Light on Creag Dubh, Newtonmore

 Sunlight on Creag Dubh, Newtonmore, Scotland 

Sun flash

2013 Scottish Jaunt: a revitalised John O'Groats

 The restored John O'Groats Hotel

Enjoying the luxury of a Natural Retreats self-catering residence right at the end of the road at John O'Groats. The old hotel which was very run-down and falling into decay has been beautifully restored and self-catering units developed. Very well appointed and equipped with amazing views over the Pentland Firth to Stroma and Orkney – enhanced by the glorious sunsets we've had so far.

 Glorious sunset at John O'Groats (above and below)

 Our hut@John O'Groats

The huts have been carefully sited and spaced out 

Scottish holidays 2013: The stunning West Coast

Somewhere in that mass should be Ben Nevis: 
the road from Laggan to Spean Bridge 

In 2011 for Netta's Tours it was the Outer Hebrides. 2012 it was Orkney. For 2013 it is the West Coast and John O'Groats. We left Newtonmore this morning heading down through Laggan to Spean Bridge and then onto Invergarry, where we headed off west. Heading through Dornie to Loch Carron and then the spectacular drive over the steep narrow road to Applecross, where we had a extremely good lunch at the Applecross Inn. It is rare that I find so many tempting choices on a menu. 

After lunch it was northwards along the coast of the Applecross Peninsula – just breathtaking views across to Skye and the Outer Hebrides – then northwards through Torridon up to Gairloch and the Myrtle Bank Hotel. With the every changing scenery and light it was almost impossible not to take non-stop photos!!    

Eilean Donan Castle 

Looking from Applecross to the Cuillins and Skye (above and below)

Applecross

 The excellent Applecross Inn

London photos – various inc June dusk and dawn + Shard

 

Around 4.30am 22.6.2012

Grey conclusion to longest day (above and below)

Not dirt on camera lens but airship over London (above and below)

 

The Shard – 6.11.2010 (above and below)

North Uist August 2011: series of sunset pics

 

An afternoon spent sorting out for photos – much more remain to be done as it takes a remarkably long time. Anyway time to look again at some photos taken in the Outer Hebrides early last August including this series of photos taken at night fall in the centre of North Uist with the fading light reflected on a series of small lochs. I had never visited the Outer Hebrides before – they proved to be stunningly beautiful. With the exception of the last pic the rest were taken close to the A867 that crosses the island to Lochmaddy in the east.    

Taken about 20 minutes later and further east with sheep graxing

London inc #Shard as last sunlight fades

 Centre of London from south above the Horniman Gardens (illuminated trees) as the last light from the sun fades

Closer onto the Shard

Kent: early morning mist over an apple orchard

 

5am mist over a Kent apple orchard around sunrise: 19th June 2012

Avebury and Barbury Castle

Avebury: standing stones and the popular Red Lion pub on edge of the village

We spent the weekend with friends in Wiltshire and amongst other places visited Avebury and its standing stones as well as Barbury Castle, an Iron Age hilltop fort near Swindon. 

 Start of the walk up to the fort

The inner and outer rings of the fort (above and below)

The inner ring on the southern side   

The photographer's feet and shadow

Views northwards from the Castle 

CRM and Chris 

CRM and the sky

Wild life – a black beetle 

 More wild life: a couple of decorative snails (above and below)

The Black Sheep of the party

The Castle, trees and rape field in distance