Harris on an icm photo workshop

 Had a fabulous week with My Beautiful Scotland and StephJohnPhoto down on Harris.  The week started early on Monday when I headed for the airport to pick up Rebecca, one of the group.  We drove to the Callanish stones via the shielings on Pentland Road.  Back in Stornoway for coffee at The Blue Lobster and a walk around the town and Lews castle grounds.  We then met Shona of My Beautiful Scotland and Stephanie from StephJohnPhoto with Britta and Basis for lunch at Beckett & Sons.  A walk along sandy beach at the Braigh before Shona and Stephanie went to meet Dirk and Sarah from a later flight.  Rebecca and I drove down to The Harris Hotel where we were all staying for the week.

A much photographed shieling

Herons have started to nest in the castle grounds. 

Seals resting in the harbour

We all met up at dinner.  Andrew, Elizabeth, Gordon and Ger had arrived at the hotel earlier.  It was an early start in the morning to catch the sunrise at Luskentyre.

Breakfast and a long break for showers and downloading before we were off again around the golden road, the church at Rodel, Northton beach and Scarista for sunset.

Rodel church looking out

Rodel church icm detail

Northton Beach

Shona at Northton

Reflection on Northton

Golden Northton

Scarista beach

Another early start on Wednesday for sunrise at Nisabost beach.  Unfortunately it was pouring with rain but there were lots of waves.

Nisabost beach

We had a talk from Ellis O'Connor, an artist living on Skye.  Ellis gave an inspiring talk at the Creative Light festival and this one was just as compelling.  Then it was back in the van and off to Huisnish for more images.

seaweed in foam

Thursday was our day on Lewis.  The wind and rain made the day a challenge but we all came back with images.  First stop was Callanish Stones where Stephanie gave us a masterclass in the short dry spell.  Then to Cliff beach for wave shots.  My favourite stop was a visit with Margaret and David at Cliff Studios.  I had been wanting to photograph the floor with all the paint splatters from David's creations.  We were welcomed warmly and given a much needed cup of tea.  I think Margaret will be busy making more of her beautiful pots as quite a few were purchased by the group.

The stones blended with paint splatters

Our group at the stones

Cliff beach

Cliff studios and beach multiple exposure

Scarista for sunrise on our last day and it didn't disappoint.  Threes golden eagles flew past and there was a mist over the hills and sea.

Ger

Andrew

Sarah, Ger, Shona, Elizabeth and Basis

The afternoon saw us at Seilebost and then sunset at Luskentyre.

beach detail at Seilebost

grasses at Seilebost estuary

Ger feeding an apple to Toby

Losgantir

Multiple exposure

Multiple exposure

Cottage at Losgantir 

Multiple exposure

Taransay 

The week wrapped up with a slideshow of some of our images.  Lovely to see what everyone else had created.

Next post in April from RPS Visual Art weekend in Manchester.