The Queen of Scottish Mountains and Dunnet Head Lighthouse

Posted on November 18, 2019 by Simon Howlett

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Pictured above, from a recent 2 week trip to Scotland, is the mountain Ben Loyal, also known as the Queen of Scottish Mountains due to its majestic profile. Golden eagles, ospreys and sea otters call this location home. I crossed the bridge in this picture a number of times when heading out to Thurso and Dunnet Head Lighthouse.

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The second photo is of Moine House and Ben Loyal. The Moine is a vast area of heather moor and peat moss which for centuries has made travel difficult in this remote region. The first good road across the Moine was built in 1830 with Moine House providing a welcome rest for travellers. The third photo is also from the Moine, this time picturing Ben Loyal and the Munro, Ben Hope, reflected in a lochan.

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Below is Dunnet Head Lighthouse at dawn with Orkney veiled in mist on the horizon. The Old Man of Hoy, a 449 ft sea stack, can also be seen in the far distance. Dunnet Head is a great place for whale watching. Hoping to spend 4 or 5 days at Cape Wrath Lighthouse next year. It’s well off the beaten track – a 12 mile coastal walk from Blairmore.

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Platinum/Palladium Print – Stacks of Duncansby

Posted on May 6, 2015 by Simon Howlett

This platinum/palladium print is one of a series of images made at Duncansby Head with a 1968 Hasselblad 500C. The lens in the photo is a Sonnar 4/150 but the sea stack image was made using a Distagon 4/50. Planning to return and spend more time at this location and may visit Orkney to photograph The Old Man of Hoy and Yesnaby sea stacks.

A short video from George Eastman House which explains the platinum process can be viewed at: https://youtu.be/5AmIr9xLxlk

Stoer Head – Sutherland

Posted on February 12, 2015 by Simon Howlett

Stoer Head Lighthouse was built in the 19th century and stands at the northern end of The Minch, a strait which separates the North West Highlands from the Hebrides. In a bothy close by there’s a remarkable mural of the lighthouse, thought to have been painted in the 19th century. The Old Man of Stoer in the photograph below is a 200ft sea stack which is inhabited by fulmars and popular with rock climbers.

It’s a fair walk between the two, which was made a little more difficult as I was carrying digital and film cameras. These photos were made with a digital SLR. I didn’t get to use the film camera much during the two days I spent at this location. However, I hope to pay a return visit one day with plenty of rolls of film!

Loch Glascarnoch

Posted on December 26, 2014 by Simon Howlett

Season’s Greetings and a Happy New Year! Thank you for your follows, comments, likes and support – I really appreciate it 🙂

Came across this when travelling to Ullapool from Inverness. Was surprised at how still the water was. Hastily made it down to the shoreline and took some photos, handheld with no filters. A location I’ll certainly visit again.

Stoer Head Lighthouse

Posted on November 23, 2014 by Simon Howlett

Parked close to the lighthouse and then headed out on a two mile trek to The Old Man of Stoer sea stack. Shot the lighthouse from a couple of different points. This one is a 61 second exposure at f/13 using a 6-stop Little Stopper and 3-stop ND grad.

Returned to the car at night and found it surrounded by a herd of cows who were reluctant to move! As a parting gesture they kindly left a dent in one of the rear doors! 🙂

Canisp and Suilven – Assynt

Posted on October 19, 2014 by Simon Howlett

The photo above (Canisp to the left and Suilven to the right) was made from Loch Druim Suardalain and the one of Suilven below from the River Kirkaig. Visible from throughout the Assynt region Suilven dominates the landscape and is striking in appearance. One of the oldest rocks in the world, Gneiss, is visible on Canisp’s surface.

These photos are from a recent two week visit to Assynt. Based in the lovely town of Ullapool I photographed the mountains Suilven, Canisp, Quinag and Sàil Gharbh. I also photographed Loch Druim Suardalain, the River Kirkaig, Stoer Head Lighthouse and The Old Man of Stoer sea stack. Will be kept busy editing the results!

Buckie Harbour – Scotland

Posted on September 12, 2014 by Simon Howlett

Visited Buckie harbour back in June. Enjoyed photographing a number of vessels along with their reflections.

Heading back to Scotland later this year to photograph sea stacks and mountains including the spectacular Suilven, 2,398 ft in height, not a Munro (over 3000 ft) but a lot of peoples’ favourite as it dramatically towers above the surrounding landscape.

Bow Fiddle Rock and the Whale’s Mouth

Posted on August 28, 2014 by Simon Howlett

Bow Fiddle Rock above (Portknockie, Scotland) is a truly magical location and easily accessible. The Whale’s Mouth below is close by. Spent two days here and was very fortunate to witness a massive pod of dolphins breaking the surface as they made their way north.

Platinum/Palladium Sea Stacks

Posted on July 25, 2014 by Simon Howlett

I’ve put the bathroom to good use and made a few prints following my visit to Duncansby Head, Scotland.

Colour negative film converted to b&w in Lightroom. Digital negatives (8 x 8 inch) were processed in Photoshop and then printed on Agfa CopyJet film. The prints were made on Arches Platine paper.

Camera: Hasselblad 500C. Lens: Distagon 4/50. Daytime long exposure photos using a 10-stop ND filter and a 3-stop ND grad.

Road Trip – Brora

Posted on July 4, 2014 by Simon Howlett

Came across this aging petrol station on my way up to Duncansby Head, Scotland. Located on the main road passing through Brora I passed it several times thinking it would make a good subject to photograph. Remnants of a bygone era that fortunately are still with us.