The best-laid schemes of mice and men, gang aft agley. So wrote Robert Burns in his poem To a Mouse. As for mice, so for photographers it would seem. It had been blowing a gale all night, but now the sun was out. Good conditions I hoped for my much awaited photograph of Buchanness Lighthouse in a storm. But when I got to Boddam, the sea was calm, despite the strong wind blowing from the north west. Out to sea there were waves in evidence, but here by the shore, the island was sheltered. No waves breaking over the rocks. I will have to await another day with the wind from the east, perhaps.
But the day was too good to miss, so the dogs and I went to explore the ruins of Boddam Castle, whose silhouette I have often seen from the main road.
I discovered there was a little car park, and a small board telling about the history of the castle. It was built by the Keiths of Ludquharn in the late 16th century on a promontory, protected by two deep gullies on either side. There is not much left of the old stronghold, just a gable end with arch and window, and the low remains of some walls.
But the sunshine, the clouds and the yellow tansies made for good photographs. And the dogs loved the romp along the path, and for Poppy at least, a scamper over stones and walls. Indeed they were both keen to follow the path down to the shore, but the steep slope was not for me in the strong wind, so we turned, to go back to the car. I am already planning more photographs here, when the light is right.