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 mytimeline: @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
2014 Torridon dodged the bullet: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-30639678 Inverbain Island in Loch Torridon: http://stevecarter.com/random/inverisland14.jpg ~ Looks peaceful until you get up close: http://stevecarter.com/random/inverbain14-2.jpg If you missed the programme about Torrodon & Shieldaig on STV yesterday, you can watch it here: http://player.stv.tv/programmes/on-weirs-way/2014-12-29-2000/ Glen Shieldaig, before sunrise: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/GSDec14.jpg Icy Loch Carron: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/lowandstill.jpg Looking towards the Bealach this morning. (You can see why they closed the road) http://www.stevecarter.com/random/28-12-14.jpg Minding their own business: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/4coos.jpg ~ Determined to stop me from doing mine: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/cooroad.jpg (Through windscreen) 10.15 a.m. 27th December: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/27-12-2014.jpg I think some of the farmers around here might be on drugs: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/FarmerDrugs.jpg Sunset, Christmas day. The last few minutes of sun turning the hills red. http://www.stevecarter.com/random/xmasredhills.jpg Charlie's favourite Christmas task. Who needs a shredder: http://stevecarter.com/random/xmaspaperwork.mov Christmas day 2014 ~ Shieldaig: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/25-12-2014.jpg Christmas day 2014 ~ Torridon: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/25-12-14.jpg Message from Charlie: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/xmas2014.jpg The view from Lochside Cottage holiday let - just after sunrise yesterday: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/23-12-2014.jpg Please sir, can I have some more? http://stevecarter.com/random/snowc.jpg John is making good progress with the new cafe by the Bealach: http://stevecarter.com/bealach/work.htm Were you on the ridge of Beinn Eighe on Saturday? http://www.stevecarter.com/random/bedec14.jpg ~ 200% crop http://www.stevecarter.com/random/beclimbers.jpg The absurdly photogenic Clyde. (The dry stone wall ain't bad either). http://stevecarter.com/random/clyde2.jpg Nearly 18 hours of dark today. Ug: http://stevecarter.com/random/21-12-14.jpg Part of the 12 mile single track road that passes through Glen Torridon this morning: http://stevecarter.com/random/20-12-14.jpg For no reason whatsoever I arranged this for Pizzicato strings. You'll have to be of a certain age to know it: http://stevecarter.com/random/Leftbank2VisionOn.mp3 (middle 8 added!) Very low tide in Upper Loch Torridon yesterday revealed the ancient fish trap: http://stevecarter.com/random/LowTideLT14.jpg Someone's nicked all our colour: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/colourless14.jpg - no... wait... there it is: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/balgysunrise14.jpg This is what Shieldaig sheep get up to at breafast time: http://stevecarter.com/random/sheeppan14.jpg I had a request to see a larger version of this: http://stevecarter.com/random/snowbucket14.jpg Bad fur day. Sunrise over Ben Damph: http://stevecarter.com/random/BalgySunrise2014.jpg Shieldaig sunshine & scattered showers: http://stevecarter.com/random/Island-Bows.jpg Shieldaig Village this morning: http://stevecarter.com/random/VillageDec14.jpg (you might have to click on the image to make it full size) So. I was in a pop band in my yoof. Here's a track recorded in Abbey Road. (I'm not singing) http://stevecarter.com/random/moving.MP3 Strathcarron Station: http://stevecarter.com/random/strath1.jpg Some photos of what I get up to when I'm not wandering round the Highlands with dog & camera: http://stevecarter.com/random/angelStudio1.htm Back there in Feb to record latest CD. Snow line +/- 500 metres: http://stevecarter.com/random/LiafromSh.jpg Loch Dughaill 10 minutes ago: http://stevecarter.com/random/13-12-14.jpg Spot the geese: http://stevecarter.com/random/SpotTheGeese.jpg (you might have to click on the photo to make it full size) Last minute availabilty, Christmas and / or New Year in Shieldaig; http://stevecarter.com/random/tighnagow.htm Before sunrise this morning, looking towards Kinloch Damph: http://stevecarter.com/random/11-12-14.jpg For those it will affect that are not here at present (you know who you are), cable has now reached Shieldaig for superfast broadband: http://stevecarter.com/random/HSI.jpg 'Par' may need a rethink: http://stevecarter.com/random/TheThird.jpg Looking across Loch Carrann: http://stevecarter.com/random/LCRoads.jpg The Torridon Inn car park: http://SteveCarter.com/random/carpark14.jpg Tad windy here at the moment: http://stevecarter.com/random/rain14.jpg As mentioned earlier... http://stevecarter.com/random/sfm1.jpg (the horse is named Clyde) The A896 as it passes the south end of Loch Torridon http://stevecarter.com/random/WinterLoch.jpg (photo taken the other day, before the snow arrived). If you're coming this way... come on winter tyres! http://stevecarter.com/random/forit.jpg It's a sign: http://stevecarter.com/random/signs14.jpg There's a bounty on Charlie's head: http://stevecarter.com/random/bounty.jpg Winter arrived in Torridon this morning: http://SteveCarter.com/random/5-12-2014.jpg If you want to visit the Torridon Inn, you'd better hurry. It closes on Sunday until 15th Feb 2015: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/15-2-15.jpg December sun: http://stevecarter.com/random/DecSun14.jpg For those remotely interested, I have swapped my RX100 mkI camera for an RX100 mkIII. First shot: http://stevecarter.com/random/rx1003.jpg Not at all bad for a 'point and shoot'. Driving at 2000+ feet: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/200plus.jpg Jackson doing a passable impression of Tommy Cooper: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/TommyCooper.jpg I've added some more photos to the Pine Marten page: http://www.stevecarter.com/ansh/marten.htm Low cloud over the loch: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/1500ft.jpg You remember my dog had a bad leg? I found the way to fix it: http://SteveCarter.com/random/Pub-Lick.mov (Do you want to go to the pub?) The sun is so low in the sky at this time of year that it's sunny *under* the clouds: http://stevecarter.com/random/30-11-14.jpg The rock peninsula that shelters Loch Shieldaig from the North Atlantic: http://stevecarter.com/random/entryisland.jpg It has been an extraordinary month of weather here, with some fabulous light. Here's a few in case you missed 'em: http://stevecarter.com/random/Nov14.htm The cairn at the top of the Bealach na Ba: http://stevecarter.com/random/BealachCairn.jpg This morning's sunrise over Glen Shieldaig: http://stevecarter.com/random/Nov14sunrise.jpg It may be smaller, but Ben Shieldaig is the only hill in Torridon that retains it's lush green colour all year round: http://stevecarter.com/random/Green14.jpg 11th Century: Thorfinn Sigurdsson rules. Loch of Thorfinn's Town spurns the name Loch Torridon. No records, but I bet his town was situated here: http://stevecarter.com/random/Guessing1.jpg Scottish Field Magazine using one of my photos for their cover shot (Jan issue I think): http://stevecarter.com/random/ScotField.jpg Caught this otter doing backstroke yesterday. More interested in my dog than my camera methinks: http://stevecarter.com/random/OtterWatch.jpg The Torridon hills this morning: http://stevecarter.com/random/26-11-14.jpg 'Class of 2014' have left (or been kicked out) to make their own way in the world. So we are back to just mum and dad: http://stevecarter.com/random/JustMunAndDad.jpg (in case you missed... vid of this year's twins: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/mumandkids.mov ) The bus stop where no busses stop; Shieldaig: http://stevecarter.com/random/BusStopNoBusses.jpg Charlie has injured his passenger side shoulder... but he is trying to be brave: http://stevecarter.com/random/Limpy.mov A flock of Herring Gulls head twards the Isle of Raasay: http://stevecarter.com/random/RaasayBound.jpg Found out that lichen grows 1" every 100 years. I give you the first world war: http://stevecarter.com/random/OldLichen.jpg & Mary Queen of Scotts: http://stevecarter.com/random/OldLichen1.jpg Late November morning light looking south east over Loch Shieldaig: http://stevecarter.com/random/24-11-14.jpg Late November afternoon