Lakes, Lochs,Reservoirs,Tarns, Ponds

Standing on a small rocky promontory jutting out into Loch Assynt. We were to see this again in stunning weather but from a different viewpoint on our journey back home. Ardvreck is famous as the place where the royalist James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose was handed over in 1650 to the Covenanter forces by MacLeod, Laird of Assynt after the Battle of Carbisdale. Clan Mackenzie attacked and captured Ardvreck Castle in 1672, and then took control of the Assynt lands. The castle was a simple rectangular keep with a round staircase tower at the south-east angle. It was corbelled out on the upper floors to form square rooms. The small stair turret to these upper rooms being carried on corbelling. There were three compartments on the ground floor which were all vaulted. There appears to have been four floors and the first of these is also vaulted with the other floors being simply joisted. The castle also had several gunports. The mountain on the side is a Scottish Corbett named Gas Bheinn at 766m (2545ft). Enjoy full size.

After a visit to Ardvreck Castle we decide to take a walk in an area called Little Assnt, located just a few km north of the castle. A wonderful stroll past beautiful lochans full of small islands that looked inviting even in our worsening weather. This is relatively small at only 2km at its maximum length and 4 metres deep. As I was taking this the rains had begun to fall so protecting my lens was also a priority. I think you may agree though, it was well worth getting the camera out of the bag. Enjoy full size.

Is it any wonder that I just love this season, when I can get out and take photos like this. Making me be glad to be alive, making me gaze in wonder at natures lovely creations. When it comes to climate change worries around our world, this scene reminds us what we are fighting for. Taken on a walk only some minutes away by car, at the village of Delph in Saddleworth, showing a small private fishing lake, with our public pathway running alongside it Enjoy full screen.

This area has real history. The Romans, whist occupying England had a fort just right of this scene. Here we see not a Roman fort but a diversion outlet for one of the feeder streams running from the higher Saddleworth Moors surrounding us here. I think too that the house looking building is in fact a small pump-house but I might be wrong. Our path in facts goes across the top of the dam wall just to the right of where I stand. Have a good day.

Another view of Ardvreck Castle on a day when the weather was just a bit murky. We have just completed another ‘Little Assynt’ walk and are on our way to the ‘Bone Caves’ which I hope to show your shortly. The water is Loch Assynt. pip Enjoy full size.

A look across the Assynt Loch Geann Dunh to this fabulous Stac. I am stood at a place which I think is surely one of the most scenic in Scotland. The Stac (Stack) is 497m high and the Glencoul thrust, brings the older Precambrian gneiss up over the Cambrian quartzite along Loch Glencoul. Enjoy full screen

We are on the way to Handa Island in North West Scotland. The scenery en-route is pretty stunning as we pause here to gaze at this wonderful curved concrete box-girder bridge that we have just crossed. “It was opened in 1984 by our Queen Elizabeth. In 2019, the bridge was classified by Historic Environment Scotland as a Category A structure, recognising it as "visually striking and technically innovative". The bridge crosses water which is approximately 120 metres (390 ft) wide and up to 25 metres (82 ft) deep, leading to fast tidal currents. It replaced the ferry between Kylesku and Kylestrome, which was 400 metres to the east. The bridge is designed to be sympathetic to the surrounding country, and the approaches were chosen to minimise changes to the landscape.” Wiki Enjoy full screen.

A magical view from this seat over Loch Geann Dunh towards Stac Glecoul bathed in sunlight. Essential full screen Have a great day.

We are in Sutherland, a historic county in the Highlands of Scotland. We have travelled some miles south of Handa Island but the scenery remains wild and wonderful. The NC 500: The Scottish 'North Coast 500' is one of the world’s most beautiful road trips. A route of just over 500 miles (516) of stunning coastal scenery, white sandy beaches, rugged mountains, remote fishing villages and hidden gems. Enjoy full screen

A panoramic stitch of four photos showing the two reservoirs here (Upper and Lower Castleshaw). One of our favourite walks follows the valley from left to right and over the far end dam wall before retracing our path back. It is always somewhat muddy and damp but quite beautiful too. “Castleshaw Roman fort was a castellum in the Roman province of Britannia. Although there is no evidence to substantiate the claim, it has been suggested that Castleshaw Roman fort is the site of Rigodunum, a Brigantian settlement.” Best full screen and zoomed. Not sure how Ipernity has calculated this at 15.8mm as the 4 shots were 38mm each.

A broody image taken yesterday at my own Dovestone reservoir walking area in the rain. This image reflects my feelings regarding Russian missiles raining down on Kyiv over the last 24 hours. At least yesterday the sun came out soon after this. I don't think it will be so quick for Ukraine.

Another chance to see Loch Lomond, this most bonny Loch of Scotland, taken on our visit around here last year. In the background are the mountains of Ben Vorlich and Ben Vane. Enjoy this in peace, so far away from our Ukrainian neighbours this weekend, and spare them a thought in their hour of need! Herb

A view towards the old ruined castle of Ardreck as we pass this spot for the last time on this holiday. As is often our luck, the weather decides to be at its best for the last few hours travelling south. A full description is on the PiP page, simply click in the PiP to go there. Enjoy full size and contrast the freedom of this sight compared with what our friends in Ukraine have today.

The main front of the village with the fisheries harbour to the top right. The war memorial is centre right. Best viewed full screen.

A nostalgic trip back to the Canadian Rockies here with the beautiful Emerald Lake set in the YoHo National Park. A very popular location for tourist and accommodation with food to hand too, but step away just a few metres and you have this: the smell of pine trees, the plop of a fish in the water and the soft splash of a canoe paddle. pip Enjoy full size as we never know when freedom will be taken away!

As Ukraine sees devastation growing by the day we are reminded of the good things in life here. We are just north of the village and our path will take us past the building you see which is the Youth Hostel. The star of the show though is Ben Lomond itself with a nice white summit on this day after a cold wet night. Too cold with a biting wind for us to sit on the bench but a grand view all the same. The PiP show the memorial, just a short distance away from us here. Best viewed full size.

Looking east from Loch Braigh nan Allt (I think). This is described as a fine little Corbett of 769m. In the background on the right is the famous Stac Pollaidh, a gem of a mountain at 612m described as one of the most popular mountains in Scotland with its steep pinnacled ridge liked to a porcupine Enjoy full size

HFF…. A Wessenden Reservoir walk We are here at Marsden in Yorkshire again after a gap of two years or more. This is the third one up from the village of four reservoirs. I do hope you like the fence post minus the wire leading our eye to the walkers in the distance. Enjoy this in peace, so far away from our Ukrainian neighbours this weekend and spare them a thought in their hour of need! Herb