Aberdeenshire

Dunnottar Castle Sunrise – Drone Photography in Stonehaven, Scotland

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Drone photograph of Dunnottar Castle at sunrise in Stonehaven, Scotland, showing the ruins on cliffs above the North Sea.

Few locations on Scotland’s east coast carry as much atmosphere as Dunnottar Castle. Perched high above the North Sea, the ruins dominate the headland and remain one of the country’s most iconic coastal landmarks.

Captured by drone at sunrise, the first light revealed texture in the stonework and depth across the cliffs. The dramatic shadows emphasise both the scale of the castle and the rugged coastline that surrounds it.

The surviving buildings are largely from the 15th and 16th centuries, but the site is believed to have been fortified in the Early Middle Ages.

Dunnottar is best known as the place where the Honours of Scotland, the Scottish crown jewels, were hidden from Oliver Cromwell's invading army in the 17th century.

This work adds to my wider series on Scotland’s coastal landmarks, using drone photography to document places where history and landscape meet.

Rattray Head Lighthouse at Sunrise – Coastal Photography in Aberdeenshire

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photograph of Rattray Head Lighthouse at sunrise, captured from the Aberdeenshire coast of Scotland.

Scotland’s lighthouses have long been designed to face harsh seas, but few look as striking in first light as Rattray Head Lighthouse. Built in 1895, it still stands strong off the Aberdeenshire coast.

Photographed at sunrise, the tower rises above calm water with warm light catching its surface. The scene captures the balance of engineering and isolation that defines Scotland’s coastal navigation points.

Rattray head lighthouse was constructed in 1895 and stand 120 feet (37m) tall.

This lighthouse is part of my continuing focus on maritime Scotland, documenting structures that combine function, history, and striking design.

St Mary’s Chapel, Rattray – Historic Church Photography in Aberdeenshire

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photograph of St Mary’s Chapel in Rattray, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, believed to date back to the early 13th century.

Tucked away in Aberdeenshire, St Mary’s Chapel at Rattray is thought to date back to around 1214. Its weathered stone walls stand as a reminder of centuries of local history.

This shoot continues my project of documenting Scotland’s historic churches, using simple photography to record places that hold centuries of community history.