New Escape Images website launched

Just in-case you hadn't already noticed, the Escape Images website has been completely revamped. I finally feel as though I have a website that works for me! All you have to worry about is that the new look site also has some very user friendly features for browsing, searching and purchasing images. All of the images in the Escape Images collection are now searchable, with keywords and extended captions. You can also make use of our Lightbox facility and instant purchasing and downloads.

A lot of time, effort and not to mention - money has gone into the new site so it would be great to hear what you think of it. The number of images in the archive is set to grow dramatically this year with some exciting travels planned. More about this very shortly.

Trip to Skye

Last week I managed to get away for a bit of a holiday and where better to go than the Isle of Skye. I wasn't expecting too much from the Scottish weather but I certainly didn't expect gale force winds and driving rain the whole week! It was so awful it was rather impressive. Luckily I had a cosy little cottage to hide away from the elements. So not quite the photographic adventure I'd hoped but I did manage to get a few shots whenever there was a break in the weather. The above is of Loch Garry which looks remarkably like a map of Scotland from this viewpoint. I've also been told it looks like a unicorn but I'm not sure if I see it!

The Ochil hills, Stirling

Two stops in one night... I made a mad dash up from Doune to Sheriffmuir and the Ochil hills behind Stirling to try and make the most of the pristine light and dramatic sunset to come. The orange glow as the sun skimmed the horizon was glorious, although it was a shame there were no clouds to catch the light and add some interest to the sky.

Sir David Stirling Monument, near Doune

Just outside of Doune, Stirlingshire stands the Sir David Stirling Monument. Sir David Stirling founded the Special Air Service (SAS) at the height of World War II. The monument is quite impressive but no real match for the view north-west towards the highlands which is beautiful.

Ben Nevis

It's well overdue but I finally got around to ascending Britain's highest mountain at the weekend. Ben Nevis stands at 1,344 metres (4,409 ft) and attracts thousands of climbers and hillwalkers every year. There are two main routes up the mountain; the 'tourist route' or the 'north face route' which involves some scrambling or climbing depending on how you tackle it.

Climbing in Cambusbarron

I've wanted to get out for some rock climbing for ages but just haven't had the chance. Well, today the chance came up and I grabbed it. My good friend Dereck offered to take me out to a local quarry which is full of climbs of various difficulty. Luckily there were some nice and easy spots to get me into the swing of things.