Applecross a place for all seasons

The Applecross Peninsular in the Highlands of Scotland is one of my favourite places to visit and photograph. The area from Shieldaig round the coast to Applecross and Toscaig and then over the Bealach na Ba Pass to Kishorn is wonderfully diverse with high mountains, sandy beaches, woodlands, loch and rivers.



Winter at Applecross Bay



The first time I visited this wonderful location was Christmas 2009 when the whole area was under snow for several weeks. Amazingly the Bealach na ba was still passable and the scenery for photography was stunning.

Bealach na ba pass in December

I have just come back from my most recent visit to Applecross and the area is just as lovely in the summertime. For this visit we stayed at the tiny settlement of Arrena on the shores of Loch Torridon in a lovely building which used to be the village post office until the 1950's. http://www.arrina-oldpostoffice.co.uk/


Sunset from the Old Post Office


The views from the house take in the loch and mountains beyond but it is worth climbing the hill at the back of the village for the sunset and far reaching views from the top over Loch Torridon.

Sunset over Loch Torridon from Arrina

One of the best ways to explore the Applecross peninsular is on foot. There are a network of paths across the area and some very useful walking leaflets produced by the Applecross Estate. More information can be found at http://www.applecrosswalks.org.uk/

So if you are visiting the area for the first time with photography in mind where are the best places to go? My selection would definitely include the following locations:

1. Applecross Bay and Milltown Loch
There is plenty to see and do in Applecross and some amazing walks around the estate and over the hills. Be sure to visit the Potting shed in the walled garden for tea and cakes http://www.applecrossgarden.co.uk/

Milltown Loch in December

2. Loch Shieldaig and Shieldaig village
The mountains make a stunning backdrop to this lovely village. Don't miss a walk around the Shieldaig peninsular which affords some stunning views and coffee at Nannys is a must! http://www.nannysshop.co.uk/

Morning light over Loch Shieldaig

3. The Bealach na Ba pass
No visit to the Applecross Peninsular would be complete without travelling this amazing road and the views from the top over to Skye are a must for any photographer.


The Isle of Skye from the Bealach na Ba Pass






































4. Ardbain and Coille Ghillie
Take the walk from Culduie through moorland and woodland to the coral beaches associated with these old townships.

Finally, as a visitor, the photographs in this blog can only ever be a taster for what is on offer visually in this stunning part of the world. In my travels I came across a website by a local photographer Steve Carter whos amazing images really capture the essence of this beautiful place and I strongly recommend a visit to his site. http://www.stevecarter.com/

Go West - A photographers guide to Ardnamurchan

Ardnamurchan in the highlands of Scotland is the most westerly part of the British mainland. A small peninsular bounded by Loch Sunart it is a wild and undiscovered place full of natural beauty, amazing scenery and abundant wildlife. It is a photographers paradise.
From the Coran Ferry much of the peninsular is reached by a single track road which leads all the way to Kilchoan and then further west to the lighhouse at Ardnamurchan point.
From a photogrphers point of view the area has a stunning diversity with scenery ranging from dazzling white beaches to the emerald green oak forests of the Sunart shoreline. Wildlife here is abundant and varied. Pine martens roam the woodland and golden eagles soar the skies whilst in between the seas are a rich habitat for seals, porpoise, whales and dolphins as well as a host of seabirds from gannets to manx sheerwaters.
So if you are planning a photography trip to this part of Scotland where are the best places to go? Here is my list of the top 10 must visit locations on the Ardnamurchan Peninsular.

1. Kilchoan
Almost the end of the road on the Ardnamurchan peninsular, this settlement has a lovely bay renowned for its seals, the ruins of a castle on the shore and plenty of interest for both landscape and wildlife photography.

Boats on the shore at Kilchoan Bay

2. Otters Holt self catering lodge, Kilchoan
This is a lovely place to stay and has the added attraction of a pine marten which can be tempted to the patio with a small bribe of jam or peanuts.
More information about Otters Holt can be found from http://www.ottersholtkilchoan.co.uk/

Pine marten at Otters Holt

3. Sanna Bay
With miles of brilliant white sand and turquoise seas Sanna Bay is a fantastic place for landscape photography. Try a visit at sunset which can yield some fantastic shots as the sun disappears behind the islands of Muck, Eigg and Rum.


Sanna Bay



Sunset at Sanna Bay

4. Loch Sunart
The remains of the ancient oak forests along the shores of Loch Sunart are great places to visit on a dull day. The emerald green forests dotted with moss coverd rocks and trees heavy with lichens make ideal subject matter for the photographer. There are many sections of woodland along the shores of Loch Sunart which are owned by the forestry commission for Scotland and which have trails and guides to aid exploration.

5. Ockle
The tiny settlement of Ockle is the starting point for some stunning coastal walks along the north of the Ardnamurchan peninsular.



View from the coast path at Ockle



6. Tobermoray, Mull
Although not a part of Ardnamurchan no trip to the peninsular would be complete without taking the 40 minute ferry trip from Kilchon to the harbour at Tobermory. The delighful town and busy harbour make for interesting subjects whatever the weather and season.

The harbour at Tobermory

7. Fascadale
The single track road to Fascadale runs past high peaks and wooded valleys. It was here that I saw my first Golden eagle gliding gracefully over the trees. There are small beaches and rocky coves along much of this shoreline and everywhere you look is a photograph.

8. The lighthouse at Ardnamurchan Point.
The most westerly point on the British mainland is a must visit location for all landscape photographers especially during stormy weather when the most dramatic images can be achieved. Try shooting across from Eilean Chaluim bay for something a little more tranquil.

9. Portuairk
For me this delightful cove holds more interest than Sanna Bay itself. The combination of white sand, dark rocky outcrops, turquoise blue seas and a flotilla of tiny sailing boats makes an irresistable combination.

Portuairk bay

10. Ben Hiant and Loch Mudle
At 528m Ben Hiant is the largest peak in the area and offers fantastic views over the adjacent Loch Mudle. Look out for the Sea eagles which have been sighted regularly over the loch.