The UK

The UK is a land of contrasts, with each nation having a landscape, history and culture of its own. From the great cities with their iconic skyscapes and buildings and the industrial heartlands which helped create the modern world to chocolate box villages in rural landscapes of rolling hills and a green patchwork of fields. In the north and west, more rugged landscapes - bleak moors and dramatic mountain landscapes interspersed with beautiful valleys and lakes, giving way to remote, windswept islands full of myth and legend.

For a full slideshow of all my photos of the UK,, please click on the Gallery & Store page (or click on the banner above!). I've included a few photos with descriptions on this page, and I'll change them from time to time, just to keep you on your toes!

Twilight over the Isles (left)

As if to show that equipment isn't what matters, this photo was taken nearly 10 years ago on a 3mp Canon compact camera! It was taken just west of Plockton on the Lochalsh Peninsula in the Western Highlands, looking north towards Bealach Na Ba (Pass Of The Cattle) on the Applecross peninsula. It was taken on a lovely evening in October whilst on part 1 of my Honeymoon. This was probably the point at which my wife realised that photography might be a bit of a problem in our relationship!

The colours in the vegetation on the rocks may look surprising, however I've done very little to this photo - the colours are very much real, and a feature of many of the photos I took around this area.

Edinburgh, from the Scott Monument (Infrared) (right)

The Scott Monument is an iconic landmark in the heart of Edinburgh and features in thousands of pictures of the City, however there aren't so many pictures taken from the Scott Monument. Whilst obviously not for those with a fear of heights, climbing to the top of the Scott Monument is certainl;y not for the claustrophobic either, as the stairs get increasingly narrow the further you go up! But the views over the city are certainly well worth the climb, as you can see here. In this case, a view from the top over Edinburgh Castle and Princes St Gardens, with the destinctive white foliage and black skies associated with infrared photography, contrasting with the white cumulus clouds and distant showers out to the West.

I'd gone to meet an old friend in Edinburgh and felt it would be cruel to expose them to the full-on experience of me with my camera kit, so decided to take 1 camera and 1 lens. Unusually, I chose my infrared camera and thought it would be an interesting experiment (and would hopefully result in fewer photos and a less-bored friend! Thank you Sarah for being incredibly patient as I dragged you round the city!).

Eilean Donan Castle (left)

One of the most famous, iconic and photograpghed Scottish castles, as seen in films such as "Highlander" and "The World is Not Enough," it is perhaps surprising that the current castle was only rebuilt between 1919 and 1932, after being destroyed by the Royal Navy in 1719 - so perhaps not as ancient as it seems! However it was built on the site of a 13th Century stronghold, used to defend against the Vikings and has a long and destinguished history as being the seat of the Clan Macrae (and therefore my ancestral home! Well, I can at least pretend....)

Again, taken on my Honeymoon on the Lochalsh peninsula in 2004 with a compact camera, the dappled early evening Autumn light and calm winds made for perfect conditions, although in this case, the limits of a 3mp camera are perhaps a bit more obvious if you look closely. It is certainly a place I will return to, with photography being the primary purpose next time!

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