Looking down Glen Coiltie towards Glen Urquhart, Drumnadrochit and the Great Glen beyond with just a glimpse of the world famous Loch Ness. Not a bad start to the year despite it being a generally wet and windy day!

I have made the pledge (to myself) to get out for half an hour every day and go for a walk - to give me a little exercise and hopefully to help in the battle against the brain weasles. Half an hour is my minimum, more is better... but right now half an hour is enough as the sciatica starts to kick in around 3 1/2 minutes into the walk!

We have a lot to do this year coming though to firmly establish ourselves here so hopefully this will lead to a different direction on the photography front as we enter Year 12 of Photo a Day!

Tags:   Loch Ness Drumnadrochit Inverness Glen Coiltie Urquhart Great Highland Scotland Scottish Road Lane Track Agriculture Agricultural Field Farm Farming Pasture Winter December #001

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An utterly miserable day! Rain, wind and more rain.

On the plus side... my Paramo trousers still fit! I haven't worn them since the first few weeks of moving in and feared for the worst! Also it took a little longer today before the Sciatica kicked in hard , about 10 minutes rather than 4. I put this down to sticking to easier (paved) terrain for the start of my half hour walk rather than straight over the fields.

Tags:   #002

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Looking at Craigmony Hill Fort above Drumnadrochit, this hill makes up the end point of the range dividing Glen Urquhart from Glen Coiltie with the village of Drumnadrochit nestled below.

To my mind the cliff face looks like it was once a sea cliff when the northern part of Britain was pushed lower than it is today by the weight of the ice sheets. Later this made a useful lookout and vantage point for people keeping an eye on Urquhart Bay and Loch Ness, the main transport route in the region. There is some evidence of rampards and rock cut ditches forming the defences of the site, which has been classed as both a hill fort and a promontary fort by various academics.

Tags:   Glen Urquhart Great Coiltie Craigmony Hillfort Promontary Fort Fortification Ancient Historic Stone Age Neolithic Bronze Age Iron Age Pictish Viking Norse Legend Drumnadrochit Inverness Loch Ness Highland Scotland Scottish Afternoon Evening Sunset January Winter #003

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This is me in my full winter plumage (courtesy of Helly Hansen - a full on Arctic Parka which is my new favourite thing!) This was my first test in driven snow and the faux fur does actually attract the falling flakes which stick to it and stay away from your eyes!

Tags:   Me Self Portrait Snow #004

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I am not saying that it is cold, but Morag has made a cosy nest to hide in... which we only discovered when a couple of paws were left sticking out!

Tags:   #005

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