In the wilds

     We live only a mile from the very centre of Scotland's capital city. Although - at least in part - Edinburgh is a place of gracious buildings, striking natural features and pockets of vivid greenness, it is still a densely populated area and the sound of traffic is ever-present.

Our walk on New Year's Day was in this very different landscape: The Hermitage, near Dunkeld in Perthshire. It's hardly wilderness, being just off the A9, the main road to the North, but once you leave the car park and get into the forest, it feels almost as though you're out in the wilds.

This is where the River Braan rushes through a small gorge. The falls are quite mighty, especially when the river is in spate, and in the autumn optimistic salmon are to be seen leaping them, though they rarely if ever succeed. In the picture above it's my intrepid son Will who's scaling the heights above the torrent. There's an eighteenth century folly called Ossian's Hall built on a rock directly over the falls and its viewing platform gives the best sight and sound of the river.

The dogs love this place as we do - here they are crossing the bridge, and below is the view downstream.

I've just started reading Robert Macfarlane's The Wild Places, his beautiful account of his travels to Britain's areas of true wilderness. We may not all be able - or willing - to sleep alone on an uninhabited island off the Welsh coast, or penetrate the frightening dark vastness of Loch Coruisk under the Black Cuillin in Skye, as Macfarlane does, but a short walk in the tamed wildness of woodland such as this is nonetheless good for the soul.

Comments

[shayne]

BEAUTIFUL. Thank you.

[Alice]

Such gorgeous pictures. The one of Bess or Mollie (can't tell which) going through the gate is excellent. You got some marvellous pictures that day; mine were all blurred!

[Avice]

I am jealous. We had to pass on a visit to Dunkeld over the holiday so this is a walk I will look forward to taking.

[Juliet]

Lovely pictures and a walk I hope one day to explore. Reading this, fresh and pink-nosed from a long trudge along the beach in the dark, listening to the nocturnal chatterings of geese and bubble of curlew, I couldn't agree more that a bit of communing with the forces of nature is good for the soul. This looks like a wonderful book - I've just added it to my (very long) list of must-reads. Thank you.

[Becca]

Fabulous photos and great to have you back online.

[Nan]

Yay! You are back. I've been thinking about your dogs and was glad to see a picture. Of course nature is fine, too, but no comparison with black dogs. :<)

[Donna]

These photos are just beautiful. This is the reason I love Scotland so. Thanks for posting them, it was a treat to see them.

[Claire]

For a change we went up Birnham Hill this year. A bit more strenuous but well worth the climb for the views in all directions.

[tara]

I'm so glad to see you back Karen. I've missed your daily photos and musings. What beatiful photographs you've shared here! It looks like a lovely place to walk.

[Peter the flautist]

Even more water in the Braan a couple of days ago. Dark Puss

[Kathleen]

Oh my that is just lovely! I read that book "The Wild Places" it was wonderful.

[Wanda J]

I clicked on the picture of Will climbing the rock in front of the falls, magnificent, took my breath away! It seemed I could feel the spray and smell the damp moss.

[Tom]

I've just read the Wild Place - lovely! I'm planning a trip up to the hidden valley in Skye he visited this summer.

Your writing here is excellent - I think I'll be subscribing.

[Joanna Schmidt]

Your nature pictures are really moving. love them.

JOanna
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