The old Crofts of the Dava Moor
The abandoned crofts of the Dav moor in Moray - Scotland
Nestled in the heart of Moray, Scotland a few miles south of where I spent my teens growing up, lies a vast expanse of untamed wilderness that captures the essence of both beauty and harshness called the Dava Moor.
As winter fast approaches and blankets the moor in a serene white, my recent journey through this autumnal landscape unveiled a story of resilience etched in the remnants of old derelict crofts, standing as silent witnesses to the unforgiving winters and the barren landscape that defines this region.
The old crofts scattered across Dava Moor tell tales of a bygone era when families braved the elements to carve out a living from the land.
Now derelict and weather-beaten, these stone structures stand as poignant reminders of the challenges faced by those who once called this harsh environment home. The stark contrast between the ruins and the surrounding landscape evokes a sense of nostalgia, prompting reflection on the lives lived in the face of adversity.
For years, en route to visit family up north, I’d traverse the winding Dava Moor road, yearning to stop. Memories of hiking, camping, and swimming in the Loch flooded in. While I marvelled at its beauty, my wife saw bleakness. As we drove, we navigated sheep-filled roads, each of us perceiving a different landscape.
Dava Moor is no stranger to the harsh Scottish weather, where biting winds and relentless snowfall create an environment that challenges both man and nature, some of what I have experienced while hiking in the area in my teens and having to take refuge in the local bothy. Memories of skeletal remains of the crofts, half-buried under a thick layer of snow, serve as visual markers of the struggle for survival in the unforgiving cold. The colder months transform the moor into a serene yet challenging tableau, where only the hardiest flora and fauna endure.
On this visit, as I ventured deeper into the moor, the barren beauty of the landscape unfolded before me. The vast, open expanses, punctuated by rolling hills and a sparse scattering of golden autumnal vegetation, create a minimalist yet captivating scene.
The vibrant colours of Autumn – the bright reds, oranges, and yellows mixed with the deep greys of the sky, and the occasional burst of green from hardy shrubs – paint a picture of solitude and resilience. Shooting with my camera I opted for a slowed-down approach and a thoughtful route around the site to photograph it from various angles to try and show what the surrounding area was like for the Fraser family who lived here until the 1950s. I worked hard to capture the subtle interplay of light and shadow on the moor, emphasizing the stark beauty of the Dava Moor in autumn. Hopefully, the images tell a story of endurance, where the remnants of human habitation and the raw, untamed landscape coexist in a delicate balance. Each photograph serves as a visual narrative, inviting viewers to contemplate the silent tales whispered by the wind across the moor.
Dava Moor, with its old derelict crofts and harsh seasons, offers a captivating glimpse into the soul of Scotland’s wilderness. It’s a place where the beauty lies not only in the picturesque landscapes but also in the resilience of those who once called it home. As we navigate the remnants of the past and witness the moor’s transformation under the winter’s embrace, we come to appreciate the timeless allure of this barren yet breathtaking terrain.
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Tips to help shoot the Northern Lights
Tips to help photograph and predict the Northern Lights in the UK
I’d like to offer some guidance for shooting the phenomenon which is the Aurora Borealis.
The appearance of the Aurora is unpredictable, reliant on the natural course of Mother Nature and favorable weather conditions such as limited cloud cover. There is no set time it will show up, you just have to let nature do its thing and watch out for alerts or read the correct charts etc if you know how too.
Great apps include the Glendale app which is my favoured as it is so simple to use and does not require a lot of phone signal to operate, something that can be limited out on location.
To increase your chances of witnessing this phenomenon, move away from city lights and other bright light sources to minimize light pollution between you and the North Pole region. This will enhance your chance of experiencing the best light display on earth.
