Isle of Skye's Secret Location? | Seascape Photography Scotland

Is the Ornsay Lighthouse the best unknown location for Photography on the Isle of Skye? Photographing a lighthouse just after stormy conditions is one thing, photographing the Ornsay Lighthouse after a storm passed on over a much forgotten part of the Isle of Skye with snow capped mountains as the backdrop was just something else!
Designed by engineers Thomas and David Stevenson, Isle Ornsay Lighthouse was established on 10th November 1857 and for all these years until the decline of steamers from the mainland of Scotland has continued, albeit in lower numbers, to protect shipping in and around the sleat peninsula.
I'm humbled to have have had the opportunity to photograph it from the Skye village of Isleornsay, on my recent photographic adventure on the island as this location provides stunning views over the sea to the small island of Ornsay, where the lighthouse is situated.
To say its picturesque is an understatement, Isleornsay and Ornsay Lighthouse is simply breath taking and I'm so very surprised that its not covered or featured more heavily by photographers, in fact perhaps that's the very reason it isn't. There are honey pot locations and then there are locations like Isleornsay.
For me photographing the Ornsay Lighthouse was an absolute treat after a morning of torrential rain and poor weather following storm Dudley, I remember looking out of the window at our Air B&B in the morning thinking that photography on the Isle of skye might be written off for the next few days, how very wrong was I. Come the mid afternoon, the flat grey skies and constant rain had passed. The light of the day was beginning to soften and we as a group decided more effort was needed to be put into our photography. With a suitable the break in the conditions and on a whim we packed are camera gear and waterproofs and decided to visit Isleornsay, which is one of the lesser known or visited locations on the Isle of Skye.
I'm so glad we did take a chance on this location. The others were less enthused, but I was excited and rightfully so as I feel as though the series of images made that afternoon are some of my most satisfying images and photos that I have taken so far in 2022.
Whilst taking finding my compositions and setting up my shots the conditions of the afternoon ranged from squally showers, bringing in sleet and hail and short sharp downpours of rain followed by moments of complete calm and early spring sunshine, the seagulls larked about on the wind and a few bobbed around in the waters as the stormy clouds above raced above and onward to the distant Scottish mainland far away.
My images of the Ornsay lighthouse were further complemented with jaw dropping snow capped mountains, poking out from the passing storm clouds whilst the soft storm light of late afternoon made for some outstanding photography conditions. I couldn't have asked for more.
I'm sure those who are still reading this have picked up on the fact that I was quite taken by this location and the images I have managed to produced, and if I'm honest, I'm hankering to get back again at some point.
Several of the images have now been printed and have pride of place in my home, additional prints are available. Please let me know your favorite image from the video in the comments section below.
Until the next video, take care all
Geoff.
Images
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04:14 Image One
04:34 Image Two
04:54 Image Three
08:19 Image Four
08:39 Image Five
08:59 Image Six
Camera & Lenses Used to Make This Video
(𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘧𝘧𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘬𝘴)
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Pentax K1
amzn.to/3uGGJsN
SMC Pentax-DA* 60-250mm F4 ED [IF] SDM
amzn.to/3uIKxcR
Filming
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DJI AIR2S
amzn.to/3AZamcP
DJI Pocket 2
amzn.to/3RqSm0q
Canon M50
amzn.to/3nYbfuq
Stay Social
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Facebook: / geoffmoorephotography
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Twitter: / geoffmoore
Music
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Title: Aurora - Scott Buckley
www.scottbuckl...
More interesting landscape images of mine here
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#Isleofskye #lighthouse #Pentax

[@GeoffMoorePhotography]

Going to Skye? Don't forget the Quiraing > kzbin.info/www/bejne/aXXPeHqYfJt6Zpo

[@nevillewatkins4997]

I'm not surprised you are pleased Geoff. They are some cracking images. Stunning light and colour.

[@GeoffMoorePhotography]

Thank you Neville. Honestly made up with the images taken and really couldnt have asked for anything more... well perhaps a change of tide :) lol

[@Valentascream]

Hi Geoff great to see another vlog and what great images, love them all, the light just perfect for you and you captured it it extremely well, be proud of those they are just stunning, very best wishes.

[@GeoffMoorePhotography]

Thank you Mark. The images really are some of my favourite taken this year and perhaps a lot longer. The location and conditions obviously helped, but there is something about them that ticks all the boxes for me. I was saying to my photography chums I wouldnt mind doing a project on photographing the light houses of scotland. Could make for an outstanding body of work.

[@daveknight9381]

Excellent set of images Geoff, thanks for sharing.

[@GeoffMoorePhotography]

Thank you David, and Thank you for taking the time to watch and leave a comment. It means a lot to me. Have a great day.

[@terryroberts910]

superb Geoff....sublime light and mood

[@GeoffMoorePhotography]

Thank you.

[@KevinBrown-iy3xl]

I can quite see why you are so happy there, stonking good images that deserve to to printed large. Keep it up.

[@GeoffMoorePhotography]

Thanks Kevin, Several have been printed, framed and hung on the walls at home. Totally made up with them. Pressure is on now to deliver on the next adventure and images made right? :) lol

[@col.dphotography6381]

Really great images mate, I will add this place to my bucket list 📷👍

[@GeoffMoorePhotography]

Thank you Colin, its one of the few spots on Skye that actually felt untouched by the hordes of tourists, quite a place to just stop, and soak it all in. I hope you do get the chance to visit and the conditions when you do suit what you want to get out of the location. I found it simply splendid.

[@boristrouserkov]

Thanks Geoff, going back to Skye in Sept. Staying this end of the Isle & this is a new location to me!

