Sunset over Jura and Scarba, Midsummer Solstice, from the Craignish peninsula.
When it us clear, our Northern midsummer light is astounding – it’s wonderful to be able to go out late in the evening, and enjoy the quality of light.
I always like to try to mark the solstice in some way, usually with an early-morning walk. The forecast was for heavy rain, so in this case I settled for a sunset over the islands. Luckily it brightened up in the evening, following an afternoon of showers, and I headed out along the Craignish peninsula to find a viewpoint.
The island of Scarba is central (with a very dragon-like cloud flying over its hill), and the low-lying northern tip of Jura to the left. The gap in-between is the gulf of Corryvreckan, home to the (in)famous whirlpool.
It was so still and calm, with just the gentle lapping of water, and the clamour of thousands of distant seabirds nesting on the small rocky islets, a great place for a short reverie (interrupted by the ever-present midges…)
These images were taken around 10pm, a while before sunset was due. It was just starting to become dramatic and colourful – at which point the sun disappeared behind a looming thick band of cloud. The clouds built, and before long it commenced pouring for the night.
“Are you sure
– William Shakespeare, ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’
That we are awake?
It seems to me
That yet we sleep, we dream”
“The eternal world and the mortal world are not parallel, rather they are fused.”
– John O’Donohue, ‘Anam Cara’
Absolutely beautiful picture: for me, as a water person, I love the sea in all its forms. It’s dramatic, frightening, strong, calm, therapeutic, eternal, soothing. You have captured that essence definitely.