Ben Hope waterfall, Strathmore, Sutherland, Scotland

THE STORY BEHIND THE PHOTOGRAPH

Glen Hope is one of the more secluded glens in Sutherland, running south from the tip of Loch Hope into the isolated heart of the northern Highlands. There is a single, narrow road running beside the Strathmore River - and I do mean narrow - for there are places where you really, really do not want to meet someone coming the other way. Many people come to the glen to climb Ben Hope, one of the most popular peaks in northern Scotland. I actually came to Glen Hope to photograph the ruined Iron Age broch at Dun Dornaigil, and I was on my way back north up the glen when I glanced to my right and saw a fabulous series of waterfalls running down the western slopes of Ben More. I couldn't resist, and I cancelled my plans for the rest of the afternoon. This particular waterfall was one of the closest to the road, a matter of only 5-10 minutes scramble up one of the most popular trails leading towards the mountain peak.