Category: 2024

Thank you for dropping by this freezing cold, blog entry. If you’re looking for some winter-themed images then you’ve come to the right place. Perhaps you’re simply curious about the coastal location where Whaligoe Steps is situated and wish to see photography showcasing snow covering? Then once again, you’re in the right place.

The fortnight documented below from Monday, January 8th up to and including Sunday, January 21st, 2024, was remarkable for the snowfall and prominent wintery weather. I was caught in a blizzard which was both alarming and comical simultaneously. Just wait until you see a selfie I struggled to capture once I returned to the top after a serene and frozen descent.

Anyways, you don’t want to see my icicles, you want to know how my daily trek challenge is going…

Link to my last episode about this daily trek challenge – New Year for my Daily Trek Challenge! – Whaligoe Eye

Other useful links relating to my daily trek challenge: Recap for Whaligoe Steps 365… (Parts 1 to 14) – Whaligoe Eye

Daily Trek Challenge (Part 15) – Whaligoe Eye

Daily Trek Challenge: Part 16 (Nov. 27th – Dec. 10th, 2023) – Whaligoe Eye

Daily Trek Challenge during December, 2023 – Whaligoe Eye

Now that you’ve caught up, let’s get to this blog entry and what I had the luxury of documenting.

Jan. 8th, 2024: If you were a seagull or fulmar flying over this part of the coastline, I wonder if you’d see this sort of view?

The Bink with a section of the zig-zagging lower flights of Whaligoe Steps, and the Salt House.

Jan. 9th, 2024: After the recent couple of years where bird flu has ravaged the seabird populations, it’s a joy to confirm that there are building numbers of feathered friends returning to rocky ledges once more.

Jan. 10th, 2024: You know by now that I like a silhouette, and I hope this doesn’t disappoint.

Jan. 11th, 2024: Some gravel litters these steps after being dragged by rainfall and stormy conditions above. This is a photograph of the fifth flight of Whaligoe Steps.

Jan. 12th, 2024: This image tickles me due to the posture adopted by the gull in the top left hand corner.

Jan. 13th, 2024: In the early hours I found this image to be atmospheric. Tranquillity in a moment of cold, yet calming ambience.

Jan. 14th, 2024: The trek was evident for really freezing temperatures, and knowing how subtle changes to the landscape had taken place over the past two months, it wasn’t a surprise to find the broken anchor had moved.

Jan. 14th – Afternoon… Later in the day, I ventured down and around Whaligoe Steps for a second visit. A light covering of snow as temperatures held firmly hinting that perhaps more was to come…

Jan. 15th, 2024: Plenty of snow fell and gripped the landscape. The photo below is of the first flight of Whaligoe Steps in the early hours.

Jan. 16th, 2024: Icicles aplenty… The freeze continues.

There is a blog entry sharing images of this day which you can view by clicking on this link – Beautiful January Days of White Satin – Whaligoe Eye

Jan. 17th, 2024: The view along the coastline as it travels northwards from Whaligoe Steps.

Jan. 18th, 2024: A personal fave, I ended up using this photograph in conjunction with a daily poem too…

Solace swoons where mingling matters whisper winter words (#Only8Words)

Jan. 19th, 2024: An ominous ascent from the bottom of the first flight heading back to my home.

Jan. 20th, 2024: By the time I ventured out for my daily trek on this Saturday, the snow was melting considerably and I took an opportune moment to craft a ‘snow heart’ on some grass, located on the Bink.

Jan. 21st, 2024: As the thaw continued, some feathered friends took to the sky in celebration.

I hope you enjoyed this blog, and with just over three months left until I finish my daily trek challenge where I go down and around Whaligoe Steps each and every day for a whole year, look out for further entries as I continue my adventures.

All going well, the next blog will be documenting the fortnight from Monday, January 22nd up to and including Sunday, February 4th, 2024.

Thank you for your generosity of time and kindness, stay safe and take care.

FACEBOOK: Whaligoe Eye | Lybster | Facebook

TWITTER (X): Whaligoe Eye (@WhaligoeEye) / X (twitter.com)

TWITTER (X) – GARY: Gary (busy ✌🙄) (@floodland08) / X (twitter.com)

EMAIL: WhaligoeEyeToo@gmail.com

Thank you for dropping by this humble blogging website, which goes around and down Whaligoe Steps documenting life and exploring all manner of curiosities relating to this coastal location in the northerly area of the Scottish Highlands.

This blog is Part 18 of an ongoing series showcasing my attempts to trek down and around here each and every day for a whole year. To explore and document the changing seasons, to feel and experience what it must have been like for the families which carried fish up those steps, and for the fishermen who would have been active in this wee coastal indent; this remarkable, small, historical harbour.

You’re about to witness a fortnight from Monday, December 25th (Christmas Day) up to and including Sunday, January 7th. So prepare for some mighty peculiar time travel as we leave 2023 behind and enter 2024…

Dec. 25th, 2023: To make this Christmas Day expedition down and around Whaligoe Steps special, I carried a wee Christmas tree with me. Placing it in various locations around this area, I then proceeded to take some photographs. Gave it a festive flavour hopefully.

