Sunset clouds reflected in a lochan, Rothiemurchus
This week, summer has come to Scotland, and we’ve been basking in the heat.
The heather is coming now into full bloom, covering the land in a rich scented purple. In the cool of the evening the moorland scents are exquisite, heather primarily, with a sweetly strong note of bog myrtle. Deer become more active in the evening, and a roe leapt effortlessly across the track in front of me, her rich coat all the more russet in the evening light.
My route to the lochan makes a perfect evening loop, a few miles on bike trails through pine woods and heathery moorland before the view opens out. I was late getting out, but was just in time to capture the fiery sunset glow on Braeriach, reflecting in the pool. The sense of peace and stillness was so strong – a solitary duck circling, before splashing down again, only made the surrounding stillness stand out more.
I stayed for a while, until the gathering dusk (and the midges… sorry, I hadn’t mentioned them yet) meant it was time to complete the loop and take the trail back – a fast downhill through tall pine forest – and then homewards.
“Peace is always beautiful.”
– Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass