don’t forget to look for adjustable options! Some kayak designs allow you to attach the seat anywhere on the boat and in any position.
Onboard Storage
Whether you need onboard storage depends on how you plan to use your kayak. Touring and fishing kayaks should have onboard storage compartments and clips for fishing gear, spare clothing, emergency equipment, and other goodies. On the other hand, onboard storage is not a huge concern with whitewater or recreational kayaks.
Consider your onboard storage needs carefully before making a purchase.
Inflating Method
Before taking your kayak out on the water, you’ll need to inflate it to the correct pressure level. Most high-end inflatable kayaks require a high air pressure to ensure optimal rigidity, and they have valves compatible with hand, foot, or electric pumps.
Make sure to check if your kayak comes with a pump. If not, make sure compatible pumps aren’t hard to find.
Self-Bailing
As you move along downstream, water will inevitably end up in your cockpit. Removing that water can be a hassle, especially if you are paddling in whitewater.
Many kayaks have self-bailing drains to solve this problem. Not all kayaks have them, so if you want to take on rapids, double-check that the kayak you’re considering does.
Where Do You Want to Paddle?
Where you plan to paddle is definitely something to keep in mind. The size, profile, and construction of a kayak are all key factors. Compact inflatable kayaks are generally only suitable for use on flat waters, while longer kayaks with reinforced structures can take on the rough stuff.
Whitewater
Inflatable whitewater kayaks are specially designed to run whitewater rapids. These kayaks feature strong fabrics and can repeatedly crash into rocks and trees without sustaining damage. Whitewater kayaks also have raised bows to glide over waves without capsizing, and they don’t have a steg to make turning easier. If you want to buy a whitewater kayak, look for a raft that can run Class III or IV rapids.
Ocean Surf
A seaworthy kayak is long and fat with self-bailing drains, solid construction, and a large steg for optimal tracking. Your kayak should also be easy to grab, just in case a wave throws you off your kayak. Grab handles or lacing cords are critical features of kayaks for ocean paddling.
Lakes and Rivers
Most kayaks are fine for paddling on slow-moving lakes and rivers. These water bodies are ideal for touring kayaks, so if you want to explore an island or take a long-distance trip, make sure that your kayak has sufficient onboard storage. A fin or steg will also ensure a forward motion on flat water with minimal vector changes.
The Fishing Kayak
Inflatable kayaks for fishing are easy to control, and they come with various features unique to fishing. The average fishing kayak features include rod holders, storage compartments for your gear, and adjustable seats. Some kayaks also have mounting brackets for your fish finder, GPS, phone, or other devices you may need while on the water.
Advantages of an Inflatable Kayak
When shopping for kayaks, you have many options, including both inflatable and hard-shell options. Many people naturally prefer hard kayaks because of their sturdiness, but inflatable kayaks offer several advantages over hard ones—consider them carefully before making a decision.
Portability
A deflated inflatable kayak is much smaller than a hard-shell kayak and is more portable. A deflated, folded kayak will fit in your trunk no problem, no matter what kind of car you drive. If you have a hard-shell kayak, you’ll need a pickup truck or a good-sized roof rack to transport it.
Lightweight
Inflatable kayaks aren’t just smaller either—they’re also lighter weight. That lighter weight makes the kayak more manageable to control in the water, making it more portable. You also won’t need any help getting your kayak in or out of the water.
Easy Storage
A hard-shell kayak takes up a lot of valuable space in your garage or basement, but most inflatable kayaks can fit in a duffle bag after you deflate and fold them. An inflatable kayak is easy to store anywhere in your home.
Inflatable Kayaking is for Everyone
Inflatable kayaks are easy to store and transport and capable of handling any adventure scenario. There’s no need to make massive purchases to start kayaking. You won’t have to buy a larger car or move out of your apartment into a larger home for added storage space.
Costs
The features and benefits of your inflatable kayak determine how much you can expect to pay. If you have a limited budget, we recommend going with a high-quality kayak with fewer features than a cheap option with rod holders, adjustable seats, and bow storage.
Buy Your Inflatable Kayak Today
That’s all, folks. Hopefully, you found everything you needed to know to find the perfect craft in our inflatable kayaking buyers guide. Just keep your intended use in mind, check out the quality options we rounded up for you, and we’re sure you’ll do just fine. Enjoy paddling.
First visit of 2019 for me to this stunning castle today Thursday 28th March 2019.
Dunnottar Castle.
The rock the Castle sits upon was forced to the surface 440 million years ago during the Silurian period. A red rock conglomerate with boulders up to 1m across known as Pudding Stone is incredibly durable.
The ancient Highland rock pebbles and cementing matter is so tough that faults or cracks pass through the pebbles themselves.
I first visited Dunnottar Castle summer 2017, this magnificent castle sits high on a hill, last time I visited I captured my shots from the cliffs overlooking the site, though today I made the journey up the hill and entered the castle walls , wow what a magnificent experience, just perfect with loads of great photo opportunities to capture real Scottish history,after two hours wandering around and capturing as many shots that caught my eye , I made my way home, a magnificent experience indeed.
Dunnottar Castle (Scottish Gaelic: Dùn Fhoithear, "fort on the shelving slope" is a ruined medieval fortress located upon a rocky headland on the north-east coast of Scotland, about 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) south of Stonehaven.
The surviving buildings are largely of the 15th and 16th centuries, but the site is believed to have been fortified in the Early Middle Ages. Dunnottar has played a prominent role in the history of Scotland through to the 18th-century Jacobite risings because of its strategic location and defensive strength. Dunnottar is best known as the place where the Honours of Scotland, the Scottish crown jewels, were hidden from Oliver Cromwell's invading army in the 17th century. The property of the Keiths from the 14th century, and the seat of the Earl Marischal, Dunnottar declined after the last Earl forfeited his titles by taking part in the Jacobite rebellion of 1715.
The castle was restored in the 20th century and is now open to the public.
The ruins of the castle are spread over 1.4 hectares (3.5 acres), surrounded by steep cliffs that drop to the North Sea, 50 metres (160 ft) below. A narrow strip of land joins the headland to the mainland, along which a steep path leads up to the gatehouse.
The various buildings within the castle include the 14th-century tower house as well as the 16th-century palace. Dunnottar Castle is a scheduled monument, and twelve structures on the site are listed buildings.
History
Early Middle Ages
A chapel at Dunnottar is said to have been founded by St Ninian in the 5th century, although it is not clear when the site was first fortified, but in any case the legend is late and highly implausible. Possibly the earliest written reference to the site is found in the Annals of Ulster which record two sieges of "Dún Foither" in 681 and 694.
The earlier event has been interpreted as an attack by Brude, the Pictish king of Fortriu, to extend his power over the north-east coast of Scotland. The Scottish Chronicle records that King Domnall II, the first ruler to be called rí Alban (King of Alba), was killed at Dunnottar during an attack by Vikings in 900. King Aethelstan of Wessex led a force into Scotland in 934, and raided as far north as Dunnottar according to the account of Symeon of Durham. W. D. Simpson speculated that a motte might lie under the present caste, but excavations in the 1980s failed to uncover substantive evidence of early medieval fortification.
The discovery of a group of Pictish stones at Dunnicaer, a nearby sea stack, has prompted speculation that "Dún Foither" was actually located on the adjacent headland of Bowduns, 0.5 kilometres (0.31 mi) to the north.
Later Middle Ages
During the reign of King William the Lion (ruled 1165–1214) Dunnottar was a center of local administration for The Mearns. The castle is named in the Roman de Fergus, an early 13th-century Arthurian romance, in which the hero Fergus must travel to Dunnottar to retrieve a magic shield.
In May 1276 a church on the site was consecrated by William Wishart, Bishop of St Andrews. The poet Blind Harry relates that William Wallace captured Dunnottar from the English in 1297, during the Wars of Scottish Independence. He is said to have imprisoned 4,000 defeated English soldiers in the church and burned them alive.
In 1336 Edward III of England ordered William Sinclair, 8th Baron of Roslin, to sail eight ships to the partially ruined Dunnottar for the purpose of rebuilding and fortifying the site as a forward resupply base for his northern campaign. Sinclair took with him 160 soldiers, horses, and a corps of masons and carpenters.
Edward himself visited in July, but the English efforts were undone before the end of the year when the Scottish Regent Sir Andrew Murray led a force that captured and again destroyed the defences of Dunnottar.
In the 14th century Dunnottar was granted to William de Moravia, 5th Earl of Sutherland (d.1370), and in 1346 a licence to crenellate was issued by David II. Around 1359 William Keith, Marischal of Scotland, married Margaret Fraser, niece of Robert the Bruce, and was granted the barony of Dunnottar at this time. Keith then gave the lands of Dunnottar to his daughter Christian and son-in-law William Lindsay of Byres, but in 1392 an excambion (exchange) was agreed whereby Keith regained Dunnottar and Lindsay took lands in Fife.
William Keith completed construction of the tower house at Dunnottar, but was excommunicated for building on the consecrated ground associated with the parish church. Keith had provided a new parish church closer to Stonehaven, but was forced to write to the Pope, Benedict XIII, who issued a bull in 1395 lifting the excommunication.William Keith's descendents were created Earls Marischal in the mid 15th century, and they held Dunottar until the 18th century.
16th century rebuilding
Through the 16th century the Keiths improved and expanded their principal seats: at Dunnottar and also at Keith Marischal in East Lothian. James IV visited Dunnottar in 1504, and in 1531 James V exempted the Earl's men from military service on the grounds that Dunnottar was one of the "principall strenthis of our realme".
Mary, Queen of Scots, visited in 1562 after the Battle of Corrichie, and returned in 1564.
James VI stayed for 10 days in 1580, as part of a progress through Fife and Angus, during which a meeting of the Privy Council was convened at Dunnottar.
During a rebellion of Catholic nobles in 1592, Dunnottar was captured by a Captain Carr on behalf of the Earl of Huntly, but was restored to Lord Marischal just a few weeks later.
In 1581 George Keith succeeded as 5th Earl Marischal, and began a large scale reconstruction that saw the medieval fortress converted into a more comfortable home. The founder of Marischal College in Aberdeen, the 5th Earl valued Dunnottar as much for its dramatic situation as for its security.
A "palace" comprising a series of ranges around a quadrangle was built on the north-eastern cliffs, creating luxurious living quarters with sea views. The 13th-century chapel was restored and incorporated into the quadrangle.
An impressive stone gatehouse was constructed, now known as Benholm's Lodging, featuring numerous gun ports facing the approach. Although impressive, these are likely to have been fashionable embellishments rather than genuine defensive features.
Civil wars
Further information: Scotland in the Wars of the Three Kingdoms
In 1639 William Keith, 7th Earl Marischal, came out in support of the Covenanters, a Presbyterian movement who opposed the established Episcopal Church and the changes which Charles I was attempting to impose. With James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose, he marched against the Catholic James Gordon, 2nd Viscount Aboyne, Earl of Huntly, and defeated an attempt by the Royalists to seize Stonehaven. However, when Montrose changed sides to the Royalists and marched north, Marischal remained in Dunnottar, even when given command of the area by Parliament, and even when Montrose burned Stonehaven.
Marischal then joined with the Engager faction, who had made a deal with the king, and led a troop of horse to the Battle of Preston (1648) in support of the royalists.
Following the execution of Charles I in 1649, the Engagers gave their allegiance to his son and heir: Charles II was proclaimed king, arriving in Scotland in June 1650. He visited Dunnottar in July 1650, but his presence in Scotland prompted Oliver Cromwell to lead a force into Scotland, defeating the Scots at Dunbar in September 1650.
The Honours of Scotland
Charles II was crowned at Scone Palace on 1 January 1651, at which the Honours of Scotland (the regalia of crown, sword and sceptre) were used. However, with Cromwell's troops in Lothian, the honours could not be returned to Edinburgh. The Earl Marischal, as Marischal of Scotland, had formal responsibility for the honours, and in June the Privy Council duly decided to place them at Dunnottar.
They were brought to the castle by Katherine Drummond, hidden in sacks of wool. Sir George Ogilvie (or Ogilvy) of Barras was appointed lieutenant-governor of the castle, and given responsibility for its defence.
In November 1651 Cromwell's troops called on Ogilvie to surrender, but he refused. During the subsequent blockade of the castle, the removal of the Honours of Scotland was planned by Elizabeth Douglas, wife of Sir George Ogilvie, and Christian Fletcher, wife of James Granger, minister of Kinneff Parish Church. The king's papers were first removed from the castle by Anne Lindsay, a kinswoman of Elizabeth Douglas, who walked through the besieging force with the papers sewn into her clothes.
Two stories exist regarding the removal of the honours themselves. Fletcher stated in 1664 that over the course of three visits to the castle in February and March 1652, she carried away the crown, sceptre, sword and sword-case hidden amongst sacks of goods. Another account, given in the 18th century by a tutor to the Earl Marischal, records that the honours were lowered from the castle onto the beach, where they were collected by Fletcher's servant and carried off in a creel (basket) of seaweed. Having smuggled the honours from the castle, Fletcher and her husband buried them under the floor of the Old Kirk at Kinneff.
Meanwhile, by May 1652 the commander of the blockade, Colonel Thomas Morgan, had taken delivery of the artillery necessary for the reduction of Dunnottar. Ogilvie surrendered on 24 May, on condition that the garrison could go free. Finding the honours gone, the Cromwellians imprisoned Ogilvie and his wife in the castle until the following year, when a false story was put about suggesting that the honours had been taken overseas.
Much of the castle property was removed, including twenty-one brass cannons,[28] and Marischal was required to sell further lands and possessions to pay fines imposed by Cromwell's government.
At the Restoration of Charles II in 1660, the honours were removed from Kinneff Church and returned to the king. Ogilvie quarrelled with Marischal's mother over who would take credit for saving the honours, though he was eventually rewarded with a baronetcy. Fletcher was awarded 2,000 merks by Parliament but the sum was never paid.
Whigs and Jacobites
Religious and political conflicts continued to be played out at Dunnottar through the 17th and early 18th centuries. In 1685, during the rebellion of the Earl of Argyll against the new king James VII, 167 Covenanters were seized and held in a cellar at Dunnottar. The prisoners included 122 men and 45 women associated with the Whigs, an anti-Royalist group within the Covenanter movement, and had refused to take an oath of allegiance to the new king.
