Hebridean rollercoaster

Watching the second episode of BBC Scotland’s wonderful Hebrides series reminded me how harsh and unforgiving the weather up north really can be, no matter the season. Of the Hebrides, so far I’ve only visited the Isle of Skye and the adjacent Isle of Raasay a couple of times – so still plenty of islands to tick off! – and on those visits I noticed that you can go on a rollercoaster ride through all the seasons in just one day. No wonder it can be such a difficult environment to live in for some species, as shown in the dramatic footage of white-tailed eagles and short-eared owls trying to raise their chicks in a severe storm.

This photo shows a view of Skye’s Cuillin Mountains with some threatening rainclouds covering the sky above them. I was glad to be standing on the other side of the loch, with still a few sunrays scattering shimmers of light over the sand…​