The fantastic Aikey Brae stone circle in Aberdeenshire.

Despite the lovely weather here, looking the other way you could watch thunderstorms scudding their way south to Aberdeen.

Scotland in April…. honestly. Surround by the snow covered Cairngorms we paddled our toes in Loch Morlich and ate Ice Cream.

A distant view of Ben Vrackie looming over the Perthshire town of Pitlochry, seen from Fonab Moor.

A lonely & windswept tree looks out across Loch Muick.

After a wild and snowy interlude, the sunshine returns to Loch Muick.

Believe it or not, this photo was taken on the same day as the previous one. An indication of just how fast the weather can change in the Scottish Highlands……

Finally dug my camera out again after months of inactivity and it was well worth it. This is Loch Muick near Ballater in Aberdeenshire, and the March weather was as gorgeous as it looks – that is until we reached the summit of the mountain in the far distance, just left of centre, when the clouds closed in, the wind blew and it very nearly snowed.

Worth the 8 mile walk though. More to follow.

A post on the old Formartine & Buchan railway, now a long distance foot path. I’m struck by how such a common item on the railway (the old metal fence post) of which there must have been hundreds, was so relatively ornate and well finished. Compare that to today’s more utilitarian items – where’s the beauty & soul?

The wooden fence post is of course an old railway sleeper, which in some respects is even sadder.

Another dawn shot of a stone circle, this time at Whitehills.

Another dawn in the 4000 year history of Tyrebagger stone circle.