A photo blog of random images of life in the Highlands - mostly taken with a 'point & shoot' compact camera.
(Oh, and the odd bit of music thrown in).
This page mirrors my
timeline: @HighlandRampage
~ Most recent at the top ~ Click on the link to see the photo... a new window will open. Close it to come back here. ~
e mail: Steve @ SteveCarter.com
2013 Spotted on the way back from Inverness this morning: http://stevecarter.com/random/knowhow.jpg My pic edited by Mark (rather well I thought): http://stevecarter.com/random/mark.jpg Today's weather: http://stevecarter.com/random/30-12-13.jpg I'm training up some killer buzzards - ready for summer. http://stevecarter.com/random/pp.jpg The Cuillins on Skye from Achintraid on the mainland. Believe it or not they are just over 15 miles distant: http://stevecarter.com/random/15miles.jpg 08:45 and it's still dark. Bring on spring: http://stevecarter.com/random/08.45.jpg Is it just me or does this look like an arrival from outer space rather than the LHR - LAX flight that it was? http://stevecarter.com/random/spacecraft.jpg (I have a 'what/where plane app'... I'm sad like that) Here's a video of something I composed for the last Warner Bros. project - being recorded at Angel Studio 1. Filmed from the control room. Al Gavin conducts: http://stevecarter.com/random/hb5.mov The house in the forest: http://stevecarter.com/random/TheHouseInTheForest.jpg Charlie looking very pleased with himself having shredded all the Christmas wrapping paper (as he does every year): http://stevecarter.com/random/destroyer.jpg A message from Jackson: http://stevecarter.com/random/jmx.jpg The only reason I'm showing you this photo is that the snow was going UP: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/upways.jpg It's getting silly here now. Gusts of 80 mph+ I had to brace myself against the car to get this. Standing unaided not possible: http://stevecarter.com/random/24-12-13.jpg It's snowing here, but it's not falling, it's just going horizontally out to sea: http://stevecarter.com/random/sunnyshieldaig.jpg Hail storm over Liathach: http://stevecarter.com/random/hillhail.jpg I'm sharing this rubbish photo only because you can clearly see the approaching hail storm. Ouch - no, actually... OUCH. Charlie dog NOT amused! http://stevecarter.com/random/hailsky.jpg Peanut butter and carrot biscuit Christmas presents for the village pet population (my better half's work - not mine) : http://stevecarter.com/random/pets.jpg Obscenely early. Gloriously empty. http://www.stevecarter.com/random/earlytesco.jpg Six hours and thirty five minutes. Ug. http://stevecarter.com/random/21-12-13.jpg There's nuts, and there's nuts! http://stevecarter.com/random/nuts.jpg Stuart Macleod doing the Celtman Triathlon today -12+ hours - 5 of which in the dark - in a gale - for fun! It's the Winter Solstice tomorrow, so I've finished my 'Four Seasons of 2013' project: http://SteveCarter.com/random/2013.htm (It might take a minute or so for each season to load - sorry!) Warner Bros. want another CD from me, so I'll be recording in Angel, Islington, in March/April 2014 - I love that studio: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/Other-Peoples-Lives.mov (10mb mov file) After the storm, Jackson makes himself useful by collecting fallen branches (for the fire). Scrambled egg reward!: http://stevecarter.com/random/kindling.jpg This is the storm that's about to hit us (as of 19:53 hrs) http://stevecarter.com/random/stormhere.jpg Dark Island: http://stevecarter.com/random/Dark-Island.jpg Nag, nag, nag: http://stevecarter.com/random/nagnag.jpg (Apologies for the anthropomorphism - couldn't resist). This is the outflow from Loch Clair in Glen Torridon. It takes the very long northerly route to the sea, via Loch Maree & Loch Ewe: http://stevecarter.com/random/Outflow.jpg In case you're interested... What it's like driving coast to coast on a dark Sunday morning across the Highlands (to Tesco!) http://stevecarter.com/random/DarkTesco.jpg I saw the first car after 47 miles. The White Horse, Torridon. Lovely though he is, it's a shame he's not a pub. http://stevecarter.com/random/WhiteHorse.jpg Pine Martens are much happier when they are up in the trees - when they do venture down they look more than a little nervous: http://stevecarter.com/random/pmwoods.jpg 9.10.11.12.13 http://stevecarter.com/random/910.jpg (I know, I need to get out more). Summer panoramic photos of the Torridon hills 2006: http://stevecarter.com/random/panhills.jpg and the West Highlands 2002 (from the Bealach na Ba): http://stevecarter.com/random/panhills2.jpg This is what happens to a Bearded Collie's face in a gale: http://stevecarter.com/random/galeface.jpg One thing about living here, I don't have to worry about Christmas trees... there's about 100 in the garden: http://stevecarter.com/random/xmastree.jpg (nice sunrise today BTW) Local artist Lisa has a new A2 print for sale. Rather good methinks: http:// stevecarter.com/random/lisasdeer.jpg more on her FB site: here The burn at Allt an Dubh (my water supply!): http://stevecarter.com/random/movement.jpg The croft at Fasaig: http://stevecarter.com/random/TheGate.jpg Frozen peat bog in Glen Torridon yesterday: http://stevecarter.com/random/Frozen-Marsh.jpg Today's weather: http://stevecarter.com/random/6-12-13.jpg The stepping stones over the river in Glen Shieldaig: http://stevecarter.com/random/SteppingStones.jpg Anyone want any seaweed? http://stevecarter.com/random/surge1.jpg Power now restored up here. Some of the carnage caused by last night's storm: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/Surge.jpg ~ http://www.stevecarter.com/random/Surges.jpg You can tell the seasons are changing, the Shieldaig chimneys are firing up: http://stevecarter.com/random/chims.jpg Thursday morning looks like it might be interesting: http://stevecarter.com/random/thur5th.jpg The weather is so rubbish out there today that my camera could only manage black and white: http://stevecarter.com/random/RubbishWeather.jpg Royal Mail vans keep dying here (no surprise, they are rubbish - entirely unsuited to the job in hand). So hire cars are used. Not that thrifty a move methinks: http://stevecarter.com/random/thrifty.jpg A very still Loch Inver. Taken a while back, but never got round to posting it: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/StillSea.jpg Only of interest to those who know Shieldaig Village, but Nanny's rebuild has started: http://stevecarter.com/random/rebuild1.jpg "Out of the car Charlie" - "I'd prefer to stay in the car, thanks all the same" - Happens every day: http://stevecarter.com/random/NoThanks.jpg If anyone in here wants a pdf of the new book, it's here: http://stevecarter.com/random/NorthWestFrontiers.pdf - 33mb. On an iPad you can choose to 'open in iBook' - Please don't print it! Here's a slideshow I just put together of about 200 photos - nearly all from around these parts (It'll take a while to load): http://www.stevecarter.com/slides/slides.htm I'm working on another book. Unfortunately, too expensive to sell. (It's big). http://stevecarter.com/random/NWF.jpg - May well make it an e Book... watch this space. The tree at Contin: http://stevecarter.com/random/TheTreeAtContin.jpg I've made a book to sell in the Torridon Stores. It'll make me sod all money, but should be of help to some: http://stevecarter.com/random/BookCover1.jpg Low tide yesterday, looking towards Beinn Alligin from Annat: http://stevecarter.com/random/LateNov.jpg Wacky light out there at the moment: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/WackyLight.jpg Now THAT'S what I call a car park: http://stevecarter.com/random/S4Car.jpg Blue, white & brown: http://stevecarter.com/random/BlueWhiteBrown.jpg I took this just before dark (It was a lot darker than it looks in the photo). I hope walkers are off the hill - brave or stupid to be up there! http://stevecarter.com/random/brave.jpg A lone stag stands at the foot of Beinn Damph at sunrise: http://stevecarter.com/random/StagDamph.jpg Forgive the rubbish photo (distant subject matter!), but shows three Sea Eagles in Glen Shieldaig: http://stevecarter.com/random/3Tails.jpg The Torridon 'micro climate' has currently got lots of 'nano climates' Bright sunshine, hail, & gale force winds: http://stevecarter.com/random/LightDark.jpg ...and this one looking over the 'Bay of Deception': http://stevecarter.com/random/TreesAndHills.jpg Looking over Loch Torridon this morning: http://SteveCarter.com/random/19-Nov-13.jpg Loch Shieldaig at very first light today: http://SteveCarter.com/random/19-11-13.jpg Shieldaig Village just now. Feels like snow is on the way: http://SteveCarter.com/random/18-11-13.jpg Charlie goes out at about 6 a.m. every morning. It doesn't seem to bother him that for 4 months of the year it's pitch black: http://stevecarter.com/random/BeardieMadness.jpg Storm approaching the Sound of Taransay: http://stevecarter.com/random/stormapproach.jpg Tall trees at Rogie Falls this morning: http://stevecarter.com/random/16-11-13.jpg I think I may have discovered dark light: http://stevecarter.com/random/DarkLights.jpg Who'd be a mouse! http://stevecarter.com/random/buzzard.jpg Sat Nav: http://stevecarter.com/random/satnav.jpg Torridon 2013: http://stevecarter.com/random/torridon2013.jpg On about 10 a day at the moment: http://stevecarter.com/random/BitOfBow.jpg The first rays of sunlight on Shieldaig Village: http://stevecarter.com/random/FirstSun.jpg And now for something completely different. 