Shaw Monument

[cessna152towser]

This somewhat phallic looking tower constructed of mortared rubble stone with a three arch crown is now surrounded by modern industrial units at Shawfarm Industrial Estate, Prestwick, just a few yards outside Prestwick Airport's perimeter fence. It was constructed some time prior to 1775, on behalf of the Laird of Shaw. The tower had an internal staircase and it is believed that the Laird used it as an observation post, as he was a keen falconer. It has remained untouched by progressive development of the airport, warehouses and industrial estate as it is a Grade B listed structure. Unfortunately, the internal staircase is now in a dangerous condition so there is no public access.

During my visit to Prestwick on Sunday I also turned the camera in the opposite direction to photograph this Polar Air Cargo Boeing 747. The use of zoom has made the Goat Fell mountain range on the Island of Arran in the background appear remarkably close but the mountains are actually about ten miles away across the water.

[HeathBar]

I have a question about the 747 you photographed. From that angle, it looks like something is covering the outside engine. Its not as clear in the picture as the inside engine. The only reason I ask is I saw show on TV that featured the new engine for the 777. They tested it by putting one on a 747.
It made the other three engines look small in comparison. Once it was in the air, that one engine was all that was needed to fly the 747. Just curious I guess.

I am keeping my comments about the tower to myself.

[cessna152towser]

The intake fan for the outer engine of the 747 and its surrounding cowling has been removed for servicing and what appears to be a blue and white cover has been tied over the inner part of the engine to prevent weather ingress to the parts of the engine which would otherwise have been exposed.

[Moose McLennan]

Brilliant pics C152T. Knowing Prestwick, the tele effect really took me off my guard.

M.

[morrison]

I frequently drive by the BOEING manufacturing plant in Everett, Washington. It is sometimes crowded with planes in all phases of disassembly. Very interesting sights! Wonder if we'll eventually see a kilted pilot?

[David Dalglish]

Nice pics again-thanks

[Pour1Malt]

ya're gettin oot maire than ai am!

yikes...

[LK-13]

more info for the Shaw's out there:

Shaw
William George Andrew Shaw of Easter Lair
Seannachaidh and Bard to the Chief of Clan Shaw

Arms: Quarterly, 1st and 4th, Or, a lion rampant Gules, armed and langued Azure; 2nd and 3rd, Argent, a fir-tree growing out of a mound in base Vert, in the dexter canton a dexter hand couped at the wrist holding a dagger, point downwards, all Gules, overall at the center point a torteau charged with a wolf's head erased Argent, langued Azure.

Crest: A demi lion Gules, holding in the dexter paw a sword Proper hilted and pommelled Or

Motto: "FIDE ET FORTITUDINE".

Slughorn: "NA BEAN RIS A CHAT"

Matriculation: The Court of the Lord Lyon,1st May 2002. Lyon Register, volume 82 folio 101.

The arms features two main heraldic symbols: a Fir Tree on a Mound and the Lion Rampant. The fir tree reflects my descent from the Mackintosh Shaw Thanes of Rothiemurchus. Rothiemurchus is part of the great Caledonian Forest. The mound reflects 'the Doune' the ancient hill-fort of which the main family of Clan Shaw held from the fourteenth to the late sixteenth century. The lion traces my lineage via the Chiefs of Clan Mackintosh to the ancient Mac Duff Earls of Fife to the oldest line of the King of Scots via Aedh or Aethelred, believed to be the eldest son of King Malcolm II (Ceann Mhor), circa 1080. With Glen Shee and nearby Strath Ardle being near the heart of Clan Robertson country, the center torteau consists of a white Wolf's Head, which reflects the acquiring of Easter Lair in Glenshee by the marriage of James Shaw to Susann(a) Robertson, daughter and heiress of John Robertson of Bridgend in Strath Ardle in the years shortly after the 1745 Jacobite Rising.

"Fide et Fortitudine" is the ancient Latin motto of the Clan Shaw: 'by faith and fortitude'. The slogan "Na Bean Ris A Chat" proclaims in Gaelic the battle cry of the family: 'Touch Not the Cat'. This is also the motto of the Clan Chattan, of which the Highland Clan Shaw and the Shaws of Easter Lair are a part.

I am the Seannachaidh and Bard to John Shaw of Tordarroch 22nd Chief of Clan Shaw and the U.S Member of Council to the Clan Chattan Association. There is more on the Clan Shaw on our website at www.clanshaw.net

[McClef]

You can get some wonderful foreshortening effects with zoom.

[JayFilomena]

This somewhat phallic looking tower constructed of mortared rubble stone with a three arch crown is now surrounded by modern industrial units at Shawfarm Industrial Estate, .

I'm not sure what you mean by phallic, but I hate to tell you what it looks like.