Dusk at the forth road bridge
Forth road bridge at South Queensferry
On a recent trip to Fife with some visitors from Australia, I suggested that we stop off in South Quensferry on the way back to Edinburgh . I love the views from the shore, looking north across the estuary, in between the Forth road bridge and the Forth rail bridge.The two bridges create a spectacular site, spanning the Forth estuary side by side. The Forth road bridge was completed in 1964 and is 2.5 kilometres long. In recent years there have been increasing concerns for it’s long-term safety, as today’s traffic levels are far higher than predicted when it was first built. Work has already started on a new Forth crossing, which is scheduled to be completed in 2016.
As we headed down into South Queensferry, I was secretly hoping that the sky might clear a wee bit, as it wouldn’t be long before the sun set. It’s a place where there’s plenty of scope for some superb landscape photos at dusk.
Stunning scenery
I certainly wasn’t disappointed. The view was impressive from the pier down by the Hawes Inn, and as the sun went down the Forth estuary turned gold.
Forth Road bridge at dusk
Sunset at the Forth road bridge
I wasn’t expecting to visit the Forth road bridge on this trip. I went on a jaunt with an old schoolfriend, out to Fife. We were heading for a boat trip from Anstruther to the Isle of May. I had a plan to take some puffin photos, as well as an idea that I might get some good shots in one or two of the Fife coastal villages, if the weather brightened up a bit. One of the things I love about taking photos in Scotland is that you never quite know what to expect.
As it happened, we didn’t even make it on to the Isle of May. A heavy swell out in the North sea was making the entry into the pier on the island look pretty tricky by the time we got out there. So we returned to Anstruther a bit earlier than expected. Although it was cloudy and dull as we headed back towards Edinburgh, we thought it would be worth stopping off in South Queensferry for a quick wander along the front and a look at the brodges.
Spectacular scenery
I’m very glad we did – just as we arrived, the sun appeared again, and we were treated to some spectacular lighting on the Forth road bridge and the rail bridge beside it, for half an hour or so. Then, by way of a finale, the sky added a wee touch of drama to the scene over the Forth road bridge. Wonderful!
Sunset over Fife
Sunset over Fife
Last night was one of those lovely calm quiet evenings with the promise of a good sunset. I decided to head up Calton hill with my camera, to see if there was any prospect of some landscape photos as the sun went down. It was beautiful up on the hill. It always amazes me how easy it is to get a feeling of leaving the city behind, just by climbing a small hill. There were very few people up there, despite the lovely weather.
I sat up watching the glow over Fife for ages, and ended up with a batch of sunset photos I’m quite pleased with.
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Sunset over Dun Caan on Raasay, Skye
Taken from Lower Breakish on Skye, looking towards Dun Caan on the island of Raasay – I love a good Scottish island sunset!
Sunset in Perthshire, Scotland
There was a completely clear sky last night, and a superb sunset in Newtyle, Perthshire. These trees made a lovely silhouette as the sun went down.
This photo is available to buy as a card or print through the website shop.
Dusk on Lismore
There’s a wee abandoned croft at Sailean on the North side of Lismore, near the community hall. It’s a lovely spot for watching the sun go down.
Luskentyre sunset
For anyone who visits Harris in the Outer Hebrides in Scotland, the beaches are a definite draw. Luskentyre is possibly the best known of the Harris beaches. At low tide, it’s an enormous expanse of golden sand. And it has the benefit, as it is on the west of the island, of some pretty photogenic sunsets as well.
Sunset on Luskentyre beach in the Scottish Highlands
Calm after the storm
Yesterday I announced an opportunity for a charity based in Scotland, for early 2012. The website has been going a bit mad since.
Time for a calm moment, I think!
Dusk over the Forth estuary at Cramond, Edinburgh
Porty beach at dusk
My favourite photo from Portobello beach earlier in the summer.
Sunset over Portobello beach at low tide
Lonesome sheep on Lismore
One wee sheep, perusing the Lismore sunset
Sheep on the horizon, on Lismore Island, Scotland
Sunset at Cramond
Yesterday the Innertube Map was launched online as thunder rumbled overhead and a downpour hit the city.
I’m one of 11 volunteers who have been working on creating a series of blog stories, which relate to the different lines and stops on the map. We’ve been learning how to use a raft of technology, and some of the ins and outs of good blogging. Now that the map is live, members of the public can also add their own posts, videos, audio or photos.
I decided to go out and mark day one of the online map by taking my bike and camera down one of the Innertube routes that I haven’t been along in a very long time. I headed down the brown line, and made my way to Cramond boat club, just as dusk was falling.
In contrast to the earlier torrential rain and thunderstorms, it was a lovely still evening, with just a hint of colour in the sky.
Sunset over the Forth estuary at Cramond, Edinburgh
Sunset over Loch Linnhe
Sunset over Loch Linnhe, Scotland
I was looking through a whole load of photos from around Scotland last week, looking for images to use for Mairi Campbell’s CD launch event in May. I came across this one, which I took during my first visit to one of her Lismore Fiddle Retreat weekends. It made for a lovely peaceful lull before the evening house ceilidh started.
Sunset over Loch Linnhe
Dusk over the Union canal
Sunset over the Union canal, Edinburgh
One of my favourites from this week – a chance photo taken on my way to choir rehearsal last night. Now that the evenings are getting lighter, it’s that perfect time of night for catching the sun going down.
Sunset colours
This one ended up looking more like a volcano than a sunset. Cracking evening colours one evening on Taransay.
Sunset over the hills on Taransay in the Outer Hebrides
