The location of the house is fantastic, literally a 1 minute walk down the track to the beach. The view over Rùm is spectacular and one I would never tire of. It has been a great few days of peace and quiet. When I arrived, I checked out the Beach for photographic opportunities and noticed the rocks at the far end of the beach would make an interesting element to a photograph. Last night and tonight are the only two nights this week that the tides going to be out to access this area and last night was a little flat so hopefully tonight will give me one last shot at what I imagine to be a different kind of shot from Laig Bay.

Here’s how my last day on Eigg worked out.

A huge Rainbow over Rùm to start the day.

A huge Rainbow

Pouring down with rain to start with.

After the rain passes by time for a wonder.

George’s tractor

Keen to get in there.

Thomas has loved being in the Sea this week.

Back to the house and the day is looking a lot brighter. Time of rest before this evenings shoot.

Someone’s set up Camp in the Dunes.

It’s looking promising…

In position and ready for whatever unfolds…

The rocks here are amazing.

Just hoping the Sun shines through the cloud one more time to light up these rocks.

While I was setup and waiting I took the Drone for one final flight over Laig Bay, the video gives a great perspective of the houses location.

Looking back towards the house over the Beach

Here comes the sun…

Muted colours as the sun sets behind Rùm

The other half of the Beach is getting a soaking from some incoming rain…

As you can see here.

Eventually coming my way.

Eventually easing off to allow me to capture these last few shots over towards Rùm.

A great end to my nights on the Beach.

That’s it from Laig Bay and the beautiful Isle of Eigg. It’s been an amazing week that I’ll never forget. Fantastic Scenery, friendly people and time to rest and take in this wonderful place. One day I hope to return to Eigg and explore other parts of the Island but for now I am really pleased with what I’ve captured both with my Drone and Cameras.

You can see my collection of Isle of Eigg Prints available to purchase here in my gallery. Or see my previous days photography on Eigg here. Or my other Scottish Landscape Photography Shoots here.

In fact life on Eigg seems pretty good too, it’s more relaxed, more out going and in every way better. 60 people live on the Island, more live on my street back home. I’ve talked to more people on Eigg in 5 days than I have on my own street in 4.5 years. Such is modern life in built up areas I guess. I will miss this place for sure.

The last few days are catching up with me energy wise so its a rest day today with just a gentle walk down to the Beach. The kids seem to have really taken to the Sea. Thomas especially so they are keen to get out and enjoy the Beach on such a nice day. We have been lucky with the weather.

 Great patterns in the sand

 Love these spikes.

 These Sea Kayaks came ashore, day 2 of a 3 day tour from the mainland. I wish I had the energy for something like that.

Beautiful

 The kids enjoying the Beach

Thomas loving the Sea

 Back at the house and we had some visitors…

 Swallows

The sound of the Shutter startled them.

A really hot day today. I would never tire of this view.

The Basalt Black patterns I’ve been looking for all week.

 Now the tides out at Sunset I can explore the small stream…

…and the rocks at the far end of Laig Bay.

I noticed a face like rock formation on the edge of the cliff.

 There he is. Looking over Laig Bay and Rùm.

A wider perspective.

My penultimate night on Eigg. Hopefully tomorrow night ill get a little more light on the Rocks.

Light painting back at the house.

You can see tomorrows photos from Eigg here and my collection of Isle of Eigg Prints available to purchase here in my gallery.

First off however I wanted to explore the coast from the air. I mentioned in yesterdays post I am getting more confident flying my drone and today the conditions were great for a look over the Lava Tubes. Here’s how I got on.

The coastline is amazing from Laig Bay to Singing Sands. It’s great having the drone so I can check places out beforehand. There is a path on the cliffs which leads to Singing Sands…

Waves at Laig Bay

Beach looks busy this morning.

Interesting looking clouds over Rùm

Scotland.

On the coastal path form Laig Bay to Singing Sands. The coast here magnificent.

Volcanic activity everywhere.

Lava tubes running out to Sea

Would be nice to get down there to capture more of the rocks.

First sight of Singing Sands

Looks a lot different to Laig, more rocks.

Wellies.

Beautiful white sand.

Great rock formations everywhere.

Again another fantastic white sandy beach all to ourselves.

Interesting erosion on some of the rocks.

Leaving Singing Sands and heading back to Laig Bay.

Laig Bay from the Coastal Path, You can see the house below the mighty Sgurr. Great visibility today.

Here’s a video I captured from the walk to Singing Sands.

Back at the house for now, awaiting golden hour.

Here we go again, another beautiful evening on Eigg. What will tonight bring…

Basalt Black Rocks on Laig Bay.

The black patterns on the White sand make for an interesting foreground.

A long exposure catches the movement in the tide.

Thomas and Lewis admiring Rùm.

A Jelly Fish on the Sand.

Another beautiful evening on Eigg.

Again a different evening. This week is turning out to be a great mixture of conditions. Exactly what I’d hoped for. To see this beautiful place in as many different perspectives as possible. I’m hoping to make it to the far end of Laig Bay for the rest of the week as the tide should reveal the rocks to make a different composition.

