Winter in the Highlands is a season of contrasts, and nowhere is this more evident than in the light on the hills and in glens. As the sun rises and sets during these short days, it casts a glow over the landscape, painting it in soft, golden hues that seem almost unreal. It is a light that feels delicate yet transformative, capable of turning even the most familiar hill into a scene of quiet wonder.
At sunrise, the hills emerge from the shadows, their peaks touched by the first rays of pale amber. The light moves slowly across the ridges and valleys as though unveiling a masterpiece. There is a purity to this early light, a sense of calm that invites contemplation. Walking in the glens at this hour, you feel as if you’ve stepped into a liminal space where time itself slows, and the landscape connects you to a quiet harmony.
Sunset, on the other hand, brings a drama of its own. As the sun sinks lower, the light intensifies, flooding the glens with warm tones of burnt orange, rose, and gold. Clouds catch the fading sunlight, turning into streaks of fire or gentle veils of pastel, suspended above the darkening hills. There is an energy in this light, a final flourish before the stillness and chill of night.
This winter light is not merely about beauty; it is about connection. It reminds us of the rhythm of the natural world, the ebb and flow of days and seasons. To truly appreciate it, one must pause and be present. Look for the light filtering through a glen after a rainstorm, creating glowing portals in the clouds. Notice how it outlines a stag resting in the grass, as he makes the most of the fading sun’s rays.
For those who venture out into the hills and glens this season, the reward is not only in the views but in the quiet moments of light and shadow. These are the moments that stay with you, long after the sun has set.
Linda Mellor 💚 Age, Wisdom & Wellness Guiding women to connect with nature and themselves.
