It has been a long journey full of disappointment and hope which started in earnest three years ago although the dream had sparked in my mind in 2004 when I was introduced to Skye for the first time.

My acquaintance with the Cuillin had to wait until our last day on the trip as the visibility was so poor that I couldn’t see them even when I was driving underneath them! The weather was so bad that the bikes we had transported on the car remained there for the whole week. On that occasion we stayed in Elgol which meant we drove along the single-track road from Broadford every day to return to and from our lodgings. It was a journey that reminded me of the first time I drove off the M6 towards Ambleside when the landscape opens up to reveal its treasures in full measure. I was captivated by Skye and in particular the south west of the Island.

When I started the MA Photography there was no doubt in my mind that in spite of being a wildlife photographer until that point, my work would revolve around The Road to Elgol.

Now I have the opportunity to spend much of the autumn, winter and spring in our waterside home only one mile from the Road and three miles from Loch Cill Chriosd where I hope to spend long days over the next few months. Amongst other “micro-projects” I want to do some focused work on the Loch. I am also intending to spend time on the beach in front of the house and use the inspiration of Hiroshi Sugimoto’s Seascapes project https://www.sugimotohiroshi.com/seascapes-1/. I have been reading The Pebbles on the Beach – A Spotter’s Guide by Clarence Ellis. Robert MacFarlane who wrote the foreword to the book says of Pebble-hunting:

“One of the true delights of the pebble-seeker is to read the stories in the stones – to determine whence and by what means they came to be there. We must always bear in mind that a pebble is a transient thing. It is in the half-way stage of a long existence . . .”

The book has captured my imagination and has provided me with a focus for spending time on the beach and trying to capture the detail and wider views of this beautiful bay.

It is such an exciting time for me. Having retired from full-time work recently, started the MA and now the final piece in the jigsaw is complete as we travel to Skye and our new home. As always we will be playing the Skye Boat Song from Outlander https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGgMMUBX6kY as we pass over the bridge. . .