If you’re heading to a location mentioned by the press or on forums, please be considerate to fellow observers who may have traveled considerable distances, I personally know of people who travel 6-7 hours to shoot the night sky, and yes it is everybody’s space, but the less you flash your torches, the more you will see. Avoid sitting there with full-beam headlights and brake lights, as this can disrupt the experience for others. Being thoughtful in these situations often results in a more collaborative atmosphere, with experienced photographers willing to offer assistance and tips. When using a torch, opt for one with a red light to preserve your night vision and that of others, while keeping its use to a minimum. For phone cameras, turn down the screen brightness and stabilize your device on a wall, fencepost, hat, or just something stable. Then enable night mode or long exposure mode, and utilize a 2 or 10-second timer for sharper photos. A tripod is an even better option too as this helps a lot. Try the PRO mode if it has one, set iso to about iso 800, and then try a 10-15 sec exposure using the 2 or 10 sec timer and see what happens.
For those with cameras, ensure your camera doesn’t heat up during the journey, dim the screen brightness, and employ a 2-second timer or shutter remote. Set the aperture to its widest (e.g., f2.8, 3.5, or 4), adjust the white balance to around 3500k, set the exposure to approximately 20 seconds, and experiment with ISO settings between 400-2000 until achieving optimal photo quality. Using a tripod is crucial for stability.
Best of luck and stay safe out there!
The Perfect Photography Wellies
In the world of landscape and seascape photography, we often talk about what the best gear is and something that is often forgotten about is what we have on our feet.
Having the right gear for any part of photography can make all the difference. Whether you’re trudging along muddy footpaths on the Moors, exploring rocky shores in North Devon, standing at the base of a waterfall in the North West of Scotland or standing for hours in frozen or flooded fields on the Norfolk Broads, having a reliable pair of decent wellies is essential. In this blog, I introduce you to a pair of wellies that I have stood in all of those mentioned places that are not only comfortable and warm but also built to withstand the rigours of outdoor photography over time, allowing you to focus on capturing breathtaking shots without compromising your comfort. They have withstood my neglect and never been cleaned, such as constantly scrambling over rocks and getting soaked on the insides from going too far in the sea, yet they still perform like the day I got them. In my opinion, there is nothing like a review that is actually field-tested over time and this is exactly that, one pair of wellies with one careless owner that is still using the same bit of gear many years later
Say hello to the “ROCKFISH - Walkabout”
These exceptional wellies have been meticulously designed with the needs of those who hike a lot in mind. The company ROCKFISH make a fair few different types of wellies shaped for both men and woman with an emphasis on them being from an equestrian background but with additional research going into ensuring these boots are a dream to be wearing around the farm and also for walking in, all being scenarios where you are wearing your boots over prolonged periods of time if not all day.
The Walkabouts are the series I opted for and these have an outsole which is designed with hiking technology and a supported arch for comfortable all-day wear, delivering an anti-fatigue wellie for long walks. They combine comfort, warmth, durability, and practicality to ensure that your photography trip remains enjoyable and productive even during the most challenging conditions and I can 100% vouch for this, I purchased mine long before Covid, around early around 2018 and I can say this is one of those investments I am so glad I made, yes a pair of wellies costing over £100 seems like a lot, but considering my love for seascape shooting destroyed 2 pairs of decent walking boots in 1 year and these are still going as strong as the day I purchased them, they have more than paid for themselves by now.
Comfort for Extended Sessions:
One of the standout features of these Wellies is their unparalleled comfort, making them an excellent choice for photographers who often find themselves on their feet for hours on end. The wellies feature cushioned insoles that support and reduce fatigue. The contoured design ensures a snug fit, preventing discomfort and blisters that can arise from ill-fitting footwear. As an unfortunate sufferer of plantar fasciitis after running a half marathon in 2022, I find these wellies to fully support me while I am out on my camera trips, so my mind is on my image-making, not on me worrying if I will be able to walk back to the van. I have lost count of the number of times I have worn these boots now for 5-hour stints on the UK coastline during workshops and never once have I been itching to kick off the wellies and get something more comfy on my feet, it just feels like you are wearing the best fitting boots going.
