There is absolutely no doubt in MY mind that May and June will be remembered as the worst two months of "summer" weather ever presented to Scottish landscape photographers. Perhaps, on reflection, that statement needs to be qualified so that the eastern half of the country escapes such a scathing summary. Plans (held since January) for three different visits to the west of Scotland and the Inner Hebrides were abandoned daily as one grey or rain-filled day followed another. Fortunately, a profitable morning in East Lothian and Berwickshire and - a couple of weeks later - a quite superb morning in East Aberdeenshire saved the bacon, as the coastline of the former and the links of Cruden Bay and Royal Aberdeen of the latter produced a few lovely shots.
However, where on earth DOES time go? More than halfway through 2011 ( and mainly thanks to the weather ) the "to do list" for this year's adventures STILL includes Ben Gulabin (Glenshee), Knockdolian (Ayrshire ), Loch Brandy ( Glen Clova ), Criffel (Dumfries-shire ), Dumgoyne ( Campsie Fells ) and Broughton Heights. In the dying days of the April high pressure ( which heralded the beginning of the monsoons! ) the much sought-after trip to Neist in Skye was accomplished; it is a stunning place ( I joined TWELVE, yes, twelve!! ) photographers on the cliffs that evening and the 2013 calendar will reveal all.....
Weather and light will, as always, determine what ultimately transpires, of course! Meantime, my plans for publishing a series of personalised 'photo books' are well advanced so, as usual, watch this space for news of progress.......though the wish of all right now is that July and August relieve some of the meteorological frustrations from a pretty dreadful start to the summer.
DONALD FORD
