Something to tide you over whilst I recover my crashed hard drive – and the lesson is always back up – I did 
Archive for the ‘Highland’ Tag
Eilean Donan Nightscape 10 comments
Elgol Moodscape 23 comments
I thought it only right and proper to share the other side of Skye (the we dont often have sunny days here Skye) this image was captured about 10 hours prior to Elgol 50 which allows for some compare and contrast. The shot is slightly further up the beach but in essence it is the same view (just a little tighter) the mountains had been drifting in and out of cloud – but on this occasion i liked the fact that you could see just the hills and cloud obscures the rest of the view. The challenge here was keeping the lens dry…. Enjoy
Beauly Firth Calm 28 comments
I am afraid I have not been out and about recently as I am extremely busy which disappoints me immensely so rather than dig in to the archives this time I have decided to publish an image which has lain on the cutting room floor so to speak. I promise to catch up with all you wonderful blogs over the coming weeks. Enjoy
Complex Weather – Loch Morlich 33 comments
Apologies rather busy just now and not getting out and about so have been delving in to the archives and this appeared.I was drawn to the sun attempting to break through the thick cloud over the Cairngorm’s – with limited effect.
The Five Sisters of Kintail 32 comments
I apologize for not replying to all of your recent comments but I wanted to share an image before departing for the weekend and I couldn’t do both. I promise to catch up early next week. I wish all the mothers a happy Mothering Sunday so make sure you spoil your Mum for at least one day of the year
Anyway I don’t post many Black and White landscapes but I thought the contrast in this scene lent itself to some mono treatment. I am rather pleased with it. I edited it in Lightroom 4 which I bought at student rates (I am a student after all) using my PayPal account generated from my photo sales so I actually earned this software which gave me a real thrill. I am hoping the reinvestment will pay for itself. Have a great weekend everyone and happy blogging.
Crash landed a Hunters Moon 18 comments
Well I though I would demonstrate the diversity of textures in the Scottish landscape – even on a dricht day contrasts can be found – less than 300 meters from my misty Loch Duich was this stark contrast – by avoiding the mist and dricht using along lens to isolate the reflection – I ended up with this. I was drawn to the circular shape and the title fell from that – admittedly the colour is a little flat but then that is how it was – notice also the tide draining out of this sea loch placing the seaweed just below the surface in nice lines
Soflty ~ Softly Loch Duich 26 comments
I have been hankering at taking a minimalist soft focus image – which was inspired by work from a few of my fellow bloggers. I wont name names at this point but those who follow similar artists to myself will have a reasonable idea. Anyway something a little different which evokes the moodiness of Scotland at it’s best. Enjoy
Saccharin – Eilean Donan 34 comments
![A castle had stood on this spot since the 13th Century destroyed by the Royal Navy in 1719. Following the failure of the Jacobite rising of 1715, the Jacobites, supporters of the exiled James Stuart, the "Old Pretender", sought new support from Spain. An advance party of 300 Spanish soldiers arrived in Loch Duich in April 1719, and occupied Eilean Donan Castle. The expected uprising of Highlanders did not occur, and the main Spanish invasion force never arrived.At the beginning of May, the Royal Navy sent ships to the area. Early in the morning on Sunday 10 May, HMS Worcester, HMS Flamborough, and HMS Enterprise anchored off Eilean Donan and sent a boat ashore under a flag of truce to negotiate. When the Spanish soldiers in the castle fired at the boat, it was recalled and all three ships opened fire on the castle for an hour or more.[35] The next day the bombardment continued while a landing party was prepared. In the evening under the cover of an intense cannonade, the ships' boats went ashore and captured the castle against little resistance. According to Worcester's log, in the castle they found "an Irishman, a captain, a Spanish lieutenant, a serjeant, one Scotch rebel and 39 Spanish soldiers, 343 barrels of powder and 52 barrels of musquet shot."[36] The naval force spent the next two days demolishing the castle, which took 27 barrels of gunpowder.[37] The Spanish prisoners were put on board Flamborough and taken to Edinburgh.[38] The remaining Spanish troops were defeated on 10 June at the Battle of Glen Shiel. (Wikepedia)](http://skm1963.files.wordpress.com/2013/02/ed_edited-1.jpg?w=1000&h=607)
A castle had stood on this spot since the 13th Century. Following the failure of the Jacobite rising of 1715, the Jacobites, supporters of the exiled James Stuart, the “Old Pretender”, sought new support from Spain. An advance party of 300 Spanish soldiers arrived in Loch Duich in April 1719, and occupied Eilean Donan Castle. The expected uprising of Highlanders did not occur, and the main Spanish invasion force never arrived.