The Whigs were imprisoned from 24 May until late July. A group of 25 escaped, although two of these were killed in a fall from the cliffs, and another 15 were recaptured. Five prisoners died in the vault, and 37 of the Whigs were released after taking the oath of allegiance.
The remaining prisoners were transported to Perth Amboy, New Jersey, as part of a colonisation scheme devised by George Scot of Pitlochie. Many, like Scot himself, died on the voyage.
The cellar, located beneath the "King's Bedroom" in the 16th-century castle buildings, has since become known as the "Whigs' Vault".
Both the Jacobites (supporters of the exiled Stuarts) and the Hanoverians (supporters of George I and his descendents) used Dunnottar Castle. In 1689 during Viscount Dundee's campaign in support of the deposed James VII, the castle was garrisoned for William and Mary with Lord Marischal appointed captain.
Seventeen suspected Jacobites from Aberdeen were seized and held in the fortress for around three weeks, including George Liddell, professor of mathematics at Marischal College.
In the Jacobite Rising of 1715 George Keith, 10th Earl Marischal, took an active role with the rebels, leading cavalry at the Battle of Sheriffmuir. After the subsequent abandonment of the rising Lord Marischal fled to the Continent, eventually becoming French ambassador for Frederick the Great of Prussia. Meanwhile, in 1716, his titles and estates including Dunnottar were declared forfeit to the crown.
Later history
The seized estates of the Earl Marischal were purchased in 1720 for £41,172, by the York Buildings Company who dismantled much of the castle.
In 1761 the Earl briefly returned to Scotland and bought back Dunnottar only to sell it five years later to Alexander Keith, an Edinburgh lawyer who served as Knight Marischal of Scotland.
Dunnottar was inherited in 1852 by Sir Patrick Keith-Murray of Ochtertyre, who in turn sold it in July 1873 to Major Alexander Innes of Cowie and Raemoir for about £80,000.
It was purchased by Weetman Pearson, 1st Viscount Cowdray, in 1925 after which his wife embarked on a programme of repairs.
Since that time the castle has remained in the family, and has been open to the public, attracting 52,500 visitors in 2009.
Dunnottar Castle, and the headland on which is stands, was designated as a scheduled monument in 1970.In 1972 twelve of the structures at Dunnottar were listed.
Three buildings are listed at category A as being of "national importance": the keep; the entrance gateway; and Benholm's Lodging.
The remaining listings are at category B as being of "regional importance".[39] The Hon. Charles Anthony Pearson, the younger son of the 3rd Viscount Cowdray, currently owns and runs Dunnottar Castle which is part of the 210-square-kilometre (52,000-acre) Dunecht Estates.
Portions of the 1990 film Hamlet, starring Mel Gibson and Glenn Close, were shot there.
Description
Dunnottar's strategic location allowed its owners to control the coastal terrace between the North Sea cliffs and the hills of the Mounth, 3.5 kilometres (2.2 mi) inland, which enabled access to and from the north-east of Scotland.
The site is accessed via a steep, 800-metre (2,600 ft) footpath (with modern staircases) from a car park on the coastal road, or via a 3-kilometre (1.9 mi) cliff-top path from Stonehaven. Dunnottar's several buildings, put up between the 13th and 17th centuries, are arranged across a headland covering around 1.4 hectares (3.5 acres).
The dominant building, viewed from the land approach, is the 14th-century keep or tower house. The other principal buildings are the gatehouse; the chapel; and the 16th-century "palace" which incorporates the "Whigs' Vault".
Defences
The approach to the castle is overlooked by outworks on the "Fiddle Head", a promontory on the western side of the headland. The entrance is through the well-defended main gate, set in a curtain wall which entirely blocks a cleft in the rocky cliffs.
The gate has a portcullis and has been partly blocked up. Alongside the main gate is the 16th-century Benholm's Lodging, a five-storey building cut into the rock, which incorporated a prison with apartments above.
Three tiers of gun ports face outwards from the lower floors of Benholm's Lodging, while inside the main gate, a group of four gun ports face the entrance. The entrance passage then turns sharply to the left, running underground through two tunnels to emerge near the tower house.
Simpson contends that these defences are "without exception the strongest in Scotland", although later writers have doubted the effectiveness of the gun ports. Cruden notes that the alignment of the gun ports in Benholm's Lodging, facing across the approach rather than along, means that they are of limited efficiency.
The practicality of the gun ports facing the entrance has also been questioned, though an inventory of 1612 records that four brass cannons were placed here.
A second access to the castle leads up from a rocky cove, the aperture to a marine cave on the northern side of the Dunnottar cliffs into which a small boat could be brought. From here a steep path leads to the well-fortified postern gate on the cliff top, which in turn offers access to the castle via the Water Gate in the palace.
Artillery defences, taking the form of earthworks, surround the north-west corner of the castle, facing inland, and the south-east, facing seaward. A small sentry box or guard house stands by the eastern battery, overlooking the coast.
Tower house and surrounding buildings
The tower house of Dunnottar, viewed from the west
The late 14th-century tower house has a stone-vaulted basement, and originally had three further storeys and a garret above.
Measuring 12 by 11 metres (39 by 36 ft), the tower house stood 15 metres (49 ft) high to its gable. The principal rooms included a great hall and a private chamber for the lord, with bedrooms upstairs.
Beside the tower house is a storehouse, and a blacksmith's forge with a large chimney. A stable block is ranged along the southern edge of the headland. Nearby is Waterton's Lodging, also known as the Priest's House, built around 1574, possibly for the use of William Keith (died 1580), son of the 4th Earl Marischal.
This small self-contained house includes a hall and kitchen at ground level, with private chambers above, and has a projecting spiral stair on the north side. It is named for Thomas Forbes of Waterton, an attendant of the 7th Earl.
The palace
The palace, to the north-east of the headland, was built in the late 16th century and early to mid-17th century. It comprises three main wings set out around a quadrangle, and for the most part is probably the work of the 5th Earl Marischal who succeeded in 1581.
It provided extensive and comfortable accommodation to replace the rooms in the tower house. In its long, low design it has been compared to contemporary English buildings, in contrast to the Scottish tradition of taller towers still prevalent in the 16th century.
Seven identical lodgings are arranged along the west range, each opening onto the quadrangle and including windows and fireplace. Above the lodgings the west range comprised a 35-metre (115 ft) gallery. Now roofless, the gallery originally had an elaborate oak ceiling, and on display was a Roman tablet taken from the Antonine Wall.
At the north end of the gallery was a drawing room linked to the north range. The gallery could also be accessed from the Silver House to the south, which incorporated a broad stairway with a treasury above.
The basement of the north range incorporates kitchens and stores, with a dining room and great chamber above. At ground floor level is the Water Gate, between the north and west ranges, which gives access to the postern on the northern cliffs.
The east and north ranges are linked via a rectangular stair. The east range has a larder, brewhouse and bakery at ground level, with a suite of apartments for the Countess above. A north-east wing contains the Earl's apartments, and includes the "King's Bedroom" in which Charles II stayed. In this room is a carved stone inscribed with the arms of the 7th Earl and his wife, and the date 1654. Below these rooms is the Whigs' Vault, a cellar measuring 16 by 4.5 metres (52 by 15 ft). This cellar, in which the Covenanters were held in 1685, has a large eastern window, as well as a lower vault accessed via a trap-door in the floor.
Of the chambers in the palace, only the dining room and the Silver House remain roofed, having been restored in the 1920s. The central area contains a circular cistern or fish pond, 16 metres (52 ft) across and 7.6 metres (25 ft) deep, and a bowling green is located to the west.
At the south-east corner of the quadrangle is the chapel, consecrated in 1276 and largely rebuilt in the 16th century. Medieval walling and two 13th-century windows remain, and there is a graveyard to the south.
Functional and durable Albion for chopping kindling.
See more details on my blog: www.jane-sews.com/2014/03/the-albion-family-russell.html
Each morning I start my day with breakfast, the Houston Chronicle, and then logging on to Flickr to see what Our Daily Challenge is. Today's is Purple. I couldn't think of a thing in this house that's purple and amazingly enough, it's raining here (hallejuah) so didn't want to take my camera out in the rain. Then I found this spool of thread in my sewing box and since I NEVER sew, it's quite possibly 30 years old. When I saw the wording, strong and durable, I decided it was a good omen. Today we head down to Houston for Hadley's check-up re: the cancer. Always makes me feel vulnerable and anxious. But now I'm going to feel strong and durable---and hope that he is too.
ODC: Purple
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First visit of 2019 for me to this stunning castle today Thursday 28th March 2019.
Dunnottar Castle.
The rock the Castle sits upon was forced to the surface 440 million years ago during the Silurian period. A red rock conglomerate with boulders up to 1m across known as Pudding Stone is incredibly durable.
The ancient Highland rock pebbles and cementing matter is so tough that faults or cracks pass through the pebbles themselves.
I first visited Dunnottar Castle summer 2017, this magnificent castle sits high on a hill, last time I visited I captured my shots from the cliffs overlooking the site, though today I made the journey up the hill and entered the castle walls , wow what a magnificent experience, just perfect with loads of great photo opportunities to capture real Scottish history,after two hours wandering around and capturing as many shots that caught my eye , I made my way home, a magnificent experience indeed.
Dunnottar Castle (Scottish Gaelic: Dùn Fhoithear, "fort on the shelving slope" is a ruined medieval fortress located upon a rocky headland on the north-east coast of Scotland, about 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) south of Stonehaven.
The surviving buildings are largely of the 15th and 16th centuries, but the site is believed to have been fortified in the Early Middle Ages. Dunnottar has played a prominent role in the history of Scotland through to the 18th-century Jacobite risings because of its strategic location and defensive strength. Dunnottar is best known as the place where the Honours of Scotland, the Scottish crown jewels, were hidden from Oliver Cromwell's invading army in the 17th century. The property of the Keiths from the 14th century, and the seat of the Earl Marischal, Dunnottar declined after the last Earl forfeited his titles by taking part in the Jacobite rebellion of 1715.
The castle was restored in the 20th century and is now open to the public.
The ruins of the castle are spread over 1.4 hectares (3.5 acres), surrounded by steep cliffs that drop to the North Sea, 50 metres (160 ft) below. A narrow strip of land joins the headland to the mainland, along which a steep path leads up to the gatehouse.
The various buildings within the castle include the 14th-century tower house as well as the 16th-century palace. Dunnottar Castle is a scheduled monument, and twelve structures on the site are listed buildings.
History
Early Middle Ages
A chapel at Dunnottar is said to have been founded by St Ninian in the 5th century, although it is not clear when the site was first fortified, but in any case the legend is late and highly implausible. Possibly the earliest written reference to the site is found in the Annals of Ulster which record two sieges of "Dún Foither" in 681 and 694.
The earlier event has been interpreted as an attack by Brude, the Pictish king of Fortriu, to extend his power over the north-east coast of Scotland. The Scottish Chronicle records that King Domnall II, the first ruler to be called rí Alban (King of Alba), was killed at Dunnottar during an attack by Vikings in 900. King Aethelstan of Wessex led a force into Scotland in 934, and raided as far north as Dunnottar according to the account of Symeon of Durham. W. D. Simpson speculated that a motte might lie under the present caste, but excavations in the 1980s failed to uncover substantive evidence of early medieval fortification.
The discovery of a group of Pictish stones at Dunnicaer, a nearby sea stack, has prompted speculation that "Dún Foither" was actually located on the adjacent headland of Bowduns, 0.5 kilometres (0.31 mi) to the north.
Later Middle Ages
During the reign of King William the Lion (ruled 1165–1214) Dunnottar was a center of local administration for The Mearns. The castle is named in the Roman de Fergus, an early 13th-century Arthurian romance, in which the hero Fergus must travel to Dunnottar to retrieve a magic shield.
In May 1276 a church on the site was consecrated by William Wishart, Bishop of St Andrews. The poet Blind Harry relates that William Wallace captured Dunnottar from the English in 1297, during the Wars of Scottish Independence. He is said to have imprisoned 4,000 defeated English soldiers in the church and burned them alive.
In 1336 Edward III of England ordered William Sinclair, 8th Baron of Roslin, to sail eight ships to the partially ruined Dunnottar for the purpose of rebuilding and fortifying the site as a forward resupply base for his northern campaign. Sinclair took with him 160 soldiers, horses, and a corps of masons and carpenters.
Edward himself visited in July, but the English efforts were undone before the end of the year when the Scottish Regent Sir Andrew Murray led a force that captured and again destroyed the defences of Dunnottar.
In the 14th century Dunnottar was granted to William de Moravia, 5th Earl of Sutherland (d.1370), and in 1346 a licence to crenellate was issued by David II. Around 1359 William Keith, Marischal of Scotland, married Margaret Fraser, niece of Robert the Bruce, and was granted the barony of Dunnottar at this time. Keith then gave the lands of Dunnottar to his daughter Christian and son-in-law William Lindsay of Byres, but in 1392 an excambion (exchange) was agreed whereby Keith regained Dunnottar and Lindsay took lands in Fife.
William Keith completed construction of the tower house at Dunnottar, but was excommunicated for building on the consecrated ground associated with the parish church. Keith had provided a new parish church closer to Stonehaven, but was forced to write to the Pope, Benedict XIII, who issued a bull in 1395 lifting the excommunication.William Keith's descendents were created Earls Marischal in the mid 15th century, and they held Dunottar until the 18th century.
16th century rebuilding
Through the 16th century the Keiths improved and expanded their principal seats: at Dunnottar and also at Keith Marischal in East Lothian. James IV visited Dunnottar in 1504, and in 1531 James V exempted the Earl's men from military service on the grounds that Dunnottar was one of the "principall strenthis of our realme".
Mary, Queen of Scots, visited in 1562 after the Battle of Corrichie, and returned in 1564.
James VI stayed for 10 days in 1580, as part of a progress through Fife and Angus, during which a meeting of the Privy Council was convened at Dunnottar.
During a rebellion of Catholic nobles in 1592, Dunnottar was captured by a Captain Carr on behalf of the Earl of Huntly, but was restored to Lord Marischal just a few weeks later.
In 1581 George Keith succeeded as 5th Earl Marischal, and began a large scale reconstruction that saw the medieval fortress converted into a more comfortable home. The founder of Marischal College in Aberdeen, the 5th Earl valued Dunnottar as much for its dramatic situation as for its security.
A "palace" comprising a series of ranges around a quadrangle was built on the north-eastern cliffs, creating luxurious living quarters with sea views. The 13th-century chapel was restored and incorporated into the quadrangle.
