Skye Sunset

Skye Sunset
The Cuillins of Skye from Badicaul across the Inner Sound at sunset.

I am always watchful of changing weather patterns and a developing high pressure over Scandinavia will often provide an interesting sunset over Skye and the west coast of Scotland. There is no guarantee that this will always be the case as such a high pressure system can also produce flat grey cloud that barely moves throughout the period of the fine weather.

To determine which event will occur, there is no other alternative than to head out to the location and hope for the best. However, I am particularly attracted to this location near Kyle of Lochalsh not only because it provides an excellent view of the distant Red and Black Cuillin, but also because one can almost guarantee a composition incorporating a wide and dramatic skyscape.

Upon my arrival here on what was a cold and blustery November afternoon I was disappointed to discover that the entire scene was dominated by blanket cloud which stubbornly refused to move. This was probably due to the remnants of a cold front that had passed through the area of high pressure and had been reinvigorated by the difference in temperatures between the land and the sea. However, as luck would have it, my patience and determination were to be rewarded.

As the sun descended through the multiple layers of cloud, it created ever changing patterns of colour and light along the way. The clouds appeared to remain in the same location despite a freshening breeze being generated by the cooling air. The setting sun made tantalising appearances producing bursts of light and shade, and then in the final moments before it disappeared below the horizon it painted the entire scene with a resplendent burst of orange and gold providing me with a memorable image of sunset over the Cuillin mountains of the Isle of Skye.