Tongue

This is a beautiful land.

I chose Tongue as a representative for all of the north west coast of Scotland from Fort William north to Durness and then east to Dounreay. Why Tongue? – because I spent several holidays there in days well before digital photography, and I long to go back. I could have chosen any of many small places around; Applecross, Ullapool, Bettyhill, Gairloch or Lochinver for they all have beauty in plenty.

This is a stark land of broad glens, lonely, towering mountains, majestic lochs and big skies. There are flat roads and steep mountains. It is a land of water with lochs, lochans, ghylls, becks and bogs. It has a stark, lonely beauty that fills me with awe and a spirit of grandeur. It is a land lacking people. There are ruins, isolated farmhouses and small, widespread communities. It breeds independent souls and strongly linked communities.

This is a land that doesn’t change and where changes occur in just seconds. The mountains stand guard for thousands of years at a stretch but this moment’s bright sun in a blue sky foretells rain by the time you can turn round.

It is a long time since I went and I’d love to go back. In the mean time here are Gavin Shaw’s photos of some of those imposing mountains with magical names; Foinavon, Ben Loyal, Suilven, Quinag, Cul Mor and Ben Hope.

http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/gshaw/nw_frame.htm

This is a hardy land best explored by those prepared to spend a lot of time out of the car and away from the road. There is challenge and joy and much to discover. You can search for garnets and abandoned villages; you can see seals, golden eagles and red deer. There are generous people and those who prefer their isolation and the liberty this implies. A land to be taken slowly. Come here, rest and spend some time here. If you can unwind you will enjoy it.