light looking north west over Loch Shieldaig: http://stevecarter.com/random/BigNovSky.jpg It's gold underfoot: http://stevecarter.com/random/Gold14a.jpg Make yourself at home, why don't you? http://stevecarter.com/random/AtHome14.jpg ...and you: http://stevecarter.com/random/robins.jpg All quiet on the western coast: http://stevecarter.com/random/kishornPan.jpg Shieldaig Island gets the November spotlight treatment: http://stevecarter.com/random/SpotIsland.jpg Red and White: http://stevecarter.com/random/RedAndWhite.jpg The road to Diabaig was looking as pretty as it was empty today. http://stevecarter.com/random/DiabaigRoad.jpg November Skye: http://stevecarter.com/random/Skye14.jpg Bottoms up: http://stevecarter.com/random/Bottomsup.jpg ~ http://stevecarter.com/random/Bup.jpg Big sky over the loch yesterday: http://stevecarter.com/random/TheLoch.jpg The last light was a spotlight: http://stevecarter.com/random/LightGold.jpg It was so clear yesterday that one could easily see the Outer Hebrides, specifically, the hills of Lewis, nearly 50 miles distant: http://stevecarter.com/random/OuterHebrides.jpg Whilst building the house here, I lived in the north of the Lake District. Here are some of my photos from the region: http://SteveCarter.com/random/lakes.htm There's a cormorant who sits on the same buoy in the middle of the loch for most of each day. We've named him Shaggy: http://stevecarter.com/random/shaggy.jpg Seriously wacky light over Shieldaig this morning: http://stevecarter.com/random/13-11-14.jpg There may be trouble ahead: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/TroubleAhead.jpg Nommie fitting the new sign to the original door of Nanny's shop in Shieldaig: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/newsign.jpg The road to nowhere: http://stevecarter.com/random/nowhere.jpg Well I did let her keep her coat! ;0) http://stevecarter.com/random/jail.jpg Glen Shieldaig, 10 minutes before sunrise yesterday: http://stevecarter.com/random/WayTaGoClouds.jpg Paul's boat (with a bit of background). This photo is 1900 pixies wide, so you can enlarge: http://stevecarter.com/random/VillageNov14.jpg We're having some of 'That' weather here at the moment: http://stevecarter.com/random/9-11-14.jpg The Black River finding it's way down the glen: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/AbhainnDubh.jpg ... to the sea at Inverbain: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/InverbainPan.jpg (click to enlarge) So tired: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/SadJack.jpg About twice the amount of houses, but half the population in Shieldaig compared to 100 years ago. Click to enlarge: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/SHNov14.jpg Getting arty with Loch Kishorn: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/KishornArt.jpg Start line for the Celtman: http://stevecarter.com/random/CeltmanEntry.jpg Nuts. Looking east over Loch Shieldaig yesterday afternoon: http://stevecarter.com/random/BSNov14.jpg It's pub 'o' clock in Shieldaig: http://stevecarter.com/random/NovEve.jpg One hell of a view for a poo in a loo: http://stevecarter.com/random/LooWithView.jpg The worst photo of a sea eagle you've ever seen. I only post in in case you are up here so you'll know where to look! http://www.stevecarter.com/random/worst.jpg (Over Shieldaig Island) Very November weather: http://stevecarter.com/random/SINov14.jpg The Anniversary competition winner http://stevecarter.com/faves/faves.htm has been selected by Charlie: http://stevecarter.com/random/CharlieChooses.mov (all 'runners up' that entered will get a pdf by e mail) The clearing in the forest: http://stevecarter.com/random/TheClearing.jpg Liathach colours - Early May & Early November 2014: http://stevecarter.com/random/maynov.jpg FYI > From 10th Nov Nanny's shop Shieldaig: open Sun, Mon & Tues from 10am- 4pm. From today Jo's shop Torridon: Wed, Thurs, Fri and Sat from 10am-5pm All year, Charlie has been dragging us to the Inn so he can get buscuits from: http://stevecarter.com/random/sandj.jpg But today they leave for Australia. Bugger. The north face of Ben Shieldaig is covered in heather so is still mostly green. The south face of Alligin is grass & bracken so is a rusty gold colour: http://stevecarter.com/random/BAAutumn.jpg More kamikaze sheep - this time on a blind summit with a 60mph speed limit. I wish they'd hold their mothers meetings elsewhere: http://stevecarter.com/random/KamikazeSheep.jpg The calm after the storm(s): http://stevecarter.com/random/calmafter.jpg I'm amazed how many leaves survived. Liam's boat is doing a passable impersonation of the Titanic: http://stevecarter.com/random/liams.jpg Highland delivery: http://stevecarter.com/random/HighlandDelivery.jpg In case you ever wondered what I do when I'm not taking photos - writing this sorta' stuff for TV (6:20 sec mp3) : http://stevecarter.com/random/orch.mp3 I watched this Marten playing like a cat yesterday. Never seen it before. Pouncing on imaginary prey, jumping from tree to tree. Then it promptly fell asleep! http://stevecarter.com/random/play.jpg Rainwater en route to Loch Kishorn: http://stevecarter.com/random/bealachburns.jpg We're having a drop of rain here at the moment: http://stevecarter.com/random/russell2014.jpg The Isle of Raasay taking the brunt of today's Atlantic storm: http://stevecarter.com/random/raasay14.jpg If you are intending to visit Torridon to see the autumn colours this weekend, you might want to reshedule: http://stevecarter.com/random/25-10-14.jpg Fifty shades of grey: http://stevecarter.com/random/50shades.jpg Another of Charlie's preferred walks (we don't have much of a say in it). Photo taken the other day before the Biblical rain came: http://stevecarter.com/random/GTOct14.jpg The house at the end of the rainbow: http://SteveCarter.com/random/AnnsHouse.jpg Nicolas' Garden: http://SteveCarter.com/random/Nicolas.jpg Today in the West Highlands can be summed up in 5 seconds of video footage: http://stevecarter.com/random/gonzalo.mov Clouds bumping off the hills yesterday: http://stevecarter.com/random/LTE14.jpg John is doing a good job with the new Cafe build (by the Bealach). Opens Easter 2015: http://stevecarter.com/bealach/work4.jpg - http://stevecarter.com/bealach/work5.jpg Looks like the autum colours aren't going to last long here. Gales overnight and due next week. Still... yesterday: http://stevecarter.com/random/Oct14colour.jpg The closing date for the lucky dip fast approaches. Charlie dog will pick a winner next week! In case you missed it: http://stevecarter.com/faves/faves.htm Driving down Glen Torridon towards Liathach yesterday: http://stevecarter.com/random/LiaOct14.jpg Early morning October hills: http://stevecarter.com/random/OctHills2014.jpg Lochinver sunset. Taken earlier this week: http://stevecarter.com/random/lIsun14.jpg The Hills are alive with the sound of Stags (stuck in a rut). Usually at a distance, but sometimes right outside your window (in the dark) http://stevecarter.com/random/deer.mov Just met Adam Short, who is walking around coastal Britain (all of it) for charity. http://www.stevecarter.com/random/AdamShort.jpg Nice chap. Check out: http://ukcoastaltrek.com Charlie is eleven today. He is extremely excited: http://stevecarter.com/random/celebrations.jpg He has (of course) got his own web page: http://www.stevecarter.com/charliethedog/index.htm Kylesku strudel. Much easier to eat than pronounce: http://stevecarter.com/random/KS14.jpg Sunset over the Outer Hebridean Isle of Lewis last night, as seen from Lochinver on the mainland: http://stevecarter.com/random/lochinversun14.jpg A great reception at reception in the Lodge on Lochinver: http://stevecarter.com/random/receptionist.jpg ...what you can't see is that the dog is using a computer. The village of Fasaig gets some October sunshine, and its very own cloud: http://stevecarter.com/random/Fasaig14.jpg You can see why they built it where they did: http://stevecarter.com/random/LTH14a.jpg A couple more from the Bealach yesterday: http://stevecarter.com/random/redhill.jpg ~ http://stevecarter.com/random/10-10-2014-2.jpg The view from the top of the Bealach na Ba this morning: http://stevecarter.com/random/10-10-2014.jpg You can see from yesterday's very low tide why this is known as 'The Bay of Deception': http://stevecarter.com/random/BOD2.jpg Looking across the loch to the forest on Ben Shieldaig : http://stevecarter.com/random/AcrossTheLoch.jpg Today's weather: http://stevecarter.com/random/8-10-14.jpg Panoramic of the Cuillin Hills from Rubha na Guailne - 15 miles distant. Rona