The stag, the mountains, the loch and the moor this is Nature Photography of Scotland - Mother nature brings all of the elements of her world together to produce this scene of natural beauty and I'm lucky enough to be there to capture the moment which produces the photograph.

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The last shot "Just one more please" is a familiar cry from the news photographer. Old habits die hard. So here is the last.

The stag (a personal friend by this time) and the full majesty of Quinag.

A cup of coffee and a sandwich and I kid you not, I could swear when he saw me rustling in the paper bag, he was about to come over and join me. I will be back in the area later in the year and as I round the corner at Inchnadamph . . . . .?

No I am sure he will be high in the magnificent mountains which surround this area.

Update.

I was back in the area recently to do some photographs for an American Magazine and had called in to see Peter and Ann Sills owners of the Inchnadamph Hotel. They had been in touch to request a large framed print of this photograph to hang in their dining room. The hotel lies in this wonderful area and is an ideal base for your holiday.

I had the print put on to canvas and they seemed very pleased with the result as they examined it. Peter in particular, was having a real close look and I must admit I wasn't ready for his reaction.

"It's Freaky"! shouted an excited Peter," Freaky what's freaky about it"? I was a bit bemused by his statement." No the Stag, it's name, it's name is Freaky". By this time Ann was also becoming excited. "Are you sure"? she asked, Peter assured her that it definitely was Freaky. I must admit I was beginning to think it must be the Highland air.

How can you call my Monarch of the Glen Freaky? Peter explained. Normally a Stag has twelve points to its antlers, but every year when Freaky's antlers grow back, eleven perfect points appear but the twelfth never gets by the stage of a stump, hence the name of Freaky. The name may seem a little harsh, but I can assure you they and the locals love Freaky.

Ann told me that in the winter he and a pal come to the hotel to be fed. One winters morning she found Freaky stuck in the front door of the hotel, where he had obviously sought shelter during the night. I told her about me opening my sandwiches and being convinced he was going to join me, she assured me she wouldn't have been surprised if he had.

So there we are I now know my pals name. Any time you are in the area call in to the Inchnadamph Hotel and if you are there in the winter you may even see him, if not look in on him in the dining room, and ask Ann to tell you some of the stories,

I helped Peter and Ann site the photograph in the dining room and despite only having eleven points and a stump, he looked every bit a King and he is still my Monarch of the Glen even if his name is Freaky.