Welcome to my challenge of venturing down and around Whaligoe Steps for each and every day for an entire year. As my adventures continue, I’m accumulating quite a few photographs and also documenting a lot of activity. Therefore, I felt it only appropriate to provide you with links from my previous blogs…
Here are some links to previous blog entries showcasing my visits from May 1st, 2023, up to and including Sunday, November 12th, 2023…
The first fourteen blogs covering my daily treks down and around Whaligoe Steps since May 1st, 2023 up to and including November 12th, 2023.
I hope you find it interesting, maybe beautiful and also stimulating. To focus attention on one specific location and watch it evolve and change over the seasons thus far, has proved most intriguing.
Nature continues to share changes and new revelations. I’m currently in the process of sorting two more blogs bringing us up to speed with the calendar as I have successfully maintained my daily treks to this very point in time.
Thank you, only always for dropping by and supporting my endeavours and for being You.
My daily treks down and around this engineering marvel, located along the coastline in Caithness continue. This blog entry shares with you another fortnight, dated from October 30th, 2023 up to November 12th, 2023…
The skies were notable at this time for being spectacular, adding a precious ambience to the experience of capturing nature here in this picturesque location.
Oct. 30th, 2023: Clouds were sauntering through rich blue skies, whilst the ‘forgotten’ flight of Whaligoe Steps juggled with rain and hints of grass.
Oct. 31st, 2023: Sunrise wrestled with more clouds during this Tuesday trek.
As I ascended the steps, I was greeted by my first sighting of the robin this autumn.
Nov. 1st, 2023: Ventured into the shallow cave on the pebble shoreline.
Since storm Babet, I’m still discovering the changes within the landscape around here. This includes how the rusty broken anchor has been moved and partly covered.
Nov. 2nd, 2023: It doesn’t happen every morning, but it’s a treat to witness both the sun in one direction and the moon in the other. The photos below show how prominent the moon was during this particular trek.
Nov. 3rd, 2023: Unsettled weather was captured as waves whipped up into gusty symphonies.
Nov. 4th, 2023: Star was attentive and delightful as she always is.
A clattering of jackdaws enjoy the sunshine which coats a roaming fence.
Nov. 5th, 2023: Two faces of the North Sea captured in one trek. Waves excitable reach for the skies, and then a little later there were tranquil waters.
Nov. 6th, 2023: A wild rabbit plays peek-a-boo.
I found that Whaligoe Steps has a heart of stone.
Nov. 7th, 2023: Landscape moments where perception is captured from a distance. Looking down on the Bink where the North Sea shares a clarity.
The waterfall here continues to flow with abundant energy.
Nov. 8th, 2023: Ambience of another cloudy autumnal day.
Nov. 9th, 2023: On this Thursday trek, I was fortunate to see two versions of a sunrise. A softer glow behind swaying flora was the first encounter.
Then a little later, a fire sandwiched between well defined clouds.
Nov. 10th, 2023: Standing beside the old Salt House down on the Bink gives a sense of history within this coastal environment.
During this trek, I pondered over the vastness of the enduring tides of the North Sea.
Nov. 11th, 2023: Temperatures fell during these treks down and around Whaligoe Steps, but still the sun watched from afar.
Pleasant ambience on this early Saturday afternoon.
Nov. 12th, 2023: Silhouettes.
Wrap up warm and know you’re appreciated. Thank you for your generosity of time and for your support, they mean a lot.
Since May 1st, 2023, I have been tackling a trek to Whaligoe Steps each and every day for six months thus far, on my personal challenge to witness and document the changing of the seasons and to understand better what it’s like living so close to an engineering feat set in a cliff on the coastline of Scotland.
My aim is to finally share with you, all three hundred and sixty five days of natural wonders and beauty which can be found in this rustic location.
This blog entry covers Monday, October 16th up to Sunday, October 29th, 2023…
Everything from a weather system called ‘Storm Babet’ to some beautiful sunrises and dramatic skies took place during this fortnight, as I went down and around Whaligoe Steps in Caithness. Not far from here is the most northerly tip of the U.K. mainland, and with the coldest sea on the planet as your neighbour, you can count on some interesting and breath-taking views from day to day.
