Devil's Pulpit In Scotland: landscape photography guide

[@JohnMcKennaPhotography]

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[@LauMagroTheFrenchKOInection]

What an amazing place. Photo opportunities are amazing. Thank you for this video. Wow.

[@JohnMcKennaPhotography]

Thank you! It is a lovely spot to visit :)

[@mai9355]

Stunning location and shots ✨💚

[@JohnMcKennaPhotography]

Thank you! :)

[@jeffdaniels5166]

A fantastic place and yeah, I also hate crowds but the draw of this place is too much, great shots John, well worth the return visit

[@JohnMcKennaPhotography]

Thanks Jeff. Yeh im glad i gave it one last chance! I'll definitely be back again in better conditions

[@JustOneKnight]

Aww thats the unfortunate part about tourism, im glad we have a few pockets of Australia left that no one bothers with thus keeping it safe from the abusers, sometimes its best to not disclose locations. Your photography is beautiful. Be safe.

[@JohnMcKennaPhotography]

Thank you! Yeh i'm always in two minds about whether i should share a location or not. This one has been very popular for years now so i felt it was ok to share

[@nancysmith-baker1813]

Realy enjoyed this walk and area . The colors sre so rich , deep . Enjoyed your arangement in how you took yhe pictures . Totaly different from where i live . Southwest states , utah . All seirling sandstone and no green in are gourges . Lotts of pinks no deep rustreds . Love the greens.

[@JohnMcKennaPhotography]

Thank you!

[@pfmusic1]

Lovely photos. Colours with green, red and brown was really nice. Well done!

[@JohnMcKennaPhotography]

Thanks Patrick!

[@malcolmyates7087]

Was certainly worth the early morning start John.The ones after 13min are superb 👌

[@JohnMcKennaPhotography]

Thanks Malcolm! I'll definitely be going early again next time I visit!

[@AnneTivendale]

Terrific images of this stunning location John.Watching this at 5:30am on the other side of the pond & what a great start to the day! 💙Cheers 🥂

[@JohnMcKennaPhotography]

Thanks Anne!

[@markladinereno147]

Hi from Canada John. wonderful location and images...... thanks for putting out such great videos... you inspire me with your work.... Thank you

[@JohnMcKennaPhotography]

Thank you! :)

[@lochlainnmacneill2870]

At 15:16 it looks like a face sculped in the rock scowling. Great video.

[@JohnMcKennaPhotography]

thanks! I never noticed that!

[@tomdickson-m6l]

Stunning photos John,the colours are amazing.

[@JohnMcKennaPhotography]

Thanks Tom! :)

[@jimhamilton8775]

Amazing images in this video John. Thanks for sharing.

[@JohnMcKennaPhotography]

Thanks Jim! :)

[@Timetraveler1111MN]

I was here! 3 weeks ago, happy no littler. My group and only 5 others.

[@JohnMcKennaPhotography]

it's a great spot isn't it. You were lucky to have it so quiet!

[@Timetraveler1111MN]

@@JohnMcKennaPhotography well my group is Shamanic, Celtic Shamans and we sent healing and peace to the place beforehand, visualization. Our city, Minneapolis puts out garbage 🗑️ and recycling in all the parks, I know it’s rural. Maybe the locals could write that it’s brining money and tourists money, to the whole community there. #sassenach

[@JohnMcKennaPhotography]

@@Timetraveler1111MN Ah, I see. Well, it certainly has a very long history of use by druids. Minneapolis is on my "to-do" list. I'm a huge Prince fan and would love to visit Paisley Park and Chanhassen.

[@danielspenner3683]

What a beautiful location! The color-contrast between the red rocks and the green moss is just beautiful. My favorite image is #10: beautiful structure and color contrast with a more subtle tonal gradient in the background gorge.

[@JohnMcKennaPhotography]

Thanks Daniel! It's a great location!

