the highlands
Sligachan looking to Marsco - one of the classic Skye views - technically imperfect with a huge blown area of white but sometimes, technical doesn’t matter
Highland Scotland is a photographer’s paradise. Dramatic ridges and seascapes are illuminated by the quality of light that only occurs when you travel beyond 56 degrees of northern latitude. Combined with moody skies and luminous, earthy tones, the challenge is often to work out what not to photograph.
Alison and I have travelled to the West Highlands several times and our most recent break has reaffirmed it as our favourite place on earth. There are lots of close seconds, but nowhere possesses the same unique blend of peace, beauty, hospitality, joyous roads, adventure and most importantly, food that will make your lips twitch. I’ve got loads of “Big Country” images from Scotland so this time, I went seeking different perspectives.
the road to pleasure town
The Beallach Na Ba is one of Britain’s great roads and with the rise of the North Coast 500, often brought to a standstill in summer
I love driving and the Beallach Na Ba from Locharron to Applecross is one of the world’s great roads. Snaking over the Na Ba, it’s become an iconic part of the North Coast 500 and as as result, the single track is often brought to a standstill when impatience leads to gridlock. The rule of 2 (not an HMG policy, yet) suggests that only 2 cars at once move up or down to allow them to fit into the passing places.
One day I will return and cycle this beast and then collapse for a pint at the magnificent Applecross Inn.
Bit of middle age car porn - the V90 may be pensioner blue but it proved to be the perfect wagon for carting all our kit about and comfortably kept pace with quick cars on these slightly lumpy road surfaces
coos
If highland cattle don’t make you smile, you need help. These great ginger beasties give no hoots about cars, bikes… anything. And let’s face it, although mostly placid, you’re not going to argue with those handlebars. As we trundled into Elgol on the west coast of Skye, we were welcomed in by this crew and had to stop for a few portrait…
beauty in darkness
Sometimes the weather just doesn’t play ball for photographs so you need to be creative. When the light is flat or grey, it can help to create images with great tonal range. Combined with water and a strong filter, you can capture movement, bright highlights and deep blacks. Elgol is a legendary location for sunset photography with its honeycomb volcanic rocks and views across to the Black Cuillins but at 3pm on a wet day, we went for the long exposure followed by some indecent exposure, getting changed in the carpark and heading off for dinner at the magnificent Coruisk House (coruiskhouse.com) for some outstanding local produce - definitely a place to return for a break.
abstract and patina
My good friend Tom Kidd is a top graphic designer (tomkidd.co.uk), full time hipster and loves a bit of patina. He designed this site and loves nothing more than a shepherd’s hut - the highlands are full of them and they are beautiful.
There’s real elegance in simplicity and the rust-red corrugated iron roofs of crofter’s sheds and fishing huts punctuate the highland landscape - they make great subject matter too.
and finally
It’s hard not to become obsessed with your camera when you’re in such a staggeringly beautiful place so I often set aside time at dawn or dusk and then leave the camera in the bag - the phone on my camera is brilliant for recording all of the other good stuff.
Sometimes it’s better to just take it in with your eyes.
