Shandon is a village on the shores of the Gare Loch in Argyll and Bute (the part which used to be in West Dunbartonshire.) Garelochhead lies at the head of the Gare Loch.

Shandon’s War Memorial lies beside the A 814 between Rhu and Garelochhead and takes the form of a sandstone Celtic Cross. The inscription on the pillar reads, “And the leaves of thee were for the sealing of the nations.”

Great War dedication. “To the glory of God and in grateful memory of (names) who died on active service and of thirty-six men from the district who took part in the Great War 1914-1919 and returned in safety.” Below is inscribed, “Give thanks o heart for the high souls that point us to the deathless goals.”

World War 2 dedication. “To the glory of God and in remembrance of the young men of Shandon who gave their lives in the Second World War 1939 – 1945.” Below reads, “The people blessed all the men that willingly offered themselves.”

War Memorial bench, Garelochhead, presumably for the 100th anniversary of the Great War. Situated in grounds of church:-

Rhu Churchyard contains several graves of historical note.

It contains the grave of the father of steam navigation, Henry Bell.

As befits his historical importance the memorial incorporates a statue of Bell in a seated position.

Then there is the grave of John Motion, late Sgt Major of the 93rd Sutherland Highlanders, one of ‘The Thin Red Line‘ at the Battle of Balaclava in the Crimean War.

Detail:-

And this grave, “Erected by the Officers and ex-Officers 1st Dunbartonshire Rifle Volunteers in memory of Col Henry Currie, late commandant 1st Dunbartonshire Rifle Volunteers and formerly of the 24th and 79th Highlanders. Died at Helensburgh 17th March 1899 aged 54 years”:-

Rhu is a village on the north bank of the River Clyde by the Gare Loch in Argyll and Bute. Its War Memorial stands in front of the churchyard, beautifully situated overlooking the entrance to the Gare Loch.

The inscription reads, “To the glory of God and in memory of the men from this parish who made the supreme sacrifice in the Great War 1914-1918. And of those who fell in the war 1939-1945,” followed by World War 2 names. “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” Rhu Parish Church behind:-

Rhu War Memorial from the churchyard, Gare Loch behind:-

Rhu War Memorial from East. Names here are for the Great War:-

From west. Again the names are for the Great War:-

Reflections in Nordfjord, Olden, Norway:-

Misty mountain and reflections in Nordfjord:-

Head of Nordfjord, Norway, looking towards Olden, SS Black Watch in background:-

SS Black Watch and hill overlooking Nordfjord:-

SS Black Watch berthed, Olden, Norway:-

Most of this set of photos were taken on a walk we made from Olden towards Loen Fjord. As we were making our way a strange disturbance of the water on Nordfjord made its way in from the seaward end of the fjord. I supposed it might have been the tide coming in but we were so far from the open sea there were no waves as such.

The views and the open water to the left as we made our way westwards with the hills on the other side reminded me of the road from Helensburgh, 8 miles north of Dumbarton, towards Rhu and the Gareloch. The mouth of Loen Fjord (photo taken from Nordfjord, when sailing away from Olden) is flanked by higher mountains though:-