Kilchurn castle on Loch Awe
Kilchurn castle reflected in Loch Awe
I decided recently to take a trip north to capture some of the stunning autumnal colours which were developing, and Kilchurn castle on Loch Awe was definitely my destination. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve seen this castle briefly from the train heading to Oban. There’s just a tantalising glimpse of the castle after leaving Dalmally station, as the line takes you round the head of the loch.
I’ve often thought it would be a good spot to head for with the camera, and when I saw that the forecast was for a still sunny day, with mist in the early morning, I thought it was definitely time to go for it.
The castle is a magnificent ruin on the northern west shore of Loch Awe, just a few miles east of Oban. The castle has been restored by Historic Scotland. It can be accessed on foot by a path from the A85 to the north, although it’s tricky to find!
I decided to head down the A819 which runs along the south east shore of the loch. I was glad I’d had the foresight to pack my walking boots, as there was a fair amount of boggy walking to get to a spot where I had this view of the castle.
Autumn colours reflected in Loch Dochart
Autumn colours reflected
It’s heading into one of my favourite times in the year, with plenty of opportunities to capture shots of autumn colours in Scotlands amazing landscapes. Here’s another photo from last weekend’s trip north. I’d decided to head to Loch Awe to capture the autumn colours reflected in various lochs along the route. It was perfect weather – still, and largely sunny, but with wisps of mist in the morning and early evening.
I was determined to stop on the stretch of road approaching Crianlarich. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve admired the fleetingly glimpsed views through the trees to the loch to the north of the road. On the journey North, this was all still swathed in a heavy mist, but by the time I was wending my way home, the air had cleared and the sun was out.
For all the times I have gazed longingly at the reflections here as the car whizzed southwards, I hadn’t even realised it was a separate loch from Loch Lubhair, just a short distance further east along the road.. I pulled into a layby and squelched down to the side of the loch, to be greeted by a completely perfect mirror-like loch surface, reflecting some vivid autumnal colours, and skies with white puffy clouds.
The hills and golden trees on the opposite shore took my interest for a while, but it didn’t take me too long to gaze up to the right, and admire this view.
Autumn colours
Autumn colours from Scotland
On the return journey from last week’s trip to Mull, I was blown away by the autumn colours as we drove down the road. The whole journey was a feast of oranges, golds and reds. There wasn’t a chance to stop to take pictures, so I had a wee idea to take a trip back up that way on Sunday. I checked the weather forecast on Saturday evening – it was due to be still, with patches of mist in the morning. That looked perfect for some loch reflection photos.
So I headed back up the same road first thing in the morning. I was spoilt for choice with possible pictures! I headed back to Loch Lubhair near Crianlarich first. I haven’t had a chance to take photos there before, but have often noticed flashes of stunning reflections in the loch on trips home from Oban. It’s a small loch, at just under 1.5 miles in length, but being fairly sheltered and surrounded by trees, it has plenty of possibilities for some cracking photos of autumn colours.
One thing I wasn’t too well prepared for was the conditions underfoot. I’d packed my walking boots, but would definitely have been better off in wellies, or maybe even waders!
Everything around the loch are just beginning to turn autumnal. The sun was darting in and out from behind the cloud, resulting in tantalising patches of sunlight on the lochs and hills. I was lucky to catch this brief patch of light on the trees.
Autumn photos from Scotland
Autumn photos from around Scotland
A few more sunny autumn shots to warm you on a dreich Scottish day.
Trees reflected in Loch Tummel, Perthshire
Woods reflected in the water
Blue skies over Loch Tummel forests
Click on the link to see more autumn photos from Scotland
Landscape photo – autumnal Perthshire trees
I spent an afternoon along the south shores of Loch Tummel a couple of weekends ago. It was superb weather, and the trees were just turning nicely autumnal. I didn’t manage to cycle very far. It seemed as if every corner I turned revealed another spot for a great landscape photo.
I got wet feet taking this one!
Autumnal trees reflected in Loch Tummel near Pitlochry, Scotland
Perthshire’s autumn colours
This photo is a wider angle view of the wee moored boat shot below. I guess the boat belongs to the folk who live in the big house. It looks like a cracking spot to live!
Autumnal reflections in Loch Tummel near Pitlochry, Scotland
Boat on Loch Tummel, Perthshire
What a beautiful spot to moor a wee boat!
Autumn in Perthshire, Scotland
Autumnal reflections
When I realised the forecast was for sun and virtually no wind today, I decided to go up to Loch Tummel in search of some autumnal trees reflected in the loch. I was spoilt for choice. I took this one within 10 minutes of getting off the train.
All these beautiful reflections got me doing a bit of reflecting of my own, though. I love photos like this, but I’m completely bamboozled as to why a reflection should be so pleasing to look at. Have you got any ideas?
Autumnal colours reflected in Loch Tummel, near Pitlochry, Scotland
Autumn in Scotland
I seem to have a blog blip – for some reason lots of folk can’t view the last post, so here’s another one to see if it was just a temporary hitch.
This was one of those lovely photography moments when it all comes together just when the camera was out!
Autumnal Saltire
Autumn in the Square
There’s a very dramatic tree tucked away in the corner of St Andrew’s Square
Autumnal gold
Autumn colours
I was so sure I’d find some good autumn colours this week. Everything was looking a bit insipid when I was up North recently, but just towards the end of the trip, some of the trees were beginning to show a hint of autumn colour about them. I headed off up the Water of Leith this morning, in lovely sunny weather. But other than the beech trees there’s still a preponderance of green and rather lifeless yellow.
But I did find these few beeches, which were definitely putting on a good show. Thanks to José for suggesting this one for a gallery photo title!
Autumnal beech trees on the Water of Leith, Edinburgh
Reflections in Loch Achonachie, near Dingwall
Autumn is just starting to show its face in the North East
Autumnal trees in the Scottish Highlands
Autumn leaves
 
<h1>Autumn leaves</h1>
So Isobel set the challenge this week to take a photo titled ‘Autumn leaves’. I was hoping I would find a few more Autumnal colours by the weekend, but there still seems to be a lot of green around here at the moment. But earlier on today, I went out for a spin on the bike, and found this…it feels a bit of a half measure, as this is really ‘Autum leaf’.
Golden autumnal leaf
Time for a little sunshine
Ok…the snow was lovely, but maybe it’s time we saw a bit of sunshine again…
Sunshine on autumnal leaves
Soggy wet autumn
When I got up this morning and saw the sun, I started planning some lovely warm glowing orangey autumnal shots. I should have got out the door earlier for those! But I rather liked the rain on these leaves in the neighbour’s garden.
Rain on autumn leaves
Glencoe
Another quick stop. We were on the road to Lismore this time, and stopped near the head of Glencoe for this photo. I love these Highland autumn colours!
Autumn colours in Glencoe in the Scottish Highlands
Bramble leaves
There’s an amazing array of colours when you look closely.
Bramble leaves in autumnal shades
Autumnal reflections in the Scottish Highlands
A splash of colour on the banks of the river in Beauly
