McCaig's Tower at Oban
by Lois Bryan
Title
McCaig's Tower at Oban
Artist
Lois Bryan
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
This image was taken by my son, Rich Bryan, during his semester abroad in Scotland last year. He was using the Nikon D40x and the 18-135mm Nikkor lens.
McCaig's Tower, which overlooks the town of Oban, has an interesting history. The following information is from Wikipedia:
McCaig's Tower is a prominent tower on the hillside (called Battery Hill) overlooking Oban in Argyll, Scotland. It is built of Bonawe granite taken from the quarries across Airds Bay, on Loch Etive, from Muckairn, with a circumference of about 200 metres with two-tiers of 94 lancet arches (44 on the bottom and 50 on top).
The structure was commissioned, at a cost of �5,000 sterling (�500,000 at 2006 prices using GDP deflator), by the wealthy, philanthropic banker (North of Scotland Bank), John Stuart McCaig.
John Stuart McCaig was his own architect. The tower was erected between 1897 and his death, aged 78 from Angina Pectoris, on 29 June 1902 at John Square House, Oban, Argyll.
McCaig's intention was to provide a lasting monument to his family, and provide work for the local stonemasons during the winter months. McCaig was an admirer of Roman and Greek architecture, and had planned for an elaborate structure, based on the Colosseum in Rome. His plans allowed for a museum and art gallery with a central tower to be incorporated. Inside the central tower he planned to commission statues of himself, his siblings and their parents. His death brought an end to construction with only the outer walls completed.
The empty shell of the tower dominates the Oban skyline, and is now a public garden with magnificent views to the islands of Kerrera, Lismore and Mull.
Uploaded
April 26th, 2013
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Comments (32)
Michaela Perryman
Congratulations, featured in Best of British Group 19th February 2022 Please see the presented discussion page for the features
Michelle Berger
I can see that I'll be spending much time perusing your galleries, Lois! Beautiful image and a history/travel lesson! Fun.
Wayne Moran
What a gorgeous piece of work. Gosh I want to visit this place and attempt to capture it as well as this.
Lois Bryan replied:
Thank you very much, Wayne ... I'll pass your compliment on to my son. He spent a semester in Scotland last year and I have the pleasure of taking many of his images and doodling around with them in Photoshop and what not and posting them here. He truly has "the eye" !!
Maja Sokolowska
Hello Lois, thank you for visiting my gallery and twitting my painting. I trully appreciate. This image is very crisp, i love it. Kind regards from Rotterdam and f/l
Patricia Pushaw
Lois, how amazing. My daughter spent her last semester of 2012 in Edinburgh last year. She loved it, as I am sure your son also must have. This is a wonderful photo!
Lois Bryan replied:
Patricia .. you'll have to email me your daughter's name ... wouldn't it be great if they had met while they were there??
Joyce Dickens
Lois your son Rich has a wonderful talent ; this image is just awe inspiring.....vibrant and exceptional work !!! jd
Lois Bryan replied:
Thank you so much, Joyce ... he has so many glorious images ... I just need the time to get into them and do a bit of tinkering!!!
Lori Deiter
Love the architecture and scenery! When is Rich starting his photography business!!!
Lois Bryan replied:
Hi Lori!!!! Isn't it beautiful there?? I dunno ... let's get him finished with college first ... then ... who knows???
Lois Bryan
Thanks so much to the hosts of "The Beauty of Scotland" ... "All Things Reflective" ... "Water Water and Water" ... and "City and Architecture" for the lovely features!!!! Rich and I appreciate each one very much!!
Sandra Bronstein
Your son did a great job - a chip off the old (er, older) block? Well done, indeed!
Lois Bryan replied:
Hi Sandra!!! HAHHA ... go ahead and say it ... OLD block!!!! And I'm just thrilled he enjoys it so much!!!
Reflective Moments Photography and Digital Art Images
Fabulous old town...lovely image...kudos to Rich!
Adrian Evans
Love the details and write up :) f/v
Lois Bryan replied:
Hi Adrian!!! Thank you!!! I'm always fascination by the history behind places like these!!