in the foreground. Click on the photo to make it full size. http://stevecarter.com/random/SkyeFar.jpg October is very October this year: http://stevecarter.com/random/Oct2014.jpg The 'well boat' has been here to collect salmon for the past few days - so if you never thought you'd see fish fly... http://stevecarter.com/random/flyingfish.jpg Autumn is most definitely here: http://stevecarter.com/random/4-10-14.jpg Low tide this lovely morning by Loch Shiledaig: http://stevecarter.com/random/AutumnDay.jpg Spaceship clouds: http://stevecarter.com/random/earlyclouds.jpg The hills are now golden brown again. White next: http://stevecarter.com/random/GoingGoingGone.jpg Nice place for a cuppa: http://stevecarter.com/random/nannyscup.jpg One of the Pine Martens spends much of the day under our decking. Obviously keeping an eye on us, in case of cheese. http://stevecarter.com/random/eyeout.jpg Man with Cat: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/manwithcat.jpg Nice for the end of September: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/TW1.jpg The forest floor at Allt an Dubh is now golden brown: http://stevecarter.com/random/fernsgold.jpg Not sure what's more disturbing - the men with guns that have just arrived http://stevecarter.com/random/guns.jpg or the sheep on the blind corner http://stevecarter.com/random/noguns.jpg This> http://stevecarter.com/random/rr2014.jpg is connected to the internet, so even though I don't know whether I'm coming or going, it does! > http://stevecarter.com/random/lrapp.jpg Grey sky, blue sea yesterday. That's not supposed to happen: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/very-blue.jpg It's nice when you buy your Mrs a new car and it turns up on her birthday. Saves all that faff with flowers ;0) http://www.stevecarter.com/random/26-9-14.jpg Dougie 'I tend to sit in the middle of the main road in Shieldaig looking sad' MacGregor: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/MOR.jpg Glen Torridon yesterday: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/gtsept.jpg Today's weather: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/24-9-14.jpg Charlie doesn't like other photographers: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/watchtog.jpg I've been writing Baroque music for Warner Bros today. Having narrowly missed out on Rock star, I can at least try for Baroque star. A previous attempt: http://stevecarter.com/2011Baroque.mp3 http://stevecarter.com/random/iona14.jpg ~ Mrs. Sunny Shieldaig just now: http://stevecarter.com/random/SunnyShieldaig14.jpg ITV film crew here last week (Pine Martens). Couldn't get close ups due to a camera the size of Dover, so I did some GoPro for them. Short clip: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/sorterpm.mov The track that used to connect Torridon with Shieldaig. Now mostly used for dog walking: http://stevecarter.com/random/balgytrack.jpg Panoramic of Liathach: http://stevecarter.com/random/Sept14Torridon.jpg Mist & cobwebs = http://stevecarter.com/random/cobwebs2.jpg Loch Dughail this misty morning: http://stevecarter.com/random/dug14.jpg Toys will be thrown out of prams: http://stevecarter.com/random/pram.jpg Highland delivery driver hard at work: http://stevecarter.com/random/tan.jpg Yesterday: http://stevecarter.com/random/yesterdays.jpg ~ Today: http://stevecarter.com/random/todays.jpg My house is one of the few places you can get a Pine Marten and Julian Clary in the same shot! http://www.stevecarter.com/random/Clary1.jpg - http://www.stevecarter.com/random/Clary2.jpg Loch Shieldaig this morning: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/16thSept.jpg Early sunlight in the Caledonian Pine forest... on branch: http://stevecarter.com/random/cpine2.jpg and trunk: http://stevecarter.com/random/cpine.jpg 9000 years old and counting. This morning's sky, looking east from the top of Glen Shieldaig: http://stevecarter.com/random/15-9-14.jpg Cute alert! Shieldaig's latest puppy - Russell: http://stevecarter.com/random/russeldog.jpg Copper sunrise reflected in Loch Torridon: http://stevecarter.com/random/coppersunrise.jpg Torridon Sea Tours' 'Seaflower' heading past Shieldaig Island: http://stevecarter.com/random/TST2014.jpg and out towards the upper loch: http://stevecarter.com/random/distance.jpg Pastel colours over Loch Dughail, early this morning: http://stevecarter.com/random/12-9-14.jpg Another local holiday let will be coming on stream next month: http://stevecarter.com/shep/SHEP-7s.jpg Loch Shieldaig and Shieldaig Island this morning: http://stevecarter.com/random/11-9-14.jpg The location for the Scottish Highlands Vegetarian Society A.G.M. has been revealed: http://stevecarter.com/random/box.jpg 'Digital audio visual booklet' of my latest just posted by Warner Bros: http://www.wcpmuk.com/cpm/car461/ Having looked at the lunch menu at the Torridon Inn yesterday: http://SteveCarter.com/random/lunchmenu.jpg ... I finally plumped for this: http://SteveCarter.com/random/risotto.jpg I was taking photos of a Pine Marten, and inadvertently managed to get my first ever shot of a midge! http://stevecarter.com/random/midge.jpg Part of the road often referred to as the'Scotsburgring' : http://www.stevecarter.com/random/bl14.jpg Beinn Eighe viewed from south of Kinlochewe: http://stevecarter.com/random/BEsept14.jpg Driving down the glen towards Liathach yesterday: http://stevecarter.com/random/gtsept14.jpg Glen Torridon this morning... the colours are changing already: http://stevecarter.com/ran dom/colourchanges.jpg They don't call them Retrievers for nothing: http://stevecarter.com/random/pleased1.jpg Work soon to start converting the old Corry Chappel (des res). Access is so bad, that the builders were considering a landing craft! http://stevecarter.com/random/sandy2.jpg 30 seconds with a 10 stop filter (I'm sure you really wanted to know that): http://stevecarter.com/random/30sec.jpg The unpronounceable river listed as Abhainn Ceann Locha (from Glen Shieldaig) flows into the sea here (I'm standing in it): http://stevecarter.com/random/1-9-14.jpg Whatever your views on independence, wouldn't it be nice if all conversations were this civilised. (Two locals): http://www.channel4.com/news/heres-to-scotland-two-friends-talk-independence Chocks away: http://stevecarter.com/random/tallyho1.jpg It's that time of year. Delete as you see fit: Gallynapper, Daddy longlegs, Mosquito Hawk, Crane fly: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/DF.jpg Sunshine and shade: http://SteveCarter.com/random/dapple.jpg From certain angles there's a touch of Hogwarts about the Torridon hotel: http://SteveCarter.com/random/LTH14.jpg Loch Coultrie yesterday: http://stevecarter.com/random/coultrie2014.jpg Loch a Mhuilinn this morning: http://stevecarter.com/random/milltown14.jpg Panoramic of the Coullin Hills on the Isle of Skye, taken from Camousteel this morning: http://stevecarter.com/random/coullins14.jpg Re: my last post. 06:30 this morning on said walk. This is the bit where my wife is convinced Adders lurk: http://stevecarter.com/random/glenwalk.jpg (they probably do, but I lied). This spot in Glen Torridon is usually out of bounds in August (kamikaze insects), but it was cold enough this morning for a fab dog walk: http://stevecarter.com/random/25-8-14.jpg August is my least favourite month in the north west Highlands, but I can take any amount of this: http://stevecarter.com/random/SummerTorridon.jpg I was going to say it was a cloudless sky here today, but I'd have been lying: http://stevecarter.com/random/heavyweather.jpg Looking over Upper Loch Torridon towards Alligin yesterday afternoon: http://stevecarter.com/random/24-8-14.jpg Summer has decided to return to sunny Shieldaig: http://SteveCarter.com/random/SummerReturns.jpg If you're lucky enough to be out on the hills, you'll love the colour of the heather at the moment: http://SteveCarter.com/random/HillColour.jpg The four northern hills of Torridon, as viewed from the middle of the loch: http://stevecarter.com/random/middle.jpg Jeep accessory - part no: J3762/WL : Washing Line. http://stevecarter.com/random/jeep.jpg (Bet you anything Tommy forgets to take it off when he drives away). We currently have two Pine Marten families visiting. The scruffy incomers, and the well presented long term incumbents >http://stevecarter.com/random/grubup.jpg I predict trouble. Some infrared photography. (The brighter, the hotter): http://www.stevecarter.com/random/infrared.htm Today's weather: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/19-8-14.jpg My latest Warner Bros. album is realeased this week. 