Hello! Tom here. Kate and I spent all of last week away in Berneray and North Uist, where I’ve been working on a new photographic project (more of which later). Late spring and early summer is a truly beautiful time of year in the Outer Hebrides, and we feel very lucky to be able to spend time in one of our favourite parts of the world.
In early June, the machair springs to life with floral colour, including these orchids of an extraordinary deep red hue (wild orchids can be very tricky to identify, but I think these may be early marsh orchids?)
We saw many nestlings and fledglings when we were out and about – including these cygnets, who were enjoying a ride.
Summer is also the time when cyclists and campers take flight to the Hebrides
I spent some time cycling around North and South Uist with a friend a few years ago, and would heartily recommend a trip on two wheels as a great way to explore these islands. I think the cyclists who were staying in the Berneray youth hostel would agree!
When we weren’t working on my project, we spent a lot of time walking across beaches
and up hills
As well as enjoying North Uist and Berneray on foot (and for reasons I will explain another time), we spent some time listening to the landscape as well.
The special quality of light is always something I enjoy about these islands.
We are now approaching midsummer, and in this part of Scotland ‘golden’ and ‘blue’ hours stretch away toward midnight. Sunsets are slow, drawn out affairs. Every summer evening is different, and every one is beautiful.
Hope you’ve enjoyed seeing these photos from our trip!
Thanks for reading,
Tom
Hiya Tom and Kate (and everyone at KDD)
Such a pleasure to see those marvellous pictures from the Hebrides!
A friend of mine is staying in Berneray at the moment. He told me about this project of a fellow artist about underwater recordings he had installed in the bay near Lochmaddy. You can listen to it here: http://brackish.co.uk/
Since you have mentioned that you’re listening to the landscape and I see you are very careful listeners and observers of things and places I thought you might be interested.
I stayed in the Outer Hebrides before and I hope I can get back there soon. The islands and especially Berneray and North Uist have a magical and inspiring impact on me. A place I always want to go back to.
Thank you for sharing your fotos and words.
Greetings from Bern in Switzerland
Monika
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Spent a week in the outer hebrides . Such a peaceful, calming , gorgeous island. Your pictures are beautiful. The mac hair was not in bloom but now I see how lovely it is.
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Want to be there! Thank you.
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Just like being there. I love your photos
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Hola Tom, maravillosas fotos, nos invitas a través de las imágenes a recorrer esos bellos rincones entre islas.
saludos desde otra isla al otro lado del mundo! desde Chiloé, patagonia chilena.
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Hola, Valeska, thankyou! I would love to have the opportunity to visit the island of Chiloé one day! Tom
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Bueno, cuando quieras! sois bienvenidos ! tengo una cabaña muy cómoda donde pueden llegar!
sería fantastico!
saludos!
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Great photos again. I love the one I bought after your last trip to Berneray (beach with dogs). It is framed and on my wall. Helen
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Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful!!! Thank you for sharing.
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Now that was beautiful.
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Merci pour ces magnifiques photos !
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Wonderful photos Tom-a real lift for the senses. Scotland is the most beautiful country-I envy you those views! (In a good way!)
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So much fine weather! Unbelievable! (My ancestors came from a wee bit further south – Caithness.)
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What beautiful, soulful views, just what I am needing at present :)
So different seeing white swans, we only have black swans here.
Thank you so much.
Sam
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Gratitude to both of you for sharing such color-saturated, stark, and thrilling photos…
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Wonderful photos, thank you! I’m going to the Outer Hebrides in mid July, and this is certainly whetting the appetite.
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Thank you so much for sharing the photos – It’s truly beautiful and those sunsets!
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Beautiful photos Tom – nowhere beats Uibhist and Bearnaraigh na Hearadh – but please remember that in English it’s always ‘Uist’ and never ‘the Uists’, even when referring to north, south, benbecula and the rest! The islanders will thank you for it. :-)
Yours, an islander…
Anna
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noted and amended. Thanks, Anna. Tom
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Thank you for sharing these exquisite photographs. How lucky you are indeed to spend time in such a beautiful place!
