Apologies for my prolonged absence from the forum . I have just returned from a 3,500 mile , 4 week tour of western and northern Scotland , including visits to the Isle of Skye , the Outer Hebrides ( North Uist , Benbecula , South Uist ) , and the so-called Isles of Harris and Lewis (one island really , but the fiction persists) . I also visited parts of the north - west coast of mainland Scotland and the main island of the Orkney group off the most northerly part of mainland Scotland , stopping off on my way home at Glencoe / Glen Etive .

The purpose of my trip was threefold : first , to break out of the photographic doldrums in which I was becalmed ; second to capture and share some of the magnificent scenery of those parts and , thirdly , to visit the Orkney area from which several generations of my family came. I am the first member of my family to return to these islands since the family moved to England in about 1837 . I think I successfully achieved the first and third aims ; I await the jury's verdict on this and forthcoming offerings !

Naturally I hope to have a few pictures worthy of posting here , and I am starting off with one of the last photos of the trip as , for me , this sort of view encapsulates the outstandingly attractive scenery of this part of the western highlands of Scotland . I will draw a veil over some of the weather conditions encountered on the trip , but suffice to say this view of Buachaille Etive Mor (Scottish Gaelic meaning " the great herdsman of Glen Etive") was taken after 36 hours of torrential storm-driven rain , as I started my drive homewards . Hand-held spur of the moment stuff ; the Buachaille is probably the most-photographed mountain in Scotland , and this fearless stag probably comes in as a close second for popularity ! Two monarchs of the Glen for the price of one ; I hope a few people enjoy this Scottish trademark view .

Lucky you, Adrian. Spent two weeks in the Orkney Isles, Northern Scotland, and parts of the west a few years back. I desparately want to return.

Lovely image. Very well balanced with lots of interest. Colors are wonderful. Glad you survived the deluge.

Cheers,
Ed

A whole month??!!??!! I'd feel like I'd died and gone to heaven!!!
Wonderful image here, Adrian. Instant classic of several of the Highlands' icons!
I can see how crisp and clean the air is after the storms, and the low angled light tops it off beautifully.
Gotta love the view from King's Bridge Hotel! I remember seeing only the bottom of the Buachaille!

Barry

Oh, Adrian! This is a real beauty. To capture the two monarchs in the same frame is marvellous. Because of the stag this is one of the best (of very many) shots I've seen of the Buachaille. Well done indeed. I'm looking forward to seeing more from your trip
David

Great shot without the stag, amazing with
The trees on the right and the grazing deer on the left almost look pasted into the scene, the low sun makes them shine. Nice

Splendid shot, Adrian!

I'm terribly, extraordinarily, fearfully, unbelievably envious!!!! All the places of my dreams! Ok I've been more than once to most of them, except Orkney, but still, I can't wait to get back (Barry, David and anyone who's been there knows what I feel now).
I can't wait to get up there sometime January/February when there's some serious snow because I've never been there in winter yet.

lovely image Adrian, the stag just adds to what is a great image already

Rob

What Rob said... Stunning image!

Rich

We were worried about you, Adrian. Glad to see you're back.
And with such a splendid image too. Love it.
Ute

the light is just equisite in this one....fantastic work as always. Good to see you back.

Beautiful! Can't wait to see more!

Bev

Adrian

wow now I know why you didn't join the gang in the PNW . What an incredible journey you must have had. By the looks of this first image it was a stellar of a time, all the components are working so beautifully here, a gorgeous image, looking forward to seeing many of many images from your journey

Ray Still

What a fabulous sounding experience, Adrian. We missed you terribly!

That's one heck of an image. I didn't know there was 3500 miles between those places, but I do look forward to seeing more.

WoW, what a shot! Simply Amazing!!

Mahalo,
Brandon

Hey Adrian,

Cool! What a great shot. I love the painterly light you got here. And to get that stag looking at you from the side? That is sweet.

I look forward to seeing more.

Jim

Good thing that you didn't take Martin's Alpha Splendid start to chronicle your trip. More please.

Adrian: So nice to hear (and see) from you. Wonderful start; I look forward to more.

Bart

teked wrote:
Lucky you, Adrian. Spent two weeks in the Orkney Isles, Northern Scotland, and parts of the west a few years back. I desparately want to return.

Lovely image. Very well balanced with lots of interest. Colors are wonderful. Glad you survived the deluge.

Cheers,
Ed

Thanks for your kind comments Ed . I clearly remember your lovely shots from Shetland . If I'd had more time , stamina and money I would have gone there ; some other time perhaps .


bshamilton wrote:
A whole month??!!??!! I'd feel like I'd died and gone to heaven!!!
Wonderful image here, Adrian. Instant classic of several of the Highlands' icons!
I can see how crisp and clean the air is after the storms, and the low angled light tops it off beautifully.
Gotta love the view from King's Bridge Hotel! I remember seeing only the bottom of the Buachaille!

Barry

Many thanks Barry . By the time that I got home I was on my knees and in need of a holiday ! This landscape thing is really very hard work ! Glad you enjoyed this scene from the King's House area . I had a room with a full-on view of the Buachaille , but most of the time I couldn't actually see it , although it's only 3 miles or so away .

David Leask wrote:
Oh, Adrian! This is a real beauty. To capture the two monarchs in the same frame is marvellous. Because of the stag this is one of the best (of very many) shots I've seen of the Buachaille. Well done indeed. I'm looking forward to seeing more from your trip
David


Thanks David . I'm proud indeed to have your kind comments . Strange it is , that quick action shots often seem to better the deliberately planned studies !

Welcome back my friend and what a lovely treat you have shared with us. The light is just glorious on the background
mountain. I thoroughly enjoyed your description of your trip and am looking forward to more verses.

Al B

Stunning shot, Adrian. My not-too-distant relatives came from Scotland. I would love to see it. I can't wait to see your pictures.

This is just gorgeous. Wow.

Sharon