This photograph is an example of my policy of not knowing too much when I travel. It drives some people (hi, Patty!) crazy, but it does mean that I get to “discover” things before knowing that they are iconic. Almost two months after photographing this “random” impressive Scottish mountain I learned that it is well-known. The peak is Slioch — or “The Shield” — and a “munro,”* one of the peaks reaching over 3000′. I read that there is a well-known climbing route to its summit. Apparently, photographs of the peak have been used to represent this area of northern Scotland.
But I knew none of that when we stopped to make photographs after spotting it while driving out to Scotland’s western coast. Slioch, with its twin summits, deserves the description “monumental.” The mountain stands above a lower plateau, lined with rock bands on the side facing Loch Maree. The summit block appears huge from this angle, with very steep, rocky faces. On the day we passed by, the peak was topped with a fresh dusting of snow.
*I’ve wondered about the term “munro” for these 300’+ mountains. Munro was the name of the author of a book listing the more than 200 peaks that qualify.
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G Dan Mitchell is a California photographer and visual opportunist. His book, “California’s Fall Color: A Photographer’s Guide to Autumn in the Sierra” (Heyday Books) is available directly from him. Blog | Bluesky | Mastodon | Substack Notes | Flickr | Email
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