You can see tomorrows photos from Eigg here and my collection of Isle of Eigg Prints available to purchase here in my gallery.

A cloudy day today, I’m getting more confident flying the drone lately so went for a look along the coast between Laig Bay and Singing Sands. Not the best of conditions so will have to try this again later in the week if the weather’s kind. This is the furtherest away I flown the Drone, over 2km. It’s quite daunting with the waves splashing below and the signal dropping on the remote control so you can’t see anything. At first I thought I’d lost control of the drone itself but it seems the live video stream is all I lost. Hopefully later in the week I’ll push the boundaries a little further and get some awesome footage of this fascinating coast. The Lava Tubes are amazing. Gullies and tubes in the rocks where molten lava once ran.

Waves at Laig Bay shot with my 100-400mm lens

Laig Bay waves.

With no real plan for today and the weather being a little overcast and dull we decided to head out for a walk up along the Beach and up to Cleadale for a look about. Here’s how we got on in this video I shot along the way.

A weathered Post Box at Cleadale. Collection time is 1 hour before the ferry departs.

We shall be forever indebted to you for your Bravery and Sacrifice.

A variety of vehicles on the Island. This is the only Taxi, driven by a nice chap Charlie. £10 for a 3 mile journey to the Pier…

An informative Taxi ride later and we’re down at the Pier where the locals are very friendly. From here I decided it was worth a walk up towards An Sgùrr. At least to see how far we could get.

 Past the Community Hall

 First sighting of An Sgùrr. What a sight. An Sgùrr is the highest point on Eigg. It was formed almost 60 million years ago, the result of one of the last eruptions of a volcano, the core of which now forms the Isle of Rùm. (wikipedia facts)

 Glorious colours on the hillsides around here.

It was a flat and grey day. The Midges were horrendous. We were simply not prepared for this today and the weather wasn’t looking too promising for a great photographic opportunity from the summit if we indeed get that far. However minor details like that aren’t going to stop me today. I have energy and I want this. More than anything today. It’s happening. It was at this point Thomas turned around and started walking home.

He eventually came back…

 While Lewis bagged my new Midge net.

 I can’t turn back now. Once you can see your goal insight you can’t give up. Never.

 A couple of Buzzards were soaring around us.

 Looking back towards the Pier. Lewis looking back to Thomas. Still not happy at all.

  The view over towards Cleadale and Laig Bay with the Isle of Skye in the distance.

The mainland as we ascend.

 Traversing the Sgùrr to pick up the path leading to the summit, great echo’s here. Kept the kids interested, better than…

Falling into Bogs.

 Poor Thomas, he was not at all happy. A life lesson for him today in many respects.

 More of Cleadale now visible.

 Rùm visible now too.

Heading up on to the Rocks.

The small Isle of Muck from between the Rocks.

 The Red Dots mark the way to the summit. Note the rock formations. Like boiling Lava.

 Muck.

 Maybe that’s the Summit. Spot the red dot…

 Muck. I hope the cloud holds off so there’s a view from the Summit.

  Rum. Looks like the cloud is coming. Amazing rock formations underfoot.

 There it is. The Summit of An Sgùrr. Apologies for the blurred image.

 A great view of Cleadale and Laig Bay now. What an achievement getting up here.

 Back to the Pier where we started walking from. Really proud of getting up here today.

Rùm, now almost lost in cloud.

We’re not alone.  A couple of nice German ladies on the Summit too. The rocks around here are amazing. Boiling Lava solidified.

 The mainland. The visibility is closing in every second.

 Cleadale and Laig Bay become lost in the approaching Rain.

 Amanda, Thomas and Lewis on the Summt of An Sgùrr. A great achievement for Thomas after almost quitting. We literally had 2 minutes on the summit then headed back down as the rain started. There was a tricky scramble over steep rocks on the way up and I didn’t fancy tackling that in reverse and in the wet so we made a move.

 The fine looking An Sgùrr. For a moment we were the highest people on Eigg.

 Amazing

 Back to the start of the climb and what an achievement for everyone. Good on Thomas for not giving up.

Rowan Trees.

The disused Post Box marks the spot where our route meets the main road. Call the Taxi Dad…

 Dragging one another along the road.

 Back to An Sgùrr.

 George’s Land Rover. George is the Farmer that owns the house we’re staying in. He Farms one side of Eigg his Father the other.

 Another Bost Box.

 Back to Sgurr.

