Welcome to Winter NEWS

If you have any comments or queries regarding my work, the website
or this newsletter, do get in touch – I'll be glad to hear from you.

As I write this in early December, the winter gales are driving rain against the window, and Bla Bheinn has disappeared into the clouds. In fact, Loch Slapin has also disappeared...am I really in Skye at all?

The days are short and dark, so it's time to get on with office tasks that have been pushed to one side during the lovely come-out-and-make-pictures days of autumn.

There are always bright spots, even in the worst of the weather. Just a few days ago I spent an hour dashing in and out with camera and tripod as the rain came and went and rainbows played over Bla Bheinn.

Here are a few of the photographs, to help brighten the winter.

Last time, I promised Canna. To remind you of spring and summer days, the feature is now on the website. Lots of photographs! You can see them here.

And then there was Cowalfest, Argyll's annual walking and arts festival. It's just a short trip "doon the watter" from Glasgow, in Dunoon. Well worth a visit in 2007. You can read the article and see the pictures here.

A photographer visits a photographers' paradise. Words and pictures are here.

My collaboration with the Scottish Clarinet Quartet began after my first solo exhibition in 2003. Three years later - in April 2006 - we were delighted to launch the completed work at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig in Skye.

The project brought together eight composers, four bass clarinettists and one photographer It resulted in an innovative audiovisual synthesis of photographs, created in the Isle of Skye in response to the eight cutting-edge, contemporary pieces of music.

Our first two audiences gave Songs of the Earth high praise - we're keen to get the opportunity of repeat performances!

You can see some of the photographs here, and read more about the musicians on the SCQ website.

Postscript: the commission from David Fennessy, 'Confetti Medley - Slowing down study', was shortlisted for the Gaudeamus Prize 2006.

There is a good range of prints and the ever-popular greetings cards, all made to order to the usual high standards.

As always, you are welcome to contact me without obligation, if you would like to discuss a possible purchase.

The Isle of Skye is better known for the Cuillin mountains and the rugged coastline than for what lies under its skin.

I never imagined I'd try underground photography, but I did, and some of the results will have a place in my new portfolio.

Feis an Eilean is Skye's annual ten-day arts extravanganza, held in June. The highlight for me this year was the final concert with fiddler player, Alasdair Fraser and cellist Natalie Haas.

Alasdair followed his Feis appearance with the 20th fiddle week at Sabhal Mor Ostaig, and found time to talk to me about his work and enthusiasms. I've been working on an illustrated feature, which will link Alasdair with Skye artist Donald MacKenzie. I'll let you know when it's published!