Cityscape A Scottish Colosseum

A Scottish Colosseum · **1 Like**

Just look what I found in between the houses...

Actually it's called McCaig's Tower, 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, by the wealthy, philanthropic banker, John Stuart McCaig and was erected between 1897 and his death in 1902, McCaig's intention was to provide a lasting monument to his family, and provide work for the local stonemasons during the winter months. His death brought an end to construction with only the outer walls completed.

imaspy · 05-05-2014, 05:58 PM

what is it with the scots and commissioning copycat monuments, and never finishing them?! :P

here's my shot of the ~~acropolis~~ national monument

interesting bit of story behind your photo mate; thanks for sharing!

**Kerrowdown** · 05-06-2014, 01:08 AM

Originally posted by imaspy

commissioning copycat monuments, and never finishing them

We get bored real quick.

Truthfully the money usually runs out.

Joel B · 05-06-2014, 03:12 AM

A really cool but sad structure. He never thought to make arrangements to continue in the event of his death? I read the inside is a garden now, so something good comes from the unfinished work. Got any garden shots?

**Kerrowdown** · 05-06-2014, 03:29 AM

Originally posted by Joel B

He never thought to make arrangements to continue in the event of his death?

He did make provision, but the family overturned that one...

Originally posted by Joel B

Got any garden shots

As it's you... It was really paths and a few seats, the best garden piece was leading up to the entrance.

**Sailor** · 05-06-2014, 06:36 AM

A wonderfully odd and eccentric structure. Great pics - fun to see.

Jer

**Kerrowdown** · 05-06-2014, 11:58 AM

Originally posted by Sailor

Great pics

Thanks.

sam-joseph · 05-06-2014, 12:16 PM

Our Parliament House is like this, unfinished. It's got a big frame sticking up overhead, presumably to support the canvas big-top. Didn't bother the clowns though. They still moved in.
Nice shots here.

Regards

**Kerrowdown** · 05-06-2014, 01:08 PM

Originally posted by sam-joseph

Nice shots here

Thanks for your kind words.

Michael Piziak · 05-06-2014, 06:09 PM

Nice structure
thanks for sharing !

Joel B · 05-11-2014, 10:26 AM

Thanks for the extra photos! I like the last one best! Looks like something out of Narnia.

**Kerrowdown** · 05-11-2014, 11:31 AM

Originally posted by Joel B

I like the last one best!

Thanks, aye an interesting folly for sure.

**Heinrich Lohmann** · 05-11-2014, 01:29 PM

That is good photography of very interesting place and I do agree, the last one is the best.

**Kerrowdown** · 05-11-2014, 01:36 PM

Originally posted by Heinrich Lohmann

That is good photography of very interesting place

Thanks very much for your kind words.

Kerrowdown
	View full profile
	Contact via private message
	Find other posts by Kerrowdown
	Find threads started by Kerrowdown
	Find threads in which Kerrowdown has posted

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
People Scottish Comtemplation	Kerrowdown	Post Your Photos!	7	06-24-2013 05:23 PM
Landscape Scottish sunset	damianc	Post Your Photos!	9	05-20-2013 01:39 PM
Cityscape scottish impressions	simple mick	Post Your Photos!	3	10-07-2012 03:40 PM
Architecture The Colosseum Different	Rense	Post Your Photos!	21	04-22-2010 11:09 AM
Architecture Two Times Colosseum - B&W versus Colour	Rense	Post Your Photos!	23	04-14-2010 05:52 PM

05-05-2014, 05:58 PM	#2
imaspy Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Melbourne Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 294	what is it with the scots and commissioning copycat monuments, and never finishing them?! :P here's my shot of the ~~acropolis~~ national monument interesting bit of story behind your photo mate; thanks for sharing!

05-06-2014, 01:08 AM	#3
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,816 Original Poster	Originally posted by imaspy commissioning copycat monuments, and never finishing them We get bored real quick. Truthfully the money usually runs out.

05-06-2014, 03:12 AM	#4
Joel B Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Barnett MO. Photos: Albums Posts: 2,336	A really cool but sad structure. He never thought to make arrangements to continue in the event of his death? I read the inside is a garden now, so something good comes from the unfinished work. Got any garden shots?

05-06-2014, 06:36 AM	#6
Sailor Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Coastal Texas Photos: Gallery Posts: 26,205	A wonderfully odd and eccentric structure. Great pics - fun to see. Jer

05-06-2014, 11:58 AM	#7
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,816 Original Poster	Originally posted by Sailor Great pics Thanks.

05-06-2014, 12:16 PM	#8
sam-joseph Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Newcastle, NSW, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,086	Our Parliament House is like this, unfinished. It's got a big frame sticking up overhead, presumably to support the canvas big-top. Didn't bother the clowns though. They still moved in. Nice shots here. Regards

05-06-2014, 01:08 PM	#9
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,816 Original Poster	Originally posted by sam-joseph Nice shots here Thanks for your kind words.

05-06-2014, 06:09 PM	#10
Michael Piziak Closed Account Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: West Virginia Posts: 2,815	Nice structure thanks for sharing !

05-11-2014, 10:26 AM	#11
Joel B Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Barnett MO. Photos: Albums Posts: 2,336	Thanks for the extra photos! I like the last one best! Looks like something out of Narnia.

05-11-2014, 11:31 AM	#12
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,816 Original Poster	Originally posted by Joel B I like the last one best! Thanks, aye an interesting folly for sure.

05-11-2014, 01:29 PM	#13
Heinrich Lohmann Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Airdrie, Alberta Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,097	That is good photography of very interesting place and I do agree, the last one is the best.

05-11-2014, 01:36 PM	#14
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,816 Original Poster	Originally posted by Heinrich Lohmann That is good photography of very interesting place Thanks very much for your kind words.