Deserted

A shot I took several years ago on Sanday Island, Orkney ; a village left to ruin, part of the story of depopulation of the island. In the larger scheme of the island's history it barely registers, a small moment of habitation and abandonment but it's a powerful place nonetheless. The sense of desolatation is palpable. The houses still (largely) stand despite the inhositable climate. There is a sense of community in those tight little boxes, of living cheek by jowl.

Sunset after Rain, Portpatrick, Scotland

Hoping for a little sympathetic magic...Sunset after rain, and hopefully the gods of weather might take pity on us and give us a few sunny days soon....

Brooding Hills

One of the most poetic landscapes I've even seen, the west coast of Scotland around Loch Torridon....

Poetic Landscape

Views from the Circle

Views across the headland on Orkney from the Ring of Brogdar stone circle;




Close up of the stones - the sufaces are beautiful despite years of weathering.

I can see gods....

View from the Ring of Brodgar, across the landscape. The sea level has risen over the centuries, but otherwise it's a reasonably unchanged vista. From the vantage point of the raised hillock beyond the circle (where it is postulated some ultimate or post-ritual ceremony took place) this is a dramatic and inspirational view. You can just see one of the ancient pathways worn through and around the site in the front of the photo.

Mist and Rain

Rain and Sun

sunlight on sea

Distance.

Sky

We spent a lovely evening in Thurso, Scotland - a place much maligned in the Lonely Planet and Rough Guide books. We arrived on a stunning evening, with incredible light and one of the best sunsets later on that I have ever seen. We walked out on this beach before dinner and afterwards strolled down the harbour - on our way back after photographing the sunset we were treated to an impromptu concert in the dark by a group of teenagers singing in a cafe; singing show tunes in the dark.

Speed and Distance

Crossings

Brown Beach

Where Two Seas Meet

Distance.

Kentucy the Cockerel

Fairy Garden

Orkney, Summer 2007

View from the Orkney Ferry crossing to Sanday, Summer 2007

Lochs and Fjords

Many a heated debate travelling around the west coast of Scotland on what was a Loch and what was a Fjord :)