Claire & Scott

First wedding of 2010 for me and it was a return back to old stomping grounds near Loch Lomond. The wedding was at The Buchanan Arms in Drymen, Scotland and it was well worth the journey as I was made to feel very welcome and, being Glaswegian and a musician of sorts, I fitted in with what seemed like most of the guests!


Andy Capp had a co-starring role in the day's proceedings but was getting a few funny looks until the full story came out during the speeches.

The Malaysian influences on the wedding plans were subtle but beautiful. Hundreds of origami birds hung in the air all round the room and above the tables. Their gentle movement in the air was very calming and created a very special atmosphere.

Meanwhile things were quite calm upstairs too. The girls were ready to go nice and early. No ten-minute late bride today.

Early in the day, and the boys are looking very smart. No untucked shirts, droopy socks or squinty ties here.

The ceremony was conducted by a humanist (who have the legal authority in Scotland but not England) and featured readings that were chosen carefully and delivered very impressively...

...and was followed by a song from Claire's brother in law with a very good backing band.

The staff were very keen to point out to me that they had artistically arranged the champagne glasses in a heart. I'm not sure how many guests noticed but I went up on tip-toes and captured the design.

A cold but bright winter's day in the Loch Lomond National Park; a pretty special location.

Never one for traditional shots more than are absolutely necessary, I took the newlyweds round the back of the hotel and away from the scenic splendour for a while.

Wee boys do like a sgian dubh, fake or not, but Eleanor looked just as fierce armed only with a few red roses.

I tried to keep the outside photos as short as possible as it was close to freezing but some resorted to their own central heating systems.

This is the back of the cake. There will be photographs of the front later but it's nice to see the room too.

The speeches were spread throughout the meal and afterwards which was a novel and successful idea.

We all had a chinese salad to celebrate the Chinese new year which was communally tossed with chopsticks for good luck. The higher the toss the more good luck; there were reports of minor collateral damage on the table cloths.

The lads looking a bit more relaxed in their dress as the dancing was about to start. The blow-up guitars soon became weapons of mass hilarity.

Congratulations to Claire and Scott and Thanks for making the day so enjoyable and for making me feel so much a part of your wedding.

Hogmanay 2009

A fine week in Braemar over Hogmanay. It was -15C at night and rarely went much above freezing by day. With little wind, the snow was lying on branches and twigs and the whole area was breathtakingly beautiful,

Season's Greetings

Last week I was commissioned to supply some images to use as a Christmas Greeting at the reception area of the new Edinburgh University Library.

The photos were easy enough to source from my archive of landscape images and I chose various wintry scenes to meet the remit I was given.

Here are the 5 images I supplied...

...and here are the snazzy screens displaying one of the images.

A bit of publicity

I have an article in this month's The Northumbrian magazine. It's all about my other blog Northumberland360.com which is a "Photographic Diary of a Dog-Walker on the Northumberland Coast". Click Here to visit the Northumberland360.com blog

Marie & Gareth

My last wedding of the year and I'm so glad it was such a great day. The Apex International on Edinburgh's Grassmarket was the venue and it was a lovely combination of the modern hotel overlooking the ancient heart of Edinburgh's Old Town.

When the bride is getting ready there are loads of photo opportunities and it's a part of the day I enjoy photographing. Fiona and Julie were on hand to help Marie.

The girls were ready way too early but there are always last minute adjustments.

Gareth and his Best Man David waited patiently but Marie didn't keep them waiting.

The ceremony was very personal as Marie had been Christened by the same Minister (some years ago)

We were very fortunate to have access to the terrace overlooking the Castle for a few photos but we didn't stay out long and the Happy Couple were able to rejoin their guests for some fizzy and congratulations all round.

Marie and Gareth prepare to receive their standing ovation as they went into the wedding breakfast. Their guests fair raised the roof!

Great speeches all round. David's Best Man speech was a classic and very well delivered.

The first dance was followed by some fine Ceilidh dancing. For a Scot living in England this was particularly enjoyable.

Congratulations and Best Wishes to Marie and Gareth. Thanks for having me there to share your day and I hope these few pictures bring back some memories while you're waiting for the full set which will follow soon...

Andy