Dark departure from southern shores, full moon radiance creating ghostly hues in the night sky with an occasional glimpse of Cassiopea. Dawn broke with spectacular aplomb tinting the fleeting clouds pink, the sun’s brilliance highlighting the golds, oranges, browns and reds of autumnal glory.
Trouble free motoring enabled a diversion to Anthony Gormley ‘Another place’ situated on a two mile stretch of sandy beach at Formby. A short invigorating and blustery venture on the beach to view just some of the visible male sculptures all looking seaward – some near high water mark others submerged in the high tide. On commenting to a local dog walker about the statues and the effect of sunlight I was encouraged to return at sunset – that would have to be another time.
Anthony Gormley - Another place
As we journeyed into Scotland the autumn splendour heightened to breathtaking beauty of tree cladded mountains and wooded valleys. The mixture of deciduous and coniferous foliage and tree shapes adding texture to the colourful palette .
With the increase in land height so the tree line diminished giving way to the burnished gold and russet brown of moorland. The mountain ranges starkly outlined with a dusting of snow contrasted well and intimated a poignancy of winter scenery in the making. Red deer hinds grazed contentedly whilst the stag kept watch his antlers decorated with tufts of grass - all blended into the moorland landscape.
on watch
Much has been written about the Highland Clearances especially Strathnaver. We began The Strathnaver trail from Altnaharra that ran beside the still waters of Loch Naver. The verdant pastures subject of the clearances were beyond the loch end adjacent to the river Naver. Crossing the river we headed across the moors for Forsinard RSPB reserve. The Visitor Centre was in the old station building unmanned but informative. The peatland boardwalk was memorable for the colourful palette of sphagnum moss, lichens, sedges and grasses. One could spend hours photographing the extraordinary, intricate textures and colours. To be part of this bleak landscape for a short while was a privilege.
Sphagnum moss at RSPB Forsinard
Onward to Thurso to board the Hamnavoe for Orkney and the Orkney storytelling festival – the reason behind our journey. Locating our B&B high on a hill beyond Evie was a challenge and finally helped with live directions from our host.
We attended three events, the most memorable at Kirbister Museum – formerly a traditional Orkney farm. The peat fire added poignancy, smoke hanging above our heads as we listened to tales from Orkney, Shetland and the Apalachian mountains. The Ghostly stories late in the evening were at Skaill House; our journey across the dark moor eeriely enhanced by owls floating past.
Stromness is a delight to explore, terraced dwellings lined the paved street and steep narrow alleys made for interesting exploration – one is even called Khyber Pass!
Two days of showers and sunshine created many a rainbow across the vast open sky as we explored the Bay of Birsay, Churchill Barriers, the Gloop and Yesnaby.
The Old Man of Hoy was clealy visible on our choppy return to Thurso and made for challenging photographic moments. Our homeward journey took in the Highland east coast to Inverness and south of the border Chatsworth and the Peak District. The round trip from the central English south coast to the Scottish north coast and many points between the many stages of autumn colour had been witnessed.
just another special moment
What an absolutely brilliant post! Such a turn of phrase which pinpointed the highlights of our Orcadian Dash so descriptively. I love the pictures, especially the cropped rainbow one. Fabulous!
Possibly one of the few reasons to visit Formby. Such an evocative photo – I’ve wanted to see Another Place since it was installed, but now I want to even more.