Fine Art Images from the American Southwest

Random Images From Scotland. 04-12-2023

Greetings from the San Cristobal, NM. and beyond from Scotland.

Over the years, distant memories travel to the forefront of my mind’s eye. I’m prompted to look up the pictures to support my memories. I like to gratify my remembrances by reliving the trips I made. One of these days, I’ll load up the scanner with slides from trips before the digital era and post them here.

For now, I’ll settle for the images below from Scotland. I hope you enjoy them.

We arrived at Eilean Donan Castle in Scotland after sunset. The castle was glowing in evening splendor, so we found a vantage point where I could put the camera on a bean bag on a post for a twenty-second exposure. The mist gave the scene a look of mystery. Overall, I was pleased with the shot.

Eilean Donan Castle Scotland
Eilean Donan Castle, Scotland

The next day the weather was expected and familiar. Overcast and drizzling.

Rainy day at Eilean Donan Castle
Rainy day at Eilean Donan Castle.

Driving through Glencoe, we pulled over to enjoy the waning light on the landscape. As we returned to the car, Pami and I looked up and exclaimed in unison, “Oh, look!” There was a red stag watching us. He had probably been watching us for the time we were watching the light fade. I made the picture of the red stag in almost darkness, but the image of it standing there stock steady, with us locked in its gaze, is magnified and emblazoned on our hearts and minds forever.

Red stag, Glencoe, Scotland
Red stag, Glencoe.

This tree has grown in notoriety over the years. It appears to be growing out of the rock. A closer look revealed that the tree was growing down through a crack, its roots spread out under the rock. Perhaps a symbol of the tenacity and spirit of the people of Scotland.

Tree growing out of a rock Scotland
A tree growing out of a rock, in the highlands.

The moisture on the lichen made for marvelous patterns. We could have taken many photos of grave markers and rock walls all day. I think we did!

Lichen on Celtic Cross
Lichen on a Celtic Cross.

I had always wanted to visit Glenfinnan and see the viaduct. You may recognize it from the Harry Potter films and numerous other movies. We waited a while for the train to arrive and cross the viaduct. It began to rain, of course! I liked the mood the weather created, and the locomotive was in full steam. If you get a chance to visit Glenfinnan, there is more to amaze in the area than just seeing the train.

Glenfinnan Viaduct, Scotland
Glenfinnan Viaduct.

We visited many more places on our three-week trip. The Isle of Skye was another highlight. I hope you enjoyed this quick visit.

As always thank you for looking. Have a great week. G

31 thoughts on “Random Images From Scotland. 04-12-2023”

  1. These are really stunning, thanks Geraint. I hope you don’t mind me sharing a couple with friends on Facebook who would love these as I do. Of course I always supply provenance for you………Jay

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  2. Thank you for transporting me to Scotland… as I’d just finished reading a book set there, your photos provided impeccable ambiance

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    • My pleasure. I’m glad you enjoyed these images. What is the book? Check out Hamish Macbeth, on Britbox I think. Thank you, Mara. G

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  3. The stag was magnificent. My husband and I had a similar magical moment in Canyonlands NP
    Thanks, as always, for sharing

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    • Thank you, Lin. Wildlife encounters are special and profound. I’ve had a few in canyon lands, myself. Thank you for sharing, Lin. G

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  4. I loved the images from Scotland. We made three trips there and your spectacular photographs brought back happy, powerful memories. Thank you for sharing your amazing work.

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    • I guess you’re a scotophile. I would love to be there today. But today it’s raining and green here and reminds my of the old country.
      Thank you Jim. G

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  5. Great Pictures. Thanks. I have never been to mainland Scotland but can recommend Orkney for great pics. the next time you have wanderlust.

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  6. Rainy day at Eilean Donan Castle. You managed to find the beauty in the colors to make the castle look less daunting. I’m learning from you, Geraint, how to find beauty in everything.

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    • Thank you so much, Joy. I really appreciate your compliments. I plan to make it there again soon. Sometimes re editing a picture as in this instance, of the castle, can bring more of the feeling that I felt when I first edited it. Feelings percolate and instill a deeper sense of wonder, at least for me. G

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      • I know what you mean about “feelings percolating.”
        In 2019 I spent a week on the banks of the Glencoe at Red Squirrel Campground. It was so pleasant to just sit there on the stones, watching the river flow, looking for, but never seeing a stag like you saw, for as long as I wanted, soaking in the beauty of it all.

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  7. Thank you for a lovely reminder of my Dad and the days we used to go up to Scotland in the summer, such magical beauty in that country.

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    • Thank you so much, June. I never went there with my parents. We went to many other places. How were the midges when you wet? G

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  8. Hi nearly missed the Scotland trip. Eilean Donna Castle looks great in the evening. Great Stag I traveled to Skye by Rail from lnverness to Kyle and was lucky to see two magnificent stags.Love the lichen and Glenfinnan. Thanks for the memories

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    • I would go there again in a heartbeat. Timing is the key. It’s a beautiful and inspiring part of the world. We loved it there. Thank you, Alison. Geraint

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