At the beginning of May, the Royal Navy sent ships to the area. Early in the morning on Sunday 10 May, HMS Worcester, HMS Flamborough, and HMS Enterprise anchored off Eilean Donan and sent a boat ashore under a flag of truce to negotiate. When the Spanish soldiers in the castle fired at the boat, it was recalled and all three ships opened fire on the castle for an hour or more. The next day the bombardment continued while a landing party was prepared. In the evening under the cover of an intense cannonade, the ships’ boats went ashore and captured the castle against little resistance. According to Worcester’s log, in the castle they found “an Irishman, a captain, a Spanish lieutenant, a sergeant one Scotch rebel and 39 Spanish soldiers, 343 barrels of powder and 52 barrels of musquet shot.”[36] The naval force spent the next two days demolishing the castle, which took 27 barrels of gunpowder.[37] The Spanish prisoners were put on board Flamborough and taken to Edinburgh.[38] The remaining Spanish troops were defeated on 10 June at the Battle of Glen Shiel. (Wikipedia) . What you see here is the reconstructed Castle between 1919 & 1932 – It has starred in many movies but it was the film Highlander in 1986 which brought it first to my attention. It is an impressive sight by any standard but is surrounded by development which pretty much limits the images you can get. Still I got to practice my night photography again. Enjoy
A Haunted Carbisdale Castle Hides amongst the Trees 21 comments
I hope your eyes are wandering across the vista seeking the haunted Castle which I am referring to. I stayed here when I was 15 on a tour of the Highlands which was run by my school. This and a subsequent trip to Minnesota have in many shaped the creative side of me. I have ghost story to tell with this picture – but you wouldn’t believe me and it would take to long. So please just enjoy this and if you get the chance to go and stay (it is Scottish Youth Hostel Association venue) don’t think twice.
Assynt Mono 15 comments
This is a shot I took along time back which compositionally I was happy with but the upper part of the Sky was alittle blown so I thought I would mess around with some infrared & mono interpretations. Anyway the long and the short of it is I rather like this and may well try some more IR shots. Enjoy
Sail with me – Clachnaharry Sea Lock 18 comments
Some changes then – I have altered the name of the blog – have no fears your subscriptions etc are all intact – in changing the name I am aiming to build my Google SEO. I thought this particular photograph suitable for this change as it is the sea lock which is located at the junction where the Moray Firth and Beauly Firth merge and you can enter the Great Glen onwards ultimately to Loch Ness (home of Nessie). In summary the lock is at a crossroads just like myself. One journey ends and another begin’s …
Forget small glasses – Whisky in large Barrels 20 comments
right that’s me sorted for the bells – lang may yer lum reek – see you in 2013
@skm1963 my recent Instagram’s 19 comments
I use Instagram for some fun and this week with emerging policy amendments – the ‘IG’ community spoke with a firm voice and apparently we were listened to – we shall see
In to the Light (looking forwards never back) 16 comments
Although this time of year has it’s qualities the days are far too short for me. I long for a return to longer days where I can seek out joy and pleasure in the coolness of the tree canopy listening to the birds and the babbling brook – hoping to walk out of the shade – feel the warmth of the sun and be exposed to a magnificent vista………………..
Marbled Rust 16 comments
You will have gathered I am messing around with subtle hues and textures currently. This is a retake of an long lens landscape in Glencoe (linked below). On this occasion as well as the contrast with the dead ferns (rusty colour) I have captured the reflection in the Lochan too – not a brilliant image but interesting
Please link back to my most successful image ever Glencoe Glory to see where within that image this one derived from – enjoy!
Taking in the view – Oldshoremore 17 comments
Well as you tolerated my Glaswegian Social Commentary, I thought I may continue to indulge some people photography – here are three ladies soaking up the view in beautiful light at Oldshoremore, Sutherland. The view which they are not sharing with you is wild and magnificent. First and foremost I loved the light, but I clocked the other person dissapearing (hands on hips) in to the distance and the wonderful white house isolated by the dark sky. I immediately thought they had been socially excluded from the bench threw a temper tantrum and walked off in a huff.
Loch Beinn A’ Mheadhoin Dam 12 comments
The Scottish Hydro-Electric Power generates clean energy but the cost is a multitude of man-made structures which have to fit in to the natural scenery. This dam is at the head of the beautiful Glen Affric and provides flow regulation and some storage for Fasnakyle power station. The water level in the loch is closely controlled to ensure that the level remains virtually constant, ensuring that the scenic beauty of the upper Glen Affric is affected as little as possible.
