SCOTLAND 2012
I recently went to the north of Britain on holiday and with my paints of course, where the coastline - with its mountains and waterfalls - was simply stunning.
18/11/2012
I recently went to the north of Britain on holiday with my husband, and with my paints of course, where the coastline - with its mountains and waterfalls - was simply stunning. It was so inspirational it made me feel good to be alive and see the beauty of nature. The weather was mostly dry, except for one day when it rained, which turned out the best day to see the waterfalls in their glory. The rain made them look so dramatic.
We had started my trip in Liverpool visiting the old dock area, The Tate and the John Lennon Peace memorial. We then travelled to and stayed in and around the beautiful Loch Lomond area. I must mention an excellent stop on the M6 called Westmoreland Farm service station - just pass Junction 38. It’s a cut above normal service stations.
Loch Lomond was very quiet and in autumn its colours are very beautiful. As we left the Loch - heading towards Oban - we stopped at the Falls of Falloch. The weather was overcast and misty, which made it look very interesting to paint. It’s an ideal spot for a picnic in good weather if the small car park is not full.
We arrived at Oban to catch the ferry across to Mull and this a wonderful little island. It’s very similar to the shape on the map of the whole of Great Britain.
We stayed in Tobermory at a guesthouse with magnificent views over the Sound Of Mull. Spent a whole day at Calgary Beach painting. Travelled across to the island of Iona to see Iona Abbey, founded by St. Columba in AD560. It was a delightful place. On the way back to Tobermory we took the scenic route B3085. It was a little daunting as it’s a scary ride between the overhanging mountains and loch on a very narrow single-track road with darkness setting in.
The all-day trip around the island seeing the wildlife, otters, golden and white tailed eagles, hen harriers, stags in the wild and other animals was also thrilling. It was great to see a pair of golden eagles hunting for prey - the “David Beckham” of the skies.
During the trip I painted the colourful harbour of Tobermory, which was the location for the children’s TV program Balamory. It’s the perfect location for a painter - everywhere we drove there were scenes where I wanted to stop and paint.
While in Tobermory I can recommend the Fish Café overlooking the Harbour. The food here is terrific!
We left Mull and travelled to Glencoe. Saw the splendid Three Sisters mountains and took a walk part of the way along the Lost Valley. There are lots of places to stop along the A82 to see beautiful scenery and waterfalls. The atmosphere was quite dramatic - alone with the mountains so near and so misty. Because of the time of the year not too many tourists.
Don’t forget to visit the stunning Inchrigh Falls before leaving Glencoe. A good chance to see red squirrels here! Saw Greymares Tail Waterfall, which is quite a sight in pouring rain. Stopped at Killin for lunch in an old pub overlooking the Falls of Dochart.Another recommedation.
We finished the holiday along the spectacular wild Northumberland coast visiting Bamburgh Castle. I would love to go back and paint this coastline, but that’s for another day…
We had started my trip in Liverpool visiting the old dock area, The Tate and the John Lennon Peace memorial. We then travelled to and stayed in and around the beautiful Loch Lomond area. I must mention an excellent stop on the M6 called Westmoreland Farm service station - just pass Junction 38. It’s a cut above normal service stations.
Loch Lomond was very quiet and in autumn its colours are very beautiful. As we left the Loch - heading towards Oban - we stopped at the Falls of Falloch. The weather was overcast and misty, which made it look very interesting to paint. It’s an ideal spot for a picnic in good weather if the small car park is not full.
We arrived at Oban to catch the ferry across to Mull and this a wonderful little island. It’s very similar to the shape on the map of the whole of Great Britain.
We stayed in Tobermory at a guesthouse with magnificent views over the Sound Of Mull. Spent a whole day at Calgary Beach painting. Travelled across to the island of Iona to see Iona Abbey, founded by St. Columba in AD560. It was a delightful place. On the way back to Tobermory we took the scenic route B3085. It was a little daunting as it’s a scary ride between the overhanging mountains and loch on a very narrow single-track road with darkness setting in.
The all-day trip around the island seeing the wildlife, otters, golden and white tailed eagles, hen harriers, stags in the wild and other animals was also thrilling. It was great to see a pair of golden eagles hunting for prey - the “David Beckham” of the skies.
During the trip I painted the colourful harbour of Tobermory, which was the location for the children’s TV program Balamory. It’s the perfect location for a painter - everywhere we drove there were scenes where I wanted to stop and paint.
While in Tobermory I can recommend the Fish Café overlooking the Harbour. The food here is terrific!
We left Mull and travelled to Glencoe. Saw the splendid Three Sisters mountains and took a walk part of the way along the Lost Valley. There are lots of places to stop along the A82 to see beautiful scenery and waterfalls. The atmosphere was quite dramatic - alone with the mountains so near and so misty. Because of the time of the year not too many tourists.
Don’t forget to visit the stunning Inchrigh Falls before leaving Glencoe. A good chance to see red squirrels here! Saw Greymares Tail Waterfall, which is quite a sight in pouring rain. Stopped at Killin for lunch in an old pub overlooking the Falls of Dochart.Another recommedation.
We finished the holiday along the spectacular wild Northumberland coast visiting Bamburgh Castle. I would love to go back and paint this coastline, but that’s for another day…