An impressive stone gatehouse was constructed, now known as Benholm's Lodging, featuring numerous gun ports facing the approach. Although impressive, these are likely to have been fashionable embellishments rather than genuine defensive features.
Civil wars
Further information: Scotland in the Wars of the Three Kingdoms
In 1639 William Keith, 7th Earl Marischal, came out in support of the Covenanters, a Presbyterian movement who opposed the established Episcopal Church and the changes which Charles I was attempting to impose. With James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose, he marched against the Catholic James Gordon, 2nd Viscount Aboyne, Earl of Huntly, and defeated an attempt by the Royalists to seize Stonehaven. However, when Montrose changed sides to the Royalists and marched north, Marischal remained in Dunnottar, even when given command of the area by Parliament, and even when Montrose burned Stonehaven.
Marischal then joined with the Engager faction, who had made a deal with the king, and led a troop of horse to the Battle of Preston (1648) in support of the royalists.
Following the execution of Charles I in 1649, the Engagers gave their allegiance to his son and heir: Charles II was proclaimed king, arriving in Scotland in June 1650. He visited Dunnottar in July 1650, but his presence in Scotland prompted Oliver Cromwell to lead a force into Scotland, defeating the Scots at Dunbar in September 1650.
The Honours of Scotland
Charles II was crowned at Scone Palace on 1 January 1651, at which the Honours of Scotland (the regalia of crown, sword and sceptre) were used. However, with Cromwell's troops in Lothian, the honours could not be returned to Edinburgh. The Earl Marischal, as Marischal of Scotland, had formal responsibility for the honours, and in June the Privy Council duly decided to place them at Dunnottar.
They were brought to the castle by Katherine Drummond, hidden in sacks of wool. Sir George Ogilvie (or Ogilvy) of Barras was appointed lieutenant-governor of the castle, and given responsibility for its defence.
In November 1651 Cromwell's troops called on Ogilvie to surrender, but he refused. During the subsequent blockade of the castle, the removal of the Honours of Scotland was planned by Elizabeth Douglas, wife of Sir George Ogilvie, and Christian Fletcher, wife of James Granger, minister of Kinneff Parish Church. The king's papers were first removed from the castle by Anne Lindsay, a kinswoman of Elizabeth Douglas, who walked through the besieging force with the papers sewn into her clothes.
Two stories exist regarding the removal of the honours themselves. Fletcher stated in 1664 that over the course of three visits to the castle in February and March 1652, she carried away the crown, sceptre, sword and sword-case hidden amongst sacks of goods. Another account, given in the 18th century by a tutor to the Earl Marischal, records that the honours were lowered from the castle onto the beach, where they were collected by Fletcher's servant and carried off in a creel (basket) of seaweed. Having smuggled the honours from the castle, Fletcher and her husband buried them under the floor of the Old Kirk at Kinneff.
Meanwhile, by May 1652 the commander of the blockade, Colonel Thomas Morgan, had taken delivery of the artillery necessary for the reduction of Dunnottar. Ogilvie surrendered on 24 May, on condition that the garrison could go free. Finding the honours gone, the Cromwellians imprisoned Ogilvie and his wife in the castle until the following year, when a false story was put about suggesting that the honours had been taken overseas.
Much of the castle property was removed, including twenty-one brass cannons,[28] and Marischal was required to sell further lands and possessions to pay fines imposed by Cromwell's government.
At the Restoration of Charles II in 1660, the honours were removed from Kinneff Church and returned to the king. Ogilvie quarrelled with Marischal's mother over who would take credit for saving the honours, though he was eventually rewarded with a baronetcy. Fletcher was awarded 2,000 merks by Parliament but the sum was never paid.
Whigs and Jacobites
Religious and political conflicts continued to be played out at Dunnottar through the 17th and early 18th centuries. In 1685, during the rebellion of the Earl of Argyll against the new king James VII, 167 Covenanters were seized and held in a cellar at Dunnottar. The prisoners included 122 men and 45 women associated with the Whigs, an anti-Royalist group within the Covenanter movement, and had refused to take an oath of allegiance to the new king.
The Whigs were imprisoned from 24 May until late July. A group of 25 escaped, although two of these were killed in a fall from the cliffs, and another 15 were recaptured. Five prisoners died in the vault, and 37 of the Whigs were released after taking the oath of allegiance.
The remaining prisoners were transported to Perth Amboy, New Jersey, as part of a colonisation scheme devised by George Scot of Pitlochie. Many, like Scot himself, died on the voyage.
The cellar, located beneath the "King's Bedroom" in the 16th-century castle buildings, has since become known as the "Whigs' Vault".
Both the Jacobites (supporters of the exiled Stuarts) and the Hanoverians (supporters of George I and his descendents) used Dunnottar Castle. In 1689 during Viscount Dundee's campaign in support of the deposed James VII, the castle was garrisoned for William and Mary with Lord Marischal appointed captain.
Seventeen suspected Jacobites from Aberdeen were seized and held in the fortress for around three weeks, including George Liddell, professor of mathematics at Marischal College.
In the Jacobite Rising of 1715 George Keith, 10th Earl Marischal, took an active role with the rebels, leading cavalry at the Battle of Sheriffmuir. After the subsequent abandonment of the rising Lord Marischal fled to the Continent, eventually becoming French ambassador for Frederick the Great of Prussia. Meanwhile, in 1716, his titles and estates including Dunnottar were declared forfeit to the crown.
Later history
The seized estates of the Earl Marischal were purchased in 1720 for £41,172, by the York Buildings Company who dismantled much of the castle.
In 1761 the Earl briefly returned to Scotland and bought back Dunnottar only to sell it five years later to Alexander Keith, an Edinburgh lawyer who served as Knight Marischal of Scotland.
Dunnottar was inherited in 1852 by Sir Patrick Keith-Murray of Ochtertyre, who in turn sold it in July 1873 to Major Alexander Innes of Cowie and Raemoir for about £80,000.
It was purchased by Weetman Pearson, 1st Viscount Cowdray, in 1925 after which his wife embarked on a programme of repairs.
Since that time the castle has remained in the family, and has been open to the public, attracting 52,500 visitors in 2009.
Dunnottar Castle, and the headland on which is stands, was designated as a scheduled monument in 1970.In 1972 twelve of the structures at Dunnottar were listed.
Three buildings are listed at category A as being of "national importance": the keep; the entrance gateway; and Benholm's Lodging.
The remaining listings are at category B as being of "regional importance".[39] The Hon. Charles Anthony Pearson, the younger son of the 3rd Viscount Cowdray, currently owns and runs Dunnottar Castle which is part of the 210-square-kilometre (52,000-acre) Dunecht Estates.
Portions of the 1990 film Hamlet, starring Mel Gibson and Glenn Close, were shot there.
Description
Dunnottar's strategic location allowed its owners to control the coastal terrace between the North Sea cliffs and the hills of the Mounth, 3.5 kilometres (2.2 mi) inland, which enabled access to and from the north-east of Scotland.
The site is accessed via a steep, 800-metre (2,600 ft) footpath (with modern staircases) from a car park on the coastal road, or via a 3-kilometre (1.9 mi) cliff-top path from Stonehaven. Dunnottar's several buildings, put up between the 13th and 17th centuries, are arranged across a headland covering around 1.4 hectares (3.5 acres).
The dominant building, viewed from the land approach, is the 14th-century keep or tower house. The other principal buildings are the gatehouse; the chapel; and the 16th-century "palace" which incorporates the "Whigs' Vault".
Defences
The approach to the castle is overlooked by outworks on the "Fiddle Head", a promontory on the western side of the headland. The entrance is through the well-defended main gate, set in a curtain wall which entirely blocks a cleft in the rocky cliffs.
The gate has a portcullis and has been partly blocked up. Alongside the main gate is the 16th-century Benholm's Lodging, a five-storey building cut into the rock, which incorporated a prison with apartments above.
Three tiers of gun ports face outwards from the lower floors of Benholm's Lodging, while inside the main gate, a group of four gun ports face the entrance. The entrance passage then turns sharply to the left, running underground through two tunnels to emerge near the tower house.
Simpson contends that these defences are "without exception the strongest in Scotland", although later writers have doubted the effectiveness of the gun ports. Cruden notes that the alignment of the gun ports in Benholm's Lodging, facing across the approach rather than along, means that they are of limited efficiency.
The practicality of the gun ports facing the entrance has also been questioned, though an inventory of 1612 records that four brass cannons were placed here.
A second access to the castle leads up from a rocky cove, the aperture to a marine cave on the northern side of the Dunnottar cliffs into which a small boat could be brought. From here a steep path leads to the well-fortified postern gate on the cliff top, which in turn offers access to the castle via the Water Gate in the palace.
Artillery defences, taking the form of earthworks, surround the north-west corner of the castle, facing inland, and the south-east, facing seaward. A small sentry box or guard house stands by the eastern battery, overlooking the coast.
Tower house and surrounding buildings
The tower house of Dunnottar, viewed from the west
The late 14th-century tower house has a stone-vaulted basement, and originally had three further storeys and a garret above.
Measuring 12 by 11 metres (39 by 36 ft), the tower house stood 15 metres (49 ft) high to its gable. The principal rooms included a great hall and a private chamber for the lord, with bedrooms upstairs.
Beside the tower house is a storehouse, and a blacksmith's forge with a large chimney. A stable block is ranged along the southern edge of the headland. Nearby is Waterton's Lodging, also known as the Priest's House, built around 1574, possibly for the use of William Keith (died 1580), son of the 4th Earl Marischal.
This small self-contained house includes a hall and kitchen at ground level, with private chambers above, and has a projecting spiral stair on the north side. It is named for Thomas Forbes of Waterton, an attendant of the 7th Earl.
The palace
The palace, to the north-east of the headland, was built in the late 16th century and early to mid-17th century. It comprises three main wings set out around a quadrangle, and for the most part is probably the work of the 5th Earl Marischal who succeeded in 1581.
It provided extensive and comfortable accommodation to replace the rooms in the tower house. In its long, low design it has been compared to contemporary English buildings, in contrast to the Scottish tradition of taller towers still prevalent in the 16th century.
Seven identical lodgings are arranged along the west range, each opening onto the quadrangle and including windows and fireplace. Above the lodgings the west range comprised a 35-metre (115 ft) gallery. Now roofless, the gallery originally had an elaborate oak ceiling, and on display was a Roman tablet taken from the Antonine Wall.
At the north end of the gallery was a drawing room linked to the north range. The gallery could also be accessed from the Silver House to the south, which incorporated a broad stairway with a treasury above.
The basement of the north range incorporates kitchens and stores, with a dining room and great chamber above. At ground floor level is the Water Gate, between the north and west ranges, which gives access to the postern on the northern cliffs.
The east and north ranges are linked via a rectangular stair. The east range has a larder, brewhouse and bakery at ground level, with a suite of apartments for the Countess above. A north-east wing contains the Earl's apartments, and includes the "King's Bedroom" in which Charles II stayed. In this room is a carved stone inscribed with the arms of the 7th Earl and his wife, and the date 1654. Below these rooms is the Whigs' Vault, a cellar measuring 16 by 4.5 metres (52 by 15 ft). This cellar, in which the Covenanters were held in 1685, has a large eastern window, as well as a lower vault accessed via a trap-door in the floor.
Of the chambers in the palace, only the dining room and the Silver House remain roofed, having been restored in the 1920s. The central area contains a circular cistern or fish pond, 16 metres (52 ft) across and 7.6 metres (25 ft) deep, and a bowling green is located to the west.
At the south-east corner of the quadrangle is the chapel, consecrated in 1276 and largely rebuilt in the 16th century. Medieval walling and two 13th-century windows remain, and there is a graveyard to the south.
Soldiers sew durable and flexible solar shade panels together for deployment. At Camp Lemonnier the system has been constantly cranking out two kilowatts of power daily since July 2010, and continues to produce power. It has been running fans, hand held radio rechargers and lights. There’s an added bonus that the solar shades are significantly cooler than normal shades. The system produces power and gets about 70 to 80 percent blockage of the sun. So the shade is cooler than many of tents or shades now used.
U.S. Army photo
The silence of nonpolluting solar energy at work will someday replace the hum of muffled generators in remote field locations.
Maj. Tim Franklin from the U.S. Army Research Development and Engineering Command is the lead in coordinating an experiment using flexible solar cells that could eventually save millions in Army fuel costs. In fact, the project was recently nominated for recognition in the Annual Secretary of the Army Energy and Water Management Awards because of the more than $230,000 savings by using the solar shade.
The concept is simple – flexible solar cells affixed to a sun shelter then connected to a system of storage batteries.
“Solar shade produces two kilowatts of power -- that may not seem like a lot, but in a remote area it’s perfect because you don’t have to worry about transporting fuel or replacing parts,” Franklin said. “You could place this on a remote mountain site to provide power for a radio retransmission site [since] it requires very little maintenance,” Franklin said.
Flexible Solar Cell System
Quiet
Requires minimal maintenance
Produces clean energy from the sun
Works at night pending storage batteries charged
Cost effective
Operating area requires 40 by 60-foot area
Franklin added that the heart of the solar shade consist of four Hawker High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle batteries with a balancing system featuring a simple voltage meter with a 110 volt power inverter.
In July 2010, with the help of Kansas Army National Guardsmen assigned to the Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa, Franklin along with Steve Tucker, the lead for alternative power programs at U.S. Army Natick Research, Development and Engineering Center, traveled to Djibouti to set-up the solar shade.
Solar Cell Energy at Work
Running on fans, hand-held radio chargers and lights, the system has been cranking out two kilowatts of power daily, Franklin said.
“Soldiers with the Kansas Guard have been using the shade every day since last July – it has even survived some storms that damaged other structures,” Franklin said. “In the near future, [Steve and I] will travel to Djibouti to train a new group of CJTF – HOA Kansas National Guard Soldiers on use of the solar shade.”
Because of the overall benefits, Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa wants to keep the equipment and have added it to their property books since they plan to use it in other locations and on other missions in Africa.
“The solar shade produces power and gets about 70 to 80 percent blockage of the sun, so the shade is cooler than many of tents or shades used now and it produces clean energy from the sun,” Franklin said.
“You’re actually reducing the use of air conditioning units too, so there’s really a triple benefit along with the free clean source of energy,” he said.
Franklin concluded that they haven’t yet heard how they fared in the 33rd Annual Secretary of the Army Energy and Water Management Awards, but to be nominated is such an honor.
