Plants, Flowers and Trees
Beach Grass SunsetSomewhere on the Forth Estuary... It's amazing how different a view can be obtained by getting down close to the ground! A star filter adds effect.
FalklandFalkland, Fife. Situated at the foot of the Lomond Hills in Fife, the centre of Falkland remains a network of narrow streets of cottages and old stone houses. Falkland Palace, on the edge of the village, was used by the kings of Scotland as a base for hunting. Have a look at http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/falkland/falkland/.
Poppy FieldSomewhere in West Lothian... Summer meadows are in a class of their own. This one was just full of poppies and inevitably had that feeling of wild abundance so absent in formal gardens.
West Coast PoppiesGairloch, Wester Ross. The west coast of Scotland is often grey, but that can add to the atmosphere and moodiness. These early July poppies looked out over the sea the Skye in the background. For accomodation at Gairloch the Old Inn really works: www.theoldinn.net. Their website even has the sound of the sea breaking on the shore...
Loch an Eilein SnowLoch an Eilein, Aviemore, Inverness-shire. This loch nestles up against the Cairngorm foothills, and is mostly surrounded by Scots Pines. There is a lovely walk of about 3 miles round the loch, which has a ruined castle on an island in the middle, recalling much less peaceful times. The loch is part of the incomporable Rothiemurchus Estate: www.rothiemurchus.net
Ben LomondStirlingshire. Situated as it is on the edge of the southern Highlands, Ben Lomond is visible from a good distance from a number of directions. This view, taken from the A811 not far west of Stirling just after sunset, reminded me a bit of those pictures one sees of Kilimanjaro rising above the plains, with elephants wandering around the acacia trees.
Rothiemurchus ForestSpeyside. At one time much of Scotland was covered by native a Scots Pine forest, known as the Caledonian Forest, but most has now been lost. Rothiemurchus is thus one of the largest surviving areas of ancient woodland in Europe, with some trees over 300 years old, and has over 30 miles (50 km) of paths through the woods. It’s an iconic place, and the owners are keen to maintain it that way, so its future is bright. Have a look at www.rothiemurchus.net
Strathtay near BallinluigPerthshire. I’m often amazed by how different things look when one gets off the main roads, and here is a case in point. Maybe a mile from the A9 trunk road, a ‘B’ road with loads more character winds down the other side of the River Tay, so these pastel shades could be properly savoured at a more sedate pace.