Category: Drone

This is another entry showcasing my attempt to go down and around Whaligoe Steps each and every day for three hundred and sixty five consecutive days, beginning from May 1st, 2023…

Below are a series of highlights photographed each and every day from Monday, August 7th, 2023 through to and including Sunday, August 20th, 2023. All are showcasing moments down and around Whaligoe Steps, located on the north eastern coastline of Scotland.

August 7th, 2023: I found myself not only taking photographs of natural highlights during my daily treks, but also as the traffic and infrastructure issues raised their head right outside my front door, it felt appropriate to document signs of a different sort. So you get on this Monday in 2023 the great black-backed gull and a Highland Council Ranger attending to some duties.

August 8th, 2023: On this Tuesday morning trek, looking down on some coastal rock and observing the beautiful colour of the North Sea. Also a photograph of the old Salt House which has had several purposes over the years, but now remains a reminder of different times when this wee port was full of industry thanks to the Herring Fisheries.

August 9th, 2023: A beautiful sunrise was most welcoming during this visit down and around Whaligoe Steps. During this particular fortnight, I recall seeing quite a few boats. Both sailing vessels and also fishing boats were utilising this stretch of the North Sea.

August 10th, 2023: With our feet back on terra firma, we walk down the 4th flight of ‘Steps out of the total of six flights. Always worth documenting the beautiful and wild flora in this location too, mayweed taking a last breath.

August 11th, 2023: Keeping the mayweed company amongst the grass verges and shrubbery have been a plentiful presence of new thistles. Despite the wren being absent or hidden from sight and sound during these recent treks, Star, the resident cat at Whaligoe Steps has been an entertaining companion. (Most of the time she doesn’t look this annoyed, but I think I was a distraction from her prowling for wild rabbits on this specific occasion!)

August 12th, 2023: Starved of the flowers I witnessed throughout the summer, I focussed my attention on these wee beauties.

August 13th, 2023: White-lipped snail on one of the Whaligoe Steps, plus a couple of wild bunnies skipping about amongst the tufts of grass.

August 14th, 2023: Sneaking an appearance below a band of cloud, the sun takes a look at the coastline across the North Sea. Star on the other hand, decides a bit later in the day to take a walk on the wild side…

August 15th, 2023: Post of seagull has already been filled by this feathered survivor, in what has been a sad presence of Avian flu impacting the seabird population here at Whaligoe Steps. A bird’s eye view of the Salt House and Bink adds some context to this sheltered and remarkable port.

August 16th, 2023: Views from around this location are plentiful. Coastline which provides jagged formations also weave their own narratives. Meanwhile, a fishing boat in the foreground adds height to the wind turbines of the off-shore wind farm called Beatrice.

August 17th, 2023: Visitor numbers over the past three or four months have been consistent and many. On this particular Thursday afternoon I mingled among some tourists and then noticed below me was a drone hovering just above a jellyfish! This was a first for me. Have you ever seen a jellyfish and a drone in the same photograph before? I think this is a Lion’s mane jellyfish.

The other photograph offers up some flora, gently swaying in a soft breeze on this afternoon trek.

August 18th, 2023: Another afternoon-based visit down and around Whaligoe Steps.

Depending where you get your facts, I found out the North Sea is around six hundred miles long and three hundred sixty miles wide. It is also considered the coldest sea in the world with average temperatures of about six degrees Celsius during the winter, and seventeen degrees Celsius in the summer.

August 19th, 2023: Rose-Bay Willow Herb is abundant at the base of the landfall, which can be found tucked away in a corner between the pebble shore and the Bink.

A view of the North Sea disappearing into the yonder from the pebble shoreline.

August 20th, 2023: Below is another wild rabbit. It was fascinating watching it stretch for a tasty bit of vegetation.

A sunrise captured for posterity. There are more of these to come which I’m excited to share in my next blog entry.

Thank you for the well wishes from both the online poetry community and also those who follow Whaligoe Eye via social media platforms. Your kindness, concerns and general interaction are appreciated and welcome.

I’ll leave you with this lovely photo taken of the wren during an early morning trek during Sunday, August 13th, 2023.

Take care, stay safe and thank you for being You.

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History research continues in the background, two blog entries are being tweaked as I type this out. Life continues at a pace and so as a consequence, I’m sharing this general overview of updates with you. I sincerely hope that this October entry finds you winning in all of the challenges you find yourselves in, as the world continues to rock and roll. Before I dive in with photographs and words, just wanting to send you all positive wishes and thoughts.