Dec. 26th, 2023: What a Boxing Day trek I experienced. A slightly restrained, but nevertheless beautiful sunrise.

Dec. 27th, 2023: Below is a blue glow as I tackled an early moment of restless weather around the third flight of Whaligoe Steps.

Dec. 28th, 2023: This time, the photo below is nearer to the mighty North Sea. Certainly a time of year for windy coastal weather, and therefore some active waves and tides.

Dec. 29th, 2023: Looking up the third flight of Whaligoe Steps during the early hours.

Dec. 30th, 2023: Often overlooked, this fifth flight of Whaligoe Steps is quite short in comparison to the rest.

At the time of this blog entry, I am aware of the gravel and scattered debris which currently litters these steps, but here before the recent storms hit the area you’ll notice how they look when they’re not covered.

Dec. 31st, 2023: Standing on the nearest of the wee pebble shores looking out across the North Sea on New Year’s Eve…

January 1st, 2024: The moon during my Monday trek, and what a sight for the first day of a brand new year.

Jan. 2nd, 2024: Gusts of impressive presence often took my breath away, but thankfully gave it back to me as well. North Sea roars once more as waves are in abundance.

Jan. 3rd, 2024: Waves crashing and clattering against rocky landscapes weren’t exclusive to a single day, they relented…

Jan. 4th, 2024: I have accumulated an impressive collection of sky-themed photographs during this daily trek challenge and prior, with the below capture showcasing the variation in cloud.

Jan. 5th, 2024: It’s one thing to experience many days of gusts, yet the rainfall around this time of year can also be plentiful. The photo below is of the landfall tucked away in a corner and off to the side of the Bink. As you can see, the rain is washing down crevice and groove.

Jan. 6th, 2024: This is a personal fave, I was standing on top of a cliff which is about two hundred and fifty feet in the air when I saw this delicate rainbow. It frames the coastline which wriggles northwards and is slightly highlighted by soft sunshine.

Jan. 7th, 2024: We reach the end of the first week of the new year, and this particular Sunday presented a rabbit or two. I’ve observed them over these past nine months.

There are about three fluffles or colonies of wild rabbit living at the top of Whaligoe Steps and I notice that when the sun shines, they’re more likely to hang around and catch some rays. If it’s cloudy or generally unpleasant, they aren’t so keen to pose for photographs.

Hopefully you’ll have a positive 2024, and I always like to share my gratitude with you, so please accept my humble thanks for all you are. Your time and kindness when I meet you in person or via social media is always welcome.

The next blog entry will continue regarding my adventures during these daily treks down and around Whaligoe Steps. This time covering the fortnight from Monday, January 8th up to and including Sunday, January 21st, 2024…

Take care, stay safe and know I’m sending you positive wishes only always.

FACEBOOK: Whaligoe Eye | Lybster | Facebook

TWITTER (X): Whaligoe Eye (@WhaligoeEye) / X (twitter.com)

TWITTER (X) – GARY: Gary (busy ✌🙄) (@floodland08) / X (twitter.com)

EMAIL: WhaligoeEyeToo@gmail.com

I’ve just returned from a daily trek this morning, amazed at the beauty here at Whaligoe Steps and how these winter vibes bring out new delights.

A recent question came my way regarding how I was progressing with the ‘Whaligoe Steps 365’ daily trek challenge, where since May 1st, 2023 I have been visiting and documenting each and every day since.

The answer is that I’m thrilled to say I am still on course to achieve this awesome feat. Despite the aspects which life throws at us, I remain on course to achieve the objective of going down and around Whaligoe Steps each and every day for an entire year.

More blogs regarding this will be forthcoming.

Thank you to one and all who have made enquiries and been supporting this whole challenge, and for the kindness I have been experiencing on Twitter (X), Facebook and in person. It really means a lot.

The above photograph was taken moments ago as I negotiated precarious and remarkable snow under foot. It brings me joy to share this image and the following ones…

I saw the waterfall, landfall, rabbits and landscape in a new light today. It was also a pleasure to witness those icicles again this year.

Here are some more winter themed images I caught during the trek this very morning…

Somehow, the rabbits this morning were not bothered by my presence and went about hopping in the snow.

Thank you again, for your company during my daily treks, and for reading and looking at the documentation via social media and on this humble website. I’ll be gradually catching up as my photos continue to be taken, and my thoughts continue to assemble, as I reflect on so many things.

The waterfall…

It also brings me pleasure to share that another of my poems has made an appearance amongst some wonderful talent in a book titled ‘We Are The Waves’

If you enjoy poetry and art in the shape of the written word, this recent publication could be just what you need as you wrap up warm and cosy in these winter days.

I’ll leave you with a photo of my ornamental cat which ponders life in my garden.

Take care and stay safe. You’re awesome, don’t forget.

EMAIL: WhaligoeEyeToo@gmail.com

FACEBOOK: Whaligoe Eye | Lybster | Facebook

TWITTER (X): Whaligoe Eye (@WhaligoeEye) / X (twitter.com)

TWITTER (X) – GARY: Gary (✌🙄 busy) (@floodland08) / X (twitter.com)