17 seconds of music from a band I played with for 5 years in the 80s : http://stevecarter.com/random/17secs.mp3 Shieldaig's latest arrival - Haggis: http://stevecarter.com/random/Haggis.jpg First sunlight on the Torridon Hills this morning: http://stevecarter.com/random/10-11-2013.jpg Loch Shieldaig, the forest on Ben Shieldaig and snow capped Beinn Alligin yesterday: http://stevecarter.com/random/november.jpg The tourists have gone and Shieldaig village is quiet: http://stevecarter.com/random/EmptyStreet.jpg You wouldn't think there was an 'A' road in there would you! A896 closed south of Shieldaig due to RTC. Air ambulance took 15 mins to find somewhere flat enough to land. :0( http://www.stevecarter.com/random/parkwhere.jpg Hailstorm over the Bealach this morning: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/hailstorm.jpg Charlie wearing his naughty face: http://stevecarter.com/random/CharlieNov13.jpg Snow above 2000 ft on Beinn Eighe at the moment: http://stevecarter.com/random/BeinnEighe.jpg I shouldn't like this photo, but I do. http://stevecarter.com/random/OutTheCamera.jpg The Sea Eagles are back on Shieldaig Island. First time I've seen them in about 8 months. Old pic... (same bird): http://stevecarter.com/random/sea-eagle2.jpg Glen Torridon was looking very golden earlier this morning: http://stevecarter.com/random/GoldenGlen.jpg Despite the gales, many leaves remain on the trees, making the drive down Glen Shieldaig a real Autumn treat: http://stevecarter.com/random/Yellow-Trees.jpg Looking across Loch Dughaill this morning: http://stevecarter.com/random/DughaillAutumn2013.jpg Antonio Forcione (& me) exactly 20 years ago. I've yet to hear another Spanish Guitarist with such a delicious touch: http://SteveCarter.com/random/Para-Ti.mp3 A bar somewhere in the wild west: http://stevecarter.com/random/wildwildwest.jpg This is my neighbour Bruce in his shed: http://stevecarter.com/random/brucie1.jpg Making these: http://stevecarter.com/random/brucie2.jpg I just found this photo of Charlie rolling on a beach (very early morning) on the Isle of Harris earlier this year. Happy daze: http://stevecarter.com/random/EveningRoll.jpg There was a touch too much 'Armageddon' in yesterday evening's sky: http://stevecarter.com/random/1-11-2013.jpg It's been a tad wet here recently: http://stevecarter.com/random/LoadsOfRain.jpg Today has been all about rainbows. http://stevecarter.com/random/31-10-13.jpg 40 sheep (no, really): http://stevecarter.com/random/40sheep.jpg My garden is full of foreigners. Migrating Blackbirds from the continent I'm told - or Ring Ouzel - asylum seekers avoiding the storms I guess: http://stevecarter.com/random/birdie.jpg 07:30 sky this morning: http://stevecarter.com/random/30-10-2013.jpg Shieldaig Village spotlit amongst today's heavy showers: http://stevecarter.com/random/29-10-13.jpg We missed the gales up here, but copped a whole heap of rain: http://SteveCarter.com/random/NoGales.jpg A carpet of Autumn colour in the forest: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/ThroughTheTrees.jpg Just before sunrise over Loch Carron this morning: http://stevecarter.com/random/26-10-13.jpg The metal bridge over 'Allt Coire Roill' yesterday: http://SteveCarter.com/random/TheBridge.jpg The Deer Park (& Museum) at Fasaig: http://SteveCarter.com/random/25-10-13.jpg I thought I'd nip out and get a photo before the gales blow all the colour away - the road to Shieldaig yesterday evening: http://stevecarter.com/random/TheRoadToShieldaig.jpg My neighbour's new house is almost complete: http://stevecarter.com/random/GM2.jpg The cottage on the banks of Loch Clair: http://stevecarter.com/random/TheCottage.jpg My 'Crime & Punishment' album is released this week... A short clip: http://stevecarter.com/random/CandP.mp3 A stag has turned up outside the Torridon Hotel: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/stagdo.jpg The view from the forest across the loch this morning: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/peeping.jpg There's a cloud out there that looks just like my dog! http://stevecarter.com/random/ThatsMyDog.jpg Last of the evening sun - change due today. http://stevecarter.com/random/LateOctober.jpg BTW there's a house for sale - middle of that pic: http://www.forbes.com/sites/carlapassino/2013/07/28/perfect-small-estate-for-sale-in-scotland-torridon/ Walking the entire coastline of the UK to raise money for 'Help for Heroes'. He's currently here, having walked +/-5000 miles: http://stevecarter.com/random/h4h.jpg - http://www.christianaroundbritain.co.uk Looking north over the loch to the Torridon Hills earlier today: http://stevecarter.com/random/18-10-2013.jpg This morning's rush hour down Glen Torridon: http://stevecarter.com/random/18-10-13.jpg Dog walking in Applecross bay: http://stevecarter.com/random/DogWalkingInTheBay.jpg Lovely sunrise over Loch Dughail this morning: http://stevecarter.com/random/16-10-2013.jpg Charlie's site updated : http://stevecarter.com/charliethedog/index.htm It's Charlie's 10th birthday today, so we took him to the pub (he was reluctant to leave): http://stevecarter.com/random/MadDog.jpg It's a gorgeous October day in Torridon today: http://stevecarter.com/random/15-10-13.jpg Autumn trees by Kinloch on Skye: http://stevecarter.com/random/AutumnTrees.jpg Idiot: http://stevecarter.com/random/idiot.jpg The sea is looking particularly blue at present: http://stevecarter.com/random/BlueTorridon.jpg 10 minutes before sunrise over Loch Torridon: http://stevecarter.com/random/13-10-13.jpg A single fishing boat out on the Inner Sound yesterday. Loving the crystal clear Arctic air that's just arrived! http://stevecarter.com/random/JustOne.jpg Looking across the Inner Sound towards the Isle of Skye this morning: http://stevecarter.com/random/11-10-2013.jpg The Moon last night - not quite a harvest moon colour, but almost: http://stevecarter.com/random/moon13.jpg A light dusting of snow today, at about 2,900 ft. In case you are interested: http://stevecarter.com/random/10-10-13.jpg The weather is turning here, and so are the deciduous trees: http://stevecarter.com/random/anthocyanins.jpg 22 mph in a 60 mph limit. Snooze. http://SteveCarter.com/random/doh1.jpg BBC prog on the 2013 Celtman Triathlon here on iPlayer - (not sure for how long): http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b03cw34l/The_Adventure_Show_2013_2014_Celtman_Extreme_Triathlon/ Nice. Dutch chap has my photo as a desktop. Wants to know where the hill is and where photo was taken. I tell him. He flies over, climbs hill, and sends me this: http://stevecarter.com/random/cool.jpg The bracken has turned here: http://stevecarter.com/random/bracken.jpg Nose: http://stevecarter.com/random/TheNose.jpg Grandad Cameron takes the kids out for a drive in the '8 by 8'. How cool is that! http://stevecarter.com/random/8x8.jpg Nice skies here at the moment: http://stevecarter.com/random/skyt2.jpg Charlie on the beach the other day. (This is as deep as he'll go in as he's a wuss): http://stevecarter.com/random/paddle.jpg There are things down there making bubbles: http://stevecarter.com/random/bubbles.jpg And as if by magic, the roads are almost empty again: http://stevecarter.com/random/longroad.jpg This was found in Nanny's shop as it was being emptied. The price gives away the age! http://stevecarter.com/random/55p.jpg Nanny's tin shop lasted 95 years - but it's time is up: http://stevecarter.com/random/shopgone.jpg Dog / Defender: http://stevecarter.com/random/DogProfile.jpg Another shot from the beach: http://stevecarter.com/random/swim.jpg Last light over Lochinver yesterday: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/1-10-2013-2.jpg Achmelvich beach yesterday. Not feeling remotely October! http://stevecarter.com/random/1-10-13.jpg This sign kinda' lost confidence in itself half way through: http://SteveCarter.com/random/beware.jpg Yesterday saw the last day for Nanny's tin shop. http://SteveCarter.com/random/LastDay.jpg I've always liked Glen Cottage. Not only is it very pretty, but the nearest neighbour is about 75 minutes walk away: http://SteveCarter.com/random/GlenCottage.jpg We visited the 'Secret Lochan in the middle of the forest' this morning. The colours are already starting to turn: http://stevecarter.com/random/SecretLochan.jpg The boathouse by Lochan an Lasgair (in the middle of nowhere): http://SteveCarter.com/random/Ling2.jpg The Seaflower returns late into the evening: http://stevecarter.com/random/eveningreturn.jpg Glen Torridon