Loch Lomond Weekend February 2023

Scotland is a wonderful place to always visit and I was fortunate to have the opportunity to spend a weekend on Loch Lomond in February with Sandy.  Having flown up on the Friday morning, we picked up our hire car and made our way to Duck Bay on the bonny shores of the Loch.  A magnificent rainbow greeted us set against the backdrop of Ben Lomond.  I knew then that it was going to be a lucky weekend.  

Loch Lomond Weekend February 2023
A rainbow at Duck Bay with Ben Lomond in the background.

So much to see around the shores and following Duck Bay, we headed over to the east side of the Loch. When we arrived at Balmaha, the low sun was reflecting off the water creating beautiful light reflections.  I love visiting such places out of season as the places are quiet and you have the place to yourselves.  Balmaha houses the Loch Lomond coffee house and the pub serves a tasty bowl of soup. After a stroll around the Lochside we drove back to Balloch.

Loch Lomond Weekend February 2023
The lovely view over Balmaha on the eastern shores of Loch Lomond.

Our destination for the end of the day was Loch Lomond shores. Whilst it is very commercial and more concrete than aesthetics, it is redeemed by the views of the Loch. Also I saw that renovation of the Maid of the Loch steamer was gathering pace and that the paint work had been stripped off and the metal was showing.

Loch Lomond Weekend February 2023
Loch Lomond Shores
Loch Lomond Weekend February 2023
The Maid of the Loch under restoration.

Saturday morning threw up some colours in the sunrise and an early morning photographic stroll allowed for some interesting long exposures.  We were staying at the Cameron House hotel and the grounds gave excellent access to the loch shore.

Loch Lomond Weekend February 2023
Early morning view of Loch Lomond.

After breakfast, we set off for Inveraray to visit the prison museum.  This attraction was excellent and gave an insight into the past society and the harsh life people led in the Highlands especially if they broke the rules.  There was a restored black Mariah which Bill one of the staff, showed us and also provided an excellent account of life at the prison.  It was an enjoyable drive along the Loch. After every turn on the road, there was spectacular scenery just asking to be photographed.  

Loch Lomond Weekend February 2023
This is Bill dressed up as one of the prison guards at Inveraray Jail
Loch Lomond Weekend February 2023
Bill telling us about the Black Mariah prison transport.
Loch Lomond Weekend February 2023
Inverary on the Loch Fyne shore.

My favourite picture of the day was stopping at the layby “Rest and be Thankful”.  There was a glimpse of the sun which lit up the valley and highlighted the old military road and the roadworks on the side of the mountains.  I just stood there for several minutes taking in the beautiful scenery.

Loch Lomond Weekend February 2023
Rest and Be Thankful.

On our last morning, the weather was dull with a great deal of cloud cover.  As I wandered along Duck Bay looking for photo opportunities, I passed by many people huddled together talking in low voices. I wondered what they were doing.  Undeterred, I found a good spot on the Loch shore and set up for a long exposure.  I found an interesting stone in the water and lined it up with the island in the background.  A very peaceful scene.  As I was taking the photograph, two women in wet suits ventured into the loch and I found out that they were freshwater swimmers.  They agreed to have their photograph taken.  Whilst they were well prepared for the cold waters, a man followed soon after and he looked unprepared and a likely candidate for hypothermia from the low temperatures.  

Loch Lomond Weekend February 2023
A Sunday morning swim in a cold Loch Lomond.

On my way back I then realised that all the people who were standing in huddles had transformed into swimmers.  I realised that a favourite Sunday morning pastime is to venture into the cold waters around the Loch. This is not something that I would enjoy.

My final picture is from Firkin Point which I had not stopped off at before on my visits to Loch Lomond. I discovered the lone tree over the Loch. The afternoon had closed in and so the picture leant itself really well to a black and white processing.

Loch Lomond Weekend February 2023
The lone tree at Firkin Point.

I you enjoyed this account of Loch Lomond then be sure to read these as well.

Street Photography, Edinburgh, January 2023

The streets of Edinburgh lend themselves to street photography. The natural backdrop of old buildings and captivating views of the surrounding countryside help to frame the people as they go about their everyday life. The winter light is strong and directional. The stonework reflects the light and makes for some interesting pictures. Here is a selection for you to enjoy.

Street Photography, Edinburgh, January 2023
Light and shadows on the junction of Fleshmarket Close and Cockburn Street.
Street Photography, Edinburgh, January 2023
Looking up both Cockburn St and Fleshmarket Street.
Street Photography, Edinburgh, January 2023
In a rush for politics.
Street Photography, Edinburgh, January 2023
The view over Holyrood to Arthur’s Seat.
Street Photography, Edinburgh, January 2023
Waiting at the corner.
Street Photography, Edinburgh, January 2023
Detail from the Royal Mile
Street Photography, Edinburgh, January 2023
Whose scooter is it?
Street Photography, Edinburgh, January 2023
Old Infirmary Lane
Street Photography, Edinburgh, January 2023
Jacob’s ladder with Waverley in the background.
Street Photography, Edinburgh, January 2023
Let us wait here forever. Calton Hill.