[@jamesss1953]

Not sure I'd be able to get down and around down there👺 Like very much your pure attitude and methodology / stunning images. Very atmospheric video too

[@JohnMcKennaPhotography]

Thanks! Yeh access is a bit sketchy and when you do get down it can be a bit tricky due to deep pools in places.

[@jamesss1953]

@@JohnMcKennaPhotography I've just subscribed ~ interesting watch and enjoying

[@JohnMcKennaPhotography]

@@jamesss1953 Thanks! :)

[@jacquelineshaw527]

I admire your dedication getting to a location at 5am. Love your shots of the Pulpit. I was there some years back and don't think I would have the bottle now to tackle the climb down. Scepticism comes as we get older 😆

[@JohnMcKennaPhotography]

Thanks! I'm not sure if it was dedication or just insomnia that had me there so early, but I'm glad it happened! :)

[@digitaliphotography]

Great vid John. Like you I went there and was put off by the massive amount of people. That shot at 10.36 is exactly the one I was going for, but there were about 8 or 9 kids running about, splashing i the water, and in the end I gave up and never even edited the video. I loved the fallen log, the pulpit in the background (no tree next to it when I was there) but just couldn't get it with no kids in the shot. Must try at sunrise like you!

[@JohnMcKennaPhotography]

Thanks! Yeh that tree next to the pulpit it relatively recent i think. That was my first visit since 2019 and looking back at my images from then its not in any of them. Definitely an early morning location now

[@involvedfitness5875]

i need to go back here with my longer lens ! i like those shots ! well done mate!

[@JohnMcKennaPhotography]

thanks! Aye I think the temptation is to go wide and try to fit it all in one shot, but a longer lens allows you pick out little details. (plus it saves you having to walk through too many deep pools to get the shots!)

[@involvedfitness5875]

@@JohnMcKennaPhotography yeah your right , i took my 24-70mm last time am going to go back with a waterproof bag to get more shots in ! i think days where its really sunny is best to go there to get good directional sunlight coming down

[@shelleybeach-fp2kv]

My gosh you have talent. Beautiful shots, gorgeous looking place. Thanks from NZ xoxx

[@JohnMcKennaPhotography]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed the video :)

[@inkslinga1]

Great images John, it annoys me when other photographers arrive and walk straight into my pov. Especially when they look at you & realise 'they are not 1st here'.... I have just returned from the highlands, & on one occasion had a lady kept running around with her phone, getting in everyone's shot......

[@JohnMcKennaPhotography]

thanks! Aye, nothing worse when that happens. Especially when they see you're photographing something and just stand in front of you to try to get the same shot - usually without even knowing what it is you're shooting!

[@tomayrscotland6890]

A nice Blaze of Colour there fella'.

[@JohnMcKennaPhotography]

@@tomayrscotland6890 thanks! I'm back at the same location in this weeks video

[@foollikeyou820]

Great pictures! Now I'm not sure if I can leave out this place. Well, I could leave out the distillery instead - no, ok, that's no option. Do you wear fishing boots or do you step into the water barfooted ...? Must be kind of slippery?! Thanks for this video!

[@JohnMcKennaPhotography]

Thank you! I think I'd prefer the distillery too! (also, it's likely to be quieter most days!) I wear wellies when I'm near any water. I used to just wear walking boots everywhere but got fed up missing shots when the water got a little more than ankle deep.

[@alisonlyons4691]

Lovely. Lucky the steps looked dry for your descent. Im scared of breaking a bone so ive never been. lt really is an amazing place, and shafts of light give great photos. The red rock is stunning. Definately having the place to yourself is best, as is anywhere 😁 Thanks John, im glad you decided to return......Alioban

[@JohnMcKennaPhotography]

Thanks! Yeh those steps down are a bit iffy in places! Its a lot easier climbing back up but i wouldnt fancy the descent on a busy day with people bottlenecked at the more tricky sections!

[@alisonlyons4691]

@@JohnMcKennaPhotography 👍😊

[@garrysugdenphotography]

Superb video and images John. It's been a location on my wish list for a long while. I'm on my way up to Glencoe this autumn so I think I'm going to have to make the detour. Fingers crossed that its not too busy and the decent isn't too tricky.