yesterday: http://stevecarter.com/random/26-9-13.jpg 'Slioch' by Loch Maree yesterday: http://SteveCarter.com/random/slioch.jpg My better half's birthday today, so we went for a very early hill walk. Charlie wants this every morning, please. Stopping for a rest: http://stevecarter.com/random/BirthdayWalk.jpg There's a Lion's mane jellyfish at the bottom of my garden. This is as close as I'm getting! http://stevecarter.com/random/mane.jpg The 'wee bothie' by Loch Torridon yesterday: http://stevecarter.com/random/bothie13.jpg Charlie has developed the annoying habit of refusing to get back into the car after a walk. He just stands and sulks: http://stevecarter.com/random/NoComply.jpg Lovely light last night: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/23-9-13.jpg If Jack Vettriano painted some sheep, I think the result may look a little like this: http://stevecarter.com/random/Vettriano.jpg It's the Autumn Equinox today (At 20:44 to be precise), so I've added my summer faves to the 'best of 2013' page: http://stevecarter.com/random/2013.htm The Torridon Stores & Cafe this morning (Well worth a visit for the scones!): http://stevecarter.com/random/TorridonStores.jpg Fasaig, by Loch Torridon this morning: http://stevecarter.com/random/Fasaig13.jpg Nanny's tin shop on the seafront in Shieldaig is being demolished at the end of the month... last chance to visit!: http://SteveCarter.com/random/GM1.jpg Stop thinking about moving here and do it: http://www.ckdgalbraith.co.uk/property/INV130125/Shieldaig (hoping to get a resident, not another holiday let) The latest Shieldaig resident.... Rufus: http://SteveCarter.com/random/Rufus.jpg (Jackson's son) The 'bay of deception'. Doesn't look very deceptive does it. However, try getting a yacht out at low tide! http://stevecarter.com/random/bay.jpg Tweet: http://stevecarter.com/random/Finch.jpg The travellers have left more than the usual amount of rubbish this month: http://SteveCarter.com/random/more.jpg As if barking at seagulls will make any difference to the Seagulls: http://stevecarter.com/random/BarkMad.jpg Here's the mastered version of a track from the latest Warner Bros. CD. Probably best avoided if you're depressed!: http://stevecarter.com/random/SufferingInSilence.mp3 Survived another gale on the hill: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/TheTrees.jpg Investigation into upturned portaloo continues. A police spokesman says they have nothing to go on. (Thanks to Bill for the gag): http://stevecarter.com/random/loo.jpg I've added some more photos to the 'other bits of the Highlands' page: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/other.htm A couple from this morning's dog walking session: http://SteveCarter.com/random/CharlieSand13.jpg ~ http://SteveCarter.com/random/JacksonSand.jpg September Skye: http://SteveCarter.com/random/SeptSkye.jpg I took this the other day whist waiting for the postie. Looking over Loch Shieldaig towards The Minch & Hebrides - lovely water surface!: http://stevecarter.com/random/StillSeas.jpg Charlie spotted the seal and barked. The seal came over to see what all the noise was about. Charlie barked more - etc: http://SteveCarter.com/random/seal13.jpg I hope you like this photo as I got 'midged' half to death just now, waiting for the sun to light up the island: http://SteveCarter.com/random/9-9-13.jpg A 'cross your fingers and hope' overtake: http://stevecarter.com/random/death.jpg Some photos from the 50th birthday celebration of the Balgy Bridge: http://stevecarter.com/bridge/balgy.htm The Seaflower returns from it's evening trip yesterday: http://stevecarter.com/random/returns1.jpg Lovely day here - Loch Shieldaig & Shieldaig Village just now: http://SteveCarter.com/random/LS-6-9-13.jpg Loch Carron this morning: http://SteveCarter.com/random/6-9-13.jpg 5th Sept. The overnight rain finally passes, creating my absolute favourite light: http://SteveCarter.com/random/5-9-13.jpg Lunch in Kylesku, hotel in Lochinver, shop in Ullapool. It's a fine way of getting the groceries. Approaching Ullapool by Loch Broom: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/Ullapool1.jpg Wacky weather out there this morning: http://stevecarter.com/random/LowSun.jpg Rowing boats on Loch Awe: http://SteveCarter.com/random/boats.jpg Weird (not set up): http://stevecarter.com/random/FunnyMan.jpg Overnight parking: http://stevecarter.com/random/parked.jpg Massive rhododendron clearance going on here. I'd only seen the very tops of these trees before: http://stevecarter.com/random/RoddyOff.jpg Just one tiny hole in the cloud this morning. We'll take whatever we can get! http://stevecarter.com/random/first.jpg I've sold the family silver and spent proceeds on new kit & samples. I'm now eating gruel, but the samples sound great: http://stevecarter.com/random/NewStrings.mp3 Charlie dog getting scared by a bit of seaweed that was moving with the tide. Pathetic. http://SteveCarter.com/random/SeaweedScare.jpg The village of Elphin in Sutherland looking rather lovely at this time of year: http://stevecarter.com/random/Elphin2013.jpg My absolute favourite house in the West Highlands. Photographically, at least. The house on the hill: http://stevecarter.com/random/TheHouseOnTheHill.jpg Two of the Torridon Munros this morning. Probably not the best day to try and climb them: http://SteveCarter.com/random/27-8-13.jpg Grasses by Loch Torridon (FAR more than normal, as my hay fever will confirm). http://stevecarter.com/random/grasses.jpg ...and here's an arty one to go with the pretty one: http://stevecarter.com/random/Ardvreck2.jpg Just back from Lochinver. This was by Ardvreck Castle yesterday - now mostly defended by sheep: http://SteveCarter.com/random/Ardvreck1.jpg I think the herons at the bottom of my garden are in fact pterodactyls that are just further away than I think: http://stevecarter.com/random/Harry.jpg The Torridon Hotel. Photo taken from the far side of the loch: http://stevecarter.com/random/LTH13.jpg I had a bit of a shock when I looked out of the window this morning: http://stevecarter.com/random/23-8-13.jpg Two herons 'photo-bombed' my shot of the Hebridean Princess earlier:: http://stevecarter.com/random/PB1.jpg Shieldaig Island, very early this morning: http://SteveCarter.com/random/22-8-13.jpg The River Balgy: http://stevecarter.com/random/BalgyRiver.jpg We don't have grass in our garden. We do have a whole bunch of this though: http://stevecarter.com/random/bog18.jpg All credit for trying: http://stevecarter.com/random/hopes.jpg A late evening rainbow over Ben Shieldaig tonight: http://stevecarter.com/random/LateRain.jpg The stand-off : http://stevecarter.com/random/Standoff.jpg (yes, he was barking). A very tiny, but very pretty peat bog flower - which has a long Latin name that I can't remember: http://stevecarter.com/random/bog11.jpg Today's weather: http://stevecarter.com/random/falling.jpg All bets are off as to exactly how long this will remain dumped here. My best guess is 200+ years: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/AllBetsAreOff.jpg Jackson dog is very good at reminding us that it's time to feed him. A bowl or bottle serves as a hint: http://stevecarter.com/random/bottle.jpg The Torridon Hotel yesterday: http://stevecarter.com/random/TorridonHotel13.jpg Today, I am writing mostly Private Detective music: http://stevecarter.com/random/Dick.mp3 Liathach ('The Grey One'), looking as green as it will all year at the moment: http://stevecarter.com/random/LiathachSummer.jpg Infrared filter: http://stevecarter.com/random/infrared.jpg A photo of my house. It's there, honest. http://SteveCarter.com/random/MyHouse.jpg You can keep summer sunshine, as long as you give it back in winter. Just found some from December 09. Proper light! http://stevecarter.com/random/AlliginSnowTops.jpg After the rain: http://stevecarter.com/random/WaterRush.jpg I took this a while back but never got round to posting it. An evening full of pastel colours over loch Shieldaig: http://SteveCarter.com/random/Colours.jpg One careful owner: http://SteveCarter.com/random/oco.jpg The burns are full again. Which is good (we're not on mains water here). The midges are also full. Which is bad. http://SteveCarter.com/random/BurnFull.jpg Jet stream now back to normal. Low pressure bringing in weather fronts from the Atlantic. Torridon this morning: http://stevecarter.com/random/9-8-13.jpg Charlie, atop the appropriately named 'Windy Hill': http://SteveCarter.com/random/Windy.jpg Compare Aug: http://SteveCarter.com/random/Aug13.jpg ... to Feb: http://SteveCarter.com/random/Feb19.jpg This Greylag was doing 42 mph. I know this as we were driving next to it. Seemed quite happy to share our company for 2+ miles: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/greylags.jpg Milltown this morning: http://stevecarter.com/random/milltown2013.jpg Creag a' Chumhaing (on the left as you ascent the Bealach) looking rather impressive this morning: http://SteveCarter.com/random/5-8-13.jpg Some photos from