If you liked my take of the Streets of Edinburgh then please search for Street Photography in my blog.  Here are a selection for you to look through and enjoy.

London Streets

Back on the Streets

Walk on By


Buying tickets for the Faerie Trial at Luss

We spent a great deal of time during our holiday visiting this beautiful village on the banks of Loch Lomond. Luss is Gaelic for herb and the village was so named after St Kessog. As Irish missionary to Scotland, he was martyred, and the legend is told that herbs grew on his grave. 

Luss Church
Luss Church

The village of Luss is characterised by the neat row of cottages that once belonged to the slate quarry workers that worked in the surrounding area. The appealing thatched cottages built by the Laird around the village have slate roofs, as timber was in short supply.  Now they are a popular tourist attraction, and the main street leads down to Luss pier.

Luss cottages
Luss cottages
Luss Pier
Luss Pier

This is the focal point of the village where there are ice cream vans and holiday makers taking advantage of water sport activities.  There are also beautiful views of the Luss Hills and Ben Lomond with their peaks reflecting on the water.  Luss church is away from the tourist track and has a quiet atmosphere as it sits overlooking the water. 

Jumping off the Luss pier
Jumping off the Luss pier
Paddle boarder passes Luss pier
Paddle boarder passes Luss’ lifeboat pier

A feature of Luss is the nearly developed Faerie trail which my granddaughters loved and takes in the nearby forest and river valley.  You buy your tickets from the Airstream trailer in the Luss overspill carpark before heading off into the forest and meeting the Faeries.  Luckily no Trolls can be seen as they are all in School learning how to behave. Luss is a delightful place to stay and is a perfect base for exploring Loch Lomond and its surroundings.

Here is more information on Luss and the Faerie Trial

All pictures were taken with the Fujifilm x100v


Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond

On the Bonnie, Bonnie banks of Loch Lomond so the song goes.  The shores and waters of the Loch provide wonderful photographic opportunities and I had the opportunity to visit further afield as well.  I cannot do justice to all the sights that are available and previous visits to the area means that the pictures and stories are more a personal taste of what you can expect around the park.

Last light on Loch Lomond

Loch Lomond
Last light Loch Lomond
Camera – Fujifilm X100V – lens 23mm
exposure info – ƒ/11.0, s 10secs, ISO 160

The pier at the Duck Bay Restaurant has commanding views of Loch Lomond making it an ideal place for a long exposure picture. The light was fading and Ben Lomond on the right was still visible. Editing was simple with a little extra on the saturation to bring out the colour in the reflections.

Carrick Castle

Carrick Castle
Carrick Castle
Camera – Canon EOS 5D Mark IV, Lens EF16-35mm f/4L IS USM
exposure info – ƒ/11.0, s 13secs, ISO 100

When I saw pictures of this castle on the Internet then I knew that I had to go and see it.  Carrick castle is on the western shores of Loch Gail and it is a single track road to get there. I cajoled my daughter in taking me to the castle early the the morning.  The sun had risen, and the sky was cloudy.  I still enjoyed taking photographs of Carrick castle and this getting down low picture was my favourite one.

Ben Lomond

Ben Lomond
Looking down from the Summit of Ben Lomond
Camera – Fujifilm X100V – lens 23mm
exposure info – ƒ/11.0, s 1/250secs, ISO 200

This was may favourite picture from the walk-up Ben Lomond and this was just as we were turning around going down the southern face.  The light escaping between the rocky crags provides an idea of the nature of the mountain.  When the going is good then the mountain looks inviting.  I have climbed a previous time when the going was not so good and such pictures were not possible.

Loch Long

View of Loch Long from Arrochar
Camera – Fujifilm X100V – lens 23mm
exposure info – ƒ/11.0, s 1/250secs, ISO 320

Our holiday house was not far from Arrochar which is at the head of Loch Long.  We went for Sunday lunch at the Village Inn which was next to the shores.  I took several pictures on the sea loch shore and whilst the sun was high in the sky there was still the opportunity to find some nice reflections on the water. 

Helensburgh

Helensburgh
Helensburgh
Camera – Fujifilm X100V – lens 23mm
exposure info – ƒ/11.0, s 1/250secs, ISO 320

The town nestled on the Clyde has such a history with the inventor of TV John Logie Baird and the interior of Hill House designed by Renee Macintosh.  However, its time as a seaside resort is long gone but the centre retains a certain charm and there is a thriving community there.  The large cruise ships come into Greenock which is on the other side of the Loch.

Much of the background was found by reading through the Loch Lomond and the Trossacks National Park site on Visit Scotland.