McSporran : Landscapes

The Milky Way over Sgurr an Fhidhleir in Coigach during a wild camp on the mountain.

Looking over the forests of the Trossachs and Loch Ard towards Ben Lomond from Craigmore Crags above the village of Aberfoyle.

Dawn over the mountains of Assynt in the North West Highlands from the top of Sgurr an Fhidhleir (The Fiddler). There were 40mph winds gusting to 60mph, so I was a bit nervous standing at the edge of the 2000 feet drop for this shot.

I have rules about 'selfies'. Rarely look at the camera; no close ups; take them in iconic locations (tops of mountains are good); try to look heroic even though you're exhausted after a climb.

I submitted the image to Mountain Photo of the Year 2017 competition and was pleasantly surprised when it made it to the finals. I didn't win - to be honest there were better photos. I voted for James Grant's stunning photo of Suilven shrouded in mist. But I was pleased to make the finals.

I raced up the mountain in order to catch sunrise over Glencoe and Rannoch Moor and took the 'obligatory' Man on a Mountain shot, remotely controlling my camera.

The Old Man of Storr, Isle of Skye. I stupidly climbed to this spot for a 'selfie' after framing the shot with my camera and tripod. (The image was then taken by my daughter). Getting up is never the problem - getting down is a different story.

This photograph of me standing on the ridge of Stac Pollaidh photographing Suilven was taken using a drone by Mark Bull who I met on the mountain.

Sgurr na Stri, Isle of Skye with Loch Coruisk below against the backdrop of The Cuillin mountains. Sgurr na Stri is arguably Britain's finest viewpoint but it is in quite a remote location which requires a 4 to 5 hour slog to get there, so sunrise and sunset photos can be few and far between. I wild camped on the mountain for these dawn photos.

Fionn's Rock, Gleinn Dà-Eigg or by its alternative name, 'The Praying Hands of Mary'. The rock was said to have been split in two by Fingal's arrow in the 5th Century CE.

A spectacular sunset from Ben Venue in The Trossachs. The old legends tell that there are Goblins living in caves on the mountain, unfortunately I didn't meet any this night.

Wild camp on Sgurr na Stri, Isle of Skye with the Cuillin Mountain as the backdrop. This image of me having my morning coffee and a cigar was taken by my friend Iain MacLeod. My camera and tripod can be seen to the right of my tent.

Camping on Ben A'an in The Trossachs

Sunrise over Glencoe from Stob Mhic Mhartuin. I struggled to this point before dawn in knee deep snow. The sunrise colours lasted about 15 minutes then a whiteout descended. As I was packing up to descend I saw the mountain rescue helicopter hovering a short distance across the glen and later discovered two other climbers had been killed in an avalanche. I make a monthly donation to Glencoe Mountain Rescue - true heroes of the hills.

I took this photo at the time of the Olympic Games in Rio. It seemed appropriate. I remotely control my camera via my iPhone App.

Sometimes you climb a mountain hoping for a spectacular sunrise and this happens. Glencoe

Camping beside Loch Toll an Lochan in the crucible of An Teallach in the West Highlands.

Cul Mor in the North West Highlands looking south to the Isle of Skye and the Outer Hebrides.

My son Calum and daughter Eilidh with me on top of Stob Dearg, the highest peak of Buachaille Etive Mor in Glencoe. It was a chilly -16 up top. Ben Nevis, the UK's highest mountain in the background over Calum's shoulder. My children are wearing about ten layers of clothing.

A photograph of Dave Miles and his tent on Cul Mor. After camping overnight on the western summit of the mountain I was making my way back down in the morning when I saw Dave and his tent on an outcrop. He provided a perfect focal point for the picture.

Sunrise from Stac Pollaidh in the North West Highlands. Cul Mor to the left and Cul Beag to the right. I figured I could squeeze a tent on top of Stac Pollaidh and camped beside an 800 feet drop for fantastic views.

Taking a break while climbing in Glencoe

My tent on Ben A'an in The Trossachs overlooking Loch Katrine.

I had always wanted to camp on Suilven, possibly Scotland's finest mountain. Suilven is quite remote and my mate Andy and I made the long trek to the foot of the mountain then the arduous climb. A great trip.

Our tents on Suilven. The light is my torch which I shone directly over the top of my camera towards the peak of Suilven.

My tent on Suilven.

Buachaille Etive Mor, Glencoe on the coldest day of the year. Temperatures dropped to minus 20. Shortly after taking this photo I fell through the ice into the river but protected my camera. The joys of photography?

Summit of Stob Coire Raineach, Buachaille Etive Beag, Glencoe.

I love days like these on the mountains - they give me a sense of wonder at the beauty of the world.

Wild camp on top of Stob Coire Raineach (my tent can just be seen in the foreground).

Sunset over the Aonach Eagach ridge.

This photo was taken by my mate Andy, who I regularly go on wild camping and photography trips with. Andy doesn't mind taking photos but hates being photographed.