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Absolutely stunning photos – thank you for sharing them!!
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You captured that pink ‘tower of light’ that I sometimes see on my commute in the early mornings here in New England, US. Such amazing color, light, space, and camper vans! So inspiring to take a trip someday. Thanks for this!
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thanks so much for sharing a beautiful place, nice the dogs can be with you….
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Thank you, so beautiful I cried.
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C’est tout simplement splendide ! Merci de nous montrer que notre terre est Belle !
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Such gorgeous photos! I’m sure the sea talks to you as well as the wind in the grasses!
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As usual, exquisite photos, Tom! What a lovely place on earth, and I do agree that the light is stunning!
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Thanks so much for sharing these!!!
Having a rough day here and these really lifted me!
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Beautiful photos Tom. I hope when you cycled on the Uists that you cycled south to north and not the other way round – as we did a few years ago.
Who knew the wind could make so much difference! 😯
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Stunning photos, Tom. You are in a magical landscape and your eye knows just how to capture it.
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Thanks for these fabulous pics and for keeping us in the loop! Looks like Bruce enjoyed this trip as well.
Julie
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Your photos are just stunning. I hope it was a lovely opportunity for you both to charge your batteries as well as to find inspiration for future projects.
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That was a treat. Thank you for taking the time to show us the beauty of this area.
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While the rain is falling for the third consecutive day, and all is grey and wet, it was brilliant to be reminded of the summer colours of Scotland. Thank you!
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Beautiful photos, thank you for sharing.
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I feel I was transported to the Hebrides this afternoon through your photography. The sight, sound and tranquility have provided respite for my tired mind. Thank you. I love the movement captured with Kate and Bruce (or Bob) on the sand in contrast to the pop of red on the roof.
Thank you for sharing the joy all of you experienced. The images are imprinted on my mind now, powerful work!
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Beautiful photos! You are a talented couple.
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So incredibly beautiful. To think my paternal great-grandfather left Scotland…. Your photography pulls me back to see Scotland even though I love my beautiful United States.
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I might as well put away my camera! You have such a sensitive eye for capturing the landscape and framing your shots. I love your photography and the Scottish Tourist Board should “snap”’you up.
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Just heavenly blue all around…
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Thank you so much, Tom, for these splendid photographs. I so enjoy your artistry.
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Thank you Tom, so enjoyable. As you say the light is incredible. Hope there’s a book coming soon.
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Tom, you are truly an artist. I feel like I am standing in Scotland looking at your pictures. Thank you for my “vacation.”
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Your photos are beautiful!!
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On my bucket list, as I have a thing for remote places. These photos confirm that the Hebrides need to stay in the bucket.
Just stunning. Thanks for sharing.
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Thank you for sharing your beautiful photos! I would love to visit that area of the world one day.
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Lovely photos, we were supposed to be there last week staying at Lamrigg Cottage but had to cancel unfortunately.
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Well, we were able to book the cottage after you cancelled Nicola! Hope you have another opportunity to stay there. Tom
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Hello Tom..amazing photography..since I can’t be there I was picturing some of your photography in large prints on my walls..oh to be surrounded by such beauty..what a place to visit…thanks for showing us..pat j
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Your view of the world is incredible! Very grateful for your “eye” and that you share with us. Such beauty around us.
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Amazing photography. Thanks for sending. Enjoyed ever so much!!!
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Just stunning photographs and what a beautiful place
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Thanks for your post Tom…your photography is outstanding and I always enjoy seeing your work!
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Wonderful pictures again, thanks for sharing. We’ve visited the Hebrides last May and September before that and I would go back in a heartbeat. Totally loved it up there!
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Fabulous photos as always Tom!
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Beautiful photos and what a beautiful place!
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WOW! thank you for these glimpses into your trip. (Looks like it never rains?) I see what you mean about the quality of the light.
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Beyond stunning…your photographs capture the almost eerie magic of this part of the world. Thank you Tom, for sharing your work with us.
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Oh, Tom, how beautiful! Thank you so much for these photos! I love seeing those beautiful, wild isles through your art.
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thanks for sharing these amazing images! Love your photography Tom!
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