[@JohnMcKennaPhotography]

Thanks Garry!. Hope you get great light when you visit! Enjoy Glencoe too!

[@yvonnemiller2136]

I've always wanted to go down with the camera, but those stairs put the shitters right up me 😂

[@JohnMcKennaPhotography]

haha - I know what you mean! Thankfully I had the place to myself, so I was able to crawl down on all fours while no-one was watching :)

[@brigidsingleton1596]

Found your most excellent video of The Devil's Pulpit via a Canadian's reaction video (PI189 ?) and so glad to do so. Amazingly beautiful shots... Sorry to say this was the very first time I had heard of the place but so glad to have seen your photos of it now. Thank-you for sharing. 🙂🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿❤️🖖

[@JohnMcKennaPhotography]

Thank you! Ive not seen the reaction video. Do you have a link to it?

[@brigidsingleton1596]

@@JohnMcKennaPhotography No, sorry... I also got his name wrong, sorry, it's pi1872, (not 189) sorry about that. I have asked him if he could contact you... I hope that's okay. Thanks again. 🙂🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🖖

[@JohnMcKennaPhotography]

Thank you! I've found the video on KZbin. Ive never watched anyone reviewing one of my videos before... this will be interesting!

[@brigidsingleton1596]

@@JohnMcKennaPhotography Well done for finding it. I'm sorry I had no link or better help for you. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🖖

[@douglasritchie2836]

Some lovely shots, John, even with Nature throwing a few trees and root stumps in your way, I think things have definitely deteriorated in the last few years especially since the lock down. I have been really angry with idiots trampling all over the place with no care for the area, leaving waste and rubbish everywhere. Even half way down Glen Etive, abandoned tents, nappies fires, it makes my Blood boil. The way to go is definitely get out at the crack of Dawn. I will now go and get some Camomile tea and calm down.

[@JohnMcKennaPhotography]

Thanks Douglas. Yeh i agree things seem to have got worse since the lock down. You'd think people would have come to appreciate these places more after being excluded for a while. There were broken bottles, litter and some items of clothing at this location when i arrived. Dont get me started on Glen Etive!

[@bv52gyf]

Another great video, i haven’t been there but will be adding it to my list (which just seems to get longer). Thanks for including the focal length of your images, it allows me to decide which lenses are suitable A day trip to include milarrochy bay could be coming up in September. Thanks again Andy

[@JohnMcKennaPhotography]

Thanks Andy. Aye its definitely worth a visit but i'd recommend going early. The last few times ive visited it has been full of people and i've passed by a couple of times over the last month and there has been no parking places anywhere in the area.

[@bv52gyf]

@@JohnMcKennaPhotography thanks, I’ll work out a day’s itinerary and see what else can be fitted in around that area…. Early start and out late

[@composedlight6850]

As you only been there once and it was not a good experience --- it was trashed; it was 2 years ago just after the painted all the yellow lines on the roads to stop parking. But on you re visit it looks as if it might be worth a chance again Thanks

[@JohnMcKennaPhotography]

Definitely worth a visit, but, go early!

[@composedlight6850]

@@JohnMcKennaPhotography did you have to wade across the stream ? If so how deep was it? thanks

[@JohnMcKennaPhotography]

@@composedlight6850 You can shoot from where the stairs reach the stream and not have to cross at all but I went across the stream at a few locations. In places its just ankle deep, but some spots are at least 5ft deep, possibly more. I wore wellies and had no issues getting to where I wanted to go. I learned from a previous trip that a walking pole or a branch from the woods above is a good way to gauge the depth of the water. Some spots look very deep but are actually just running over darker rocks, so a quick check with a walking pole or similar helps avoid plunging in too deep!

[@dan710ths]

Another great video! I’m slowly getting caught up…

[@JohnMcKennaPhotography]

Thanks Dan!

