West is best

Not always, but on this occasion it came up trumps


I did wonder yesterday, given that spring or even summer had arrived, whether this post would be appropriate given the weather conditions in some of the images. However, the equinox gales are now gusting outside in all their glory, so back to normal.

A few weeks ago, Mali, a friend and fellow photographer, came to visit. He is going to be running a residential workshop, with some help from yours truly, from the accommodation on our farm. This was only his third visit to Scotland, and we were heading out to recce locations for the workshop.

It’s always a joy to show the treasure trove of our surrounding landscape to someone who hasn’t seen it; I see it through new eyes. It’s all too easy to stop appreciating what is on the doorstep.

These are a small selection of the images I took as we headed over to the West Coast. We had all sorts of weather conditions over the two days, but I really think Mali saw Scotland in its finest mantle.

Loch Droma on the road from Inverness to Ullapool, Scotland

Loch Droma - on the way from Inverness to Ullapool.

Mellon Udrigle Beach with view across to Coigach

Mellon Udrigle Beach with view across to Coigach.

Looking towards Scoraig from Mellon Udrigle Beach

Looking towards Scoraig from Mellon Udrigle Beach.

Traditional dry-stone buildings at Mellon Udrigle, Scotland

Some of the vernacular dry-stone built buildings that dot the landscape, Mellon Udrigle.

Sheep on the road on the west coast, Scotland

You’re never very far away from sheep!

Coastal road between First Coast and Second Coast, Scotland

On the road between First Coast and Second Coast.

Gruinard Island, once contaminated with anthrax during WWII

Gruinard Island, also known as ‘Anthrax Island’ after it was contaminated during World War Two by scientists carrying out germ warfare experiments. It was declared anthrax free in 1990.

Camas Gaineamhaich, wide sandy beach at Gruinard Bay

Camas Gaineamhaich, the wide sandy beach at Gruinard Bay.

Gruinard River flowing through the Highlands

Gruinard River on its way to Gruinard Bay.

Telegraph pole against snowy mountain on way to Camasnagaul

I like telegraph poles!

Road sign covered in stickers on road to Camasnagaul

The road to Camasnagaul.

Roadside building with corrugated iron roof amid snowy mountains, Scotland
Mountain tops with scattering of snow, Scotland
Loch Luichart in mist

Loch Luichart

Telegraph pole in mist, Scotland
Photographer Mali at work beside Loch Clair, Scotland

Mali doing his thing at Loch Clair


Did Mali see Scotland at its best? I like to think he did.

This post first appeared on Substack, where I share travel stories, photography, and quiet moments from the road.



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