Applecross Inn, February 2016. Looking across the Inner Sound towards the Cuillins of Skye and the sunset over the Isle of Raasay.
 
Applecross is so well known for its award-winning pub, the Applecross Inn, and given its beautiful location and fantastic reviews, this photograph had to be perfect. Ever since first finding Applecross I had wanted to capture this view. However, since there were so many components that needed to fit, it wasn't until February 2016, 4 years later, when it finally came together.
 
Two of the most important components I needed to get right were the angle from which the photograph was taken and the time of year it was taken. To get the right angle, I really needed to somehow get high up in order for the Inn to be aligned with the Cuillin and further back in order to use a telephoto lens to compress the perspective. This would in effect bring the mountains closer and set the Inn back 'into' the scene. Many attempts had been made from the old estate office opposite; from the roof, velux windows and indeed from the roof of a Land Rover parked outside. But it was when the building started being renovated and scaffolding was erected oustide that I could finally get the right angle. Luckily for me this meant I didn't need to be lifted up in a digger bucket as was the next suggestion!
 
The right time of year was critical and I picked February as I wanted the sun in the photograph as it set but far enough west so that the reflection on the dormer windows of the pub would balance the composition.