Watersports in the Islands round Scotland

Watersports in the Islands around Scotland

Scotland is famous for its watersports. Sailing in the West Coast or Powerboating in Loch Lomond - there is always much wildlife to see and things do and photograph from the boat.
This weekend saw boat owners all along the Clyde coast preparing their craft for the annual used boat show - it is also the start of the Wave Classic on the Hebridean island of Tiree.

The Tiree Wave Classic has become an annual fixture for sailors more used to the tropical climes of Hawaii. The island's surf-swept beaches, combined with autumn storms sweeping the Atlantic, produce perfect conditions for this spectacular winsurfing competition.
Known as the "land below the waves", Tiree's lack of hills allows the wind to blow uninterrupted while its beautiful sandy beaches are directly exposed to the Atlantic waves.

Yours Aye

Gordon Flavell

www.flavell.com

Supporting Scottish tourism and wildlife

Oban and District

Oban in Argyll is the gateway to the Western Isles of scotland.

The islands of Scotland are some of the most enchanting places on earth. Even the tiniest of them has its own individual character and charm. Dramatic sunsets, spectacular scenery and a traditional Scottish island welcome are just a few of the things that await you. Whether you visit one island or island-hop round a few, we invite you to find your perfect island with Caledonian MacBrayne.

Although the town is most famous for the Caledonian McBrayne ferry which carries visitors and locals alike to the wonders of the Isles of Mull, Islay and beyond , the town and surrounding areas are particularly scenic and historic.

I enjoy my journeys to the local area as there are so many different places to see. Loch Awe and Loch Etive on the road to the east and Tyndrum. Inveraray on Loch Fyneon the road south.

In Oban I particularly like the walk up the hill to McCaigs Tower and also Pulpitt hill which overlooks the fishing harbour and ferry terminal. If you enjoy fine whisky don't forget the visit to the distillery in the middle of the town. Enjoy the cafes, shops and fresh fish stalls near the seafront. Dunstaffnage castle and marina is just outside the town and is worth a visit. Cross Connel bridge on the way to Port Appin and the Isle of Lismore.

Our Oban Callendar is one of a range of local Argyll and Bute stationery all available in the town and surrounding area.

Enjoy your visit

Yours Aye

Gordon Flavell

www.flavell.com

Linlithgow Palace West Lothian

A year in Linlithgow, West Lothian

Interesting places in Linlithgow - this is the statue of the green man in the Rose Garden beside Linlithgow Palace - an excellant plae to start your tour of Linlithgow

A small selection of the many places and opportunities that may interest you to include in your customised tour of Linlithgow

Linlithgow Palace the birth place of Mary Queen of Scots.
Union Canal , experience a leisurely cruise into the Royal Burgh.
Gain an insight to the amazing Life of Mary Queen of Scots.
Linlithgow Story Museum, experienced Linlithgow's excellent Museum.
Scottish Garden Rigg, appreciate, and walk through, the wonderful garden
Linlithgow Loch, enjoy the view and feed the Royal Swans.
St.Michaels Church,appreciate the wonderful interior of this magnificent Church.
Canal Museum, visit the only one in Scotland at the Manse Road Canal Basin.
See and hear about the towns Doo'cot, Provost's Lamp and Cross Well.
Find out why the locals are proud to be called 'Black Bitches'.
Visit the site of the first 'gun murder' in Scotland.


See them all in the Linlithgow Calendar for 2007 photographed by Gordon Flavell

If you have time to enjoy your visit why not also go and see the Falkirk Wheel

Good luck

Gordon Flavell
www.flavell.com

North Berwick

North Berwick

A Royal Burgh in East Lothian. The name North Berwick means North 'barley farmstead'. Bere in Old English means 'barley' and wic in Old English is 'farmstead'.

The word North was applied to distinguish this Berwick from Berwick-upon-Tweed, which throughout the Middle Ages the Scots called South Berwick. It was recorded as Northberwyk in 1250

A very pleasant and tranquil town not far from Edinburgh. A splendid beach, an interesting and sometimes challenging links golf course and now with its own immensely popular visitor attraction, the Scottish Seabird Centre.

