The PS Waverley sailing by

There’s always something magical to see the last seagoing paddle steamer, the PS Waverley, sailing by.

Fresh snow on the Campsies

We headed out for a forest walk in Killearn Glen and a coffee and cake at the Kitchen Window, but changed our minds when driving past the Glengoyne Distillery when we saw the fresh snow that had fallen on the Campsies overnight.

We drove to Gartness for a walk along the track on the high West bank of the River Endrick to admire the views across to the hills above the meandering river. The light was wonderful.

And we topped of the day with a coffee and a scone with cream and jam at Oakwood Garden Centre on the way home.

A waxing gibbus moon over two leafless trees

A waxing gibbus moon over two leafless trees in the sunset on the hill above Ballagan Farm.

Great wee wander up the hills.

Nice to bump into Stevi who was also on a photography wander up the hills.

Sunset at Milarrochy Bay

Rays of sunlight over Loch Lomond

While having a coffee at Milarrochy Bay, the sun decided to appear from behind the clouds.

Late evening sun on our trees

COVID19 has firmly taught us that we don’t have to go far from home to admire nature and stunning views. Tonight was another prime example, with the late evening sun lighting up the trees in our garden followed by a absolute stunning sunset.

Scots pines at Loch Katrine

For a change, we decided to take a scenic drive through the Trossachs and up to Loch Katrine for a an afternoon wander along the loch shores.

Loch Katrine turned out to be extremely quiet, with only a handful of cars from walkers parked in the massive car park. Unlike to usual hustle and bustle with busloads of tourists, the firmly shut tourist shops, cafe’s and boats looking more like a recently abandoned ghost town than a tourist hot spot.

We wandered out and back along the slightly uninspiring tarmac road along the North shore of the loch on what turned out to be a very bleak day. The Scots pines on the South shore and the winter colours of steep slopes of Ben Venue providing some interest.

Sunset at Milarrochy Bay

A walk along the shores of Loch Lomond from Balmaha or Milarrochy Bay has fast become a regular afternoon outing for us during Covid lockdown. It is surprisingly quiet at Loch Lomond, especially in contrast to the extremely over crowded walking hot spots closer to home that are within about 5 miles of the city.

This is one of the big benefits of living in a remote corner of Stirlingshire that is more akin to the city, meaning we can head up to Loch Lomond and even as far as Crianlarich and Killin without breaking the lockdown rules.

After a refreshing walk along the East shore of Loch Lomond from Milarrochy Bay, we enjoyed the start of the sunset from the warmth of our car with a cup of tea/coffee. Just before the sun disappeared behind the horizon, we went out to admire a fabulous sunset and the amazing red glow on the bare trees along the shore.

The photo of the sunset with the silhouette of the famous oak tree is perhaps my best photo of the year.

Autumn colours

Autumn colours at Ballagan.

Frosty mornings

There is nothing nicer than an early morning walk with Lola when the ground is frosty.

Mugdock bluebells

On our regular walk at Mugdock, Lola and I decided to divert and go through the woods up the hill along a very narrow trail rather than our usual walk along the loch. And a good choice it was, as the wooded area, completely out of view from the main path below was carpeted with bluebells.