The Highlands are hard to describe and even harder to photograph. The light changes every few minutes, clouds roll in and out, and a view that looks grey one moment can glow gold the next. Here are four photos from a week on the road, and one we never managed to take.
The glen. We drove through this valley on our first morning, in thick mist that lifted just enough to reveal the mountains on either side. The single road winds along the valley floor, and there are lay-bys where you can stop safely.
The loch. Evenings in the Highlands are long in summer, and the sunsets seem to last for hours. This one was completely still, with the clouds reflected so perfectly that it was hard to tell where the water ended.
The castle. Built on a tiny island and reached by a stone bridge, it is one of the most photographed places in the country. Go early or late in the day to avoid the crowds.
The coast. On the last day we walked along the cliffs of a wild northern coast, with the wind so strong we had to lean into it. Sheep grazed right up to the edge, completely unbothered.
The fifth photo is the red deer stag that stood on the ridge above our car one evening, perfectly lit against the sky. By the time we found the camera, he was gone. Some views you just have to remember.
