Etive in Snow and Ice

On a clearing snow front at sunset

Back in January 2024 I had arrived earlier than planned for our trip to Scotland on the strength of the forecasts for snow. The day before had been good – with several days’ worth of deep ice getting a dusting of snow. But it was far from spectacular and I was beginning to wonder if it had been worth it. That was to change by the end of the next day.

Dave Tolcher and I were joined at the Kingshouse by Tim Hodgson, a former IBM colleague, for a couple of days. There was no chance of dawn light so we played in the streams close to the hotel in the morning and as the snow started to fall again I decided to take my Land Rover back into Glen Etive whilst Tim and Dave returned to the hotel.

The snow got heavier and heavier and before long the conditions were looking eerie with the snow beginning to cover the blocks of ice that had formed in the river. I parked up and got out to try a couple of images. The second image – the alternative image – was made holding my umbrella over the camera with snow falling. It showed how remarkable the conditions were. But also how un-photographable it had become without an assistant!

I messaged Dave and Tim and we met at the top of Etive. There was a chance that the snow front might clear out for sunset. I made an image of the birch trees – always a favourite subject – with Dave’s assistance and then we walked over onto the moor to look for options if it did clear. I made the predictable image of the waterfall using my GFX – which I had put in the top of the bag – but eventually looked to set the main image up with the Phase IQ3 using my standard 70mm lens. I was attracted by how the mountain’s shape was echoed in the foreground snow. The waiting game started. Eventually we got a clearing front as the sun was setting and the clouds behind Stob a’ Ghlais Choire were lit by the light streaming up Etive. I made the main image.