OK, so it is a bit of a cliche

The Trotternish Ridge from the Quiraing Path (Canon EOS 5D Mark IV, EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM lens at 24mm, 1/30 sec at f/16, ISO 400, Zomei HD Glass ND0.9 (3 stop) grad filter, tripod)

Today I had reason to visit the north end of Skye for work purposes, so I took my camera bag in the hope that the light would be kind to me and I might get a decent image or two.  On my way home I popped up to the parking area at the top of the Quiraing pass to find it entirely empty - that has to be a first.  I guess tourists are sticking to the Covid rules which is good to see.  So, I headed along the footpath towards the Quiraing to what must be one of the most popular photographic viewpoints on the island.  I have previously vowed never to go for this cliched view but since it was quiet, I thought I ought to take my chances.  The timing wasn't ideal in terms of light, but the clouds showed some promise and there was a bit of sunshine here and there, helping to bring out the textures in the landscape. 

The above image was created using a 3 stop ND grad filter to balance the exposure of the sky with the darker shaded areas of the east facing slopes, with some success.  I processed the image in Lightroom initially and liked the result (see below) but as always I opted for a more desaturated, and to be honest, more realistic finished product above, which really brings out the contrast and atmosphere of this most dramatic landscape.

Original Full Colour Version - The Trotternish Ridge from the Quiraing Path (Canon EOS 5D Mark IV, EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM lens at 24mm, 1/30 sec at f/16, ISO 400, Zomei HD Glass ND0.9 (3 stop) grad filter, tripod)

I also produced a black & white version, using Silver Efex Pro II for the conversion from the processed raw file (see below).  I do like the monochrome version and I applied a selenium tone and slight vignette to this image, resulting in a nice clear tonality I think.

Black & White Version - The Trotternish Ridge from the Quiraing Path (Canon EOS 5D Mark IV, EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM lens at 24mm, 1/30 sec at f/16, ISO 400, Zomei HD Glass ND0.9 (3 stop) grad filter, tripod)

The view looking north is also rather spectacular, with amazing rocky outcrops and lovely variations in texture and tones with the different surfaces, vegetation and the sky (see below).

Looking Towards the Quiraing (Canon EOS 5D Mark IV, EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM lens at 47mm, 1/125 sec at f/16, ISO 400, handheld)