This image, and its companion piece 'Edlingham in the Snow', came about (as always it seems) due to serendipity. Having studied the forecast the previous evening and with a plan for a very different photography shoot in the works, I headed north and soon became aware that my planned shoot was shot to pieces. Undeterred, a quick check of satellite and radar showed that snow flurries were falling across the Aln Valley region and the site of Edlingham Castle so it was a no brainer to head straight there.

For me, it was the sun beginning to break through the parting clouds that truly made the scene, bringing the castle into stark relief and illuminating the ice cold ruins beneath. You can read all about my adventure this day here.