The Pap of Glencoe in Winter

Looking across Loch Leven to The Pap of Glencoe in Winter

It is rare that snow lies for very long at sea level in the western Scottish Highlands, so I had to wait some considerable time before these exceptional conditions prevailed. After several days of continuous snowfall with complete cloud cover both day and night as front after front rolled in from the north-west, the skies finally cleared one January morning to reveal a generous coating of snow on the mountains of the western seaboard. I have always used this location on the northern shores of Loch Leven. The outline of the Pap of Glencoe, the shape of the loch shore at this point, the background of the mountains of Glencoe, and the shape and location of the tree to frame the composition all work perfectly together.

However, at this time of year the best lighting is in mid to late afternoon. I arrived here at 1.30pm, just as the sun was starting to fall back towards the horizon and the intense light of midday was fading. A slow thaw had started and even by midday much of the snow had melted from loch side trees and other vegetation. However the light was perfect and I captured the image whilst I had the opportunity. Thirty minutes later the light was gone and thin cloud was drifting across the sky as the next frontal system began to move in.