Linlithgow Palace

Roofless and ruined the wonder that is Linlithgow Palace still shines through.

David I was the first monarch to build a residence on this spot overlooking a small inland loch in 1124. Linlithgow even means the "loch in the damp hollow", but Linlithgow Palace is most famous for being the residence of the Stewart family. James V, Mary Queen of Scots and Princess Elizabeth all being born here. Although ravaged by fire in 1424 the palace rose like a phoenix from the ashes through James I who started to build a new palace. Over the next centuries his heirs built on and the palace grew to be the impressive quadrangular abode that captured the hearts of the Stewart Queens. Sadly when James VI moved his court to London when he was named James I of England, Linlithgow Palace fell quickly into decline. 

The Majesty of the Cathedral of St Andrews

It was the largest and most magnificent cathedral in Scotland. 

Built in 1158 and dedicated to Andrew the Apostle this Roman Catholic cathedral dominated the kingdom of Fife which in fact did not actually have a king at all. 

It became the centre of the Medieval Catholic Church in Scotland. 

Yet today it is but a ghost of its former glory.

Today you walk through the stone arch entrance and are graced with a strange feeling of being both inside and out. 

The cathedral fell into ruin and disuse during the Scottish Reformation in the 16th Century.

So long since gone are its 30m high ceilings.

 Yet three of its exterior walls still stand to some extent allowing you to imagine and sense the huge scale that was this cathedrals original 118m length and 51m width. 

Empty spaces where altars and stained glass should be. 

Silent witnesses to watch over the crumbling of something that once stood so tall. 

A longing looking out at the North Sea. 

Funny how no matter how much stone a building can lose it can still stand as tall as the day it was built in the minds of those that visit it.

Down Time

One of the best things about studying something like photography is that I actually enjoying doing it. Hence when I have down time you are more than likely to find me in one of three places.

1. In the journalism department editing my photos 
2. Out taking more photos
3. At the Rat and Parrot (our local pub) hanging out with friends who, you guessed it, are mostly all journalism students

So in staying true to my nature here are some photos from two different photo shoots that I recently did in some down time. A big thanks to Caeri Dunnell, Kate Brook-Hart, Meg Ross, Claire Martin and Stephane Meintjes for helping with the shoots and allowing me to photograph you again!