Burnside Cottages
Burnside Cottages in Wanlockhead, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland.
High in the Lowther Hills to the west of the M74, Wanlockhead is Scotland’s highest village at 467m (1531 ft). It owes its existence to the lead, gold and other minerals found under the surrounding countryside.
These mineral deposits were probably first exploited by the Romans and from the 1200s they were being worked again by groups of miners who gathered here each summer. The first permanent settlement appeared in about 1680, when the Duke of Buccleuch built a lead smelting plant and workers’ cottages that could be occupied all year round.
Although lead was for many centuries the mainstay of the village’s economy, it was not the only mineral found here. What became known as “God’s Treasure House” also produced zinc, copper, silver and gold. Some of the world’s purest gold, at 22.8 carats, was found locally and used in the Regalia of the Scottish Crown.
Today’s Wanlockhead depends primarily on tourism. The Southern Upland Way long distance footpath passes through the village, but the main attraction for the motoring tourist revolves around the village’s industrial past.
Information from Undiscovered Scotland.
Camera: Canon EOS 450D (Digital Rebel XSi in the USA)
Exif data from the JPG
F-stop f/5
ISO 200
Focal length 44 mm
BEST VIEWED LARGER
Three bracketed JPGs converted to HDR in Photomatix.
Related shots can be found at: Wanlockhead and Lowland Scotland.
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Andrew Ness
Still can’t believe how clear these shots are Tomg! Wonderful composition and love the added bonus of the sheep half way up!
Tom Gomez replied
Cheers Andy. The sheep tend to wander anywhere in the village. You need to be careful where you step …
cherylc1
Love the old building!!! outstanding!!!!!!!!!
Tom Gomez replied
Thank you so much Cheryl …
Virginia N. Fred
Beautiful work Tom, you live in such a beautiful place
Tom Gomez replied
Thank you Gina, yes I think I am quite lucky to live here …
Trudi's Images
Very pretty country scene !! love the sheep meandering down the path
Tom Gomez replied
Thank you Trudi. The sheep wander all over the village …
BarbaraManis
Another great capture, Tom! Interesting old cottage!
Tom Gomez replied
Thank you Barbara, the whole village is like this …
Robin Brown
Bin there Tom!!!! You could make a sales broucher with all your fine Photographs & sell Wanlockhead to the tourists. The village would errect a statue to you. The only Estate agent in the village!! LOL
Tom Gomez replied
Cheers mate, you are always so supportive, I really appreciate it …
Phillip M. Burrow
These are wonderful Tom. What a great find. It’s really hard to grasp the history. You speak about 700 and 800 year old buildings the way we Americans do 200 or 300 ones. It really is amazing. Great work!
Tom Gomez replied
Thanks for the great comment Phillip, I’m pleased you like it, however, Wanlockhead would be what we would class as a relatively new village. The village started out in 1680, when the Duke of Buccleuch built a lead smelting plant and workers’ cottages. The difference with this village is that it is quite remote and so has changed very little over the last few hundred years (most other towns have continued to grow and evolve). For instance, the town I live in, South Queensferry is considerably older, but has continued to grow over the centuries.
Denis Molodkin
Excellent work, well done!
Tom Gomez replied
Thank you so much Denis …
Catherine Veal
this is perfect Tom and has to be a fave, wonderful work.x
Tom Gomez replied
Thank you so much Catherine and I appreciate the fave …
Brandie1
Lovely shot.
Tom Gomez replied
Thank you for your lovely comment Brandie …
Philip Johnson
looking great Tom and good effort keeping the sheep still
Tom Gomez replied
Thanks Philip, the sheep was quite intent on munching on the grass, so she posed nicely for me …
rodsfotos
A beautiful image Tom and so typical of both the architecture and landscape of the area, so good for me to see this series of yours that were taken only a few miles from my birth town of Moffat, makes me want to get back up there soon, keep them coming,
Regards, Rod.
Tom Gomez replied
Thank you so much Rod, I’m so pleased you like the series. I don’t need to tell you how beautiful Scotland is, but where you live now is also very beautiful …
kalaryder
Lovely scene and most interesting description
Tom Gomez replied
Thank you kindly Mik …
Lucindawind
ohhh how I love this .. the sheep is just perfect
Tom Gomez replied
Thank you so much Elaine, I’m pleased you like it …
Antanas
lovely work, lovely scene
Tom Gomez replied
Thank you so much Antanas …
Bootiewootsy
Beautiful scenery. Love the way you composed the photo and have gotten a couple of cows in the scene to give the perspective of the whole image.. Wonderful
Tom Gomez replied
Thank you Carol, always nice to have you visit …
Smudger
love this series
Tom Gomez replied
Cheers mate, I appreciate that …
Linda Syms
Wonderful scene Tom
Tom Gomez replied
Thank you Linda, much appreciated …
John44
Tom infact the remark of Steve is a good one ..
It is a grand series , for a Calendor ?!
Welldone
John
Tom Gomez replied
Thank you John, It may well become a Calendar for next year …
Jason Connolly
Love this one mate, well done..
Tom Gomez replied
Thanks Jason, much appreciated mate …