Loch Assynt, Sutherland, Scotland

THE STORY BEHIND THE PHOTOGRAPH

Loch Assynt is a long, curving inland loch in Sutherland, east of Lochinver. I was staying in a lovely cottage at Kylesku, and had photographed the loch and the ruins of Ardvreck Castle on several occasions. This particular evening I had intended to photograph the castle again, but the light was not promising, and I drove west along the A837, with nothing much in mind, just looking fo anything in the scenery that appealed to me. When I saw this group of trees sticking up out of the waters of the loch I knew I had found my spot. I parked and practically ran down to the shore with my camera and tripod. Unfortunately, so did all the midges in Assynt. Or perhaps they were waiting there to greet me. I was in so much of a hurry to photograph the trees before the light faded that I didn't even pull on my midge-hat - my favourite bit of gear for photographing the Highlands. I got about five or six shots before the light in the western sky faded. Then I put on my midge-hat.