6 Favourite Images from 2024...
The Harmony of Sky, Land, and Water
Choosing just six photographs to represent a year spent exploring and capturing the beauty of the Scottish Highlands has been an incredibly difficult task. Over the months, I’ve taken thousands of images, each with its own story, its own light, and its own fleeting moment of perfection. Narrowing these down felt, at times, impossible.
But in the end, I didn’t pick the six most technically perfect photographs. Nor did I choose the ones that might garner the most admiration for their composition, sharpness, or post-processing. Instead, I chose the ones that mean the most to me emotionally.
These six images are my connection to the Highlands distilled into single moments—snapshots of time that stir something deep within me. Perhaps it’s the memory of standing in the cold morning mist, waiting for the sun to crest the mountains. Or the feeling of awe as I watched storm clouds roll across a remote glen, thunderous and magnificent.
Each of these images speaks to me in ways that go beyond the technicalities of photography. They may not be flawless, but they are honest. They remind me why I fell in love with the process of capturing nature: not to chase perfection, but to preserve a feeling, an experience, a connection.
I chose to include only the images which demonstrated the harmony between the sky, the land and the water. These are the six photographs that will forever transport me back to the sights, sounds, and emotions of 2024 in the Highlands. They are not just pictures—they are pieces of my journey.
Sunrise Serenade at Scarista Beach, Isle of Harris…
I had visited Scarista Beach just a week earlier with a previous group of workshop participants and noticed a stream had formed at the back of the beach. When I returned a week later with a new group, I was thrilled to find the stream still there. This time, the pre-dawn conditions were absolutely perfect for capturing the scene. The weather was calm and quiet, creating ideal conditions for a potential long exposure.
I only managed to take a few shots before calling my group over to join me, at which point I focused on helping them capture their own interpretations of the scene. Still, I thoroughly enjoyed taking this photograph. The conditions couldn’t have been better, the group I had that week was fantastic, and I was so pleased they had the chance to shoot what I feel is a soft, tranquil, and truly beautiful Hebridean moment.
Drifting Whispers of Snow…
If I had to pinpoint one moment where everything seemed to align perfectly, it would be at 8:30am on November 20, 2024. Driving along the coastline of the Isle of Harris, en route to a carefully chosen sunrise location farther down the road. The landscape was blanketed with snow from the night before, adding a layer of magic to an already stunning morning. As I glanced out of the corner of my eye, I spotted a potential stop-off location – a place that simply demanded attention. Trusting my instincts, I took a detour and led my group out of the car, dashing over the dunes to see what awaited us.
What unfolded was nothing short of extraordinary. The pre-sunrise sky was painted a deep, ethereal blue, punctuated by clusters of pink clouds racing across the island of Taransay. The snow-capped hills and islands in the distance framed the scene perfectly, while the turquoise waters shimmered below, as if putting on a performance for us.
To witness this breathtaking tableau – and photograph it in the company of such a wonderful group of people – was nothing short of exhilarating. It was a moment of pure serendipity, where everything came together in perfect harmony. Without a doubt, this ranks as one of my favourite images of 2024.
Serenity by the Sea: The Idyllic Prince’s Beach, Eriskay…
I first visited the Uist Islands in 2020 and was instantly captivated by their charm. The landscape, the people, the history, the culture, and the music all left a lasting impression on me. One place that particularly stood out was Prince’s Beach on Eriskay. Incidentally, Eriskay is my favorite of the Western Isles—I could happily move there in a heartbeat.
Prince’s Beach is not just a stunning stretch of coastline but also a site rich in Scottish history. It was here that Bonnie Prince Charlie first landed on the 23rd July 1745 to begin his Jacobite Rebellion. From a photographic perspective, the beach is dotted with fascinating bedrock formations, and one, in particular, stands out, offering a striking view across the Barra Sound toward an uninhabited island.
These rocks aren’t always visible; their appearance depends on the shifting tides and the movement of the sand. On this occasion, however, everything aligned perfectly to create a truly beautiful scene. I loved this shot the moment I captured it, and even now, looking at it on a computer screen, it still fills me with joy.