 The boy is literally broken today. A huge lesson for him in life and as I’ve always said Fell Walking is very much like life. You have to tackle what’s in front of you and you simply can’t quit, while sometimes things appear impossible as a whole, taking little steps eventually leads you to your destination. Over 3 years ago I got Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or M.E. after a really bad spell of Glandular Fever which hospitalised me, at times I’ve not had the energy to get out off bed, some weeks/months I don’t leave the house. I’ve fought with depression, anxiety, loneliness and hopelessness for my old life, the life where I had energy to do the things I love, like my job, my hobbies, riding my motorbike to basic things like playing with my children. Today marks a truly monumental day for my recovery. To head out for a simple little walk and walk 10 miles up to the highest point on the Island is a real achievement for me. 8 months ago I could not walk a mile without breaks and I put on 22kg of weight since getting ill. This year I’ve been doing graded exercise therapy everyday and am much more accepting of my condition, its limitations and my abilities to stay within the boundaries of my ability without crashing and burning on a weekly basis. So while your tears are for tiredness Thomas mine are tears of joy for being able to do this and to do this with you and Lewis after so many years of saying sorry, I’m too tired.

 Back to the beautiful Laig Bay

 Think I’ll give the beach a miss tonight. An early night is in order.

 Rum from the front door. That’s as far as I got tonight.

As much as possible I try and capture video from my Landscape Photography shoots nowadays, last Autumn I started taking videos to document my shoots specifically, I haven’t done that at all this year however I am still keen to capture these amazing places. As such I captured this video below of our walk up An Sgùrr. A great compliment to the photographs and a family day out to remember forever.

You can see tomorrows photos from Eigg here and my collection of Isle of Eigg Prints available to purchase here in my gallery.

As with the last few years, my Landscape Photography seems to focus around the last light of the day where I am able to go out and make photographs. I love the warm golden light at the end of the day. I find it very appealing. It’s also a lot easier to capture as the build up to getting into location is a little more relaxed than trying to capture the first light of the day and in summer this is just far too early for someone with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. I’ve tried it and it wipes me out for days. I need to sleep and sleep well or I am fit for nothing for days.

So, with my focus on the last part of the day, that leaves all day to do something else. What appealed to me about Laig Bay Bothy was its location. I mean, could there be a better location? I thought the house in Elgol where I stayed last Autumn was amazing and it is. This is different though. It’s more intimate and you just seem closer to it all. I would imagine it’s hard going here in Winter but from my limited time here so far this place is outstanding. The quality of the accommodation is first class and the views are truly unique to anywhere I’ve been or seen here in the UK. It’s great to just sit and look out of the window and if my energy doesn’t allow then I’d be happy to do that and not get too frustrated.

So with some time to wait today until Golden Hour I was happy to just hang around and see what happens.

Amazing patterns on the Beach.

Lewis finds a shell to add to his growing collection.

Another Day another paddle.

Here’s another short video I made over Laig Bay

Here we go then, the lights about right, what will tonight reveal.

It’s shaping up to be another great evening. Ideally those clouds wouldn’t be over Rùm but it is what it is.

Soft hues as the Sun starts to set…

It just keeps getting better, every moment the scene changes.

I hadn’t predicted this much of a Sunset.

The whole Sky was illuminated bright Orange.

Now The Reds deepen and Purple comes through

One oft best Sunsets I’ve witnessed in recent times.

The last of the Sun behind Rùm. June to August time is when the Sun sets behind Rùm I believe.

Really so glad to be here.

There we go, what a sunset and what a location. The colours we amazing and A shoot I won’t forget.

You can see tomorrows photos from Eigg here and my collection of Isle of Eigg Prints available to purchase here in my gallery.

With this view out of the lounge window it’s easy to stay in all day. That is ultimately why I wanted to book this place. If I had no energy to get out I can still see this…

 Rùm in cloud

Using my 400mm lens you can really get close to the details several miles away…

My third sighting of the amazing White Tailed Sea Eagle. Very lucky to see another Pair of these magnificent birds. My first sighting was form the Coral Beach on Sky and the last sighting was at Elgo on Skye. To see these on Eigg was a real treat.

Very graceful.

A little stroll down the beach and George’s Cows are putting a new spin on Free Range…

Might it rain or is this sunbathing.

 A lone figure at the shore.

 At the far end of Laig Bay is a small cliff with various rock formations, a cave and plenty of foreground interest. I’d like to make it here when the tides out for sunset. It looks like the tide will be just right for my last night on the Island.

This is a great spot, I shall return here Friday when the suns setting and hopefully capture something interesting.

Checking out the rocks while the tides out. This one looks buried in the surrounding Rock. A giant button.

The rock formations make for great lead in lines.

Great rock formations all around this part of the beach.

The rocks contrast great against the Basalt Black and White sand.

I love these textures on the sand. A mixture of Basalt Black and White Sand. Temporary Textures.

Thomas testing the water…

Its cold enough for a swim. They loved it.

Lewis running back to the house for a shower.

 Cows.

 A boat arrives in Laig Bay.

Looking over towards Cleadale.

A quick flight over Laig Bay before heading out

Time to head out as the sun has a window in the cloud.

Same view different exposure. The longer shutter blurring the water.

A large rope that washed ashore.

A series of images with some tangled ropes that have been washed ashore.

Rùm afterglow.

Rum and the subtle colours after sunset.

Another fantastic Day on the Isle of Eigg.

You can see tomorrows photos from Eigg here and my collection of Isle of Eigg Prints available to purchase here in my gallery.