A Walk in the Snow

Snow in the small wooded area between the two paths in the Serpentine Walk. Snow and woods always reminds me of Robert Frost's lovely poem - one of my favourites.

 The Largo burn in full spate at the junction of the two paths.

The snow on the path up to the main road was around a foot deep in places and we were glad that other people had been there before us and we were able to step into their footprints. The exit at the top was blocked by snow, that had been cleared from the road, but we managed to find a way up the side of the field and then down the bank onto the road.

First Snows of 2018

Looking across the fields from the Serpentine Walk.
Compared to some areas of the country, snow has been light here, just a thin covering, but still scenic.

 Upper Largo nestles beneath Largo Law.

 Largo Law from the main road on the walk back to Lundin Links.

Sheep searching out the grass between the patches of snow.

The Hermitage

The view of the falls from the bridge, just before Ossian's Hall on the circular walk from the car park at the Hermitage.

The Hermitage  is a Scottish National Trust visitor site near Dunkeld in Perthshire. The car park can be reached from the A9 and the site sits on the banks of the River Braan  in Craigvinean Forest. It is home to Ossian's Hall  and Ossian's Cave, follies built by the Dukes of Atholl, in the 18th century to honour the blind bard Ossian. Hewn out of the rock the Hermit's Cave was built around 1760 for the third Earl of Breadalbane, who advertised for a hermit to live there without success.

Ossian's Hall showing the viewing platform at the front.


Ossian’s Hall overlooks the waterfall on the River Braan. It was built in 1757.

 The falls from the viewing platform. The noise s thunderous.

Visited the hermitage many years ago. These two photos show some of the detail of the decoration at that time. Think it must have been raining that day, because there seem to have been raindrops on the lens or perhaps it was spray from the falls. The trust refurbished the hall in 2007 with glass doors to the viewing platform and mirrored panels. Whilst the new décor is dramatic, I quite liked the classical design that was there, when I first visited. Glad that I have seen them both.

The money tree.

 The view of the river through the trees.

 The side and front entrances to the hermit's cell.

The path through the trees.

Sculpture in the woodland

Perthshire Autumn Colour

Autumn colour in the woodland surrounding Loch Faskally.
Spent a few days in Pitlochry enjoying the spectacular colours in the woodland walks in the surrounding area.

 Reflections in Loch Dunmore.

 Looking through the trees to Loch Faskally.

 The water's edge at Loch Faskally.

 Woodland walk at the Hermitage, Dunkeld.

Leaves cover this woodland above Pitlochry. It was dusk and there are two roe deer in the centre of this photo. Unfortunately, couldn't get close enough to get a better picture.

Cambo in February

 One of the delights of February in Fife is the display of snowdrops at Cambo.

 Snowdrops line the banks of the Cambo burn pushing their way through the fallen leaves.

A clump of primroses.

Pale blue scilla.

 Brightly coloured aconite.

Snowdrops against a background of the strap-like leaves of black mondo.

 The exposed roots of a tree in the woodland.

 Horseshoe fungus (Fomes fomentarius).

January Catkins

Hazel catkins In the small v-shaped wood between the two paths in the Serpentine Walk in Lower Largo. I think that it is earlier than normal for these catkins possibly because of the mild December.

First Snow of 2017

Thought that we had escaped the snow on Thursday, but Friday morning saw a light covering of snow.

Snow covered paths in the Serpentine Walk.

From the middle of the Serpentine Walk looking across snow-covered fields to a stand of trees shaped by the wind.

Autumn 2016 in the Serpentine Walk

Autumn colours in the Serpentine Walk

A viburnum tree with red leaves and red berries.

Autumn is also a good time to see fungi.