Longing for storms
Our 1,500-mile Scotland road trip into sunshine and blue sky misery!
We set off from St Albans on a bright Sunday morning in early April, car packed, cameras charged, with my wife and son in their respective car seats. There’s something special about loading up for a long road trip as a family – the excitement, the arguments, the music debates, the endless snacks and who would be the first to say “are we nearly there yet?” or “can we stop, I need a pee”.
The incredible Castle Stalker, Appin.
Was this really April? The sky was so blue and the sun so bright that it almost felt like July. I was hoping for mist, storms and moody skies to create some atmospheric shots. Instead, I got what every holidaymaker dreams of: perfect weather. But this wasn’t just any family holiday, it was a true photography adventure, Scotland style.
First stops: Barnard Castle and Bathgate
Our first stop was Barnard Castle, a welcome break that turned a once-exhausting 11-hour slog into a more relaxed meander north. On Monday, we rolled into Bathgate to reconnect and stay over with old school friends.
Butter Bridge, Glen Kinglass
Drams and blue skies in Stirling
Tuesday took us further north to Stirling, where a friend runs the Stirling Distillery, tucked behind Stirling Castle. After catching up and sampling a couple of drams (no, I didn’t drive), we hit the road again.
On to Garelochhead and beyond
Next stop was Garelochhead, where my sister lives just West of Loch Lomond. On Wednesday morning, all of us piled into the car and followed the narrow roller coaster road along the edge of Loch Long to Arrochar, then climbed up and over the Rest and be Thankful, a pass with a name as poetic as the view. We stopped in Inveraray for a much-needed coffee and a chance to stretch our legs. The endless blue sky kept following us, much to my frustration as a photographer hoping for drama in the skies.
Stunning mountain view, Argyll & Bute
Bright days on Mull
For most people, this weather was a gift. As a photographer focused on my once-a-year Scotland travel photography, I was silently cursing the lack of storms and shifting light. I wanted moody clouds brooding over craggy peaks, rain sweeping across glens, mist hugging the hills — all the ingredients for images that tell a story beyond the obvious. Instead, I got a sun-soaked postcard. Still, there’s something honest and almost rebellious about capturing Scotland in all its bright, unexpected glory. From there, we carried on to Oban to catch the ferry to Mull. The hour-long crossing was almost cinematic: stunning visibility, the mainland fading behind us, the islands stretched out ahead. On deck, the wind whipped around us, a refreshing reminder that we were definitely still in Scotland. Once on Mull, we caught a bus up to Tobermory, where we wandered through the colourful streets and enjoyed the relaxed island atmosphere. The journey back across the water, as the light softened, was a dream for anyone passionate about landscape photography.
The Corpach Shipwreck, Fort William.
Trains, sands and seaside surprises
Next, we travelled to Mallaig via Fort William, stopping at the Glenfinnan Viaduct. We happened to arrive in time to see the Harry Potter steam train come through. We were super excited to see this iconic steam train pass over the viaduct. Unfortunately, due to the unusually dry spell the west coast was experiencing, they were unable to run the train with a steam engine, in case a spark from the engine ignited the dry heather. We still managed to see the train trundling over the viaduct, pulled by a less glamorous diesel engine.
We carried on to the Silver Sands of Morar. I almost had to double-check we hadn’t taken a wrong turn to the Caribbean. White sand, blue sky, golden sun, turquoise water and only a few people around made it a surreal, hidden gem. We wrapped up the day in Fort William, bellies full of ice cream and pizza and memory cards hopefully full of some decent images.
Lighthouse near Oban.
Cairngorm views and family stories
Then on to Aviemore, Scotland’s outdoor adventure capital. Finally, a few clouds teased the sky, but no real drama materialised. We stayed with family in Grantown-on-Spey, sharing stories late into the night. The following day, we took the Cairngorm Funicular up to the top of the mountain at the ski resort, soaking up spectacular panoramic views.
The long way home
Our return journey south included another stop in Garelochhead, dropping off my sister, then on to Northumberland. And finally, at the eleventh hour, rain, mist and fog. The weather I had been waiting for arrived just as we were heading home. The irony wasn’t lost on me, but it felt like a poetic end to our holiday and my not-so-successful photography adventure to Scotland.
Final reflections
We arrived back in St Albans on 16 April after 1,538.7 miles of fun, a few holiday arguments, great food, endless scenery, castles, lochs, mountains, sea, blue sky, more bloomin’ blue sky and a sun tan! The trip was proof that no matter how carefully you plan for “perfect” photography conditions, nature writes her own script.
Maybe next year the weather will be dreadful, and I’ll be out there in the rain with my wife and son (loving it just as much as I do – not), capturing every wild, dramatic moment. Be careful what you wish for, right?