Gorgeous photo. The only critique I'd have of it is a personal rather than a technical one. Viewing this picture I would love to visit this locale. While that is a subjective connotative view of "Desolation" its how I feel. Overall I'm going with - 8
beautiful, a bit blown out in the clouds, gives a great effect / feeling though,
have you tried to cut out more of the shore? - there is something drawing my eyes from the sky and sea to the shore, wich I do not find very interresting next to the other elements in the picture...
Yes - this is empty - it's also tranquil, beautiful and remote looking, but not desolate. The landscape has not been ravaged or made barren, neither does anything look forlorn. A great shot regardless of the challenge.