The waterfalls on this small stream near Lochearn were real beauties. A small oil painting done on the spot.

If it were possible to catch the sound of running water in an oil painting I’d try to learn how.

Sadly, I won’t be able to get any more paintings from this spot because the stream rose twenty feet (20) during a freak rainstorm recently. It swept the whole banks bare of absolutely everything and destroyed the old bridge which was 100 yds downstream. All that was left when I saw it last was bare rock and mud.

Things will come back, I know, but it will never look like it did.

I once joked about feeling the need to paint the environment before it disappeared, but I never thought this process would start so quickly or be so personal.

Another small study of this stream, looking down into a waterfall about 2 ft across. Photo below was taken while painting it.

OK, I’ll stop going on about it.

The River Isla at Reekie Linn, near Alyth in bright sunlight. The name “Reekie” alludes to the mist which rises up from the falls like smoke. Lit by strong sunlight these falls are a landscape painters dream. The “mist” however is not. It soaks your work and by extension - yourself. Utterly. Looks great though

Barry Mill is one of my localities better kept secrets. It has a working mill and upstream of this also retains a large section of the landscape which powered and sustained the mill. Downstream, I’ve never explored.

Still water at Barry Mill

Running water creates its own landscape to surround itself with and I find I’m drawn to certain stretches where this is taken to extremes.

This small stream running within the Den of Alyth is one. A very private place with a strong presence.