Arbirlot Walks – Fields, Waterfalls and Woodland

A short walk through Arbirlot, just outside Arbroath, takes you from open fields into shaded woodland and down to the small waterfall under the old stone bridge. It’s a quiet spot, ideal for a wander with the dog or simply enjoying the scenery. The mix of farmland, riverside paths and that hidden cascade makes it a favourite place for locals to explore.

The waterfall itself, tucked beneath the bridge, is the highlight. Whether standing above it or cooling off below, it’s a reminder of how much variety you can find within a short distance of town.

Exploring places like Arbirlot shows just how much variety is on offer in this part of Scotland. From open coastlines to tucked-away woodland, I’m always drawn to the mix of landscapes nearby. You can see more of my work across Places and People.

Black and White Gym Photography – Weightlifting Event in Arbroath

At Warehouse Gym in Arbroath, a weightlifting event provided a chance to capture strength and focus in a stripped-back style. Without colour, the story shifts to contrast, shape, and movement.

The black and white approach highlights athletes in training and competition. Sharp contrasts draw out detail in posture and expression, showing the raw intensity of the sport.

This shoot extends my portfolio of event photography in Scotland, using a simple approach that keeps attention on people and performance.

The Importance of Revisiting a Site – Photography Practice in Scotland

Returning to familiar locations often produces new results. Light, weather, and season all change, meaning a second or third visit can reveal details that weren’t there before.

This series shows how repeat visits create variety. The same place shifts character depending on the conditions, offering new compositions and perspectives.

Revisiting sites is part of my regular approach, ensuring subjects are documented in different moods and at different times. It keeps even familiar places fresh.

Exploring the Timeless Beauty of Arbroath Abbey — Medieval Architecture, Scotland

Arbroath Abbey, founded in 1178, remains one of Scotland’s finest medieval ruins. Even in partial ruin, its arches, rose windows, and carved stone tell stories of history, craftsmanship, faith, and identity.

Built by King William the Lion, the Abbey is best known as the place where the Declaration of Arbroath was drafted in 1320 — a document that asserted Scotland’s independence. In person, the Abbey’s architecture speaks in stone: towered sections, pointed arches, weathered rose windows, and worn masonry. The play of light through open arches and across aged surfaces accentuates how architecture survives time. During my visit, I walked among the ruins, noting where shadows lengthen and details emerge in light — stone carvings, tracery, and subtle wear showing centuries of exposure.

Ruins like this connect us to centuries past, where architecture, faith, and identity meet in stone. For more church architecture and heritage photography, see my Places and Drone galleries.

St Vigeans Church

St Vigeans Church sits on a low hill in the ancient village of St Vigeans, on the northern outskirts of Arbroath in Angus. The church is one of the older surviving ecclesiastical sites in the area — the building dates from the 12th century, though the site itself is thought to be older. It was consecrated in 1242 by David de Bernham, Bishop of St Andrews.

The village of St Vigeans takes its name from Saint Fechin of Fore, an Irish monk whose name was anglicised over centuries to Vigean. The church stands on a raised mound that may indicate even earlier pre-Christian use of the site.

These photographs are part of an ongoing project documenting churches and historic buildings across Angus and Scotland. The Church of Scotland parish still serves the local community, and the adjacent Abbots House museum holds an important collection of carved Pictish stones found in the area.

For more church photography, see the Church category in the blog and the Places portfolio.

Arbroath cliffs trail.

Imagine standing atop rugged cliffs, with the North Sea crashing below and the wind whipping through your hair.

Welcome to the Arbroath Cliffs Walk, where nature’s raw beauty meets Scotland’s storied coastline.

The Arbroath Cliffs Walk stretches along Scotland’s east coast, offering a 4-mile trail filled with dramatic cliff faces, natural rock formations, and panoramic sea views.

Have you walked the Arbroath Cliffs? Share your favorite spots or good photography walk in the comments on my instagram @lee_ramsden as I would love to hear your thoughts.

Thanks

Lee