A tale of two peaks: Cul beag and Stac Pollaidh
Cul Beag and Stac Pollaidh are here shown side by side, separated by Loch an Doire Dhuibh and towering above the Inverpolly landscape. While Stac Pollaidh is much lower, reaching its true summit is actually a relatively tricky scramble.
Golden light over Cul Beag
Cul Beag in the warm first light of the morning. The little lochan just below Cul Beag is Lochan Dearg, while Beinn an Eoin can be seen behind the larger loch behind Cul Beag (Loch Lurgainn).
Cul Beag, Inverpolly before sunrise
While most people prefer the golden hour over the soft blue light during twilight, I often prefer the more subtle tones during the blue hour. Here a waxing moon helped illuminating the scene as the sun was making clear it was intending to rise. Cul Beag is really a phenomenal and imposing little hill despite its modest height.
High above Inverpolly, Cul Beag at sunrise
Vista type photographs from higher ground can be tricky to get them right. In my opinion, it is often difficult to get a foreground which grabs the attentions and pulls the eyes towards the grand vista. On Cul Mor however, there is no lack of interesting sandstone formations. Here Cul Beag can be seen awaiting sunrise.
Inverpolly and beyond, view from Sgorr Tuath
A trio of Inverpolly and Assynt icons: Stac Pollaidh, Suilven and Cul Mor. This is hillwalker's paradise as the views from every single monolithic summit in the region are breathtaking.
Dramatic sky above Inverpolly (Sgorr Tuath)
The sun was trying hard to break through the fast moving low-hanging clouds above Coigach and Inverpolly half an hour before sunset. Stac Pollaidh can be seen on the right with the sea on the left.
Orange flash (Inverpolly)
Sunrise behind Cul Mor seen from the summit of Stac Pollaidh
Suilven (Assynt)
Torridonian rock forations on Cul Mor framing Suilven in the background.
A winter sunrise in Inverpolly
Sunrise between Cul Mor and Cul Beag in the far North of Scotland
Glorious Assynt, view from Stac Pollaidh
View from the summit of Stac Pollaidh, overlooking the majestic hills Cul Mor and Suilven in the Inverpolly and Assynt regions in northern Scotland.
Pastel dawn
The barren landscape of Inverpolly and Coigach stretching out under the summit of Cul Mor
Clouds over Inverpolly (Sgorr Tuath)
Some beautiful clouds over the vast landscape of Inverpolly in the rapidly changing evening light. Cul Mor and Suilven are partly shrouded in low hanging clouds, only adding to the mystic atmosphere, while the Torridonean sandstone formations on Sgorr Tuath dominate the foreground.
Sky on fire (Stac Pollaidh)
A spectacular interplay betwee warm and cool tones in the clouds at dawn, Stac Pollaidh.
Looking out over Coigach at dawn
Beinn an Eoin, Ben More Coigach and Sgurr an Fhidhleir at dawn
Red sandstone pinnacles on Sgorr Tuath
Beautiful Torridonian sandstone rock formations glowing in red evening light with Suilven and Cul Mor in Assynt in the background. Not long after this spectacle the clouds reappeared and all views were gone.
Torridonian sandstone formations on Sgorr Tuath
Large rock pillar on Sgorr Tuath during dramatic evening light. Stac Pollaidh can be seen behind it with very persistent cloud sitting above its summit.
Cul Mor
Cul Mor rising steeply above the wild landscape of Inverpolly
Golden clouds (Stac Pollaidh)
Stac Pollaidh and Suilven rising high above the Inverpolly and Assynt wilderness across Loch Lurgainn.
Eroded rocks on Cul Mor
White lichen adds that little bit extra contrast to the sandstone rocks in the foreground. This view was what I had been waiting for, and I was glad the light was great after a disappointing sunset the night before, making me forget the freezing night in my tent on the bealach just below the summit.
Weathered rocks on Cul Mor
Torridonian sandstone formations can be found on many hills ranging from Torridon, to An Teallach to Coigach and Inverpolly. While the rock formations on Cul Mor are relatively subtle, they are every bit as beautiful as those found on Sgorr Tuath. Here I used a low point of view and an ultra-wide to emphasize those eroded rocks, while still keeping Stac Pollaidh in the frame as eye candy.
View over Inverpolly from Cul Mor
View from Cul Mor in Assynt. Stac Pollaidh and Cul Beag can be seen while Sgorr Tuath can be seen further back.
A dark new day (Stac Pollaidh)
Cul Mor seen from the snow-covered slopes of Stac Pollaidh at sunrise
Suilven seen from Cul Mor
View over Suilven from the summit of Cul Mor.
Stac Pollaidh sunrise
A spectacular sunrise behind Stac Pollaidh in Inverpolly.
Cul Beag at twilight
I really loved how the white lichen covered stones contrasted with soft green grassy tussocks, and tough it would a nice foreground with Cul Beag as backdrop. The steep westerly cliffs of Creag nan Calman can be seen on the left. Unfortunately the sun would rise behind Creag nan Calman, and the best compositions were found around this spot, behind the cliffs.
Stac Pollaidh
Stac Pollaidh across Loch Lurgainn in golden hour light.
Incredible rock formations on Sgorr Tuath
The Torridonian sandstone pinnacles on Sgorr Tuath are almost surreal in appearance, especially with the primordial landscape of Inverpolly and Assynt as a backdrop. Stac Pollaidh, Suilven, Cul Mor and Cul Beag can all be admired from this vantage point.
