Scotland. the Stag - Not a natural spot for nature photography, indeed not a natural spot for a stag and the result is a most unusual landscape photograph of Scotland. It is not in the nature of things that a stag should be standing in the middle of the road, he was, so I thought you would like to see it and indeed it was the prelude to two photographs which evoke memories of old landscape paintings of Scotland. This photograph taken in the Scottish Highlands is the first of three photographs in the gallery of this magnificent stag. Its not often you get the chance to photograph a stag in the middle of the road, more a Monarch of the Road than a Monarch of the Glen.

After spending forty years as a news photographer, I can assure you this kind of luck does not happen every day.

In March of last year I was in Ullapool for the weekend, hoping to capture a few images I have had my eye on for several years, but the conditions have never been right.

The roads around this area are quiet at the best of times but early on a Sunday they are deserted, well almost.

Heading north I rounded a corner near Inchnadamph and there in the middle of the road was a magnificent stag, proud and defiant almost daring me to drive on.

I enjoy the countryside too much to drive fast, so I had no problem in stopping and reversing to a point, where I judged I could get the photograph with a telephoto lens and not frighten him.

It was incredible he was a poser, either that or he enjoyed my patter as I blethered away to him. A few shots in the bag and I moved towards him but he moved off down the road and I jumped back in the car.

What a start to the day, a lucky encounter which produced a great image.

And it got better. See next photograph - Ref No 204