Loch Aineort Trails

Today we headed off to a new part of the island for us. We parked at the road end of Loch Aineort on South Uist, on the northside of the Loch. Here there is a small carpark and then a wooded/moor area with a variety of short trails. There is a donations box to the upkeep of the trails - worth it. It was really sheltered and offered very 'typical' views when out in the open. The highlight turned out to be the slabs of Lewisian Gneiss that we sat buy for our lunch...Apparently the site is good for Red-throated divers, but not today. 

The woodland path.

General views...

A stone picnic site.

The Bluebells are still in flower. 

I'm not sure if the small walled garden is cared for, but the Comfrey was doing really well. 

Common Carder Bees were making the most of it...

Out into the open.

Classic views...

Lunch spot.

Patterns of Gneiss...

And there were seals....

Seaweed patterns

And whilst photographing patterns in the sand ....there was seaweed too - which may lead to a textile piece...and maybe I should have picked some up to press and dry, so that I can print with it....

Patterns in the sand

Walking along the beach; a mindfulness walk photographing patterns ....that may well lead to some collagraph prints.

Berneray Beach

A potentially wet day turned into a less wet day. After a meander over to Lochmaddy and a look around the Arts Centre (the café was being redecorated so shut) and an extremely nice cup of coffee with pecan brownie, in the café at the Lochmaddy hotel across the road, we headed north to Berneray. 

The Arts Centre had a couple of exhibitions including the University of the Highlands and Islands BA Fine art degree show as well as one by Fiona Pearson, who lives on Uist. Both well worth seeing. After what has been a relatively quiet couple of months for me art wise, it was good to begin to feel inspired again. 

As we headed to Berneray the weather decided that it wasn't going to do much, so a long walk along a beautiful beach.....

Someone's really enjoying his holiday! 

Sea Gooseberry.

The mountains of Harris in the background.

Clachan Sands and St Kilda View

After botanising a paddle along a Hebridean Beach in glorious sunshine...

Patterns in the sand...

On the way back, being as it was a lovely clear day, we stopped off at the St. Kida viewpoint - so near, and yet so far! One day I'll get there!