North Berwick also boasts a famous island - the Bass Rock and a castle near by - Tantallon

I have enjoyed visiting North Berwick for many years and am pleased to have produced the North Berwick calendar for 2007.

The North Berwick calendar is one of a series of Scottish calendars which can be personalised for business, cub and association promotions

Yours Aye

Gordon Flavell

www.flavell.om

Linlithgow, West Lothian

The ancient burgh town of Linlithgow in West Lothian

It is well worth taking the opportunity to look round Linlithgow - a special place with its own loch, palace, canal and museum. Walk along the old Linlithgow high street and visit the local independent shops, pubs and restaurants.

Find out about the story of Linlithgow and its growth during the reigns of the Stewart kings of Scotland . Learn about the early trades of the town and something of the life of the towns people.

Explore the extensive terraced garden at the museum or walk through the peel at Linlithgow palace. See the views across Linlithgow town to the historic St Michaels Church dedicated as early as 1242 and the imposing Linlithgow Palace, birthplace, in 1542, of Mary, Queen of Scots.

Get your own 2007 Linlithgow Calendar and Linlithgow Notebooks and Stationery

Take a guided tour with Linlithgow Tours - this is what they offer

Linlithgow Cross and Palace Tour
A walking tour highlighting the historic sites around the Town Hall , Kirkgate , St.Michaels Church and Linlithgow Palace , the Birth Place of Mary Queen of Scots.

Historical Linlithgow Tour
Includes a visit to Linlithgow Story at Annet House, the garden riggs, the site of the first 'Gun Murder' in Scotland and the back ‘wynds’ of the Royal Burgh.

Linlithgow Canal Sail and Walking Combined Tour
Cruise into the town along the Union Canal on board the St.Magdalene or Victoria , visit the Canal Museum, and check out the Royal DooÂ’cot. Walk along the back wynds, visit Linlithgow Story Museum , view Linlithgow Loch, Linlithgow Palace and St Michaels Church and much more.

Good Luck
Yours Aye

Gordon Flavell

www.flavell.com

Souvenir memories of your visit to Scotland

Battle of Falkirk

Falkirk has been the venue of at least three famous battles through the ages

The Monument to the Battle of Falkirk

If you walk from the Forth and Clyde canal near the Falkirk Wheel towards the High Park and then along to the spot you will be standing where the Jacobites under Bonnie Prince Charlie had their last victory over the English forces.

Imagine the battle as it raged in desperate weather on that January day in 1746.

The first battle took place many years earlier in 1298. Wallace spurred on by his success at Stirling Bridge encountered a hugely enlarged English army under Edward 1st. They met near Callendar Wood. Wallace had the advantage of the high ground but was outnumbered and retreated.

Visit Falkirk centrally situated in the Forth Valley where geography meets history.

Gordon Flavell
www.flavell.com

located in Grangemouth, Falkirk

Photographers, Designers and Printers of fine Cards and Calendars

Falkirk Steeple, High Street, Falkirk

Falkirk Town Centre

Take the Falkirk town trail and follow in the footsteps of famous people through the ages.

Make sure you visit Falkirk Steeple - the focal point of the town stridently positioned in the middle of the High Street. Falkirk Steeple is near the market cross and town well.
Flanked now by a shoppers paradise including the Howgate Shopping Centre.

As you stroll through the warm, covered areas of the Howgate imagine the original narrow insanitary streets, the overcrowded buildings and the long, cold days which the craftsmen had to endure during the industrial ages.

Look for streets with names such as Cow Wynd, Bean Row, Kings Court, and the Tattie Kirk.

The original church (kirk) had a tiled (faw) roof which reputedly gave its name to the town - Faw - Kirk which became Falkirk. Look for the seven hundred year old graves within the Parish Church grounds some even from the 1st battle of Falkirk.

Pass the floral clock, the town hall and walk out to Dollar Park and the views along the Forth and Clyde canal.

Find about Callendar House and Callendar Park on the outskirts of Falkirk

Yours Aye

Gordon Flavell

www.flavell.com

Designing and Printing in Falkirk for over 30 years

Look out for Falkirk souvenirs and Calendars

Callendar House and Callendar Park Falkirk

Callendar House and Park, Falkirk

Spend a day exploring the spectacular park at Callendar House in Falkirk. Go in the spring and admire the daffodils which cover the estate or wait until the summer and see the planted borders.

