Winter solstice
21st December 2022
A combination of the winter solstice, thick cloud, and frequent showers made for a fairly dark day. Highlights of the day were some fresh snow on the summits, a glimpse of the sun, and a couple of not too shy Ptarmigan.
![](https://torridonblog.sais.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/P1000940.jpg)
The only glimpse of the sun that I got today. This was taken around 10:30, but even at midday the sun only gets around 9 degrees above the horizon at this time of year in Torridon.
![](https://torridonblog.sais.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/P1000944.jpg)
Ptarmigan.
![](https://torridonblog.sais.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/P1000939.jpg)
Liathach. The summit stayed in the cloud all day.
![](https://torridonblog.sais.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/P1000947.jpg)
The North side of Sgurr Dubh.
![](https://torridonblog.sais.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/P1000948-1.jpg)
Rivers are still high. Although there was some fresh snow at summit level today, thawing at lower elevations would have resulted in a net loss of snow.
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Allan Crawford
22nd December 2022 8:25 am
Over on Skye we had the numerous heavy showers you mentioned making for a proper wet Skye day, must have been a testing wet day out on the hill. It was bad enough trying to delivery the post, thanks for the report.
Allan