70 mins of music. Here's 2 of them (recorded April). http://stevecarter.com/random/NewHorizons.mov (27mb mov) It's very green on the north side of Loch Torridon: http://stevecarter.com/random/beinna.jpg http://www.stevecarter.com/random/35mm.jpg (from Harris) The Ullapool fishing fleet : http://stevecarter.com/random/ULquay.jpg http://stevecarter.com/random/OC14.jpg Message from Jackson: http://stevecarter.com/random/CM1.jpg Front from the west: http://stevecarter.com/random/lowcloud.jpg Lines to Kyle: http://SteveCarter.com/random/lines2kyle.jpg The burn known as Glac na Gainmhich works it's way through the forest: http://SteveCarter.com/random/glac.jpg Charlie dog: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/wee-coo.jpg ~ Highlan Coo: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/knew.jpg I wondered why we were getting through so many: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/balls2.jpg ~ what a mess: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/balls1.jpg Looking over Loch Coultrie towards Glasnock yesterday: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/10-8-14.jpg Jackson & Pine Marten in a staring contest: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/StareContest.jpg ~ Dooley incredulous! http://www.stevecarter.com/random/fury.jpg Cat lost in Shieldaig - contact me if found. Ta.: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/catlost.jpg The coast road to Shieldaig: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/CoastRoad.jpg Four seasons, four colours: http://stevecarter.com/random/4-seasons.jpg Almost: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/almost.jpg 'Selfy' from the beach this morning. (About as selfy as you'll get from me anyway): http://www.stevecarter.com/random/selfy1.jpg Few have seen a Pine Marten. Almost none have heard one. 3 a.m. this morning Noise of two, one running up tree, other commentating: http://stevecarter.com/random/pmnoise.mp3 I was walking behind this car yesterday. Pretty though it is, I was gaining on it: http://stevecarter.com/random/SmallBoots.jpg All the building work at the south end of Shieldaig just about finished. Almost tidy again! http://stevecarter.com/random/building.jpg Yawn: http://stevecarter.com/random/yawn.jpg Photos of the 2014 Shieldaig Fete >>> http://stevecarter.com/2014f/2014f.htm Photos of the 2014 Shieldaig Raft Race (and after it) >> http://stevecarter.com/2014rr/2014rr.htm A photo of the winners of tonight's annual Shieldaig Raft Race, holding the inevitable prize (more pics to come): http://stevecarter.com/random/winners.jpg BBC TVs 'The Apprentice' requested a bunch of my music for the forthcoming series (bless 'em). Some clips of what they took: http://stevecarter.com/random/appcom1.mp3 Was just at the sound check for tonights live music in the Shieldaig Bar >> http://stevecarter.com/random/chick.mov Torridon 'High Street' this morning: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/31-7-14.jpg Looks to me like the Rhododendron burning is going to be a bit like painting the Forth Bridge. They are back already: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/4thbridge.jpg It's the fete weekend. Watchout for the bloke with the long lens: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/fete3.jpg ~ http://www.stevecarter.com/random/fete2.jpg ~ http://www.stevecarter.com/random/fete1.jpg A slightly different view of Shieldaig main street: http://stevecarter.com/random/dia5.jpg I like it when clouds hug hills: http://stevecarter.com/random/SutherlandHills.jpg Probably not the best way to try and eat a custard cream: http://stevecarter.com/random/CC.jpg About once a month I drive the 200+ mile round trip to Kylesku for food & scenery. Food: http://stevecarter.com/random/kyleskufood.jpg ~ Scenery: http://stevecarter.com/random/glendhu.jpg Seldom do we have July weather in July, but when we do it looks like this... http://stevecarter.com/random/SummerBoats.jpg ~ http://stevecarter.com/random/July.jpg The 09:50 CalMac Ferry leaves Ullapool for the Outer Hebrides on Thursday. (Jigsaw anyone?!): http://stevecarter.com/random/UllapoolFerry.jpg The path through the forest: http://stevecarter.com/random/ForestPath.jpg I don't know what this is: http://stevecarter.com/random/StrangeStuff1.jpg ~ but it's pretty wacky up close: http://stevecarter.com/random/StrangeStuff.jpg Some serious cloud inversions going on yesterday... clouds rolling down the hillside at some speed: http://stevecarter.com/random/cloudinversions.jpg Forest Art: http://stevecarter.com/random/ForestArt.jpg It's very still at the moment: (1920 wide panoramic, so you may have to click on it to make it full size) http://stevecarter.com/random/VeryStill.jpg Waiting patiently: http://stevecarter.com/random/cooee.jpg Late evening light over Shieldaig Island. (1920 wide panoramic, so you may have to click on it to make it full size) : http://stevecarter.com/random/LateEveningLight.jpg John (right) http://stevecarter.com/bealach/work2.jpg building this: http://thebealach.co.uk It was more like a Greek Island than Northern Scotland here yesterday: http://stevecarter.com/random/NannyJuly.jpg Last night's sunset over Loch Shieldaig started like this: http://stevecarter.com/random/sunset-july-2014.jpg- and ended like this: http://stevecarter.com/random/SunsetJuly2014.jpg Postie has a brand new post van. No stopping him now! http://stevecarter.com/random/fiat.jpg Shieldaig this morning: http://stevecarter.com/random/17-7-14.jpg My Teddy has now clocked over half a million miles: http://www.stevecarter.com/transported/ted7.htm It's probably best to learn from your parents: http://stevecarter.com/random/MumAndKids.mov (19 mb Pine Marten mov file) That obviously hit the spot: http://stevecarter.com/random/licklips.jpg A couple from yesterday's Tesco run: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/route.jpg ~ http://www.stevecarter.com/random/enroute.jpg Cloud art: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/Cloudart.jpg Whilst on the loch yesterday, we had a brief encounter with Torridon Seatours: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/SFJuly14.jpg I took this a while back of some tourists. If it's you or if you know them… get in touch & I'll send a hi res. I think they'd probably want a copy. http://www.stevecarter.com/random/Guests-2.jpg The quick way to get to a pint in Diabaig: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/Dia1.jpg (Thanks to Steve B for the lift.... and the pint). Nice backdrop to the Shieldaig school football ground at the moment: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/footie.jpg Charlie's life of Reilly continues: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/lor.jpg Sad face: http://stevecarter.com/random/sadface.jpg ~ Angry face: http://stevecarter.com/random/Angryface.jpg Sand Beach this morning: http://stevecarter.com/random/10-7-14.jpg Panoramic of Loch Shieldaig taken this morning: http://stevecarter.com/random/PanJuly14.jpg (click on the photo to make it full size and use the slider to view) Today's weather: http://stevecarter.com/random/9-7-14.jpg The forest on Ben Shieldaig this morning: http://SteveCarter.com/random/8-7-14.jpg When it's dark and raining and miserable in January, I have to remind myself of the light we get here in Summer: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/summerdriveway.jpg Cloud action over Loch Shieldaig yesterday. 2 hours into 12 seconds. http://stevecarter.com/random/clouds.mov Loch Shieldaig & Shieldaig Village (just now): http://stevecarter.com/random/05-07-14.jpg This morning's rush hour: http://SteveCarter.com/random/5-7-14.jpg A daily visitor 'ASBO' waits for the Pine Marten food to be put out, so he can steal some (He knocks on the window if we are late): http://stevecarter.com/random/Asbo.jpg Useful and good at finding firewood: http://stevecarter.com/random/BigStick.jpg ~ Only useful and good at looking good: http://stevecarter.com/random/CharliesSummer.jpg I have no idea what this purple stuff is... but there's a lot of it about. http://stevecarter.com/random/purple.jpg The Jetty at Am Ploc yesterday: http://stevecarter.com/random/JettyPloc.jpg Tough day at the office ;0) http://stevecarter.com/random/tough.jpg It's very blue here today: http://SteveCarter.com/random/VeryBlue.jpg Into the clouds: http://stevecarter.com/random/road2sun.jpg Alligin looking pretty at the moment: http://stevecarter.com/random/alliginjune2014.jpg Celtman photos now up: http://stevecarter.com/celt14/celt14.htm A couple from the start of the Celtman this morning... 