My trips are limited to school holidays, yet I love the North of Scotland, which explains why I keep going to cold wet places in October (Glencoe last year). This year I dragged the family up to the wee coastal village of Portknockie on the Banffshire coast, primarily because it was close to the main photogenic spot on the coast - Bow Fiddle Rock.
While we were there the weather went from glorious sunshine, to pelting rain, howling winds, freezing conditions, sleet, hail and snow. But it's such a beautiful place we had a great time anyway. Coming back to the central belt, walking the dog through urban streets and avoiding underpasses full of neds, I really miss leaning into a gale, walking along the cliff tops by a full moon near the Portnockie harbour at midnight!

If you've never been to the Moray coast (and this was my first time), I can thoroughly recommend it - beautiful beaches, wild scenery, dramatic crashing waves, a sense of stepping back in time and appreciation of Scottish history and best of all, hardly any other tourists. Portknocke is a smashing wee village - it has a 12th century natural harbour and cliffs you can clamber about on. It also has very friendly folk and honestly, the best fish and chips I've ever had (and I've had quite a few in my time). Bow Fiddle Rock is the main site to see and is a 10 minute walk from the village centre and it's just an amazing rock. I spent quite a few hours over the course of the week we were there, trying to capture it's photograph at dawn and dusk.

I went in the autumn, but I believe if you go in the summer, seals, porpoises, dolphins, basking sharks and even killer whales can be seen with a bit of luck and patience.

A lovely place (but don't tell anyone!!!!)

If you are interested in a more lengthy account of my trip to the Banffshire Coast, you can read all about it on my Photo blog , Phoblography with AndyMacD, or see some of the images at my website, PhotoForMyWall.

Superb Pic'

Thanks for sharing this Andy... your photos are fantastic!

Brilliant picture, thanks for sharing.