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Capacious, lightweight, durable folding bag.
Made of 3mm thick industrial felt, this bag stands itself with style, as a large bag and a storing box. You can put toys of kids in it, or use it as a laundry basket, or carry stuff to picnic in a trunk of a car.
You can also save space by folding the bag when you don't use it. This function actually enables to save energy too, until you get this bag in your hands during shipping. Functional bag made of natural material is ecological and usable for a long time according to your lifestyle.
Color choises are apple green, gray and red.
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たためて、たっぷり入って、丈夫で軽い。収納としてもバッグとしても使える2ウェイバッグで、ほぼ28センチ角のサイコロ形になります。
3ミリの厚みのある*工業用ウールフェルトを使っているから、張りがあり、ちゃんと自立してくれて、お部屋にもすっきりなじみます。 取っ手はその3ミリ厚のフェルトを二重にし、本体とはＯカンと呼ばれる四角い銀色の金属パーツで繋いでいます。お客様のご要望にお応えして、肩にかけられるように取っ手を長くしました。
キッズの細々としたおもちゃを入れたり、衣類を入れるバスケットとして使ったり、車のトランクへポンと入れてピクニックやお買い物に出かけたり。使わない時は、ひっくり返して小さくたたんで省スペース。お客様の手元に届くまでの経路でも小さなパッケージは省エネを実現します。本体の斜めのラインは、折り畳みが簡単にできるようにと考えられたデザインです。ライフスタイルの変化に合わせて末永く使ってくださいね。
ご購入希望の方はこちらへどうぞ！
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Height 28 cm x Width 30 cm x Depth 30 cm
Weight 0.8 Kg
5. Church's English Shoes Brown, this British company delivers exceptionally durable dress shoes
6. Wellness bathrobe 5-star luxury Grand Hotel Huis ter Duin White
7. MINI Mellow WATCH Yellow
8. BVLGARI MAN CLIVE OWEN Eau de Toilette
9. BVLGARI MAN After Shave Balm White
... I don't hold back when it comes to shoes...
Did you know that:
- during Pierce Brosnan's tenure as James Bond, various selections of dress shoes from the Church's range were used in production. Lindy Hemming, who was the costume designer explained the choice of Church's shoes as having the appropriate weight to complement the silhouette of the tailored Brioni suits she had commissioned for Bond.
- British Prime Minister Tony Blair had a "lucky pair" of Church's shoes that he wore to every session of parliamentary "question time."
+++ DISCLAIMER +++
Nothing you see here is real, even though the conversion or the presented background story might be based historical facts. BEWARE!
Some background:
The Henschel Hs 123 was a single-seat biplane dive bomber and close-support attack aircraft flown by the German Luftwaffe during the Spanish Civil War and the early to midpoint of World War II. It proved to be robust, durable and effective especially in severe conditions.
The aircraft was designed to meet the 1933 dive bomber requirements for the reborn Luftwaffe. Both Henschel and rival Fieseler (with the Fi 98) competed for the production contract requirement, which specified a single-seat biplane dive bomber. The first prototype Hs 123, the Hs 123V1 was cleared for its maiden flight on 1 April 1935, and General Ernst Udet, a World War I ace, flew the first prototype on its first public demonstration flight on 8 May 1935. The first three Henschel prototypes, with the first and third powered by 485 kW (650 hp) BMW 132A-3 engines and the second by a 574 kW (770 hp) Wright Cyclone, were tested at Rechlin in August 1936. Only the first prototype had "smooth" cowlings; from that point on, all aircraft had a tightly-fitting cowling that included 18 fairings covering the engine valves.
The Henschel prototypes did away with bracing wires and although they looked slightly outdated with their single faired interplane struts and cantilever main landing gear legs attached to smaller (stub) lower wings, the Hs 123 featured an all-metal construction, clean lines and superior maneuverability. Its biplane wings were of a "sesquiplane" configuration, whereby the lower wings were significantly smaller than the top wings.
The overall performance of the Hs 123 V1 prototype prematurely eliminated any chance for the more conventional Fi 98, which was cancelled after a sole prototype had been constructed. During testing, the Hs 123 proved capable of pulling out of "near-vertical" dives; however, two prototypes subsequently crashed due to structural failures in the wings that occurred when the aircraft were tested in high-speed dives. The fourth prototype incorporated improvements to cure these problems; principally, stronger centre-section struts were fitted. After it had been successfully tested, the Hs 123 was ordered into production with an 656 kW (880 hp) BMW 132Dc engine.
The Hs 123 was intended to replace the Heinkel He 50 biplane reconnaissance and dive bomber as well as acting as a "stop-gap" measure until the Junkers Ju 87 became available. As such, production was limited and no upgrades were considered, and production of the type ended in October 1938 with around 250 aircraft in all series.
The Hs 123 was used in various conflict theatres, including the Spanish Civil War, the 2nd Sino-Japanese War and the invasions of Poland and Greece. Later, the Hs 123 took part in the North Africa campaign and the Eastern Front, where the machines were kept in service until literally none was left in servicable condition in 1944, and a few soldiered on in second line duties such as supply dropping and glider towing in 1945.
During the Afrika Korps' two-year campaign in North Africa, duties were dominated by the Siege of Tobruk in 1941, which lasted for over seven months. Together with the more modern and capable Ju 87, a handful of Hs 123s served during the Battle of Gazala and the First Battle of El Alamein, as well as during the decisive Second Battle of El Alamein, which drove Rommel back to Tunisia.
Outfitted with dust filters and adapted to nocturnal duties (e. g. with flame dampers on the exhausts and guns), the Hs 123s flew interdiction missions and primarily hunted for unarmored vehicles or outposts. As the tide turned and Allied air power grew in the autumn of 1942, the German attack aircraft became very vulnerable and losses were heavy.
The entry of the Americans into North Africa during Operation Torch made the situation far worse and the slow Hs 123s suffered heavy losses. Even the relatively new Ju 87 had become obsolete in what was now a fighter-bomber's war. The Bf 109 and Fw 190 could at least fight enemy fighters on equal terms after dropping their ordnance but the dive bombers could not, so that the HS 123 was completely retired from North Africa in early 1942 and the remaining machines sent to the Eastern Front.
General characteristics:
Crew: 1
Length: 8.33 m (27 ft 4 in)
Wingspan: 10.50 m (34 ft 5.5 in)
Height: 3.20 m (10 ft 6 in)
Wing area: 24.85 m² (267.49 ft²)
Empty weight: 1,500 kg (3,307 lb)
Loaded weight: 2,215 kg (4,884 lb)
Powerplant:
1× BMW 132Dc 9-cylinder radial engine, rated at 880 hp (656 kW)
Performance:
Maximum speed: 341 km/h (183 knots, 211 mph) at 1,200 m (3,900 ft)
Range: 860 km (463 nmi, 533 mi with drop tank; 480 km (298 mi) with 200 kg of bombs)
Service ceiling: 9,000 m (29,530 ft)
Rate of climb: 15 m/s (2,950 ft/min) at sea level
Armament:
2× 7.92 mm MG 17 machine guns with 400 RPG in the upper fuselage
Up to 450 kg (992 lb) of bombs (1x SC250 bomb under fuselage and 4x SC50 bombs
under wings), alternatively a 300l drop tank under the fuselage;
field modification of 2× 20 mm (0.79 in) MG FF cannon in underwing pods
The kit and its assembly:
A quick interim build; some time ago I had bought a cheap Airfix Hs 123 but had no clear plan for it. But in order to reduce the kit pile, I decided to take this one to the hardware stage.
When I delved into the Hs 123's history I was astonihsed that this tough little aircraft had not been deployed to North Africa, and so the idea of a tropicalized version was born.
Further inspiration came from a Ju 87 photo of the 1941 era which showed a Stuka in desert camouflage and roughly blackened undersides and distinctive side markings. That became the benchmark, together with the Luftwaffe's practice to use outdated types as night attackers.
Since no big conversion was planned, the Airfix kit (which is, despite some sink holes on the thick wing struts and fitting issues between the lower wings and the fuselage) turned out to be an easy build with IMHO good (raised, though) details - and the voluminous pilot figure conceals the lack of internal details.
Anyway, I made some minor changes/additions:
- For the night attacker role I added longer exhaust pipes (1mm iron wire) with flame dampers (styrene) on the flanks.
- A bigger carburetor fairing (with a dust filter) was added under the engine.
- Flaps lowered and some details like engine braces and wires added
- The machine received gun pods under the wings, instead of the four SC50 bombs. The optional podded MG FF (with 65 RPG) were a real world option, but I was not able to find material that shows the pods' shape, so I made my own. In this case the pods come from a Hawker Hurricane, but the barrels were scratched from styrene.
Painting and markings:
The more creative part. During the early stages of the Afrikafeldzug a lot of German verhicles still bore their standard livery - tanks and trucks were painted in Panzergrau and aircraft arrived in RLM 71/70/65 or, newer types, in RLM 74/75/76. Anyway, everything more or less unsuited for the new theatre of operations.
Consequently, many aircraft received improvised camouflage in field workshops, using any paint at hand: mostly Italian colors. Therefore, a huge number of German aircraft received individual paint schemes with 'Giallo Mimetico' (of which several tones existed, ranging from pale yellow to earth brown) and/or 'Verde Mimetico'. The yellow was frequently applied over the original camouflage, so that the original paint would be visible. The dedicated desert camouflage tone RLM 80 (Olivgrün) was already a frequent sight, as well as RLM 78 for the undersides, but the German sand tone RLM79 turned up relatively late, towards the end of the North Africa campaign.
My night attacker Hs 123 was to carry a typical improvised scheme on the upper sides: the type's standard RLM 70/71 splinter scheme with a low waterline was to be roughly painted over, with light green splotches added, while the original colors would here and there shine through.
The paintwork was built up accordingly with enamels and brushes. For the upper sides I used Humbrol 91 (Black Green) and Modelmaster 2081 (Dark Green), for the Italian extra colors I used Humbrol 237 (Sand) and Modelmaster 2149 (RAL 6003).
On the undersides, the finish was to represent the former RLM 65, but overpainted with flat black but well worn. The leading edges and some areas (e. g. under national markings) were primed with light blue (Modelmaster 2078), and then a coat of flat black was added (Revell acrylics). After drying, the lower surfaces were carefully and directionally wet-sanded, so that the blue came through again.
The national markings on the fuselage were painted over with thinned black acrylic paint, so that they remained barely visible. The typical white fuselage band for operations in the Mediterranean was also painted over on the sides and from below, so that only the dorsal quarter remained visible. The squadron code (T6) is actually there, but in very small black letters. The control letter for the aircraft's group beyond the yellow code color (a 'P') was left away - not an uncommon practice. The aircraft's individual code (the yellow D) would be the only clearly visible fuselage marking.
The squadron's emblem on the cowling comes from a Peddinghaus aftermarket sheet, placed on a dark green basis, and the crosses on the upper wings were placed on dark green squares, as if the new camouflage had been painted around these older markings.
Further overall weathering was achieved through light dry-brushing and some further wet-sanding, the raised surface details of this kit makes this method very effective. Once all decals were in place, partly covered and everything sealed with matt acrylic varnish, some gun and exhaust soot was added with grinded graphite. The overall result looks rather rotten, but the aforementioned picture of the Ju 87 night attacker just left this impression!
A quick build, realized in just two and a half days (plus the pictures, though, these took another two days), a nice weekend project. And even though not much was changed the fictional North Africa version appears pretty realistic – simple and effective.
The Florence Cathedral and the Duomo are the same. "Duomo" is the Italian word for "cathedral". The official name of the cathedral in Florence is the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, but it is commonly known as the Duomo.
P3220089
From The Brochure Series of Architectural Illustration, vol. 06, No. 6, June 1900. The Duomo and the Campanile: Florence, Grotesques from Notre Dame, Paris. [Public domain.]:
"It was in the middle of the thirteenth century," writes Symonds, "during the long struggle for independence carried on by the republics of Lombardy and Tuscany against the Empire and the nobles, that some of the most durable and splendid public works were executed. The domes and towers of Florence and of Pisa were rising above the city walls, while the burghers who subscribed for their erection were staining the waves of Meloria and the cane-brakes of the Arbia with their blood. Sismondi remarks with just pride, that these great works were republican. They were set on foot for the public use, and were constructed at the expense of the commonwealths. It is, however, right to add that what the communes had begun the princes continued. The Despots held their power at the price of magnificence in schemes of public utility. So much at least of the free spirit of the communes survived in them, that they were always rivalling each other in great works of architecture. Italian tyranny implied æsthetic taste and liberality of expenditure."
"In the year 1294," wrote Giovanni Villani, who was a youth in Florence at the time, "the city of Florence being in a state of tranquility, the citizens agreed to rebuild the chief church, which was very rude in form and in small proportion to such a city, and that it should be enlarged, and that it should be made all of marble and with carven figures. And the foundation was laid on the day of St. Mary, in September, by the Cardinal Legate of the Pope, in the presence of all the ranks of the Signory of Florence. And it was consecrated to the honor of God and St. Mary, under the name of St. Mary of the Flower (Santa Maria del Fiore). And for the building of the church taxes were ordered, and the Legate and bishops bestowed great indulgences and pardons to everyone who should contribute aid and alms to the work."
The design for the new cathedral was entrusted to Arnolfo di Cambio, who was at that time the official architect of the Commune of Florence,—a remarkable man to whom Florence in a great measure owes her present physiognomy; for not only are the tower of the Palazzo Vecchio, Santa Croce and the bulk of the Duomo his, but Giotto's Campanile, Brunelleschi's cupola and the church of Or San Michele are placed where he had planned.
In the design for Santa Croce, Arnolfo had shown a preference for the Gothic forms, then newly imported into Italy, and he now projected a design for the new Cathedral in which the pointed should take the place of the round arch, the stone vaulted roof should be substituted for the flat timber ceiling, and the façade should form a splendid screen, adorned with gable and pinnacle, rich with carving, glowing with mosaics and shining with gold. That the Florentines approved his project is evident from a decree passed before the work had been long in progress, in which "Master Arnolfo" is declared to be exempt from any civic tax during his life, because of his design for the Cathedral, "since" reads the Chronicle, "judging from the magnificent and visible beginnings of the new church, the Commune and people of Florence are like to have a more beautiful and honorable temple than any other in the region of Tuscany."
