A young Pine Marten kit quickly looks back towards the camera

I have just got back from spending some time up in the Ardnamurchan peninsula of Scotland watching Pine Marten. It is a breath-taking landscape of mountain peaks, Caledonian pine forest, fresh water lochs and heather moorland.

It was a little daunting working out that the journey would take around 7 hours. Travelling from North Yorkshire, through the Lake District and further north into Scotland, my drive eventually took me along the A82 and through the Trossachs National Park. This was where the scenery really became a feast for the senses. The road twisted around the edge of the largest body of freshwater; Loch Lomond. Equally as awe-inspiring as the Ardnamurchan peninsula further north, the Loch dominates the landscape here with forest covered hills surrounding it. Regrettably I didn’t have time to stop and take in the area – something for next time. However, I was still able to catch a glance every so often on the drive and it was enough to make me feel I was well away from the hustle and bustle of normal life and immersed in the beauty of the Scottish Highlands.

Onwards and upwards the road climbed into the hills, passing Achallader. Particularly impressive was the peak of Bidean Nam Bian, domineeringly staring down as you drive down the valley towards Glencoe. I finally reached my first stop at the Corran ferry from the Nether Lochaber side. The weather hadn’t been too kind at the beginning of the journey, driving through an aquaplane for the first two hours, but by the time I reached the Corran ferry the rain had stopped, albeit the clouds were still imposing. Once I’d crossed the ferry I had a bit of time to soak in the surroundings. I was able to watch black guillemots fly over Loch Linnhe, so close to the Loch that they were practically skimming the water. Life felt very peaceful here, the only noise coming from the ferry making constant crossings across the Loch and the occasional gull calling.