Leaf in dappled sunlight
August 2026 - Heat, light and fire
July saw the heatwave continue across the UK with south east Scotland receiving warm and dry weather alongside above-average temperatures. At times, the sun felt fierce. We made a trip just over the border to Wooler in Northumberland where we found the grass to be brown and arid due to a lack of moisture. This made me wonder how lucky we have been in Scotland to have received a few patches of rain during the summer to top up water levels and to keep the landscape green. However, some of the images from southern England show a parched, dry landscape denied of water and one is left wondering if this is the new pattern for our future summers.
With such a dry summer, the wild fires that have raged seemed inevitable. A trip to our cottage in Strathspey gave me glimpses of the fire in the Cairngorms. I can’t help but think of the toll it will have taken on wildlife and of the habitat loss. While larger mammals stand a chance to flee the fire (assuming they don’t become encircled by it) but smaller mammals and reptiles have little chance. This is an area that contains some failing and rarer species including capercaillie, black grouse, adders, red squirrels and wildcats. Their habitat will take years to return but it might also give time for land managers to build in fire breaks to future-proof any restoration.
On a similar note, I drove past Holyrood Park and saw the extent of the gorse fire that burnt below the Salisbury Crags. I was surprised how it had spread along and beneath the entire length of the crags. The charred remains of the vegetation looked almost apocalyptic. However, nature does have a habit in healing and restoring itself.
With all this dry weather, I was surprised to find the Water of Leith still running nicely with a decent flow to it. I spent a very happy couple of hours in one of my favourite spots photographing the water running between stones.
All the sunny weather gave some interesting effects on foliage nearer the ground as the tree canopy blocked out light to give a dappled appearance to woodland. I also noticed occasional leaves starting to turn colour at the end of July which seemed extraordinarily early. However, trees can shed leaves as a coping mechanism to overcome drought. I guess it’s time to make the most of the early colour as who knows what the trees will be like come the autumn.
August 2026 - Heat, light and fire
July saw the heatwave continue across the UK with south east Scotland receiving warm and dry weather alongside above-average temperatures. At times, the sun felt fierce. We made a trip just over the border to Wooler in Northumberland where we found the grass to be brown and arid due to a lack of moisture. This made me wonder how lucky we have been in Scotland to have received a few patches of rain during the summer to top up water levels and to keep the landscape green. However, some of the images from southern England show a parched, dry landscape denied of water and one is left wondering if this is the new pattern for our future summers.
With such a dry summer, the wild fires that have raged seemed inevitable. A trip to our cottage in Strathspey gave me glimpses of the fire in the Cairngorms. I can’t help but think of the toll it will have taken on wildlife and of the habitat loss. While larger mammals stand a chance to flee the fire (assuming they don’t become encircled by it) but smaller mammals and reptiles have little chance. This is an area that contains some failing and rarer species including capercaillie, black grouse, adders, red squirrels and wildcats. Their habitat will take years to return but it might also give time for land managers to build in fire breaks to future-proof any restoration.
On a similar note, I drove past Holyrood Park and saw the extent of the gorse fire that burnt below the Salisbury Crags. I was surprised how it had spread along and beneath the entire length of the crags. The charred remains of the vegetation looked almost apocalyptic. However, nature does have a habit in healing and restoring itself.
With all this dry weather, I was surprised to find the Water of Leith still running nicely with a decent flow to it. I spent a very happy couple of hours in one of my favourite spots photographing the water running between stones.
All the sunny weather gave some interesting effects on foliage nearer the ground as the tree canopy blocked out light to give a dappled appearance to woodland. I also noticed occasional leaves starting to turn colour at the end of July which seemed extraordinarily early. However, trees can shed leaves as a coping mechanism to overcome drought. I guess it’s time to make the most of the early colour as who knows what the trees will be like come the autumn.
