A Young Man to Be Reckoned With 28 May 2007

The British Masters Lightweight Champion, Gary McArthur, paid a visit to the studio tonight. Gary needed some shots for general publicity purposes. Working with athletes at the peak of their fitness for me, is a joy. This man has attitude and it shows. He is undefeated since turning professional fourteen months ago and with a ring name,
" The Clydebank Blitz ", I don't envy anyone getting into blows with him.

I had the Stones, Let It Bleed, playing in the studio when he arrived. That was purely coincidental. Everyone who knows me, know I can't see past Sir Mick and the boys. Gary said, " I see you are into old music" ? I wasn't about to give him my usual lecture about how inadequate you are if you didn't go along with my line of thinking.

I have heard many people over the years asking boxers the obvious question, "does it hurt when you get hit"? His answer was same as the rest, an unequivocal "No". I think I'll stick to photography.

Seasick Steve at The Arches 27 May 2007.

I have been at a lot of gigs where I have been completely underwhelmed by the act. Well, this guy
completely blew me away. Seasick Steve with a collection of guitars which all looked like they were held together with gaffer tape, played a set to a packed Arches crowd who couldn't get enough. This was blues at it's best, no, beyond it's best. I can't get the words to describe it, if you don't believe me, check him out on myspace.

Scottish Pipe Band Championships 19 5.07

Following a morning of standing in the rain recording the schools cup final, my next assignment
that afternoon, would find me standing in even heavier rain at Levengrove Park, Dumbarton.
I was at the venue for the Scottish Pipe Band Championships, sponsored appropriately by 100
Pipers Whisky.

As with the earlier football, rain, was not going to deter these hardy souls. I soon discovered that piping is a very serious business irrespective of weather conditions. It was a magnificant event and all the participants were immaculately turned out. The crowds that had gathered to spectate also seemed oblivious to the inclement weather. If the day was to prove something, it was that the Scots as a race won't let the weather get in the way of almost anything. My biggest problem was keeping the rain off my lenses.

All Glasgow Schools Football Cup Final 19.5.2007

Saturday morning, 19 May at Bishopbriggs, was cold, wet, windy and generally unpleasant. Perfect conditions for a cup final in Scotland ? Hermitage v All Saints under 14's were about to do battle for the coveted Glasgow Schools Shield. The weather was not a factor for these young men. I don't think my fellow parent supporters were quite of the of the same opinion.

The game got underway and for the first fifteen minutes both teams sized each other up. Hermitage got the breakthrough with about ten minutes of the first half to go. Young Wilkie opening the account. By the whistle for half time we were two nil up. So far so good.

As the second half commenced and with the wind at our backs, the Hermitage support by now couldn't have cared less if it had been the monsoon season. Things were looking good. Hermitage turned up the heat and started playing their best football of the season. Fantastic close controlled passing opened the flood gates and with five minutes to go we were 6-0 in front. A slight lapse in concentration led to a consolation goal for All Saints but this was swiftly followed by a decisive instant reply from Hermitage. The final whistle blew and the result was in the bag, 7-1 to Hermitage.

Number two son, Andrew, ( well it is my blog) is seen completely outwitting the Saints goalie
for his second of the match. It was a fantastic team effort and I am looking forward to next season. PE teacher, Mr Morgan, from Hermitage Academy, has to be commended for taking the boys to this historic win as they were the first team outside Glasgow to take home the silver.

Weekend on Cumbrae.

Well, after 50 years I finally set foot on Cumbrae. I have sailed past and around both sides hundreds of times on various races over the years so it was a very enjoyable experience to finally make landfall.



I was staying at a friends beautiful seafront property in Kames Bay. The views in the morning and at the setting of the sun were
quite breathtaking.


































Millport is exactly as I imagined it would be. Very nice wee pubs, quaint shops and a very relaxing atmosphere. It takes about ten minutes on the ferry boat from Largs and
about the same again before you hit the town. The views across the Clyde to Arran and
up towards Inverkip from the highest point on the island are spectacular. It is hard to
imagine that the "big city" is only and hour away.

My wee dog had a great time and fair enjoyed the Gala Queen Parade along the main street to the town hall.The island has a local population of around 1,200 but the population can swell to around 5,000 at the hight of the season. People come over for some R&R, cycling and bird watching and maybe the odd pint or two. Maybe not quite in that order. I will certainly go back. Oh! I did meet Jim Thomson, he's a really nice person.

Falkirk v St Mirren 24.4.07.

My main reason for being at the match tonight was to get some PR photos on behalf of my
biggest client Kier Homes. As well as being major sponsors of the club, they also help the community of Falkirk in many other ways. In this case, the Brae's High School had asked them to help out with their " Red Nose " fund raising evening. MD of Falkirk FC,
George Craig, along with new signing Carl Finnigan turned up on the night and helped boost funds by being auctioneers. Kier Homes had donated a couple of i Pod shuffles as
part of the evenings lots. The winners are seen with John " Yogi" Hughes before the match kicked off. I decided to do some sports photos from track side but in such events you never know the moment when something unusual might present itself.

A rare Saturday off.

Saturday 21 April, was unusual for me, as I found myself with no work to do.I bought
an all day ticket for the underground and set off. First stop was the Shell World Wildlife photographic awards at the famous Scotland Street School, designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh. All of the images were stunning. I would have been proud to have taken any of them.

I headed back into the city and had a coffee and a piece of cheesecake in a trendy cafe on Ingram Street. Feeling refreshed I stepped outside onto the pavement and quite literally, ten meters and slowly walking toward me was the legendary Billy Connolly out for a stroll with I presume, some of his family.In my younger days this was money in the bank as the Sunday tabloids love that sort of stuff. I decided to leave him alone as he looked very happy and content. I would probably have ruined his walk if I had started taking photos.

Next stop was the Museum of Modern Art. Outside was a rare sight, Wellington, not wearing his famous road cone ! He was sporting a trendy feathered number ? A short walk took me onto Buchanan Street, bustling with shoppers and on street entertainment. I was impressed by an artist who was painting a huge "mural of life", as he must have been seeing it at the moment. It was quite scary actually.

On emerging onto Byres Road later on I was very impressed by a display of vegetables across the road. So much so, I ended up going in and buying some fruit and veg. Can't beat a good bit of presentation. The old Mercedes sports car caught my eye, what a beauty. And finally, you would never guess the local elections are forthcoming. But where are the Tories?