Frost on the Wire

Lochluichart, Ross-shire, looks like a winter wonderland

Winter Feeding of Highland Cows

Winter feeding of Highland cows goes on no matter what the weather.

The Highland breed is a hardy creature and can live out in sparse pasture land in all but the most extreme Scottish weather conditions but a to keep them healthy and in peak condition, the intrepid Scottish farmer brings them nearer to the steading and provide a bit extra feed, through the worst of the winter days.

It is a wise and capable farmer that keeps his livestock close to the steading where he can provide shelter, feeding and quickly attend to them, when the worst of the weather strikes.

Scottish Highland cows gather in the snow

Crianlarich, Stirling, Scotland.

Scotland in Winter: Red Squirrel in the snow

A bonnie red squirrel rushing across a dry stone dyke to check his winter larder, before taking shelter from the snow and cold winter weather.

The Ermine: The Scottish Stoat in Winter Garb

The stoat, also known as the ermine when in it's winter white coat, also known outside of the UK as the short-tailed weasel.

It is a species of Mustelid, which is native to Eurasia and North America.

Winter Solstice Eclipse - Stirling

Views of Ben Ledi in winter

Easter Weekend in the Garrique

It was wondeful to be back in the Garrique cottage again, to watch Spring emerging from a punishing winter. It was even more uplifting to be there over the Easter weekend.

There were still traces of snow in the hills and mountains surrounding the cottage and even the remnants of a snowman in the back garden.

The forests around the cottage showed clear signs of damge. The result of a number of fierce and relentless storms. We were concerned for the local flora and fauna.

The sheep farmers were concerned that the lambing season had been delayed and, because the sheep had struggled to feed consistently through the winter, they were in poor condition. This was likely to lead to smaller lambs and a higher morbidity level in the ewes. A tense time for all.

Sadly, we were informed that some of the charming little roe deer that populate the forest had died off in the harsh winter.

On the positive side, we did see a couple of roe deer skipping across the fields, between the sheep and even more, lower down on the Carse.

I think the animals who could, decided to move to the lower slopes for food and away from the isolation of the snow covered hills and frosty winds.

Winter Wonderland: Resident Robin, Frosted Berries, a Visitor and the Ponies