The Forge of the Gods
This is An Teallach, the ancient hearthstone mountain on which, the legends say, the Old Gods forged the Highlands of Scotland from fire and ice, back when the world was young.
In August, as dawn breaks in the Highlands and the sun rises over the horizon to the north east, for about 10 minutes it turns the mountain fire red and its easy to see why it gets its nickname, The Forge.
The photo is taken across Toll an Lochain, a small loch high up in the hills at the base of the mountain. Seeing the mountain turn blood red at sunrise is one of the most spectacular sights in Scotland and, given the poor summer we have been having this year, seeing the mountain in all its glory is a rare sight. To get this photo involved a 3 hour hike the day before up to the base of Sail Liath then a slog through peat bogs round Lochan Na Brathan and a careful climb round the rock shelves of the mountain to eventually reach Toll an Lochain (translated - the small loch of the hollow) carrying camping gear and camera kit.
Overnight camp was superb watching the Perseid meteor shower flash over the tops of the mountain, with a wee dram of 25 year old whisky to keep out the night chill. I was completely alone to watch the sun come up and set the mountain on fire. Sometimes the world is a great place. Slainte Mhath (good health).
The Forge of the Gods
This is An Teallach, the ancient hearthstone mountain on which, the legends say, the Old Gods forged the Highlands of Scotland from fire and ice, back when the world was young.
In August, as dawn breaks in the Highlands and the sun rises over the horizon to the north east, for about 10 minutes it turns the mountain fire red and its easy to see why it gets its nickname, The Forge.
The photo is taken across Toll an Lochain, a small loch high up in the hills at the base of the mountain. Seeing the mountain turn blood red at sunrise is one of the most spectacular sights in Scotland and, given the poor summer we have been having this year, seeing the mountain in all its glory is a rare sight. To get this photo involved a 3 hour hike the day before up to the base of Sail Liath then a slog through peat bogs round Lochan Na Brathan and a careful climb round the rock shelves of the mountain to eventually reach Toll an Lochain (translated - the small loch of the hollow) carrying camping gear and camera kit.
Overnight camp was superb watching the Perseid meteor shower flash over the tops of the mountain, with a wee dram of 25 year old whisky to keep out the night chill. I was completely alone to watch the sun come up and set the mountain on fire. Sometimes the world is a great place. Slainte Mhath (good health).