But before the work had far advanced the building came almost to a standstill, for the strife of parties, which had been but temporarily smothered, broke out anew in Florence, and for some thirty years work on the Cathedral was suspended. Meantime Arnolfo had died, but he left the building so far advanced that his successors would find little difficulty in continuing the main parts of the construction according to his design.
In 1331, however, a portion of the communal tax was set apart for the prosecution of the work, and Giotto di Bondone, already the most famous painter of all Italy, was appointed architect of the Cathedral. "It is not often," says Mrs. Jameson, "that a man takes up a new trade when he is approaching sixty, or even goes into a new path out of his familiar routine. But Giotto seems to have turned without a moment's hesitation from his paints and panels to the less easily wrought materials of the builder and sculptor, without either faltering from the great enterprise or doubting his own power to do it."
"To his new charge," writes Mr. C. E. Norton, "Giotto gave himself with the effectual ardor of genius. No written record of his work on the Duomo remains, but the walls themselves seem to bear witness to it. Stretches on the north and south, running eastward from the façade, more beautiful in composition and design than the later work joined to it, may be assigned with probability to the period of his oversight.
"But Giotto's labor was not limited to the Duomo alone. He now designed and speedily began the construction of the most exquisite building of modern times, the one in which the quality of classic art is most completely and beautifully harmonized with the spirit and fancy of modern times. The unsurpassed bell-tower of the Duomo, known and admired by all men as the Campanile of Giotto, is the most splendid memorial of the arts of Florence. In 1334, scarcely three months after his appointment, the foundations of the Campanile were laid with great pomp and ceremony. The tower, so quickly begun, was so vigorously lifted that it may have reached somewhat more than a third of its proposed height, when in 1337 Giotto died." He was buried in the unfinished Cathedral on the side nearest the Campanile.
"In its first appeal to the stranger's eye," says Mr. Ruskin in writing of the Campanile, "there is something unpleasing; a mingling, it seems to him, of over severity with over minuteness. But let him give it time, as he should all other consummate art. I remember well how, when a boy, I used to despise that Campanile, and think it meanly smooth and finished. But I have since lived beside it many a day, and looked out upon it from my windows by sunlight and moonlight, and I shall not soon forget how profound and gloomy appeared to me the savageness of the Northern Gothic when I afterwards stood, for the first time, beneath the front of Salisbury. The contrast is indeed strange, if it could be quickly felt, between the rising of those gray walls out of their quiet swarded space, like dark and barren rocks out of a green lake, and that bright, smooth, sunny surface of glowing jasper, those spiral shafts and fairy traceries, so white, so faint, so crystalline, that their slight shapes are hardly traced in darkness on the pallor of the eastern sky, that serene height of mountain alabaster, colored like a morning cloud and chased like a sea shell. And this, I believe to be the model and mirror of perfect architecture...."
"Considerable size exhibited by simple terminal lines; projection towards the top; breadth of flat surface; square compartments of that surface; varied and visible masonry; vigorous depth of shadow, exhibited especially by pierced traceries; varied proportion in ascent; lateral symmetry; sculpture most delicate at the base; enriched quantity of ornament at the top; sculpture abstract in inferior ornaments and mouldings, complete in animal forms, both to be executed in white marble; vivid colors introduced in flat geometrical patterns, and obtained by the use of naturally colored stone,—these characteristics occur more or less in different buildings, some in one, some in another—but all together and all in their highest possible relative degrees, they exist, as far as I know, only in one building in the world, the Campanile of Giotto."
After Giotto's death there is a wide gap in the annals of the Duomo, for in 1348 the great plague desolated Florence, and the work came to a standstill. After it had passed, however, there followed, as a natural consequence, a sudden outbreak of pious superstition. Immense sums had been bequeathed by dying men to the Church to purchase salvation; and the Duomo, begun sixty years before, seemed hardly to correspond with the demands of the present age. It was accordingly resolved to adopt a new design for it on a grander scale than that planned by Arnolfo; and while the breadth was to remain the same, the height and length were to be increased, and the eastern end of the church to be larger. The oversight of the work was entrusted to Francesco di Talenti, and in 1357 the new foundations were begun. The main forms of the new building were, in great part, determined by such of the old structure of Giotto's time as was left standing, and by the original scheme of Arnolfo. But the taste of the age had changed, and in grafting the newly arisen classical ideas upon the original, the architects achieved a result which was neither good Gothic nor good Classic. For some years the work was now carried slowly but steadily forward, and in 1407 the eastern tribune with its five chapels was completed, and the work was ready to be crowned by a dome.
But here a great difficulty was encountered. The increase in the original dimensions and the height of the walls had made it necessary to span an enormous space, for the diameter of the octagon to be covered was now one hundred and thirty-five feet. The records of architecture could show no such dome as this must be. The overseers of the work were confounded, and knew not how to proceed; and, in their desperation made a public proclamation in 1418, that whoever wished, might make a model for the dome, or of anything pertaining to its construction. Fifteen models were presented, and over them there were months of public deliberation and discussion. It was not until March, 1420, that a final conclusion was reached, and the celebrated plan of Filippo Brunelleschi was adopted.
No more characteristic or remarkable design was produced during the whole period of the Renaissance than this, with which its great architectural achievements began. Not only were apparently insurmountable difficulties of construction overcome, but the new dome was also to be a masterpiece of beauty. The great domes of former times—the dome of the Pantheon, the dome of Aya Sophia—had been designed solely for their interior effect; they were not impressive or noble structures from without. But Brunelleschi had conceived a dome which, grand in its interior aspect, should be even more superb from without, and which, in its stately dimensions and proportions, in its magnificent lift above all the other edifices of the city of which it formed the centre, in its absolute unity and symmetry, in the beautiful shape and proportions of its broad divisions, the strong, simple energy of its upwardly converging lines, should be such that, more than a century later, when Michelangelo was told that he had an opportunity to surpass it in his cupola of St. Peter's at Rome, he replied sadly, with a shake of his head,—
"Io farò la sorella
Più grande già; ma non più bella!"
"I will make her sister dome
Larger, indeed, but not more beautiful!"
Brunelleschi's plan was to build two octagonal domes, separated by a space wide enough for a passage and stairways, and united by eight strong ribs of masonry at the angles. The inner and smaller dome was for constructive purposes, to bridge the vault and to furnish a support for the outer, which was to be merely a light shell to secure the magnificent swelling lines. The whole was to be crowned by a lantern. We have not space to quote Vasari's animated account of Brunelleschi's difficulties in persuading the authorities of the practicability of his plan, of his jealous bickerings with his troublesome and incompetent confrère, Ghiberti, of the obstacles, difficulties and persecutions that he underwent,—suffice it to say that, in 1434, under his untiring supervision, just fourteen years from its beginning, the splendid dome closed over the central space of the Duomo, and Brunelleschi's fame was forever established.
Without waiting for the completion of the cupola and lantern, the Florentines took advantage of the presence in their city of Pope Eugenius IV., to have him consecrate the Cathedral in person, with most impressive ceremony, on the Florentine New Year's day, the feast of the Annunciation, March 25, 1436.
Not long after the consecration of the Duomo, the work on the cupola was completed (August, 1436), and to the fulfilment of Brunelleschi's plan remained only the construction of a surmounting lantern. But for some undiscovered reason there was delay for year after year, and it was fated that Brunelleschi should not see the completion of his work, for "finally," says Vasari, "Filippo Brunelleschi being now very old, that is sixty-nine years old in the year 1446, on the 16th of April, went to a better life, after having toiled greatly in the performance of works which made him deserve on earth an honored name, and obtain in heaven an abode of peace." More than twenty years passed after Brunelleschi's death before the lantern was at last completed. On the 23d of April, 1467, the last and highest stone was set.
Meantime, not until some twenty years after the death of Giotto had work on the unfinished façade been recommenced. The design for it, which was Gothic, with columns and niches containing statues of the Madonna and Child, of saints and prophets, and even of distinguished Florentine citizens, was the joint composition of several architects, among them Orcagna, Gaddi and Tommasi. But this façade had only reached one-third of the height of the edifice, when, for some unexplained reason it was abandoned, and remained in an unfinished state until the reign of the Grand Duke Francis I. (1575-1587), when it was demolished to make way for the accomplishment of a new design, one which was, however, never executed; and the whole face of the Cathedral remained a bare expanse of rubble and cement until, in 1689, it was painted and frescoed to represent columns and other architectural decorations. Shortly after Tuscany was incorporated with the kingdom of Italy, the Florentine municipality again took up the matter, and invited architects to submit designs for a new façade. The design of Commendatore de Fabris, a Florentine, was selected. In 1875 the scaffolding was erected, and white marble from Seravezza, red marble from Montiere and green marble from Prato were brought to Florence to begin the façade which now exists, and which was completed and unveiled in 1887.
Writing of the Duomo as a whole, Mr. C. E. Norton says: "Its size gives it dignity, and its effect is powerful from the simplicity and largeness of its design. A nave of four enormous bays is stopped upon a vast octagonal space, from which, at the east, the north, and the south, are built out three pentagonal tribunes or apses, which, as seen on the outside, give to the church the common cruciform shape. The proportions of the interior are on an enormous scale, by which the apparent size of the building is diminished rather than increased. There is nothing either in the general conception or in the working-out of the details which corresponds with that principle, characteristic of the best Northern Gothic, of complex organization, in which each minor part contributes to the vital unity of the whole edifice. The Duomo presents, on the contrary, an assemblage of separate vast features arbitrarily associated, rather than united by any law of mutual relation into a completely harmonious whole. It does not display that lavish wealth of fancy in ever-changing variety and abundance of detail which gives inexhaustible charm to a true Gothic edifice. But it is impressive within from its vast open spaces, and from the stately and simple, though barren, grandeur of its piers and vaults and walls.
"The effect of the building from without is imposing from its mass, but, in a near view, it is only on the east that the lines compose into forms of beauty. The side walls are incrusted, after the old Tuscan style, with simple rectangular patterns of white and red marble, interrupted by the rich decoration of gable and pinnacle over the doors and windows.
"It is when seen from a distance that the full worth and power of the great Cathedral force themselves upon the beholder. Looking down upon Florence from one of the neighboring heights, the beautiful city seems to lie gathered under the shelter of its mighty Duomo. The stretch of its wall is ample for the house in which the whole people shall gather, and, lifting itself above the clustering towers and belfries of palaces and churches, the unrivalled dome crowns the edifice, and with its noble elliptic lines not merely concentrates the scattered forms of the buildings beneath and around it far and near, but to the inward eye seems equally to concentrate all the divergent energies of the historic life of Florence, and lift them along its curves to the foot of the cross upon its heaven-reaching summit. It seems of equal date with the mountains that close the background to the landscape of which it forms the central interest; and they seem to look down upon this work of man as one not unworthy of their guardianship."
The representation of physical beauty being with the Gothic carver subordinated to the purpose of enforcing the idea that the soul is superior to the body, and of illustrating the doctrine of the salvation of the soul by goodness of life, and the loss of the soul by evil life, it was necessary that beings and objects not beautiful should enter into his sculptured ornamental schemes. The evils that beset the lives and tempt the souls of men had to be in some way set forth, no less than the human virtues and the heavenly ideals. The unhappy lot of the wicked had to be figured as well as the felicities of the good. Hence figures which embody the mediæval notions of the monstrous and the grotesque are conspicuous elements in Gothic sculpture, especially after the beginning of the thirteenth century. The grotesque, in the finest Gothic art, while often apparently introduced in a playful spirit, had thus primarily a serious purpose.
The Romanesque imagery, consisting of fantastic creations of animal life which embodied distorted traditions of the Roman mythology, combined with forms originating in the rude imagination of the Northern races, was largely rejected by the early Gothic artists. The imaginary creatures which they sometimes introduced were, for the most part, confined to the symbolic animals of the Bible—such as those seen by St. John in the Apocalypse. But by degrees other imaginary creations were introduced, until finally, during the thirteenth century, the grotesque animal life of the Gothic edifice became even more extended in range than that of the richest Romanesque monuments had been, and an imaginary fauna was created, which, while it derived much from the older conceptions, embodied so much that was new as to constitute a distinctly Gothic class. This development grew primarily out of the old popular belief in the symbolic character of animals and imaginary creatures. As symbols of human qualities, both good and evil, these animals, real and imaginary, were now wrought, for encouragement and for warning, upon the stones of the sacred edifice. A further purpose of this fauna, as of the sculpture of the human figure and the flora with which it was associated, apparently was that the Gothic monument might present a compendious illustration of the known world of creation, imagination and faith.
A remarkable quality of the grotesque creations of Gothic art is the close and accurate observation of nature which they, no less than the images of real things, display. However fabulous the imagined creature may be, the materials out of which he is made are derived from nature, and manifest a keen appreciation of animal structure. Vertebra or claw, wing or beak, eye or nostril, throat or paw,—every anatomical member displays an intimate familiarity with real organic form and function, and an imaginative sense of its possible combinations in creative design. Take, for instance, those strange beasts, or terrible demons of the parapet of the Cathedral of Paris. Each of them seems animated with a living spirit, and has an almost startling appearance of reality. And besides this lifelikeness and functional truth, a highly ornamental play of lines, and a subtle elaboration of finely modelled surfaces, are shown in these grotesque forms. In the early and early mature periods they exhibit a noticeable restraint of posture and movement; extravagantly contorted forms and violent movements occur, for the most part, only in the decline of Gothic, when jaded sensibilities had ceased to appreciate the value of moderation in design.—Charles H. Moore: "Gothic Architecture."
In addition to Notre Dame at Paris, the churches of Rheims, Amiens, Rouen, Laon, Vézelay, Auxerre and the religious edifices throughout Poitou, Saintonge, Guyenne and Burgundy, and the borders of the Loire, in France are rich in examples of grotesque animal sculpture.
File name: 10_03_001566a
Binder label: Sewing Machines
Title: Simple, durable, complete, the White is king. 500,000 White machines now in use. (front)
Created/Published: Cleveland : W. J. Morgan & Co. Lith
Date issued: 1870-1900 (approximate)
Physical description: 1 print : chromolithograph ; 14 x 9 cm.
Subject: Cats; Sewing machines; Animals in human situations
Notes: Title from item. Item verso is blank.
Collection: 19th Century American Trade Cards
Location: Boston Public Library, Print Department
Rights: No known restrictions.
+++ DISCLAIMER +++
Nothing you see here is real, even though the conversion or the presented background story might be based historical facts. BEWARE!
