The edge of town
High in the Lowther Hills to the west of the M74 in Dumfries and Galloway, is Wanlockhead, 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/5.6
ISO 200
Focal length 55 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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BigD
Beautiful landscape and HDR processing, Tom
Tom Gomez replied
Thank you BigD …
Chris Clark
stunning landscape photography Tom and brilliant HDR
Tom Gomez replied
Cheers mate. I have got 7 pretty decent HDRs out of a two hour visit, and also six Features between four of the shots, so I’m pretty pleased. I still have some more shots to sort out so I may get a few more out of it.
Iain Mavin
wonderful work Tom
Tom Gomez replied
Cheers Iain …
Trudi's Images
Wonderful capture and colours Tom :-))
Tom Gomez replied
Thank you so much Trudi …
BarbaraManis
Ooh Tom, another gorgeous shot! What a beautiful area!
Tom Gomez replied
Thank you Barbara, I was lucky enough to get some decent shots here …
Evita
Fabulous image !!! :D
Tom Gomez replied
Thank you for your fabulous comment Evita …
Robin Brown
On the edge but still very much part of the town Tom, excellent shot!!
Tom Gomez replied
Cheers Robin …
Martina Fagan
A great shot well composed and lovely details and colours
Tom Gomez replied
Thank you Tina, very much appreciated …
Denis Molodkin
Outstanding work, well done!
Tom Gomez replied
Thank you so much Denis …
Finbarr Reilly
a brilliant capture!
Tom Gomez replied
Thank you Fino, appreciated mate …
JamieGreen
A great series Tom, nice HDR
Tom Gomez replied
Thanks Jamie, I’ll admit to being pleased with this series …
rodsfotos
A wonderful addition to this series Tom, well composed and I very much like the rich yellow/green colour tones that dominate the landscape, now those houses are just ideally spaced for peaceful living, beautiful again,
Regards, Rod.
Tom Gomez replied
Thanks for the great comment Rod …
valzart
Wonderful sweeetheART you’ve captured the elusive light’ ;} happy hippy hugglez
Tom Gomez replied
Thank you so much Val, very much appreciated …
Antanas
amazing scenery
Tom Gomez replied
Thank you Antanas …
Dave Law
Beautiful capture Tom.
Tom Gomez replied
Thank you Dave …
linda lowry
I assume you plan one day to publish a book of your photos with accompanying notes? Learning history from you is quite fun;-) Beautiful photo.
Tom Gomez replied
Thank you linda, I’m glad you enjoy the history (as i do). I have thought about producing some books, I probably have enough photographs for several, but I don’t know much about how to go about it. I will need to look at what software is available and which sites will promote the work.
Catherine Veal
This has been a fabulous series Tom have loved every one. The treatment you have given them is wonderful.x
Tom Gomez replied
Thank you so much dear Catherine. I have to admit to being pleased with the way they have turned out …
Smudger
this is wonderful tom
Tom Gomez replied
Thank you Steve, it is a nice area …
John44
Tom..
Nice composition and POV.
Welldone
John
Tom Gomez replied
Thank you so much John …
Braedene
I’ve missed millions of shots while I’ve been away – this is a fantastic rural scene. Liz
Tom Gomez replied
Thank you so much Liz, it is a lovely little village …
Bootiewootsy
Enchanting scene.. You have the most beautiful rural places to share..
Tom Gomez replied
Thamnk you so much dear Carol …
Lucindawind
a wonderful shot ! love this little place :)
Tom Gomez replied
Thank you Elaine, I got a few good shots from here …
Linda Syms
Fabulous scene Tom
Tom Gomez replied
Thank you Linda, it is a lovely village …
Adri Padmos
Scotland, the beauty….!
Great capture Tom!
I was only one time in Scotland (the Edinbourgh Tattoo).
Tom Gomez replied
Thank you so much Adri, Scotland is beautiful, but so is Holland …
dinghysailor1
wonderfully captured.. a fascinating place too
:))
Tom Gomez replied
Thank you Maggie, I’m glad you like it …
dinghysailor1
(have been panning for gold here in the borders… tho didnt strike any big nuggets…LOL)
Tom Gomez replied
Don’t give up, there is gold in them thar hills …
Mel Brackstone
I can’t get over how green and beautiful everything is!
Tom Gomez replied
Thank you Mel, it is always green here, it rains for 8 months of the year – hehehe
Rosalie Dale IPA
What a magical, fairytale scene … beautiful.
Tom Gomez replied
Thank you kindly dear Rosalie …