04:40 http://stevecarter.com/random/celt14-1.jpg and 04:50 http://stevecarter.com/random/celt14-2.jpg. More to come later. Good luck to all the Celtman competitors, who will be doing this at 5 a.m. tomorrow http://SteveCarter.com/faves/EarlyStart.jpg ~ I'll post pics throughout the day. Early morning light by Ardheslaig: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/summermornings.jpg Foxgloves by Kinloch Damph this morning : http://stevecarter.com/random/FG.jpg A nose for food: http://stevecarter.com/random/PMup.jpg Some folk decided to have lunch on Skye yesterday (Three Chimneys), but rather than drive, took the direct route: http://stevecarter.com/random/arrive.htm I passed my driving test today, 40 years ago. So (like you care), here are my 5 'cars I've had most fun in' ...in order: http://stevecarter.com/random/topfive.jpg (click on it for full size) The Seaflower on final approach last night http://stevecarter.com/random/FA4.jpg Somthing you didn't know that you never needed to know. Every day, flights to Reykjavík, Iceland cross 7 miles high, directly above Shieldaig: http://stevecarter.com/random/SevenMiles.jpg Nanny's shop & cafe on the seafront in Shieldaig now rebuilt and open! http://stevecarter.com/nannys/nannys.htm I finally got a photo of the youngest Pine Marten - (looks like it's had a disaster at the tanning shop): http://SteveCarter.com/random/PineOrange.jpg Some Ford nuts assembling in Tesco's car park this morning for a highland blat: http://stevecarter.com/random/FordBlat.jpg Sleepy Shieldaig's Summer Solstice starts slowly: http://SteveCarter.com/random/21-6-14.jpg Bugger this for a lark: http://stevecarter.com/random/lark.jpg You don't see an Aston for ages, then three turn up at the same time: http:// stevecarter.com/random/busy.mov Very young Pine Marten with egg on it's face. Photo taken through window, they're tame. but not THAT tame: http://SteveCarter.com/random/whatwhatwhat.jpg Nice bit of cloud action: http://SteveCarter.com/random/CloudAction.jpg Panoramic of Loch Torridon this morning: (Click on it to make it full size) http://stevecarter.com/random/18-6-2014.jpg Not quite Veyrons, but at least able to enjoy today's sunshine: http://stevecarter.com/random/GoodWeather.jpg Late yesterday evening in Sunny Shieldaig: http:// stevecarter.com/random/sss.jpg Clouds over the village of Inver Alligin early this morning: http://stevecarter.com/random/AlliginCloud.jpg They can't decide what to do with this bit of road (rockfalls). Nobody seems to have thought of extending the tunnel. http://stevecarter.com/random/rockfall.jpg In case of stress, break glass (49 mb d/load, so will take a while, but it's 60 secs of stress busting Highland easing) : http://stevecarter.com/random/thebeach.mov I've finally got round to looking at all the pics from Harris. Here's two: http://stevecarter.com/random/NHarris.jpg ~ and my fave beach http://stevecarter.com/random/NHarris2.jpg Today's weather: http://stevecarter.com/random/16-6-14.jpg Shieldaig in June is full of sunsets: http://stevecarter.com/random/JuneSet.jpg Today's weather: http://stevecarter.com/random/14-6-14.jpg Same view, six months ago and earlier this week: http://stevecarter.com/random/sixmonths.jpg Guard Dog: http://stevecarter.com/random/GuardDog.htm The hill and the pots: http://stevecarter.com/random/pots3.jpg Des Res: http://stevecarter.com/random/DesRes.jpg Cumulus, considering larging it up to cumulonimbus yesterday: http://stevecarter.com/random/10-6-2014.jpg 2 hrs into 8 seconds - time lapse of the tide going out this morning: http://stevecarter.com/random/10june.mov Looking down on the Kyle of Localsh railway line between Attadale and Stromeferry: http://stevecarter.com/random/AboveTheRails.jpg The forest at Meall Ailean yesterday: http://stevecarter.com/random/MeallAilean.jpg (All we need is Hagrid's cottage) Thousands of these orchids here at the moment. Far more than I've seen before: http://stevecarter.com/random/AnOrchid.jpg 1999 - 2014 celebrations > http://stevecarter.com/faves/faves.htm The road to Shieldaig: http://stevecarter.com/random/ShieldaigRoad.jpg At 04:15 this morning Charlie dog woke me as he wanted to go out for a wee. Either that or he wanted me to see this: http://stevecarter.com/random/7-6-14.jpg Two of my photos in 'Outdoor Photography Magazine' today: http://stevecarter.com/random/marchsky.jpg & http://stevecarter.com/random/opm.jpg Perfect weather for 'bog cotton' at the moment, so it's thriving: http://stevecarter.com/random/bogcottons.jpg There's some wacky, misty, low cloudy stuff out there at the moment: http://stevecarter.com/random/5-6-14.jpg The replacement 'Nanny's cafe and gift shop' in Shieldaig is only a couple of weeks away from opening: http://stevecarter.com/random/NewNannys.jpg The forest at Allt an Dubh Is only 'dubh' (black/dark) when viewed from the far side of the loch. It's anything but dubh at the moment: http://stevecarter.com/random/dhubh.jpg Last night's sunset, looking over Loch Shieldaig towards the Outer Hebrides: http://SteveCarter.com/random/3-06-14.jpg Another of my 'photo paintings'. This one of the wood by Inverbain: http://stevecarter.com/random/painting1.jpg Diabaig's answer to the information superhighway: http://stevecarter.com/random/www.jpg Some clouds being born by Fasaig: http://stevecarter.com/random/cloudbirth.jpg A couple of dodgy Shieldaig geezers: http://stevecarter.com/random/johnpaul.jpg Ben Shieldaig & Shieldaig Village yesterday: http://stevecarter.com/random/BenAndVillage.jpg The last day of Spring 2014: http://stevecarter.com/random/LastOfSpring.jpg This cheeky Pine Marten comes to the window to hassle us if we don't put out some custard creams at the right time: http://stevecarter.com/random/cheekymarten.jpg Dog walking this morning. Done at 7 a.m. on the coast road there are no cars. At 11 a.m. (Whitsun week) Charlie would be squashed within minutes: http://stevecarter.com/random/30-5-14.jpg Christine and Richard: http://stevecarter.com/random/FrostyBoat1.jpg An example (as if one were needed) as to why my dog is the most useless guard dog ever, in the history of K9s: http://stevecarter.com/random/Useless.jpg Torridon's rather quaint equivalent to a Tesco delivery: http://stevecarter.com/random/delightful.jpg I took this a while ago but never got round to posting. Above the Kyle line in Strathcarron: http://stevecarter.com/random/StrathC.jpg When Charlie met Daisy: http://stevecarter.com/random/DaisyDog.jpg The forest on the north face of Ben Shieldaig yesterday: http://stevecarter.com/random/Steep-Forest.jpg The Seaflower by the Shieldaig pontoon this morning. Well worth taking a trip onto the loch if you're in the area: http://stevecarter.com/random/SF2014.jpg The angle of the first rays of sunlight flattering Shieldaig this morning: http://stevecarter.com/random/27-5-14.jpg All aboard: http://stevecarter.com/random/boat2.jpg Shot from different places, but of the same hills, these (partial segments of photos) show how the colour changes in just two months: http://stevecarter.com/random/ColourChange.jpg The scenery does its level best to make you take your eyes off the road at this time of year: http://stevecarter.com/random/BentRoad.jpg I've been saying for years that Diabaig needed a damn good cafe/restaurant. Happy to report that it's happened ! > http://stevecarter.com/random/GB.htm Today is probably not the best day to visit Shieldaig if you want a quite drive in the country: http://stevecarter.com/random/traffic.jpg This is the face Charlie pulls immediately before barking: http://stevecarter.com/random/AboutToBark.jpg Over the past 7 years (from photo sales) we've microfinanced 182 third world 'start ups'. - Thanks to you all. Who to? > http://www.kiva.org/lender/steve9818 Scarastavore sounds like a pretty dodgy place, almost Tolkienesque... but actually: http://stevecarter.com/random/scarastavore.jpg Good luck to Gille Brighde which opens today at 1 pm. http://stevecarter.com/random/gille.jpg A young Pine Marten in two minds as to whether it's safe to come down: http://stevecarter.com/random/TreeMarten.jpg Big sky here yesterday: http://stevecarter.com/random/BWSky.jpg The fir trees in the forest here are showing their new growth. Easy to see how they do it! http://stevecarter.com/random/NewGrowth.jpg Been doing some photos for National Trust. Holiday let Glen Cottage is nice http://stevecarter.com/random/gc1.jpg ~ http://stevecarter.com/random/gc2.jpg ~ http://stevecarter.com/random/gc3.jpg This morning we are engulfed in harr: http://stevecarter.com/random/MayHarr.jpg It's all yellow & green on the