Ben Nevis from Loch Lochy

Ben Nevis and Carn Mor Dearg across Loch Lochy from Bunarkaig

In recent winters cold, clear and frosty mornings have become increasingly rare. There is often no time at all for fresh falls of snow to accumulate and consolidate before being washed away by the return of lengthy spells of wet and windy weather. When such excellent weather as I encountered on this particular morning does prevail, I always make a determined effort to be at my chosen location just before dawn, on this occasion at Bunarkaig where a break in the woodland encircles a small inlet in Loch Lochy.

Here, at this frost covered hollow where the temperature was still several degrees below zero, the distant mountains shone brightly with a thin ribbon of cloud floating etherially across the summits of Ben Nevis, Carn Mor Dearg and Aonach Moor. Framed perfectly by tall shadowy pines and frost covered heather, the scene was perfectly reflected in the still waters of the loch.