Alastair Schouten
@hilarityunit.bsky.social
Snappy bio? We have clearance Clarence. What's my vector Victor? Crohn's disease: come for the irritable bowels, stay for the boiling skin & fucked up lungs. Hong Kong born Scot with an Irish passport and a Dutch grandfather 🏴🇮🇪🇳🇱🇪🇺
Well that's my reading sorted for the next few months. Isaac Asimov's best in machete reading order. I have read all but four at some point but all a long time ago. #asimov
October 1, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Well that's my reading sorted for the next few months. Isaac Asimov's best in machete reading order. I have read all but four at some point but all a long time ago. #asimov
Pleased I managed a decent snap of this common darter (Sympetrum striolatum) while oot 'n' aboot today.
August 29, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Pleased I managed a decent snap of this common darter (Sympetrum striolatum) while oot 'n' aboot today.
A couple of snaps from that day. First is a view back to Inchrory & Glen Avon with the track to Corgaff catching the morning sun. Second is on Ben Avon's extensive plateau.
August 14, 2025 at 8:27 PM
A couple of snaps from that day. First is a view back to Inchrory & Glen Avon with the track to Corgaff catching the morning sun. Second is on Ben Avon's extensive plateau.
Did the Aberdeen harbour tour today and was lots of these 🐬
June 29, 2025 at 8:47 PM
Did the Aberdeen harbour tour today and was lots of these 🐬
Dee lupins. I can't grow these beauties in my (poorly drained) garden but there are thousands of them growing wild on the banks of the Dee.
May 16, 2025 at 1:31 PM
Dee lupins. I can't grow these beauties in my (poorly drained) garden but there are thousands of them growing wild on the banks of the Dee.
River Dee really low again. Last time it was so low was just two years ago when I forded it three times (with my MTB)
May 16, 2025 at 1:26 PM
River Dee really low again. Last time it was so low was just two years ago when I forded it three times (with my MTB)
You would be surprised. This Rowan was about 3m tall despite the fact I couldn't see any actual roots.
May 12, 2025 at 9:56 AM
You would be surprised. This Rowan was about 3m tall despite the fact I couldn't see any actual roots.
Looks like they are behind here (TdF prologue 1985)
May 3, 2025 at 2:43 PM
Looks like they are behind here (TdF prologue 1985)
As well as your std blue Bluebell we also have lilac and white varieties here in Banchory. There are quite a few patches of the lilac ones but I have only come across one patch of the white ones.
April 30, 2025 at 8:16 PM
As well as your std blue Bluebell we also have lilac and white varieties here in Banchory. There are quite a few patches of the lilac ones but I have only come across one patch of the white ones.
The MS Solong docked in Aberdeen south harbour today. BTW the jack-up behind is the Maersk Intrepid with its ~200m legs.
March 28, 2025 at 8:58 PM
The MS Solong docked in Aberdeen south harbour today. BTW the jack-up behind is the Maersk Intrepid with its ~200m legs.
Clachnaben yesterday. First proper hike since I sprained my knee in September. Views would have been even better if it wasn't for all the muriburn going on.
March 1, 2025 at 1:03 PM
Clachnaben yesterday. First proper hike since I sprained my knee in September. Views would have been even better if it wasn't for all the muriburn going on.
Scotland (well I am Scottish). If you are thinking of doing some cycling while here I would definitely advise MTB rather than road, as the roads here are shite (v heavy & poorly maintained) but access to the countryside is almost unlimited.
February 16, 2025 at 9:19 AM
Scotland (well I am Scottish). If you are thinking of doing some cycling while here I would definitely advise MTB rather than road, as the roads here are shite (v heavy & poorly maintained) but access to the countryside is almost unlimited.
The River Dee at Banchory today at lunch time.
January 12, 2025 at 6:11 PM
The River Dee at Banchory today at lunch time.
Still getting the hang of my drone. This is the view downstream of the River Dee in Banchory. The A93 and the Deeside Railway to the left, with Cairn-mon-earn on the horizon centre-right. Taken yesterday. #DJI
January 4, 2025 at 11:51 AM
Still getting the hang of my drone. This is the view downstream of the River Dee in Banchory. The A93 and the Deeside Railway to the left, with Cairn-mon-earn on the horizon centre-right. Taken yesterday. #DJI
Guess who got a drone for Xmas. While it is second hand and a few years behind the latest tech it is still an amazing bit of kit. Going to take me some time to master (for instance this a grab from the video rather than a proper photo).
January 2, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Guess who got a drone for Xmas. While it is second hand and a few years behind the latest tech it is still an amazing bit of kit. Going to take me some time to master (for instance this a grab from the video rather than a proper photo).
Getting to be an Xmas eve tradition for me: on this day 14 years ago. The outflow of Loch Muick as the sun set on an extraordinary day.
December 24, 2024 at 10:29 AM
Getting to be an Xmas eve tradition for me: on this day 14 years ago. The outflow of Loch Muick as the sun set on an extraordinary day.
Hung two new presents to myself. Loch Eanaich & Braeriach in the first floor landing, and The Devil's Point from Sron Riach in the living room (to go along with last year's present of Loch Muick)
December 22, 2024 at 5:03 PM
Hung two new presents to myself. Loch Eanaich & Braeriach in the first floor landing, and The Devil's Point from Sron Riach in the living room (to go along with last year's present of Loch Muick)
Spot the bike 🪵🏴
December 15, 2024 at 1:46 PM
Spot the bike 🪵🏴
A 16km six & a half hour hike. We were going to go down the Glas Thor corrie but it was a huge sheet of ice and even though we had crampons decided to ascend to the Glas Mheall Mor summit and descend from there.
December 11, 2024 at 4:05 PM
A 16km six & a half hour hike. We were going to go down the Glas Thor corrie but it was a huge sheet of ice and even though we had crampons decided to ascend to the Glas Mheall Mor summit and descend from there.
Although this isn't my favourite mountain photo it was my most popular on Flickr when I used to post there (account now deleted) and it was my only photo to make Flickr's front page.
December 11, 2024 at 3:50 PM
Although this isn't my favourite mountain photo it was my most popular on Flickr when I used to post there (account now deleted) and it was my only photo to make Flickr's front page.