Scottish tour

[Barr1e]

Anne and I recently toured around Scotland and covered some 2200 miles. We really enjoyed our trip as it rekindled memories of some 40 years ago when we both lived and worked there for some 4 years.

We left home in sunshine and worked our way up the west coast and to say we were met with some rather inclement weather is an understatement. Some days we experienced 60mph winds coupled with sheets of driving rain. Fortunately, when we boarded ferries to some of the islands the seas were calm but the rain persisted. Not conducive to taking beautiful mountains scenes with waterfalls and streams. In fact the following pix look just like snapshots .

As our journey continued we were met with some blue skies and those images I have yet to Photoshop which I will post as and when.

Although the weather was not as kind as we wished we enjoyed every part of our trip especially as we were fortunate to be at Crathie when the Queen, Prince Phillip and other members of the Royal family whisked past the waiting throngs.

So some wet piccies first: (The E-5 and Anne's E-30 shrugged the conditions off)

Eilean Donan Castle - note the tide was also out.


Eilean Donan Castle from the other side.


When I looked at the live webcam earlier today the wet stuff was falling again. Such a pity as when conditions are right you get the best scenes of the castle.

http://www.eileandonancastle.com/eilean-donan-webcam.htm

As a Harry Potter fan we had to visit Glenfinnan Viaduct and the pathway to the top is a great help. The Hogwart Express had stopped running a few days earlier - doh! Don't blink with the first pic you might miss the viaduct.







Jacobite Express crossing the Glenfinnan Viaduct - YouTube[/ame]"][ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfM8HjNuGHI&feature=related"]Jacobite Express crossing the Glenfinnan Viaduct - YouTube[/ame]

Some afternoon sun -
Isle of Skye.


Moored to rot - Mull


Tobermory


Regards. Barr1e

[andym]

Re: Scottish tour

Wondered where you and Anne had got to.That's a lot of miles.

All nice but particularly like the light on the two rotten fishing boats.

Look like a great trip.

[escallonia]

Re: Scottish tour

some great photo's Barrie considering the weather I loved the video of the steam engines it looks a beautiful place never been I may have the chance one day. thanks for showing and I am sure you and your family had a wonderful time. Regards John

[Ian]

Re: Scottish tour

Some superb scenery there, Barr1e - but the first five look very dark on my screen.

Did you go to Skye?

Ian

[Pol]

Re: Scottish tour

Very nice pictures, Barrie. I especially like the first two. moody and so typical of a cold, wet and misty day up there ... you brave, determined souls.

They're darkish on my screen but not too dark, Ian. I'd assumed it was because of the weather and conditions.

Pol

[Ian]

Re: Scottish tour

Very nice pictures, Barrie. I especially like the first two. moody and so typical of a cold, wet and misty day up there ... you brave, determined souls.

They're darkish on my screen but not too dark, Ian. I'd assumed it was because of the weather and conditions.

Pol

You could be right, Pol - but the 5th one especially looks too dark. I only mention this in case Barr1e is having monitor calibration issues. Later shots in the sequence are much brighter.

Ian

[Barr1e]

Re: Scottish tour

Andy, John, Ian and Pol -

Thanks for the comments - appreciated.

Ian's comment regarding the darkness of the fifth pic has made me return and lighten it a little with the exception of the sky as it hides the noise etc. due to the weather at the time



Regards. Barr1e

[John Perriment]

Re: Scottish tour

Hi Barrie and welcome back.

I think you are being a bit harsh describing these as snapshots. I particularly like the first one of the castle and "Moored to Rot." Those two compositions are anything but snapshots and I feel the weather helps enhance the mood. They may benefit from an extra tweek in Levels and Contrast, but basically they are fine photographs which may not have worked so well on a bright sunny day (although I'm sure you would have preferred that kind of weather)!

[Pol]

Re: Scottish tour

I think you are being a bit harsh describing these as snapshots. I particularly like the first one of the castle and "Moored to Rot." Those two compositions are anything but snapshots and I feel the weather helps enhance the mood. They may benefit from an extra tweek in Levels and Contrast, but basically they are fine photographs which may not have worked so well on a bright sunny day (although I'm sure you would have preferred that kind of weather)!

You've summed it up very nicely, John. They're very 'atmospheric' images that probably wouldn't have had anywhere near as much impact on a bright and sunny day with fluffy white clouds.

Granted it might have been more pleasant for Barrie and Anne if the weather had been brighter and calmer (especially on the ferries ) - but the pictures would've been 'tamer'.

So take a bow Barrie and Anne and get yourselves some super prints for a dedicated 'Tour of Scotland' album (or Photobook).

Pol

[TheBull1875]

Re: Scottish tour

Why it is the most beautiful country in the world. No matter where my lot in life has landed me, there is nowhere like my home country. For many years I was adamant that when I retired there was no way I would still live here. Not now. I could not consider anywhere else.

Great shots Barrie.

[Pops]

Re: Scottish tour

That's one heck of a tour you had Barr1e. I love Scotland and once was a regular visitor.
Looks like you bought back some wonderful photographic memories.

[Mowgli]

Re: Scottish tour

You have brought back some beautiful photo`s in spite of the weather, the moored to rot picture is one of my fave`s like the hues and colours.

[Barr1e]

Re: Scottish tour

John P, Pol, TheBull, Pops and Mowgli -

Thanks for the pleasing comments. Although it was a damp trip it was well worth the visit.

The scenery, history, people and food (especially the porridge) will give Anne and I happy memories once more of Scotland.

The meandering at 25/35mph along some of the one track roads in the mountains was wonderful, each bend a new scene which is difficult to explain without getting a lump in one's throat.

I have two further sets to post which I hope members and visitors will enjoy.

Regards. Barr1e