Autumn In Lochaber
Photographer Barrie Marshall revels in the rich colours that the season has to offer
THE hot weather which characterised the earlier part of the summer in Lochaber ebbed away fairly quickly, to be replaced by the more usual sunshine and showers and a barely perceptible drift into autumn.
Weaker afternoon sunlight is now picking out the changes in the landscape-rusty orange hillsides slotted with light in Glen Galmadale.
Greens, golds and reds of the beech trees dominate in Ardgour while deep purple bramble berries fill the roadsides around Loch Creran – excellent for picking and baking into a pie!
The weather conditions this year have been absolutely ideal for our fungi and mushrooms. Sheltering under conifers in Glenrigh is a perfect brown penny bun, while on the Ardnamurchan side three spiky-headed white puffballs stick close together – sure signs of autumn.
One of the last flowers of the summer, purple scabious, is still being attended by carder bees. Domes of angelica seeds can be seen in the fields and the red squirrels in Inchree seem to be more plentiful and busier in these later months.
But overall, it can be some of the views – or sounds – which captivate most in the light at this time of year.
Whether it is Sgurr Na Ciche in Glencoe framed by autumn forests, sudden downpours and rainbows on Loch Linnhe or the sound of bellowing red deer stags among the corries, it seems that Lochaber always has a perfect season!