The Serenity of Scotland (Mull and beyond)

[schmoo]

OK, my turn to bite.

As the entire forum has surely heard by now, the workshop to Scotland was a huge success. We've all come and gone, had so many waking hours and belly-tiring laughs, and more inside jokes than you can shake several large gorse bushes at.

We were fortunate that the weather was so calm. Scotland seemed to be holding its breath while we crawled along the hills and the shoreline, so many well-equipped ants searching for that morsel of beauty to bring back home to share with the rest.

The first day we set out to travel from the big city to our pristine little island. The journey was fractured by the occasional pit stop for photos. Little did we know what marvelous sights would be waiting for us on Mull!

Reaching for the star (but not quite fast enough!) This huge, ancient tree huddled over the inlet like a weary old woman. I tried to make her look a little taller, a little younger.



At the edge of the deep sea, waiting for the ferry in the vibrant town of Oban.



We became fast friends with these triplets of yore, the three sleeping ships that never seemed to notice the blanket of the tide rising and falling along their hips. (There is a third ship between these that you cannot see here)



A theme for the week. There will be many more of these floating around the galleries with an extensive cast of characters and locations.



Our first sunset was glorious. Emerald green hills, snowy white sheep and a celestial show of emotions in the skies:







(There were also very loud and intoxicated castle residents and a dire need to use the facilities)



Each night found us all in the lounge: chimping, poring, laughing, drinking. We took over the lodge as though it was our own home, shuffling between our rooms and our laptops as comfy as could be. The staff certainly made it easy for us.

However, late nights don't stop the coming of early mornings. At least, they didn't early on in the week when we still had some energy left.



I loved the hike out to this lighthouse although I cursed it at the time. So very tired so early in the game! Had I known that I would never make it out there a second time over the course of the week I would have taken greater care to look at the details around me. The path was dark but sheltered. I remember smelling the wild garlic on the damp air, mixed with flowers and brine and rich black earth and that sweet forest scent that, in my home, never exists by the ocean.

I was frustrated by the lack of light this morning, not yet knowing that this was not always something to curse. We had plenty of light that week - no rain! - and an important lesson to learn was to work with what you've got. Don't fight it. And don't be lazy.

More later, to be appended here.

[Moogle Pepper]

Originally Posted by schmoo

Titanic scene? My heart will go on!!!!

More sheep!! Do they paint the coat of the sheep to mark ownership??

[wxwax]

Wonderful.

[AaronNelson]

so neat, simply a big wow!....


i really like the sheep shot!

[pathfinder]

Lovely work, Schmoo.

Aaron, we shot tons of sheep and goats The UK seems to have them everywhere. The lambs are just so very cute!

[aktse]

beautiful photos. beautiful words.

[Tee Why]

Nice shot of the ram.

[gus]

Originally Posted by schmoo

Love it !! Magnificent photo.

[thebigsky]

Wonderful stuff Schmoo, great photos and commentary, I love it!

Charlie

[Emmanuel Coupe]

Lovely images from around the Isle and fitting commentary to go along, well done Schmoo.
I have to say I’m probably the only one of the group that would have enjoyed some real Scottish weather with strong winds and some rain.

[schmoo]

Originally Posted by Emmanuel Coupe

Lovely images from around the Isle and fitting commentary to go along, well done Schmoo.
I have to say I’m probably the only one of the group that would have enjoyed some real Scottish weather with strong winds and some rain.

No not at all! I packed rain gear all week, not warm gear. I would have really liked to see the moody, drippy shots that one expects from Scotland, much like you have in your galleries.

Many thanks, guys!

[anwmn1]

Originally Posted by schmoo

This shot is simply awesome!!

Looks like a fantastic time

[ehughes]

Love it.....

[Marc Muench]

Amazing how diff Andy looks when he doesnot shave for several days



Schmoo,

Wonderful post
You never fail to provide a good read and unusual imagery. I am happy you now see the light, in the clouds

[The Curious Camel]

Wow, these are all so wonderful.

peace, gail

[wxwax]

Originally Posted by schmoo

No not at all! I packed rain gear all week, not warm gear. I would have really liked to see the moody, drippy shots that one expects from Scotland, much like you have in your galleries.

Many thanks, guys!

I got some rain on Friday, nothing serious. But enough to remind me what a PIA it is to shoot when it's precipitating.

[zweiblumen]

Originally Posted by Marc Muench

Amazing how diff Andy looks when he doesnot shave for several days

See, Schmoo is really short, this went over her head... luckily I'm tall enough to get these things for her. You should have seen the look on her face when she got it

[gluwater]

Originally Posted by zweiblumen

See, Schmoo is really short, this went over her head... luckily I'm tall enough to get these things for her. You should have seen the look on her face when she got it

You should have her make the face again and make that her daily.

Great stuff as usual Steph. You know I love the ram.

[schmoo]

Originally Posted by gluwater

You should have her make the face again and make that her daily.

.... and hours later I'm still laughing!

Sid, sorry to hear that you caught rain. If it had been on us I wouldn't have been able to return all my gear to REI

Thanks, all. I'm trying to accomplish enough Real Life Work to get to the next few shots so I can post 'em.

[coscorrosa]

These are great schmoo! I love the (appropriate) abuse of the fish-eye, my favorites are probably the sheep/sunset shots, wow!