My return 8 years later was different as I had time to check it all out in more detail. The weather was wild and changeable with swathes of cloud, rain and sunshine juddering in from the Atlantic in rhythmic cycles. I was alert and headed out along the boulder strewn shore with some optimism.

 

 

I chose my viewpoint with some foreground and settled in for a session. I have mixed feelings about encountering fellow photographers on location, on the one hand I relish solitude, but on occasions, I also appreciate a bit of likeminded banter. Today I met Thierry Frey an ardent image hunter who hailed from Alsace, we shared the time & space and have since stayed in touch on FB, as you do.

 

 

I was drawn to the intriguing green luminescence emanating from the rock strewn shallows at my feet. This phenomenon combined with the dynamic cloud patterns whizzing across The Cuillins really got my attention. I noticed that as the light levels dropped with the weight of cloud so did the green luminescence seem to increase in intensity. I should check out the science of that.

 

 

Almost in a moment the restless air cleared and these iconic mountains revealed their forms bold and clear. Mysteriously, all this almost without a murmur from the surface of Loch Scavaig, thus I claim the unpredictability of Scotland's West Coast never lets you down. Knowing when to quit is not an exact science but on instinct and at this point Thierry and I ascended to a more elevated viewpoint.

 

 

I admit I am a bit of a sucker for a cliché  i.e. I have classic Scottish imagery embedded in my memory from the "J Arthur Dixon" postcard days, heather in the foreground, mountains to the rear!  The rapidly changing, patchy light called for both patience and speedy responses, in this case I love the richness & warmth of the foreground colours and the brooding cool of the distance mountains, it could only be Scotland.

 

 

A warm glow and a cheerful sense of fulfilment came upon us as we romped back over rough moorland and headed back to Elgol village. Momentarily distracted whilst packing the gear away and no doubt pondering upon my next location I glanced across the bay to the moored boats to this "scotch mist" inspired image offering itself. After such a generous session is it too greedy to keep going? I don't think so, as Lenny Kravitz says - "Its ain't over 'til its over" That'll do nicely thanks Elgol.