Walk through parkland around the lake - watch the ducks and the swans. Watch out for the remains of Antonines wall. Take time to walk through the wooded paths.

The house thankfully saved from ruin by an enlightened Falkirk council is now a living museum. Meet the residents of a bygone age still in their period costume.

Extensive play areas for the children and incredible festival atmosphere on one of the special Big in Falkirk days.

Thisn is what Falkirk Council have to say

Welcome to the unique experience, which is Callendar House. Open the door and explore six hundred years of Scottish history.
Callendar House has many stories to tell and secrets to share. Enjoy a tour of one of Scotland's finest country houses. Marvel at the magnificent ceiling of the Cromwell stair and gaze at the impressive Morning and Drawing Rooms.


Enjoy your day out in Callendar Park and make sure to visit Callendar House

Yours Aye

Gordon Flavell

www.flavell.com

The home of Falkirk calendars notebooks pads and stationery

The Falkirk Wheel

Falkirk District and The Falkirk Wheel

Falkirk a traditional market town strategically placed in the centre of Scotland. Stangely, Falkirk has been at the forefront of Scottish history for over two thousand years.

Invaded by Picts, habited by Romans, protected by Bravehearts, inspired by Industrialists and visited by Jacobites. Falkirk is an interesting and intriguing place and a good place to start our Scottish journey.

So this will be the first of a series of stories and interesting facts on some of the areas for which we produce cards, calendars and notebooks.

Starting off with The Falkirk wheel which according to British waterways -
The Falkirk Wheel is the spectacular centrepiece of the £84.5 million ‘Millennium Link', the UK’s largest canal restoration project, developed by British Waterways to reconnect the Union Canal with the Forth & Clyde Canal, re-establishing east to west coast access for boats.

Apart from being an engineering and design wonder, The Falkirk Wheel is a great day out. From the stunning Visitor Centre and basin, set at the heart of a natural amphitheatre of landscaped grounds, you can view the revolution of The Wheel or go for a stroll to see it from all angles.

Enjoy your Scotland

Yours Aye

Gordon Flavell
www.flavell.com

Images and Photographs from Scotland

Tarbert, Loch Fyne Scotland

Tarbert, Loch Fyne, is an unusual and beautiful Scottish seaside town ideally situated at the northernmost tip of the peninsula of Kintyre. It is also ideally situated to travel north to Oban and Argyll.

I like the welcoming natural harbour which for some reason is very uncommon in and around Scotland. Tarbert, Loch Fyne is also famous for its castle that overlooks the harbour. The photograph above from the Flavell selection of Pocket Notebooks was taken from the Castle.

The town still has its own small fishing fleet and is renowned for some of the finest seafood on the west coast of Scotland. Look out for some of the fishermen near the harbour. Visit the galleries and small shops in the harbour.

The weather was perfect as we motor sailed the clear waters of Loch Fyne which is only an hour or so by RIB from the mainland Clyde Coast. There are excellant pontoons and moorings which are very popular in the summer.

On a good day you can sail over to Arran or further west towards to Gigha, Islay, Jura. If you are travelling by car there are ferry points across Kintyre which give access to the western islands.

Yours Aye

Gordon Flavell

www.flavell.com

Great scenery and Great weather too

Scotland home of great scenery and now great weather as well.

A Met Office spokesman said of Scottish weather this week: "The country is absolutely cooking at the moment. Parts of Scotland are right up there with any of the top holiday spots you can think of. And it's only going to get hotter over the next few days. We are on course for the hottest July ever."

This is just ideal weather to take photographs for our new Scottish calendars for next year. The weather on the East coast was ideal as you can see rom this photo of Arbroath harbour - an ideal spot to spend some time visiting.

Arbroath is on the road north from Dundee on the way to Aberdeen and is famous for it's ruined cathedral and of course the Arbroath smokies.

