While sheltering from the rain in the grounds of Brodick Castle, I slowed down and paid more attention to the small details that often go unnoticed. Instead of sweeping views or dramatic skies, it was the close-up textures and colours of the woodland that caught my eye.
On the larch trees, tiny cones hung like perfectly carved ornaments, their spirals resembling miniature sculptures. Branches were laced with lichens, creating intricate tracery against the muted greens and browns of the forest. Even in the dampness, their silver-grey forms seemed to glow.
The heather offered a gentle splash of colour, its soft pink flowers still brightening the undergrowth despite the turn of the season. And on the mossy ground, a single fallen fungus rested quietly, its delicate gills fanned out like pages of a well-worn book.
These are the quiet details that reward a slower walk, the kind you take when you’re dodging showers and letting the rain guide your pace. In the stillness, there’s a reminder that beauty isn’t only found in the grand landscapes but also in the small, fleeting moments of nature.
