Waylandscape. Fine Art Landscape Photography of England, Scotland, Wales and Norway by Photographer Gary Waidson aka. Wayland. Award Winning Images of British and Scandinavian Mountains and coastlines. Landscapes of Lake District, Snowdonia, Highlands and Northumbria. Castles, Ruins, Rocks and Lighthouses. Atmospheric Landscape photographs of the UK.

Skye

February 2012

So often, I go in search of one type of picture and end up finding something completely different.

I drove to Elgol to shoot the beach with the mountains beyond but found the light disappointing.

Elgol Deserted Cottage
Elgol Deserted Cottage and television

As I left the village this deserted cottage caught my eye and I pulled in to take a look.

The ancient black and white television and the few remaining possessions scattered around the tiny dwelling told their own poignant tale.

It is very easy to be carried away by the romance of such remote communities as we drive about in the landscape.

Of course for the people living in such places life can be very hard and perhaps even lonely.

I don’t know the true story of the person that lived here or indeed how they came to leave this place but I think the impression this ruin left me with will stay with me for a long time.

The pictures I took from this point on the island all seemed to stem from the sense of desolation that I found in this place.

Everywhere I looked I seemed to find ruins and abandonment which in fairness, does  not reflect the real character of this land.

Cill Chriosd
Elgol Inside Deserted Cottage

In many ways, some too difficult to describe, Skye reminded me more of Scandinavia than Britain. It is something about peoples relationship with the landscape which I cannot quite put my thumb upon.

I took this trip to Skye in advance of a few days work in Edinburgh that I normally get at this time of year.

I had intended to do so last year but ended up cut off by snow crossing Rannock Moor.

Today the weather seemed against me again. Although it was dry which is of course a great mercy, the clouds were low and flat which creates rather uninspiring light at best.

My usual approach to such conditions is to treat it as reconnaissance time, scouting out new locations in case the light improves.

I found myself searching out lonely spots away from the well trodden ways and sights and that is how I came upon  Bornesketaig.

Even the name sounds Scandinavian.

Bornesketaig
Old Boat Bornesketaig

Drawn up on the quay was the remains of what would once have been a lovely little boat. Now sadly neglected probably in favour of some plastic hulled dingy with no soul.

Boats such as this have sailed through the history of this area from the Viking age at least but are fast disappearing from the water as culture is replaced by simple practicality.

Some day, weatherly craft such as this may only be found  in museums and heritage attractions such as the one at Kilmuir, which is well worth a visit if you’re in the area.

It was here that I found the last picture of this trip before the weather turned damp and drizzly.

Croft Cottage Skye

This image formed the basis of another interpretation using other techniques I have been experimenting with to produce a more artistic rendition of certain scenes.

You may see more of this kind of thing in the future if I get a feel for it.

Blackhouse-Impressions
Neist-Point

My last shot before leaving the island was taken at Neist Point where the lighthouse perches on a crag above the sea.

Neist-Point-art

Using the same techniques for a different interpretation.

Travelling next towards my accommodation in Edinburgh, I turned aside briefly to take in the Forth Bridge which they have finally finished painting.

Of course this means we will now have to find another expression for a never ending job but it is certainly fine to see the bridge looking so splendid in the full light of day.

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Forth Bridge