This was a stunning morning, very still, and chilly but the sun had risen and it immediately started to boil off the surface of the loch and within a minute or two the birch island complete with its golden gown became invisible. We duly hung around and the mist continued to lift eventually revealing the vague outline of the island and its golden birch with the backdrop of scots pine just barely visible. This was my defining moment. Imagine my surprise when a second or two later the peace and tranquility was shattered by a person swimming by. It was 6.30am