Day 2 — Isle of Skye

Day two covered a lot of ground, moving between mountain locations and the coast in winter conditions.

The day started at Sligachan Bridge. Snow-fed rivers ran alongside the path, with ice forming along the edges. Temperatures were well below freezing, and movement was slow and deliberate. The water level was low, but the cold made the scene feel harsher than it looked.

From there, I hiked toward the Black Cuillin. Many of the waterfalls along the route were partially or fully frozen. Flow was minimal, and ice had formed across the rock faces. Progress was steady but careful, stopping often to photograph how the cold had reshaped features that are usually far more active.

By late afternoon, I reached the Old Man of Storr. Weather conditions began to change as dark clouds moved in from the sea, bringing stronger wind. With visibility starting to drop and the ground becoming increasingly icy, I decided not to complete the hike. Instead, I stayed near the base and worked from there, using other people walking on the path to help show scale in the photographs. The figures helped emphasise the size of the rock formations without pushing further into worsening conditions.

The final stop of the day was Portree Harbour. Sharp winter light fell across the boats in the harbour, briefly illuminating details before fading. After the exposure and wind of the higher ground, the harbour felt calmer and more contained.

Travel between locations became part of the learning curve — adjusting to icy surfaces, changing weather, and limited daylight. Progress was slow and intentional.

Skye in winter removes distractions. The cold, limited light, and frozen landscape reduce everything to essentials. One island. One day. Perspective earned through experience rather than assumption.