This trip was brought on by a number of inspirations (some of which came to me on my previous visit)

• photographing the mountains with snow on them
• not worry about getting around in the snow by taking the train (or bus)
• taking photographs from the train
• in case the train wasn’t working out, use a rail pass to be able to get off the train, take photographs, get on the next train along

Because of some odd scheduling by KLM, I flew into Aberdeen so I could fly out of Aberdeen and make a connection in Amsterdam, which was not possible with a flight out of Inverness.

I had not been to Aberdeen before and made arrangement with the B&B to arrive early, drop off my non-photographic luggage, and go explore. Frances, the owner, gave me some recommendations which were an eye-opener. Who knew (and I’ve checked with a lot of people) that Aberdeen has a beach, and such a big beach, it seemed to go on forever. Judging by all the groynes, the North Sea must give it a serious battering.

At the other end of the beach is the old town with the University. The recommendation was to go that way, but by the time I had finished photographing the beach I decided that would be too far and instead took another recommendation to look around Footdee, an old fishing village, and then alongside the harbour.