Eight Photographers Travel to Glencoe (Greystones Camera Club)
When a return trip to Glencoe with friends at Greystones Camera Club was arranged for early February 2024, I knew the craic would be mighty and hoped for snow clad munroes and valleys. Three weeks before we took the short flight to Glasgow, I checked the weather app YR.NO and was a little wary at the 5 days and nights of torrential rain forecast. However, the trip was three weeks away – plenty of opportunity for the Gods to change their minds. As the clock ticked down, I checked again and again – the forecast was unchanged as we boarded the flight.
A window of hope as we landed at sunrise in Glasgow where a few rainless hours were to be expected. We picked up our transport for the trip – an eight seater van and a car to take us to our AirBnBs in Glencoe. The warm early morning light showed hints of promise as we reached the southern shores of Loch Lomond. We could not find a pullover along the length of the western shore of the loch until we reached Firkin Point. Getting the first image in the bag is a psychological plus – we bounded out of the cars, tripods and cameras were set up in double time and the image making began. There was an unshared, silent awareness that as the sun was swallowed whole by a blanket of grey drizzle it may be the last time in five days we were to see the glowing orb in Scottish skies. Nonetheless, a sliver of warm light was briefly captured in the panorama featured above. There is a lone tree at Firkin Point but it is too close to a wall to make an image of it.
A brief stop at the Green Welly for a bite to eat after we had sampled Falloch Falls (left) and next up was Kilchurn Castle. Wellies were donned and as we approached the shore a squall of heavy rain tested my new waterproofs. They just about passed the test. But our determination to battle the elements produced some good black and white images that complemented this castle beside a lake with mist covered mountains. The rain persisted as we drove through Rannoch Moor. The Buachaille Etive Mor summit was visible which encouraged us we to walk a mile or so along the Western Highway to Ralston Cairn, the biting rain and wind made photography nigh on impossible. The weather suited the imposing mountains and the vast glen beneath our feet. The apres photography menu featured burgers and beer as energy levels slowly waned after a long days travel from Wicklow.
Day 2 took us north to Fort William. A grey sky engulfed Ben Nevis. The wreck at Corpach was bound to produce moody black and white images. The scene was well suited to monochrome – there was little choice! 
A Mac Muffin breakfast followed and in two shakes of a highland cow’s tail we were in the midst of the stunningly beautiful Glen Nevis. A couple of hours at the lower falls were engrossing as we worked together and apart to find scenes and produce abstract images. The gushing water was funnelled at great speed under the bridge and joined another mountain rivulet where birches, grasses and ferns co-existed to provide good photographic interest. The rain fell heavier and we retreated to Glencoe and spent an hour at a windy Glencoe Lochan. It is a park setting that without still, reflective water offers very little photographic interest.
We decided to eat in at the AirBnb – our spirits were sky high and we laughed the night away – so much so we repeated the exercise on the following two nights. Whilst the landscapes of Glencoe were spellbinding , it was the company and banter that it made it such a memorable journey.
Day 3. Andrew led us forth up the valley towards the Glen Etive waterfall. Rain and a looming sky above could not dampen our optimism . As we passed the 3 sisters, there was hope – a pale puncture in the dark sky above. The rain yielded for a time and we stood under the presence of the Buachaille. Time was lost and light was present – that rich light created by cloud and rain working against each other with intermittent sun. Pure photographic atmosphere. We spanned out – some of us finding pools and reflections, others working the River Etive – searching for rapids (left). Concentrated fervour applied to each scene – praying that a composition could be found to capture the landscape at it’s best. We decided to go for breakfast and looked out of the windows of the Kings House Hotel with a plate of good food beneath us and rainbows dancing in the sky outside – after all, we’re just human! An army doesn’t march on an empty stomach and we got back to work – Blackrock Cottage – but the rainbows were not arching over the scene – from no hope to being fussy. The much anticipated S-bends followed as Andrew pulled the van into the tiny parking area at Hamish’s cottage. A dash across the road and a hop over the barrier took us into an imposing scene with crystal clear water flowing at speed through a chasm of rock that gives the locations it’s name. This magnificent place did not give itself up easily as a composition. Heavy rain greeted us as we ended the shoot but we decided to walk again to the Ralston Cairn (right) to close the day off. Squalls of rain facilitated dramatic imagery – we returned soaked and satisfied with a great day’s photography etched into our collective memory.
Day 4. A persistent rain fell on the fourth day that made photography almost impossible. We ventured firstly to the cauldron (actually I misled the group – it was poorer brother of cauldron!) and then down the long and winding Glen Etive Road to Loch Etive. The highlight was a bevy of Red Deer by the stone cottage at the loch. We pushed our mobiles through the windows to capture the moment. Determined to get out in the fresh air a hardy group ventured to Lochan Urr but the mountain reflection shot was not feasible. The rain had defeated us and we succumbed to an early afternoon nap.
Our final evening was spent reminiscing the trip to Glencoe. The following morning we made a hasty retreat from Glencoe as a deluge of rain created new rivers and flood waters beneath the mountains. We drove directly to the airport and and wondered how five days could pass so quickly. As a landscape photographer there are times when being alone and present leads to a personal connection with nature and landscape. Occasionally in life you consider yourself lucky to find a band of friends to make a photographic trip a real treasure. This was such a trip. To AndrewN, Barry, AndrewB, Sean, Shirley, Micheal and Justin – thanks guys – until next time.
