Touring: Loch Lomond, Glencoe and Glen Etive

st4

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On my day off last Thursday I decided to get up on my normal time for going to work...but not go to work...LOL...

I had intended for sometime to really explore the little Lochs on the A82 up through the majestic Glencoe section. This is my favourite place just to go, and drive, in the world....

However, that meaning going past one of my old photographic haunts in the Morning on Loch Lomond


DSC_0292 by stephentaylor4@hotmail.com, on Flickr

The jetty at Invergluss never disappoints, and it also gave me a chance to sort out my iPhone/iPod charging. Two apple devices, one charger. Not good innit...

All I had to do was work my way along the A82, slowly as it was icey and admire the views...


_DSC0635 by stephentaylor4@hotmail.com, on Flickr

I ain't kidding when I say you see this from the car as you drive along.


_DSC0641 by stephentaylor4@hotmail.com, on Flickr

Its a majestic and beautiful place as you wind up along the long sweeping sections of the 82 just passed Tyndrum...

The only issue with the 82 that the best bits to stop and take pictures have no laybys, so I drove on to a spot where I could park, so I could head back to the Lochins I wished to take pictures at.

The road also has some interesting bridges. I parked just passed here, can you guess where I am


DSC_0311 by stephentaylor4@hotmail.com, on Flickr

My ten min walk was worth it

DSC_0346 by stephentaylor4@hotmail.com, on Flickr

Cold...you bet


DSC_0325 by stephentaylor4@hotmail.com, on Flickr

But majestic and enchanting...


DSC_0348 by stephentaylor4@hotmail.com, on Flickr

Suitably cold I walked back to the car...

Further up the road I repeated the exercise but had to really improvise parking wise. Worth it, even for getting covered in mud


DSC_0352 by stephentaylor4@hotmail.com, on Flickr

Said swamp in there


_DSC0662 by stephentaylor4@hotmail.com, on Flickr

I could look at this all day...


DSC_0358 by stephentaylor4@hotmail.com, on Flickr

From here, its a five min drive to one of Scotlands most iconic hills. Buachaille Etive Mor and from here we take the little road down Glen Etive...


_DSC0683 by stephentaylor4@hotmail.com, on Flickr

Remember my "I cleaned my car and shoved some wax on thread". Well, even after the grime of Glencoe, she looks at one with the landscape in which she was made to explore the roads of. Stunning hill and backdrop for a stunning car.

Going down Glen Etive is like stepping back 50 years in time...

Check the old bike


_DSC0693 by stephentaylor4@hotmail.com, on Flickr

And these, where do you see these


_DSC0715 by stephentaylor4@hotmail.com, on Flickr

Life here stopped in 1980 but everyone kept on going....

No wonder....

DSC_0361 by stephentaylor4@hotmail.com, on Flickr
Its like set from the Disney Pixar film ice age down here. Whats weird is the sounds you here, I could hear the sheets of ice cracking, despite really being in the middle of nowhere, there is sounds, its eery though and very disconcerting...

This would be a good image to mention ice


_DSC0689 by stephentaylor4@hotmail.com, on Flickr

This road was not treated and needed to be treated with extreme care. I hit several sections where small streams cross the road had frozen, the car, despite being shod with winter tyres did slide. Thankfully doing 20mph meant the slide was slow, controllable and brief but even with winter tyres great care is needed when driving.

I'll leave you with this final image of Glen Etive to consider. Could this be any more Scottish if it tried...


_DSC0732 by stephentaylor4@hotmail.com, on Flickr

From here, it was a treck down back the way I came. Lovely drive and the C estate can take the few bends on the Glencoe road with enthusiasm. One observation from Glen Etive is how well damped the car is. The nose doesn't want to kiss the ground, whereas my old E class was floaty, then grazing the road, this car is just poised, balanced and controlled...

Two final images of Loch Lomond to allow you all to "reflect" on what I have shown you, and for you to reflect what you are depriving yourselves of seeing by not visiting my country


_DSC0742 by stephentaylor4@hotmail.com, on Flickr


_DSC0747 by stephentaylor4@hotmail.com, on Flickr

And what about the car?


_DSC0750 by stephentaylor4@hotmail.com, on Flickr

£25 I worked out to see some of the best of Scotland on a day out. Not only was it cheap, she was comfortable, fast (overtaking in this car isn't much slower than my E320 as 3rd takes you 50 to 80 without a change), agile and well damped. There is room for my cameras, tripods, snacks and I just love driving it.

So, the finest car available in the finest setting available, how do you beat that?
 
