Sony A7RV – Page 9 – In Photos dot Org

Visitors in The Great Hall

The Great Hall in Edinburgh Castle is a popular part of the castle, with visitors milling around throughout the day.

Here’s some info about the hall that I got from Perplexity. Sources are linked and makes for an interesting read. I was surprised it didn’t mention that Oliver Cromwell preserved the roof when he had it plastered over. That was something the guide mentioned.

History of the Great Hall in Edinburgh Castle

The Great Hall at Edinburgh Castle is a remarkable structure completed in 1511 for King James IV of Scotland.2 3 6 This medieval wonder measures 29 by 12.5 metres (95 by 41 ft) and served as the chief place of state assembly within the castle.5 While historians have occasionally disagreed about its exact dating, it is generally attributed to the early years of the 16th century during James IV’s reign.5

Architectural Features

The hall’s most distinctive feature is its magnificent wooden roof, considered one of the most superb in Britain.2 3 6 It features giant beams resting on stones carved with heads and symbols such as the thistle, a national badge of Scotland.2 3 6 This is one of only two medieval halls in Scotland that still retains its original hammerbeam roof.5 The decorative carved stone corbels supporting the roof display Renaissance detailing comparable to works at Blois, France, from around 1515, indicating that Scottish arts were relatively advanced for the time.5

Historical Timeline

James IV had little opportunity to enjoy his new grand hall, as he was killed just two years later at the Battle of Flodden in 1513, fighting against the forces of his brother-in-law, King Henry VIII of England.2 3 6

During its early years, the Great Hall hosted grand banquets and state events, though there is no evidence that the Scottish Parliament ever met here, despite some common misconceptions.2 3 5 6

A significant change came in 1650 when Oliver Cromwell’s army captured Edinburgh Castle and began transforming the Great Hall into a military barracks.2 3 5 6 By 1737, the hall was subdivided into three storeys to accommodate 312 soldiers.5

Following the construction of New Barracks in the 1790s, the Great Hall was converted into a military hospital.5 It continued in this function until the troops finally left in 1886/1897 (sources vary slightly on the exact date).2 3 5 6

After its military use ended, the Great Hall was restored to its medieval splendour by architect Hippolyte Blanc, who worked according to contemporary Victorian ideas of medieval architecture.5 Today, the hall displays weapons and armour that reference its military past, including distinctive pole arms like the feared Lochaber axe.2 3 6

In modern times, the Great Hall is still occasionally used for ceremonial occasions and has served as a venue for BBC Scotland’s Hogmanay Live programme.5

Aperture	ƒ/8
Camera	ILCE-7RM5
Focal length	16mm
ISO	100
Shutter speed	1/2s

Rooftop Sunrise in Edinburgh

One of the good things about an early flight is getting up early to see the sunrise. That was me yesterday morning, when the world outside was mostly asleep, but I was preparing to head to the airport in Edinburgh for a flight to Cork.

Aperture	ƒ/3.5
Camera	ILCE-7RM5
Focal length	24mm
ISO	1000
Shutter speed	1/30s

Evening Light on Cathedral Lane, Edinburgh

Yesterday evening, walking along a road in Edinburgh, I saw that the setting sun was casting long shadows, and as luck would have it, those make interesting subjects, especially the light and dark of sun and shadow.

Hopefully, the person in the pub was having a nice evening in there, it was lovely being out.

Aperture	ƒ/8
Camera	ILCE-7RM5
Focal length	70mm
ISO	500
Shutter speed	1/500s

Shadow Play on a Scottish Street

Shadows on a wall as the sun sets in Edinburgh.

I had hoped to go up Calton Hill this evening, but the Beltane fire festival is happening there tonight. I have to be up early in the morning, so I decided not to go, but now I already regret not going! I’d have stayed far too long taking photos and be so tired for my flight in the morning.

Aperture	ƒ/8
Camera	ILCE-7RM5
Focal length	112mm
ISO	500
Shutter speed	1/500s

Pastel Skies Over Edinburgh

I wasn’t expecting much of a sunset this evening because the sky at the horizon was filled with clouds, but I was proved wrong. The clouds were lit up in a lovely glow by the setting sun.

