The Tree

There are certain photos that every keen landscape photographer in Scotland has to take at least once in their lives. Buachaille Etive Mor is possibly top of the list. The Forth Bridges are a must, as is the Old Man of Storr, Eilean Donan Castle and the Callanish Standing Stones among others. Another is a small unappealing tree by the banks of Loch Lomond at Milarrochy Bay.

There are hundreds of photos on Flickr of this tree and I felt it was time to add it to my library, so on a recent gorgeous day in the snow, I walked from Balmaha to the bay car park. Not knowing the exact location of the tree, I walked the length of beach in front of the car park but couldn't see it. I walked back again. I walked back yet again and once more. Eventually I stood in the middle of the car park looking out at the loch wondering where this stupid tree could be when I realized - I was looking straight at it. It was so small and uninteresting that it was almost invisible compared with the other trees. I couldn't see the tree for the forest, so to speak.

So here it is. Apparently, it's often sticking out of the water when the level is high but I had to make do with snow, but at least I can tick it off my list.

Now how do I get those standing stones....