Lowland Highlanders | John Irvine
'The Scottish Highlands are known throughout the world for intense beauty, that collaborates hundreds of diverse peaks with plunging glens often entering coastal waters. Its position in this world means that it gets intense changes of weather that are extremely diverse and flowing; adding drama to already dramatic geography. Quite rightly, its standing in the world as a place to visit is at the very top.
Yet, under 50 miles from the border of England, in the Lowther Hills area of the Scottish Lowlands, are Scotland’s highest communities. They contain deep history that centre’s upon the natural resources underneath the surface; in particular its gold and lead. Nicknamed ‘Gods Treasure House’ due its abundance of minerals and precious metals, the area is rich in its geographical diversity.
Man made development is typically all around us and only increasing at a higher and more impactful rate, and whilst improvements and changes are needed to the infrastructure of the area, it is largely untouched. This provides a raw and reassuring visual sensation with overwhelming beauty all around; which transfers on to its residents and gatekeepers of the land.
‘Lowland Highlander’s’ is my documentary journey of the lives and land that exist in an area often overlooked by people yearning to visit the more well known and obvious views of Scotland. The work has been ongoing since early 2022.
book - The series is being released as a hardback photobook by the excellent Kozu Books, available to pre-order now. Highly recommend bagging a copy folks!
All images & text © John Irvine
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