Sunrise on an Ancient Landscape

"Sunrise on Stac Pollaidh", watercolour, 16 x 26 cm


Stac Pollaidh, or Stack Polly in English, is one of the iconic mountains in Scotland. It's not very impressive in its height, but it's profile and location make it instantly recognisable to lovers of Scottish mountains. It lies in Assynt, which is an area in Sutherland, and also forms part of the North West Highlands Geopark. The rocks here are the oldest in Europe, and they contain some of the earliest evidence of life on Earth. It was in this area that some of the early pioneering work on geology was done by Benjamin Peach and John Horne. Assynt is truly one of the natural treasures of Scotland.

Location - https://goo.gl/maps/vZLYfGANM6J2



Comments

Bruce Sherman said…
Good morning Keith !... I always enjoy your mountain moments and treks... accompanied by your interesting sharing of historical extras!

Your colour-filled painting captures that very early morning glow that all morning worshippers like you and I so enjoy. So sad... that half the world has likely never seen it for themselves! HA HA!!

Good Painting!
Warmest regards,
Bruce
Rolina said…
Such a wonderful landscape up there, I love seeing the evidence of the geology so clearly all over the region. This is a beautiful painting too - Stac Pollaidh is such an iconic image of the area.
Diane said…
I love your painting, Keith; the colours are absolutely wonderful. I can imagine that it is a very special place.
One of my favourite locations so close to Ullapool if you want to be near to the bookshop and coffee shops yet that wilderness feeling is so close by. Have you been to the top of Stac Polly? I haven't but have travelled down the road past the base of it. Apparently it is a well worn path. Your painting is lovely.
Keith Tilley said…
Hi Bruce, there's nothing better than light on the mountains at sunrise and sunset. You do have to be there to see it though!

All the best,
Keith
Keith Tilley said…
Hi Rolina, nice to meet up with you again. I seem to have lost track of your blog since Google Reader finished. I'll add you to my Feedly list so that I can follow you.

I love Sutherland too: all that rock visible on the surface is fascinating.
Keith Tilley said…
Thanks Diane, it is a wonderful and dramatic area. It's very wild and could be seen as desolate, but I think it has a rugged beauty.
Keith Tilley said…
I've been up onto the ridge, but not to the very top. Apparently the last bit is difficult, and it was wet and slippery when I was there, so I didn't risk it. There was an easy path up to the ridge, and it would have been a good view if I could have seen anything in the cloud!

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