road to Fasaig at the moment: http://stevecarter.com/random/StraightRoad.jpg Charlie thinking he's 'on guard' and working, but is in fact being bone idle: http://stevecarter.com/random/contemplation.jpg Ug. http://www.stevecarter.com/random/pollencount.jpg I apologise in advance: http://stevecarter.com/random/NoGulls.jpg Here's a cheeky little waltz ditty that I wrote last year, but finally got round to recording last month in London. Cello solo by Nick Holland: http://stevecarter.com/random/cheeky.mp3 An impromptu crèche seems to have been set up on the outskirts of Shieldaig: http://stevecarter.com/random/creche.jpg The Hills are turning green. Especially the bits that were on fire three years ago: http://stevecarter.com/random/MayHills.jpg In case you missed the fire: http://stevecarter.com/random/InCase.jpg Glen Torridon looking pretty yesterday. Panoramic. Click on the photo to make it full size and use the slider to view: http://stevecarter.com/random/GTMay2014.jpg Half an hour before sunrise this morning: http://stevecarter.com/random/14-5-14.jpg People ask why I get up at such a ridiculous hour at this time of year. Apart from the blissful silence, it's getting up to sights like this: http://stevecarter.com/random/13-5-14.jpg One from last night's wacky sunset: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/May14Sunset2.jpg (looks like a poodle in the clouds?) It's probably just me, but I don't think yachts should have so many flights of stairs: http://stevecarter.com/random/shedload.jpg Pine Marten spots Charlie dog in our lounge - not difficult due to the barking! (photo taken through double glazing): http://stevecarter.com/random/DogSpot.jpg Green transportation: http://stevecarter.com/random/bikehire.jpg Loch Shieldaig, 5 a.m. this morning: http://SteveCarter.com/random/10-5-14.jpg I don't know whether I'm coming or going: http://stevecarter.com/random/StopGo.jpg Mr & Mrs Marten with Marten Jr. last night: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/pmfamily.jpg Why is the BBC news background music in 'A minor' in Scotland, and 'Bb minor' in England. Is England a semitone higher, or Scotland a semitone lower? The Hampshire is back in the loch. You can rent it 'per week' if you want. If you have to ask... http://stevecarter.com/random/hampshire.jpg Everything is out (early), so I am now officially sneezing: http://stevecarter.com/random/broom.jpg ~ http://stevecarter.com/random/stamen.jpg That's it then... I'll never retrieve Charlie: http://stevecarter.com/random/thatsit.jpg Another favourite road. http://www.stevecarter.com/random/lochi.jpg ...mainly because of the hotel room that awaits at the end of it: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/upgrade.jpg So much gorse this year: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/somuch.jpg Principal violinist Balanescu, conductor Gavin and producer Borzoni, trying to decide which way up my music should be read: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/wrongwayup.jpg My favourite road in the UK. Taken on Friday morning (in the rush hour). 10 minute, 65mb .mov file: http://stevecarter.com/random/inverkirkaig1.mov Poor subject, lovely light: http://stevecarter.com/random/penh.jpg 6 a.m. on the beach yesterday: http://stevecarter.com/random/EarlyBeach.jpg Lunch@Kylescu http://SteveCarter.com/random/may1-1.jpg p.m.@beach http://SteveCarter.com/random/may1-2.jpg Free upgrade@Lochinver http://SteveCarter.com/random/may1-3.jpg 24 hours well spent! Tucking in: http://stevecarter.com/random/tuckin.jpg New DVD with 200 photos and original music now for sale in the Torridon Cafe. £1 from each to the Howard Doris Centre http://stevecarter.com/random/NewCover.jpg Seal doing a passable impression of a banana: http://stevecarter.com/random/seal14.jpg The Easter tourists have left, so Glen Docherty returns to normal: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/GD14.jpg Another lovely Spring day in Torridon yesterday: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/GTApril14.jpg Live wires. (Excuse rubbish pic, it was taken through the car windscreen): http://stevecarter.com/random/LiveWires.jpg Well if this doesn't take the biscuit: http://stevecarter.com/random/sneaky1.jpg Looking West, where the Atlantic meets freshwater at the head of Loch Shieldaig: http://stevecarter.com/random/Face-West.jpg Rhododendron burning by Loch Torridon continues: http://stevecarter.com/random/Burning.jpg It's very still here this morning. (Looking over Loch Dughail down Glen Shieldaig) : http://stevecarter.com/random/25-4-14.jpg Watching 'MasterChef' on BBC1 and I notice that when it all goes horribly wrong, they use my music. Not sure to be pleased or not. (Royalties aside) Clip >http://SteveCarter.com/random/MCC.MP3 By the road to Ardaneaskan: http://stevecarter.com/random/treetall.jpg Cormorant eyes up potential threat from incoming Herring Gull: http://stevecarter.com/random/cross1.jpg As you lot probably know this page mirrors (almost) my Twitter feed. Twitter have started weekly 'stats'. Interesting to see that there are lots of twits out there! http://stevecarter.com/random/2448.jpg Can anyone else hear Vangelis in the background? http://stevecarter.com/random/ChariotsOfFire.jpg I thought I'd better check to see how the remix of my last album was going: http://stevecarter.com/random/sprice.jpg Talking of birds. We just heard the first cuckoo across the loch - 4 days earlier than last year, and the year before: http://stevecarter.com/random/cuckoo.mp3 Lovely though they are, at 4:30 a.m. right outside the bedroom window, Oystercatchers can be a tad loud: http://stevecarter.com/random/oc.mp3 Easter is time to clean the windows. Much more problematic than my last house. Now time to reflect. http://stevecarter.com/random/cleanwindows.jpg Everyone's asleep: http://stevecarter.com/random/asleep.jpg Where the river meets the sea at Kinloch, Shieldaig this morning: http://stevecarter.com/random/EasterSunday14.jpg Went to a lovely housewarming yesterday here: http://stevecarter.com/random/HW1.jpg- not too shabby a view from the decking either: http://stevecarter.com/random/HW.jpg Driving down Glen Shieldaig yesterday. Music recorded earlier this month with RSVP voices: http://stevecarter.com/random/Easter14.mov (35mb) Two new builds on the front in Shieldaig (inc. Nanny's shop), and the Seaflower ready to take tourists out to sea: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/Easter14.jpg Caught in the act: http://stevecarter.com/random/CCnick.jpg A lost house: http://stevecarter.com/random/LostHouse.jpg All very 'Scottish Highlands': http://stevecarter.com/random/HotelCoo.jpg Next time you're in the area, visit Hannah's excellent 'Patterns of Light': http://stevecarter.com/random/POL.jpg This is where Charlie hides when it's time to be brushed: http://stevecarter.com/random/hide.jpg Daisy: http://stevecarter.com/random/springs.jpg Sea, seaweed and sand: http://stevecarter.com/random/SomeSand.jpg Taking the pizz: http://stevecarter.com/random/odd.mp3 (3.8 mb MP3) It took our neighbours 17 months to get from this: http://stevecarter.com/random/murray1.jpg to this: http://stevecarter.com/random/murrayLast.jpg - They arrive today. Bright idea. (Sorry): http://stevecarter.com/random/BrightIdea.jpg Imagine what this semi detached would fetch if it had off street parking: http://stevecarter.com/random/SillyPrice.jpg This bloke really knows what he's doing. Hire him: http://stevecarter.com/random/NickCello.jpg One of the less busy bits of roads in the North West Highlands: http://stevecarter.com/random/gout.jpg It's all 'yellow and brown' out there at the moment: http://stevecarter.com/random/14gorse.jpg The ongoing rhododendron cull has massively changed the landscape here (for the better), but this is your last chance to see: http://stevecarter.com/random/rods1.jpg which will be gone by tomorrow. Video of one of the tracks being recorded last week for WCPM in Angel Studio One - Steve Price (engineer) MONSTER as always: http://stevecarter.com/random/IntoWinter.mov I recorded something two ways whilst in London. Do you prefer voices: http://stevecarter.com/random/prefer1.mp3 or strings? http://stevecarter.com/random/prefer2.mp3 (short clip). Can't decide. Back from t'smog. T'was this: http://stevecarter.com/random/wk1.jpg then lots of this: http://stevecarter.com/random/wk2.jpg then lots of this: http://stevecarter.com/random/wk3.jpg There will now be a short break as I have to do some work (it does happen ocassionally ). For a Highland pic fix > http://stevecarter7824.zenfolio.com/p382310474 and