yesterday's Shieldaig Motocross: http://stevecarter.com/13MC/13MC.htm Another port of call for my Teddy Bear. Back in Devon now, then off to the Belgium GP: http://www.stevecarter.com/transported/ted7.htm Some photos from an EXTREMELY wet village fete: http://stevecarter.com/13fete/13fete.htm Some photos from last night's Shieldaig Raft Race: http://stevecarter.com/2013raft/2013raft.htm The local care home wanted a simple website, so I made one for them. It's so nice in there I'm thinking of booking in http://HowardDorisCentre.org.uk The Marine Conservation Society are using my scary pic of a Lions Mane to advertise their jellyfish survey (Run away) http://SteveCarter.com/random/Turn2Jelly.jpg The view from the bench outside Nanny's shop in Shieldaig: http://SteveCarter.com/random/ViewFromNannys.jpg Photo - 1905 (or five past seven if you prefer): http://stevecarter.com/random/1905.jpg Re \/ ...We managed to fill two bin liners: http://stevecarter.com/random/bags.jpg At full moon, Travelers arrive to collect shellfish at very low tide. Always, they leave behind a little of their culture: http://SteveCarter.com/random/rubbish.jpg Sunshine & Clouds today: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/30-7-13.jpg Sunlight reaches Shieldaig Island early this morning: http://stevecarter.com/random/29-7-2013.jpg I finally discovered someone who wouldn't be insulted if I suggested his car was a shed: http://stevecarter.com/random/sheds.jpg Late evening sunlight on Ben Shieldaig yesterday: http://stevecarter.com/random/EveningOfThe27th.jpg Glen Torridon early this morning (looking very 'Harry Potter') http://stevecarter.com/random/GT13.jpg Every morning this week the loch has been flat calm: http://SteveCarter.com/random/CalmLoch.jpg The Atlantic was looking especially compliant this morning: http://SteveCarter.com/random/StillBoat.jpg Shieldaig is full of tourists.... but they are all asleep: http://SteveCarter.com/random/25-7-13.jpg Looking from Inverbain towards Ben Shieldaig and Ben Damph this morning: http://stevecarter.com/random/SummerInMonochrome.jpg I don't particularly like this weather, but it's very, very pretty: http://SteveCarter.com/random/24-7-2013.jpg Tosh: http://SteveCarter.com/random/CompleteTosh.jpg This lump of rock becomes more impressive when one notices the telegraph poles: http://stevecarter.com/random/lumps.jpg Charlie, me, Iona and Jackson: http://stevecarter.com/random/family.jpg The hot weather here was preceded by a dense cloud of 'haar' which drifted in from the (unusually) cold Atlantic: http://SteveCarter.com/random/HarrHarr.jpg Loch Dughaill, early this morning: http://SteveCarter.com/random/21-7-13.jpg Soaring temperatures bring the holiday crowds onto the beach: http://SteveCarter.com/random/20-7-13.jpg Cooling down: http://SteveCarter.com/random/HappyDog.jpg Torridon Sea Tours setting off to the Isle of Rona this morning: http://SteveCarter.com/random/Seaflower13.jpg Caledonian Pines in Glen Shieldaig this morning: http://SteveCarter.com/random/19-7-2013.jpg So I had a word with the sheep about walking down the middle of the road and it seems they listened. http://SteveCarter.com/random/sidewalk.jpg This is the queue for the 11:30 bus from Shieldaig to Lochcarron: http://SteveCarter.com/random/queue.jpg Peat Bog Charlie: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/PeatBogCharlie.jpg It's wacky weather day up here in the NW Highlands: http://SteveCarter.com/random/16-7-13.jpg http://www.stevecarter.com/random/NiceHat.jpg Dog Missing in Torridon. Sunday 14th: http://SteveCarter.com/random/dogmissing.jpg A sleepy Shieldaig Sunday summer morning: http://SteveCarter.com/random/summermorning.jpg These little chaps will find the smallest crack in the rock-face to make a home. All over Ben Shieldaig at present: http://stevecarter.com/random/NoIdeas.jpg There are Germans in Loch Broom: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/Deutschland.jpg Two reasons we love driving up to Kylesku to eat. Reason 1: http://SteveCarter.com/random/Reason1.jpg ~ Reason 2: http://SteveCarter.com/random/Reason2.jpg Just back from Sutherland, where I had a *close enough, thank you* encounter with a rather large Jellyfish (Lion's Maine I think): http://SteveCarter.com/random/Turn2Jelly.jpg I'm not a yachtist, but this looks very wrong: http://SteveCarter.com/random/Y1.jpg Help arrived. Hope they are ok: http://SteveCarter.com/random/Y2.jpg ETA: Air Sea rescue called out. Today is a nice day for a boat trip: http://SteveCarter.com/random/8-7-13.jpg Lots of orchids on the hills this year. More than I've seen before: : http://stevecarter.com/random/JulyOrchids.jpg There's a small loch in Glen Shieldaig called Dughaill - pretty at this time of year: http://stevecarter.com/random/Dughaill13.jpg Photos of the Celtman Extreme Triathlon:: http://stevecarter.com/Celtman13/Celtman13.htm If you're here & up at 5 a.m. tomorrow, check out the Celtman Triathlon participants at the start line. Last year: http://stevecarter.com/random/EarlyStart.jpg Charlie has a favourite spot in the garden, but as the heather grows taller each year he is slowly disappearing: http://stevecarter.com/random/CharlieHeather.jpg Just got the artwork for the new Warner Bros CD. Out 15th July: http://www.SteveCarter.com/random/LifeTimes.jpg Was sad to see the closure of one of our favourite hotels. Glad to see Andy Murray has bought, and is re-opening it: http://www.cromlix.com/ You ain't seen me, right. http://stevecarter.com/random/seenme.jpg Hills, clouds and a tree: http://stevecarter.com/random/TheTops.jpg New set of toners for my laser printer = £398. New laser printer (with exactly the same inks) = £209. The world has gone mad. This bloke parked right at the bottom of my garden last night. Some people have no consideration: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/cheek.jpg Latest village cat - no road sense - watch out! http://stevecarter.com/random/mcat1s.jpg 'Sea Pinks' by Loch Shieldaig: http://SteveCarter.com/random/CPinks.jpg Tesco, Dingwall this morning: http://SteveCarter.com/random/Tesco3.jpg Strange things one finds at low tide (had me worried from a distance!) : http://www.stevecarter.com/random/washedup.jpg Saw the first heather yesterday: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/h2013.jpg The West Highland Rhododendrons will put 2013 down as their finest achievement (if shrubs do that sort of thing) http://stevecarter.com/random/rods.jpg I have been privileged to play with many great musicians. None better than Antonio. Appropriate time to post - class: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=LJSxY-5YePI#at=59 A Robin robs a bit of grated cheese from the Pine Marten's stash last night: http://SteveCarter.com/random/rob.jpg Anyone who has visited Shieldaig in the past 15+ years will have seen Zak (who owned the village). Sadly, no longer. http://SteveCarter.com/random/zak.jpg Hufflepuff: http://stevecarter.com/random/NotAmused.jpg (He's not amused!) Remember this?: http://SteveCarter.com/random/tits.jpg Well they finally left, leaving half a forest inside: http://SteveCarter.com/random/titsgone.jpg Heading into the clouds on the Bealach: http://SteveCarter.com/random/topmist.jpg ...and heading out of them on the other side http://SteveCarter.com/random/topmist2.jpg I bet *somebody* will go in expecting to find iPads for sale: http://SteveCarter.com/random/tablet.jpg I've put the flurry of Pine Marten photos (with text written by Iona) onto the Torridon/Shieldaig website: http://www.stevecarter.com/ansh/marten.htm No apologies for yet another Pine Marten photo... this two month old has seen it's reflection in a window. Cute or what? http://SteveCarter.com/random/PMJune13.jpg Solstice: http://SteveCarter.com/random/MS13.jpg It's the summer solstice tomorrow at 05:04, so time for me to post my favourite photos from Spring 2013: http://stevecarter.com/random/2013.htm Every evening now, this cheeky sod sits and waits on our roof for some food to be put out: http://stevecarter.com/random/WaitingGame.jpg Forget Swallows making any sort of summer, up here it's bog cotton... which is now officially here: http://SteveCarter.com/random/bog13.jpg Soppy dog: http://stevecarter.com/random/soppy.jpg Classy bit of stair action: http://stevecarter.com/random/stairs.jpg …but what a view (this photo taken last year): http://stevecarter.com/random/wee-bothie.jpg If you fancy a bit of 'rustic', the wee bothie is now finished (no power, a water butt, wood burner & outside loo!) http:// stevecarter.com/random/wb1.jpg Coast Road (11.5 mb video file): http://stevecarter.com/random/drives.mov Far more 'Birdsfoot Trefoil' than usual here this year. (I prefer the alt name 'Eggs & Bacon'): http://SteveCarter.com/random/DoingWell.jpg Be very afraid: http://SteveCarter.com/random/BeAfraid.jpg The road into Applecross was looking pretty this morning: http://stevecarter.com/random/road2Applecross.jpg Popped out for a spot of retail therapy this morning. Sadly, they'd not got