Although we’ve both travelled so widely,
the deepest love is for your own country, in many ways.
That certainly applies in terms of the United Kingdom.
I cut my photographic teeth in Scotland,
and I know you have a deep-seated passion for Scotland.
It’s true. There are so many amazing places.
I’m very lucky to have travelled from the northernmost part of Shetland,
all the way south.
One place I haven’t gone to is Fair Isle, but that will be corrected soon.
North-west and north-east coasts, and the Outer Hebrides
not all of the islands, because about 147 are populated – but the majority.
The places that immediately spring to mind are Hoy in the Orkneys.
Eigg, in the Small Isles.
And of course Lewis and Harris, you can’t miss them.
Of course, Skye is unique, with its incredible mountains.
And the fact that you can see the mainland, especially from Trotternish,
is a big part of that panorama.
But where else in Scotland appeals to you?
I will never forget the first time I got up before dawn
and walked down to the banks of Loch Rannoch with my brand new SLR.
There was Schiehallion, standing above Loch Rannoch,
with a perfect reflection and a layer of mist.
Of course, in my incredibly naïve inexperience, I took just two frames.
Two weeks later, when I got my little yellow box of transparencies,
I looked at this transparency and I thought, ‘Did I take that?’
I’ve been going back for decades and I’ve never seen it like that again.
So that’s a very special place.
We’ve had some fantastic experiences in Torridon, in Sutherland.
Another trip to Scotland is calling.
I’m going up very soon.
Assynt and Wester Ross, too – the mountains and coast.
But we mustn’t miss out England and Wales.
I have a deep-seated passion for where Wendy and I live
on the border of Dorset and Somerset.
Photographing that landscape –
both the Jurassic Coast and the rolling landscapes of Wessex over the past 20 years.
Hardy country.
Yes, and it’s a project I will never finish.
But it’s endlessly stimulating.
When you have a connection with somewhere, it comes through in the pictures.
The truth is, your back-doorstep landscape is where you can go most often.
So you can learn its subtleties and nuances.
And when the unique weather conditions arise, you can be there.
You could argue that it should be the best of your work.
For me, that would apply to the North Yorkshire Moors,
but I also have a special affection for the Lake District.
I feel guilty saying it, because the Lake District is super popular,
but I still get a thrill from being there.
It’s like a miniature Scotland, but more sheltered and softer in its mood.
One of the questions I’m asked most is, what are my favourite places.
So what about abroad? Do you have any one favourite place?
For emotional reasons, I would go for Zion National Park.
If you were to cut off my arm now, you’d see maple syrup in my blood.
I have this connection with Canada because I spent my youth there.
There’s so much space and scope – it’s endless.
I find it tremendously stimulating.
Luckily enough, we tend to go back there most years.
Before we finish this conversation, it’s important to mention Wales and Northern Ireland.
Wales, for me, is a magical country.
I’ve spent quite a lot of time in Snowdonia, but it also has magnificent coastlines.
We love the Brecon Beacons.
It’s a great country.