As part of the WordPress Daily Post Weekly Photo Challenge theme of Tour Guide, I thought it might be of interest to find something that ties back to this week’s Tuesday Photo Challenge of Exotic.
My favorite island of the Inner Hebrides is Skye, for its amazing, rugged landscape and mountainous range that are just a dream to photograph, as every different incident angle of light creates a completely new environment, sometimes even otherworldly.
One of the interesting places to visit on the isle of Skye is Dunvegan Castle, the seat of the MacLeod of MacLeod, chief of the Clan MacLeod. Probably a fortified site from the earliest times, the castle was first built in the 13th century and developed piecemeal over the centuries. In the 19th century the whole was remodelled in a mock-medieval style. The castle is built on an elevated rock overlooking an inlet on the eastern shore of Loch Dunvegan, a sea loch.
Monkey Puzzle Tree
The castle sits on a massive site on Skye, much of which is cultivated into a stunning garden that includes many exotic species, such as the tree in this photo. The people standing next to it give you a sense of the scale of this wonderful tree.
If you’re ever visiting Skye, the castle and its grounds are well worth a look!
A Fresh Perspective
Photography is more than just a vehicle for capturing the world around me; it provides me with a palette and a set of brushes, with which I paint not only what I see, but also look to express the emotions that are evoked by the scene in front of me in that moment.
Growing up in the Netherlands exposed me to a wide cross-section of visual arts that laid the foundation of my photographic view of all that surrounds me. Early influences were the Dutch Masters of the 17th century, to whom I was introduced by my grandfather during museum explorations; favorites among them are the scenes of quotidian life depicted by Jan Steen and Frans Hals and the vivid landscapes of Jacob van Ruisdael.
My classical high school education was supplemented by the Boijmans Van Beuningen museum, where I spent many a lunch hour exploring its great collection. Here I was introduced to surrealism with a particular love for the approach taken by Salvador Dali; Dali also rekindled my appreciation for the work of Hieronymus Bosch, who often showed the folly of us mortals.
Universal Connections
My approach to any photographic subject is to look for understanding first; in this I look to establish either a connection between the viewer and the subject or capture the connection of the subject with its surroundings. The captured image then aims to portray this connection from a perspective that is part of my personal interpretation.
This interpretation is often a form of externalized introspection, which may alternately display the connection of isolated beings and items with their environment or highlight the whimsy of the profound world, in which we find ourselves. The universe is full of connections, many of which are waiting to be discovered; part of my journey as a photographer is to document these connections.
Any assignment, be it an event, a product shoot or a portrait session is always approached through communication with the client; this is where the first connection is established. Ideas are exchanged and a collaborative plan of action forms, ultimately resulting in a set of images that aim to exceed the expectations of each client.
And, lest we forget, it is important to have fun while practicing the serious business of photography!
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7 thoughts on “Dunvegan Castle Gardens”
We has a monkey puzzle tree in the back garden of the bungalow. It stood over fourteen feet high and took up too much space, so we advertised it for sale, buyer collects. What we didn’t add was that they would have to dig it up! We got £50 for it, and the couple who bought it were extremely pleased as the small one they’d purchased for almost as much had died. It had an eight foot diameter ball root and took the four of us to carry it out to their trailer.
It was an entertaining experience! The girl had to jump on her shovel as it was almost as big as her, but the pair dug away with gusto for their prize. Our garden was tiny, so this tree, plus a huge pond some 8 x 6 x 4 high and a 6 x 8 shed left little room other than a path for access! It all went over time.
Dutch goes the Photo! 
We has a monkey puzzle tree in the back garden of the bungalow. It stood over fourteen feet high and took up too much space, so we advertised it for sale, buyer collects. What we didn’t add was that they would have to dig it up! We got £50 for it, and the couple who bought it were extremely pleased as the small one they’d purchased for almost as much had died. It had an eight foot diameter ball root and took the four of us to carry it out to their trailer.
They do get very tall and this one was stunning! I can imagine that it was quite a job to move your tree!
It was an entertaining experience! The girl had to jump on her shovel as it was almost as big as her, but the pair dug away with gusto for their prize. Our garden was tiny, so this tree, plus a huge pond some 8 x 6 x 4 high and a 6 x 8 shed left little room other than a path for access! It all went over time.
What a stunning tree!
Thank you! It certainly is!
Beautiful tree! I visited the Isle of Skye a few years ago, but didn’t make it to this castle. Sure wish I could have!