Aberlady Beach

This stretch of the Forth estuary in East Lothian has a string of expansive beaches. This midsummer sunset catches the sense of space, looking across the water to the Lomond Hills in Fife.

Achiltibuie Boatman's Bothy

In this part of Wester Ross where many of necessity have more than one job, fishing comes well up the list. Local hotels and restaurants are among the fishermen’s customers. For more on this frankly unique area check out the Coigach website and don't miss this great self-catering cottage.

Boat and Forth Rail Bridge

A fine evening in the spring saw mist obscuring part of this always impressive structure. The proximity of the yacht on the quay here at South Queensferry suggests the bridge is farther away than it really is.

Evening at Tarbert

The green of the hillside opposite is reflected here in the sea at the harbour entrance. It is so nearly calm that smoke from two chimneys a short distance apart is blowing in opposite directions.

West Coast Poppies

The west coast of Scotland is often grey, but that can add to the atmosphere and moodiness. These early July poppies looked out over the sea from Gairloch, to Skye in the background. For accommodation at Gairloch the Old Inn really works. Their website even has the sound of the sea breaking on the shore....

Embleton Beach

The coast between Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Berwick-upon-Tweed boasts a string of lovely beaches, some with castles close by. Here the ruins of Dunstandburgh Castle can be seen in the distance. We had a great few days on an autumn deal at the Dunstanburgh Castle Hotel, within easy walking distance of the beach. They do winter deals, too.

Achnahaird Beach

Any tour of the North-west Highlands should include a visit to this idyllic beach, about three miles before Achiltibuie. It’s usually all but deserted, and is protected from the Atlantic swell by a point a little to the north.

Forth Road Bridge at Dusk

This famous structure, which when it opened in 1964 was the longest suspension bridge outside the USA, is silhouetted by the brightness of the western sky shortly after sunset. The trees beside the road down into North Queensferry provide an arch of branches above. This, of course, is now an historic image, as the new Queensferry Crossing would now be in the background.

Tobermory

Well known as 'Balamory' in the BBC children's series, Tobermory Bay in Mull is reputedly the location of a sunken Spanish galleon, complete with millions of gold coins, but this is yet to be found. What you will find, though, is excellent fish and chips at the mobile van to the left of the picture.

Puffin Resting

If you happen to be anywhere near Oban during the puffin nesting season, do try to go and see these puffins. This was our best day out ever! No competition! We went with Staffa Tours, booking the trip as a package at the West Coast Tours office by Oban Harbour. You go across to Mull on the regular ferry, then by bus to Tobermory, then with Staffa Tours to Fingal's Cave (which was also great) and the Treshnish Isles. There’s another version of this tour which visits Iona but not Tobermory.