It is estimated that 147,609 Scots were killed in active service during WWI 1914-18.
Records show that 26.4% of enlisted Scots died compared to 11.8% of the population in other areas of the UK. The population of Scotland at the time was 10% of the total UK population yet the statistic accounted for a fifth of Britain’s war dead.
The war devastated many Highland rural villages to such an extent that in the post war Census, the census entrants of many unreturned soldiers were listed as NIL. With the loss of so many able bodied young men, rural communities diminished and people slowly drifted away from their lands, rural industry and crafts. Whole communities disappeared; places became forgotten - this became known as the third clearance.
In 1992 Steve Macleod began creating a photographic response to these losses; the traces of abandoned communities in the Highland landscape. Visiting old ghosts, he has traced dilapidated evidence of forgotten villages and ways of life.
Inspired by the writings of author Neil Gunn he travelled to and met with people now living in the landscape, people who may have no historical connection yet embrace a beautifully unforgiving environment.
Macleod draws on Gunn’s love of the North Highland landscape, a land with a binding relationship with its people; often melancholic with dark remembrances. Quiet reflections that define the country; a landscape that in turn determines the character of its people.
He engaged with current residents in a collaborative approach to the photographic works.
Creating silver gelatin prints he obliterated the image with black oil stick and then invited people to uncover the image below with their hands, in turn placing their own identity on the landscape. Resurrecting a connection that commemorates the past yet connects us with the present.
Like many Scots with a desire to travel, Macleod has lived across the globe. On his way he has met many people who have been touched by the landscape of Caithness and like many no matter how far they travel, he understands that its not important where you are going as that can be a great unknown – Caithnessians believe that you are not only from Scotland but more importantly you will always belong to Caithness.
Images: 16
Dimension: 40x30" (Ed5) 16x12" (Ed7), Unique original oil painted prints 16x12" (unique)
Media: Hahnemuhle German Etching prints
It is estimated that 147,609 Scots were killed in active service during WWI 1914-18.
Records show that 26.4% of enlisted Scots died compared to 11.8% of the population in other areas of the UK. The population of Scotland at the time was 10% of the total UK population yet the statistic accounted for a fifth of Britain’s war dead.
The war devastated many Highland rural villages to such an extent that in the post war Census, the census entrants of many unreturned soldiers were listed as NIL. With the loss of so many able bodied young men, rural communities diminished and people slowly drifted away from their lands, rural industry and crafts. Whole communities disappeared; places became forgotten - this became known as the third clearance.
In 1992 Steve Macleod began creating a photographic response to these losses; the traces of abandoned communities in the Highland landscape. Visiting old ghosts, he has traced dilapidated evidence of forgotten villages and ways of life.
Inspired by the writings of author Neil Gunn he travelled to and met with people now living in the landscape, people who may have no historical connection yet embrace a beautifully unforgiving environment.
Macleod draws on Gunn’s love of the North Highland landscape, a land with a binding relationship with its people; often melancholic with dark remembrances. Quiet reflections that define the country; a landscape that in turn determines the character of its people.
He engaged with current residents in a collaborative approach to the photographic works.
Creating silver gelatin prints he obliterated the image with black oil stick and then invited people to uncover the image below with their hands, in turn placing their own identity on the landscape. Resurrecting a connection that commemorates the past yet connects us with the present.
Like many Scots with a desire to travel, Macleod has lived across the globe. On his way he has met many people who have been touched by the landscape of Caithness and like many no matter how far they travel, he understands that its not important where you are going as that can be a great unknown – Caithnessians believe that you are not only from Scotland but more importantly you will always belong to Caithness.
Images: 16
Dimension: 40x30" (Ed5) 16x12" (Ed7), Unique original oil painted prints 16x12" (unique)
Media: Hahnemuhle German Etching prints
