Framing photographs

These are four photos of Loch Rannoch, framed in slightly different ways, all just a few metres apart. What a difference some trees make. I like this first one best, but it took a while to decide, so all four are included.

Move to the right.......

.......trees move to the left!!

Just some branches........

No branches.....

Birch trees by a frozen loch

This little loch is called Lochan an Daim, above Kinloch Rannoch.

Another view......

Odd one out

This flock of sheep were sheltering behind a single willow bush.

Open woods on Innerhadden

These scattered trees are on Innerhadden Estate, near Kinloch Rannoch. Although it looks as if it is a very understocked woodland, there has actually been a very long tradition of wood pasture in this area and woods of this type support a variety of species that more conventional woodlands would not.

A denser stand of birch trees

What sort of tree is this?

Ears up!

This little group of red deer hinds have found themselves a snow-free knoll on Dunan Estate, near Rannoch Station.

Two deers

These two deer are on the lower slopes of Schiehallion.

Opening Day of the Tay Salmon Season

To-day was the Opening Day of the Tay salmon season, with the traditional opening ceremony taking place at Kenmore at the start of the River Tay. In the foreground here are the Vale of Atholl junior pipe band.

There are now opening and closing ceremonies on the Tay at Kenmore. In 2009, £70,000 was raised between the two events for CHAS (Children's Hospice Association Scotland) and AFYD (Angling for Youth Development). Scottish Native Woods are involved with habitat conservation projects on the Tay, and we are also currently putting together a woodland management module that will be used by AFYD in their programme of environmental education, developed to SQA standard.

The Platform Party

Among the platform party were Environment Minister Roseanna Cunningham (left) and ex-Miss Scotland Nicola Jolly, who took the symbolic first cast from the boat behind Kenmore Hotel.

Guess which one people were listening to most???

Jane Grimley of Dewars Distillery in Aberfeldy (mentioned on the Tree O'clock event below, blessed the Tay with a symbolic quaich of whiskey.

It was extremely over-cast today, and unfortunately, the photos taken are not off that good a quality.

The Environment Minister speaks.........

Roseanna Cunningham MSP is obviously a fan of the Forestry Commission.

The crowd at Kenmore

It was a very wet and cold morning, with sleety rain throughout. Thankfully, it was no so heavy as to ruin the enjoyment.

Heading west........

Even under snowy conditions we have to do whatever work we are able to. The road conditions had improved enough yesterday to make a trip across to Fort William to forward some plans for a management plan for the area around Ben Nevis.

Birch trees at Bolfracks

Ben Lawers and Loch Tay

Lonesome pine

This pine tree is high up on Ben Lawers. It has a smaller birch for company. You can see the remains of two dead pine trees to the right, that have obviously died when relatively young.

Nae trees 2

Can you guess what it is......?

Wider......

Wider again.........Beinn Odhar, north of Tyndrum

The little conifer wood here is a reminder that most of this mountain would naturally be covered in woodland. The pattern of ridges and furrows is really dramatic, accentuated by the snow and the light conditions.