Roiling sea around the Duncansby Stacks, looking out across the lively Pentland Firth
Wide open fields and scattered settlements in Caithness, reminiscent of OrkneyOrkney is just across the Pentland Firth – here are Stroma (its lighthouse just visible) and more faintly Hoy to the left and Mainland to the rightCold sea, an old raven, and the noonday sun close to the horizon
18 Dec The shore at Golspie Links Nature Reserve
Sea still frisky, and the salt spray misty. Facing Golspie Bay to northMakeshift compass of crab shells and beer cans. Opposite this bay is the controversial proposed site for Coul Links Golf Course, opposed by environmental charities
19 Dec on the hill above Helmsdale, looking southwest
Helmsdale, once a busy fishing village, is at the mouth of one of the loveliest fishing rivers,Here the coastal railway route turns inland towards Forsinard peatland reserve (RSPB) and then the far north
20 Dec The Kilbraur path towards Carroll Rock
The Carroll Rock skirting part of Loch Brora: framed from the road near Doll footbridgeLichen, mosses and ferns near Carroll Rock
21 Dec Solstice sun above the mists, from Migdale
The mists have gathered over the Kyle of Sutherland, which is an inland extension of the Dornoch Firth. Widespread frost today!
22 Strath Kildonnan, catchment of Helmsdale River
There have been signs of human settlement in this valley for thousands of years
24 From Brora south of the Harbour, across Moray Firth
Northwards towards “our beach” (Front Beach, where we saw an otter swimming parallel to the shore, close to us, on Boxing Day at sunset) and the Ord of Caithness on the far skyline.The three tiny “islands” on the left-hand (eastern) horizon are hill tops inland of the Moray coast, across the water, and only visible on the clearest days – like this Christmas EveAt centre stage – near midwinter and near midday – a cormorant drying its wings. On the horizon to its right, the lighthouse at Tarbet Ness, near Portmahomack.Looking back southwards towards the Cairngorms. The whiteon the horizon is mist rather than snow, although we did see small amounts of snow in shaded places on the Cairngorms when we returned south on 27 December. And a little on the ski slopes at Aviemore resort.
25 Dec Christmas walk up Glen Loth
Alas, no noble wolves since 1700 . Plaque on A9 near Glen Loth “celebrates” this factLoth Burn, powering hydroelectric schemeThe ent-like birch of Glen LothSubtleties of winter colour at the bridge over Glen Loth
Thank you for the journey through the old land of soft light and strong seas.
Happy end of the year to you, and all the best for 2019.
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