Hello Everyone!
I love every part of Scottish Highlands and I couldn't just choose one as they all have their own character and micro climate. I especially love mountains in every way, I love seeing mountains, I love to photograph them, hike the mountain paths and climb some of them. There are many fantastic areas and views with mountains around Scottish Highlands and I will share some of my favourite ones here...
Glen Shiel area, Scotland.
Every time I drive from Inverness towards Loch Duich and Isle of Skye I just can't go through Glen Shiel without stopping and taking photographs! All the mountains look spectacular in every season and weather, there are various great spots along Loch Cluanie and River Shiel so if you plan to drive through it better reserve couple of hours because it's worth it!
Shot above was taken during one of my workshops in March when morning light lit snowcapped mountains - a great sight photographed just from the roadside by the shore of Loch Cluanie with telephoto lens (28-300mm), Circular Polarizing Filter and ND graduated soft filter (0.9 Soft) to preserve details in the highlights. I liked the play of light and shadows and the contrast between cold snow covered mountains and the warmer, brown-ish slope in first plane...
Second shot was taken in September when summer greens start to change colours towards yellows and oranges, again I was attracted by the play of light and shadows and also the clouds swirling around tops of mountains.
I think it's the best to photograph in morning hours until noon, later Sun moves above/behind the mountains so it's difficult to get balanced exposure and mountains stay in shade lacking details...
Great views can be photographed just from the roadside and I really like it in Spring (March and April) when roads are usually clear from snow and ice but there's still good amount of snow left on the mountains like in the shots above.
When it's a calm day Loch Cluanie offers some lovely reflections of the surrounding mountains.
Before planning a trip through Glen Shiel it is worth to double check weather forecasts and road warnings! If it's raining/snowing Glen Shiel is known for difficult driving conditions, the road is winding and steep in places and snow doesn't get cleared very often (picture above), there are also many pot holes after winter (depends on year and conditions) and Red Deer frequently crossing the road (picture above) so please drive safely!
When you get to the place with old stone bridge it's worth to park your car and go for a hike up the grassy hill behind the bridge (it's usually wet even on a dry sunny day so better wear some hiking boots or wellies!) - great views from both sides of the hill (pictures above) looking down at the old bridge on one side and the valley and River Shiel with The Saddle (mountain in background) on the other side...
More shots from Glen Shiel area taken during my various trips and workshops in the last few years...
Drive through Glen Shiel with view at snow capped mountains - Faochag (left) & The Saddle (right)
Loch Cluanie & brewing storm above Glen Shiel
Old tree trunks can be found at the shore of Loch Cluanie
River Shiel rushing through Glen Shiel
Glen Shiel in Spring
The road through Glen Shiel in Spring
Loch Cluanie and surrounding mountains in Autumn
Textures and reflections at Loch Cluanie in Autumn
'Dreich' winter day at Glen Shiel
Faochag in winter, Glen Shiel
And remember - when you visit those places - 'don't leave anything but footprint, don't take anything but pictures!'
:-)
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