Some background:
The Henschel Hs 123 was a single-seat biplane dive bomber and close-support attack aircraft flown by the German Luftwaffe during the Spanish Civil War and the early to midpoint of World War II. It proved to be robust, durable and effective especially in severe conditions.
The aircraft was designed to meet the 1933 dive bomber requirements for the reborn Luftwaffe. Both Henschel and rival Fieseler (with the Fi 98) competed for the production contract requirement, which specified a single-seat biplane dive bomber. The first prototype Hs 123, the Hs 123V1 was cleared for its maiden flight on 1 April 1935, and General Ernst Udet, a World War I ace, flew the first prototype on its first public demonstration flight on 8 May 1935. The first three Henschel prototypes, with the first and third powered by 485 kW (650 hp) BMW 132A-3 engines and the second by a 574 kW (770 hp) Wright Cyclone, were tested at Rechlin in August 1936. Only the first prototype had "smooth" cowlings; from that point on, all aircraft had a tightly-fitting cowling that included 18 fairings covering the engine valves.
The Henschel prototypes did away with bracing wires and although they looked slightly outdated with their single faired interplane struts and cantilever main landing gear legs attached to smaller (stub) lower wings, the Hs 123 featured an all-metal construction, clean lines and superior maneuverability. Its biplane wings were of a "sesquiplane" configuration, whereby the lower wings were significantly smaller than the top wings.
The overall performance of the Hs 123 V1 prototype prematurely eliminated any chance for the more conventional Fi 98, which was cancelled after a sole prototype had been constructed. During testing, the Hs 123 proved capable of pulling out of "near-vertical" dives; however, two prototypes subsequently crashed due to structural failures in the wings that occurred when the aircraft were tested in high-speed dives. The fourth prototype incorporated improvements to cure these problems; principally, stronger centre-section struts were fitted. After it had been successfully tested, the Hs 123 was ordered into production with an 656 kW (880 hp) BMW 132Dc engine.
The Hs 123 was intended to replace the Heinkel He 50 biplane reconnaissance and dive bomber as well as acting as a "stop-gap" measure until the Junkers Ju 87 became available. As such, production was limited and no upgrades were considered, and production of the type ended in October 1938 with around 250 aircraft in all series.
The Hs 123 was used in various conflict theatres, including the Spanish Civil War, the 2nd Sino-Japanese War and the invasions of Poland and Greece. Later, the Hs 123 took part in the North Africa campaign and the Eastern Front, where the machines were kept in service until literally none was left in servicable condition in 1944, and a few soldiered on in second line duties such as supply dropping and glider towing in 1945.
During the Afrika Korps' two-year campaign in North Africa, duties were dominated by the Siege of Tobruk in 1941, which lasted for over seven months. Together with the more modern and capable Ju 87, a handful of Hs 123s served during the Battle of Gazala and the First Battle of El Alamein, as well as during the decisive Second Battle of El Alamein, which drove Rommel back to Tunisia.
Outfitted with dust filters and adapted to nocturnal duties (e. g. with flame dampers on the exhausts and guns), the Hs 123s flew interdiction missions and primarily hunted for unarmored vehicles or outposts. As the tide turned and Allied air power grew in the autumn of 1942, the German attack aircraft became very vulnerable and losses were heavy.
The entry of the Americans into North Africa during Operation Torch made the situation far worse and the slow Hs 123s suffered heavy losses. Even the relatively new Ju 87 had become obsolete in what was now a fighter-bomber's war. The Bf 109 and Fw 190 could at least fight enemy fighters on equal terms after dropping their ordnance but the dive bombers could not, so that the HS 123 was completely retired from North Africa in early 1942 and the remaining machines sent to the Eastern Front.
General characteristics:
Crew: 1
Length: 8.33 m (27 ft 4 in)
Wingspan: 10.50 m (34 ft 5.5 in)
Height: 3.20 m (10 ft 6 in)
Wing area: 24.85 m² (267.49 ft²)
Empty weight: 1,500 kg (3,307 lb)
Loaded weight: 2,215 kg (4,884 lb)
Powerplant:
1× BMW 132Dc 9-cylinder radial engine, rated at 880 hp (656 kW)
Performance:
Maximum speed: 341 km/h (183 knots, 211 mph) at 1,200 m (3,900 ft)
Range: 860 km (463 nmi, 533 mi with drop tank; 480 km (298 mi) with 200 kg of bombs)
Service ceiling: 9,000 m (29,530 ft)
Rate of climb: 15 m/s (2,950 ft/min) at sea level
Armament:
2× 7.92 mm MG 17 machine guns with 400 RPG in the upper fuselage
Up to 450 kg (992 lb) of bombs (1x SC250 bomb under fuselage and 4x SC50 bombs
under wings), alternatively a 300l drop tank under the fuselage;
field modification of 2× 20 mm (0.79 in) MG FF cannon in underwing pods
The kit and its assembly:
A quick interim build; some time ago I had bought a cheap Airfix Hs 123 but had no clear plan for it. But in order to reduce the kit pile, I decided to take this one to the hardware stage.
When I delved into the Hs 123's history I was astonihsed that this tough little aircraft had not been deployed to North Africa, and so the idea of a tropicalized version was born.
Further inspiration came from a Ju 87 photo of the 1941 era which showed a Stuka in desert camouflage and roughly blackened undersides and distinctive side markings. That became the benchmark, together with the Luftwaffe's practice to use outdated types as night attackers.
Since no big conversion was planned, the Airfix kit (which is, despite some sink holes on the thick wing struts and fitting issues between the lower wings and the fuselage) turned out to be an easy build with IMHO good (raised, though) details - and the voluminous pilot figure conceals the lack of internal details.
Anyway, I made some minor changes/additions:
- For the night attacker role I added longer exhaust pipes (1mm iron wire) with flame dampers (styrene) on the flanks.
- A bigger carburetor fairing (with a dust filter) was added under the engine.
- Flaps lowered and some details like engine braces and wires added
- The machine received gun pods under the wings, instead of the four SC50 bombs. The optional podded MG FF (with 65 RPG) were a real world option, but I was not able to find material that shows the pods' shape, so I made my own. In this case the pods come from a Hawker Hurricane, but the barrels were scratched from styrene.
Painting and markings:
The more creative part. During the early stages of the Afrikafeldzug a lot of German verhicles still bore their standard livery - tanks and trucks were painted in Panzergrau and aircraft arrived in RLM 71/70/65 or, newer types, in RLM 74/75/76. Anyway, everything more or less unsuited for the new theatre of operations.
Consequently, many aircraft received improvised camouflage in field workshops, using any paint at hand: mostly Italian colors. Therefore, a huge number of German aircraft received individual paint schemes with 'Giallo Mimetico' (of which several tones existed, ranging from pale yellow to earth brown) and/or 'Verde Mimetico'. The yellow was frequently applied over the original camouflage, so that the original paint would be visible. The dedicated desert camouflage tone RLM 80 (Olivgrün) was already a frequent sight, as well as RLM 78 for the undersides, but the German sand tone RLM79 turned up relatively late, towards the end of the North Africa campaign.
My night attacker Hs 123 was to carry a typical improvised scheme on the upper sides: the type's standard RLM 70/71 splinter scheme with a low waterline was to be roughly painted over, with light green splotches added, while the original colors would here and there shine through.
The paintwork was built up accordingly with enamels and brushes. For the upper sides I used Humbrol 91 (Black Green) and Modelmaster 2081 (Dark Green), for the Italian extra colors I used Humbrol 237 (Sand) and Modelmaster 2149 (RAL 6003).
On the undersides, the finish was to represent the former RLM 65, but overpainted with flat black but well worn. The leading edges and some areas (e. g. under national markings) were primed with light blue (Modelmaster 2078), and then a coat of flat black was added (Revell acrylics). After drying, the lower surfaces were carefully and directionally wet-sanded, so that the blue came through again.
The national markings on the fuselage were painted over with thinned black acrylic paint, so that they remained barely visible. The typical white fuselage band for operations in the Mediterranean was also painted over on the sides and from below, so that only the dorsal quarter remained visible. The squadron code (T6) is actually there, but in very small black letters. The control letter for the aircraft's group beyond the yellow code color (a 'P') was left away - not an uncommon practice. The aircraft's individual code (the yellow D) would be the only clearly visible fuselage marking.
The squadron's emblem on the cowling comes from a Peddinghaus aftermarket sheet, placed on a dark green basis, and the crosses on the upper wings were placed on dark green squares, as if the new camouflage had been painted around these older markings.
Further overall weathering was achieved through light dry-brushing and some further wet-sanding, the raised surface details of this kit makes this method very effective. Once all decals were in place, partly covered and everything sealed with matt acrylic varnish, some gun and exhaust soot was added with grinded graphite. The overall result looks rather rotten, but the aforementioned picture of the Ju 87 night attacker just left this impression!
A quick build, realized in just two and a half days (plus the pictures, though, these took another two days), a nice weekend project. And even though not much was changed the fictional North Africa version appears pretty realistic – simple and effective.
More information, genuine customer reviews and ratings on
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Product Name: Durable Inflatable Slide
Product No: GI144
Size: 11mLx5mWx5.5mH
Pack: 80x80x130cm
Weight: 240kg
Material: 0.55mm PLATO PVC Tarpaulin
Cert: CE, SGS, En14960, En71
Feature: High Durability, High Tear Strength, Fade Proof, Flame Retardant M2/B1, Anti-Mildew Treatment, Excellent UV-Resistance, Cold Weather Resistance, Waterproof, Anti-Static, Heat-Insulation
Contact Site:http://www.pangoinflatable.com/
Not just fit and finish, Pango make a second blower tube and hide it if not use. We make the two tubes on different of the bouncer so that could fit the power location. Looking down the road you will find you need a second inflation tube. We want to make sure clients could use the bouncer convenient.
Stronger Baffles
Baffles that are secured by a 840 denier material that provides the MAXIMUM strength of the internal baffling of every inflatables. This material upgrade is unmatched by anyone else in the industry. This material is key to the overall durability of the products we sell.
D Ring Expose
Take a close look at the construction of the "d" rings in the products we sell. A tether system is only as strong as its weakest link. Tether points on the inflatable are extremely durable. The "d" ring tethering System have been laboratory-tested and certified by Professional Engineers for use on all giant slides and all other types of inflatables.
Vinyl（PVCTarpaulin） Expose
At Pango Inflatable, the only products we sell are constructed from the finest coated vinyl. Unlike other vinyl producers, the Coated Vinyl are Lead-Free in addition to meeting the EN71 test by SGS. Lead-Free vinyl are a standard that has been that way since day one. Exposure to lead is dangerous to children. The products Pango Inflatable sell are safe from the effects of lead. As for durability, the materials are a weft inserted substrate, which makes any possible rips virtually impossible.
No Wax Surfaces
We provide removable sliding surfaces for every slides we made, While other only provide the normal vinyl, Inflatable vinyl is not naturally slippery, therefore, waxing has become a normal preparation for getting a slide ready for use. The removable sliding surface found the on the products we sell is a high polished urethane coating, which in turn reduces the need to wax.
Zipper with Flaps
Unlike others, Pango Inflatable sells products that are easy to use. For example, the deflation zipper utilizes a Velcro flap that covers the zipper, thus, less air is lost and zippers are not exposed to abrasion or mischief.
Blower Tube Strap
While most manufacturers tie their blower inflation tubes to the blower system, however, the products Pango Inflatable sells, utilizes a universal sleeve with a cinching Velcro strap. One- handed operation keeps the tube securely attached to the blower system.
Liquid Laminator
DWe do the Digital Printing in our factory, unlike most factory here in China, they do the printing outside and could not control the delivery time and the quality. igitally printed graphics are one thing, keeping those beautiful images durable as well scratch and fade resistant is quite another. Every digital image used within an inflatable sold by Pango Inflatable is clear-coated with a special liquid laminate that is vulcanized to the vinyl surface.
Finger-Safe Netting
Most bouncer manufacturers use 1" or 2" netting. A child bouncing can easily catch their fingers in that size of netting, thus serious injuries can happen. Only the Pango Inflatable could provide netting that even a small child's finger cannot penetrate. Yet, the netting is still transparent enough to allow for easy viewing.
Removable Covers
Virtually every area that your customers step, slide or climb upon is on a replaceable & easily removable vinyl cover. From climbing stairs, to entrance tunnel sleeves to sliding surfaces, Pango Inflatable only sells products that are designed for high-volume traffic.
Safety Door on Bouncers
Worried about children possibly falling out of a bouncer? Don't be. We got 3 points of reinforcement on the entrance of the bouncer which make the entrance very strong. Also we add the step outside the entrance following the AU and USA standards of jumping castle.
On-Staff Engineering and Designing
We do reinforce stitching at the fixion of D-ring. Four stitching line will share the tension of the bouncer. This made the D-ring last much longer and stronger. Other factory use other design of the fixion, but will not good for the tension sharing. Could find the differnce in the attached photos.
Cushion Designs
We do cushion between the wall and the base. When the kids bounce on the bouncer this parts bear most of the pressure, so this new design will make this parts much more strong and safety, while other factory only stitch to the base.
+++ DISCLAIMER +++
Nothing you see here is real, even though the conversion or the presented background story might be based historical facts. BEWARE!
Some background:
The Henschel Hs 123 was a single-seat biplane dive bomber and close-support attack aircraft flown by the German Luftwaffe during the Spanish Civil War and the early to midpoint of World War II. It proved to be robust, durable and effective especially in severe conditions.
The aircraft was designed to meet the 1933 dive bomber requirements for the reborn Luftwaffe. Both Henschel and rival Fieseler (with the Fi 98) competed for the production contract requirement, which specified a single-seat biplane dive bomber. The first prototype Hs 123, the Hs 123V1 was cleared for its maiden flight on 1 April 1935, and General Ernst Udet, a World War I ace, flew the first prototype on its first public demonstration flight on 8 May 1935. The first three Henschel prototypes, with the first and third powered by 485 kW (650 hp) BMW 132A-3 engines and the second by a 574 kW (770 hp) Wright Cyclone, were tested at Rechlin in August 1936. Only the first prototype had "smooth" cowlings; from that point on, all aircraft had a tightly-fitting cowling that included 18 fairings covering the engine valves.
