Transience

The larger islands within the Outer Hebrides have been continually inhabited since Mesolithic times. Evidence of human presence on the Islands contrasts between subtle and stark in accordance with changing construction methods, farming activities, religious beliefs and land ownership.

Signs of Man’s activity and his shaping of the landscape are everywhere, from incongruous and unsympathetic to artistic and harmonious, occasionally both, but none of these human influences remain the same forever as time and the elements wear them down.

New discoveries are frequent, one very recent example is the mainly recalcitrant stone circle at Achmore on Lewis which was revealed only by peat cutting for fuel.

Populations shift and bring changes to practices, values and customs. Obsolescence and dereliction gradually becomes part of the fabric of the landscape.

This section is a continual work in progress. Please check for regular updates and new work.

For Photographers

Technique and equipment

All images in the Transience galleries above were made with my medium format Fuji, Hasselblad and 35mm Leica and Nikon cameras