any USB 2.0 64 gb flash drives: http://stevecarter.com/random/retail1.jpg It's getting silly out there now. Rather than take it in turns like any responsible shrub, they fight for space, almost blinding us in the process: http://stevecarter.com/random/colourwars.jpg It's nice here now but it was misty mountain time this morning. Shieldaig Island was looking quite ethereal: http://stevecarter.com/random/13-6-13.jpg http://www.stevecarter.com/random/Q1.jpg Clips from my Quirky CD which arrived today: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/q1.mp3 ~ http://www.stevecarter.com/random/q2.mp3 ~ http://www.stevecarter.com/random/q3.mp3 I took this photo a while back, but never got round to posting it. Just before sunrise over Loch Chroisg: http://SteveCarter.com/random/sunrise1.jpg Here's the last minute of 'We Fight or we Die' which I wrote for the City of Prague Orchestra to record in 2009: http://SteveCarter.com/random/WFOWD.mp3 It's a dilemma. He wants to sniff that grass over there, but he doesn't want to get his delicate paws wet. It could also be dangerous. (He bottled it, of course). http://stevecarter.com/random/risk.jpg Fisherman's hut by the shore in Polbain: http://SteveCarter.com/random/orange1.jpg Stayed in Achiltibuie last night. Very nice it was too. http://stevecarter.com/random/sih.jpg ~ http://stevecarter.com/random/shade.jpg Rock formations on Achnahaird Beach yesterday: http://SteveCarter.com/random/9-6-2013.jpg Today's weather: http://SteveCarter.com/random/perfect1.jpg Look out: http://stevecarter.com/random/lookout.jpg Shieldaig Sunset: http://stevecarter.com/random/KinlochSet.jpg Low cloud here this morning. Can't see the tops of the hills. http://SteveCarter.com/random/TheTop.jpg Glad I'm not a fish: http://stevecarter.com/random/CrossGull.jpg As the sun moves... so does Jackson: http://stevecarter.com/random/sunnyspot.jpg The holiday: http://SteveCarter.com/random/4Heads.jpg Good fishing here at the moment: http://SteveCarter.com/random/GoodFishing.jpg ...and the winner is.... http://stevecarter.com/random/PTNP.jpg Shieldaig last night, about 10:30. A good place to sit: http://stevecarter.com/random/couple.jpg Gorse bushes by the River Torridon this morning: http://stevecarter.com/random/4-6-13.jpg Look what I found: http://stevecarter.com/random/lookfound.jpg The smell of the Azaleas behind the Torridon Hotel is almost overwhelming: http://SteveCarter.com/random/HS.jpg Something I wrote for a friend (Antonio Forcione) to play on his Spanish Guitar. I.M.O. the finest soloist of his type in the world (short clip) http://SteveCarter.com/random/AntClip.MP3 Nice green carpet: http://SteveCarter.com/random/GreenCarpet.jpg The landscape of Sutherland: http://stevecarter.com/random/sutherland1.jpg Young Pine Marten trying to decide whether it's safe to come down from the treeline last night: http://SteveCarter.com/random/PMscared.jpg I have some new panoramic cards available to buy from The Torridon Cafe: http://stevecarter.com/random/ca1.jpg ~ http://stevecarter.com/random/ca3.jpg I'll let you write your own script: http://stevecarter.com/random/Porkers.jpg Even though connected, Loch Torridon gets the sun at least 45 minutes before Loch Shieldaig at this time of year: http://stevecarter.com/random/heathaze.jpg When Charlie inspects his estate (The entire North West Highlands), he has to zigzag down the road to maximise any possible sniffing potential: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/zigzag.jpg The hill known as Suilven just looks wrong. Like something out of a Ridley Scott movie: http://SteveCarter.com/random/suilven1.jpg A garden with a shed, that's a Post Office, (and is probably stuffed)... and a deer that looks like he's stuffed. But isn't. http://SteveCarter.com/random/PO.jpg ...and the road to Inverkirkaid (60 mph speed limit - Yikes): http://SteveCarter.com/random/Inverkirkaid.jpg The road to Achiltibuie and the Summer Isles: http://SteveCarter.com/random/Road2Achiltibuie.jpg Island in the mist. Somewhere remote in Sutherland this morning: http://stevecarter.com/random/Islands.jpg A Tern out fishing over Loch Glendhu yesterday: http://stevecarter.com/random/tern.jpg The start of the forest that works it's way up Ben Shieldaig: http://stevecarter.com/random/ben13.jpg The River Balgy yesterday: http://SteveCarter.com/random/Balgy13.jpg I have a double page photo in this mag - but don't think they really needed to put a photo of me on the cover ;0) http://stevecarter.com/random/CoverBoy.jpg Ben Shieldaig catching the last rays of the sun yesterday evening: http://stevecarter.com/random/27-5-13.jpg 10:04 this evening. Loch Shieldaig: http://SteveCarter.com/random/TenFour27thMay.jpg Mum has had 2 kits this year: http://stevecarter.com/random/2kits.jpg And whilst we're here. I just stumbled upon this. A piece I wrote for a Salsa band I played bass with for 6 years. 'Cayenne'. http://www.stevecarter.com/dd3.mp3 If you can visualise a drunk when you listen to this piece of music, I got it right. If you can't, I didn't. http://SteveCarter.com/random/TheDrunk.mp3 Today's weather: http://SteveCarter.com/random/26-5-13.jpg Directly outside the bar at Kylesku: http://stevecarter.com/random/OutsideTheBar.jpg Nice sky over Liathach this morning: http://SteveCarter.com/random/25-5-13.jpg We've finally got some green to go with the blue. It took its time this year. http://SteveCarter.com/random/GreenAndBlue.jpg Every time I drive into Sutherland, I see this house. Every time it makes me think 'Harry Potter'. So I thought I'd give it the Potter treatment. Shopify: http://SteveCarter.com/random/broken2.jpg Kylesku Bridge yesterday (a panoramic in dodgy light). As usual, once the image is open, click on it and use the scroll bar to view: http://stevecarter.com/random/Kylesku-Bridge.jpg Just returned from Kylesku Hotel. Great food, Great people, Great Location, Great Hotel. Charlie flirted his way through: http://SteveCarter.com/random/CharlieKylesku.jpg 15 years ago today I came to Shieldaig to look at a house that was for sale. I saw the view from the garden. No need to look at the house. Done Deal! http://SteveCarter.com/random/TheView.jpg Someone has turned the gorse up to 11: http://stevecarter.com/random/UpTo11.jpg Sometimes this place looks like it should be on another planet: http://stevecarter.com/random/MayLoch.jpg Torridon Sea Tours ready the Seaflower for yesterday's trip: http://SteveCarter.com/random/SFReady.jpg My 'Fly on the Wall - 'Quirky' CD now out on Zone Music: http://www.zonemusic.co.uk/index.php Early morning view of Shieldaig Island: http://SteveCarter.com/random/FlatCalm.jpg Self portrait. Me & Charlie on a dog walk: http://stevecarter.com/random/UsShadows.jpg The old road from Annat to Fasaig: http://SteveCarter.com/random/OldRoad.jpg Mum looking sheepish: http://SteveCarter.com/random/sheep1.jpg Looking across Loch Torridon towards Beinn Alligin yesterday: http://stevecarter.com/random/May13Loch.jpg No need for a hoodie round these parts: http://stevecarter.com/random/theft.jpg My album 'LIFE TIMES' for Warner Bros is out this month. Here's a clip: http://stevecarter.com/2011Clip.mp3 Loch Torridon ~ 05:45 this morning: http://stevecarter.com/random/17-5-2013.jpg The young Pine Marten kit is at last big enough to grab some proper booty: http://stevecarter.com/random/egg-away.jpg Loch Glascarnoch - photo taken on Friday: http://stevecarter.com/random/Glascarnoch.jpg I've never been this keen. Don't get me wrong, I love me' cars... but 'enthusiast' clubs I just can't do. Still - some nice David Browns on show: http://stevecarter.com/random/keen.jpg Must have been sleepy. Esp. as they slept next to the bins, bottle bank, toilets, and in the space where the dustbin van was due to reverse into: http://SteveCarter.com/random/nop.jpg The kinder face of May 2013. Liathach ('The Grey One') just starting to get some colour: : http://stevecarter.com/random/May13-2.jpg In my humble opinion , the prettiest (and probably slowest, when empty) road in the UK. North from Inverkirkaig. This is a really fast bit. http://SteveCarter.com/random/NiceRoad2.jpg So I'm not allowed in my postbox for the next month or so. Tits. http://SteveCarter.com/random/tits.jpg Gorse, Loch Lurgainn and Stac Pollaidh on the road to The Summer Isles. Photo taken on Thursday: http://stevecarter.com/random/stack5.jpg The first Pine Weevil of the season has turned up in our Pine house, which is set in a Pine Forest. No surprise then. http://stevecarter.com/random/pinew.jpg (Cue 'See no Weevil' gags) It's back. Monte Carlo is obviously losing it's appeal: http://SteveCarter.com/random/fafa.jpg Achmelvich looking particularly lovely yesterday (panoramic). Once the image is open, click on it and use the scroll bars to view: http://stevecarter.com/random/AchmelvichPan1.jpg The updated Torridon Hotel website is up and running, using lots of my images... looking good! http://www.thetorridon.com/ Sunset over Lochinver last night: http://stevecarter.com/random/LochInver13-3.jpg