Redcastle Estate

Both of the following 'houses' are located on the Redcastle Estate near the shore of the Beauly Firth on the Black isle. The small home is located in a small depression sandwiched between a disused railway and agricultural fields. The larger one also known as the Redcastle is situated close to the shore on a hill. A small burn runs alongside and a sweeping lawn lies to the North-East.

There is an interesting juxtaposition between the materials used, the amount of degradation and the security afforded to the sites.

Time and neglect

When photographing the tower at Fairburn it would be so easy to take a good photo on a sunny day and use it to create a narrative of the Highlands and Scotland with a mind to sell 'ancient Scotland' to tourists. On a post card the tower would appeal to those, such as Americans, who have few such grand houses of their own. Yet this 'heritage' feature is still in use and sits in a landscape lacking in the grandeur that a selective photo would present. To the front of the tower lies a lean-to shed with corrugated roofing. To the side lies a silo and plastic coated haybales. On the left is a rented cottage and the entire place is covered in waist high nettles. Indeed part of the wall that originally surrounded the home is used for a cottage garden to grow soft fruit for personal use.

With close cropping or selective angle we could easily give a far different impression of a broody ruin or grand facade and never hint at the continued usefulness of the site. That is, of course, what appeals in tourism but the truth of the building can appeal on many other levels. 

Finally, this building is interesting from a sociological viewpoint as it was the main dwelling on this particular estate (I am led to believe) yet it is ruined and derelict like the others I have photographed. Indeed they may have become so for different reasons but the outcome remains the same. Grand or humble, time and human neglect leads all things to the same conclusion.

Fairburn house 2. 

 This house sits very close to a river and there are no signs of a byre though a field housing sheep lies next to it presently. The house is easily reachable from a private tarmac road on the estate. The estate is considered a 'working estate' owing to the fact that stalking takes place in the autumn as well as fishing, log cutting and a wind farm which provides funds to the estate owners. The road is provided to allow access to heavy vehicles for the cutting and wind farm access. The house is located in a rocky area that would provide little land for agriculture.

Fireplace

Stalking takes place on the hills behind. The hill is also the location of three large wind turbines.

The road provides access to the hills behind and ends at a reservoir.

The bakehouse/kitchen of Fairburn house and tower. The lintel is barely tall enough to allow entry without stooping. The roof, though long gone, would have been extremely low compared to neighbouring house.

Small window and possible drain at entrance to the tower.

Tower is located in fertile farmland

The turrets look commanding against the sky. Lying on one side of the glen on flat land this house would have been visible for a long distance and speaks volumes about the class systems and hierarchy of the clan system of the time period. 

Fairburn Tower, left to ruin as predicted by the Brahan Seer.

Fairburn tower, Fairburn Estate, Ross-shire

I often take the 'road less travelled'. On a daily basis I leave my home with the required items for a day out in Scotland eg. wellies, raincoat, gloves and even occasionally sunblock and cycle or run to the hills and the forests. So many times I stumble across old, overgrown buildings that are left to tumble down and often wonder who lived there, what the purpose of the building was and why it was deserted.  I had originally considered using this blog to investigate the YES campaign in Scotland but after another day out recently I decided that my real interest lies in these deserted buildings. So, I have decided to make a complete change.

So, beginning afresh I have started with a recently 'discovered' house on the Fairburn Estate.  As the area gives an impression of isolation and desolation it is interesting to consider that this home, along with another nearby, were actually a settlement. While the only visitors to the area now are walkers and shooting enthusiasts from the Estate, the area was previously possibly full of life.

Photos taken on the Fairburn Estate, Ross-shire. September, 2013

This house is on a hill and is hidden from the paved road. It is, however, visible from the dirt track that runs on the opposite side of the river below. It is now reachable by a logging road and encompasses one house, one outbuilding and what appears to be a byre.

 This view is about 200 ft from the homestead up the hill.

Colours of Scotland....Blue and white of the national flag

Mundane YES. The colours of Scotland, the flag, the 'handwritten' YES with the touch of humanity. The rain as a signifier of Scotland and the rather miserable looking family pet.

Week one: Visual Research

The kernel of my idea which may grow or sadly may fail to sprout depending on where my mind takes me is thus:

I would like to investigate the images, people and signs of the YES Scotland campaign. My intention is, over the upcoming weeks, to photograph the various expressions of the pro-independence movement. 

I am unsure how non-biased I can be as I am an independence supporter but I will attempt to view things in as non-partial way as I possibly can.  This should be interesting......