In Glen Nevis in the Grampian Mountains of Scotland.

In Gaelic folklore Rowan trees are a symbol of good luck and this one stands a few miles up the glen from the village of Knockando in Strath Spey, Moray, where many of my ancestors were born. Taken during an unprecedented heatwave the midges, mosquitos and flies were out in numbers that I’ve never experienced. It was biblical and since I avoid bug repellant required me to wear far more clothing than the temperature dictated . Shortly after I knocked it on the head for the night a complete blank out mist came down so despite the discomfort at least the timing was good.

Late autumn in Westfield wood near Duffus, Moray, Scotland.

Taken from the very spot where the fleeing Alexander Cummin landed after leaping the inappropriately named “Randolf’s Leap”. By the River Findhorn in Moray.

Gather around the last tree to drop its leaves and the autumn colour faded. In Westfield wood near Lossiemouth, Moray.

Reckoned by many to be one of the spookiest places in Scotland with a battle fought on the opposite bank of the adjacent River Findhorn and the ruins of Dunphail castle (supposedly the most haunted place in Scotland) just up river.

Actually nothing more than a small Beech sapling by the River Findhorn. in Moray.

A lonely beech sapling in the middle of Westfield wood near Lossiemouth in Moray. The title refers to the fact that it was the last tree, at least as far as I could see, with leaves on. However, by the time I moved on after standing in the dark with a cup of coffee listening to leaves falling, it was almost bare. It was quite poignant.

On the flanks of Ben Nevis, Scotland’s highest mountain, in Lochber in the Grampian mountains.

Above the River Findhorn.