Scotland NG Gathering 2016: Projects

[David Paterson]

Today, very near the Lodges.

Note the weather - we have had a week of this, like most of the UK. But most long-range forecasts for early-to-mid-May are predicting cool, showery conditions with new snow on the hills. Better pack thermal underwear and some rain-gear, I think.

[David Paterson]

This was a new discovery for me, just this morning - following a hill-track which I spotted years ago but never tried until now.

This was a summer temporary dwelling, or shieling, and a number are scattered on both sides of the high valley I was following. They probably date from the 18th and 19th centuries  - people would come up here in the summer with their sheep and cattle, to take advantage of the rich summer grazing.

If anyone has an interest in this kind of thing I would be delighted to take them there. The hills are the Tarmachans, seen from the north, and with just the lightest dusting of new snow on top of the old seams of spring snow - iron-hard in the morning until the sun starts to soften last night's freeze..
 

[Erik Lund]

Very nice shot Dave! I like the view

[Øivind Tøien]

Here is another potential project during the gathering, if I got the dates right,
Passage of Mercury in front of the Sun May 09, 2016:
http://nikongear.net/revival/index.php/topic,3435.msg50041.html#msg50041

[Jakov Minić]

Øivind, that's a great idea!
Now all I need is a solar filter and Bjørn's knowledge
Bjøøøøøøøøøørn heeeeeelp......

[Jan Anne]

Was planning on testing the Techart autofocus LEM-FE adapter with the abundance of Ai-S lenses everybody will be bringing but my adapter is planned for shipping in a month or so 

Oh well, more time to do other things

[simato73]

Here is another potential project during the gathering, if I got the dates right,
Passage of Mercury in front of the Sun May 09, 2016:
http://nikongear.net/revival/index.php/topic,3435.msg50041.html#msg50041

OK, that means I will take the Mamyia 500mm and my Baader filter. Maybe also the 2X. Pity the lens does not focus properly to infinity, I have not done anything to try and fix it yet.

[simato73]

Another thing I'd like to do is to shoot the Glenfinnan railway viaduct when the steam train passes (Harry Potter anyone?).
I have found departure times from Mallaig and Fort William but nothing hinting when trains might be passing Glenfinnan.
Dave, have you got any suggestions?

[David Paterson]

Another thing I'd like to do is to shoot the Glenfinnan railway viaduct when the steam train passes (Harry Potter anyone?).
I have found departure times from Mallaig and Fort William but nothing hinting when trains might be passing Glenfinnan.
Dave, have you got any suggestions?

I've attempted this a couple of times, once successfully, once not. It's very important to allow plenty of time to get into a good camera position, probably somewhere to the west of the viaduct. If a train leaves Fort William at, say, 11am, it would not be inappropriate to be walking in to position at 10.30.

[chris dees]

Another thing I'd like to do is to shoot the Glenfinnan railway viaduct when the steam train passes (Harry Potter anyone?).
I have found departure times from Mallaig and Fort William but nothing hinting when trains might be passing Glenfinnan.
Dave, have you got any suggestions?

This would be something for me as well.
I arrive on Monday, so it would be nice to do this somewhere between Tuesday and Friday.

I've been there once but no train.

[David Paterson]

Re the West Highland Line - it seems that there is only one steam train per day, leaving Fort William at 10.15am. The "ordinary" (non-steam)  service takes 35 min to reach Glenfinnan station, with a few stops en route, so you can expect the steam service to be a little quicker - perhaps 25 min - as it does not stop until the end of the line at Mallaig. I would aim to be in position by 10.30 at the latest, which means starting the walk-in not later than 10.00. I might come with you; we'll see.

[David Paterson]

Oops!   

When some very cold, dense low cloud lifted around noon, it revealed that the snowline was down to around 300m. Amongst other things, this meant that my wife, who had gone to visit a friend about 35km from here, probably had to drive most of the way on snow. She is a novice driver and I don't think she has ever driven on snow before.   

As far as Scotland! 2016 is concerned, please DO NOT WORRY. The sun is shining now and the snow is already in retreat.   

Just be sure to bring some warm clothes.   

[Bjørn Rørslett]

In other words, Norwegian summer attire then.

[David Paterson]

In other words, Norwegian summer attire then.

Yes, reindeer-hide and sheepskin it is.   

Maybe I spoke a little too soon about the sun - we have heavy falling snow at the moment.   

But Mayumi is home safely after her snowy adventure.   

[simsurace]

I don't really care about the weather, it can't be much worse than last September in Finland, and I managed to have fun even there. Of course a little bit of sun doesn't hurt.