[@GeoffMoorePhotography]

I hope you have a great time. There are few lesser known and photographed spots on the island on the southern end. With you going in Sept should also benefit from some good weather and on the cusp of changing seasons too.

[@LeeIveson]

Top draw Geoff! Video production is on point & those images you captured are just stunning. Looks & sounds like you have loads of fun with this mate. Well done 👏

[@GeoffMoorePhotography]

Thank you Lee, Really made up with the images captured, and as I have commented elsewhere, the location for me; I would have been happy to have been left there. Something special Isleornsay thats for sure.

[@LeeIveson]

@@GeoffMoorePhotography 100% you should be they are awesome! Epic location for sure, plus I'm sure that's where my favourite single malt comes from "Talisker Skye"? Even more of a reason to stay up their haha!

[@GeoffMoorePhotography]

@@LeeIveson Recommendation from someone who knows their Whiskeys. They suggested dram or two of Torabhaig which apparently is closer and more local to Isleornsay :) - I wouldn't know however, they have tried to educate me, but the good stuff is wasted on me lol

[@boristrouserkov]

Thanks Geoff- off to Skye, again, in a couple of weeks 😊 Staying local and this looks a great location!

[@GeoffMoorePhotography]

I think you will have an absolute cracking time. Please do share with me the images you manage to get, would love to see them when you return from your grand adventure!

[@markpursglovephotography]

Beautiful images. 👌

[@GeoffMoorePhotography]

Thank you Mark. Appreciate you taking the time to comment. Do you have a favourite?

[@markpursglovephotography]

The one around 4.55 is particularly lovely, but they all are. The Knoydart mountains look fantastic. 👌

[@peterowbottom1110]

Just watched this Geoof, superb mate, the images are brilliant, gonna pop back into mine now! we did so well there, absolute honeypot weather conditions!!

[@GeoffMoorePhotography]

Thanks Pete. And thank you for the silent encouragement (me watching you fly) during the week to push the distance a little on the drone, despite the conditions wanting to take it out to sea! :) - I'm sure you will agree the opening sequence with the lighthouse coming into frame was very nice! Looking forward to seeing what you have managed to capture too. I'm quite happy with a week on skye a few hours on a single afternoon has made the trip for me. We will probally go again next year, but I'm keen to try the west coast of Ireland. I think that would be epic!

[@72mattryan]

Impressive!

[@GeoffMoorePhotography]

Thank you Matt. More to come i hope.

[@davewall4931]

Great video and stills Geoff, was in a similar spot taking shots of the lighthouse in 2014.

[@GeoffMoorePhotography]

It blew my mind! In fact if my mates had abandoned me there i would have been quite nonplussed about being stranded :)

[@thevalleywalker]

Wonderful intro Geoff. When you showed how far the lighthouse was away I was thinking was 200 enough but then you showed the image 0 it worked really well and with the sun hitting it against the dark mountain back ground it stood out great - cracking stuff.. then with the sun illuminating the mountains too, great set of images. The wow image for me though was the one at 9:02. What a fabulous hoot. atb Al

[@GeoffMoorePhotography]

Thank you. I think the 60-250 was the perfect lens for this location. Got me close enough to the lighthouse without loosing the scale of the landscape. The image at 09:02 is my favorite also. Although that being said each as something special about them. I just dont have enough wall space at home to put any more of them up! :)

[@paulhegarty7625]

Stunning photos Geoff all great but if I had to pick one it would be the Last one Thanks Paul

[@GeoffMoorePhotography]

Thanks Paul, Yes the last one is my favorite and was the first to be printed and put up on the wall at home. Still that being said I love all the images I managed to take from that location, I just dont have enough room in the house :)

[@paulhegarty7625]

@@GeoffMoorePhotography You just need a bigger House Geoff problem solved I'm sure the good lady will understand 😀

[@GeoffMoorePhotography]

There some nice houses on Skye........ hrrmm??? :)

[@TheScottab]

Love the K1, is the DA 60-250 one of the DA lenses that is full frame compatible. Great video Geoff.

[@TheScottab]

Looks like with a bit of modification it is, a bit beyond my comfort level though. May have to keep my eyes open for a converted one for sale. Would love to see how it compares to the DFA 70-210.

[@GeoffMoorePhotography]

Yeah I have removed the baffle on mine, (kept it just incase) and the process is a little nervy but nothing to much. What more disconcerting is changing that lens in the field as the process of removing the baffle makes accessible and visible the working gubbins of the lens, so you can see the motors and cogs and what nots.... I have been in some pretty bad conditions with my camera gear and I have learnt to contort myself into a position so that the lens changing (with that lens) can be performed under several layers of clothes and by touch alone :) As regards the 70-210 I think in time I will probally migrate over to it, I have tried the 70-200 2.8 and wasn't that impressed with it and the extra weight just makes it unsuitable for the landscapes and outdoors activities I do, in fact the weight of the lenses I currently have often i find prohibitive and off putting to actually use due to that reason.

[@michaeldutsonlandscapephot2184]

Excellent vid Geoff - really well edited and put together. You've got some great stills on there too... still need to fettle with mine to get the best out of them. What an afternoon that was - the "mindfulness" comes to mind when I recollect it, as being stood there, in the rain and hail, watching the light come and go was meditative experience for me. I could have stood for hours just watching and creating memories.

[@GeoffMoorePhotography]

I couldn't agree more, for the week we are on Skye this was my favorite day, it ticketed all the boxes. The location is a hidden gem on the Island. Like you I was comfortable and completely at ease with the passing conditions and changing environment. Would be happy to relocate there any day of the week.