Grey heron in the shallows of Loch Tay

Storm clouds over Strathblane

Rain over the Loss Hills

A wander along the shores of Loch Lomond from Milarrochy Bay on a dreich Sunday afternoon early July did not promise much in terms of photography.

While we were drinking a coffee in the car after our walk, the weather finally cleared a little, with ominous rain clouds remaining over the Loss Hills on the other side of the loch, finally providing an opportunity for some photography.

I just love this moody photograph that will most likely be in the shortlist for my best picture of the year. Not to mention that I am pretty chuffed with The Herald choosing it for the Picture of the Day on 29th July 2022, albeit cropped heavily to fit in with the paper’s format.

A trip down memory lane

We decided to take the Friday afternoon off an take a drive down to Wemyss Bay and Skelmorlie to our old stomping ground.

After a lovely drive round the coast we stopped for a coffee at McCaskie’s cafe and restaurant. We’re not sure when McCaskie’s took over the Seaview Cafe, but the coffee and especially the chocolate cake went down a treat.

Before heading back, we had a wander round Morland House where we use to live some 17 years ago which brought back fond memories.

We drove back round the coast via Gourock where we spotted the Waverley coming up the Clyde to on it’s way back to Glasgow. It is always so impressive to see the last sea going paddle steamer gliding through the water.

In tradition with 5 years of driving through Gourock to catch the Western Ferries to go to our cottage at High Auchoirk in Argyle, we had to pick up a carry out from the Shish Mahal. The butter masala was as scrumptious as we remembered.

Down the Hidden Lane

We took a drive into Glasgow to Finnieston on Saturday afternoon to find the clock maker in the Hidden Lane to repair one of our clocks.

We had a lovely wander round the shops in the Hidden Lane and on Argyle Street in Finnieston. We topped off a nice relaxing afternoon with a visit to the Joe’s Hidden Lane Gallery.

Unfortunately, the clock maker had moved away around 5 years ago.

Dragonflies, ducks, frogs and tadpoles

A wander to het Vennetje and het Pluizemeer

The Grand Master’s palace

Clachan of Campsie cloud inversion

Spout of Ballagan

I walked up the side of Dumbreck after lunch, hoping to get above the mist. Halfway up I realised that the pea soup was still too thick, and with not having the energy to climb all the way to the summit, I decided to drop down into the gorge and traverse to the waterfall.

Doon the water

We decided to take a trip ‘doon the water’ after lunch on a sunny Sunday afternoon. After a nice drive along the Clyde and down the coast, with wonderful views across the water, we arrived at our old stomping ground, Skelmorlie and Largs.

After a brief walk to inspect the newly built flats on the shore at Skelmorlie, we continued our drive along the coast to Largs. The walk along the promenade and Largs Beach was brazing, but well worth it for the fresh air and stunning sunset.

Rays of sunlight over Loch Lomond

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