Cairn Eilrig, Gleann Eanaich, Cairngorms National Park, Scotland

It is amazing where one's mind goes and how thoughts can overtake material reality. There are numerous reasons why I should not have sought to reach Loch Eanaich two days after the passage of Storm Gerrit. The limitations of hours of daylight should have tamed things in any case, yet it was the inability to cross watercourses in spate that brought sense into those moments.

Months later, I would reach the intended location, taking a long day hike in the process. After, it is nearly as fat south as Kingussie. Now, what was I thinking in the depths of a Scottish winter after overcoming obstructed and disrupted travel arrangements the day before?

On the way back out of Gleann Eanaich, I encountered the scene you find above. Though I was here months later and better weather, I still opted for the winter shot. The quality of the light was a predominant reason for doing so. Add in a dusting of snow and the flow of Am Beanaidh, and there are extra causes for being enchanted by this photo.