Aperture	ƒ/8
Camera	ILCE-7RM5
Focal length	166mm
ISO	400
Shutter speed	1/40s

Cherry Blossoms in Bloom

Cherry blossoms bloom on a tree at the other end of my park every year, but I always forget to bring my camera to photograph it until this afternoon.

Aperture	ƒ/4
Camera	ILCE-7RM5
Focal length	75mm
ISO	100
Shutter speed	1/1250s

The bible in the shadows

Two members of the Jehovah’s Witnesses stand in the shade near the Arena Spodek in Katowice, Poland.

Aperture	ƒ/8
Camera	ILCE-7RM5
Focal length	24mm
ISO	2500
Shutter speed	1/500s

Golden Dawn Through the Trees

A dramatic sunrise scene with an orange sky and silhouetted trees in the foreground, partially shrouded in mist.

This morning, the sun rose through a beautiful orange haze. This was some 600m away through the eye of a long lens, and it looked even better in real life.

Aperture	ƒ/6.3
Camera	ILCE-7RM5
Focal length	600mm
ISO	800
Shutter speed	1/4000s

The Calm Before The Day

The sun rose this morning a few minutes after 7am, but this is what the sky looked like about 8 minutes before. There was a glorious orange glow and the clouds were lit up from underneath by the sun coming around the globe and shining through the atmosphere.

Aperture	ƒ/8
Camera	ILCE-7RM5
Focal length	26mm
ISO	500
Shutter speed	1/125s

Family Moments by the Atlantic

I was watching the sun set in Tenerife when a family approached and walked by. They were silhouetted by the sun, but instead of the usual black shadows, I wanted to try something different. No doubt the purists will be scoffing at the bright vignettes. Well, thanks. 🙂

Aperture	ƒ/8
Camera	ILCE-7RM5
Focal length	122mm
ISO	100
Shutter speed	1/400s

The Valencia Mascletà

A vibrant display of coloured smoke—yellow, red, and blue—fills the sky during a pyrotechnic event in Valencia, Spain's Town Hall Square. Emergency workers in bright uniforms stand in the foreground as the spectacle unfolds against a backdrop of historic architecture, including the clock tower of the Town Hall. Signs for McDonald's and "FALLES" are visible on the street.

Smoke fills the sky during a pyrotechnic event in Valencia, Spain's Town Hall Square. Flashes of light from fireworks light up the smoke. Emergency workers in bright uniforms stand in the foreground as the spectacle unfolds against a backdrop of historic architecture, including the clock tower of the Town Hall. Signs for McDonald's and "FALLES" are visible on the street.

Wikipedia says, “A mascletà (pronounced in Valencian: [maskleˈta]) is a pyrotechnic event characterized by the achievement of a noisy and rhythmic composition that features, particularly during daytime, in street festivities; it is typical of the Valencian Community (Spain). It gets its name from the masclets (very loud firecrackers) that are tied by a wick to form a line or firework display. These are usually fastened at a medium height with ropes or raised by cannons.”

They are LOUD. The sound reverberates around the city centre, and you can feel it shake your body, and even into your legs. Quite an experience!

I did try to protect my ears, but it’s two days later, and there’s a remnant of the mascletà still ringing gently in my left ear since this morning when I woke up. Only time will tell if that is permanent.

Aperture	ƒ/8
Camera	ILCE-7RM5
Focal length	24mm
ISO	640
Shutter speed	1/1000s

Nature’s Art: Fungi Patterns

I spotted this fascinating looking fungus growing out a dead tree trunk last weekend. I’d no idea what kind of fungi they were until an AI identified them as a Polypore.

This is a good sign, for that small forest I found them in, just outside Kenmare:

Polypores have been used as indicator species of healthy natural forests or old-growth forests in Europe. They are good indicators of invertebrate diversity on dead wood and include many endangered species. Polypores make good indicators because they are relatively easy to find – many species produce conspicuous and long-lasting fruiting bodies – and because they can be identified in the field.

Aperture	ƒ/8
Camera	ILCE-7RM5
Focal length	240mm
ISO	800
Shutter speed	1/500s