Warmth That Keeps You Shooting:
When you’re out in the field during colder seasons, maintaining warmth is essential for your well-being and the quality of your work. The Walkabout Wellies come equipped with a 5mm neoprene layer insulating material that effectively traps heat, keeping your feet warm and cosy even in cold conditions, boasting protection down to -25°c, now I am yet to test that low a temperature in the UK, but I can vouch for -9°c while stood on the Norfolk broads whilst only wearing a pair of thin black Tesco nylon socks and these boots and my feet were nice and toasty warm. This means you can confidently brave the cold without worrying about frosty toes hindering you from bagging that dream shot. But the clever tech does not stop there, as they also have a 2mm wicking air mesh lining, which is added for moisture management and breathability in warmer weather, I have found this means I can wear these boots with socks in the UK temperature ranging the mid 20°c range without feeling like my feet are cooking. Anything warmer than that and I am choosing my location wisely so I know it’s okay to be in the water barefooted or at the most wearing flip-flops and wading in the water and enjoying a lovely cooldown with my dog, so wellies are not really needed then.
Built to Last:
Landscape and seascape photography often involves traversing rugged terrain, rocky shores, and muddy landscapes. The Wellies are built to withstand the harshest environments. Crafted from high-quality, hard-wearing materials, these wellies are resistant to abrasions and tears and waterproof right to the top of the boot, ensuring your feet stay dry and comfortable in damp conditions. The sturdy soles provide excellent traction, giving you the stability needed to navigate uneven surfaces safely even in the thickest and stickiest of muddy environments like Morston Quay where I am often wandering about with my camera and I know on many occasions this really nice thick grip has saved me from ending up facedown in the mud on numerous occasions.
Practical Features for Photographers:
Beyond their comfort and durability, the Wellies include thoughtful features tailored specifically for photographers. The adjustable calf straps allow you to achieve a secure fit that prevents slipping, while the easy-to-clean design ensures that your wellies will be ready for your next adventure in no time. Additionally, the neutral colour options ensure that your wellies won’t distract from your photography or clash with your outfit as we all know we want to look our best when our photo mates are taking pictures of us in action 🤣
Conclusion: I never shout about or recommend anything unless I believe in the product myself and after investing my own money in it. So if I had to replace these boots due to losing them or whatnot, I would do it with these exact same boots again at the drop of a hat and with no questions asked at all apart from how quickly can they be delivered to me. At the end of the day, investing in a pair of comfortable, warm, and hard-wearing wellies is a game-changer for landscape and seascape photographers.
Having the right gear is essential if you want to be out in all weathers and stay safe and focused on the job at hand in various environments, wet feet are never fun and really can turn a few day’s photo trip into a less fun experience, hence why I am always happy to squeeze these into any space available for trips away including flights with limited suitcase space. In regards to the sizing of the wellies I would 100% go 1 size up, so for a UK size 10 I would go for a UK size 11 to allow for wearing of walking socks.
The ROCKFISH - Walkabout Wellies really have excelled in every situation and environment I have placed them in, from the Heights of the rugged Scottish Northernmost coastlines to the miles of sandy golden windswept beaches of Norfolk right the way through to the disused slate quarries of Wales providing me with a reliable and supportive footing for thousands of miles and with thousands more of life still in them.
To check out what the wellies look like now and after absolute zero care towards them check out the images below 👇👇 👇 👇 👇 👇
Bawburgh R4 ROTOR Bunker / RGHQ
There is always a site that you pop back to over the years, you know..... That site that is around the corner from your house that you visit 3-23 times a year to see if it is open... BUT IT IS NOT. In fact, as the years pass it starts to get less and less likely as they have then placed thick plate steel over every entrance, so the chance of turning up after some vandals have smashed a way in is just not going to happen.
So what a shock it would be that when I am out shooting for my last Blog post the night Bunkers that I get a phone call from one of my regular exploring buddy's saying the site is wide open and it is a case of come on in through the open door. So what a surprise when the same night we are then walking around inside the site enjoying it and photographing it.
What then really shocked me was the fact that four weeks after our visit I then get shown images of the access somebody else has done who did not want to wait for several years to get lucky and get in and have actually smashed their way in.... Not cool in the slightest.
What is it
R4 three-level Sector Operations Centre bunker built as part of the ROTOR programme. A fourth floor was later added and the bunker became SRHQ4.1 and later RGHQ4.1
The site was closed and stripped out in 1992. Now owned by Highpoint Communications, who use it as a radio site. They do not use the bunker, and visits are discouraged.
Find out a little more info here if you wish
