Stroma 2008

Stroma is a deserted island situated of the coast of Caithness – North Scotland. I photographed Stroma on two occasions with my friends George Gunn (Poet and Playwright) and Alistair Murray (Author) in the spring and late summer of 2008. Stroma is a macro example of Scotland’s depopulation over the last two centuries. It is a beautiful, haunting island with the voices of its former inhabitants still palpable in its strange and empty landscape. Many of the islanders’ homes are derelict, but some still have touching mementos and artefacts of their former lives. I believe Stroma should and will live again, but when – is anyone’s guess.

Lairg Sheep Sale 2007

The world famous Lairg sheep sale (the biggest one day sheep sale in Europe) is a crucial part of the Sutherland Crofting Communities way of life. An event that is as much a social gathering, as it is a place of commerce. The faces of the Highlanders (or people of the Highlands) at the sale are reflections of a way of life that is hard and unrelenting. They are very much real people in a world of obesity, starvation and religious intolerance. God bless the Crofters of the Highlands and Islands of Scotland.