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daveyjp

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We are in that area for Christmas, please order the weather for us as I intend doing as you did and getting out and about.
 
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We are in that area for Christmas, please order the weather for us as I intend doing as you did and getting out and about.

I hope its ok, do take the time to explore the area. Its wonderful. All these spots are easy to get to from the road. Pack wellies and a wooly hat...
 

whitenemesis

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You really should think about approaching a publisher or someone, those pictures could make fantastic postcards or calendars.

A talent indeed.
 

whitenemesis

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One day maybe Peter. I just enjoy taking them and letting others enjoy seeing what I have seen.

You still get to do that and get paid for it!!
 
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Steve, I just love the last two shots! The reflections are awesome! You are wasted in your current job! Surely a photography job is round the corner for you!
 
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Steve, I just love the last two shots! The reflections are awesome! You are wasted in your current job! Surely a photography job is round the corner for you!

Part of me would love to do this for a living, part of me is apprehensive I'm not good enough, part of me would worry about leaving a relatively secure job thats whilst doesn't pay a kings randsom, doens't leave me short changed and doesn't come with a massive burden of stress.

Running a studio, fighting for freelance jobs, maybe even employing an assistant to help with a studio running, business, all comes with a big burden. I'm not sure I am cut out to be self employed, but also have a yearning for to do this too.

Stuff it, I'm rambling. I have a day off tomorrow and need to think what I want to do with it...
 

E320mark

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Part of me would love to do this for a living, part of me is apprehensive I'm not good enough, part of me would worry about leaving a relatively secure job thats whilst doesn't pay a kings randsom, doens't leave me short changed and doesn't come with a massive burden of stress.

Running a studio, fighting for freelance jobs, maybe even employing an assistant to help with a studio running, business, all comes with a big burden. I'm not sure I am cut out to be self employed, but also have a yearning for to do this too.

Stuff it, I'm rambling. I have a day off tomorrow and need to think what I want to do with it...

Well you seem to have a talent for it!! Maybe an ideal sideline for you! Don't worry about not being good enough, have just showed them to wifey and she just kept saying stunning!!
 

malcolm E53 AMG

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Thanks Steve, I always enjoy looking at your pics.

I didn't realise how beautiful Scotland is until I started to drive up from the Midlands to Dounreay which I did at least once a year until I retired last year.

I think we need a sticky of your work for when people are thinking about touring Scotland it would be really useful. Your touring threads provide great local information on where and how and are an excellent reference.
 
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If I lose my job maybe or could go Part time I'd maybe make something more of it.

I had thought about splurging a sickening sum of money on a Nikon D800E and a 16-35 lens for it. A mere £3500 all in, but looking at these, I think I wouldn't do that much better but the gear would be worth 7x as much :(
 
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Malcolm, I can do a definitbe googlemaps route for members, I've provided these in the past to members looking to see the best of the best ;)
 

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Steve

You have a talent and you show good improvement.

If you really want to hone your skills - get a rangefinder camera and shoot everything in B&W for a while.

I guarantee that you will learn a great deal - look at the work of Ansel Adams for inspiration

http://www.anseladams.com
 

daveyjp

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Print a few of the best ones off, decent size and best quality and tout them around a few of the independent tourist shops/pubs/B&Bs in the area on a commission basis, you never know what may come of it.

When we visit friends in the Lakes we often stop at a local deli to pick up biscuits, local beers etc and behind the counter are a few shots of various steam locos crossing the Ribblehead Viaduct taken by the shop owner. All are on sale framed or unframed and they sell dozens of them.

You don't need to spend £3,500 on a camera, what matters is the eye behind the lens and you have that. Sell a few of these then buy the lens!
 

The Pan Man

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You really should think about approaching a publisher or someone, those pictures could make fantastic postcards or calendars.

A talent indeed.

I said that last week, they are such good quality pictures, I'm rubbish with the camera so I really to like to look a good quality pictures.

Do you know any water colourists? Good amature would do the job, get a few of your favorites painted and framed they would sell like hot soup on a cold day.
 

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You meant of course [FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Inveruglas jetty
[/FONT]
 

M6AJJ

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Brilliant photographs of beautiful places. Many thanks.

Tony
 

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Sorry, I am dyslexic and really struggle with spelling and recognizing words/names on signs.

Stephen,

I firstly thought that I had just learned of a new Loch Lomond location! You might be dyslexic (even I had to correct my spelling of it!") but there is nothing lacking in your photography technique. I enjoyed looking at your Flickr Photostream.

I'm guessing as I am a a newbie here, that like me you are a camera club member?

Ian (Nikon D300s)
 


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