Paps of Jura and Sunderland Hill from the Kilchoman Crags, Isle of Islay

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Picture of a smaller hill in front of three larger mountains in the distance
Paps of Jura and Sunderland Hill from the Kilchoman Crags, Isle of Islay

A view across Islay to Jura from the Kilchoman Crags. Sunderland Hill in the foreground, the famous Paps of Jura in the distance behind it.

Whooper Swans in a field near Sunderland farm, Isle of Islay

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Picture of several Whooper Swans in a field
Whooper Swans in a field near Sunderland farm, Isle of Islay

Some of a large number of Whooper Swans spotted in a field near Sunderland farm a few years back, stopping over on Islay on their way to their wintering grounds on Ireland.

Half/half tree at Sunderland, Isle of Islay

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Picture of a strange looking tree, in flower on one side, almost bare on the other side
Half/half tree at Sunderland, Isle of Islay

An interesting looking tree at Sunderland on the Rhinns of Islay, taken in June 2011. One side is in full bloom, the other side is almost bare and dead. There’s some history to this, many trees in the area looked like this at the time: In late May 2011 a strong westerly storm hit Islay, blowing a lot of salty spray in particular over the western part of the island and there over the west facing side of the trees. The salt killed off most of the leaves on the west facing side while the leaves on the east facing side were mostly unharmed or recovered better than the west facing side.