Scotland’s Islands
Allan Wright and Marianne Taylor
A visual odyssey of adventure, exploring one of the world’s most alluring natural environments
AWARD-winning, internationally-travelled landscape photographer, Allan Wright, demonstrates his unique ability to evoke and capture the spirit of the land – whenever and wherever he treads.
No more so than in Scotland’s Islands, one of two new stylish publications launched today, packed with over 200 stunning photographs that he taken over the years.
The eloquent writing of journalist, Marianne Taylor – newly-appointed literary editor for The Herald – expertly complements Allan’s photographic skills. Taylor’s personal reflections reveal her own special relationship with her favoured isles.
Whether weaving a course northwards on Scotland’s famously beautiful west coast – through the Sound of Mull, the Inner Hebrides, the Small Isles and on out to the Western Isles, including remote St Kilda – or surfing the wind with the birds on Orkney’s perilous cliff-tops and on to the most northerly and dramatic Shetland Islands, neither photographer nor writer are strangers to Scotland’s seaboard.
Wright, an explorer at heart, has spent many years as a lensman, journeying onshore and off.
He says: “There is nothing I enjoy more than the encounter and challenge involved in zeroing in on the moment to capture that once-in-a-lifetime shot.”
And on witnessing the sun setting on a Lochranza stag party or rising over a herd of glistening grey Highland ponies, readers too are invited to share these very special moments.
“This portfolio of photographs,” he observes, “exists by virtue of my being held captive by the beauty and atmosphere of these islands and whereas I enjoy my job immensely, it is still work.
“In general and in practice I will claim that it is the land that seems to speak to me, although I do also shorten the odds by making precise logistical calculations for some shots. It is humbling and gratifying to encounter lyrical moments of fleeting beauty. The famously changeable nature of Scottish light, especially on the west coast, means an alertness and readiness to move on opportunities is very much part of the game. I see my role in this process as a receiver transmitter, summed up well by Yann Arthus-Bertrand whose statement: ‘The earth is art, the photographer is only a witness’, speaks volumes about the role we photographers play in creating landscape consciousness.”
Allan Wright is one of Scotland’s foremost landscape photographers whose career began in the 1980s.
Since then, his award-winning work has become widely acclaimed and keenly anticipated by fellow photographers; by artists, lovers of nature and wildlife; by walkers and climbers; by visitors to Scotland and by armchair travellers alike.
Widely travelled himself, he has spent long periods of time living and working in numerous countries, including Malta, South E Asia, USA, Vietnam, Morocco, Libya, most recently Australia, Tasmania and New Zealand.
His native Scotland, however, remains his burning passion and he excels in capturing the variant moods and lyricism of its timeless landscape. Previous best-selling publications include Skye (second edition out now) Galloway, Glasgow, Arran plus many other titles.
Marianne Taylor is a Glasgow-based journalist and broadcaster. Recently appointed as The Herald’s new literary editor, she has also worked for the Guardian, the Times and Die Welt, covering politics, culture, society and travel.
She is especially inspired by her native landscape – among her recent columns is The Herald’s Scotland’s Insider Guide. It is clear that the land, its people and their history touch her deeply. Marianne’s personal experiences of visiting many of Allan’s featured islands add a refreshing dimension to Scotland’s Islands – a document of our time.
Published: 15 April 2019
Publisher: Allan Wright Photographic
Book Designer: Michael Melvin
Distributor: Lomond Books Ltd.
Price: £16.99
For more information / high res photographs / interviews: contact
Carol Carr PR
carolcarrpr@gmail.com / T: 01450 870 844 / M: 07766754877
Notes for editors:
Additional information
Scotland’s Islands is one of two new books published this week by Allan Wright.
Also
Vintage Tractors
By: Scottish landscape photographer: Allan Wright
“Tractors are like people, the older they get the more interesting they become!”. RM
A marvellous photographic chronicle of a bygone era that pays tribute to the tractor in its many guises.
Featuring:
*Over seventy perceptive photographs of mainly abandoned tractors discovered in outstandingly beautiful Scottish locations.
* Specially-commissioned poem by Scottish poet, George Gunn
* The personal reflections on a life with tractors by Ayrshireman, Russell McNab.
Published: April 2019
Allan Wright Photographic / Lomond Books Ltd.
Paperback £9.99
Buy online: www.scottishbookstore.com
And: allanwrightphoto.com
Current publications include
Skye (secondnd edition out now), Galloway, Now Glasgow, Arran 60 Best Views Mull & Iona, Perthshire, (AND currently out of print: Edinburgh Glasgow, West Coast and Arran)
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