Yours Aye

Gordon Flavell

www.flavell.com

Scottish Islands and Beaches

Looking towards the Isle of Arran in the River Clyde

Another great beach with another great view.

This photograph is taken from the dunes in Irvine Bay overlooking the long sandy beach in the industrial yet picturesque new town of Irvine in Ayrshire.

Home of the Scottish Maritime Museum with some fine traditional new build architecture in the old town. Hosts an annual boat jumble for sailors and fishermen alike.

Boasts two excellant centres - the Magnum Leisure centre and the Riverside shopping centre, arguably the largest in Ayrshire.

Home for a time to Scotland's national poet Robert Burns whose legacy continues with the Irvine Burns Club.

The beautiful Isle of Arran is in the background. The main town Brodick is linked by a car and passenger ferry with Ardrossan which is just a few minutes by car from here.

I have spent much time in the Clyde this year preparing photographs for our Clyde Island Calendar which will be available in 2007. This will complement our other Scottish Calendars which can be seen in gift and stationery shops across Scotland.

Yours Aye

Gordon Flavell

www.flavell.com

Photographing Scotland for posterity

Loch Lomond national Park

Photographs from Loch Lomond National Park

Photograph of Luss Pier taken from the beach in front of this pretty village. Ben Lomond can just be seen in the background.

A munro in its own right with a particularly distinctive dome shaped topfrom the south. However if you look from the north side the mountain is far more rugged.

Start your trip in the village and walk along the beach. Take the new cycle track which follows the loch from Balloch in the south to Tarbet in the north.

Yours Aye

Gordon Flavell

www.flavell.com

Supporting Scottish Tourism with fine stationery gifts

Photographs at Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park

There is something for everyone to enjoy in Scotland’s first National Park including low level walking, cycling, sailing, hill walking and for the more adventurous, canyoning.

Whatever the weather, Loch Lomond and The Trossachs provides a stunning backdrop to your visit.

Jane and I had another great weekend on the loch with more new photographs of Ben Lomond, Balloch, Tarbet, Luss and Ardlui for our Loch Lomond and trossachs calendar for next year.

Did you catch the excitement last month when the Maid of the Loch steamer was pulled out the loch onto its new slipway for a trial run.

Not only that but the new aquarium will soon be open at Loch Lomond shores.

Yours Aye

Gordon Flavell

www.flavell.com

Photographs of Sailing in Palma Majorca

Gordon Flavell photographs Sailing in Palma Majorca

Just getting into the swing before the sailing season starts in Scotland, Jane and I spent some time in Sailing in Palma on the pretty Balearic Isle of Majorca. I was looking at some promotional prints of the sailing schools in Palma, Majorca for our sailing series of cards and notebooks

Scotland's world-class boating and watersports environment is one of clean air and water, superb coastal scenery, excellent facilities, and a superb welcome.

From the most experienced sailors to those thinking about enjoying their first foray into boating, from bareboat charters, to a skippered cruise in more sheltered waters, or some lessons at a sailing school - Scotland can cater for all.

Our near-empty land and sea, means more freedom and less commercial shipping, pollution, crowded harbours and the other restraints, that so often limit enjoyment.

So set a course for Scotland and experience the freedom of our seas all according to visit scotland our national tourist board.

We will soon be ready to take our Delta RIB - rigid inflatable boat - for its first spin of the year. There are dozens of places to visit to take our new 2006 photographs of seascapes, lochs and harbours for our Scottish Notebooks and Promotional calendars.

Yours aye

Gordon Flavell

www.flavell.com

Snow, Clear Skies and Sun

Snow, Clear Skies and Sun in Stirlingshire but blizzards brought chaos to the Highlands and the North yesterday as Scots were warned to think twice about taking to the roads. Forecasters also said there were more blizzards on the way.

Scotland has such changeable weather and you never can tell what will happen during the course of a single day. However the good news is that I have been able to bag some really good photographs for our 2007 scottish calendars.

We have seen little sun at all in the central belt during January and February while our friends in the North have been enjoying some good days.

Last week I visited Glencoe where the clear skies over newly fallen snow on the rugged peaks of Buchaille Etive Mor made taking more photographs an absolute joy. Look out for the pictures when we have our new web pages up and running at www.flavell.com .