Oct. 16th, 2023: Sightings of both the grey seal inspecting the coastline, and rabbits on top of Whaligoe Steps sunbathing in the glow of another sunrise greeted me this Monday I ventured outdoors…
Oct. 17th, 2023: I was up promptly to catch what I felt would be a wonderful sunrise, and was not alone. Visitors tackling their own journey also captured the sunrise on this particular Tuesday morning.
Oct. 18th, 2023: What a difference a day makes. After sharing a peaceful morning with strangers and discussing all manner of fascinating topics to a backdrop of a stunning sunrise, the following morning as you can see below, cast a cold and grey shadow over the North Sea and Whaligoe Steps.
Beatrice, the off-shore wind farm would have trembled if it too knew what was to come over the next few days…
Photographs of the shallow cave, and the unrest wielded by the tides of the North Sea.
Oct. 19th, 2023: Storm Babet, a weather system which showcased true ferocity in strong winds and remarkable waves.
An actual photograph taken of a North Sea wave climbing up a cliff which is around two hundred and fifty feet tall!!
In the aftermath of these few days of Storm Babet, the landscape has been physically changed in a few locations. The base of the Salt House has a little difference, as does the base of the landfall tucked away in the corner; plus on the pebble shores – bare rock can be seen which was once covered in shingle and small stones.
Oct. 20th, 2023: Storm Babet continued into the following day…
Trying to stand still in ferocious winds to take accurate and precise photographs is something I haven’t experienced to this degree before. Below you can see the top of the waterfall, but winds blew the water upwards into the air.
Dramatic liquid monsters carved shapes in the waves as the roar of wild energy filled the skies. It quite literally took my breath away and will be an experience I won’t forget for a long, long time.
I must reiterate that my thoughts for those who lost their lives during this devastating storm are in my mind. The impact of this weather system on some has been something I cannot fully imagine. Sincere condolences to those who have been severely effected.
Oct. 21st, 2023: Marked by some as ‘day 3’ of Storm Babet, the North Sea continued to growl and toss ‘n’ turn…
Oct. 22nd, 2023: What a relief to feel some sunshine as a battered sunrise found ways to ease fingers between clouds, and to tease open those dark grey skies and share some blue and gold…
Oct. 23rd, 2023: A beautiful and calm trek in which a proper assessment of landscape-related damage could be deciphered. Below you have a photograph of a relieved pebble shoreline.
Also, a tranquil sunrise bathes a background for some curly silhouettes to gently sway in the coastal breeze.
Oct. 24th, 2023: Striking colours shimmered on the surface of the sea. The waterfall was generous as it gifted the North Sea plenty of abundant rain water.
Oct. 25th, 2023: Gloomy yet exhilarating with prominent winds. The waterfall continued to flow but created new shapes due to the presence of the gusts.
Oct. 26th, 2023: Hypnotic beam of sunshine caught my eye during this particular Thursday trek down and around Whaligoe Steps. Getting a bird’s eye view of the off-shore wind farm known as Beatrice.
In the evening I noted the moon, so below you get to see it too.
Oct. 27th, 2023: Such fun was had when nature conspired with a hint of frivolity. Foam parties thanks to the build up of rough seas for several days.
Foam globules littered the lower two flights of Whaligoe Steps and standing beside the boat winch meant being a potential recipient to floating foamy companions! The name ‘foam-nado‘ was circulated on this day…
Oct. 28th, 2023: The autumn can be an unpredictable season, but one thing you can rely on is some rain and a drop in temperature. Silhouettes and wet ground were abundant companions.
Oct. 29th, 2023: Foam parties were the theme to unfold during this Sunday trek. To be honest, I hadn’t witnessed this much foam accumulating on the pebble shore like this on prior visits.
Waves were rife as my friend balanced on a rock only to be greeted by a foamy compliment.
As always, I look forward to sharing the next fortnight all going well.
This first six months have been amazing, full of new-to-me sightings and experiences. If things work out, I look forward to sharing the next six months with you and sharing a whole year of life down and around Whaligoe Steps with you.
