In this video I take you with us up to Glencoe in December, and honestly it felt like seeing the place for the first time again. We’ve been to this part of the Highlands loads of times, but never in winter, and the combination of low light, snow-dusted shapes and that big, brooding atmosphere is just spectacular. I talk through what I’m looking for when I’m choosing a viewpoint in conditions like this—simple value shapes, a clear focal point, and a composition that reads quickly before the weather changes its mind. The trip wasn’t without its drama though: the heater in the van broke, which is the sort of thing that turns a “romantic winter painting trip” into a proper test. Even so, it’s a brilliant reminder that plein air isn’t about perfect comfort—it’s about being out there, reacting to what’s in front of you, and making the most of the moment. If you’re thinking of visiting Glencoe in winter, I share why December is such a good time for painters: fewer people, softer light, and landscapes that almost arrange themselves into paintable patterns.