Ever since I had decided to fulfill this dream and actually sail to Scotland, my mental image of the successful completion has been seeing Castle Stalker from the water. I had hoped to photograph the castle from that vantage point; a perspective I have never seen.
Having arrived at Linnhe Marina yesterday, my plan was to rise early, walk to the castle and take some sunrise photos. Then, in the evening I would row my tender back through the channel and take sunset photos.
Sunrise was at 5:28am. I was up at 5am and prepared to walk down the cycle path to the castle. I did catch a glimpse of it last night when I walked to The Old Inn. So, this time I knew roughly where I was going; unlike last night.
At 5:30am the sky was lighter… lighter grey! It was cloudy! The mountains on the other side of Loch Linnhe had a clearing sky. I decided to see if that would move this way.
It started to rain. I had my raincoat on and was bundled up for a pre-dawn experience. The camera was on a tripod, but covered with a camera rain cover.
Now, photo or no photo, With this weather, I knew I was in Scotland. The feeling of completion was starting to hit me.
The sun poked through a small opening in the clouds and I started shooting. This wasn’t going to last.
Castle Stalker
After a while, I walked around looking for different perspectives. What says Scotland more than a castle and sheep? I took this one for my granddaughter.
Truly Scotland, Castle and Sheep
Sunset was a bust! It rained… real hard. I did not even try to row out there. Instead, I spent the evening looking at the photos I took this morning to get an idea of what to try tomorrow.
Again, it rained all night. However, when I got up, the sky was clearing. So, I walked down to the castle with the idea of making a panorama. I liked the shot in general. It’s lacking some qualities due to being later in the morning. However, that workboat anchored by the castle is a real distraction.
Castle Stalker After a Morning Rain Storm
When I got up in the morning I knew this was my planned last day. However, it was still raining like crazy… then stop… the sun would poke through and the rain would return.
So, I walked up to the Cafe… up a very steep sheep trail. Everyone in Scotland has “The Right To Roam”. So, gates are put up for people to get across field rather than climb over fence and break it.
I had breakfast at the cafe, which was good. It’s under new ownership. They changed the name. Nick told me it used to be called the Castle View Cafe. I thought that name was much better.
View From the Cafe Viewing Area
I decided to stay one more day. Although it was another very clear night, it was… raining in the morning again. So, I walked back up to the cafe.
Walking back down the sheep path to the cycle path, the sky started to clear. It had this strange glow like you get before a thunder storm. I turned left towards the castle instead of right towards the marina.
Castle Stalker Before a Storm
Late that afternoon, There was some color to the west. I thought there may be an actual sunset. I was wrong. The sky cleared to the west, but not where I was.
Castle Stalker at Sunset.
So, why didn’t I get my photo from the water?
Looking at Castle Stalker from land, you are facing Southwest. The sun rises on the right side of the castle and slightly behind you. The, sun sets on the left side of the castle, slightly behind it.
A photo from the water would be shooting towards the sun’s noon position and that side of the castle would be dark at sunrise. It would be illuminated at sunset, but the color would be behind you.
I was satisfied with what I got. I had already stayed longer than I planned, but Scottish weather was not cooperating. Nick told me I should stay. The weather will be much better in April.
I prepared the boat and departed the next morning.