Scotland Through a Lens

A photographic journey

Text & Photos: Alistair Horne

A grey and rainy day in Berlin. Cuddled up in a blanket with some hot coco, lit candles, and music playing, we stumbled over the instagram profile of Alistair Horne . His images had us swooning about Scotland, instantly. The richness of green, the vastness of the landscapes, and the mist settling in the Highlands enhance these with an eerie quality. For your future trips, Alistair kindly compiled a list of the best and fotogenic places to go in Scotland. Here's a preview for you to enjoy!

The Best & Photogenic Places to Go in Scotland

Glen Coe

In the south of the Highlands is one of Scotland’s most famous areas, due to its accessibility and beautiful landscapes as far as the eye can see. Only a two hour drive from the main cities of Glasgow and Edinburgh, the valley with a volcanic history is probably top of your list if you visit our country. Remember to drive down the Glen Etive road, seeing the local deer and visiting the James Bond car scene from »Skyfall« as well as visiting the village of Glen Coe, with its beautiful lochan. Driving through the valley on the A82 itself is a wonderful experience on its own.

Isle of Skye

The Isle of Skye is the largest and northernmost of the major islands in the Inner Hebrides. With unique geological formations and the intimidating peaks of the Cuillin mountains, there is a variety on offer to see on the island. Its main attractions include the Old Man of Storr, a strangely shaped rock, or the Trotternish Peninsula, again with land formations that question which planet you are on. Other impressive sights include the lighthouse at Neist Point and the Fairy Pools in Glen Brittle. The islands are quite hard to get to, either from the closest airport at Inverness, or a long bus ride or drive from the central belt. To fully appreciate the beauty on offer here, give yourself at least 3 days to savour it all.

Trotternish Peninsula (Isle of Skye)

The Highlands

The northern most area of Scotland spans over 30,000 square kilometres and includes historical castles, a plethora of stunning lochs and huge mountains. This area covers the majority of the country, so it is impossible to see all of it in one visit. Being so close to the main cities, you can drive around this area of Scotland and be stopping all day at sights such as the Glenfinnan viaduct and Kilchurn Castle pictured. Remember to bring your waterproofs, as the weather in Scotland can change at any moment!

Glenfinnan Viaduct (Highlands)

The Cairngorms National Park

The largest park in Great Britain, the Cairngorms has 5 of the 6 highest mountains in the UK, so it’s a paradise for hill walkers and skiers. The native Scots pine tree is abundant in this area, with wildlife too thriving in this natural environment. With over half of the whisky distilleries of Scotland in this region, this is the perfect place for a dram or two! The national park is the ideal area for a walk, breathing in the fresh air and views. Being in between the central belt and Inverness, this national park is very accessible for drivers and walkers.

Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park

Centuries of history with castles and beautiful landscapes right at the door of our central cities, this national park is a treasure to behold. The West Highland Way, Scotland’s most famous long walk, passes through the park near the beginning of the 100 mile trek taking in some of the scenery on offer. The picturesque village of Luss is well worth a visit: remember to take a boat ride out on Loch Lomond to savour the sights. Being only one hour from Glasgow, Loch Lomond is really easy to travel to get away from thebusy life and embrace the wonders of nature.If you find yourself equally smitten by his pictures and recommendations, do have a look at his website and facebook page , too!