click on 'SLIDESHOW' Panoramic of the Torridon hills, taken a few days ago (before this nasty air from the south arrived!) Need fresh air! http://stevecarter.com/random/LochPan.jpg A fishing trawler on the Inner Sound, with the Isle of Raasay, and the Isle of Skye in the background: http://stevecarter.com/random/trawler.jpg That nasty Saharan haze is being blown up here. Still, one can always do this: http://SteveCarter.com/random/MarchHaze.jpg Shieldaig Loch & Village ~ end of March 2014: http://stevecarter.com/random/VillageMarch14.jpg Some houses and a hill: http://stevecarter.com/random/2houses.jpg Local Heros Rab (deliveries) & Finky (snow plough) can be seen in this photograph, and in all weathers coming over the Bealach: http://stevecarter.com/random/2heros.jpg Really low tides at present. I would normally be waist deep in Loch Kishorn Atlantic Ocean standing here: http://stevecarter.com/random/LowTideAchintraid.jpg Part of the drive back from the pub yesterday. Small video file: http://stevecarter.com/random/PubRunsSmall.mov (4mb) Big file: http://stevecarter.com/random/PubRunLarge.mov (84mb) Loch Torridon & the Torridon Hills yesterday: http://stevecarter.com/random/MarchSky.jpg Just before I leave for the beach... had to take this, the loch was looking so lovely: http://stevecarter.com/random/26-3-14.jpg Blue sky and low tide. Means just one thing.... I'm off > http://stevecarter.com/random/NiceSand.jpg It's obviously 'Big Sky Day' here, and someone neglected to tell us: http://SteveCarter.com/random/bsd.jpg I've built a new gallery. 200 photos of the Scottish Highlands to view (as a slideshow) 80 to buy : http://stevecarter7824.zenfolio.com/ I stopped off at Achanalt station yesterday morning. It was heaving: http://stevecarter.com/random/KyleLine.jpg Tricky driving over the hill this morning: http://stevecarter.com/random/GD22-3-14.jpg ... but worth it to see sunrise on the other side: http://stevecarter.com/random/22-3-2014.jpg A heavy shower and rainbow move in tandem, west to east, down the length of Loch Torridon: http://stevecarter.com/random/MarchShowers.jpg Looking across Upper Loch Torridon just now: http://stevecarter.com/random/MarchSun.jpg Storm force winds last night. Five power cuts and the village has been rearranging itself: http://stevecarter.com/random/20-3-14.jpg I knew my unspent pocket money would come in handy one day: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/3d.jpg Freshly baked cheese scones at the Torridon cafe this morning. Mmmmm. http://stevecarter.com/random/scones.jpg North / South divide? http://stevecarter.com/random/groats.jpg From Inverbain, looking across the loch towards Beinn Alligin: http://stevecarter.com/random/invertree.jpg Today marks the turning point. More light than dark for the next 6 months. Yippee. http://www.stevecarter.com/random/1202.jpg Strome Castle (Lochcarron) with Plockton in the background, and a bemused dog wondering why he has to sit still in the foreground: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/WhyDoesHe.jpg A friend of ours being eaten by a badger: http://stevecarter.com/random/badger.jpg March can't make up its mind: http://stevecarter.com/random/minds.jpg Other dogs chase cats or sheep. Ours chases 4x4s: http://stevecarter.com/random/chase.jpg The 2014 Shieldaig booklet is now for sale in the shop. A 'whole bunch' of my photos inside. http://stevecarter.com/random/14book.jpg ~ http://stevecarter.com/random/14book2.jpg The house on the hill in Sutherland: http://stevecarter.com/random/HOHBW.jpg Talking of clever, If I was, I'd think of some clever title for this. 'Nature's Shadow' or some such. Luckily I'm not remotely arty, or clever, so I won't. http://stevecarter.com/random/RustyShed.jpg There's more than one line in the sand (sorry, that's a bit clever): http://stevecarter.com/random/SandMarks.jpg You know what I think? I think this is going to fall over: http://stevecarter.com/random/FallOver.jpg We had a lovely stay in the Kylescu Hotel last night. Fab food and a seriously comfy bed. Recommended: http://stevecarter.com/random/kyles1.jpg Stac Pollaidh this morning (spot the post van!): http://stevecarter.com/random/StacPollaidh.jpg I just drove 100 miles in plus or minus 100 minutes. I'll let you decide if it was plus or minus: http://stevecarter.com/random/100mins.jpg Looking out over the loch towards the Minch, it's as if winter never happened: http://stevecarter.com/random/Spring2014.jpg The loch on Saturday: http://stevecarter.com/random/blow.jpg ~ The loch today: http://stevecarter.com/random/MoreLikeIt.jpg Here comes the sun: http://stevecarter.com/random/RR3-14.jpg 5 bedroom house with views to die for, for sale. Details: http://www.benview-alligin.co.uk/Benview.html My 2014 updated 'four season's' book is now available to buy in the building shown on the cover: http://stevecarter.com/random/T4s.jpg Position of choice: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/tickle.jpg The Torridon Hotel as it was. (Well, as it was at 07:30 this morning): http://www.stevecarter.com/random/lthmarch.jpg This is the exact spot where the crazy triathletes will start their 5 a.m. swim in the Celtman 'extreme' in June: http://stevecarter.com/random/InverbainWalks.jpg Taken a while back, but never posted here. I'd like to tell you what this structure is (was) at 'Ob Gorm Mor' on Loch Torridon, but have no idea. http://stevecarter.com/random/bays.jpg Not much call for lawn mowers in the village of Fasaig. The back gardens are a tad bumpy: http://SteveCarter.com/random/FasaigFriend.jpg I ignore calendars. Spring started today (March 3rd) as the Song Thrush started singing: Audio: http://stevecarter.com/random/thrush1.mp3 ~ Photo: http://stevecarter.com/random/thrush.jpg Snowdrop droplet: http://stevecarter.com/random/droplet.jpg Dawn over Loch a' Chroisg this morning: http://stevecarter.com/random/1-3-14.jpg There are some wacky colours here at the moment. The sea is trying it's best to be iridescent : http://stevecarter.com/random/colourloch.jpg The A896 heads towards Beinn Alligin: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/A896road.jpg 3 months work, manuscripts for 22 musicians to perform 18 tracks & over 3 hours of audio. All on this. How times change. http://stevecarter.com/random/3months.jpg The view from the 'wee bothy' by Loch Torridon yesterday: http://stevecarter.com/random/25-2-14.jpg You can tell spring is coming, the birds are all playing 'look at me': http://stevecarter.com/random/tit2014.jpg ~ http://stevecarter.com/random/finch2014.jpg Just saw this sand on the road and thought for a moment that my dog had been run over: http://stevecarter.com/random/squashed.jpg Artichouse, the Finish co. that supplied the logs for my house, are doing a feature on it: http://stevecarter.com/random/artics.jpg ~ http://stevecarter.com/random/artics2.jpg I've been in the forest of very tall trees again: http://stevecarter.com/random/veryverytalltrees.jpg We've had a bit of rain here lately: http://stevecarter.com/random/febwet.jpg Proper fireplace - to be found in Tommy's guesthouse in Shieldaig: http://stevecarter.com/random/fireplace.jpg Upper Loch Torridon and the Torridon Hills yesterday afternoon: http://stevecarter.com/random/19-2-14.jpg You can all decide on your own caption: http://stevecarter.com/random/GullChats.jpg The Siskins have arrived again. Same date as last year: http://stevecarter.com/random/siskin.jpg I just got an e mail: "Night of psychic entertainment, mediumship and clairvoyance. Kinlochewe village hall from 7.30 p.m." I guessed as much. I got this far up the hill, but decided it was probably time to knock it on the head, whilst I still had one: http://stevecarter.com/random/TimeToStop.jpg Looking over Loch Kishorn at the weekend. You can see why the road over the top was closed: http://stevecarter.com/random/Kishorn2014.jpg A sunny Sunday short sharp Shieldaig shower: http://stevecarter.com/random/SundayShower.jpg Today's weather: http://stevecarter.com/random/16-2-14.jpg The new look Nannys shop in Shieldaig, which needs both a roof and an apostrophe. http://www.stevecarter.com/random/nannyfeb14.jpg Russell Burn yesterday: http://stevecarter.com/random/russel2014.jpg Loch Coire Nan Arr this morning. As far as I could get as the road up the Bealach was closed from there: http://stevecarter.com/random/14-2-14.jpg The road to Kinloch Damph yesterday: http://stevecarter.com/random/snowroad.jpg The black bits in Glen Shieldaig were more slippery that the white bits this morning: http://stevecarter.com/random/snow14.jpg Glen Shieldaig this morning: http://stevecarter.com/random/12-2-14.jpg I was 'photobombed' by white van man: http://stevecarter.com/random/spotthecar.jpg Beautiful here yet again today, though it was a bit parky this morning by Balgy Lodge, under Ben Shieldaig: http://stevecarter.com/random/BalgyLodge.jpg Charlie dog on a dog walk doing his catwalk walk: http://stevecarter.com/random/ponse.jpg I made Tommy (local guest house owner) a 'wee' webpage to bring him into the 1990s: http://ShieldaigGuestHouse.co.uk It was raining on one side of my house and sunny on the other. 