counter hit xanga
Ghlas Beinn | Scottish Landscape Art - Scottish Landscape Paintings

Posts Tagged ‘Ghlas Beinn’

‘Winter, Blackmount’

142 'Winter, Blackmount', Acrylic & Pastel, 2010, 76 x 23 cm.jpg

‘Winter, Blackmount’

 

 ‘Winter, Blackmount’, Acrylic & Pastel, 2010, 76 x 23 cm

If you’ve read this week’s blog you will see we were out walking on Ghlas Beinn, on the edge of Rannoch Moor last Sunday.  It’s a short walk we do most winters and so I thought I’d use this painting as my Artwork of the Week this week.  I did this picture after our first ever visit there.  The mountains on that occasion had a lot of snow on them and the conditions were quite wild……making for very dramatic views of the Blackmount.

A short walk, but very, very good

This isn’t going to be a long drawn out blog as I’ve described this walk on several occasions in the past. It’s a short walk we do almost every winter, but it’s just so good that we have to keep on going back again and again!

Blackmount and Rannoch Moor

Blackmount and Rannoch Moor

The wee top of Ghlas Beinn on the edge of Rannoch Moor isn’t a major hill, it isn’t even a Graham and it could and I’m sure does, get over looked by many a hill walker. That said however, it is a superb little top and as they say…..it’s all about location, location, location.

Towards the Blackmount

Towards the Blackmount

As much as I like to be right up high on one of the big Munros, I do think you get much more exciting views when you’re on a small hill surrounded by bigger ones. This little top is all about this. From its meagre height of just under 600m the ground drops away in all directions with the huge area of Rannoch Moor stretching out below, whilst not far away, the higher summits of the Bridge of Orchy Hills dominate one view and the even higher summits of the Blackmount dominate the view to the west.

Passing snow shower

Passing snow shower

All you really need to enjoy this place is a temperament that doesn’t always demand the huge walk, or the biggest mountains, and a willingness to just spend a bit of time strolling slowly along just enjoying where you are and the fact that you don’t have to rush to get anywhere quickly! Oh yes, it also helps to have some interesting weather about too.

From Ghlas Beinn

From Ghlas Beinn

Interesting weather is what we got on Sunday when we visited this place. For five hours as we wandered along, the scene around us changed almost constantly. A continuous stream of snow showers bobbed in and obliterated the views from time to time. In between the snow showers however, the sun came out and the big mountains threw off the cloud to reveal spectacular views of snow and rock. The colours were wonderful and it seemed like the straw colours of mid winter were starting to change…..to a slightly more olive kind of green…..signs of new growth?

Towards the Blackmount

Towards the Blackmount

We’re hoping to get out again next week with a bit of luck. We need to get some fitness back into our legs after all this time away from the hills. We’ll probably head back to another old favourite … Beinn Dubh and the Luss Hills. We’ve walked this route so many times over the years but the views are superb and the steep slopes make it a good test for un-used legs!

Breaking cloud....

Breaking cloud….

-o-o-o-o-

‘From Ghlas Beinn, Rannoch moor’

29 'From Ghlas Beinn, Rannoch moor', Acrylic & Pastel, 76 x 23 cm

‘From Ghlas Beinn, Rannoch moor’

‘From Ghlas Beinn, Rannoch moor’, Acrylic & Pastel, 76 x 23 cm

I thought I’d use this painting as my Artwork of the week owing to fact that we were back walking on this hill just last Sunday, (See my latest blog for details and photos).

This painting which is currently in my studio was created after our first visit to the hill a few years ago.  I used quite bold colours in this piece and have always liked it.  Ghlas Bheinn is the high point at the end of a small undulating escarpment that rises on the edge of Rannoch Moor.  Being less than 600 metres high it makes the perfect view point overlooking the moor and surrounded by bigger hills and mountains too.  Its close proximity to the A82 however does mean that despite the wonderful wild situation, you do tend to hear the sound of traffic drifting up to you from the road below.  This shouldn’t put you off though as this really is a little gem of a walk …especially in the winter.

