Welcome to autumn/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.

I was working the cameras hard during a rare couple of dry, bright days recently, when an ominous crack announced the demise of a vital section of my trusty ten-year-old tripod.

At home, I discovered a broken spring in the handle that locked the legs. Result - a tripod like a dead octopus, limp legs dangling and useless. Verdict - disaster.

A phone conversation with the manufacturer at 3pm that day:

"If I send you a cheque, can you send me a replacement spring?"

"That would cost more than the part is worth."

"WHAT?" (nightmare of new tripod and lack of money)

"I shall put it in an envelope and send it to you this afternoon, and you may get it tomorrow, and you will put a donation in a collecting box for the blind, next time you're in town."

The envelope arrived the next morning - all the way from Bedfordshire to Skye. I'm keeping my eyes peeled for a collecting box...

Sometimes, just sometimes, life works. Thank you, Uni-Loc!

A chance meeting with two artists visiting Skye during the summer resulted in two of my photographs appearing in Window Shoppers' Gallery, a new venture by the organisers of Cowalfest, the annual walking and arts festival in the Cowal peninsula in October.

This was great fun - 62 shops in Dunoon each gave window space to an artwork, forming a novel "gallery", with a guided tour each day during the festival. I followed my photographs to Dunoon and was persuaded to lead one of the guided tours. I managed (just) not to get lost on my first ever visit.

Whilst in the Cowal area, I made a special visit to Benmore Botanic Gardens (training ground of my old friend and mentor, Don MacCaskill) and an inspiring exhibition (With the Grain) celebrating the life and work of sculptor and furniture-maker, Tim Stead.

Outside in the gardens themselves, other visitors seeemed intrigued to see me making close-up photographs of the amazing bark patterns I found in the avenue of giant redwood trees. One lady became so enthusiastic that she gave "my" tree a big hug.

I was delighted to have two photographs selected for the Royal Scottish Corporation's first Scottish Art Show, which runs from 14th November to 15th December at the City Inn, Westminster.

The RSC exists to provide "a helping hand for Scots in London...some are homeless, many are elderly and frail...the heating bills in winter, a meal and a warm coat...we are here to help."

It is hoped the exhibition will become an annual fundraising event, with 50% of sales going to support the work of the charity.

If you're in London with a bit of time to spare, do visit the exhibition, even if you can't afford to buy!

There are new sizes, a wider range of prices, and the ever-popular greetings cards are available again, all made to order to the usual high standards.

I have also introduced a new range of limited edition luxury prints. Your chosen image is printed at approximately 400mm x 255mm on 100% cotton rag paper with pigment inks, using my favourite giclée process. The result is a really stunning colour reproduction of your chosen picture, which makes a very special gift.

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

The Old School in Torrin will once again be the venue for a Christmas exhibition and sale of arts and crafts produced in Strath - the peninsula that stretches from Broadford, through Torrin and down to Elgol.

This event has earned a reputation for high-quality work at sensible prices, and many local residents make it one of their regular Christmas shopping outings.

With tea, coffee and home baking also on offer, it's worth a visit if you're on Skye - note the dates: Friday and Saturday 2nd and 3rd December. We'll look forward to seeing you!

Skye Surprises in Broadford on the Isle of Skye is now stocking greetings cards and a new range of unmounted prints, which have sold well during the late summer.

Ready for your own choice of mount and frame, these are the usual high-quality prints from my portfolio, and come in a smart presentation tube.

Look out for the January issue of the Scots Magazine, which will carry an article about Marion MacPhee, a young printmaker from Waternish in the Isle of Skye. The article includes several samples of Marion's work.