Soft Light on Nisabost Beach, Isle of Harris
Earlier in the morning, I had driven past this beach on South Harris a couple of times, catching glimpses of intriguing shapes and patterns forming on the sand—something I’d never noticed before. Curious, I made a mental note to return later. When I did, I found the tide had receded, revealing a stunning turquoise lagoon completely detached from the ocean. The water’s surface was pristine, unbroken, and the beach around it was untouched—no footprints, no disturbances—just raw, natural beauty.
Carefully, I planned my footsteps to preserve the purity of the scene. The light was soft and diffused, lacking the dramatic flair some photographers crave, but I saw something far more compelling in the simplicity. Nature had crafted a perfect composition: the interplay between the two shimmering bodies of water, the unblemished beach, and the rolling hills in the distance. It all came together with an effortless harmony.
This was one of those rare moments when the shot felt instinctive. I didn’t overthink or linger too long; I simply aimed to capture the essence of what was in front of me—the serenity, the emotion, and the fleeting perfection of the scene. The subdued light lent the image a palette of soft, muted hues that I couldn’t help but love. The result isn’t just a photograph; it’s a memory bottled in time, one that resonates with the quiet beauty of this extraordinary place.
Barra in the Tempest: Beauty Amid the Storm..
A sky heavy with thick, brooding clouds and relentless driving rain wasn’t exactly the ideal backdrop for photography. From the relative shelter of my car, I watched the grim, unforgiving conditions unfold, pondering whether to call it a loss. But the fierce winds whipping across the beach gave me a faint glimmer of hope—perhaps they would shift the storm’s grip, tearing open the clouds, maybe even granting a fleeting moment of clarity. It was a gamble worth taking.
I stepped out into the gale, bracing against the elements as I set up my tripod on the drenched sands. The scene was bleak, but as I composed the shot, my eyes were drawn to the distant horizon. Over Barra, the sky held a different story—a subtle break in the clouds, like a secret slowly being revealed. Each gust of wind seemed to widen the opening, momentarily exposing glimpses of the island cloaked in mist.
It was a delicate balance—time, light, and motion colliding in a fleeting window of opportunity. To capture it, I placed a neutral density filter on the lens, slowing the exposure to let the drama of the scene unfold in the final frame. The result was more than I’d hoped for: Barra unveiled in ethereal fragments, a ghostly silhouette rising through the storm’s veil.
That single image encapsulated the raw power and fleeting beauty of the moment—a reminder that even in the harshest conditions, patience and a little faith can lead to something extraordinary. It remains one of my favorite captures of 2024.
Glow of Light: Clachan Sands in Soft Illumination…
Clachan Sands holds a special place in my heart, standing proudly at the pinnacle of my favourite beaches in the Western Isles. Each visit feels like stepping into a new masterpiece—a different scene of artistry, a unique display of beauty, and a fresh palette of colors waiting to bring my photographs to life.
On this particular evening, the soft glow of a Hebridean sunset would have been more than enough to create a captivating image, but nature had other plans. To my left, where the sun was descending, the clouds shifted dramatically, allowing fleeting rays of light to pierce through. One of these rays danced across the far right of the scene, illuminating the sands with a delicate brilliance. The interplay of light and shadow brought a perfect sense of balance and intrigue, elevating the composition to something truly special.
Everything aligned—the light, the textures, the colours—and together they painted an unforgettable scene. This moment, etched into my memory and captured through the lens, became one of my favourite images of 2024.
My Final Thoughts..
As I reflect on my favourite images of 2024, I find they all share a common thread—a deep connection that visualises the ever-changing relationship between sky, land, and water. They may not be the most technically perfect images of the year or the most popular, but they are the ones that have truly resonated with me. Each carries a strong emotional connection, a memory, or a moment that lingers in my heart.
Each photograph was chosen not just for its beauty, but for the way it captures the harmony and interplay of these elements, weaving them into a story of place and time. I hope you’ve enjoyed experiencing these images as much as I’ve enjoyed capturing them. They are a testament to the fleeting yet profound moments nature offers, reminding us of its boundless artistry and quiet power.