The weather improved even more over the weekend for those of us who were lucky enough to be in the West. I had a chance to visit Culzean Castle which you will see featured in our Scottish Castles Calendar for 2008. I know it is a long way off but we print and publish the Scottish calendars 12 months in advance. Look out for this years Scottish Calendars in tourist shops around Scotland.

Yesterday and To-day have been fine days again and I have spent some time taking more photographs in the Trossachs.

Remember when you visit Scotland to bring clothes for all seasons

Yours Aye

Gordon Flavell

www.flavell.com

Scotland believe this is only start of process as new belief takes hold

LIKE dehydrated desert nomads who suddenly find a spot of water, Scotland have spent the weekend drinking deep at the well of victory. To put the victory in perspective, it is only the third over England in 20 years, and the first time since 1990 that they have beaten both the Auld Enemy and France in the same season.

This is how the 'Times' saw the Rugby game which took place at Murrayfield this weekend. Scotland and England were playing for the Calcutta cup which is one of the oldest fixtures in the sport's history.

There is always keen rivalry between the two teams especially since Scotland are traditionally the underdogs - not surprising really when you think England has the choice of 92% of the population.

I am hoping that this will give us all in Scotland renewed vigor for the year ahead and encourage more visitors to our interesting country. This was also one of our best days for our retail partners in Edinburgh who sold many of our notebooks and pads featuring our national flag- the saltire.

Yours aye

Gordon Flavell

www.flavell.com

Rolling Stone Gathers Some Satisfaction for a Scot

PINEROLO, Italy, Feb. 15 — Rhona Martin returned to Scotland four years ago a national hero, extolled as a homemaker superstar for leading Britain's curlers to the gold medal at the Salt Lake Olympics on the match's final shot: the "stone of destiny."

A smitten London Telegraph columnist wrote about her Everywoman appeal, "You could offer her sapphires, diamonds, rubies and she would tell you only one stone is precious to her." That bauble is the 42-pound granite stone that curlers push down sheets of ice toward a bull's-eye called the house.

She and her teammates were hailed as golden girls. One headline gushed, "Home Are the Heroes, Home From the Lake." Nearly six million people in Britain had watched them win.

I liked the headline from the New York times about our ladies curling team - especially on the day when the Rolling Stones are giving a free concert to over 1 million people on the Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro.

However the ladies are not doing as well as ourmen'ss team in Italy but lets hope for the best. For those of you who don't know much about curling here a few facts.

Curling is a precision sport similar to bowls or but played on ice with heavy polished granite stones. The game is generally believed to have been invented in 16th century Scotland.

Curling outdoors on the frozen lochs was very popular between the 16th and the 19th centuries when the climate was cold enough to ensure good ice conditions every winter, and as a result the international governing body for curling, the World Curling Federation is based in Perth which is only a few minutes away from me here in rural Perthshire.

Curling has been an official sport in the Winter Olympics since 1998.

The origins of the word curling are not known. It was first used in print in 1630 in Perth, Scotland. Also known as "the roaring game" (because of the sound the stones make whiletravelingg over the pebble), curling probably does not take its name from the motion of the stones.

In the early history of curling, the rocks were simply flat-bottomed river stones which were sometimes notched or shaped; the thrower had little control over the rock, and relied more on luck than skill to win. Look out soon for our Scottish Calendars featuring the lochs where they curled all those years ago.

One possible derivation is that it came from the old verb curr which describes a low rumble. Nevertheless, today a rock which deviates from a straight line is said to curl.

Yours aye

Gordon Flavell

www.flavell.com

Scotland is top for Valentine's Romantic spots

According to Scottish Television to-day - Being Valentines Day, romantic Scots are being reminded that the perfect place to spend it may be closer to home than they might think.

National tourist body, VisitScotland has launched a new website highlighting ideal locations to have a memorable break.

Scotland has become increasingly popular for romantic breaks, with celebrity couples such as Madonna and Guy Ritchie opting to holiday north of the border.