Daylight is becoming shy as the season of autumn falls on this coastal location at Whaligoe Steps, in Caithness, Scotland. Sightings of the moon in conjunction with some more beautiful sunrises give nature a presence so precious.
Links to the previous episodes which document my attempt to go down or around, or both, regarding the six zig-zagging flights of rustic stone steps known as Whaligoe Steps, which wind their way down a two hundred and fifty foot cliff face can be clicked on below…
I began these adventures walking down the Whaligoe Steps each and every day from May 1st, 2023… By the end of this month of October I will have succeeded in tackling a trek around this rustic coastal location for a whole six months. Encounters with deer, rabbits, curlew, various seabirds, a stoat, a grey seal and being gifted the many witness accounts of varying sunrises have all shown me the wonders of what the natural world has to offer, alongside the coldest sea in the world.
This blog entry is sharing some highlights collated from October 2nd, 2023 up to and including Sunday, October 15th, 2023…
Oct. 2nd, 2023: In one direction was a stunning sunrise over the North Sea… I turned around and noticed behind the flora, a faint but present moon fading into the daylight…
Oct. 3rd, 2023: A rabbit plays peek-a-boo whilst a dazzling sunrise takes place on the horizon, melting clouds and shimmering at the beginning of daybreak.
Oct. 4th, 2023: Despite the temperatures dropping, the wind picking up and the general lack of daylight, the local flora still puts on a show during the overcast conditions of the day.
Oct. 5th, 2023: Off-shore wind farm called Beatrice is just over eight miles from the coastline, and the shadows of the wind turbines loom in the foreground of another scorching sun.
On this particular trek, I caught a glimpse of Star as she went hunting in the verge…
Oct. 6th, 2023: Shades in a sunrise differ depending on the skies. Not that it would cross the mind of a grey seal, which was spotted at Whaligoe Steps perusing the local waters…
Oct. 7th, 2023: Early on a Saturday afternoon, I was fortunate enough to not only witness a rock pipit hopping from stone to stone, but also one of the wild rabbits which inhabit a vibrant community here at the ‘Steps.
Oct. 8th, 2023: Looking magnificent after Charlie’s stonemasonry, the second flight of the six which make their way down the cliff face.
Despite the drizzle during this trek, I was pleased to witness the grey seal swimming around in some restless tides.
Oct. 9th, 2023: Waves became excitable when analysed closely, yet from a distance they rapidly diminished when seen within the context of a radiant sunrise.
Oct. 10th, 2023: Jagged rock and the Whaligoe Steps provide the shapes for what nature likes to work with. Below is a point beside the Bink where a hole exists filled with rubble.
An angle taken of the ‘forgotten flight’ (fifth flight of Whaligoe Steps) as it curls towards the Bink.
Oct. 11th, 2023: There’s gold in them skies I tell you!
During a Wednesday trek I was astounded by the beautiful sunrise. A wonderful opportunity to capture a silhouette too.
Oct. 12th, 2023: Talking of silhouettes…
These past few days, the waterfall has been rife as the water from the higher ground has been adding to the generosity of flow.
Oct. 13th, 2023: The wild rabbits love the sunshine.
A photograph showcasing the work Charlie Juhlenski did on the third flight of Whaligoe Steps.
Oct. 14th, 2023: A grim day as the weather continues to bite. The lack of seabirds has made an eerie presence to the skies and the ledges of the cliffs, so it was a delight to see this great black-backed gull enjoying the ripe breeze of the North Sea.
Oct. 15th, 2023: During my Sunday afternoon trek down and around Whaligoe Steps, not only was the weather cold and almost uninviting, but Star provided some light relief by being cute.
Jackdaws ponder over which direction to travel via the John O’Groats trail…
So until the next blog entry, I must say with hearty gratitude a sincere THANK YOU for your support reading and looking at these blogs, and for taking some time to check out my postings on social media.
This whole experiment with investing time and money in ‘Whaligoe Eye’ has been a truly profound experience, and with the Highland Council working in the background on how they’re going to utilise their £90,000 budget to create a better infrastructure here at Whaligoe Steps, there is some real room for optimism regarding a safer and more appropriate car park for residents and visitors alike in the future.
