As a member of Tay Maritime Volunteer Service I was offered the chance of a berth on the “Instow” which, on being decommissioned from the Navy, was being sailed from the torpedo testing range at the Kyle of Lochalsh to Rosyth to be transferred to new owners.

Fleet Diving Tender “Instow” on the Caledonian Canal

The trip, which took in the North Atlantic and the North Sea as well as all the Lochs of the great Glen gave a unique view of Scottish landscape at its best.

“The Avenue” - Caledonian Canal

As a landscape artist my main motivation has always been an appreciation of the power and beauty of the elements.

Experiencing the Atlantic off Ardnamurchan Point at night certainly added to my understanding of wind and water, as did the North Sea from Inverness to Peterhead

At night - off Mallaig