Loch Assynt this morning: http://SteveCarter.com/random/LochInver13-1.jpg It's now my fave week of the year. Long days. No midges. No traffic. The road into Shieldaig this morning: http://SteveCarter.com/random/faves.jpg You could twist my arm. Though it does cost as much to rent for a week as it does to buy a house here: http://SteveCarter.com/random/Hants.jpg ~ http://SteveCarter.com/random/Hants2.jpg Come to visit me?? (Bloody well hope not - I don't own a tie) http://SteveCarter.com/random/hampshire.jpg (FYI - http://www.superyachts.com/motor-yacht-2809/index.htm ) Lochcarron Village yesterday afternoon: http://SteveCarter.com/random/LC13.jpg Some people from Texas wanted to hear the sound of a Cuckoo in a Scottish Glen. Cue Cuckoo, plus rushing burn, plus other small creatures: http://SteveCarter.com/random/cuckoo.mp3 My 'No Midges' sign having proved to be totally useless, I've put another, more appropriate sign up on my front gate: http://SteveCarter.com/random/checkpoint.jpg Caledonian Pines in the clouds near the top of Ben Shieldaig today: http://SteveCarter.com/random/6-5-13.jpg Talking of dogs... If you ever visit Shieldaig you may well happen upon 'Dughail'. She has right of way at all times! http://SteveCarter.com/random/NotGood.jpg (taken through car windscreen) Charlie's knee injury means we are supposed to stop him jumping. We buy a daft ramp for him to get into the car. He jumps onto it! http://SteveCarter.com/random/ramp.jpg Guests get shuttled to the pier, walk up and down the middle of the road for a while, then shuttle back. Don't get it. Maybe they are just sick of the ship. http://stevecarter.com/random/HPmay.jpg Map Lichen by Allt an Dubh: http://SteveCarter.com/random/MapLichen.jpg Next time I say we need some rain here, will you please shut me up. http://SteveCarter.com/random/raininghere.jpg 17:26: On Duty. http://www.stevecarter.com/random/On-Duty.jpg ~ 17:28: That's it for the night. http://www.stevecarter.com/random/Off-Duty.jpg ...so as I crossed the field full of cattle, I happened to mention that Nigel Farage had secured 23% of the vote.... http://SteveCarter.com/random/MyGod.jpg - not a right wing coo then. A last minute rush to fly south for the bank holiday weekend causes chaos at Inverness Airport today: http://SteveCarter.com/random/lastminute.jpg I think it might have rained here last night: http://SteveCarter.com/random/oops.jpg Tweet: http://SteveCarter.com/random/sweet.jpg Looking a lot more friendly here now - more like May: http://stevecarter.com/random/friendly.jpg Liathach is looking rather unfriendly today: http://SteveCarter.com/random/1-5-13.jpg I do like this road sign in Tarbert. I think we should have less didacticism, and more like this. http://stevecarter.com/random/h13-31.jpg The banks of Loch Dughail, early this morning: http://SteveCarter.com/random/30-4-13.jpg I'm on a whisky diet. I've lost three days already. It just had to be a Defender 110 SW outside this pile, didn't it: http://stevecarter.com/random/hadtobe.jpg My pedometer just sent me an e mail (weird) informing me that I've walked 500 miles in 104 days (pats own back): http://SteveCarter.com/random/500miles.jpg 500 more now I suppose. I've updated the Hebridean page with photos from Mull, Iona, Skye, Harris, Lewis, Uists, Benbecular, Eriskay & Barra: http://www.stevecarter.com/harris-2007/hebrides.htm I've been asked, so here's the answer. This is where were we staying on Harris. http://SteveCarter.com/random/h13h6.jpg ~ http://SteveCarter.com/random/h13h4.jpg Two men and a daffodil. http://SteveCarter.com/random/2gents.jpg The first yacht of the year just sailed into Loch Shieldaig: http://SteveCarter.com/random/FirstYacht.jpg The burn runs into the sea at Loch Leosavay: http://SteveCarter.com/random/h13-33.jpg I sometimes have live music in me' house. Here a vid of some friends; Ronan Martin and Jonny Hardie: http://SteveCarter.com/random/RJ1.mov - excuse the watermark, I'm tight! Just heard the first cuckoo. Exactly the same date as 2012. As that was a boring tweet. Here's a photo of some sheep. http://SteveCarter.com/random/StrangeSheep.jpg Loch Ainort on the Isle of Skye. Photo taken on the way back from Harris: http://SteveCarter.com/random/h13-5.jpg Dodgy parking: http://Stevecarter.com/random/pplace.jpg ~ Even more dodgy parking: http://Stevecarter.com/random/pplace2.jpg A very strange relationship exists with alcohol on Harris. We had to get this cupboard unlocked (with a glare from the shopkeeper!) to get some: http://Stevecarter.com/random/booze.jpg ...and away she goes: http://SteveCarter.com/random/CS4.jpg If you fancy a visit, and have the cash, you can always fly to/from Loch Shieldaig! http://SteveCarter.com/random/CuttySark.jpg ~ http://SteveCarter.com/random/CuttySark1.jpg < One hour old: http://SteveCarter.com/random/OneHourOld.jpg Just back. Images from the Outer Hebrides: http://stevecarter.com/random/HebridesBW.htm There will now be a short interruption to my twittering. I'll leave you with a link to lots of 'other stuff': http://SteveCarter.com/otherstuff.htm This photo STILL proving popular (10 months on) ... about to be in Men's Health (!) and Triathlon Plus mags. http://SteveCarter.com/random/EarlyStart.jpg A snap from the top of the Bealach this afternoon: http://SteveCarter.com/random/17-4-13.jpg Just had a lovely lunch in the walled garden potting shed in Applecross. All the tourists have left. Saw 4 cars in 45 miles. http://SteveCarter.com/random/potting.jpg The Siskins have arrived back here: http://stevecarter.com/random/siskins.jpg The burn was dry two days ago! http://www.stevecarter.com/random/16-4-13.jpg Only in the UK would you get this happeneing (crap photo off the TV): http://www.stevecarter.com/random/lines.jpg Evening routine. Dog brushed whilst he watches for the Pine Martens. It's the only time he'll sit still long enough: http://SteveCarter.com/random/brush1.jpg Santander put money into the wrong account. Bad. Santander sent this to say sorry. Good. http://SteveCarter.com/random/mistakes.jpg Now I'll eat all chocs. Very Bad. A few more from the new 'Odd' book: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/dog-bike.jpg ~ http://www.stevecarter.com/random/slow.jpg ~ http://www.stevecarter.com/random/jcb3.jpg ~ http://www.stevecarter.com/random/aseal.jpg So tired: http://SteveCarter.com/random/SoTired.jpg When Charlie isn't asleep, he's eating. When he's not eating he's barking, and when he's not barking, he's sniffing: http://SteveCarter.com/random/sniff.jpg Check out a short clip of the choir I used on my last album. Great stuff. I've muted the rest of the instruments: http://SteveCarter.com/random/Thechoir.mp3 The Torridon Sea tours 10.00 departure this morning: http://stevecarter.com/random/SF10.jpg The new generation of Pine Martens have arrived. Bang goes the biscuit budget. http://SteveCarter.com/random/PM-4-13.jpg So I was standing in the supermarket car park when I saw this (Yikes!) : http://SteveCarter.com/random/Visby.jpg (FYI - It's a Swedish Corvette with go faster stripes). I've just made a book of 'odd' photos from around here. There was plenty to choose from!.. a fave: http://SteveCarter.com/random/11.jpg Inside Nanny's shop. This photo has some 'issues' but thought it worth posting. Once loaded, click on it, then use the scroll bar at the bottom to view http://stevecarter.com/random/nannypan.jpg The gorse is out: http://SteveCarter.com/random/gorse13.jpg Early morning, low tide: http://SteveCarter.com/random/main13.jpg My dog is SUCH a wuss. Every time we reach this tiny bridge he pretends not to be petrified - but still can't cross: http://stevecarter.com/random/wuss.jpg Walked Charlie by the river this morning. I think I left my fingers there (-3C) http://SteveCarter.com/random/br1.jpg The ling hut in Glen Torridon: http://stevecarter.com/random/ling.jpg More snow here earlier, though it's not settling at sea level: http://SteveCarter.com/random/8-4-13.jpg Looking towards 'The Corran' in Shieldaig Village just now: http://SteveCarter.com/random/corran1.jpg Pleased to see this when I looked out today: http://SteveCarter.com/random/7-4-13.jpg Not only will it keep the fires down, but also fill our dwindling burn! I love it when the sea does this: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/CloudsBack.jpg Loch Torridon is very still today: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/6-4-13.jpg A photo of the side of my house :0) http://stevecarter.com/random/reflectR8.jpg ...............What?! They're at it again: http://SteveCarter.com/random/Roadblock.jpg Very low tide early this morning. This is what goes on at the bottom of Loch Torridon whilst we are all at work: http://SteveCarter.com/random/LowTideShells.jpg This is the colour of the Atlantic today in Loch Shieldaig: http://SteveCarter.com/random/greenseas.jpg This is the little chap making such a bloody racket at 5 a.m. (albeit a nice bloody racket): http://SteveCarter.com/random/chap.jpg Shieldaig