I'm not sure which particular part of Scotland I would call the most romantic. Having photographed most of our famous beauty spots for our scottish calendars there are so many to choose. The Trossachs looking down over Loch Katrine, Elgol on Skye, The Blacksmiths Cottage at Gretna Green, The peace of Knoydart, The enchanted forest at Dunkeld, The Beaches on the Western Isles or what about Picnics on Loch Lomond.

I hope you can come and see them all

Yours aye

Gordon Flavell

www.flavell.com

What is a Scottish Clan

Clan from the Gaelic for children can be defined more easily as a group of people which is made up from a number of families with common ancestors.

These family groupings are accompanied by a further number of dependent and associated families who have either sought the protection of the clan at some point in history or have been tenants or vassals of its chief.

Traditionally that chief is owed allegiance by all members of the clan. Allegiance was generally given to a father's clan, but Celtic tradition includes a strong element of descent through, and loyalty to, a mother's line.

However it was common practise for the clan chief to adopt into the family those people with the necessary skills to help the local clan cause. They in turn would normally adopt the clan surname.

To further complicate matters there are also a Clan Sept A Sept is a family name which can be related to a clan or larger family for various reasons: Either through marriage or by seeking protection from a larger and more powerful neighbouring clan or family.

Many of the names which are recorded as septs have since become clans in their own right and many can be related to more than one clan.

We have a list of over 100 clan names in our clan stationery range which are in common usage today. Most of these clans have a current chief and many are still in the great castles and houses of Scotland.

Yours aye

Gordon Flavell

www.flavell.com

The Isle of Bute in the Clyde

Yet another hectic weekend - We were involved in the printing of the programmes for the annual showbiz ball in Glasgow. As you can imagine a very glitzy night.

The committee decided this year to include one of our pocket and bag notebooks as a gift for the guests along with some other goodies. I will put a photo of them on the site soon.

We also had time to visit some of our clients on the west coast. It was a fantastic day as we drove down the clyde and stopped off for a bite of lunch overlooking Rothesay on the Isle of Bute where you can find wonderful luxury self catering accommodation. From there you can look over to the isle of Arran.

Bute is a beautiful accessible island, which is 15 miles long and 4 miles wide. It is situated in the Clyde estuary on the west coast of Scotland and about 35 miles from Glasgow. It has a good road network and is serviced by frequent car ferry service from the mainland .

The trip on our rib is about 20 minutes but if you have to take the ferry, the journey is 35 minutes and there are sailings throughout the year. There is also a year round ferry service from the north end of the island to the mainland. There is a rail connection to the ferry terminal at Wemyss Bay.

Yours aye Gordon Flavell
www.flavell.com
Images of Scotland for you to take home

Glasgow Calendar Celtic Connections

We have just returned from five very hectic days at the Scottish International Gift Show in Glasgow. Featured is the best of Scottish craft and gifts.

So - Thanks for all of you who took time to visit us at the show in Glasgow. Glasgow is great city full of vibrance and buzz, especially just now since the Celtic connection music festival is taking place. Architecture in Glasgow is predominently Victorian and the city centre is full of fine buildings. Take time to visit the museums and galleries which have a surprising amount of parkland surrounding them. Later in the year I shall take some new photographs and highlight some of the main place to see.

I am pleased that so many of you liked our new products and stands. This will keep our new acrylic bending machine busy for a while. You were also very enthusiastic about our Scottish Calendars and we will have more new titles later in the year.

The new catalogue pages will be up on the site fairly soon - anything you need meantime please call or email Jane.

Scottish Calendar 2006

Happy New Year

2006 has arrived with a little blue sky and also bracing winds and rain. There have been some stunning storm colours in the sky which are just right for a scottish calendar.

As usual we have taken thousands of scottish photographs during the year and have placed them in our series of Scottish calendars.

Look out for the Scottish Castles mini calendar and of course the Scottish Lochs and Mountains mini calendar which are available in good tourist stores around Scotland.

I will bring you some interesting stories during the year. Apparently new statistics are pointing to a significant increase in visitors to our shores which is very encouraging for all of us who appreciate all that Scotland has to offer.

If you haven't been to Scotland yet- why not make 2006 the year to visit.


Yours aye

Gordon Flavell

www.flavell.com