I hope you take care, stay safe and have a positive fortnight until my next blog entry.
As September lumbers into October, this fortnight of my daily trek challenge (walking down and around the Whaligoe Steps each and every day from May 1st, 2023 onwards) finds the North Sea restless and proposing shapes in the waves like artistic expression, and dandelions with a wild rose breaking up the greenery. Rabbits continue to hop and graze to vibrant and varied sunrises which provide exuberant brushstrokes to an open sky.
Starting from September 18th right up to and including the 1st day of October, 2023, this is your next insight to a fortnight visiting the Whaligoe Steps…
Sept. 18th, 2023: The third flight of ‘Steps burdened by rain water. During this Monday trek, the boat winch looked suitably rustic.
Sept. 19th, 2023: Sunshine brings out more activity from the wildlife here on the coastline.
Standing on the periphery of the North Sea presents some beautiful views where the eye can view for several miles.
Sept. 20th, 2023: Star enjoying a contented nap beneath a generous sunlight, whilst shadows lurk within the jagged stones which make up the fourth flight of Whaligoe Steps.
Sept. 21st, 2023: From the edge of the Bink (grassy platform at the base of the ‘Steps), there is a stunning view which on occasion showcases the off-shore wind farm called Beatrice. The Bink is where you’ll find the remains of the old salt house too.
Sept. 22nd, 2023: Despite the impact of Avian flu earlier this year, an odd gull can still be witnessed around this region. The wild rose which can be seen growing in the verges alongside the ‘Steps provides some invaluable floral beauty.
Sept. 23rd, 2023: With an increase in rainfall, the waterfall itself becomes more alive with it’s liquid signature finding a way down the two hundred and fifty foot drop.
Before heading home, I noticed a bumblebee clambering over a vibrant dandelion.
Sept. 24th, 2023: Wild rose gazing at people as they descend the Whaligoe Steps.
As I tackled the terrain around the ‘Steps, I realised I’d never taken a simple overview photograph of the Whaligoe Steps zig-zagging down the cliff with coverage of the prolific waterfall included.
Sept. 25th, 2023: Difference between day and night…
Sept. 26th, 2023: After discovering that the North Sea is the coldest sea on the planet, I began digging further to figure out what the difference between an ocean and a sea is. This website provided answers in the form of geographical meanings – What’s the difference between an ocean and a sea? (noaa.gov)
Below are photos of the North Sea during a Tuesday trek where winds were present and waves were hinting at restless expression.
Sept. 27th, 2023: During the early morning visits down and around Whaligoe Steps, for a few days I observed some fishing boat activity.
Another beautiful sunrise was witnessed on this day.
Sept. 28th, 2023: Clouds react to the light given off by the early morning sun, and below I occasionally capture through the humble lens some striking definitions and colours.
A reminder of the restless waves which throw remarkable shapes when impacting the coastal rock.
Sept. 29th, 2023: Silhouettes dot the skyline as you descend the Whaligoe Steps, where flora grace the foreground the skies behind provide varying shades of light.
The moon almost hid behind drifting wisps of cloud during this particular trek.
Sept. 30th, 2023: Below, another dandelion becomes host for a flying traveller, as another part of this area some wild rabbits congregate amongst lush grassland.
Oct. 1st, 2023: Just for fun, how many rabbits can you spot in the photo below?
Thank you for your continued support of time and kindness during these challenges documenting the changing of season and the constantly interesting natural developments taking place here at Whaligoe Steps. If I can reach the end of October with the momentum I have currently, then you and I will have photographed and witnessed highlights for each and every day for half a year!
That’s one hundred and eighty two and a half days of exploring and sight-seeing!
Sending you positive wishes, take care and stay safe.
Thank you again for being You.
All going well, the next blog will be showcasing October 2nd, 2023 up to and including October 15th, 2023…
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.
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.
Grey seal…
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.
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.
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.
Oct. 19th, 2022
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.
Star, being pleased with herself…
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’…
Autism inspired poetry book
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.