2+2= http://stevecarter.com/random/IslandRainbow.jpg (B.T.W. 09.02.14 Happy birthday page - three years old today). A Treecreeper considering changing the habit of a lifetime: http://stevecarter.com/random/TreeCreeper.jpg Glen Torridon this morning: http://stevecarter.com/random/7-2-14.jpg Having been watching the weather down south it's been almost embarrassingly good here recently: http://stevecarter.com/random/weathers.jpg The new Nanny's shop getting some serious Tonka treatment today. http://stevecarter.com/random/nannyroof.jpg The top of the Bealach yesterday morning: http://stevecarter.com/random/4-2-14.jpg Whilst we're on the subject of cattle: http://stevecarter.com/random/coobackside.jpg Some winter sunshine on the 'Pass of the Cattle': http://stevecarter.com/random/CattlePass.jpg This is the lowest tide I've ever seen on Loch Shieldaig: http://stevecarter.com/random/HowLow.jpg Kelso House by Strathcarron yesterday: http://stevecarter.com/random/kelso.jpg Last one from Raasay. The final CalMac ferry crossing of the day arrives from Skye: http://stevecarter.com/random/RaasayFerry.jpg I know what you're thinking: http://stevecarter.com/random/RaasayS2.jpg In case you didn't know, Calum unsuccessfully tried to get a road built to his house on Raasay, so over 10 years he built one, with this wheelbarrow! http://stevecarter.com/random/RaasayS3.jpg Thanks to RaasayHouse for a lovely stay in the refurbished hotel: http://stevecarter.com/random/RaasayHotel.jpg ~ Some view from our room! http://stevecarter.com/random/RaasayHotel3.jpg How do you get a cinema on and off a Hebridean Island like Raasy? Answer: http://stevecarter.com/random/ScreenMachine2Small.jpg & http://stevecarter.com/random/ScreenMachineSmall.jpg Nanny's shop ver. 2.0 is starting to take shape: http://stevecarter.com/random/nannysjan14.jpg John (in shot) hopes to have it up and running for the summer season. Shieldaig 'High Street' today: http://stevecarter.com/random/ShieldaigJan14.jpg Today's weather (looking across Loch Torridon towards Beinn Alligin) : http://stevecarter.com/random/28-1-14.jpg This bit of rock shows itself off when the sun is low (this, yesterday late p.m.). Boffins say it's over 1,000,000,000 years old. That's a hell of a lot of zeros! http://stevecarter.com/random/27-1-14.jpg Charlie attempting to look neat and tidy, but failing miserably: http://stevecarter.com/random/CharlieJan14.jpg I've just provided about 20 photos for the 2014 Shieldaig Booklet. Here are a few of them. Click on the photo to enlarge: http://stevecarter.com/random/ShViews.jpg You may have seen how the artics delivering my log house got stuck: http://www.stevecarter.com/build/stuck1.jpg From this angle you can see why! >> http://www.stevecarter.com/random/steeproads.jpg Due to the height of the hills here, it's at the top of Glen Shieldaig, just before you dip down towards Kishorn that you see the sunrise first: http://stevecarter.com/random/TopOfTheGlen.jpg Is it just me or does this look like Justin Bieber? http://stevecarter.com/random/eyebombing3.jpg Looking towards the Bealach yesterday. Still very little snow for mid winter: http://stevecarter.com/random/jan14bealach.jpg Apocalyptic looking hailstorm traveling down Glen Shieldaig earlier. Once in it, visibility was so poor I had to stop the car: http://stevecarter.com/random/apocalyptic.jpg It's looking very Scottish Highlands here: http://www.stevecarter.com/random/jan14.jpg Farmers think Sea Eagles will kill small children. Better lock up your daughters folks: link to their article here Yikes! http://stevecarter.com/random/baby-and-eagle.jpg Well there's a thing. I've never seen Shieldaig (population +/-100) located on a weather forecast map before: http://stevecarter.com/random/weatherforecast.jpg Looking forward to a short stay at http://www.raasay-house.co.uk/raasay-accommodation-near-skye/ next week. Recently refurbished, it looks lovely. Yesterday's hail storm just missing Shieldaig and traveling down Upper Loch Torridon (behind the hill in the foreground). http://stevecarter.com/random/jan14rainbow.jpg More crazy January light out there today (and yes, that's 5 herons over the loch): http://stevecarter.com/random/crazy.jpg Talking of Cormorants, which we're not, but I was yesterday.... this one looks very pleased with his aquisition! http://stevecarter.com/random/cormorantbuoy.jpg Out fishing in Loch ShieldaIg (It's like water off a Cormorant's back) : http://stevecarter.com/random/cormorant2014.jpg Seagulls attempting to muscle in on the Shieldaig flock's breakfast. (Either that or something spooky is going on) : http://stevecarter.com/random/nickers.jpg Right hand down a bit: http://stevecarter.com/random/RHD.jpg Jackson. Destroyer of sticks. http://stevecarter.com/random/JacksonTheDestroyer.jpg January is usually either white or grey, but this year it's very colourful. Shieldaig Village yesterday: http://stevecarter.com/random/TheVillage.jpg Click on the photo to make full size and use the slider to view. Loch Dughail, 10 minutes before sunrise this morning: http://stevecarter.com/random/16-1-14.jpg Two freshly washed, very clean cars, and one dog ready to undo all the good work: http://stevecarter.com/random/2cars1dog.jpg Just got hold of an 1873 map of Torridon. 100 years before there was a road to my house! Small: http://stevecarter.com/random/1873small.jpg BIG (5mb): http://stevecarter.com/random/1873BIG.jpg It can be dark and raining everywhere, but Shieldaig Island seems to be a sun magnet: http://stevecarter.com/random/SI1.jpg The Torridon Hills - Beinn Alligin to Ben Sheildaig as viewed from Inverbain yesterday. Click on the photo & use the slider to view full size: stevecarter.com/random/13-1-14-pan.jpg The 'wee bothy', the Torridon Hills and the track linking Annat with Balgy - once the main thoroughfare: http://stevecarter.com/random/bothy2014.jpg I think the Pine Martens had a 2nd litter last year. We don't usually have a kit here in Jan. This young one is NOT liking the camera either! http://stevecarter.com/random/2014kit.jpg (dusk, so dodgy photo) Spectacular sunrise over Kinloch, by Loch Shieldaig this morning: http://stevecarter.com/random/12-1-14.jpg Looking over the loch from above the forest at Allt an Dubh just now: http://stevecarter.com/random/FromHome.jpg Low tide at Achintraid this morning: http://stevecarter.com/random/11-1-14.jpg The top of Beinn Damh yesterday. 2,962 ft and not a snowflake in sight. Unusual for January. http://www.stevecarter.com/random/BeinnDamh2014.jpg Loch Shieldaig is currently lit like a stage set: http://stevecarter.com/random/StageSet.jpg It's a little wet deer: http://stevecarter.com/random/WetDeer.jpg I finally got round to organising the Torridon photos, indexed by years: http://www.stevecarter.com/latest/latesttorridon.htm Someone is 'eyebombing' Shieldaig: http://stevecarter.com/random/eyebombing2.jpg ~ http://stevecarter.com/random/eyebombing.jpg Keep your eyes peeled! Wellington's nose, looking like... er... Wellington's nose: http://stevecarter.com/random/wnose.jpg Off topic, but thought I'd share. This was our second Beardie, who lived his entire life on springs. We named him 'Bisto', as he was brown and thick. http://stevecarter.com/random/flydog.jpg We walk Charlie round the back of the Torridon. Inside, he then gets a biscuit. Try explaining to a dog the concept 'closed'! http://stevecarter.com/random/indignation.jpg He understands 'indignation' mind. The lone guardian of the Shieldaig campsite: http://stevecarter.com/random/EmptyCampsite.jpg Here we go again: http://stevecarter.com/random/HereWeGoAgain.jpg The coast road to Applecross yesterday: http://stevecarter.com/random/StraightRoads.jpg ~ and a short video of said road I made last spring: http://stevecarter.com/random/drives.mov Loch Torridon just after sunrise yesterday: http://stevecarter.com/random/1-1-2014.jpg Sand on Sand Beach this morning: http://stevecarter.com/random/SandBumps.jpg Early morning. Sand Beach. New Year's Day 2014: http://stevecarter.com/random/1-1-14.jpg - Happy new year. |