The farm at Doune of Rothiemurchus, by the river Spey, with the hill of Ord Ban, and the stormy Cairngorms behind. Taken yesterday from Craigellachie hill, behind Aviemore. It started out as a perfect winter day with blue skies, sunshine and frost, although by the time I was on Craigellachie there was a bitter wind […]
The Cairngorms from Aviemore. Corrie Gorm (appearing behind) and Carn Eilrig (the pyramid-shaped hill) through the late afternoon mist. Happy New Year! … and welcome to 2012. After all the speculation and hysteria about the ‘end of the world’ next December we are finally here. As I am sure everybody on this list is aware, […]
Cairngorms from Rothiemurchus forest This image was taken at this time of year two years ago when it was minus 14C, towards the end of a long ski through the forest, with the snow catching the afterglow colours from the sunset. This week, the recent snow and ice has stripped away and its been comparatively […]
Frost needles on birch twig As I write this we have an inch of fluffy snow, on top of a layer of ice. There was one morning during the week when we had sunshine and a crisp blue sky, with these needles of ice sprouting from every blade of grass and twig. After an hour […]
Ice patterns – toned black and white Although I have converted this photo to black and white and given it a toning effect, the colours are not that far off from the original, with warm sunset colours on the blue ice. I liked the contrast at the edge of the unfrozen pools. We’ve had quite […]
Moon at the stone-circle tree Winter has come. After an incredibly stormy week for us I awoke to a half inch of snow this morning, and ice everywhere. I took a walk out on the moor this afternoon, to get my feet in the snow, and went out to the ancient stone circle (actually a […]
Rothiemurchus and Glenfeshie hills from Craigellachie, Aviemore A freezing, misty morning, with the outline of the hills appearing above the cloud filling the valley lower down. Meanwhile, a fox dug a den in a friend’s garden during the big freeze before Christmas. Now, it is surrounded by snowdrops, all carefully arranged… “At that elusive moment […]
Loch Nan Carraigean Stone Circle, Strathspey This pine has grown up in the centre of the ancient stone circle, out on its own in the moorland. I love the atmosphere in this photo, from the character and energy of the old pine and the combination of winter colours. Being out in nature helps to ground […]
Snow covered Birch trees on the banks of the River Spey I thought we’d shift to Black and White for a change, with another image from last January’s amazing depth of snow and deep frost. You can probably tell by now that I love the grace of the Birch! I appreciated this week’s quote as […]
Snow reflections on the banks of the River Spey, near Aviemore Taken during last January’s big freeze, with ice ‘pancakes’ drifting along on the current. I loved the rich golden sunlight and the reflections this created with the ice. One of the themes I often come back to with my quotations is the nature of […]
Freezing mist in Craigellachie Birch wood Taken on one of those beautiful winter mornings with sunshine slanting low through the mist and heavy frost. “Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul alike.” – John Muir “We sleep, […]
Ice build-up around a waterfall After many days at low temperature the splashes had built up this amazing sphere of ice around the cascade. “In Tibet we say that many illnesses can be cured exclusively by love and compassion. These qualities are the ultimate source of happiness, and we need them in our innermost being. […]
