Every year, I like to share my favourite pictures from my adventures and to reflect on what was achieved in the year that has now ended.
I have to say I am frustrated at the lack of new posts I published in 2024 but I think the ones I did put out were pretty special!
So grab a beverage and join me in having a wee reminisce to kick off 2025!
10. A Puddle Bath
I’m always on the look-out for wildlife on my walks and that includes the little guys! Taken on the beautiful walk from Balcary to Rascarrel Bay, this little chaffinch was having a bath in a puddle and didn’t seem at all bothered by me taking pictures!
9. Sandgreen From Above
An aerial picture, taken from my drone high above the beautiful beach at Sandgreen. One of my most-repeated walks in Dumfries & Galloway, I am in the process of putting together a video of the walk and this picture, taken as the sun was setting, is one of my favourite pictires of the year!
8. Clouds on the Hills
Possibly my favourite walk of the year, this images comes from early on in my day out at Meaul. This picture was taken from Coran of Portmark, and is look to Meaul, Bow and Cairnsgarroch.
I love how the shadows of the clouds look on the rolling hills below. The Corbett Corserine, looking menacingly in the distance is the icing on the cake!
7. Views From Screel Hill
This one shows the beautiful views from Screel Hill, a 1,126ft peak that sits south of Castle Douglas. The panorama over the Solway Firth is beautiful and a fine reward for what is a relatively easy day out.
I love the juxtaposition of the orange heather, rolling green fields and cool blue sea.
6. Sheep at Bengairn
As you should all know by now, I am partial to a photograph of a sheep, and this flock stood still for me on the shoulder of Bengairn (the second hill on my day at Screel Hill), making for a wonderful picture as they kept an eye on me!
5. Sunset at Sandgreen
This picture could easily be first on this list. It was from one of my multiple visits to Sandgreen and I managed to catch a sunset over the fields at just the right moment.
The sky is beautiful, the gentle mist covering the landscape is incredibly atmospheric and it gives me a wonderfully cosy feeling just looking at it!
4. Old Man Messi
We are still at Sandgreen (on a different day!) and we are with the only fellow who can pose for a picture better than I can: Messi!
I think he looks like a wise old man here and it’s a photo I absolutely love. No ‘top pictures of the year’ post would be complete without him!
3. The Cow in the Fields
A cow, some rolling fields and hills in the background. It’s a combination that is eternally popular, be it in photography or paintings and this blog is no different!
I took this picture from the track while walking Balcarry to Rascarrel Bay and I love it! It’s the epitome of a countryside scene and one which Dumfries & Galloway is full of.
2. Looking to Hestan Island
Another from Balcary to Rascarrel Bay, this is the incredible view of Balcary Tower and Hestan Island which is a five minute walk from the car park at the start of the walk!
It’s a gorgeous spot to stand and just take in the view.
1. The Ruined Village
My favourite picture of the year and quite a poignant one. This is a picture looking to Meaul, with the remains of a chimney from the ruined village which hosted the miners and their families who worked in the area.
“The Woodhead Lead Mines operated from 1839 to 1873 and at the height of production in 1858 included 50 dwellings housing a population of over 300, larger than the whole of Carsphairn parish today.”
It’s a secluded, forgotten part of Dumfries & Galloway history and a wonderful walk. If you just want to see the ruined village, you can do so without climbing up on to Meaul. It’s somewhere I’d highly suggest exploring if you are in the region.