Ballandalloch Gatehouse 11 comments
Yes this is just the gatehouse – several miles down the road from the Castle – it is located in the heart of Speyside, near to the famed local whisky distilleries of Cragganmore, Glenlivet, Glenfarclas and Glenfiddich. Surrounded by majestic hills, and with the tumbling waters of the Rivers Spey and Avon flowing through the grounds, the setting is truly magnificent.
Play Misty for Me (#2) 35 comments
At this time of year the days are very short here in Moray and a little darkness can fill your mood – this dusk image seemed to capture that feeling – a lone tree peaking through twilight mist – spooky in a sensual way…….
Inverness Castle by Night 8 comments
Inverness Castle (Scottish Gaelic: Caisteal Inbhir Nis) sits on a cliff overlooking the River Ness, in Inverness, Scotland. The red sand stone structure evident today was built in 1836 by architect William Burn. It is built on the site of an 11th century defensive structure. Today, it houses Inverness Sheriff Court. There has been a castle at this site for many centuries. The castle itself is not open to the public but the grounds are.
First taste of Winter – Ben Wyvis 17 comments
Driving towards Inverness this weekend my eyes were drawn by the first dusting of snow on the mountain’s of Easter Ross. I couldn’t resist the temptation of capturing autumn colours contrasted against the snowline. Was even lucky enough to get some good sunshine kindly dance across the peak of Ben Wyvis, Easter Ross. This a long lens landscape taken from the dam at Loch Glascarnoch about 25 miles NW of Inverness.
A Doe a Deer 11 comments
This was taken on the Rannoch Moor at Kingshouse Hotel right under the gaze of the Buachaille Etive Mòr (Scottish Gaelic: Buachaille Eite Mòr, meaning “the great herdsman of Etive”) clearly they have some sort of deal with the hotel chef’s 
Toy Yacht 12 comments
I thought it would be worth showing you the special piece of light I was referring to in my previous post. I have posted this image previously back in the spring but held my previous blog ‘Island Life’ back. Interestingly I often do this if I have managed to get 2/3 decent shots around the same subject, I will drip feed them in. This allows me to keep the subject’s I cover diverse and try not to bore my audience with too many similar posts (that’s the theory anyway). Another interesting point is this is landscape which has been isolated by a long lens as opposed to the more traditional wide-angle lens generally associated with landscape photography.
Island Life 14 comments
Not as dramatic as some of my recent images but I like it’s subtle and varied light sources, the two bursts of light on the island and the hint of some special light in the distance. My next post connect’s the two images and demonstrates how radically different images can be achieved by using a variety of locations and lenses.
Closer to my Heart 21 comments
okay – normal service has been resumed – have a wonderful weekend
Hot n Cold 3 comments
In late Autumn the sun is so low in the sky that it struggles to reach everywhere, resulting in a wonderful contrast between the cool shore and the warm foliage.
Bridging the Ness 10 comments
Q – So what do you post after your most successful Photoblog image – bar none!
A – Something completely different – a Church and a Bridge gotta be safe really
Glencoe Glory 48 comments
Possibly one of the most specular sight’s I have ever witnessed, the rainbow was almost missed because of the quality of the existing light and reflections.
I think I would have to place this in my top three personal favourites………….
Glenfinnan Revisited (carousel gallery) 7 comments
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- open me for full gallery view
Kessock Bridge, Inverness 8 comments
Bridging between the Moray and Beauly Firth is the Kessock Bridge
Auchindoon Isolation 4 comments
A lonely stronghold
Auchindoun stands gaunt and imperious on the crest of a high bank overlooking the River Fiddich, and beside the old hill road to Strathdon. The stone castle is surrounded by impressive earthworks, but whether these are Iron Age or Dark Age, or even the remains of an earlier medieval castle, is not known.
Inner Darkness 5 comments
The scale of Fort George takes your ‘breath’
Fort George is quite simply the finest example of 18th-century military engineering you’ll find anywhere in the British Isles. This vast garrison fortress was begun in the aftermath of the Battle of Culloden (1746), which crushed the final Jacobite Rising. It took over 20 years to complete and in the event it was never attacked. It remains virtually unaltered today, and still serves as an important military base.
The Ben 10 comments
Ben Nevis topped with cream for afternoon tea
River in Spate 3 comments
I love the light variance in the sky and the water from strong sun over my right shoulder.
Macbeth’s ~ Cawdor 6 comments
a cornucopia of colour and texture against the theme of ‘Macbeth’
