I’m rather fond of Scotland. I don’t go there nearly as much as I ought to, mainly because it’s such a hike, but every time I’ve been I’ve discovered something new. Whether it’s the tranquility of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs, the stark beauty of Glencoe or the nordic history and diverse bird life of Shetland, it’s got pretty much everything.

One area I had yet to visit until recently was the Outer Hebrides. The closest I had been until now was Skye, from where you can look out to Lewis and Harris and only wonder what it’s like on that remotest of parts of the British Isles. But thanks to the Guild of Photographers, who organised a tour there in September, I needed wonder no more.

We spent a week, including two days driving up and two driving back home, in a hotel on Harris, the hilly, southern part of Lewis and Harris (which, despite its name, is actually a single island), and saw amazing sunsets, colourful beaches which wouldn’t look out of place in the Caribbean, and the aurora borealis. Here are my favourite photos from the trip, for your enjoyment.

Dam at Loch Glascarnoch – the last concrete structure for days

Scots pine trees in the highlands

Scots pine trees in the highlands

Ullapool – my port of departure for Stornoway on Lewis

Grass at Scarista

Marram Grass at Luskentyre

Marram Grass at Luskentyre

Marram Grass at Scarista Beach

Scarista Beach

Scarista Beach

Luskentyre bay

Luskentyre bay bay

Luskentyre bay

Luskentyre bay

Luskentyre bay

Water textures at Luskentyre bay

Water textures at Luskentyre bay

Water textures at sunset over the Minch

Sand textures at Luskentyre bay

Sand textures at Luskentyre bay

Sand textures at Luskentyre bay

Hushinish beach

Hushinish beach

Rough sea at Seilebost

Rough sea at Seilebost

Rough sea at Seilebost

Rough sea at Seilebost

Waterfall at Amhuinnsidhe

Waterfall at Amhuinnsidhe

Peat-coloured water on Harris

Peat-coloured water on Harris

Waterfall near Leverburgh, Harris

St Clement’s Church, Rodel, Harris

Callanish standing stones, Lewis

Callanish standing stones, Lewis

Callanish standing stones, Lewis

Highland cow portrait

Low sun on the mountains near Loch Duich, Highland

Later afternoon light on Lewis

From the ferry between Ullapool and Stornoway

From the ferry between Ullapool and Stornoway

Loch Lochy

Sunset over Glencoe village

Skye seen from Harris

Sunset over Buachaille Etive Mòr

Evening sunlight on the mountians at Glencoe

Sunset near Glencoe

Sunset over Lewis and Harris

Sunset at Seilebost

Sunset at Seilebost

Sunset at Seilebost

Aurora over Scaristavore