On March 4th, 2021, the Highland Council announced a necessary investment in tourism for the Highland region £1.5m tourism investment gets the green light in Highland’s budget proposals for Recovery, Health and Prosperity | The Highland Council

On August 25th, 2022, the Highland Council made the promising announcement of their ambitious investment for tourism infrastructure Ambitious Tourism Infrastructure Development Plan approved | The Highland Council

Watching with great optimism, the period in which these investments get underway range from two to five years. The residential car park located at the top of Whaligoe Steps is to receive £90,000 of financial input, with current estimations on increasing the parking facilities to accommodate more vehicles.

Access to the car park could still be noted as a concern, but so far, the news is greeted with optimism. Despite not receiving any replies to any communications regarding concerns over further property damage, hazards to residents or visitors alike, it is a positive moment to hear anything which is to benefit the immediate area, via this public announcement. It can only be for the betterment of residents and visitors once this investment is turned into actual activity and purpose.

Since August of this year, throughout September and thus far, October too, I have been doing my rounds up and down Whaligoe Steps. The wildlife has been most entertaining and wonderful to observe. Gulls of various sorts are swooping, watching and generally being active, plus the grey seals keep the North Sea company with their exploration of the coastline.

It is the time of year for sunrise moments and the moon too has been getting in on the action. Not only wonderful moon spectacles at night, but during the early mornings as well.

The moon has been quite a sight, and despite plenty of cloudy skies there have been sunrises too…

Over the past couple of months, the grey seals have been putting on a show. A new-to-me moment of witnessing five grey seals on the rocky coastline at the same time here at Whaligoe Steps, made quite an impression. Here are some photographs to celebrate a welcome coastal visitor.

Sshh… Don’t tell anyone, but last year Halloween featured as a time to focus on a little history and also a time to dress up and be a bit silly. Halloween Special: Miller Brothers Mystery – Whaligoe Eye

This year, as Halloween yet again looms large, I’ll be doing something silly again. Plus, there are some interesting darker-themed events which have surfaced during the historical researching which I might be sharing. Time-permitting, and logistics to consider.

During a busy September this year, plenty of visitors were coming and going. On the odd occasions, I find myself chatting to some of them. Always a pleasure to exchange anecdotes and views about various and sundries. One particular fellow called David Albutt entered into conversation as he was visiting Whaligoe Steps with his drone.

Many thanks for the conversation and for giving permission of such a fabulous photograph from your drone. Whaligoe Steps from the viewpoint of a swooping seagull. David Albutt (@david_albutt) • Instagram photos and videos

Last year, I wanted to give something back to those of you who subscribed to receive a newsletter or two. It was such fun and a pleasure to organise, I’m doing it all over again this year. Thank you to all of you who have signed up. Just know that I barely send newsletters out at the moment, so you’re unlikely to be snowed under!

The giveaway simply has me putting my hand in a cup of scrunched up bits of paper, which contain the names of the individuals who are on the newsletter list, and at random the winner is selected.

Due to the exciting response from those of you who use Facebook, there is going to be a giveaway of a hat. (I only have the one keyring at the moment). Keep your eyes peeled regarding updates for that activity.

Autumn brings a lot more rain than usual, and this year it has created more flow to the waterfall. This photograph was taken by me only a few days ago on a frequent visit down Whaligoe Steps.

The resident cat who is a Star by name, and by nature, has been busy catching rodents around the Steps. She is doing very well for herself.

One last thing to mention for those of you who enjoy following my poetry pursuits, I am thrilled to share I have been published in a second poetry book.

The first book was a charity-driven book of poetry raising awareness about autism, raising money for a charity based in England called ‘Austism Angels UK’…

The second poetry book which includes three of my poems, has a focus firmly on the theme of love, and is a project assembled by the kind and creative mind of Stuart Matthews (Instant Eternal). An impressive list of Poets which belong to a community on Twitter, all contributed their words following prompts. ‘A Whisper of Your Love’ can be purchased from all good book retailers.

Thank you again for your time and kindness, it is much appreciated. Just by following on Twitter, Facebook, checking out this humble blogging website, looking at the photographs, liking comments, subscribing to the mailing list, mentioning the website or generally being so positive about WhaligoeEye.co.uk, you’re helping with keeping attention on the infrastructure here. This in turn, is going to make the environment safer and better in many ways for those who visit or live in the area.

Thank you.

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