Adrift (2016)

                        Learable, Sutherland

In the summer of 2015 I was greatly moved by news coverage of the mass migrations across the Mediterranean Sea and the accompanying loss of life. I wanted to respond to this catastrophic event but did not want to 'head toward the action'. Instead I began to reflect upon a time in Scottish history when people had been forced to migrate either literally or through economic circumstance. I travelled throughout the highlands and islands of Scotland photographing abandoned settlements from above using a kite and drone. This work appeared as part of a group show, Tabula Rasa II, in Streetlevel Photoworks in 2016.

                        Broubster, Caithness

                        Bornais, South Uist

                        Glad Gugaurudh, Mull

                        Lagantuin, Arran

All images © Frank McElhinney

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