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©Craig Evans

Craig Easton returning to Mingulay

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Summary: Inspired by the work of Robert Moyes Adams, and his trips to Isle of Mingulay – photographer Craig Evans took his large format camera and equipment to try to land on the Island. And he finally made it and brought back some amazing images from this little Island in the Outer Hebrides in Scotland.

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Robert Moyes Adam was a distinguished Scottish photographer whose lens captured the essence and beauty of Scotland in the early to mid-20th century. Born in Edinburgh in 1885, Adam developed a deep affinity for photography from an early age. His fascination with the medium led him to hone his skills and eventually establish himself as one of Scotland's foremost photographers.

Adam's work predominantly focused on landscapes, architecture, and the people of Scotland. His photographs are characterized by their remarkable clarity, composition, and ability to evoke the unique atmosphere of his subjects. Through his lens, he captured the rugged grandeur of Scotland's mountains, the serenity of its lochs, and the timeless charm of its villages and cities. Robert Moyes Adam's legacy continues to inspire photographers and enthusiasts alike, reminding us of the enduring beauty and spirit of Scotland. One of those is Craig Easton and his beatiful project Return to Mingulay.

“Adam´s had a soft spot for the Isle of Mingulay.”

– ‘Adam´s had a soft spot for the Isle of Mingulay - he made two trips there - in 1905 and then again in 1922. I first discovered this work at the St. Andrews University Special Collections where they hold Adam’s original glass plate negatives and hand written ledgers. Mingulay was evacuated of people in 1912 a few years after a freak storm had taken the fishing boat of neighbouring Pabbay with the loss of the lives of all the young men on the island. The Mingulay boat survived that storm, but the community was rocked and in 1912 they were evacuated to nearby Vatersay and Barra.

©Craig Evans

In 2021, after one aborted attempt to land on the island (there is no harbour so you need to leap from the boat onto rocks - not easy with a large format camera, tripod, film, tent, food etc.), I slept under canvas for the few hours of darkness each night and made photographs each day of the landscape and remains of the village that once stood there.’

“I slept under canvas for the few hours of darkness each night and made photographs each day of the landscape.”

– ‘A special portfolio was made for St. Andrews University collection consisting of ten 20”x24” platinum/palladium prints, four 20”x24” collage pigment prints and ten silver gelatin prints, plus a full set of contact sheets and notes. 

If you are interested to buy prints email craig@craigeaston.com.

 ©Craig Evans. Craig Evans at work.

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twentythree magazine 
by 23PINE

© 2024 23PINE

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