The Western Isles

Whoop, whoop... holiday time with some lovely peeps off North to spend some time on the Western Isles as the title suggests.

We met up at work, piled (very precisely.... think of tetris) all our luggage into the minibus and off we went. Slowly until the driver got used to the van.

I don't often get driven around and it was quite relaxing to sit up front ( I get car sick) and check out the scenery.
Up the A9 and then a much needed comfort break for expulsion and imbibing of differing fluids at ******

Another stop to take in the scenery and I could have stopped for a while but we all really wanted to get to our destination.





Driver doing a fabulous job and I was helping navigate.

Not many photos today as mostly we were driving.
We eventually got to Ullapool, had our chips, wandered about a bit, you know, postcards, checking out the wet weather gear.

Arrived at Stornaway and then the final stretch .....................

 

Losgaintir, here we are....unpack, sort out rooms and chill along with a short walk on the beach.

... and that was Sat over.

Aha... Sunday

Beach at Losgaintir

Today was mainly spent exploring as this was my first time on Harris. Enormous skies and views to calm and inspire.

So glad I'd bought myself a new jacket, being cosy made all the difference to the day.

Enjoying the shapes in the rocks and the patterns formed in the sand by the wind. Ideas beginning to form.







And..... Monday!
After breakfasting, we all loaded up into the minibus and headed to another part of the island for a walk.

The sea is such a beautiful force, twisting and churning at the rocks, continuously molding the coastline.

 

 I could spend hours looking out to sea, breathing with the constant movement of the waves - but today, a little chilly to sit still so onwards we went.

Not sure of the friendliness of the cows here so we bypassed them further up the hill, seems like they found a tasty lunch though.

In the distance is a building on a small rise and this is where we're headed, I'm happily jumping around the rocks admiring the striations and configurations in the stone.

The ruined building must have been such an isolated place to be, I think it may have been a church.

Love the limited views through the wee windows and of course the doorway with the muted colours of the land outwith the walls.

More next time.

Such a beautiful place.

 

More Gamrie (Mon and Tues)

Today is Monday and the event was checking out the Gannet colony. I've never been this close to so many birds. Beautiful to watch swooping, diving, and most certainly making plenty noise.

Gannet colony

close-up

It was a short drive from Gardenstown and then a shortish walk towards the cliffs. A beautiful day too. I took plenty photos and a bit of video - could have lain in the grass watching them for hours. Or rather, I'd like to but usually I don't let myself just be, something I am working on.

Loved-up

Now it's Tues and I went to spend my sweetie money at the shop, which also happens to be at the top of the hill and it is no mean feat walking up that hill. We were all given Gardenstown wee packets from Derek and Rosie. In the packs were a badge, sweetie money, voucher for the Gannet Colony, a Gamrie passport, all tongue in cheek but sweet too.

Tope of the hill

Up by the church

On a stretch of the hill were all these garages, in various stages of repair, or rather disrepair for some, and I had to take some photos.

 

Then there was a walk up to the derelict church on the hill, amazing views and as I love derelict buildings and graveyards it was great for me.

the church

inside looking out

inside the church

And finally, to end Tues I got on with the painting/drawing I'd begun the day before. Really pleased with the result. Although I couldn't get a decent photo as you can see, due to shadows, but love the effect.

 

Gardenstown or Gamrie

My first time visiting this amazing coastal village/town.
Here on an artist's residential and intending to enjoy every minute.

Love doorways

More doorways

A quick walk out from the house on arrival and straight away I find doorways, not that much of a surprise, but I have a love of them (interesting ones anyway).

A doorway, the liminal space, between, almost a Schroedinger's cat of what's on the other side.


An easy day, we all ate together in the main house then chill.

Sunday arrived and of course, more exploring, more research images for possible artworks. If nothing else, a sense of being in the place begins to occur.

Stumps from the beach, these photos don't do the colours justice but they were all things of beauty, natural sculptures.

Senor Stump

I love the face on this one, Senor Stump seems somewhat bemused by our interest.

And yes.... the rocks really are this red. Such beautiful forms.

minescule worlds

nets in a tangle

On a walk to the next village along the coast and there were plenty of stops to photograph, listen to the waves playing with the stones on the beach creating a loud soundtrack for the walk and to enjoy the scenery.

 

Such a gorgeous coastal walk, quite short in comparison with others but nonetheless remarkable in it's interesting photographic elements. The sea rusts metal in a glorious way.

Fife Coastal Trail

Anstruther to Crail.
My second walk, another short walk as I always seem to have somewhere else to be, something I want to change.

The day wasn't so sunny but it was a much needed break away from the rest of my life. The forms, colour and movement inherent in the coastline and the rocks was utterly beautiful. Yes, I am realising that I'm becoming a bit of a nerd to do with rocks and stone.

Images say it all, so...

Boundary

out to sea

And now a few of my favourite images... rocks!

Difficult to believe that this is naturally made, but I love it.

These colours are completely free from manipulation.