The beauty of living in the Highlands (as I have done all my life) is a variety of seasons (some that can arrive all in a day). In summer the days are long and bright and an early start before dawn can mean that the alarm is set for 4am.

A very un-glamorous wardrobe choice is a must, good boots, lots of layers and a prepared pack lunch with those veggie Percy Pigs, which are my snack of choice.

A dog whistle (in-case I fall down a hole), a GPS (for a bigger hole), sun-cream, glasses, water, Smidge, gators, for all eventualities must be taken into account.

I love the peace of an early morning, living with 2 Cocker Spaniels will do that to you.

The sense of adventure spurs you onto your destination. Some days the camera gods, the wind direction and a good deal of patience pays off and you get to spend an amazing time in nature, all alone, 1500 feet up, watching mountain hare leverets. The days you saw nothing, just fade away.