sleeps: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/darkvillage.jpg Charlie and the Princess: http://SteveCarter.com/random/CP.jpg They don't make 'em like this anymore: http://SteveCarter.com/random/oldbody.jpg (okay, I lied). Another from this morning.... Which, when I look at it, does my head in! http://stevecarter.com/random/wacky.jpg Loch a Chroisg this morning: http://SteveCarter.com/random/wacky2.jpg Crystal clear & stupidly pin sharp here today: http://stevecarter.com/random/2-4-13.jpg Definition of 'Irony': http://SteveCarter.com/random/irony.jpg Definition of 'Hungover': http://SteveCarter.com/random/hungover.jpg Choppers bought in to help the fire brigade douse the fire in Glen Shieldaig: http://stevecarter.com/random/firechopper.jpg Meats? http://SteveCarter.com/random/meats.jpg Well we dodged that bullet. The wind died, so the fire stopped coming down the Glen and went up the hill: http://SteveCarter.com/random/dodge.jpg ~ http://SteveCarter.com/random/dodge1.jpg I can't beliee they started these fires (on purpose): http://SteveCarter.com/random/clot.jpg Tenders out. Fire out of control. Choppers may be needed tomorrow. Perfect blatting weather: http://SteveCarter.com/random/EasterBlat.jpg I have 2 CDs being released this month. Here are short clips from both. Guess will get the most use, chalk or cheesy! http://SteveCarter.com/random/trx.mp3 Torridon Seatours return from their Easter morning trip out: http://stevecarter.com/returning.jpg The Loch Torridon Hotel, early this morning: http://SteveCarter.com/random/31-3-13.jpg Now that's just childish: http://stevecarter.com/random/childish.jpg Here's a 360 panoramic of Shieldaig this morning. Click on it to make it full size and use the scroll bar at the bottom to view: http://SteveCarter.com/random/shpan1.jpg 07:17 this morning: http://SteveCarter.com/random/0717.jpg Just talked to a local B&B owner who said people had cancelled for Easter, due to the snow up here. FYI - Currently 9C and looks thus: http://stevecarter.com/random/bluewater.jpg Early light: http://stevecarter.com/random/TheTree.jpg I have a new 'keep in my pocket' camera: http://stevecarter.com/random/x20pic.jpg ~ Looking good: http://stevecarter.com/random/driveway2.jpg Frost on the car window. -2C but very dry: http://SteveCarter.com/random/frost1.jpg We have some particularly expressive Thrushes here this year. Just recorded this. Great vocal control!: http://stevecarter.com/random/thrush1.mp3 (Started at 05:07 today) Nice evening for it: http://stevecarter.com/random/HP2013.jpg The Princess is in: http://stevecarter.com/random/HP13.jpg - oh, and the Sea Eagles are back (apparently). The Seaflower is preparing for its first trip of the season. Highly recommended if you're in the area: http://SteveCarter.com/random/sf9.jpg Early morning legwork: http://SteveCarter.com/random/legwork.jpg Shieldaig Island with extremely photo friendly cloudscape this morning: http://stevecarter.com/random/27-3-13.jpg The River Balgy flowing towards Loch Torridon this morning: http://stevecarter.com/random/27-3-2013.jpg New Cayman launch here. What's the collective term for Porsche? A Clutch? A Hammond? http://SteveCarter.com/random/cayman.jpg ~ and ~ http://SteveCarter.com/random/cayman2.jpg A very fine place to have breakfast - Jo's cafe, Torridon: http://SteveCarter.com/random/jo2.jpg BT just called to offer me compensation for cutting me off in error. They put me on hold for 30 minutes, then cut me off. Class Act, BT. The Siberian wind has frozen all our waterfalls: http://SteveCarter.com/random/frozenwaterfall.jpg Rather than show you what it looks like here today, I thought I'd share what it sounds like: http://stevecarter.com/random/March13.mp3 Well that was a waste of white paint: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/parking.jpg Mmmmm. Alpnach 241527 Just arrived. (Sorry, it's a bloke thing): http://stevecarter.com/random/watch122s.jpg How remote would you like? (Only accessed by boat, swimming or abseiling): http://stevecarter.com/random/abseil.jpg There are some new Ted photos up: http://www.stevecarter.com/transported/ted7.htm In case you ever wanted to see inside a Bearded Collie... this is Charlie like you've not seen him before: http://stevecarter.com/random/xray.jpg The river Balgy looking very Scottish this morning: http://SteveCarter.com/random/21-3-13.jpg Today is the Spring Equinox (@ 11.02 to be precise). My favourite day of the year. To celebrate, here's a page of my 2013 winter photos: http://stevecarter.com/random/2013.htm Liathach looking particularly clever this morning: http://SteveCarter.com/random/Liathach13.jpg Glen Docherty this morning: http://SteveCarter.com/random/19-3-2013.jpg Shieldaig Village, just before sunrise this morning: http://SteveCarter.com/random/19-3-13.jpg Growl: 'The low, guttural, menacing sound made by a predatory animal'. (Yea, right): http://www.stevecarter.com/random/Growling.jpg And it's a nice place to sit on a Sunday morning: http://SteveCarter.com/random/Breakfast.jpg Shieldaig's new pontoon: http://stevecarter.com/random/Pon3s.jpg ~ http://stevecarter.com/random/Pon5s.jpg Looking over Shieldaig Island just now: http://SteveCarter.com/random/15-3-13.jpg I was right, the first crane wasn't up to the job - needed a chunky Tonka: http://stevecarter.com/random/pontoon2.jpg I wonder if someone actually said "We're gonna need a bigger crane". Whatever was said, they seem to have one: http://SteveCarter.com/random/BigCrane.jpg Strathcarron Station, on the Kyle of Lochalsh line: http://stevecarter.com/random/strath1.jpg The village of Lochcarron shrouded in low cloud this morning: http://SteveCarter.com/random/14-3-2013.jpg Construction has just started on the Shieldaig Pontoon. That crane... what do you think... twist or stick? http://SteveCarter.com/random/ToonArmy1.jpg Today's weather: http://SteveCarter.com/random/Tweather.jpg The first rays of sunlight about to reach Shieldaig this morning: http://SteveCarter.com/random/13-3-13.jpg Yesterday - warm enough in the afternoon to sit outside. First time this year! http://SteveCarter.com/random/11-3-2013.jpg Stunning light in the North West Highlands today: http://stevecarter.com/random/11-3-13.jpg Looking towards the Bealach na Ba this morning: http://SteveCarter.com/random/10-3-13.jpg More sand art: http://stevecarter.com/random/san2.jpg Trying hard not to be anthropomorphic about this photo: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/wazzat.jpg I've added a couple more beach shots to this page: http://www.stevecarter.com/beaches/beaches.htm The Blackwater River at Rogie: http://SteveCarter.com/random/rogie13.jpg Charlie has a bad back. It's astonishing how well dogs play the sympathy card: http://SteveCarter.com/random/MrC.jpg Say cheese: http://SteveCarter.com/random/cheese1.jpg WHY!... when I park in a totally empty supermarket car park, do I return to find someone has parked RIGHT NEXT TO ME? http://SteveCarter.com/random/Y.jpg Here's another from the conversation I was having with Angus recently: http://stevecarter.com/random/cow.jpg Sunny Sand: http://stevecarter.com/random/SunSand.jpg Just booked the same holiday destination as last year. Bit too hot, but loved the beaches, so had to return: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/hols.jpg Yep, you guessed, it's in Scotland. Sunday breakfast eggs courtesy of these lovely ladies: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/peck.jpg You ain't seen me, right? http://SteveCarter.com/random/roll.jpg New watch. Can't work out how to change the date. Decided to make it a leap year and go to the pub: http://stevecarter.com/random/watch79ss.jpg Today's weather in Torridon: http://SteveCarter.com/random/1-3-13.jpg The trouble with Buzzards... http://SteveCarter.com/random/trouble.jpg Getting away from it all: http://SteveCarter.com/random/whitehouse2.jpg Loch Dughaill just now: http://SteveCarter.com/random/27-2-13.jpg Looking across the Inner Sound to Raasay, with Skye beyond yesterday morning: http://SteveCarter.com/random/26-2-13.jpg The run to the beach: http://SteveCarter.com/random/coming.jpg The road to Shieldaig: http://SteveCarter.com/random/r2s.jpg The sunny weather just keeps going on. Never known a Feb like it: http://stevecarter.com/random/febdaze.jpg Looking over Loch Slapin on Skye this morning: http://SteveCarter.com/random/24-2-2013.jpg The 'wee bothie' by Loch Torridon this morning: http://SteveCarter.com/random/bothie1.jpg Here are a few clips from the charity CD - all recoded here by local musicians - for sale in the Torridon Cafe: http://SteveCarter.com/random/hhclips1.mp3 Frozen seaweed on the shore of Loch Torridon: http://SteveCarter.com/random/cweed.jpg The new CD (to raise money for the Highland Hospice) has just arrived. On sale in local retailers from 23rd. Buy it!: http://SteveCarter.com/random/2013cover.jpg Late afternoon sunshine is turning the landscape 'fake tan orange' at the moment: http://SteveCarter.com/random/19Febr2013.jpg The sea froze today: http://SteveCarter.com/random/19Feb2013.jpg Hmmm: http://SteveCarter.com/random/tall.jpg Loch Torridon & the Torridon Hills today: http://SteveCarter.com/random/18-2-2013.jpg The mild and sunny weather has seen off all but the most stubborn snow: http://SteveCarter.com/random/18-2-13.jpg The 'Whenever you're ready' look: http://stevecarter.com/random/ready.jpg I think Shieldaig should introduce a morning rush hour congestion charge: http://SteveCarter.com/random/charge.jpg Looking after the chuckle brother at the moment: One: http://stevecarter.com/random/chuckle1.jpg Two: http://stevecarter.com/random/chuckle2.jpg (Two is very tired!) Shieldaig doing it's level best to look like a model village this morning: http://SteveCarter.com/random/model.jpg Tall trees at Rogie: http://SteveCarter.com/random/rogietall.jpg These two are on the same rock in the middle of the loch each day. I have a feeling they are not talking: http://SteveCarter.com/random/talking.jpg Seriously? http://SteveCarter.com/random/StupidSheep.jpg The new pontoon arrives at Shieldaig pier: http://stevecarter.com/random/Pontoon1.jpg Here's another from yesterday's close encounter with a very friendly Highland Coo: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/coo3.jpg COOOOOOOOOOO! http://www.stevecarter.com/random/coo4.jpg It feels like winter is nearly over when the Torridon Inn opens: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/InnOpen.jpg A very Highland Sunday morning: http://SteveCarter.com/random/SundazeFeb.jpg Not best pleased: http://SteveCarter.com/random/wazzup.jpg Cause and effect: http://SteveCarter.com/random/nomeat1.jpg A wider shot of Loch Torridon's very low tide this morning: http://stevecarter.com/random/7-2-2013.jpg Flat calm and stunning in equal measure out there today: http://SteveCarter.com/random/7-2-13.jpg Looking across Loch Torridon towards Beinn Alligin just now: http://SteveCarter.com/random/BA6-2-13.jpg Loch Carron this morning: http://SteveCarter.com/random/6-2-13.jpg It's not so much where you are: http://SteveCarter.com/random/whereyouare.jpg as when you are: http://SteveCarter.com/random/whenyouare.jpg It looks like the local shop has decided to go 'head to head' with Tesco - providing a wide range of healthy and nutritious food: http://SteveCarter.com/random/h2h.jpg Ten seconds before Shieldaig Village gets hit by a blizzard (one of several this morning): http://SteveCarter.com/random/4-2-13.jpg Drip, drip, drip go the Highlands: http://SteveCarter.com/random/dripdripdrip.jpg Even grey has it's moments (Loch Shieldaig just now): http://SteveCarter.com/random/2-2-13.jpg A light dusting of snow to sea level last night. Melting fast: http://SteveCarter.com/random/dusting.jpg It's snowdrop time here: http://SteveCarter.com/random/dropdrops.jpg I just spent an hour re-building the 'Latest Photos' page - which was a right mess: http://www.stevecarter.com/latest/latesttorridon.htm I thought the Shieldaig bus stop needed a little freshening up ;0) http://SteveCarter.com/random/helpinghand1.jpg The OFT says UK petrol market is working well: http://SteveCarter.com/random/pin.jpg Waiting 20+ minutes for this lorry to unload it occurred to me that if it was doing same in central London, there would be blood: http://SteveCarter.com/random/load.jpg We heard you the first time: http://SteveCarter.com/random/shouting.jpg I'm recording singers again: http://SteveCarter.com/random/Shaz.jpg Yesterday was the perfect day for a blat. Not because of the weather, but because I seemed to be the only one driving! http://SteveCarter.com/random/8R-12.jpg One of my photos of Shieldaig was in 'The Scotsman' yesterday (you can rent the house in the foreground if you have deep pockets) : http://stevecarter.com/random/ancosh.jpg Been doing the RSPB garden bird-watch. All the usuals, plus a woodcock, tree creeper and for the first time this year...: http://SteveCarter.com/random/woody.jpg Looking towards Fasaig & Liathach this morning: http://SteveCarter.com/random/26-1-13.jpg A clip from something I wrote for Jonny Hardie a few years back: 'The road to Achnashellan': http://SteveCarter.com/random/AchnashellanClip.mp3 Somebody has been up here overnight and nicked all our colour: http://SteveCarter.com/random/colour.jpg So I says to him, I says... you'll never pick up the ball AND the stick. (Don't you just hate a smart arse) http://SteveCarter.com/random/sa.jpg 30 minutes before sunrise - Loch Gowan: http://SteveCarter.com/random/23-1-13.jpg The road heading east out of Shieldaig just now: http://SteveCarter.com/random/22-1-13.jpg Charlie has taken to stopping mid walk for a twig break: http://SteveCarter.com/random/twig.jpg A light dusting here today. http://SteveCarter.com/random/lightdust.jpg (note the sheep far right licking the salt from the road) A clip from the upcoming CD (available in Spring 2013) ... local musicians raising funds for the Highland Hospice: http://SteveCarter.com/random/HHclip.mp3 Looking towards the 'Five Sisters' early this morning: http://SteveCarter.com/random/5s.jpg The lighthouse hardly anyone ever notices - (it's hodden underneath the Skye Bridge BTW): http://SteveCarter.com/random/SkyeLH.jpg I've been recording some local musicians today:: http://SteveCarter.com/random/locals.jpg Rhododendrons and Caledonian Pines fight for space by the loch: http://SteveCarter.com/random/fight.jpg Today's weather: http://stevecarter.com/random/18-1-13.jpg The two Munros Tom na Gruagaich & Sgurr Mhor seen as the highest points on Beinn Alligin. Snow line here +/- 2000ft (unlike everywhere else!): http://SteveCarter.com/random/BA13.jpg I'm pretty sure there are no mines in the loch, but just in case, we have a mine hunter here. Well, you can't be too careful I guess: http://stevecarter.com/random/Grimsby.jpg The house at Fernamore: http://SteveCarter.com/random/TheHouse.jpg No traffic to speak of here at the moment. Drove for 2 hours yesterday, saw one car (the postie): http://SteveCarter.com/random/TheDrive.jpg As requested... some of my music that was used on Dan Snow's BBC2's doc 'Locomotion' last night: http://SteveCarter.com/random/DanSnow.mp3 Another from this morning: http://SteveCarter.com/random/15-1-2013.jpg Loch Shieldaig, Shieldaig Village & the Torridon Hills this morning: http://SteveCarter.com/random/15-1-13.jpg Another Otter photo... this is the smallest of the three, so I guess the pup. He hangs back, obviously intrigued by Charlie dog: http://SteveCarter.com/random/Otter32.jpg On still days, the seabirds round here often take advantage of 'ground effect': (In case you are nurdy enough to care): http://SteveCarter.com/random/GullShadow.jpg The house at the bottom of the hill: http://SteveCarter.com/random/BA2013.jpg House build near here. Builders put large rocks onto insulation to prevent flight in high winds. Result... H.M.S. Kingspan: http://SteveCarter.com/random/Kingspan.jpg Shieldaig Village at first light - 12-1-13: http://SteveCarter.com/random/firstlight1.jpg The Log House by Loch Torridon yesterday afternoon: http://SteveCarter.com/random/TheLogHouse.jpg And now for something completely different. A clip from an upcoming album for Zone music to be called 'Quirky' : http://SteveCarter.com/random/OnThePizz.mp3 Achanalt Station at 8 a.m. this morning. http://SteveCarter.com/random/Station.jpg Two Otters out for a bit of late afternoon fishing (photo taken on Loch Shieldaig just now): http://SteveCarter.com/random/TwoOtters.jpg Apart from the occasional kamikaze deer in the middle of the road, this is pretty much all I saw driving down the Glen this morning: http://stevecarter.com/random/EarlyDrive.jpg Gold and burnt: http://SteveCarter.com/random/10-1-13.jpg Looking up in Glen Torridon this morning: http://SteveCarter.com/random/InTheHills.jpg 'West Highland driver's roads' page updated. (Only petrolheads need apply): http://www.stevecarter.com/picaday/roads.htm Nice bit of parking: http://SteveCarter.com/random/niceparking.jpg BBC weather said it would be sunny today - and me fresh out of sun cream. Then I realised, as always, they meant London: http://SteveCarter.com/random/darkstuff.jpg Another silly sunrise over Kinloch this morning: http://SteveCarter.com/random/6-1-13.jpg Torridon jetty this morning: http://SteveCarter.com/random/JettyEvoque.jpg The A896 was busy this morning: http://SteveCarter.com/random/A896busy.jpg How remote would you like? (No road, no power): http://SteveCarter.com/random/HowRemote.jpg Pastel sunrise by Kinloch Damph: http://SteveCarter.com/random/pastel.jpg It's looking very Scottish Highlands out there at the moment: http://SteveCarter.com/random/BeinnDearg.jpg Inconvenient new year's morning sunlight for Shieldaig's collective hangover: http://SteveCarter.com/random/1-1-13.jpg A two minute vid with extracts and pics from my latest CD recorded earlier this month. PC: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/Other-Peoples-Lives.wmv - MAC: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/Other-Peoples-Lives.mov Happy New Year! |
