The next stage of my journey took me from Stonehaven via Ballater through the Cairngorms to Inverness and then onto Applecross on the west coast.
I stopped near Colnabaichin for lunch before climbing into the Cairngorms to Lecht and onto Inverness via Dulnain Bridge. This day was very much a moving day although I did stop and sketch at the cafe at Colnabaichin and also at the Watchers.
The temperature at the Watchers did drop very quickly as snow was falling onto my sketch book and I had to retreat into my car…
Sunday morning was an early start from Inverness via Dingwall/Conon Bridge to Applecross. The weather was good and I stopped several times to paint and take photographs.
The first stop was a lay-by at the side of Loch a’ Chuilinn where I sketched a couple of views using watercolours. There were a few flurries of snow which affected my progress, but it was a great feeling to be out there.
I stopped a several more times to take photographs and used one of these views to create the following painting.
I stopped for a nice lunch at the golf club on Lochcarron and sat outside afterwards to sketch and paint. I was told that one of the peaks was known as Wellington’s nose owing to its prominent shape…
I then climbed the very steep Bealach Na Ba pass to Applecross. I stopped at the top of the pass some 2,000 ft up… Great views of the Cullin range on Skye at the trig point. The temperature dropped to -2 (-7 overnight)… and I had snow flurries again.. I retreated again to my car and sketched from there…
I arrived at the Applecross Inn for two nights - great pub and good food and beer!
I then spent the following day around the Applecross area taking photographs before spending time painting on the beach.
I used both watercolour and Pebeo inks to add some vibrancy.. The view is looking across to the Cullins range on Skye.
Later that day I sketched views near Milton with a view to painting it in the future.
