Lewis and Harris PhotOgraphy by bruce cairns, june 2015

The island of Lewis and Harris forms part of the Outer Hebrides, off the north west coast of Scotland. I had never been there before this visit in 2015.

This is a photographic story of my visit, in chronological order. It's an attempt to make some sort of sense of my photographs, which are varied - the best connection that I can find between them comes from the chronology and flow of the trip.

I am familiar with some of the other Hebridean islands, and had done some reading before the trip, so I had an idea of what to expect.

I was on a one-to-one workshop in the company of my friend Tom Mackie - a leading professional landscape photographer who knows the islands well.

Flying in to the little airport at Stornoway, I was struck by the beauty of the island from the air. That was only a small taster - the place is quite stunning. It ranges from beautiful unspoilt beaches to craggy coastline and sea stacks, and from typical highland scenery to the ancient boulder fields of Harris that reminded me of a massive builder's yard.

The standing stones at Callanish. Much visited, much photographed, and a very evocative place.
Callanish Stone Circle
Callannish at dusk

Waterfall

We passed this waterfall every day during our time in Lewis.

Obviously, we had no choice but to photograph it.

Waterfall, Lewis
Waterfall, Lewis
Waterfall, Lewis

Blackhouses

The islands are well-known for their traditional blackhouses. The design apparently dates from several thousand years ago.

We went to the Blackhouse Village at Gerrannan, Lewis, which is well worth a visit.

Blackhouse Village, Lewis

The next few images were made on and around a beach on the west coast of Lewis.

Liquid silver
Beach detail, Lewis

I wonder who made the little cairn in this next image - and why?

Beach detail, Lewis
Photographer at work - Tom Mackie (who inadvertently modelled for me on a number of occasions)

Beaches, rocks and long exposures

Lewis beaches - at times we had blue skies, fluffy clouds and rolling waves. The cliffs, rocks and sea stacks are prominent features.

Lewis seascape

A photographer can spend hours (as we did) making long exposures.

Timsgarry and Uig Bay

On Lewis, we stayed at Tuimisgearraidh (Timsgarry) on the west coast. The following five images were made around there.

Uig Bay from Timsgarry
Uig Bay from Timsgarry
Uig Bay, sunset
Uig Bay, sunset
Dune detail - Uig

Derelict boat, Lewis

I love old wooden boats that have been left to disintegrate gracefully. There are many of them on the coasts of Scotland.

I think they help to tell a story of the history of the place where their owners lived and worked. This boat is a real beauty, in my eyes.

Sea Stacks

Sea stacks abound on the west coast of Lewis

Uig Bay in the rain

It was raining heavily when we started to drive away from Timsgarry. We then saw this scene.

Being photographers, and therefore masochistic when there is an opportunity to get a shot, we then got out of the car in the pouring rain to take photographs of this scene ...

In the pouring rain ...

Harris

Harris and Lewis are, geographically, the same island, joined near the small town of Tarbert. I understand that all the places called Tarbert (or variants) in Scotland are related to a narrow isthmus.

"The tide was out, and the sands of Luskentyre glowed silver ... They never ceased to take his breath away. Ringed by hills to the south, the mountains of North Harris, and the peaks of Taransay to the west, beyond all that simmering turquoise, he wondered if there could be any more beautiful spot on earth". Peter May, from his novel Coffin Road

I had been looking forward to seeing the famous Luskentyre sands - and I wasn't disappointed. It's a huge and spectacular beach, with wonderful views in all directions, including to the island of Taransay which dominates the view to the west. I would love to spend at least a week there, photographing the constantly changing sea, clouds, light and storms.

Luskentyre - looking from the north towards Seilebost
Luskentyre dunes
Luskentyre
Luskentyre
Luskentyre - Tom Mackie models for me again
Luskentyre

There are salt marshes on Harris, and these at Northton were a vivid green, with grazing sheep ...

Harris salt marshes
Harris salt marshes with sheep
Phone panorama from the south west coast of Harris

The next four images are from Scarista, on the west coast of Harris.

The final images are of sunset on the west coast of Harris - the Sound of Taransay.

An amazing place - I will definitely be back.

Many thanks to Tom Mackie for his guidance, expertise and company.

Created By
Bruce Cairns
Appreciate

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