Art Parking Lot

Subject

The Highlands of Scotland

Location

Highlands, Scotland

Date

September 2021

Equipment

Nikon D800, 28mm, 70-200mm

The Untouched Wilderness of the Highlands

I traveled through the Highlands of Scotland in early September 2021. During day-long hiking trips over mountains and valleys, I got a sense of solitude and experienced the roughness of nature in its untouched form. Thick fog, misty clouds, heavy rain, open seas, lakes, and rivers were my company. Only roads, a few lost shacks, and sheep are the witnesses of the human influence. The results are ten photographs that show the unique relationship of Scotland with its nature. It is a place where even mass tourism surrenders due to its unpredictable and sometimes harsh weather. But the beauty persists, and flora and fauna interact in harmony – at least for now. Scotland, 2021

The Beginning of the Untamed
The Inhabitants of Scotland

While the sheep are all domestic, they don’t like human contact. They are skeptical and prefer to remain on their own. The farmers often leave them untouched for the whole summer and only check on them periodically. This photo was taken in a valley with sheep scattered all over the place, appearing like clouds fallen down from the sky.

Top of the Cairn Gorm, Part I

After several hours of hiking, haunted by thick fog, which was pressing up behind me, the summit was reached. During a five-minute window, the sky cleared with a view to Loch Etchachan. But the time it took to take the photo was enough for the fog to creep up the mountain as well, and only the ground provided some degree of orientation.

Top of the Cairn Gorm, Part II The Whaligoe Steps of the Fishermen The Stream and its Fern

While water is constantly changing the landscape and is slowly turning stone into sand, it isn’t the only force mountains have to withstand. Roads are carved into the landscape, and where the land doesn’t fit, one or the other needs to adapt. This road perfectly meandered through this rocky landscape and connects remotely living people with the civilization.

The Road which Carved the Mountain

From time to time, I stumbled upon some small sheds and huts. None of them looked as scenic as this one. Next to this winding road and the stone bridge, it perfectly disappears in its environment. It was easy to imagine how it used to shelter lost people and provide protection from the rain.

The Lost Homes of the Highland, Part I The Lost Homes of the Highland, Part II
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