Locations
Scotland has an ample supply of inspirational scenery. Here are just a few examples which have tickled the palette of John Wetten Brown.
- Amulree There is a wonderful white church near Amulree on the road to Aberfeldy, Perthshire which sits proud and alone in the middle of the countryside. In the melting February snows it is a beautiful sight to see.
- Crail, Anstruther & Pittenweem Justly famous historic fishing villages in the East Neuk of Fife that will enchant you. Everything is here ; winding lanes, crow steps and gables ; cute wee harbours and great fish and chips. Step out and smell the sea. And savour the fresh crab or lobster you can buy at the harbour.
- Cromarty A short drive from Inverness (or by the two car ferry from Nigg), is the small historic town of Cromarty on the Black Isle. Walk through the town and get drawn back in time. There's nooks and crannies a plenty for those prepared to wander through the lanes and back alleys of this old town.
- Fishing Towns Scottish fishing villages ; crowstep gables, cobbles and wynds, boats in the harbour and starry, starry nights.
- Highland Coos Hairy Highlanders of the mountains and meadows. They provide wonderful subject matter as they hang about nonchalantly posing for excited tourists.
- Oronsay Oronsay is off the southern tip of the island of Colonsay ; they are separated by a mile wide beach and the best way to cross over is by bicycle at low tide. The treat at the end of the splashy ride is the beautiful ruined Oronsay Priory with ancient carved stones and tranquil atmosphere. Look out over the water to Islay.
- Portsoy A spectacular old stone built harbour protects this fishing town ; full of old buildings and colourful characters. Walk around the harbour walls and feel the wind and sea in your face and then go to the Ship Inn for a hot bowl of soup in front of the fire.
- Stromness Take the ferry from Scrabster (Thurso) and visit this truly wonderful and relatively undiscovered former whaling port on the Orkney Island. A treasure trove for the artist, full of twisty lanes, historic hooses, folklore and wee boats. And there is also Skara Brae and Scapa Flo.
- Tarskavaig Take the short trip from Mallaig across the Sound of Sleat, to Skye. A single track road leads you over to Tarskavaig, a collection of little white houses dotted across the landscape, with sheep roaming free and the awesome Cuillins dominating the background. If the weather is fine, sit on sand of Tarskavaig Bay and admire the view.
- Tobermory Tobermory on the island of Mull is a magical place. It has buildings on the main street painted in all the colours of the rainbow, a super wee harbour and when we visited, there was a boat in the shape of a whale, sitting in the water. There's also supposed to be sunken treasure in the bay!
