Storm Over Buachaille Etive Mor

[Martín el Escocés]

The peak, Stob Dearg, is an iconic view in the Scottish Highlands. One hour and 50 minutes drive from Glasgow City centre, it is the main peak of the Buachaille Etive Mor. Translated as "the Shepherd of Etive", it stands sentinel, in it's characteristic winter moorland colours, over fabulous Glen Etive at the mouth of Glen Coe. To step out of your car where the two glens meet, in January, is to understand what the word exposure means! Here, one of many passing storms shrouds the bleak pyramid-like peak with light and colour.

 

[AlanLichty]

I like the mood of this scene Martin. Neat miniature waterfalls with a nice shutter speed and the sky colors are delightful.

 

[Darcy Grizzle]

A really beautiful image and I love the trifecta of waterfalls! Makes me want to walk over to the big waterfall & follow it downstream

 

[Martín el Escocés]

I like the mood of this scene Martin. Neat miniature waterfalls with a nice shutter speed and the sky colors are delightful.

Thanks Alan. there are a whole bunch of miniature falls here, depending on how the river is flowing, as well as some larger ones further down.

A really beautiful image and I love the trifecta of waterfalls! Makes me want to walk over to the big waterfall & follow it downstream

The stream gets very active and a lot of people have discovered the River Etive for canoes and things, but the autumnal bracken give this glen its great colour - it also glows golden when the sun comes out!

 

[Ben Egbert]

Gorgeous scene, I love the mood created here.

 

[BarryHamilton]

Oh, man! Does that take me back!! Beautiful work, Martin. I think you captured the mood of the scene just right!

 

[Martín el Escocés]

Thanks very much Ben and Barry. This area has great mood, as does the rest of the glen. I think you have a few of this scene, too, Barry!

 

[Douglas Sherman]

Wonderful composition and lighting, Martin. This looks like a very difficult place to shoot.

 

[Martín el Escocés]

Thanks Douglas. There are so many compositions round this place - it's at the top of the glen - that you are spoiled for choice and often don't have time for the great shots that await on the way down to the loch at the end of the road!

 

[MonikaC]

The peak, Stob Dearg, is an iconic view in the Scottish Highlands. One hour and 50 minutes drive from Glasgow City centre, it is the main peak of the Buachaille Etive Mor. Translated as "the Shepherd of Etive", it stands sentinel, in it's characteristic winter moorland colours, over fabulous Glen Etive at the mouth of Glen Coe. To step out of your car where the two glens meet, in January, is to understand what the word exposure means! Here, one of many passing storms shrouds the bleak pyramid-like peak with light and colour.



View attachment 5340

This has a wonderful, magical, mystical feel, Martin! The little drips look like they should have little fairies dancing or flying around them!

 

[Martín el Escocés]

This has a wonderful, magical, mystical feel, Martin! The little drips look like they should have little fairies dancing or flying around them!

You are absolutely on the ball, here, Monika! The only drawback to this fairyland scene is the Scottish weather with all the wind and rain - not to mention the mud! The whole area at the top of the Glen is a fairy wonderland with an abundance of small waterfalls and features, as well as some grander flows.

Adjacent to this glen is the infamous Glen Coe - notorious for the massacre of locals which took place in February 1692 - 38 men were "put all to the sword under seventy" by the army who had been hosted by the families whilst, significantly, a large number of women and children died of exposure in escaping into the local landscapes because of the extreme conditions.

 

[MonikaC]

You are absolutely on the ball, here, Monika! The only drawback to this fairyland scene is the Scottish weather with all the wind and rain - not to mention the mud! The whole area at the top of the Glen is a fairy wonderland with an abundance of small waterfalls and features, as well as some grander flows.

Adjacent to this glen is the infamous Glen Coe - notorious for the massacre of locals which took place in February 1692 - 38 men were "put all to the sword under seventy" by the army who had been hosted by the families whilst, significantly, a large number of women and children died of exposure in escaping into the local landscapes because of the extreme conditions.

What a bloody history for a beautiful place.

 

[Kyle Jones]

Very nice scene and the light really adds some nice atmosphere.

 

[JimFox]

This is wonderful Martin! What a really cool location and atmosphere you had.

 

[Martín el Escocés]

What a bloody history for a beautiful place.

The bloody events took place a few miles beyond the peak in Glen Coe, which is much bleaker, particularly in a gale and driving rain. You can see how exposed it would be in February with a blizzard blowing. I like to think of this spot as a kind of sanctuary, away from the awful history of the region.

Here's a look at the top of Glen Coe with its usual sky!

A lot less inviting!

This is wonderful Martin! What a really cool location and atmosphere you had.

Hey Jim. Glad you liked it. This was on a trip I had with Barry when he came over on a visit - we covered the North of England and the lower part of the Western Highlands - in addition to Stonehenge and Constable Country during that frenetic wee!.

 

[lionking]

Some light there, very dramatic mood.

 

[Mike Mancil]

Impressive shot of this iconic scene.

 

[Martín el Escocés]

Andrey and Mike. I really appreciate your kind comments.

The light in Glen Etive is often wonderful with active skies and sunlight through gloomy clouds contributing to some real colour. This area is probably my favourite part of the glen but there are some great opportunities further on right down to the Loch at the bottom - although, sadly, the powers that be have removed the old ruin of a jetty that was down there. You can also see deer down in the glen and some of the stags posing on the skyline!