The Henschel prototypes did away with bracing wires and although they looked slightly outdated with their single faired interplane struts and cantilever main landing gear legs attached to smaller (stub) lower wings, the Hs 123 featured an all-metal construction, clean lines and superior maneuverability. Its biplane wings were of a "sesquiplane" configuration, whereby the lower wings were significantly smaller than the top wings.
The overall performance of the Hs 123 V1 prototype prematurely eliminated any chance for the more conventional Fi 98, which was cancelled after a sole prototype had been constructed. During testing, the Hs 123 proved capable of pulling out of "near-vertical" dives; however, two prototypes subsequently crashed due to structural failures in the wings that occurred when the aircraft were tested in high-speed dives. The fourth prototype incorporated improvements to cure these problems; principally, stronger centre-section struts were fitted. After it had been successfully tested, the Hs 123 was ordered into production with an 656 kW (880 hp) BMW 132Dc engine.
The Hs 123 was intended to replace the Heinkel He 50 biplane reconnaissance and dive bomber as well as acting as a "stop-gap" measure until the Junkers Ju 87 became available. As such, production was limited and no upgrades were considered, and production of the type ended in October 1938 with around 250 aircraft in all series.
The Hs 123 was used in various conflict theatres, including the Spanish Civil War, the 2nd Sino-Japanese War and the invasions of Poland and Greece. Later, the Hs 123 took part in the North Africa campaign and the Eastern Front, where the machines were kept in service until literally none was left in servicable condition in 1944, and a few soldiered on in second line duties such as supply dropping and glider towing in 1945.
During the Afrika Korps' two-year campaign in North Africa, duties were dominated by the Siege of Tobruk in 1941, which lasted for over seven months. Together with the more modern and capable Ju 87, a handful of Hs 123s served during the Battle of Gazala and the First Battle of El Alamein, as well as during the decisive Second Battle of El Alamein, which drove Rommel back to Tunisia.
Outfitted with dust filters and adapted to nocturnal duties (e. g. with flame dampers on the exhausts and guns), the Hs 123s flew interdiction missions and primarily hunted for unarmored vehicles or outposts. As the tide turned and Allied air power grew in the autumn of 1942, the German attack aircraft became very vulnerable and losses were heavy.
The entry of the Americans into North Africa during Operation Torch made the situation far worse and the slow Hs 123s suffered heavy losses. Even the relatively new Ju 87 had become obsolete in what was now a fighter-bomber's war. The Bf 109 and Fw 190 could at least fight enemy fighters on equal terms after dropping their ordnance but the dive bombers could not, so that the HS 123 was completely retired from North Africa in early 1942 and the remaining machines sent to the Eastern Front.
General characteristics:
Crew: 1
Length: 8.33 m (27 ft 4 in)
Wingspan: 10.50 m (34 ft 5.5 in)
Height: 3.20 m (10 ft 6 in)
Wing area: 24.85 m² (267.49 ft²)
Empty weight: 1,500 kg (3,307 lb)
Loaded weight: 2,215 kg (4,884 lb)
Powerplant:
1× BMW 132Dc 9-cylinder radial engine, rated at 880 hp (656 kW)
Performance:
Maximum speed: 341 km/h (183 knots, 211 mph) at 1,200 m (3,900 ft)
Range: 860 km (463 nmi, 533 mi with drop tank; 480 km (298 mi) with 200 kg of bombs)
Service ceiling: 9,000 m (29,530 ft)
Rate of climb: 15 m/s (2,950 ft/min) at sea level
Armament:
2× 7.92 mm MG 17 machine guns with 400 RPG in the upper fuselage
Up to 450 kg (992 lb) of bombs (1x SC250 bomb under fuselage and 4x SC50 bombs
under wings), alternatively a 300l drop tank under the fuselage;
field modification of 2× 20 mm (0.79 in) MG FF cannon in underwing pods
The kit and its assembly:
A quick interim build; some time ago I had bought a cheap Airfix Hs 123 but had no clear plan for it. But in order to reduce the kit pile, I decided to take this one to the hardware stage.
When I delved into the Hs 123's history I was astonihsed that this tough little aircraft had not been deployed to North Africa, and so the idea of a tropicalized version was born.
Further inspiration came from a Ju 87 photo of the 1941 era which showed a Stuka in desert camouflage and roughly blackened undersides and distinctive side markings. That became the benchmark, together with the Luftwaffe's practice to use outdated types as night attackers.
Since no big conversion was planned, the Airfix kit (which is, despite some sink holes on the thick wing struts and fitting issues between the lower wings and the fuselage) turned out to be an easy build with IMHO good (raised, though) details - and the voluminous pilot figure conceals the lack of internal details.
Anyway, I made some minor changes/additions:
- For the night attacker role I added longer exhaust pipes (1mm iron wire) with flame dampers (styrene) on the flanks.
- A bigger carburetor fairing (with a dust filter) was added under the engine.
- Flaps lowered and some details like engine braces and wires added
- The machine received gun pods under the wings, instead of the four SC50 bombs. The optional podded MG FF (with 65 RPG) were a real world option, but I was not able to find material that shows the pods' shape, so I made my own. In this case the pods come from a Hawker Hurricane, but the barrels were scratched from styrene.
Painting and markings:
The more creative part. During the early stages of the Afrikafeldzug a lot of German verhicles still bore their standard livery - tanks and trucks were painted in Panzergrau and aircraft arrived in RLM 71/70/65 or, newer types, in RLM 74/75/76. Anyway, everything more or less unsuited for the new theatre of operations.
Consequently, many aircraft received improvised camouflage in field workshops, using any paint at hand: mostly Italian colors. Therefore, a huge number of German aircraft received individual paint schemes with 'Giallo Mimetico' (of which several tones existed, ranging from pale yellow to earth brown) and/or 'Verde Mimetico'. The yellow was frequently applied over the original camouflage, so that the original paint would be visible. The dedicated desert camouflage tone RLM 80 (Olivgrün) was already a frequent sight, as well as RLM 78 for the undersides, but the German sand tone RLM79 turned up relatively late, towards the end of the North Africa campaign.
My night attacker Hs 123 was to carry a typical improvised scheme on the upper sides: the type's standard RLM 70/71 splinter scheme with a low waterline was to be roughly painted over, with light green splotches added, while the original colors would here and there shine through.
The paintwork was built up accordingly with enamels and brushes. For the upper sides I used Humbrol 91 (Black Green) and Modelmaster 2081 (Dark Green), for the Italian extra colors I used Humbrol 237 (Sand) and Modelmaster 2149 (RAL 6003).
On the undersides, the finish was to represent the former RLM 65, but overpainted with flat black but well worn. The leading edges and some areas (e. g. under national markings) were primed with light blue (Modelmaster 2078), and then a coat of flat black was added (Revell acrylics). After drying, the lower surfaces were carefully and directionally wet-sanded, so that the blue came through again.
The national markings on the fuselage were painted over with thinned black acrylic paint, so that they remained barely visible. The typical white fuselage band for operations in the Mediterranean was also painted over on the sides and from below, so that only the dorsal quarter remained visible. The squadron code (T6) is actually there, but in very small black letters. The control letter for the aircraft's group beyond the yellow code color (a 'P') was left away - not an uncommon practice. The aircraft's individual code (the yellow D) would be the only clearly visible fuselage marking.
The squadron's emblem on the cowling comes from a Peddinghaus aftermarket sheet, placed on a dark green basis, and the crosses on the upper wings were placed on dark green squares, as if the new camouflage had been painted around these older markings.
Further overall weathering was achieved through light dry-brushing and some further wet-sanding, the raised surface details of this kit makes this method very effective. Once all decals were in place, partly covered and everything sealed with matt acrylic varnish, some gun and exhaust soot was added with grinded graphite. The overall result looks rather rotten, but the aforementioned picture of the Ju 87 night attacker just left this impression!
A quick build, realized in just two and a half days (plus the pictures, though, these took another two days), a nice weekend project. And even though not much was changed the fictional North Africa version appears pretty realistic – simple and effective.
Product Name: inflatable bouncer suppliers
Product No: GB496
Size: 5mL×4mW×4mH
Pack: 132×96×96 (cm)
Weight: 137kg
Material: 0.55mm PLATO PVC Tarpaulin
Cert: CE, SGS, En14960, En71
Feature: High Durability, High Tear Strength, Fade Proof, Flame Retardant M2/B1, Anti-Mildew Treatment, Excellent UV-Resistance, Cold Weather Resistance, Waterproof, Anti-Static, Heat-Insulation
Not just fit and finish, Pango make a second blower tube and hide it if not use. We make the two tubes on different of the bouncer so that could fit the power location. Looking down the road you will find you need a second inflation tube. We want to make sure clients could use the bouncer convenient.
Stronger Baffles
Baffles that are secured by a 840 denier material that provides the MAXIMUM strength of the internal baffling of every inflatables. This material upgrade is unmatched by anyone else in the industry. This material is key to the overall durability of the products we sell.
D Ring Expose
Take a close look at the construction of the "d" rings in the products we sell. A tether system is only as strong as its weakest link. Tether points on the inflatable are extremely durable. The "d" ring tethering System have been laboratory-tested and certified by Professional Engineers for use on all giant slides and all other types of inflatables.
Vinyl（PVCTarpaulin） Expose
At Pango Inflatable, the only products we sell are constructed from the finest coated vinyl. Unlike other vinyl producers, the Coated Vinyl are Lead-Free in addition to meeting the EN71 test by SGS. Lead-Free vinyl are a standard that has been that way since day one. Exposure to lead is dangerous to children. The products Pango Inflatable sell are safe from the effects of lead. As for durability, the materials are a weft inserted substrate, which makes any possible rips virtually impossible.
No Wax Surfaces
We provide removable sliding surfaces for every slides we made, While other only provide the normal vinyl, Inflatable vinyl is not naturally slippery, therefore, waxing has become a normal preparation for getting a slide ready for use. The removable sliding surface found the on the products we sell is a high polished urethane coating, which in turn reduces the need to wax.
Zipper with Flaps
Unlike others, Pango Inflatable sells products that are easy to use. For example, the deflation zipper utilizes a Velcro flap that covers the zipper, thus, less air is lost and zippers are not exposed to abrasion or mischief.
Blower Tube Strap
While most manufacturers tie their blower inflation tubes to the blower system, however, the products Pango Inflatable sells, utilizes a universal sleeve with a cinching Velcro strap. One- handed operation keeps the tube securely attached to the blower system.
Liquid Laminator
DWe do the Digital Printing in our factory, unlike most factory here in China, they do the printing outside and could not control the delivery time and the quality. igitally printed graphics are one thing, keeping those beautiful images durable as well scratch and fade resistant is quite another. Every digital image used within an inflatable sold by Pango Inflatable is clear-coated with a special liquid laminate that is vulcanized to the vinyl surface.
Finger-Safe Netting
Most bouncer manufacturers use 1" or 2" netting. A child bouncing can easily catch their fingers in that size of netting, thus serious injuries can happen. Only the Pango Inflatable could provide netting that even a small child's finger cannot penetrate. Yet, the netting is still transparent enough to allow for easy viewing.
Removable Covers
Virtually every area that your customers step, slide or climb upon is on a replaceable & easily removable vinyl cover. From climbing stairs, to entrance tunnel sleeves to sliding surfaces, Pango Inflatable only sells products that are designed for high-volume traffic.
Safety Door on Bouncers
Worried about children possibly falling out of a bouncer? Don't be. We got 3 points of reinforcement on the entrance of the bouncer which make the entrance very strong. Also we add the step outside the entrance following the AU and USA standards of jumping castle.
On-Staff Engineering and Designing
We do reinforce stitching at the fixion of D-ring. Four stitching line will share the tension of the bouncer. This made the D-ring last much longer and stronger. Other factory use other design of the fixion, but will not good for the tension sharing. Could find the differnce in the attached photos.
Cushion Designs
We do cushion between the wall and the base. When the kids bounce on the bouncer this parts bear most of the pressure, so this new design will make this parts much more strong and safety, while other factory only stitch to the base.
Contact Site:http://www.pangoinflatable.com/
For those not familiar with this device it is called a urinal. These are guy things. If this is original to the building it is at least 85 years old; still standing proud and serving. Rumor has it that some urinals found in some Woman Marine barracks were used as flower pots.
FiberCraft EF provides an environmentally friendly, durable envelope and packaging solution. FiberCraft EF envelopes are made from 76% recycled paper and 68% post-consumer content, which means they provide the protection your apparel and other items need while maintaining your environmental agenda. Sizes include: 6 x 9, 6 1/2 x 9 1/2, 7 1/2 x 10 1/2, 9 x 12, 9 1/2 x 12 1/2, 10 x 13, 10 x 15, 11 1/2 x 14 1/2, and 12 x 15 1/2. All can be custom printed with up to 4 colors in 2 weeks or less.
The idea behind creation of Grand Seiko in the late 1950’s was very simple. The design team aimed at perfection in all the essential features of a watch: accuracy, durability, legibility and the highest possible quality. This ethos continues in Grand Seiko today.
File name: 10_03_001436c
Binder label: Sewing Machines
Title: Wheeler & Wilson's new high-arm family sewing machine, just produced. Is superior to all others in ease, rapidity and precision of action. Uniformity of tension, simplicity and durability. Elegance of design. (back)
Created/Published: Cleveland, O. [i. e., Ohio] : Johns & Co.
Date issued: 1870-1900 (approximate)
Physical description: 1 print : lithograph ; 10 x 16 cm.
Genre: Advertising cards
Subject: Sewing machines
Notes: Title from item.
Collection: 19th Century American Trade Cards
Location: Boston Public Library, Print Department
Rights: No known restrictions.
As durable as ever, the Barricade is now even lighter and more breathable. These men's tennis shoes are made with a tough ADIWEAR™ 6 outsole and feature stability claws that keep you moving with lightning-fast speed and precision.
-Synthetic upper with grid mesh overlay for ultimate stability, durability and breathability
-Stability claws for quick cuts and fast footwork
-ADIPRENE®+ in the forefoot maintains propulsion and efficiency
-TORSION® provides adaptive midfoot support
-ADIPRENE® under the heel for superior cushioning at impact; miCoach compatible
-ADIWEAR™ 6 outsole offers the ultimate in high-wear durability
-ADIPOWER
Simple, durable, comfortable and above all reasonably priced. These are the best boots to come off an assembly line. At 13" they're tall enough not to be a stupid elf shoe and the 3" heels are good for walking or riding.
Too bad they don't make them any more.
