Photos from Our Trip to Kilmartin

Standing Stones, Kilmartin (Canon EOS 5D Mark II, EF 17-35mm f/2.8L USM lens at 17mm, ISO 100, 1/125 sec at f/10, Tripod)

I am just back from four days in Argyll, or more specifically the Kimartin area.  While the weather was not at its best there was some good light at different times which allowed for some decent photo opportunities.  That, allied with the wide range of spectacular historical sites, made for an intersting and fun trip. 

This first shot was taken late in the afternoon with low sunlight from the right emphasising the long shadows from the stones.  The clouds in the otherwise blue sky add depth and interst to the image, helping to lead the viewer's eye into the shot.

The following few shots were taken at Crinan, again late in the afternoon/evening so a large part of the basin was in relative shade compaed to the hill behind.  The basin was fairly quiet with just a few yachts and these two old steam boats.  The larger boat had its engine going, producing lovely wisps of smoke which add a sense of motion to the image.  The wall on the left leads the viewer into the image and adds texture with the lichens on the stones.

Boats, Crinan (Canon EOS 5D Mark II, EF 24-105mm f/4L USM lens at 32mm, ISO 100, 1/20 sec at f/11, Tripod)

Crinan (Canon EOS 5D Mark II, EF 17-35mm f/2.8L USM lens at 17mm, ISO 100, 1/40 sec at f/10, Tripod)

Cafe at Crinan (Canon EOS 5D Mark II, EF 17-35mm f/2.8L USM lens at 17mm, ISO 100, 1/50 sec at f/11, Tripod)

Boats, Crinan (Canon EOS 5D Mark II, EF 24-105mm f/4L USM lens at 24mm, ISO 100, 1/800 sec at f/8.0 Tripod)

Yachts at Crinan (Canon EOS 5D Mark II, EF 17-35mm f/2.8L USM lens at 17mm, ISO 100, 1/1000 sec at f/8.0, Tripod)

I generally like canals as a subject for photography because of the good chance of interesting reflections and obviously lots of boats.  However, last time we went to Crinan I took several shots of the canal so this time I focused elsewhere.  This shot was taken from the bridge that crosses the River Add where it enters the sea just beside the canal, looking east.  The wonderful reflections in the calm water and the clouds in the blue sky made me stop for this shot.

Reflections on the River Add, Crinan (Canon EOS 5D Mark II, EF 17-35mm f/2.8L USM lens at 17mm, ISO 100, 1/250 sec at f/8.0, Handheld)

One of our favourite haunts in Carnasserie Castle, an old ruin situated on a bit of high ground just north of Kilmartin.  The castle offers many opportunities for intersting angles and perspectives. The ight was very dull and flat with overcast conditions so I focused mainly on wide-angle shots of the outside of the castle, trying to capture something of the scale and mystery of the place.

Carnasserie Castle, Kilmartin (Canon EOS 5D Mark II, EF 17-35mm f/2.8L USM lens at 17mm, ISO 320, 1/200 sec at f/8.0, Tripod)

Carnasserie Castle, Kilmartin (Canon EOS 5D Mark II, EF 17-35mm f/2.8L USM lens at 17mm, ISO 320, 1/160 sec at f/8.0, Tripod)

Window Detail, Carnasserie Castle, Kilmartin (Canon EOS 5D Mark II, EF 17-35mm f/2.8L USM lens at 35mm, ISO 320, 1/40 sec at f/8.0, Handheld)

Entrance, Carnasserie Castle, Kilmartin (Canon EOS 5D Mark II, EF 17-35mm f/2.8L USM lens at 35mm, ISO 320, 1/50 sec at f/8.0, Handheld)

Carnasserie Castle, Kilmartin (Canon EOS 5D Mark II, EF 17-35mm f/2.8L USM lens at 17mm, ISO 320, 1/400 sec at f/8.0, Tripod)

On our last, slightly damp and overcast day, we took a walk to a spectacular ruined old mansion called Poltalloch House.  This house has a very sad story, being first constructed in the 1840s, when the owners were busy clearing folk from the land and were apparently involved in various business ventures, including the slave trade.  The house was used to host multi-national business deals, no doubt at the cost of many poorer folk, but ultimately was only occupied for less than 100 years.  The roof was removed in the 1950s to avoid paying tax and it has since fallen into serious disrepair, currently sitting on the Buildings at Risk register.  All this being said, it must have been a spectacular house in its hey-day, costing £100,000 to build at the time, the equivalent today of c. £10 million.  It is not safe to enter the house, though I did sneek into the conservatory for my final shot, but I took a few external shots although it was difficult to capture the scale and grandeur of the building.  Also, there is a church located just a short distance from the main house, which has some interesting details in the form of gargoyles and intrictae carvings.

Carved Head (Grumpy), Poltalloch Church (Canon EOS 5D Mark II, EF 17-35mm f/2.8L USM lens at 35mm, ISO 320, 1/30 sec at f/8.0, Handheld)

Carved Head (Happy), Poltalloch Church (Canon EOS 5D Mark II, EF 17-35mm f/2.8L USM lens at 35mm, ISO 320, 1/40 sec at f/8.0, Handheld)

Detailed Carvings, Poltalloch Church (Canon EOS 5D Mark II, Sigma 70-300mm F/4-5.6 lens at 119mm, ISO 320, 1/30 sec at f/8.0, Handheld)

Poltalloch House, West Wing (Canon EOS 5D Mark II, EF 17-35mm f/2.8L USM lens at 19mm, ISO 320, 1/125 sec at f/8.0, Handheld)

The View from the Conservatory, Poltalloch House (Canon EOS 5D Mark II, EF 17-35mm f/2.8L USM lens at 28mm, ISO 320, 1/200 sec at f/8.0, Handheld)

On our way home we took a short detour to explore the Ardfern road and just after the main village and marina we found this old wreck sticking out of the water.  I immediately thought it would make for a good photo with the contrasting blue sky and clouds to add interest.

Wreck at Ardfern (Canon EOS 5D Mark II, EF 17-35mm f/2.8L USM lens at 17mm, ISO 100, 1/800 sec at f/16, Tripod)