Is it a road trip through Scotland if it’s not pelting it down with rain and blowing an absolute hoolie? Of course it’s not. I know it’s not exactly original to complain about the weather up North, but I am actually not complaining. It’s not ideal to walk the dog in, I won’t lie, but it really is the type of weather that gives me the photographs I love. I headed off on this little wander specifically for a dose of mountains, as we’ve been spending the winter on the Moray coast, a flatter, less dramatic area of Scotland (it does have it’s own charm though…. those pink skies). I really crave the drama of those lochs and glens when I’m away from them, especially after spending the last three years in Aviemore. I’ve been spoilt.
If you’ve followed me on any sort of social media platform before, you’ll know I love a good hut. If it’s dilapidated, with mountains in the background and a chimney rising from it’s knackered old roof, I’ve hit the jackpot.
I spotted this one for the first time years ago, when I first discovered the joy of aimlessly driving around, huge medium format camera in tow. We parked nearby in our old (and I literally mean old, it was a 1989 Talbot express) motorhome. We slept in a gravel car park, hoping the river didn’t break it’s bank with the never ending rainfall and leave us stranded, but still venturing out to walk the dog and to eventually stumble upon the hut.
At the time, my creative focus was completely fixated on working with wool, and my camera had been tucked away in a cupboard for a good few months. I do this a lot…. pick up my camera in ebbs and flows. I tend to throw myself into new things, and obsess over them until I know the craft well enough to make room for all my previous interests to trickle back into my brain.
But, about 5 years later, I happened to be driving in the area with my creative focus on shooting film again and my favourite moody weather creating the perfect backdrop. It was meant to be, and I got my favourite shot of the trip. It made the cut for my online shop, and is available as a print here.
Of course, between hut hunting and winding on rolls of film, I have to make time to take Fox to a beach. This little red fella is my number one priority, and nothing makes me happier than seeing him get those little feet in the sand. This time, it was silver sand, as the lucky bugger got to visit Morar beach on a quiet winter afternoon and have the place to himself.