Copyright: © 2013- RV31
All Rights Reserved. Please don't use this image on websites, blogs or other media without my explicit permission.
Product Name: Inflatable Boat
Product No: GT125
Size: 200cmLx100cmL
Pack: 35x35x100 cm
Weight: 11kg
Material: 0.9mm PLATO PVC Tarpaulin
Cert: CE,EN14960,EN71
Feature: High Durability, High Tear Strength, Fade Proof, Flame Retardant M2/B1, Anti-Mildew Treatment, Excellent UV-Resistance, Cold Weather Resistance, Waterproof, Anti-Static, Heat-Insulation
Not just fit and finish, Pango make a second blower tube and hide it if not use. We make the two tubes on different of the bouncer so that could fit the power location. Looking down the road you will find you need a second inflation tube. We want to make sure clients could use the bouncer convenient.
Stronger Baffles
Baffles that are secured by a 840 denier material that provides the MAXIMUM strength of the internal baffling of every inflatables. This material upgrade is unmatched by anyone else in the industry. This material is key to the overall durability of the products we sell.
D Ring Expose
Take a close look at the construction of the "d" rings in the products we sell. A tether system is only as strong as its weakest link. Tether points on the inflatable are extremely durable. The "d" ring tethering System have been laboratory-tested and certified by Professional Engineers for use on all giant slides and all other types of inflatables.
Vinyl（PVCTarpaulin） Expose
At Pango Inflatable, the only products we sell are constructed from the finest coated vinyl. Unlike other vinyl producers, the Coated Vinyl are Lead-Free in addition to meeting the EN71 test by SGS. Lead-Free vinyl are a standard that has been that way since day one. Exposure to lead is dangerous to children. The products Pango Inflatable sell are safe from the effects of lead. As for durability, the materials are a weft inserted substrate, which makes any possible rips virtually impossible.
No Wax Surfaces
We provide removable sliding surfaces for every slides we made, While other only provide the normal vinyl, Inflatable vinyl is not naturally slippery, therefore, waxing has become a normal preparation for getting a slide ready for use. The removable sliding surface found the on the products we sell is a high polished urethane coating, which in turn reduces the need to wax.
Zipper with Flaps
Unlike others, Pango Inflatable sells products that are easy to use. For example, the deflation zipper utilizes a Velcro flap that covers the zipper, thus, less air is lost and zippers are not exposed to abrasion or mischief.
Blower Tube Strap
While most manufacturers tie their blower inflation tubes to the blower system, however, the products Pango Inflatable sells, utilizes a universal sleeve with a cinching Velcro strap. One- handed operation keeps the tube securely attached to the blower system.
Liquid Laminator
DWe do the Digital Printing in our factory, unlike most factory here in China, they do the printing outside and could not control the delivery time and the quality. igitally printed graphics are one thing, keeping those beautiful images durable as well scratch and fade resistant is quite another. Every digital image used within an inflatable sold by Pango Inflatable is clear-coated with a special liquid laminate that is vulcanized to the vinyl surface.
Finger-Safe Netting
Most bouncer manufacturers use 1" or 2" netting. A child bouncing can easily catch their fingers in that size of netting, thus serious injuries can happen. Only the Pango Inflatable could provide netting that even a small child's finger cannot penetrate. Yet, the netting is still transparent enough to allow for easy viewing.
Removable Covers
Virtually every area that your customers step, slide or climb upon is on a replaceable & easily removable vinyl cover. From climbing stairs, to entrance tunnel sleeves to sliding surfaces, Pango Inflatable only sells products that are designed for high-volume traffic.
Safety Door on Bouncers
Worried about children possibly falling out of a bouncer? Don't be. We got 3 points of reinforcement on the entrance of the bouncer which make the entrance very strong. Also we add the step outside the entrance following the AU and USA standards of jumping castle.
On-Staff Engineering and Designing
We do reinforce stitching at the fixion of D-ring. Four stitching line will share the tension of the bouncer. This made the D-ring last much longer and stronger. Other factory use other design of the fixion, but will not good for the tension sharing. Could find the differnce in the attached photos.
Cushion Designs
We do cushion between the wall and the base. When the kids bounce on the bouncer this parts bear most of the pressure, so this new design will make this parts much more strong and safety, while other factory only stitch to the base.
Contact Site:http://www.pangoinflatable.com/
Durable foam construction protects to Nexus 4 and other items and prevents them from rattling and shaking on bumpy commute. Openings to the bottom of both slots let route the device charge cable through, for charging Nexus 4 while in the Cell-Cup.
PRODUCT INFORMATION IN DETAIL
Features:
•Fits standard cup holders in your car or home.
•It can hold almost all popular smartphones.
•It has two slots for two smartphones, one for pen and other for small accessory.
•It can be moved from vehicle to vehicle.
•This is a great for small or loose items.
•CommuteMate Cell Cup can be used in cars, boats and RVs.
•This cup has a holes in the bottom provide easy access for charger cords.
Specification:
•Type: CommuteMate Cell Cup.
•Manufacturer: Heininger Automotive.
Price: $6.95
Don’t forget to check more Nexus 4 Vehicle Mounts on www.fommy.com/accessories.php?make=Google&model=Googl...
Product Name: Bouncer Houses Combination
Product No: GB485
Size: 6mLx5mWx3mH
Pack: 104x86x86 cm
Weight: 139kg
Material: 0.55mm PLATO PVC Tarpaulin
Cert: CE, SGS, En14960, En71
Feature: High Durability, High Tear Strength, Fade Proof, Flame Retardant M2/B1, Anti-Mildew Treatment, Excellent UV-Resistance, Cold Weather Resistance, Waterproof, Anti-Static, Heat-Insulation
Contact Site:http://www.pangoinflatable.com/
Not just fit and finish, Pango make a second blower tube and hide it if not use. We make the two tubes on different of the bouncer so that could fit the power location. Looking down the road you will find you need a second inflation tube. We want to make sure clients could use the bouncer convenient.
Stronger Baffles
Baffles that are secured by a 840 denier material that provides the MAXIMUM strength of the internal baffling of every inflatables. This material upgrade is unmatched by anyone else in the industry. This material is key to the overall durability of the products we sell.
D Ring Expose
Take a close look at the construction of the "d" rings in the products we sell. A tether system is only as strong as its weakest link. Tether points on the inflatable are extremely durable. The "d" ring tethering System have been laboratory-tested and certified by Professional Engineers for use on all giant slides and all other types of inflatables.
Vinyl（PVCTarpaulin） Expose
At Pango Inflatable, the only products we sell are constructed from the finest coated vinyl. Unlike other vinyl producers, the Coated Vinyl are Lead-Free in addition to meeting the EN71 test by SGS. Lead-Free vinyl are a standard that has been that way since day one. Exposure to lead is dangerous to children. The products Pango Inflatable sell are safe from the effects of lead. As for durability, the materials are a weft inserted substrate, which makes any possible rips virtually impossible.
No Wax Surfaces
We provide removable sliding surfaces for every slides we made, While other only provide the normal vinyl, Inflatable vinyl is not naturally slippery, therefore, waxing has become a normal preparation for getting a slide ready for use. The removable sliding surface found the on the products we sell is a high polished urethane coating, which in turn reduces the need to wax.
Zipper with Flaps
Unlike others, Pango Inflatable sells products that are easy to use. For example, the deflation zipper utilizes a Velcro flap that covers the zipper, thus, less air is lost and zippers are not exposed to abrasion or mischief.
Blower Tube Strap
While most manufacturers tie their blower inflation tubes to the blower system, however, the products Pango Inflatable sells, utilizes a universal sleeve with a cinching Velcro strap. One- handed operation keeps the tube securely attached to the blower system.
Liquid Laminator
DWe do the Digital Printing in our factory, unlike most factory here in China, they do the printing outside and could not control the delivery time and the quality. igitally printed graphics are one thing, keeping those beautiful images durable as well scratch and fade resistant is quite another. Every digital image used within an inflatable sold by Pango Inflatable is clear-coated with a special liquid laminate that is vulcanized to the vinyl surface.
Finger-Safe Netting
Most bouncer manufacturers use 1" or 2" netting. A child bouncing can easily catch their fingers in that size of netting, thus serious injuries can happen. Only the Pango Inflatable could provide netting that even a small child's finger cannot penetrate. Yet, the netting is still transparent enough to allow for easy viewing.
Removable Covers
Virtually every area that your customers step, slide or climb upon is on a replaceable & easily removable vinyl cover. From climbing stairs, to entrance tunnel sleeves to sliding surfaces, Pango Inflatable only sells products that are designed for high-volume traffic.
Safety Door on Bouncers
Worried about children possibly falling out of a bouncer? Don't be. We got 3 points of reinforcement on the entrance of the bouncer which make the entrance very strong. Also we add the step outside the entrance following the AU and USA standards of jumping castle.
On-Staff Engineering and Designing
We do reinforce stitching at the fixion of D-ring. Four stitching line will share the tension of the bouncer. This made the D-ring last much longer and stronger. Other factory use other design of the fixion, but will not good for the tension sharing. Could find the differnce in the attached photos.
Cushion Designs
We do cushion between the wall and the base. When the kids bounce on the bouncer this parts bear most of the pressure, so this new design will make this parts much more strong and safety, while other factory only stitch to the base.
The Durable Group of companies was based at Cyclops Wharf, offering transport, travel, freight services, insulation, warehousing and asphalt. The Durable Warehousing Co Ltd sold Cyclops Wharf in 1986 in a deal that appears to have been in some way connected with money from the November 1983 Brink's-MAT robbery at Heathrow. Cyclops Wharf is now (according to an estate agents) "a beautiful riverside complex located on the western side of the Isle of Dogs, tucked off of Westferry Road. Built in 1986 it offers 180 luxury apartments and 24 mews style houses." It has a private entrance just south of Claude St.
Cyclops Wharf was first developed in the 1860s to make steam engines and other machinery by Edward Powys who build the Cyclops Foundry there. With an adjoining site to the south it was acquired by Edward Le Bas & Company. The Le Bas Tube Co based there, according to Grace's Guide were listed in Dun & Bradstreet Key British Enterprises in 1961 as "Manufacturers and distributors of malleable iron tube fittings and castings, pipe screwing machines, P.V.C. fittings and valves, fabricated pipework, bicycle parking equipment. The distribution of gas list and precision and other steel tubes. 270 employees."
Product Name: Durable Inflatable Pool
Product No: GP051
Size: Φ6m×1mH
Pack: 0.8m×0.8m×1.4m
Weight: 80kg
Material: PVC Tarpaulin
Cert: CE,EN14960,EN71
Feature: High Durability, High Tear Strength, Fade Proof, Flame Retardant M2/B1, Anti-Mildew Treatment, Excellent UV-Resistance, Cold Weather Resistance, Waterproof, Anti-Static, Heat-Insulation, Blackout, Shrink- Resistant, Fluorescent, Other.
Not just fit and finish, Pango make a second blower tube and hide it if not use. We make the two tubes on different of the bouncer so that could fit the power location. Looking down the road you will find you need a second inflation tube. We want to make sure clients could use the bouncer convenient.
Stronger Baffles
Baffles that are secured by a 840 denier material that provides the MAXIMUM strength of the internal baffling of every inflatables. This material upgrade is unmatched by anyone else in the industry. This material is key to the overall durability of the products we sell.
D Ring Expose
Take a close look at the construction of the "d" rings in the products we sell. A tether system is only as strong as its weakest link. Tether points on the inflatable are extremely durable. The "d" ring tethering System have been laboratory-tested and certified by Professional Engineers for use on all giant slides and all other types of inflatables.
Vinyl（PVCTarpaulin） Expose
At Pango Inflatable, the only products we sell are constructed from the finest coated vinyl. Unlike other vinyl producers, the Coated Vinyl are Lead-Free in addition to meeting the EN71 test by SGS. Lead-Free vinyl are a standard that has been that way since day one. Exposure to lead is dangerous to children. The products Pango Inflatable sell are safe from the effects of lead. As for durability, the materials are a weft inserted substrate, which makes any possible rips virtually impossible.
No Wax Surfaces
We provide removable sliding surfaces for every slides we made, While other only provide the normal vinyl, Inflatable vinyl is not naturally slippery, therefore, waxing has become a normal preparation for getting a slide ready for use. The removable sliding surface found the on the products we sell is a high polished urethane coating, which in turn reduces the need to wax.
Zipper with Flaps
Unlike others, Pango Inflatable sells products that are easy to use. For example, the deflation zipper utilizes a Velcro flap that covers the zipper, thus, less air is lost and zippers are not exposed to abrasion or mischief.
Blower Tube Strap
While most manufacturers tie their blower inflation tubes to the blower system, however, the products Pango Inflatable sells, utilizes a universal sleeve with a cinching Velcro strap. One- handed operation keeps the tube securely attached to the blower system.
Liquid Laminator
DWe do the Digital Printing in our factory, unlike most factory here in China, they do the printing outside and could not control the delivery time and the quality. igitally printed graphics are one thing, keeping those beautiful images durable as well scratch and fade resistant is quite another. Every digital image used within an inflatable sold by Pango Inflatable is clear-coated with a special liquid laminate that is vulcanized to the vinyl surface.
Finger-Safe Netting
Most bouncer manufacturers use 1" or 2" netting. A child bouncing can easily catch their fingers in that size of netting, thus serious injuries can happen. Only the Pango Inflatable could provide netting that even a small child's finger cannot penetrate. Yet, the netting is still transparent enough to allow for easy viewing.
Removable Covers
Virtually every area that your customers step, slide or climb upon is on a replaceable & easily removable vinyl cover. From climbing stairs, to entrance tunnel sleeves to sliding surfaces, Pango Inflatable only sells products that are designed for high-volume traffic.
Safety Door on Bouncers
Worried about children possibly falling out of a bouncer? Don't be. We got 3 points of reinforcement on the entrance of the bouncer which make the entrance very strong. Also we add the step outside the entrance following the AU and USA standards of jumping castle.
On-Staff Engineering and Designing
We do reinforce stitching at the fixion of D-ring. Four stitching line will share the tension of the bouncer. This made the D-ring last much longer and stronger. Other factory use other design of the fixion, but will not good for the tension sharing. Could find the differnce in the attached photos.
Cushion Designs
We do cushion between the wall and the base. When the kids bounce on the bouncer this parts bear most of the pressure, so this new design will make this parts much more strong and safety, while other factory only stitch to the base.
Contact Site:http://www.pangoinflatable.com/