Torridonian Rock

On revisiting a beach with a goal in mind

In the later stage of my Leave of Absence (LOA) in 2024-5 I returned to Scotland for a few days. Staying again at a hotel in Shieldaig where I had stayed with my father 18 months earlier, I aimed to work the geology on the beaches for a long-term project. I had scouted this particular beach when I was on the road trip with my sister and I knew it was remarkable geologically so I returned in the hope of adding some ice.

It had been cold but clear in Torridon as we were getting a repeat of the Scandinavian High weather pattern from the Autumn and I knew that the northern areas of Britain including here were on the clear side.

The upper area of the beach stayed mostly in the shade and there was some lovely ice on the rock formations I had targeted. The main composition was an idea I have developed over several trips and it has come to fruition here. I love the geometric shapes of the wall created by a billion years of geology.

I remember last time I set up here with my sister I got photobombed by a flock of sheep and then as we left we noticed a sheep that had become horribly entangled in some sharp and thick brambles just above the beach. Fortunately we were able to free her - I wonder how long she had been stuck there, she looked very thin. There were no sheep to rescue on this return but perhaps the karma from the previous visit had got me a little photographic happiness!

The alternative image is similarly remarkable geology with the grasses and leaves juxtaposed with rock that is measured in aeons.