Loch Shieldaig

Shieldaig is one long row of whitewashed houses looking out over Loch Shielaig, with a small pine covered island sitting just offshore. The village was originally formed in 1810 to train sailors against Napoleon, and when the war ended (before any of them could even be called up) it turned to herring fishing instead. That's where the name comes from, Norse for herring bay. Most of those original houses are still standing and still white. The hillside as you drive into the village lets you look down over the whole row with the loch and the island behind. The village faces west so the evening light comes in square across the loch spreading amazing colour across the bay. If you get here early, a still morning gives you the island and its pines doubled in the calm water and the waterfront all to yourself. The island belongs to the National Trust for Scotland and is home to sea eagles nesting on it. If you enjoy bird photography make sure to have a long lens in your kit in case you are lucky enough to spot some eagles. Torridon and its mountains are twenty minutes north if you want to continue your photography adventure deeper into this area. (Shieldaig, Highland, Scotland)