Photography…mostly.

random thoughts

  • Isle of Harris Scotland

    On leaving the campsite on Isle of Harris Scotland I noticed someone waiting for a bus, so I offered a lift. One of many pleasures of rural Scottish highlands is be friendly and you get friendly. They love to share the island and the culture with you.

    Rainbow on Loch an Luig
    Rainbow on Loch an Luig

    Hebridean weather is driven by the jetsteam and prevailing south west atlantic winds. I experienced many changes from sunshine, howling horizontal rain, oodles of rainbows then beautiful sunshine – within an hour. Photography becomes a waiting game, but unlike most places it changes quickly so you often get your wish many times in one day.

    Across Sound of Taransay, south isle of harris scotland
    Across Sound of Taransay, south

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  • Harris Beach – Luskentyre

    You think Photography is easy? This location proves it isn’t. Walking this Harris beach jolts your senses and herein lies the problem. Its not about bagging a winning shot, but more a fear, a feeling of what you have to lose if you fail. The goal is the next shot, never more than that. Luskentyre (headland fort, disappeared) is often voted best beach in Scotland/UK/Europe/world. I understand why.

    Luskentyre bay at sunset
    Luskentyre bay at sunset

     

    Harris beach - Luskentyre
    Harris beach – Luskentyre

    You are alone on this beach. Yet sounds of waves crash on the shoreline, winds whistle your ears and the views..oh the scenery. And smell, yes the salty fresh and sweet odours ream the nostrils clean. Take your shoes off – feel the sand, squeeze grains between toes, scrunched satisfyingly underfoot. Alone, but never lonely. Mother nature has your hand. (more…)

  • Ferry to the Outer Hebrides

    Forsooth Miss Haversham, these lands do give me the vapours.  Its taken too long to reach the Outer Hebrides, and oh boy it was worth it. Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac) runs many ferries to Scotland’s Outer and Inner Hebrides. The Outer Hebrides are a collection of 100 islands off Scotland’s north west coast of which only 15 are inhabited. I visited in November 2016 to tour, camp and photograph the views and detail of Harris and Lewis in the north.  I drove up to Uig on Skye for the ferry to Tarbert which lies on Harris just south of Lewis. Confusingly they are different regions of the largest island. Harris is very rocky with many hills while Lewis is more gentle, lower level and marshy.

    Harris sheep
    Isle of Harris sheep

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  • Catalonia Region

    The Catalonia region is not what most people consider as representative of Spain. Its because of the rain. And the mountains. The green landscape is heavily farmed thanks to its fertile and volcanic soil, but there is more. Its Mediterranean position means it can reach baking temperatures in summer and snowy, wet and cold in the winter. Its guaranteed sunshine that makes it a nice compliment to Scotland. Coupled with some interesting landscapes and lovely beaches.

    Besalú beach
    Besalú beach

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  • High Catalan Numbers

    Above the village of Beuda towers a mountain. Sitting atop is a sanctuary, restaurant and library with stunning views of the Catalan countryside. Luckily I experienced nice puffy clouds and a fair sunset on this trip. Mare Déu del Mont’s altitude is up there in Catalan numbers, including the Pyrenees.  The area has many extinct volcano cones throughout the landscape.

    Santuari de la Mare de Déu del Mont
    Santuari de la Mare de Déu del Mont

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  • Catalan Landscape

    The Catalan landscape has a similar look to typical Scottish rural landscapes. Catalonia has a different climate to most of Spain due to the Pyrenees. This has the effect of causing more rainfall, providing a greener landscape and colder winters than the rest of Spain. Scottish summers do not compare, but somehow the effects on the countryside draws similarities.

    Field of dreams
    Catalan Landscape – Field of dreams

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