WRITING PROMPT RESPONSE
The Ocean as Artist
Sketchpads on the Beach
(All photos by the author)
It was a typical April day on the isle of Berneray in the Outer Hebrides. I had to wear a warm coat, but at least it was not raining or really windy. I had embarked on a hike that was feeling kind of average — not quite boring. After about an hour, I had the choice to loop back around and return to my cozy hostel or take a spur down to the beach.
Beaches are nice and the ones in the Hebrides are quite stunning, but I had been walking along the coast every day, so I almost took a pass on this one.
But I didn’t. And here is what happened.
My first thought was how nice it would be to have this entire place to myself, so I started walking along the tideline.
And then I looked down — and discovered what a talented artist the ocean can be.
As the tide fell, tiny rivulets formed in the sand. Dark minerals were exposed in a way that looked like the ocean had created a series of charcoal sketches.
This is called dendritic drainage (from the Greek, dedron “tree”) and it is no wonder. Some of the sketches look like a winter forest.
As I moved south, the ocean apparently decided to experiment with mixed media.
I walked for two mesmerizing hours on this beach and never saw a soul.
You can imagine how grateful I was that I had made the choice I did.
Here is a slide show gallery of even more of these works of art.
Thinking of visiting? Berneray Beach runs almost three and a half miles along the northwest and west coast of Berneray Island in the Outer Hebrides. You can reach this archipelago by ferry from Oban, Scotland or from Uig on the Isle of Skye.
#naturalwonders
Cathy Fulton is the author of Dream. Plan. Travel. Your Guide to Independent Travel on a Budget. She is always on the lookout for ways to experience cultures deeply as she travels. She looks for people who share her passion for local cuisine and the fiber arts. As a result, she has met hundreds of people, many of whom have become lifelong friends.
Sign up for our newsletter to stay informed with up-to-date curations from our editors.
We now offer exclusive writing services for our members. Discover how you can take advantage of our editing services and more.