[@keithpinn152]

Hi John: Thanks for creating and sharing this video. I am so glad to see that you had a much better experience at the Devil's Pulpit upon this location. Your images are lovely. Cheers, Keith (Canada)

[@JohnMcKennaPhotography]

Thanks Keith! Whereabouts in Canada are you? I have lots of family there.

[@keithpinn152]

@@JohnMcKennaPhotography Hi John: I live in Central Canada about 1 hour north of Toronto in a city called Barrie.

[@eyeintheskydrone4k]

It's such a beautiful place, The Devils Pulpit, but like you say, the crowds are crazy. I flew the Mini 3 Pro through it. You have a new subscriber

[@JohnMcKennaPhotography]

Thanks! So do you! :)

[@billybeveridge9172]

You may try the den at alyth never 2 busy nice wee place if you havent already photographed it 😊😊

[@JohnMcKennaPhotography]

Ive never been there. Thanks I'll add it to my list of places to visit!! :)

[@sueKay]

I'm so close to this I can walk there but I've never been there because I'd probably be on my own and I wouldn't want to come a cropper! I would love to shoot it though, it must be the only local spot I've not got to!

[@JohnMcKennaPhotography]

It's a great spot but a bit too popular now. That said I'm hoping to return again in the Autumn! Definitely worth a visit but be very careful if visiting alone. (Although chances are you wont be on your own for long!)

[@ceriwinfield9632]

How deep is the yhe water? I cant find the answer anywhere

[@JohnMcKennaPhotography]

It varies from ankle deep to more than head height. Mostly it's between ankle and knee deep though.

[@DebMcP71]

Somewhere I haven’t visited. The descent puts me off. How sketchy is it??? 😬

[@JohnMcKennaPhotography]

Some of the stairs have slipped and fallen down onto to others so in places there are no steps at all and you have to try to drop 2 or 3 steps in one go. It's doable so long as you dont mind getting a little dirty! I found sitting on some of the larger gaps and dropping onto the step below was easiest but that can get muddy! Its a lot easier coming back up! I actually passed it again today around 1.30pm and every legal, and several illegal parking space was taken. Cars were blocking a field entrance and some were double parked in the car park so still very busy!

[@DebMcP71]

@@JohnMcKennaPhotography Thanks. Another reason I prefer going anywhere at sunrise. Would much rather get up at silly o’clock than deal with the masses!

[@JohnMcKennaPhotography]

@@DebMcP71 me too!

[@DebMcP71]

@@JohnMcKennaPhotography 😂👍🏼

[@b.2221]

Actually Sir being a bit nervous when we have too many people around which is not the fault of the people , but do take your point entirely. Stunning work from a true professional.

[@JohnMcKennaPhotography]

Thanks! I don't really mind a lot of people around, but this location really needs long exposures and too many people wandering into the frame can ruin the images, so I always try to avoid crowds when doing this type of photography.

[@ElChompiraz]

I thought this placer was spooky but Is beautiful as fuck

[@colintraveller]

You aren't related to James Mckenna ??

[@JohnMcKennaPhotography]

I'm related to a few James McKenna's! Which one were you thinking of?

[@colintraveller]

@@JohnMcKennaPhotography Chef I used to work with ., .

[@JohnMcKennaPhotography]

@@colintraveller ah no, dont think any of my relatives are chefs!

[@iainmc9859]

You and your dead trees 😉 You were ten minutes down the road from me. I'm going to skip all comment on the site as I wouldn't encourage anyone to go into what's known locally as Accident Alley. Ambulances, Police and Traffic Wardens are there constantly during the summer months.

[@JohnMcKennaPhotography]

Aye i was a bit reluctant to go back because of the crowds in the past. Was a bit disappointed to still see plenty of litter and even some broken beer bottles on the old stairs - just waiting for some unsuspecting hands on the decent or climb back out.

[@paulcomptonpdphotography]

I have wanted to go here for years never made it, i hope to try it in September, maybe we can go together.. Give me a shout on FB or Instagram...

[@JohnMcKennaPhotography]

Looks amazing in Autumn. I'll drop you a message on Instagram