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The Robin

Clachtoll, Assynt, Scotland

By Johnny Graham

May 22^nd, 2017

I once had a robin share a sunset with me

I once had a robin share a sunset with me, no word of a lie. This wee fella darted towards me in that harried fashion that smaller birds do with their wings held tight to themselves like a wee torpedo barreling down towards you and then for a few heart-beats their wings beat furiously and lift. This cycle is repeated till he lands a arm's length or more away and turns to face the sunset I had been enjoying with my camera. I slowly shoot a few frames of him sitting there and return my attention to sharing the moment in the good company of my new found friend who seems in no hurry.

I cannot blame him, it’s a beauty, a Hebridean patchwork of dark and light, the perfect chaotic mix of cloud and sky duking it out to provide you with ultimate in nature's shows, the humble sunset.

A Robin sharing a sunset. Clachtoll, Assynt, Sutherland, Scotland,

I had only recently lost my father. I was in the middle of grieving and trying to come to terms with the abrupt changes tragedy brings when the dust finally starts to settle. I was comfortably sat on a hill overlooking the white sands of Clachtoll Beach, Assynt on the North West Coast of the Scottish Highlands. Clachtoll is where my parents had their honeymoon nearly five decades before and indeed is a familiar family escape down the years. It is steeped in memories and emotions from childhood to the present and had been a place down the years where I have spent time to relax, recharge the batteries, shoot photos and when I am of need of it to be introspective, the latter is primarily why I was there on this occasion.

Looking towards Clachtoll Broch(l) and over Stoer Bay towards Stoer, Assynt, Sutherland, Scotland.

"photography helped me greatly in my journey to cope with anxiety and depression"

I wrote before how photography helped me greatly in my journey to cope with anxiety and depression. I lost two people important to me, a close friend to cancer, then my father. Grief became intertwined with my life. However with immense grief something changed within myself, I noticed I felt more connected to nature, more aware on a primal level, something opened up in me. I had learned after a period of great soul searching most of it internal to look outward and listen to everything happening around me. I learned to take my time.

Sunset over the Minch. Clachtoll, Assynt, Sutherland, Scotland.

My robin stayed in that exact same spot with me for several minutes more watching the light change, intensify then fade, I knew then everything would be alright. I still had a battle ahead with depression but I was at peace in that moment

The wheel turns, the pain of grief remains but diminishes with time. Time is the great healer and I believe in my case photography let time do its work. life goes on.

Split Rock, Clachtoll, Assynt, Sutherland, Scotland.

Clachtoll Beach, Assynt, Sutherland, Scotland.

Sunburst over the Minch from Clachtoll, Assynt, Sutherland, Scotland.

Clachtoll Broch, Assynt, Sutherland, Scotland.

Clacholl Salmon Bothy, Assynt, Sutherland, Scotland.

© 2026 Johnny Graham

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