New Page - Robin Taylor Photography

Blog (New)

I've realised that my updates to the website tend to me a bit sporadic (at best !), So I've decided to try and give a monthly or bi-monthly update here, Where I'll try and give a bit more context about the images themselves beyond a brief title/description.

April 2026.

I'm starting off with an update that is a little bit older, But does include my family's recent trip to Scotland.Ballater, AberdeenshireAs my wife has family in the Ballater area of Aberdeenshire in Scotland, We try to go there at least once a year. It is an amazing part of the world to visit. Despite photographing here many, many times over the last 20 years or so, each Time I come to the area I'm sure I find something to capture, whether a unique angle of a familiar view, a new location, or perhaps one seen in a new light in a different season.

Dess Waterfall/Burn O'Vat/CAMBUS O'MAY FOREST TRAILS

Dess Waterfall

The falls at Dess are roughly 2 miles east of Aboyne and are a location I've never seen previously. Although not the tallest falls, they do open out at the base of the drop looking quite spectacular. The walk to them is relatively easy if you follow the path that overlooks the top of the waterfall. The path to the bottom is a bit more involved - but worth it !

Burn O'Vat

This is a smaller waterfall, but is behind a stone 'wall' in a circular Kettle-Hole, where you enter through a narrow entrance where the water has cut though. Formed in the last ice age, It sits, secluded in the beautiful Muir Of Dinnet Nature Reserve.

Cambus O'May Forest Trails

The Forest Trails are set in a Pine & Douglas Fir woodland and offer a variety of walks. There are 2 lochans in the site. The main one has a wooden bridge across it around 30m long. In hotter parts of the year, the water does dry out completely, but usually is the size of a big, shallow pond. In the height of summer it's a haven for dragon & damselflies if water is still present.

St. mary's island/ ayton woods/ grangetown cherry blossom

St Mary's Lighthouse/Island

St Mary's is an island off Whitley Bay in North Tyneside, And somewhere I'd never even seen before. There is a footpath causeway to the island that is only accessible at low tide, This day was freezing cold and the causeway to the island was nearly submerged - So we didn't hang around for long !

Ayton Woods.

These woods near Penshaw outside Sunderland are quite small, but offer some interesting things to photograph throughtout the seasons. In April/May it always has a good display of Bluebells & Wild Garlic Flowers, offering some nice opportunities in decent weather.

Grangetown Cemetry.

Keeping on the subject of flowers - Grangetown Cemetry in Sunderland is quite famous locally for its display of Cherry Blossom along the main driveway each April. As such, It can be difficult to get a clear shot as it gets busy, But it always looks spectacular. This year I managed to visit on a lovely, sunny spring day which seems to make the colours pop.

Newcastle QuaysideI work in Newcastle City Centre, So on a decent day if i'm not being lazy, it's nice to have a wander down to the river and see if any shots take my eye. I'm always trying to do a bit more on the way of Urban & Street photography - So it's good practice too !