Today the road took me North from Inverness, over the Kyle of Tongue to  Melness (Gaelic: Taobh Mhealanais) a locality comprising a group of small remote crofting and fishing townships, lying to the west of Tongue Bay on the north coast of Sutherland, and at the very top of Scotland.

The weather was meant to be sunny and settled, ideal for the job in mind. But, in true Highland fashion it was mostly the opposite by the time I had made the three hour journey. A strong southwesterly pushed the drone to its limits and a heavy overcast sky wasn’t quite what was ordered, even if it did make for more dramatic images. 

Looking back south, over The Kyle of Tongue, the mountain’s of Ben Loyal (764 m) to the east and Ben Hope (927m) to the west dominate the skyline. The community of Tongue is situated on the Kyle’s eastern shore and the loch is crossed by the Kyle of Tongue Bridge and Causeway.

The bridge and causeway were built in 1971 to carry the A838, the road from Thurso to Durness, across the loch. The route around the head of the loch involved a narrow road some 10 miles (16 km) long. The causeway is less than a quarter of that at 2.4 miles (3.8 km) long and it crosses a natural island, Tongue Island. The 183-metre-long (600 ft) bridge can be seen at the western end of the causeway.

#postcardsfromtheedge #kyleoftongue #scotland #imagesfromtheroad

Giant Landscapes / Tiny Runners - The Cape Wrath Ultra 2024 On the Cape Wrath Ultra, I’m mostly known for my up-close and personal images of runners in the landscape. But, as we journey north traveling through some of the most magnificent landscapes, I’m drawn to the beauty of the tiny efficient runner, dwarfed by the giant landscapes they move through. The scale of the runner is a symbol of the challenge before them.

#capewrathultra #scotland #ultrarunning #trailrunning #runscotland #expeditionrace

The final runners reached the lighthouse and endured the bus back to camp. The medals have been handed out and the bar is open. Friends and family are arriving to take tired runners home! And once again the Ourea Camp Team has done some outstanding work, that’s maybe best appreciated from up high! That’s a wrap for the Cape Wrath Ultra 2024!

We are off with the 2024 Cape Wrath Ultra! After months of training and hours of prepping kit, this morning the runners finally started the journey North from Fort William towards the Light House at the tip of Cape Wrath.

And what a day it was, with the sun out and the essential slight breeze to keep the midges at bay, the racing did not disappoint. Ludwig Antilli was first over the line completing today’s 37km in 3:07:03, but he was pushed from the top spot by a second-wave starter, Lewis Taylor, who pushed to the end in 3:05:15.

Just another 363km to go!

#capewrathultra #scotland #ultrarunning #trailrunning

Ludwig Antilli races for camp on the final leg of day one. The first fininisher, but pushed into 2nd place by the day’s winner Lewis Taylor who had started in the later wave.

Lewis Taylor tops out at the top of Glen Cona and heads home to take the lead in 3:05:15 at the end of day one.

Bridget Glaister tops out at the top of Glen Cona and heads home to take the lead (16th Overall) at the end of day one.

I have always loved the sea, it is a place that provides me with such happiness, clarity, and purpose. It energises me, to the point I’m always better when I’m near it, on it, or in it. 

Over the years I have used various cameras to try to photograph it from the water (wet side) including GoPro’s and a selection of soft camera cases, waterproof 35mm film cameras, and on occasion, just wading out and risking a naked DSLR. Recently I added to my arsenal with a dedicated camera housing for my iPhone, the AquaTech AxisGo 11Pro. Based on their full-size surf housings, these are scaled-down water housings to take the iPhone allowing you full access to the buttons, touch screen, and various camera apps. When mine arrived, I couldn’t wait to take it for a swim in the sea at Nairn, I can see this becoming an obsession!

I look out and see only the treetops. The World is deathly quiet, with only the call of some distant bird barely breaking through the dense blanket of mist. Somewhere, down below me is a valley full of lush green trees. Today there is just a void full of mist, swirling up the valley side and enveloping the trees around me, deadening the sounds of nature and fooling the mind.

Traveling south from Fort William down to Loch Lomond on a wet and grey August day. Normally I drive the A82 and on a day like today I would have cranked the tunes up and kept my foot hovering over the accelerator. Today, however, is different - I have the dubious luxury of traveling by train during the Covid era. But this does mean I have time to ponder the landscape, from behind my rain-streaked, mucky Scot Rail carriage window.