‘Sun and snow, in the Blackmount’

'Sun and snow, in the Blackmount', Acrylic & Pastel, 2013, 30 x 30 cm

‘Sun and snow, in the Blackmount’

‘Sun and snow, in the Blackmount’, Acrylic & Pastel, 2013, 30 x 30 cm

In early December each of the last couple of years, Nita and I have taken a trip up to Rannoch Moor to walk the low heather and grass covered little ridge leading to Ghlas Beinn.  It’s not a big walk and the high point is less than 600m ….but as I’ve said before, it is a spectacular view point.

I created this painting following last years visit to Ghlas Beinn when the mountains of the Blackmount were looking especially fine, the upper slopes being covered in snow and the whole scene patched by areas of bright sun.

We’re planning to go back again shortly as this walk on a fine December day, is a real little gem.  As the distance is short it allows plenty of time to just wander along, gawping stupidly at the incredible 360 degree views.  With plenty of hats and gloves and a piece of foam mat, there’s also time enough to just sit down and enjoy …perhaps even get the sketch book out!

Anyway, this little painting is currently in my studio along with another 20 or so works ….so ….if you live close, why not call in and have a look?  To make sure that I’ll not be on Ghlas Beinn when you visit …best call me first on 07742 437425.  Other examples of my work can also currently be seen at The Framework Gallery in Troon and ‘the gallery on the corner’ in Edinburgh.  For details of these, follow the links at the side of this page.

Finally, over the last couple of months I’ve been working with a couple of Scottish companies who are producing quality reproductions of several of my paintings.  Full details to follow shortly.

‘Sun and snow, in the Blackmount’

'Sun and snow, in the Blackmount', Acrylic & Pastel, 2013, 30 x 30 cm

‘Sun and snow, in the Blackmount’

‘Sun and snow, in the Blackmount’, Acrylic & Pastel, 2013, 30 x 30 cm

This is one of the four paintings I currently have displayed at The Framework Gallery in Troon in Ayrshire.  If you live in the area and have a chance why not pop in to see it for real ….along with the other three pieces and work by many other artists.  It’s a great little gallery and you’ll always get a warm welcome.

The painting is one of several I did after we’d done what is now becoming an almost annual visit to the wee hill Ghlas Beinn, situated on the edge of Rannoch Moor.  The view across to the bigger hills of the Blackmount is very impressive and with the constant changes of light and atmosphere it always draws my attention.

I guess we’ll be heading back there again this coming December as it makes such a good short winter walk.  With very little ascent and descent it none the less gives you a real feeling of being in the wild.  I suppose we ought to go there in the summer some time and see it under different conditions …..it would certainly be interesting seeing this landscape in summer colours.

‘In the Blackmount, December’

'In the Blackmount, December'

‘In the Blackmount, December’

‘In the Blackmount, December’, Acrylic & Pastel, 2012, 76 x 23 cm

I did this painting at the end of December, shortly after we walked Ghlas Beinn on the edge of Rannoch Moor.  When we first did this walk back in December 2009, I did a similar piece.  Both the new painting and the earlier version are based on the view we had looking across to the big hills of the Blackmount.  On both occasions there was snow lying on these big hills making them look very dramatic against the dark skies.  This is one of the paintings I am hoping to show in my exhibition at ‘the gallery on the corner’ in Edinburgh in March.

We’re going back to Rannoch Moor on Tuesday with a bit of luck.  This time though we will be following the tracks east from the Kingshouse Hotel.  Apparently the forecast is for the cold conditions to stay until then …so with a bit of luck we’ll see the moor and its surrounding mountains with more snow.  I’ll hopefully get some ideas for new paintings on this flat winter walk.

‘Towards Achaladair, December morning’

 'December morning, towards Achaladair'

‘December morning, towards Achaladair’

‘Towards Achaladair, December morning’, Acrylic & Pastel, 2013, 30 x 30 cm

This little painting is the first piece to be completed in 2013. I posted an image of it the other day on my Face Book page, Keith Salmon – Scottish Landscape artist, but at the time it wasn’t quite finished. It was harsh with more contrasts and the whole had a very flat appearance. I said at the time that I’d probably have to do some more work on it ….and I did….and here it is.

