Loch an Eilein, Cairngorms National Park Winter really has not happened this year, this is an image from last March on a day of morning ice and stunning clarity of light. I’m pleased with how it came out, from the stones under the ice in the foreground, to the snowy Cairngorms behind. I love the […]
The gorge of the River Findhorn at Randolph’s Leap Peering over the edge of the gorge, with the rushing peat-black water of the River Findhorn below. The sun came out from behind thick clouds for just a few moments, enough to light up the tracery of the tree branches. This is a place of strong […]
Waterfall in the Fairy Glen, Rosemarkie The ‘Fairy Glen’ is an atmospheric wee walk through beautiful woodland climbing up beside the stream, all carpeted in thick moss. At this time of year it doesn’t get much sunlight into the narrow sides, so a long exposure of 10 seconds or so was called for, resulting in […]
Findhorn Beach at sunset, the Moray Firth. While the far southwest of England continued to be battered by storms, the last week was mostly very calm and bright here in the North. This was sunset at Findhorn beach, close by the Findhorn community. The beach faces North, but the clouds were reflecting the orange sunset […]
Badenoch from Torr Alvie Badenoch means ‘the drowned land’ and is the name of the district around Kingussie in upper Strathspey. The Insh marshes form a large part of the district, and are said to be one of the most important marshes in Europe. The marshes flood regularly in winter, absorbing and holding a massive […]
Calm reflections, Craigellachie lochan, Aviemore There’s been a bit of a gap in the Inspirational Image since December. Partly down to the seemingly endless stormy weather – I haven’t been out at all with the camera in weeks – partly I’ve just had my head down! Its been unseasonally warm (I’m using warm here in […]
Solstice Sunset over Craigellachie, from Granish Moor, near Aviemore This is taken from near by the local Neolithic ‘Ring Cairn’ (otherwise known as the Stone Circle, which it isn’t), a suitable walk for midwinter solstice. Dramatic beams of light striking the clouds, shortly after sunset. Its been a very dark couple of weeks (physically), with […]
Late Autumn colour and first Winter snow, Glenfeshie Hills, Cairngorms A late November day in Strathspey, the near-sunset casting a warm glow across the landscape in contrast to the crisp air. There is something I really like in the shape and flow of the forested middle-distance hills against the steep-sided hillside behind. It is always […]
Looking south over Badenoch, from Torr Alvie, near Aviemore Torr Alvie is a wonderfully mysterious hill, rising up in the middle of the valley, covered in ancient natural forest (an open mix of birch, oak, beech, pine and juniper). The ‘easy side’ is a long southwards slope which catches the sun, with a great view […]
Loch Morlich and Cairngorm Mountains at dusk, Cairngorms National Park After a beautiful day of sun and frost enjoying the late autumn colours, I stopped off at Loch Morlich to enjoy the afterglow reflections on the calm water (calm in contrast to the biting wind up on the mountains!) I love the colours of the […]
Birch Gold, Craigellachie National Nature Reserve, Aviemore There’s been no photography this week, with ongoing gales, rain and storms, so here’s another image from that spectacular morning this time last year. Its all about being in the right place at the right time – as the mist swirled and cleared, and suddenly the sun shone […]
Autumn colours on a misty morning, Craigellachie National Nature Reserve, Aviemore This was taken last year on a stunning autumn day of early mist clearing to crisp sunshine. The woods are just as beautifully orange now, but so far there has been an absence of crisp mornings! I’m hoping we do get some good days […]
