Old pine stump relections at Loch Mallachie sunset

Mallachie Pine

An old pine standing in the bog in the (very) squelchy edge of Loch Mallachie, Strathspey, glowing in golden sunset colours.

Loch Mallachie sunset in perfect callm

Loch Mallachie Sunset

Perfect evening calm, Loch Mallachie Loch Mallachie is really just a slightly deeper bit of the surrounding bog, close by the famous Osprey reserve of Loch Garten in Strathspey.  Stunted, characterful pines grow out from the marshy edges, and from the small island.  The loch is home to many birds which breed here in the […]

Craigellachie Birch

Blue and gold

Autumn Birch, Craigellachie A stunning autumn morning at Craigellachie lochan, one of my favourite places locally.   The lochan is definitely a morning place – at this time of year the sun sets behind the crag by late morning throwing the wood into shade.  There was just one morning recently when we had early sun, so […]

autmn beech, rothiemurchus, cairngorms national park

Autumn Beech

Autumn Beech wood, Rothiemurchus Autumn has been late this year, and its stayed warmer longer than usual.  In this last week the Highland woods have been glowing against deep blue skies with beautiful days of sunshine. Pheasants squawked and scattered as I wandered, and I could see Roe deer down in the marshy area by […]

Loch Garten sunset, Strathspey, Scotland

Loch Garten Sunset Pines

Sunset Pines, Loch Garten, Strathspey Most of the day had been grey, however as evening came on the clouds cleared allowing the setting sun to shine through.  Loch Garten has very ‘fluid’ edges, with boggy marshes and pine-islands, and one of these made an atmospheric sunset-spot.  The sense of space and quiet was immense, with […]

September morning reflections, Loch an Eilein, Strathspey

September Morning

Golden September Morning, Loch an Eilein We often have the best ‘summer’ weather late on, in September.  Its the classic time of early morning mist, golden sunny warmth, and chill evenings.  Here in Scotland we’ve enjoyed a few such days this week. This is early morning at one of my favourite places. The thick mist […]

Autumn hils and early snow, Cairngorms, Scotland

Autumn Hills

Autumn colours and early snow, Cairngorms, from Torr Alvie An image from this week last year, on a day of sunshine and frost with the larch glowing bright orange across Rothiemurchus, and early winter snow on the Cairngorms behind.  The photo is taken from the mysterious wee hill of Torr Alvie, which is covered in […]

Distant ridges, Monadhliath mountains, Strathspey

Monadhliath Misty Mountains

‘Distant Misty Ridges’, Monadhliath Mountains The day had been mostly cloudy with a damp start, but around mid-afternoon it started to clear.  Although I could see blue sky above, everywhere was a thick, warm, haze.  After an hour’s (hard) climb I was on the summit of Craigellachie, taking in the atmosphere.  I have rarely experienced […]

Loch Mallachie, Strathspey

Upon Reflection

Evening light, Loch Mallachie The sun was close to setting, the low light angle giving these pines a stunning graphical effect, especially against the dark (guinness) peaty water of the loch. Loch Mallachie is really just a slightly deeper bit of the surrounding bog and marsh, with the pine forest growing where it can on […]