The painting, a view looking towards Achaladair from the west, tries to capture a little of the cold December morning as we headed off along the undulating ridge towards Ghlas Beinn. For a while, a small bank of mist rolled up the glen below us and it made for a very atmospheric scene.

This painting will be included in my exhibition at ‘the gallery on the corner’ in Edinburgh during March.

‘On Blackmount, December afternoon’

‘On Blackmount, December afternoon’

‘On Blackmount, December afternoon’

 

 

‘On Blackmount, December afternoon’, Acrylic & Pastel, 2012, 30 x 30 cm

If you read the blogs, you’ll know that we were out walking Ghlas Beinn on the edge of Rannoch Moor just a couple of weeks ago.  The light and colours gave the mountains of the Blackmount great atmosphere.  This painting, still in progress, is my first attempt at trying to capture some of the mood of the place that afternoon.  I’m planning to start several more while the memories are still fresh in my mind.  I may well work on some new drawings too …I really like the contrast between the snow covered mountains and the dark heather and grass covered moor lands below.  If this painting is completed successfully, I’ll be exhibiting it in my exhibition at ‘The gallery on the corner’ in Edinburgh …..make a note in your diary …the preview is March 1st and the exhibition will run until the end of the month.

Ghlas Beinn again

Morning light, towards Beinn Toaig

Morning light, towards Beinn Toaig

On Tuesday we went back to Ghlas Beinn, the small hill on the edge of Rannoch Moor that we’ve walked twice before.  As I’ve probably said before, it’s not a huge walk, just a few kilometres each way and probably around 300 m of up and down ..but its location makes it very special.  Sat on the edge of the moor it offers big views all around and on Tuesday they were exceptional ….better even than on our previous visits.   I’m not going to ramble on, suffice to say that we spent five hours wandering along this gentle undulating grassy ridge to the small cairn marking the top of Ghlas Beinn …and back, continually stopping to take photos or just to look and marvel at this very special landscape.  Below are several of the photos I took …hopefully they’ll give you an idea of what it was like.

 Winter patterns

Winter patterns

At the summit of Ghlas Beinn

At the summit of Ghlas Beinn

On the ridge to Ghlas Beinn

On the ridge to Ghlas Beinn

Winter scene, Blackmount

Winter scene, Blackmount

From Ghlas Beinn

From Ghlas Beinn

Beinn Dorain & Ben an Dothaidh, last light

Beinn Dorain & Ben an Dothaidh, last light

It has been a good last couple of months despite the general economic gloom and I’ve sold a number of paintings which has certainly put a smile on my face …and no doubt that of my bank manager too!  Anyway,  do remember, should you still be looking for that special gift for someone who loves Scotland, there’s still time to get an original Keith Salmon painting!  You will find a small selection of my work at the following galleries:

The Strathearn Gallery, Crieff

The Framework Gallery, Troon

The Gallery on the Corner, Edinburgh

Scotlandart.com, Glasgow

Scottish Showcase Gallery, Kirkcudbright

 

I also have a good selection of work for sale at my studio …just give me a quick ring (07742 437425) to check that I’ll be there ….we’re hoping to go walking again one day before Christmas!  Contact details for the galleries above can be found on their websites …see the links at the side of this page.

Right then, that’s it for this week.  My best wishes to everyone over the festive period.  Have a great time.

‘Towards Blackmount, winter’

202-towards-blackmount-winter-arylic-pastel-2011-76-x-23-cm

‘Towards Blackmount, winter’

‘Towards Blackmount, winter’, Acrylic & Pastel, 2011, 76 x 23 cm
Catalogue number: 202
Price: £575 (this painting is supplied mounted but unframed)

About this painting
I did this painting last year after a walk along the low undulating ridge leading to Ghlas Beinn on the edge of Rannoch Moor.  It was our first visit to this wild spot and there was just a light dusting of snow on the moors.  The temperature though had been cold for a number of days and the lochs on the moor were all frozen and this was made even more pronounced by the light snow cover.  It is a magnificent view point and I’m already planning another visit shortly.

For more information about this painting or to arrange to view it at my studio, contact me:
Tel: 07742 437425
Email: keith@keithsalmon.org or salmon21@freeuk.com