Welcome to Harris

I've just had the most wonderful holiday (end of September), fulfilling a long-held dream to visit the island of Harris and Lewis (yes, it is all one land mass) in the Outer Hebrides, off the west coast of Scotland. It was a photography tour, run by Lizzie Shepherd and Alex Hare, both of whom are amazing and inspirational photographers with much experience of leading groups to this beautiful part of the British Isles.

I had a great time, though there were aspects that I found challenging, especially since my deafness makes interaction in a group somewhat tricky. The other folks on the tour were really lovely though, with some very experienced photographers among them. It was a delight and a privilege to spend time with them.

Over the next several days I shall post a few of my favourite photos from there, though I am still working through them. I know that it's best to let a bit of time elapse and then look again at the images, as sometimes I change my mind about the merits of them. When I've just got back from a trip, I can be a little too emotionally invested in my photos, whereas later I can approach them more dispassionately and make better judgments. On the flip side, I do want to write up a journal while I can still remember the details.

These first three pictures were all taken at a brief stop we made on the journey from Stornoway airport to our hotel in Tarbert, Harris, at a viewpoint at Loch Seaforth. We were delighted to find there was still some heather in bloom. (What is Scotland without the heather?) Not so delighted that it was threatening rain - but actually, compared to the weather they got back home the same week, we did extremely well and only got wet a handful of times.