Have you ever noticed that in the movies all the people in Scotland are always wearing rubber boots? Even the Queen wears rubber boots when she visits Scotland (at least in the movies)!
This detail didn’t come to the forefront of my mind until I was standing on the banks of Loch Awe. In the distance I could see the first photography subject I scheduled for my trip: Kilchurn Castle. I looked at maps well ahead of time and had picked the spot I wanted to be standing for the shoot, just across the loch so I would have water in the foreground.
But between where I parked on the road and the spot on Loch Awe was a very very boggy field.
Very. Boggy.
I looked at my hiking boots. I looked back at the boggy field. I shrugged my shoulders and stepped out — carefully — winding my way from higher spots to logs to muddy bits to rocks to a bit of boardwalk slowly making my way. By the time I got there the mud was seeping into my socks. And there was no light.
Okay, I thought, at least now I know what I’m in for!
Back at my bed and breakfast, I took off my dripping muddy boots before I dared walk up the stairs and quickly took them into my shower. (This is why you always need to pack two pairs of shoes! I don’t think any restaurant would have let me in for dinner wearing those.)
The next morning I slept in, indulged in a “full scottish” for breakfast and as soon as the shops opened I bought myself a pair of “Dunnies” (Dunlop rubber boots).
Armed with a much needed piece of gear, I returned to Kilchurn Castle and stomped with glee as I carelessly marched across the boggy field, splashing along the way.
And the light was beautiful!
This first stop was the beginning of a pattern that soon emerged. I visited each place on my list at least twice, sometimes more, before I got the shots I wanted. And some of them eluded me still.
Those dunnies served me well!! I wore them every single day on my trip and was sad to leave them in my hotel room at the end, with no room in my suitcase to bring them home.
Every time I see pictures of castles like this, I wonder who’sfootprints have graced the halls and the stories that happened within those walls.
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Hi Dale, it’s funny you should mention that because I always like to read novels set in the locations I am going to. So before going to Scotland I looked up novels set in Scotland on Amazon one night. It was quite late when I was going to bed and suddenly remembered that I had finished my novel the night before, so I just quickly picked the first novel that came up on the list. It was “Outlander”. Of course I didn’t know at the time that the reason it was at the top of the list was because of the recent TV series based on the novel. So anyway, I have been reading about the people who’s footprints graced the halls of the castles 🙂 In case you’re interested, the novels are excellent. I’m on the third one in the series now!
My wife Pat and I have watched the TV series shes an avid reader, I’ll have to read them this summer when we are Rving.
Dear Anne,
I only just came across your beautiful pictures of Kilchurn Castle and its surrounding, and I have to say that they are stunning.
I am the author of “Do you believe in a world of magic?”. A novel that plays out in and around Kilchurn Castle, Loch Awe, Dalmally and surrounding many hundred years ago.
“Ominous dark clouds loomed above Loch Awe, blocking out the sun and turning its water jet black. The silhouette of Kilchurn Castle appeared from the mist like a menacing spirit.”
Superb snapshots
Thank you! (Although I cringe a little at the word snapshot!)
Quite right. You are creating art.
Thanks David 🙂
These pictures are really beautiful. The composition is perfect. Did it take a while for you to get all the right conditions?
Oh yes, it rarely works out perfectly on the first visit to a location. But by the time I get there a second time, at least I know how much mud I have to face on the way! Thanks for your visit and comments.
Thanks for sharing these beautiful shots.
Glad you enjoyed them Brian! Thanks for your comments.
Beautiful photo’s as always Anne great natural lighting
Thank you so much Les, I appreciate that.
Anne,
Wonderful shots of Scotland.
Thanks for sharing.
Máiread.
Glad you enjoyed them! Thanks for your comments 🙂